Rachel Maddow: Big Money Pulling the Strins of Protests

Yes she is and I'm praying she keeps it up because, we seriously need all the help we can get... :)

Right now it's: pray for your health because that's the only plan we've got!

I worked for 10 years as a part time or near full time employee. I did not have health care, I had to go to the office clinic to get perscriptions for antibiotics as I was constantly inflicted with ears/nose/ throat issues.

Thank God, after turning full time and being able to get coverage, I was diagnosed with diabeties. Who knows how long I had it.... I have lost some of my vision... I may need knee replacement surgury.

okay, first up we have the republicans who cant seem to do any thing smart. next we have the democrats who... oh, cant seem to do anything smart either. why is it that very little people can except the fact that both parties are both equally bad.

robynlexisTX

The woman is a liar

Prove it, I dare you.

MSNBC panders to the left and she still has no proof. Go after Corporations and get the proof, where's the paper trail? Show it on TV, hold it up high where we can all see it. Anyone can CLAIM anything.

Your post still does not prove your claim. Please provide facts to prove Ms. Maddow is a liar as you stated.

Hey TX, you are in big trouble now. Lola, spectator and Bad will all be looking for you. These oh so nice liberals have a special place for you and me. Too bad these people protest against the rights of some Americans to have freedom of speech.

skirting on the edge of the truth?! Seriously? It is a very clear, straight, line with Tom Scully - cut a 600 billion dollar deal with drug companies, illegally supress that information, avoid prosecution while getting a waiver to be a lobbyist, then after getting fired for breaking the law, you go to work for the same people you broke the law to benefit. Then get on the board and fund a company headed by a man that was found guilty of fraud in healthcare, way to go Mr. Scott, that promotes more lies and wants to stop health care reform that would cause them to make less money. This is not secret stuff and their are no denials. She held it up, if you don't like it, feel free to look it up yourself.

economicparty

Hey TX, you are in big trouble now. Lola, spectator and Bad will all be looking for you. These oh so nice liberals have a special place for you and me. Too bad these people protest against the rights of some Americans to have freedom of speech.

The Sky is Falling, The Sky is Falling. :-)

Thanks economicparty!

Maybe thay need to go look at what Bill Harrison seeded about obama's henchmen physically abusing REAL AMERICANS not plants (as suggested by Rachel) in Florida. But of COURSE they'll claim it was all an act.

Let 'em look I'll even provide my e-mail for o's stoolies!

Video: SEIU/ Acorn Thugs Manhandle TownHall Participants In Tampa

Article Source: Examiner

Why is it that if you do a search of this alleged event there are only a few Far Right Wing blogs carrying this (and I use the term loosely) story. If it were true CBS, ABC or NBC would have it. Things that make you go Hmm.

CBS ABC and NBC wouldn't cover these stories because they're liberal networks.

Is that the Far Right Wing answer to every channel except FOX. Give me a break every network has slant. ABC and CBS are middle of the road. NBC to the left, MSNBC to the far left and FOX far to the right. Don't try and blame a liberal tag on the Networks because they didn't cover this made-up Far Right Wing-Nut propaganda.

This is where I wanted to post

See this:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/#32337941

Then see this:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/#32337676

Then try to debunk - I triple dog dare anyone to debunk these videos.

roby

This is what is being reported here in Florida regarding SEIU incident. Please watch the entire video (it's to the right of the article)

Then let's discuss - one man protesting was from a pharmaceutical company - oops.

http://www.abcactionnews.com/mostpopular/story/Chaos-erupts-at-town-hall-meeting-in-Tampa/6cP1qxIPY0qEAkxy-ZgMFw.cspx

If you don't care or know who she is. Why are you commenting on something you have no knowledge of?

She a "reporter" for MSNBC claiming (w/out any proof) that people are getting big bucks to disrupt town meetings.

Why isn't MSNBC hunting down these people and exposing them? I would. But I guess it's kinda hard to look for something that doesn't exist.

If you had read the article or watch her show you would know that she said the corporate organizer are getting paid by the Insurance Companies. Not the people they are tricking into believing their lies.

robynlewisTX

that people are getting big bucks to disrupt town meetings.

