> > 10 of the  Nuttiest Statements Elected Officials Have Made in the Health
> > Care Battle
> > By Joshua Holland, AlterNet
> > Posted on  November 7, 2009, Printed on November 7,  2009http://www.alternet.org/story/143790/
> > Even by the standards of our typically debased public discourse, one has to
> >  step back and marvel for a moment at the sheer, unmitigated craziness the
> > debate  over health care reform has elicited from the right wing.
> > It hasn't been the usual conservative boilerplate -- blather about "tort  
> > reform" or _dubious "analyses"_
> > (http://mediamatters.org/research/200910280029)  predicting the latest proposal would  break the budget and blow up the
> > national debt. We've been treated to some truly  extreme, and sometimes
> > bizarre, arguments about American health care and  even _lied  to_
> > (http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2009/jul/30/e-mail-an...
> > eds-check-/)  about what the proposed  health reform bills contained.
> > We're accustomed to that kind of hyperbole from hate-radio and the  
> > conservative bloggers, but this summer it hasn't been limited to Rush  Limbaugh
> > _fulminating  about socialism_
> > (http://www.alternet.org/media/141547/limbaugh's_lies_sabotage_the_hea...)  or Glenn Beck  weepily warning
> > that the Dems' health care legislation are stealthy reparations  for slavery.
> > What makes the ocean of crazy surrounding this debate truly remarkable is  
> > that the overheated, ill-informed spew is also coming from the mouths of
> > actual  public officials, people tasked with creating legislation. National
> > office  holders -- _not loopy local GOP party  chairs_
> > (http://thegopspeaks.blogspot.com/2009/10/6.html) , but people who supposedly represent the
> > interests of entire  congressional districts and earn a public salary -- have
> > offered up months of  bizarre tales about our health care system and the effort to
> > reform it that are  every bit as outlandish as anything scribbled on an
> > overheated right-wing  blog.
> > The most charitable view is that some of the lawmakers who oppose reform
> > most  vehemently just have no clue what they're talking about. Sen. James
> > Inhofe,  R-Okla., whom some have dubbed _"the dumbest senator of  them all,"_
> > (http://www.counterpunch.org/jackson05122004.html)  suggested as much  when
> > asked what he didn't like about the reform bill.
> > "I don't have to read it or know what's in it. I'm going to oppose it  
> > anyways," he toldGrady County Express Star. According to the report,  
> > "information provided by news media have helped [Inhofe] become a staunch  
> > non-supporter of the bill." In other words, his opposition is firmly grounded in  
> > whatever he's picked up from the _fair-and-balanced  conservative media_
> > (http://mediamatters.org/reports/200904080025) .
> > Whether examples of dumb-as-a-box-of-rocks ignorance or intentional  
> > obfuscation, here are some of the craziest things that have been said about  
> > health care this summer by real-live elected officials.
> > It's by no means comprehensive!
> > 1. Policy Terminated!
> > The thing that makes the rhetoric against health care reform so outlandish
> > is  how divorced it is from reality.
> > The Democrats' health care proposals, as any critic on the left can tell
> > you,  are rather compromised, incremental reforms that won't directly impact
> > the vast  majority of Americans who have decent health care already. It has a
> > public  insurance option, but only 1 in 50 Americans would be covered by it
> > in 2019.  According to the Congressional Budget Office, it wouldn't add to
> > the deficit.  It's moderate.
> > Although the legislation is obviously significant, it's tough to portray as
> > a  radical and frightening shift in our health care system. So opponents in
> >  Congress have taken the novel approach of arguing against a bill that
> > doesn't  exist.
> > _Rep.  Steve King, R-Iowa, warned_
> > (http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/11/gop-rep-king-dems-ho...
> > licy-in-america.php?ref=fpb)  that the House reform bill "cancels  every
> > [health insurance] policy" in America. "[House Speaker Nancy] Pelosi's  agenda
> > takes every [policy] away," King told MSNBC.
> > Not to be outdone, Minnesota Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann -- always a  
> > favorite of lazy left-wing bloggers on the hunt for a gem -- told Fox News
> > _the House bill would_ (http://mediamatters.org/mmtv/200910300048) _ make
> > private insurance illegal_ (http://mediamatters.org/mmtv/200910300048) .
> > 2. Health Care Crisis? What Health Care Crisis?
> > One often hears that virtually everyone agrees that the American health
> > care  system has deep, deep problems, even as they disagree on exactly where
> > the  problems lie and how they should be fixed.
> > But have you ever wondered who it is that is not counted among "virtually  
> > everyone"? Turns out they include some of Washington's most conservative  
> > lawmakers who insist that there is no problem and that the whole thing is just
> >  another liberal myth (like global warming, poverty or the war in Iraq).
> > Another member of Congress named King -- Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., -- told  
> > MSNBC that health care is "not a major issue among the American people."  
> > The _Huffington  Postpoints out_
> > (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/03/rep-king-health-care-refo_n_...)  that King  based the claim on a poll
> > that in fact found that Americans ranked the issue as  the third most
> > important, after jobs and the deficit.
> > But Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., one of the craziest members of the House
> > (and  that's saying something), took the prize when she held a press
> > conference to  proclaim, "_there are  no Americans who don't have health care_
> > (http://thinkprogress.org/2009/07/24/foxx-americans-health-care/) ." Which would
> > come as a surprise for  the _46 million or so who lack  coverage_
> > (http://www.kff.org/uninsured/7451.cfm)  today.
> > "We do have about 7.5 million Americans who want to purchase health
> > insurance  who can not afford it," she granted before urging people not to "give
> > the  government control of our lives."
> > 3. There's No Problem, and Nobody Cares About Health Care, but … Oh My  
> > God!
> > If you're in the mood for consistency, the Republican caucus is probably
> > not  the place to look. Because while Reps. Foxx and Peter King were telling
> > us  everything's fine, and besides, nobody much cares about the issue, others
> > were  rending their hair over the profound injustice of it all.
> > Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., insisted that the Democrats' plans will  
> > inspire "a minor revolution" if lawmakers don't heed the confused outrage of
> > the  tea-partiers.
> > "The intensity on this issue across the country is like nothing I've seen
> > in  a long, long time,"_he  told CNN_
> > (http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/09/01/gop-senator-warns-of-...) , adding
> > that if health reforms squeak through, it'll "wreck our  health care system
> > and wreck the Democratic Party."
> > Newt Gingrich (OK, he used  to be an elected  official) _told  Fox News_
> > (http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/57443-alexander-warns-of-explosion...
> > use-reconciliation)  that if the Dems used  an obscure procedural maneuver
> > to advance the legislation, "I think you'll have  an extraordinary explosion
> > both in the Senate and in the country." And Rep. Paul  Broun, R-Ga.,
> > decided not to quibble and _warned_
> > (http://mediamattersaction.org/rd?to=http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-p...)
> >   that the Dems' rather business-friendly  incremental reforms would
> > "destroy America as we know it today."
> > With so much at stake, you have to credit Bachmann for reacting in the
> > calm,  measured tones for which she's become so well-known: "What we have to do
> > today  is make a covenant, to slit our wrists, be blood brothers on this
> > thing. This  will not pass. We will do whatever it takes to make sure this
> > doesn't  pass," _she  told an enthusiastic audience_
> > (http://washingtonindependent.com/57282/bachmann-we-have-to-slit-our-w...
> > alth-care-reform)  at a corporate think-tank.
> > 4. ET Get Health Insurance?
> > Like some grotesque apparition from Orson Wells' War of the Worlds, aliens
> > are descending upon us to defile  our women and eat our health-insurance
> > dollars!
> > Only these are illegal  aliens, and according to Iowa Republican King, a
> > repeat offender, the  Congressional Budget Office says almost 6 million
> > unauthorized immigrants would be  covered, gratis of course, under the Dems'
> > health reform bill.
> > Mind you he's not saying it -- he's just _issuing  press releases_
> > (http://steveking.house.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Newsroom.PressRelease...
> > _id=a294b300-19b9-b4b1-1296-659af869849a&Region_id=&Issue_id=)  saying  
> > that the CBO is saying  it!
> > But, as it turns out, not so much. _The  truth is_
> > (http://www.alternet.org/immigration/141739/right-wingers_are_stirring...
> > lth_reform_/)  not only are the  undocumented barred from receiving
> > benefits by the legislation itself, but also  by a variety of other laws already on
> > the books. So did the CBO get it wrong?  According to _Factcheck.org_

> In many cases poverty is a covert way of controlling groups of people,
> usually of a minority race. I'm not saying anyone opposed to
> healthcare is racist but there is not one apparent reason against such
> a welcome change.

> On 7 Nov, 18:18, LLP...@aol.com wrote:

> > 10 of the  Nuttiest Statements Elected Officials Have Made in the Health
> > Care Battle
> > By Joshua Holland, AlterNet
> > Posted on  November 7, 2009, Printed on November 7,  2009http://www.alternet.org/story/143790/
> > Even by the standards of our typically debased public discourse, one has to
> >  step back and marvel for a moment at the sheer, unmitigated craziness the
> > debate  over health care reform has elicited from the right wing.
> > It hasn't been the usual conservative boilerplate -- blather about "tort  
> > reform" or _dubious "analyses"_
> > (http://mediamatters.org/research/200910280029)  predicting the latest proposal would  break the budget and blow up the
> > national debt. We've been treated to some truly  extreme, and sometimes
> > bizarre, arguments about American health care and  even _lied  to_
> > (http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2009/jul/30/e-mail-an...
> > eds-check-/)  about what the proposed  health reform bills contained.
> > We're accustomed to that kind of hyperbole from hate-radio and the  
> > conservative bloggers, but this summer it hasn't been limited to Rush  Limbaugh
> > _fulminating  about socialism_
> > (http://www.alternet.org/media/141547/limbaugh's_lies_sabotage_the_hea...)  or Glenn Beck  weepily warning
> > that the Dems' health care legislation are stealthy reparations  for slavery.
> > What makes the ocean of crazy surrounding this debate truly remarkable is  
> > that the overheated, ill-informed spew is also coming from the mouths of
> > actual  public officials, people tasked with creating legislation. National
> > office  holders -- _not loopy local GOP party  chairs_
> > (http://thegopspeaks.blogspot.com/2009/10/6.html) , but people who supposedly represent the
> > interests of entire  congressional districts and earn a public salary -- have
> > offered up months of  bizarre tales about our health care system and the effort to
> > reform it that are  every bit as outlandish as anything scribbled on an
> > overheated right-wing  blog.
> > The most charitable view is that some of the lawmakers who oppose reform
> > most  vehemently just have no clue what they're talking about. Sen. James
> > Inhofe,  R-Okla., whom some have dubbed _"the dumbest senator of  them all,"_
> > (http://www.counterpunch.org/jackson05122004.html)  suggested as much  when
> > asked what he didn't like about the reform bill.
> > "I don't have to read it or know what's in it. I'm going to oppose it  
> > anyways," he toldGrady County Express Star. According to the report,  
> > "information provided by news media have helped [Inhofe] become a staunch  
> > non-supporter of the bill." In other words, his opposition is firmly grounded in  
> > whatever he's picked up from the _fair-and-balanced  conservative media_
> > (http://mediamatters.org/reports/200904080025) .
> > Whether examples of dumb-as-a-box-of-rocks ignorance or intentional  
> > obfuscation, here are some of the craziest things that have been said about  
> > health care this summer by real-live elected officials.
> > It's by no means comprehensive!
> > 1. Policy Terminated!
> > The thing that makes the rhetoric against health care reform so outlandish
> > is  how divorced it is from reality.
> > The Democrats' health care proposals, as any critic on the left can tell
> > you,  are rather compromised, incremental reforms that won't directly impact
> > the vast  majority of Americans who have decent health care already. It has a
> > public  insurance option, but only 1 in 50 Americans would be covered by it
> > in 2019.  According to the Congressional Budget Office, it wouldn't add to
> > the deficit.  It's moderate.
> > Although the legislation is obviously significant, it's tough to portray as
> > a  radical and frightening shift in our health care system. So opponents in
> >  Congress have taken the novel approach of arguing against a bill that
> > doesn't  exist.
> > _Rep.  Steve King, R-Iowa, warned_
> > (http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/11/gop-rep-king-dems-ho...
> > licy-in-america.php?ref=fpb)  that the House reform bill "cancels  every
> > [health insurance] policy" in America. "[House Speaker Nancy] Pelosi's  agenda
> > takes every [policy] away," King told MSNBC.
> > Not to be outdone, Minnesota Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann -- always a  
> > favorite of lazy left-wing bloggers on the hunt for a gem -- told Fox News
> > _the House bill would_ (http://mediamatters.org/mmtv/200910300048) _ make
> > private insurance illegal_ (http://mediamatters.org/mmtv/200910300048) .
> > 2. Health Care Crisis? What Health Care Crisis?
> > One often hears that virtually everyone agrees that the American health