Maybe you have selective hearing. She was talking about corporations which are hoping to continue to make big bucks by disrupting town meetings on health care reform. The following articles can give you a better understanding of what is actually going on in the current health care war.

http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Conservatives_for_Patients_Rights

http://www.alternet.org/module/printversion/141833

http://www.alternet.org/module/printversion/141833

Ah yes, selective hearing. I thought only my husband did that. But then again some only hear what they want.

Maybe you have selective hearing.

Attacks on fellow viners will not be tolerated in any form. Be respectful or move on.

Double standard applies?

obynlewisTX.

Maybe you have selective hearing.

Attacks on fellow viners will not be tolerated in any form. Be respectful or move on.

Double standard applies?

No one mentioned you by name or anyone else. It appears to be a general statement. Is there some reason you feel that post fits you?

He was addressing me no one else stop beating around the bush.

And you know that how? We stop beating Bush around when he left office. :-)

That really sticks in your craw doesn't it? Sucks to be you! ;)

Not really, you did see the little smiling face at the end of my post. That means it was humorous or meant to be. I guess it Suck not to have sense of Humor!!

Ditto!;)

robynlewisTX.

Ditto!;)

Recess time. Nothing to add so I get this.

Since when is selective hearing an attack!?!?!?!? Anyone? Anyone?

But then again, if you have nothing of value, just say anything.

robynlewisTX

Maybe you have selective hearing

One thing is for sure, the Conservatives have certainly gotten thin skinned.

This is your statement "that people are getting big bucks to disrupt town meetings". Taken literally this means that the people actually doing the disruptions are being paid big bucks to do it.

This was not what the show was about. It was that corporations have big bucks to loose on heath care reform and are willing to pay millions to try and stop it.

The health care industry has spent $144 million in lobbying in the first quarter and are spending $1.4 million a day trying to distort the truth of the health care reform bill. Why don't you actually read the bill for yourself? I have put the link in one of my comments.

robynlewis

If you think you know Rachel - debunk my post #7.11 - I triple dog dare you.

Again, she can SAY anything she wants to on TV, but where is her proof? Unlike Obama and his tag team, who has ACORN working for him and bringing "yes" people to these town halls now, who we now KNOW is a corrupt organization being sued in 11 or 17 states now, WHERE is her proof these people are being paid off?

And if they are, how can I get onboard as I need extra cash being on disability which doesn't go very far anymore! Oh yes, and even being on disability with crappy Medicare as a medical, I DO NOT support Obama's plan--I might have had it been the first bill thru, but not now, we are WAY too far in debt and don't need to add another trillion bucks to our debt we owe mostly to China now since they loan us money. I don't think this is a crisis we can't live with for another year or so until the economy turns around. If congress wants to do something, then maybe they can pass a catastrophic illness bill, so that if one is super sick and doesn't have good coverage, they can have help with their bills because if anyone has had anything to do with a hospital nowdays, you know, a couple days in the hospital for surgery and you walk out with a $50 to $75,000 bill and if you need follow up after that, too bad for you!

Why don't you click on the links provide here instead asking questions that have already been answered. You don't want answers you just want to complain.

Unlike the Neo-Cons who have organizations like XE (BlackWater), Pfizer, Halliburton, FOX NEWS, Patients First, C-Street, Swift Voters, ....... (need I go on????)

Wrote the book on it in the 60s. As the saying goes...They've come along way, now!

Gotta love the irony!!

if you think Obama's community organizing involved organizing thugs to disrupt townhall meetings....then you obviously have no clue what you're talking about. but no big surprise there.

Not sure if you're responding to me or not but, the point I was making was that it doesn't really matter who organized it. Whoever is behind it, they more than likely learned how to do it at the feet of the Democrats. Can you see the irony in the Democrats complaining about people disrupting a meeting ? The Democrats almost brought a National party's convention to a stop.

The Democrats almost brought a National party's convention to a stop.

Yea, their own convention and it was a long time ago.

What does that have to do with today? Bush had a way of handling protesters. He set up fenced in "free speech zones" blocks away from the event. Then, when he held a local event, his men would patrol the parking lots looking for trouble makers. You couldn't even get in unless you were a Republican and could prove it.

Spectator99,

You're right!! And that's the point that I'm trying to make. You cannot in this country just look at one side and decide that it's totally without blame. Even more important, you cannot stop the free speech of anyone. Even if it doesn't serve any purpose. Even if its disruptive and prevents any good from being accomplished. You can appeal to them for calm and you can hope that eventually everyone becomes more reasonable. That's all you can do. Spending time and money on figuring out who's paying who, pointing fingers at each other? IMHO that's wasteful. And if the people who are "protesting" are real and the media is trying to discredit them? The flames only shoot higher.

"if you think Obama's community organizing involved organizing thugs to disrupt townhall meetings....then you obviously have no clue what you're talking about. but no big surprise there."

Wasn't it Obama that suggested getting in people's faces? Or did he mean to get into people's faces, then stand there passively without saying a word?

These protesters are simply following their president's advise. What a leader he has proven himself to be by convincing the other side to follow his instructions!

The only thing Rachel exposed is misinformed Dems are.

She exposed away to make the Far Right Wing-Nuts to come out in force also. Who cannot think for themselves and follow the talking points.

I think you've got it right! The lobbyists have set up shop in Washington, and our legislators have no term limits. Add those two variables together, and well, draw your own conclusions.

And my very favorite lobby, the federal reserve.

Ginny, it's very frustrating for anyone who actually has any questions they'd like to ask. I still have very little idea of what this proposal is, what the specifics are, how much it would cost me to go with the health options, etc. I haven't been to these events, but I imagine there are a lot of people like me without a political axe to grind, and who want to learn more about the proposed reform to make a decision whether to support or oppose. But I am equally frustrated that the politicians have not gone on talk and news programs to lay out any specifics. There's a way around this roadblock. How can someone support any proposal without knowing any details? The congress and administration need to get the information out so we can make an informed decision.

We, and our potentially informed decision do not seem to be a factor in their equation. I do know that if the big pharmacy co's and the insurance companies like it, I probably am going to get screwed.

I always caution against organized disruptions, and I have unique perspective in uderstanding how frustrating that can be. A few years ago, I was a member of a union. We were in a contract dispute, and a meeting was taking place at one of our company's offices. Several dozen union "disruptors" were brought in to intimidate the members of management and non-union members. We call them "enforcers" , a hockey term. As I and the other members of our local union attempted to enter the building, we were shoved, shouted at, had signs shoved in our faces, and had chants and slogans screamed at us. We tried to tell them that WE WERE THE LOCAL UNION MEMBERS, but they wouldn't listen. They shouted over us, and we missed the meeting. Drones and thugs are not the answer, no matter what party is sending them to do their bidding.

She is one of the most thorough journalists on TV that does not live and breath Michael Jackson.

She is one of the few going after C - Street

She is an asset to MSNBC.

hungary1956

Why do people brother even listening to rachel - she is clueless and a worthless talk show host - you really can't call her show anything to do with journalism or reporting since fact is a missing feature.

For anyone to say Ms Maddow is "clueless" shows their lack of knowledge. Here just part of her CV. Why don't you post yours so we can compare?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rachel_Maddow

A graduate of Castro Valley High School in Castro Valley, California, Maddow earned a degree in public policy from Stanford University in 1994.^[7] At graduation she was awarded the John Gardner Fellowship. She was also the recipient of a Rhodes Scholarship and began her postgraduate study in 1995 at Lincoln College, Oxford. In 2001, she completed her Doctor of Philosophy degree (styled a DPhil) in political science from the University of Oxford.[