> > care  system has deep, deep problems, even as they disagree on exactly where
> > the  problems lie and how they should be fixed.
> > But have you ever wondered who it is that is not counted among "virtually  
> > everyone"? Turns out they include some of Washington's most conservative  
> > lawmakers who insist that there is no problem and that the whole thing is just
> >  another liberal myth (like global warming, poverty or the war in Iraq).
> > Another member of Congress named King -- Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., -- told  
> > MSNBC that health care is "not a major issue among the American people."  
> > The _Huffington  Postpoints out_
> > (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/03/rep-king-health-care-refo_n_...)  that King  based the claim on a poll
> > that in fact found that Americans ranked the issue as  the third most
> > important, after jobs and the deficit.
> > But Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., one of the craziest members of the House
> > (and  that's saying something), took the prize when she held a press
> > conference to  proclaim, "_there are  no Americans who don't have health care_
> > (http://thinkprogress.org/2009/07/24/foxx-americans-health-care/) ." Which would
> > come as a surprise for  the _46 million or so who lack  coverage_
> > (http://www.kff.org/uninsured/7451.cfm)  today.
> > "We do have about 7.5 million Americans who want to purchase health
> > insurance  who can not afford it," she granted before urging people not to "give
> > the  government control of our lives."
> > 3. There's No Problem, and Nobody Cares About Health Care, but … Oh My  
> > God!
> > If you're in the mood for consistency, the Republican caucus is probably
> > not  the place to look. Because while Reps. Foxx and Peter King were telling
> > us  everything's fine, and besides, nobody much cares about the issue, others
> > were  rending their hair over the profound injustice of it all.
> > Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., insisted that the Democrats' plans will  
> > inspire "a minor revolution" if lawmakers don't heed the confused outrage of
> > the  tea-partiers.
> > "The intensity on this issue across the country is like nothing I've seen
> > in  a long, long time,"_he  told CNN_
> > (http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/09/01/gop-senator-warns-of-...) , adding
> > that if health reforms squeak through, it'll "wreck our  health care system
> > and wreck the Democratic Party."
> > Newt Gingrich (OK, he used  to be an elected  official) _told  Fox News_
> > (http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/57443-alexander-warns-of-explosion...
> > use-reconciliation)  that if the Dems used  an obscure procedural maneuver
> > to advance the legislation, "I think you'll have  an extraordinary explosion
> > both in the Senate and in the country." And Rep. Paul  Broun, R-Ga.,
> > decided not to quibble and _warned_
> > (http://mediamattersaction.org/rd?to=http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-p...)
> >   that the Dems' rather business-friendly  incremental reforms would
> > "destroy America as we know it today."
> > With so much at stake, you have to credit Bachmann for reacting in the
> > calm,  measured tones for which she's become so well-known: "What we have to do
> > today  is make a covenant, to slit our wrists, be blood brothers on this
> > thing. This  will not pass. We will do whatever it takes to make sure this
> > doesn't  pass," _she  told an enthusiastic audience_
> > (http://washingtonindependent.com/57282/bachmann-we-have-to-slit-our-w...
> > alth-care-reform)  at a corporate think-tank.
> > 4. ET Get Health Insurance?
> > Like some grotesque apparition from Orson Wells' War of the Worlds, aliens
> > are descending upon us to defile  our women and eat our health-insurance
> > dollars!
> > Only these are illegal  aliens, and according to Iowa Republican King, a
> > repeat

> On Sun, Nov 8, 2009 at 10:39 AM, LL <llp...@aol.com> wrote:

> > On Nov 8, 8:22 am, Nicole <paper_n...@hotmail.co.uk> wrote:
> > > The NHS in the U.K is the worlds largest employer. I can see no reason
> > > whatsoever NOT to introduce such a service in the U.S. A free health
> > > service is essentially a good thing, don't people die in the U.S
> > > because they can't afford healthcare?

> > > In many cases poverty is a covert way of controlling groups of people,
> > > usually of a minority race. I'm not saying anyone opposed to
> > > healthcare is racist but there is not one apparent reason against such
> > > a welcome change.

> > LL: You might be surprised how racist it actually is. A lot of people
> > against a government health plan don't want to be paying for health
> > care for "them."

> > Nicole:  From a British perspective it sometimes seems like Americans
> > are so
> > > cut off from the rest of the world that they talk themselves in knots.
> > > It all becomes very Fox news propaganda nuanced bullshit.