Maddow's first radio hosting job was at WRNX (100.9 FM, Holyoke, Massachusetts). The station held a contest for a new on-air personality and Maddow won the contest.^[11] She was hired to co-host WRNX's then premier morning show, The Dave in the Morning Show. She later went on to host Big Breakfast on WRSI, in Northampton, Massachusetts, for two years. She left the show to join the newly-created Air America in March 2004.^[8] There she hosted Unfiltered along with Chuck D and Lizz Winstead until its cancellation on March 31, 2005.^[12] Two weeks later, on April 14, her own two-hour-long program, The Rachel Maddow Show, began airing; it was expanded to three hours on March 10, 2008. It was broadcast live from New York from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. ET on weekdays, with David Bender filling in the third hour for the call-in section when Maddow was on TV assignment. On September 8, 2008, The Rachel Maddow Show returned to a two-hour format as Maddow began her nightly MSNBC television program. On February 2, 2009, after renewing her contract with Air America, Maddow returned to a one hour, 5 a.m. morning slot.[

In June 2005 Maddow became a regular panelist on MSNBC's Tucker.^[14] During and after the November 2006 election, she was a frequent guest on CNN's Paula Zahn Now. In January 2008, Maddow was given the position of MSNBC political analyst and was a regular panelist on MSNBC's Race for the White House with David Gregory and MSNBC's election coverage, as well as a frequent contributor on Countdown with Keith Olbermann.^[8]

On April 4, 2008, Maddow was the substitute host for Countdown with Keith Olbermann, her first time hosting a program on MSNBC. Maddow described herself on air as "nervous." Keith Olbermann complimented her work and she was brought back to host "Countdown" on May 16, 2008. That day, Countdown was the highest rated news program in the key 25–54 year old demographic.^[15] For her success, Olbermann awarded Maddow the 3rd ranking in his regular segment, "World's Best Persons" on the following Monday, calling her "World's Best Pinch-Hitter."^[16] Maddow filled in again on Countdown for eight-and-a-half broadcasts while Olbermann was on vacation in July 2008 (including the latter half of the July 21 show).^[17] Maddow has also filled in for David Gregory as host of Race for the White House.^[8]

MSNBC announced on August 19, 2008, that The Rachel Maddow Show would replace Verdict with Dan Abrams in the channel's 9PM ET time slot beginning September 8, 2008.^[18][19] Since its debut, the show has topped Countdown as the highest rated show on MSNBC on several occasions.^[20][21] After being on air for a little over a month, Maddow's program doubled the audience for MSNBC's 9PM hour.^[22] Maddow's ratings peaked during the 2008 presidential election and since have fallen from an average 1.9 million viewers to 1.1 million viewers in March 2009, part of a general decline in cable news ratings since that point.^[23] However, for the first time in the more than ten years MSNBC has been on the air the network has moved ahead of CNN in primetime and in the key 25-54 year old demographic, in large part due to Maddow taking over the 9pm Monday through Friday spot where she now regularly beats Larry King in the key demo and often in overall ratings.

Maddow was named in Out magazine's "Out 100" list of the "gay men and women who moved culture" in 2008.^[26]

Maddow was voted "Lesbian/Bi Woman of the Year (American)" in AfterEllen's 2008 Visibility Awards.^[27]

Maddow won a Gracie Award in 2009, presented by the American Women in Radio and Television.^[28]

Also in 2009, Maddow was nominated for GLAAD's 20th Annual Media Awards for a segment of her MSNBC show, "Rick Warren, Change To Believe In?", in the Outstanding TV Journalism Segment category.^[29]

On March 28, 2009, Maddow received a Proclamation of Honor from the California State Senate, presented in San Francisco by California State Senator Mark Leno.^[30]

In April 2009 she was named in Out magazine's Annual Power 50 List, landing at number 4.^[31]

Maddow placed no.6 in the "2009 AfterEllen.com Hot 100" list (May 11, 2009)^[32] and no.3 in their "2009 Hot 100: Out Women" version.^[33]

Maddow is included on a list of openly gay media professionals in The Advocate's "Forty under 40" issue of June/July 2009.^[34]

In June 2009, Maddow's MSNBC show was the only cable news show nominated for a Television Critics Association award in the Outstanding Achievement in News and Information category.

BADTV;

Nice really nice - I have been watching Rachel since before the elections and I have to say - Of all commentators on TV - Her show is the best.

She is one of the few with best integrity in journalism.

She proves you don't have to be boring and still keep it about reporting the news. Also not afraid to admit when mistakes are made.

She is a pit-bull like interviewer as well.

You and the Far Right Wing-Nuts need to stop with the "Nazi" comments. The family of over 6 million Jewish people would be offended by your lack of understand what a real "Nazi" is. And the price they paid.

Funny that when Nazis were mentioned during the Bush administration Godwin's Law came into play. But the republicans who touted Godwin's law have suddenly forgotten it now that their side is less powerful.

southwestpage

I am sure Anne Frank and the people who were slaughtered in Auschwitz, Buchenwald, and other concentration camps would be so proud of your comment:>{.

The Bush/Cheney administration is facing charges of laws against humanity.

They tried to deconstruct the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

They practiced cronyism and nepotism.

You are right there is no comparison to the Obama administration.

The Bush/Cheney administration is facing charges of laws against humanity.

They tried to deconstruct the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

They practiced cronyism and nepotism.

You are right there is no comparison to the Obama administration.

How about this one, PIK? Is this one on topic?

It's more on topic than calling an American a "Nazi."

Do you think anyone really believes you voted for President Obama. You had me going for a second until I got to that line. Then I laughed out loud. Best joke I have heard in days.

oldbat;

You voted for President Obama - rrrriiiiigggghhht - Haaaaaaaa

Probably the "oldbat" that said she "heard he was an an an Arab" to McCain during that Town Hall meeting.

DragonWoman

Or the nutcase that stood up in the town hall showing her birth certificate (which no one bothered to prove it was her real birth certificate) and saying "I want my country back". I wanted to crawl through my TV and smack her upside the head and tell her - this land was American Indian lands first and she sure the hell didn't look like an Indian.

We are all Americans and I am happy my vote counted this time - I am pleased and proud of our President.

What is wrong with you people that you can't believe that people can be unhappy with the way they voted now? I think Obama has turned out to be as big a liar as Bush, and I HATED Bush....but even Bush supporters in the end were turning against him, so why do you find it so unbelievable that people are very unhappy with the way Obama has run our financial problems into the ditch by trillions and trillions of dollars?

Unbelievable that people are SO one sided they can't even see clearly anymore. If this country eventually fails it will be because we are so polarized and can't even see straight anymore...we seem no longer to be a country but just two political parties fighting all the time, name calling, finger pointing, accusing--NEITHER side is acting with any dignity...they did not when the Repubs were in charge and now that the Dems are in charge, it is like a stupid little childish "payback" day in and and day out---that to me means there is really little hope for this country because obviously the people here are acting just as bad and childish. I for one am really glad I never had any children as I can't believe the country we are leaving them now, so polarized and full of hate.

@oldbat:

you say you voted for Obama but all the way back in feb this was your very first post,

#897

Strange, my interpetation was the actual writers of the hastily written stimulus, are the chimps. No wait, chimps have more sense. Sharpton is the racist.

wow and just like that, another conservative caught in a lie...do you ever tell the truth? Or are we supposed to believe that you were attacking Obama's policies less than a month after the inauguration.

Or the nutcase that stood up in the town hall showing her birth certificate (which no one bothered to prove it was her real birth certificate) and saying "I want my country back". I wanted to crawl through my TV and smack her upside the head and tell her - this land was American Indian lands first and she sure the hell didn't look like an Indian.

We are all Americans and I am happy my vote counted this time - I am pleased and proud of our President.

If I hear her yell the Pledge of Allegience one more time, I will rip my ears off and chuck them at my TV.... I can not take that crap either.

Or how about the Dr. Oraly Taitz (psuedo Za Za Gabor) and her "real" Birth Cirtificate. Just watching her on the Colbert Show.

She was a dentist..... look at the name again...LMAO

I TOTALLY agree with you, I have just about worn out my computer keyboard emailing congress and Obama, and I did the same when Bush was in office...the frustration in your average Joe citizen has been building for the past 8 years, and CHANGE was expected and PROMISED by Obama, people believed him, and he turned out to be as big lying politician as Bush--and now people are getting really mad, feel they have been let down and you see the results.