> > LL: Yes, many of them are, though we're hoping they're in the
> > minority. They are a vociferous minority and, harder to believe, they
> > have the fundamentalist churches in their corner!

> > So much for Christianity!

> > ***************

> > > On 7 Nov, 18:18, LLP...@aol.com wrote:

> > > > 10 of the  Nuttiest Statements Elected Officials Have Made in the
> > Health
> > > > Care Battle
> > > > By Joshua Holland, AlterNet
> > > > Posted on  November 7, 2009, Printed on November 7,  2009
> >http://www.alternet.org/story/143790/
> > > > Even by the standards of our typically debased public discourse, one
> > has to
> > > >  step back and marvel for a moment at the sheer, unmitigated craziness
> > the
> > > > debate  over health care reform has elicited from the right wing.
> > > > It hasn't been the usual conservative boilerplate -- blather about
> > "tort
> > > > reform" or _dubious "analyses"_
> > > > (http://mediamatters.org/research/200910280029)  predicting the latest
> > proposal would  break the budget and blow up the
> > > > national debt. We've been treated to some truly  extreme, and sometimes
> > > > bizarre, arguments about American health care and  even _lied  to_
> > > > (
> >http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2009/jul/30/e-mail-an...
> > > > eds-check-/)  about what the proposed  health reform bills contained.
> > > > We're accustomed to that kind of hyperbole from hate-radio and the
> > > > conservative bloggers, but this summer it hasn't been limited to Rush
> >  Limbaugh
> > > > _fulminating  about socialism_
> > > > (
> >http://www.alternet.org/media/141547/limbaugh's_lies_sabotage_the_hea...)
> >  or Glenn Beck  weepily warning
> > > > that the Dems' health care legislation are stealthy reparations  for
> > slavery.
> > > > What makes the ocean of crazy surrounding this debate truly remarkable
> > is
> > > > that the overheated, ill-informed spew is also coming from the mouths
> > of
> > > > actual  public officials, people tasked with creating legislation.
> > National
> > > > office  holders -- _not loopy local GOP party  chairs_
> > > > (http://thegopspeaks.blogspot.com/2009/10/6.html) , but people who
> > supposedly represent the
> > > > interests of entire  congressional districts and earn a public salary
> > -- have
> > > > offered up months of  bizarre tales about our health care system and
> > the effort to
> > > > reform it that are  every bit as outlandish as anything scribbled on an
> > > > overheated right-wing  blog.
> > > > The most charitable view is that some of the lawmakers who oppose
> > reform
> > > > most  vehemently just have no clue what they're talking about. Sen.
> > James
> > > > Inhofe,  R-Okla., whom some have dubbed _"the dumbest senator of  them
> > all,"_
> > > > (http://www.counterpunch.org/jackson05122004.html)  suggested as much
> >  when
> > > > asked what he didn't like about the reform bill.
> > > > "I don't have to read it or know what's in it. I'm going to oppose it
> > > > anyways," he toldGrady County Express Star. According to the report,
> > > > "information provided by news media have helped [Inhofe] become a
> > staunch
> > > > non-supporter of the bill." In other words, his opposition is firmly
> > grounded in
> > > > whatever he's picked up from the _fair-and-balanced  conservative
> > media_
> > > > (http://mediamatters.org/reports/200904080025) .
> > > > Whether examples of dumb-as-a-box-of-rocks ignorance or intentional
> > > > obfuscation, here are some of the craziest things that have been said
> > about
> > > > health care this summer by real-live elected officials.
> > > > It's by no means comprehensive!
> > > > 1. Policy Terminated!
> > > > The thing that makes the rhetoric against health care reform so
> > outlandish
> > > > is  how divorced it is from reality.
> > > > The Democrats' health care proposals, as any critic on the left can
> > tell
> > > > you,  are rather compromised, incremental reforms that won't directly
> > impact
> > > > the vast  majority of Americans who have decent health care already. It
> > has a
> > > > public  insurance option, but only 1 in 50 Americans would be covered
> > by it
> > > > in 2019.  According to the Congressional Budget Office, it wouldn't add
> > to
> > > > the deficit.  It's moderate.
> > > > Although the legislation is obviously significant, it's tough to
> > portray as
> > > > a  radical and frightening shift in our health care system. So
> > opponents in
> > > >  Congress have taken the novel approach of arguing against a bill that
> > > > doesn't  exist.
> > > > _Rep.  Steve King, R-Iowa, warned_
> > > > (
> >http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/11/gop-rep-king-dems-ho...
> > > > licy-in-america.php?ref=fpb)  that the House reform bill "cancels
> >  every
> > > > [health insurance] policy" in America. "[House Speaker Nancy] Pelosi's
> >  agenda
> > > > takes every [policy] away," King told MSNBC.
> > > > Not to be outdone, Minnesota Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann -- always
> > a
> > > > favorite of lazy left-wing bloggers on the hunt for a gem -- told Fox
> > News
> > > > _the House bill would_ (http://mediamatters.org/mmtv/200910300048) _
> > make
> > > > private insurance illegal_ (http://mediamatters.org/mmtv/200910300048)
> > .
> > > > 2. Health Care Crisis? What Health Care Crisis?
> > > > One often hears that virtually everyone agrees that the American health
> > > > care  system has deep, deep problems, even as they disagree on exactly
> > where
> > > > the  problems lie and how they should be fixed.
> > > > But have you ever wondered who it is that is not counted among
> > "virtually
> > > > everyone"? Turns out they include some of Washington's most
> > conservative
> > > > lawmakers who insist that there is no problem and that the whole thing
> > is just
> > > >  another liberal myth (like global warming, poverty or the war in
> > Iraq).
> > > > Another member of Congress named King -- Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., --
> > told
> > > > MSNBC that health care is "not a major issue among the American
> > people."
> > > > The _Huffington  Postpoints out_
> > > > (
> >http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/03/rep-king-health-care-refo_n_...)
> >  that King  based the claim on a poll
> > > > that in fact found that Americans ranked the issue as  the third most
> > > > important, after jobs and the deficit.
> > > > But Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., one of the craziest members of the
> > House
> > > > (and  that's saying something), took the prize when she held a press
> > > > conference to  proclaim, "_there are  no Americans who don't have
> > health care_
> > > > (http://thinkprogress.org/2009/07/24/foxx-americans-health-care/) ."
> > Which would
> > > > come as a surprise for  the _46 million or so who lack  coverage_
> > > > (http://www.kff.org/uninsured/7451.cfm)  today.
> > > > "We do have about 7.5 million Americans who want to purchase health
> > > > insurance  who can not afford it," she granted before urging people not
> > to "give
> > > > the  government control of our lives."
> > > > 3. There's No Problem, and Nobody Cares About Health Care, but … Oh My

> > > > God!
> > > > If you're in the mood for consistency, the Republican caucus is
> > probably
> > > > not  the place to look. Because while Reps. Foxx and Peter King were
> > telling
> > > > us  everything's fine, and besides, nobody much cares about the issue,
> > others
> > > > were  rending their hair over the profound injustice of it all.
> > > > Sen. Lamar Alexander,

> On Sun, Nov 8, 2009 at 11:56 PM, Dead Kennedy <dead.kenn...@live.co.uk>wrote:

> > as some-one who lives with the "english" NHS your talking out of your
> > arse.

> > Im sure those on this group from other countries with socialised
> > healthcare; canada, australia, france and Ireland (who are active on
> > the group) would second my sentiments.

> > On 8 Nov, 20:56, Doris Ragland <dr4...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > > Ok ...I Americans is not the only ones--England have healthcare plan and
> > I
> > > have talked to many ,many, that are not happy with it...a year later
> > after
> > > they are dead ...and then their number comes up....canada well documented
> > > has same problem...in a nut shell who made proverty for people...of
> > coarse
> > > Jesus said their will always be the poor and sick....and yes here in
> > > America, canada, England, actually all over the world ...the bad thing in
> > > some cases is dying with dignity and character....and
> > independence...Parents
> > > do not want to be a burden to the children and so fourth...so if we have
> > > healthcare in America I hope we learn from other nations problems in
> > their
> > > system's....healthcare plan in any nation is not perfect---It reminds me
> > of
> > > the story of the three bears...Goldie lock's...perfection which fits and
> > > works...

> > > On Sun, Nov 8, 2009 at 10:39 AM, LL <llp...@aol.com> wrote:

> > > > On Nov 8, 8:22 am, Nicole <paper_n...@hotmail.co.uk> wrote:
> > > > > The NHS in the U.K is the worlds largest employer. I can see no
> > reason
> > > > > whatsoever NOT to introduce such a service in the U.S. A free health
> > > > > service is essentially a good thing, don't people die in the U.S
> > > > > because they can't afford healthcare?

> > > > > In many cases poverty is a covert way of controlling groups of
> > people,
> > > > > usually of a minority race. I'm not saying anyone opposed to
> > > > > healthcare is racist but there is not one apparent reason against
> > such
> > > > > a welcome change.

> > > > LL: You might be surprised how racist it actually is. A lot of people
> > > > against a government health plan don't want to be paying for health
> > > > care for "them."

> > > > Nicole:  From a British perspective it sometimes seems like Americans
> > > > are so
> > > > > cut off from the rest of the world that they talk themselves in
> > knots.
> > > > > It all becomes very Fox news propaganda nuanced bullshit.

> > > > LL: Yes, many of them are, though we're hoping they're in the
> > > > minority. They are a vociferous minority and, harder to believe, they
> > > > have the fundamentalist churches in their corner!

> > > > So much for Christianity!

> > > > ***************

> > > > > On 7 Nov, 18:18, LLP...@aol.com wrote:

> > > > > > 10 of the  Nuttiest Statements Elected Officials Have Made in the
> > > > Health
> > > > > > Care Battle
> > > > > > By Joshua Holland, AlterNet
> > > > > > Posted on  November 7, 2009, Printed on November 7,  2009
> > > >http://www.alternet.org/story/143790/
> > > > > > Even by the standards of our typically debased public discourse,
> > one
> > > > has to
> > > > > >  step back and marvel for a moment at the sheer, unmitigated
> > craziness
> > > > the
> > > > > > debate  over health care reform has elicited from the right wing.
> > > > > > It hasn't been the usual conservative boilerplate -- blather about
> > > > "tort
> > > > > > reform" or _dubious "analyses"_
> > > > > > (http://mediamatters.org/research/200910280029)  predicting the
> > latest
> > > > proposal would  break the budget and blow up the
> > > > > > national debt. We've been treated to some truly  extreme, and
> > sometimes
> > > > > > bizarre, arguments about American health care and  even _lied  to_
> > > > > > (
> > > >http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2009/jul/30/e-mail-an.
> > ..
> > > > > > eds-check-/)  about what the proposed  health reform bills
> > contained.
> > > > > > We're accustomed to that kind of hyperbole from hate-radio and the
> > > > > > conservative bloggers, but this summer it hasn't been limited to
> > Rush
> > > >  Limbaugh
> > > > > > _fulminating  about socialism_
> > > > > > (
> > > >http://www.alternet.org/media/141547/limbaugh's_lies_sabotage_the_hea..
> > .)
> > > >  or Glenn Beck  weepily warning
> > > > > > that the Dems' health care legislation are stealthy reparations
> >  for
> > > > slavery.
> > > > > > What makes the ocean of crazy surrounding this debate truly
> > remarkable
> > > > is
> > > > > > that the overheated, ill-informed spew is also coming from the
> > mouths
> > > > of
> > > > > > actual  public officials, people tasked with creating legislation.
> > > > National
> > > > > > office  holders -- _not loopy local GOP party  chairs_
> > > > > > (http://thegopspeaks.blogspot.com/2009/10/6.html) , but people who
> > > > supposedly represent the
> > > > > > interests of entire  congressional districts and earn a public
> > salary
> > > > -- have
> > > > > > offered up months of  bizarre tales about our health care system
> > and
> > > > the effort to
> > > > > > reform it that are  every bit as outlandish as anything scribbled
> > on an
> > > > > > overheated right-wing  blog.
> > > > > > The most charitable view is that some of the lawmakers who oppose
> > > > reform
> > > > > > most  vehemently just have no clue what they're talking about. Sen.
> > > > James
> > > > > > Inhofe,  R-Okla., whom some have dubbed _"the dumbest senator of
> >  them
> > > > all,"_
> > > > > > (http://www.counterpunch.org/jackson05122004.html)  suggested as
> > much
> > > >  when
> > > > > > asked what he didn't like about the reform bill.
> > > > > > "I don't have to read it or know what's in it. I'm going to oppose
> > it
> > > > > > anyways," he toldGrady County Express Star. According to the
> > report,
> > > > > > "information provided by news media have helped [Inhofe] become a
> > > > staunch
> > > > > > non-supporter of the bill." In other words, his opposition is
> > firmly
> > > > grounded in
> > > > > > whatever he's picked up from the _fair-and-balanced  conservative
> > > > media_
> > > > > > (http://mediamatters.org/reports/200904080025) .
> > > > > > Whether examples of dumb-as-a-box-of-rocks ignorance or intentional
> > > > > > obfuscation, here are some of the craziest things that have been
> > said
> > > > about
> > > > > > health care this summer by real-live elected officials.
> > > > > > It's by no means comprehensive!
> > > > > > 1. Policy Terminated!
> > > > > > The thing that makes the rhetoric against health care reform so
> > > > outlandish
> > > > > > is  how divorced it is from reality.
> > > > > > The Democrats' health care proposals, as any critic on the left can
> > > > tell
> > > > > > you,  are rather compromised, incremental reforms that won't
> > directly
> > > > impact
> > > > > > the vast  majority of Americans who have decent health care
> > already. It
> > > > has a
> > > > > > public  insurance option, but only 1 in 50 Americans would be
> > covered
> > > > by it
> > > > > > in 2019.  According to the Congressional Budget Office, it wouldn't
> > add
> > > > to
> > > > > > the deficit.  It's moderate.
> > > > > > Although the legislation is obviously significant, it's tough to
> > > > portray as
> > > > > > a  radical and frightening shift in our health care system. So
> > > > opponents in
> > > > > >  Congress have taken the novel approach of arguing against a bill
> > that
> > > > > > doesn't  exist.
> > > > > > _Rep.  Steve King, R-Iowa, warned_
> > > > > > (
> > > >http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/11/gop-rep-king-dems-ho.
> > ..
> > > > > > licy-in-america.php?ref=fpb)  that the House reform bill "cancels
> > > >  every
> > > > > > [health insurance] policy" in America. "[House Speaker Nancy]
> > Pelosi's
> > > >  agenda
> > > > > > takes every [policy] away," King told MSNBC.
> > > > > > Not to be outdone, Minnesota Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann --
> > always
> > > > a
> > > > > > favorite of lazy left-wing bloggers on the hunt for a gem -- told
> > Fox
> > > > News
> > > > > > _the House bill would_ (http://mediamatters.org/mmtv/200910300048)
> > _
> > > > make
> > > > > > private insurance illegal_ (
> >http://mediamatters.org/mmtv/200910300048)
> > > > .
> > > > > > 2. Health Care Crisis? What Health Care Crisis?
> > > > > > One often hears that virtually everyone agrees that the American
> > health
> > > > > > care  system has deep, deep problems, even as they disagree on
> > exactly
> > > > where
> > > > > > the  problems lie and how they should be fixed.
> > > > > > But have you ever wondered who it is that is not counted among
> > > > "virtually
> > > > > > everyone"? Turns out they include some of Washington's most
> > > > conservative
> > > > > > lawmakers who insist that there is no problem and that the whole
> > thing
> > > > is just
> > > > > >  another liberal myth (like global warming, poverty or the war in
> > > > Iraq).
> > > > > > Another member of Congress named King -- Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y.,
> > --
> > > > told
> > > > > > MSNBC that health care is "not a major issue among the American
> > > > people."
> > > > > > The _Huffington  Postpoints out_
> > > > > > (
> > > >http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/03/rep-king-health-care-refo_n_..
> > .)
> > > >  that King  based the claim on a poll
> > > > > > that in fact found that Americans ranked the issue as  the third
> > most
> > > > > > important, after jobs and the deficit.
> > > > > > But Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., one of

> On Mon, Nov 9, 2009 at 3:23 AM, Dead Kennedy <dead.kenn...@live.co.uk>wrote:

> > so what, in your opinion are the faults of the nhs?

> > On 9 Nov, 10:02, Doris Ragland <dr4...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > > I am right.

> > > On Sun, Nov 8, 2009 at 11:56 PM, Dead Kennedy <dead.kenn...@live.co.uk
> > >wrote:

> > > > as some-one who lives with the "english" NHS your talking out of your
> > > > arse.

> > > > Im sure those on this group from other countries with socialised
> > > > healthcare; canada, australia, france and Ireland (who are active on
> > > > the group) would second my sentiments.