Whether these townhall people are informed or not, this 1100 page bill that not even our CONGRESS OR PRESIDENT can tell us what is in it, but they want a FAST vote on it to pass it anyway...they have the right to be angry, and ALL of us should be--since when was THIS an acceptable way to conduct our gov't???????? Bush did it too with his Patriot act and that crap....

Funny how when the mortgage meltdown happened this forum was full of hatred and anger at those who signed mortgages they did not understand---too bad people shouted, they are fools, they are dumb, they deserve to lose their homes, if they did not read and understand what they were signing, TOO BAD FOR THEM! But now some of these same people are willing to let CONGRESS, who can't run ANY program effectively, just blithely pass this 1100 page bill that everyone has tossed SOMETHING into it, and no one knows what it contains other than their own dozen pages of pork type stuff they wanted to include, good or bad. But this time we will be the ones who are the 'foreclosed home owners' because those in Congress won't care one wit at what they have done today, and be on some other trillion buck bill to pass tomorrow that HAS to be passed for our economic stability---amnesty I believe--not caring that so many Americans are out of work now, bring in and legalize millions more.

I can only say, vote any incumbants out of office, try someone new, if they don't work out and listen any better, the vote them out the next time and so on until those elected officials in our state and national gov'ts realize we mean business! No more lying, no more wasting our tax dollars, no more not listening to us, the voters, just NO MORE!!

Midwest Lady & Veegee,

May I say a polictally incorrect AMEN!!!

Reminds me of a line in a old movie...Mad as hell, and we aren't taking it anymore!!!

Thomas - Jefferson -

So debunk Rachel - show me where she lied, incited active demonstrations or any other piece of crap being displayed on Fox Noise,Clear Chanel and any other right wing media venue. Proof it - or your comment is nothing more than drivel.

You want me to prove that I am really an average american mad enough to try to do what ever I can about government run health care being rammed down our throats? You actually believe I am being paid by big monied interests and just pretending to be an average american taking a position? Rachal Maddow and MSNBC are clearly the big monied interests here, compared to me or any other person against government run health care who shows up at a town hall meeting. These accusations are so false they are laughable.

you may not be paid... but you swollowed the bull@!$%#.

You are someone who behaves like mindless sheep. Look where the dots connect. It doesnt take a whole lot to research... you just need to turn off FOX sudo-news.

So since you are so pissed - prove Rachel is lying.

So you want to scream over my voice and not let me ask my questions - you're that kind of "average" citizen. That is what this article is about and you have not shown anything or posted anything of value other than you are pissed and don't want a government health care plan without stating why you're pissed or why you are against a government health care plan - hmmmm. Your accusations fall short of the mark and would have to say - What is your real beef?

AND

You try to talk the talk - but where is the facts to back your statements up other than - I'm pissed

Well - I'm pissed too

I want a public option and I want affordable health care.

And I would like to know what you will say to this person:

http://alphadogreporter.wordpress.com/

There are tons of these situations - What's your fix??????

Sounds like you BOTH follow your party's respective talking heads lead and repeat their rhetoric like zombies. Everyone on the extreme fringes of both parties is so engrossed in prideful wars of words that it's hard to find anyone that actually wants to debate health reform. And it's my guess both parties want it that way. Because who needs to know anything about the proposed reform anyway-we have our marching orders depending on our political affiliations, right? What are the specifics of the proposals? Who knows. But those on the left support it and those on the right oppose it. It's so laughable to those of us trying to find out more about the PROPOSAL ITSELF!

Please tell me you didn't accuse them of following the party line. I have not read one post from the right that was not the Limbaugh, Beck or Dobbs line.