> > > > On 8 Nov, 20:56, Doris Ragland <dr4...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > > > > Ok ...I Americans is not the only ones--England have healthcare plan
> > and
> > > > I
> > > > > have talked to many ,many, that are not happy with it...a year later
> > > > after
> > > > > they are dead ...and then their number comes up....canada well
> > documented
> > > > > has same problem...in a nut shell who made proverty for people...of
> > > > coarse
> > > > > Jesus said their will always be the poor and sick....and yes here in
> > > > > America, canada, England, actually all over the world ...the bad
> > thing in
> > > > > some cases is dying with dignity and character....and
> > > > independence...Parents
> > > > > do not want to be a burden to the children and so fourth...so if we
> > have
> > > > > healthcare in America I hope we learn from other nations problems in
> > > > their
> > > > > system's....healthcare plan in any nation is not perfect---It reminds
> > me
> > > > of
> > > > > the story of the three bears...Goldie lock's...perfection which fits
> > and
> > > > > works...

> > > > > On Sun, Nov 8, 2009 at 10:39 AM, LL <llp...@aol.com> wrote:

> > > > > > On Nov 8, 8:22 am, Nicole <paper_n...@hotmail.co.uk> wrote:
> > > > > > > The NHS in the U.K is the worlds largest employer. I can see no
> > > > reason
> > > > > > > whatsoever NOT to introduce such a service in the U.S. A free
> > health
> > > > > > > service is essentially a good thing, don't people die in the U.S
> > > > > > > because they can't afford healthcare?

> > > > > > > In many cases poverty is a covert way of controlling groups of
> > > > people,
> > > > > > > usually of a minority race. I'm not saying anyone opposed to
> > > > > > > healthcare is racist but there is not one apparent reason against
> > > > such
> > > > > > > a welcome change.

> > > > > > LL: You might be surprised how racist it actually is. A lot of
> > people
> > > > > > against a government health plan don't want to be paying for health
> > > > > > care for "them."

> > > > > > Nicole:  From a British perspective it sometimes seems like
> > Americans
> > > > > > are so
> > > > > > > cut off from the rest of the world that they talk themselves in
> > > > knots.
> > > > > > > It all becomes very Fox news propaganda nuanced bullshit.

> > > > > > LL: Yes, many of them are, though we're hoping they're in the
> > > > > > minority. They are a vociferous minority and, harder to believe,
> > they
> > > > > > have the fundamentalist churches in their corner!

> > > > > > So much for Christianity!

> > > > > > ***************

> > > > > > > On 7 Nov, 18:18, LLP...@aol.com wrote:

> > > > > > > > 10 of the  Nuttiest Statements Elected Officials Have Made in
> > the
> > > > > > Health
> > > > > > > > Care Battle
> > > > > > > > By Joshua Holland, AlterNet
> > > > > > > > Posted on  November 7, 2009, Printed on November 7,  2009
> > > > > >http://www.alternet.org/story/143790/
> > > > > > > > Even by the standards of our typically debased public
> > discourse,
> > > > one
> > > > > > has to
> > > > > > > >  step back and marvel for a moment at the sheer, unmitigated
> > > > craziness
> > > > > > the
> > > > > > > > debate  over health care reform has elicited from the right
> > wing.
> > > > > > > > It hasn't been the usual conservative boilerplate -- blather
> > about
> > > > > > "tort
> > > > > > > > reform" or _dubious "analyses"_
> > > > > > > > (http://mediamatters.org/research/200910280029)  predicting
> > the
> > > > latest
> > > > > > proposal would  break the budget and blow up the
> > > > > > > > national debt. We've been treated to some truly  extreme, and
> > > > sometimes
> > > > > > > > bizarre, arguments about American health care and  even _lied
> >  to_
> > > > > > > > (

> >http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2009/jul/30/e-mail-an.
> > > > ..
> > > > > > > > eds-check-/)  about what the proposed  health reform bills
> > > > contained.
> > > > > > > > We're accustomed to that kind of hyperbole from hate-radio and
> > the
> > > > > > > > conservative bloggers, but this summer it hasn't been limited
> > to
> > > > Rush
> > > > > >  Limbaugh
> > > > > > > > _fulminating  about socialism_
> > > > > > > > (

> >http://www.alternet.org/media/141547/limbaugh's_lies_sabotage_the_hea..
> > > > .)
> > > > > >  or Glenn Beck  weepily warning
> > > > > > > > that the Dems' health care legislation are stealthy reparations
> > > >  for
> > > > > > slavery.
> > > > > > > > What makes the ocean of crazy surrounding this debate truly
> > > > remarkable
> > > > > > is
> > > > > > > > that the overheated, ill-informed spew is also coming from the
> > > > mouths
> > > > > > of
> > > > > > > > actual  public officials, people tasked with creating
> > legislation.
> > > > > > National
> > > > > > > > office  holders -- _not loopy local GOP party  chairs_
> > > > > > > > (http://thegopspeaks.blogspot.com/2009/10/6.html) , but people
> > who
> > > > > > supposedly represent the
> > > > > > > > interests of entire  congressional districts and earn a public
> > > > salary
> > > > > > -- have
> > > > > > > > offered up months of  bizarre tales about our health care
> > system
> > > > and
> > > > > > the effort to
> > > > > > > > reform it that are  every bit as outlandish as anything
> > scribbled
> > > > on an
> > > > > > > > overheated right-wing  blog.
> > > > > > > > The most charitable view is that some of the lawmakers who
> > oppose
> > > > > > reform
> > > > > > > > most  vehemently just have no clue what they're talking about.
> > Sen.
> > > > > > James
> > > > > > > > Inhofe,  R-Okla., whom some have dubbed _"the dumbest senator
> > of
> > > >  them
> > > > > > all,"_
> > > > > > > > (http://www.counterpunch.org/jackson05122004.html)  suggested
> > as
> > > > much
> > > > > >  when
> > > > > > > > asked what he didn't like about the reform bill.
> > > > > > > > "I don't have to read it or know what's in it. I'm going to
> > oppose
> > > > it
> > > > > > > > anyways," he toldGrady County Express Star. According to the
> > > > report,
> > > > > > > > "information provided by news media have helped [Inhofe] become
> > a
> > > > > > staunch
> > > > > > > > non-supporter of the bill." In other words, his opposition is
> > > > firmly
> > > > > > grounded in
> > > > > > > > whatever he's picked up from the _fair-and-balanced
> >  conservative
> > > > > > media_
> > > > > > > > (http://mediamatters.org/reports/200904080025) .
> > > > > > > > Whether examples of dumb-as-a-box-of-rocks ignorance or
> > intentional
> > > > > > > > obfuscation, here are some of the craziest things that have
> > been
> > > > said
> > > > > > about
> > > > > > > > health care this summer by real-live elected officials.
> > > > > > > > It's by no means comprehensive!
> > > > > > > > 1. Policy Terminated!
> > > > > > > > The thing that makes the rhetoric against health care reform so
> > > > > > outlandish
> > > > > > > > is  how divorced it is from reality.
> > > > > > > > The Democrats' health care proposals, as any critic on the left
> > can
> > > > > > tell
> > > > > > > > you,  are rather compromised, incremental reforms that won't
> > > > directly
> > > > > > impact
> > > > > > > > the vast  majority of Americans who have decent health care
> > > > already. It
> > > > > > has a
> > > > > > > > public  insurance option, but only 1 in 50 Americans would be
> > > > covered
> > > > > > by it
> > > > > > > > in 2019.  According to the Congressional Budget Office, it
> > wouldn't
> > > > add
> > > > > > to
> > > > > > > > the deficit.  It's moderate.
> > > > > > > > Although the legislation is obviously significant, it's tough
> > to
> > > > > > portray as
> > > > > > > > a  radical and frightening shift in our health care system. So
> > > > > > opponents in
> > > > > > > >  Congress have taken the novel approach of arguing against a
> > bill
> > > > that
> > > > > > > > doesn't  exist.
> > > > > > > > _Rep.  Steve King, R-Iowa, warned_
> > > > > > > > (