I believe I stated both sides were following the party line, and no one is engaged in an actual debate over reform. And that no one seems to know anything about the proposals that sparked all of this debate. And that the politicians on both sides must be very happy about it. And that those on the left support, those on the right oppose, and neither seems to know what the details are of what they are fighting about. And that some of us want to find out what the proposals are so that we can actually decide on the damn reform instead of blindly following our political party's talking points like sheep. That, BAD1V, is what I said. I am calling on people to be civillized at town hall meetings. I am calling on the politicians to give us information so that we know what the hell is being proposed. I am equally frustrated with both sides, especially the twilight zone lunatic fringe right and left that behave like puppets and mimick everything said and done by their favorite talk show hosts. My question is this: What is the proposal? How much will it cost each payday if I opt in? That is why there is luke warm support from most of America right now, no one on either side can give us any specifics, and the rest of us in the middle are sick and tired of rhetoric and partisan politics and just want answers. For me, I will neither cheer for a bill that has mystery ingredients nor rally against until I have enough information to make a logical decision. I do not turn to Rachel, Rush, Keith or Lou for news. They are talk show hosts. They are opinion shows, not news. They give their opinions based on their party affiliations. Sad so few people understand that.

I read your post in a hurry. You did say both sides. As to the bill it is not finished yet but will be online for all to see before it is voted on.

No problem, and I am looking forward to that moment when we can get a look into the proposals. I probably targeted some of my frustration at you because of your post, I am glad you reread it so you can see my perspective (and frustration). I will restate what I was trying to convey now that I've taken some deep breaths: I recognize that people feel passionately about their positions and political views, but I caution everyone to take a step back on important issues like this and wait for the facts to come out, then debate the issue itself rather than defend their favorite political analysts. Human nature is to believe one's own position to be absolutely right, and logically, those who disagree to be absolutely wrong, but reasoned debate can be accomplished by setting aside stereotypes and personally insulting rhetoric. It's tough, but it can be done. And, for the record, I support free speech but do not condone shouting over others trying to have a discussion. I think that is the lowest form of debate. I do not respect those that go to public forums with an agenda to shut down talks by yelling loud slogans given to them by organizers. Not from the right, not from the left. Peace. PS- I think we both did better on the second try...

I am for the health care bill. That being said I am a retired Law Enforcement officer who has health care guaranteed for the rest of my life. If we can send money to every country in the world (Not quite but it seems that way) we dam well can provide health care to every American. We have a whole class of people who are the working poor. The ones who work at Wal-Mart, Target and every other company that only pays it's employees enough to pay their bills and not provide health care. Those are the people I am fighting for so their kids can go to a Doctor when they are sick.

Agree- there are many who do not fall into the category of 'impoverished" by the government but are being squeezed very hard by the cost of healthcare. I, too, hope that this legislation is designed to give Americans an affordable alternative to private insurance. So many argue incorrectly that those who can't afford healthcare can go to the emergency room. That doesn't help someone who needs a prescription and has no prescription plan. The "upper" portion of the lower income class, and the "lower" portion of the middle class are the hardest hit under the current insurance scenario, and there does need to be a solution to the problem. We will find out soon enough (hopefully) if this proposal is the right fix...

My wife s an ER nurse so I know that doesn't work. I also hope the bill is done right. It just drives me up the wall when I here some of those people in Washington who have health care say this bill is not needed. That is easy for someone who has it to say.

I hear you on that one. My wife has great insurance, and thank God, because I lost my job about 8 weeks ago. Right now i make about 1/3 of what I was making, and we are finding it impossible to make ends meet. I can't imagine what life would be like right now without prescription coverage and health insurance, esp. for the kids. I have kept that in mind as the debate goes on, that I am thankful for what I have, and there are those with much less. It is not "redistribution of wealth" to guarantee health and prescription coverage through reform, as people who opt in will pay for it themselves, at a reduced rate ( I hope). Let's see what they come up with.

BAD1V and perplexed thanks for sharing.

Please re-read my posts above before calling me a FOX zombie; or accusing me of following Limbaugh, Beck, or Dobbs, or of reciting my party line. You are only proving the point I raised of the MSNBC health care movement utilizing FOX news style tactics. I am not a member of any political party, I do not follow or listen to any party line, any of these news outlets, or any of these people I was accused of in the replys. I see what is going on in the world through google news or this site. I turn on infotainment channels like FOX and MSNBC and am disgusted. I was making the point that the partisan view which is being put out by MSNBC is doing the same thing that FOX did for Bush. This is setting up a strawman and then claiming guilt by association. Because communists opposed the war in Iraq, FOX would insinuate the anti-war movement was made up of far-left wackos. MSNBC and apparently many of the posters here want to insinuate if you oppose health care you are part of the far right wacko group. MSNBC is doing to me what FOX did to me under Bush. I am just an American. I am apolitical on many issues like abortion, gay rights, but am the type of American who will emerge and come out strong when I see a threat to our freedom and liberty. Things like the Patriot Act, the Iraq War, and the governments taking over health care. If mainstream media is telling people that the anger against health care is not genuine, that it is drummed up by big monied interests paying people to be angry, then I am posting here to call them on their propaganda.

Why do I oppose health care? Because it scares me. It scares me because the politicians cannot even explain the ramifications of this for day to day decisions. It scares me because they do not read or understand these bills or modern medicine, they just seek increased power. It scares me they have the audacity to say they can make it better. We had the best health care in the world. As government has ramped up spending, now accounting for over half the spending, we have steadily spiraled into a crisis situation. Without government mandates on insurance it would be cheap and high quality again. People who are truly helpless will be taken care by religious and maybe other charities, as it was and should be. We do not need the government. To give them this power is truly dangerous. It is a threat to the middle class. It makes the middle class as dependant on the government as someone on welfare.

Don't be naive that this power will not be abused. Government run health care is something Adolf Hitler would have done, or probably did. It is something that Jozef Stalin or Vladimir Lenin would have done/did. It is something Fidel Castro would have done/did. It is not something Thomas Jefferson would have done. It is not something George Washington would have done. It is not something John Adams would have done. It is not something James Madison would have done. The tyrants I mentioned loved this sort of power. The noble four I mentioned; This power would have scared them as much as it does me.

Government run health care is something Adolf Hitler would have done, or probably did. It is something that Jozef Stalin or Vladimir Lenin would have done/did.

wtf?

First of all we have government run healthcare, its called Medicare, not to mention VA medical and the military's Tricare. So I assume you are talking about nationalized universal healthcare like France, Canada, Mexico,Brazil, China, Japan, India, Israel, Germany, the Netherlands, UK, Australia and many many others...

Hardly Nazi Germany or Stalinist Soviet Union, doncha think?

What are you really scared of?

Thomas J- My posts were aimed at both sides, urging everyone to debate the reform itself rather than recite talking head's rhetoric. You demonstrate my point. Calling the proposals nazi-like, stalinist, communist, etc., detracts from the debate and guarantees an equally angry response from the left. My point was that I wish both sides would allow the rest of us to see all of the facts and debate based on those facts, as we know very little about the actual proposals, which, it seems to me, is what we should be debating. My later posts proved my point, as I engaged in a discussion with a supporter of the proposal, and we each stated our concerns and hopes, mine being that I do not know enough about the reform bill to support or oppose it as of yet.

Sharn Cedar

Why don't you do it and shows all. Don't worry we will wait.

That's right Shawn, follow the $1.4 million that the Pharma and insurance co's are giving the politicians each day to keep this bill from passing so they have total control over all of us, to bankrupt us all over health care. Keep swallowing their load, you may be next in line for bankruptcy when they deny your benefits because they feel like it. Or maybe you have medicare, you know government run health care. You may condone their actions , but I for one do not.

A debate takes two sides willing to be civil and respectful. Debating facts that can be challenged. Not one side repeating what they heard on some radio show and refusing to provide fact to support their side.

@ economicparty

nobody is forcing you to be here...

Well after 30 years of letting "the market" dictate the terms, we are in a rapidly untenable debt spiral, while lagging most developed countries, even some underdeveloped ones,too. 1 million bankruptcies due to medical expenses this year 75% of them will have insuarance anyway.

Cons only know they don't want the fix while the status quo is twice as expensive .

Because rational debate will show they don't have a leg to stand on, they shout people down. Thats great for a wrestling match, but not foe townhalls.

Smokie, get it right we are not going to shove it down your throat, quit listening to Faux News. We are going to stick it up your ass just like Bush did to us! Rachel has more "smarts in her farts" than all of Faux news put together.