> >http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/11/gop-rep-king-dems-ho.
> > > > ..
> > > > > > > > licy-in-america.php?ref=fpb)  that the House reform bill
> > "cancels
> > > > > >  every
> > > > > > > > [health insurance] policy" in America. "[House Speaker Nancy]
> > > > Pelosi's
> > > > > >  agenda
> > > > > > > > takes

> from diagnosis that you need a new artificial hip (one of the most
> common major operations) to having the operation =8 weeks and for
> free.

> whaqt would you wait putting in the insurance claim, to having it
> refused, to appealing, to having it refused, to possibly having the
> operation?

> On Nov 9, 7:11 pm, Doris Ragland <dr4...@gmail.com> wrote:

> > Delays--not fault's--something that is not working for the people--and all
> > the people---I don't know what it would take to improve it---but I would say
> > to the effect--of starting with
> > knocking down high profit in the health care department...first of all where
> > it would
> > not be so costly on the ones that are providing it...

> > On Mon, Nov 9, 2009 at 3:23 AM, Dead Kennedy <dead.kenn...@live.co.uk>wrote:

> > > so what, in your opinion are the faults of the nhs?

> > > On 9 Nov, 10:02, Doris Ragland <dr4...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > > > I am right.

> > > > On Sun, Nov 8, 2009 at 11:56 PM, Dead Kennedy <dead.kenn...@live.co.uk
> > > >wrote:

> > > > > as some-one who lives with the "english" NHS your talking out of your
> > > > > arse.

> > > > > Im sure those on this group from other countries with socialised
> > > > > healthcare; canada, australia, france and Ireland (who are active on
> > > > > the group) would second my sentiments.

> > > > > On 8 Nov, 20:56, Doris Ragland <dr4...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > > > > > Ok ...I Americans is not the only ones--England have healthcare plan
> > > and
> > > > > I
> > > > > > have talked to many ,many, that are not happy with it...a year later
> > > > > after
> > > > > > they are dead ...and then their number comes up....canada well
> > > documented
> > > > > > has same problem...in a nut shell who made proverty for people...of
> > > > > coarse
> > > > > > Jesus said their will always be the poor and sick....and yes here in
> > > > > > America, canada, England, actually all over the world ...the bad
> > > thing in
> > > > > > some cases is dying with dignity and character....and
> > > > > independence...Parents
> > > > > > do not want to be a burden to the children and so fourth...so if we
> > > have
> > > > > > healthcare in America I hope we learn from other nations problems in
> > > > > their
> > > > > > system's....healthcare plan in any nation is not perfect---It reminds
> > > me
> > > > > of
> > > > > > the story of the three bears...Goldie lock's...perfection which fits
> > > and
> > > > > > works...

> > > > > > On Sun, Nov 8, 2009 at 10:39 AM, LL <llp...@aol.com> wrote:

> > > > > > > On Nov 8, 8:22 am, Nicole <paper_n...@hotmail.co.uk> wrote:
> > > > > > > > The NHS in the U.K is the worlds largest employer. I can see no
> > > > > reason
> > > > > > > > whatsoever NOT to introduce such a service in the U.S. A free
> > > health
> > > > > > > > service is essentially a good thing, don't people die in the U.S
> > > > > > > > because they can't afford healthcare?

> > > > > > > > In many cases poverty is a covert way of controlling groups of
> > > > > people,
> > > > > > > > usually of a minority race. I'm not saying anyone opposed to
> > > > > > > > healthcare is racist but there is not one apparent reason against
> > > > > such
> > > > > > > > a welcome change.

> > > > > > > LL: You might be surprised how racist it actually is. A lot of
> > > people
> > > > > > > against a government health plan don't want to be paying for health
> > > > > > > care for "them."

> > > > > > > Nicole:  From a British perspective it sometimes seems like
> > > Americans
> > > > > > > are so
> > > > > > > > cut off from the rest of the world that they talk themselves in
> > > > > knots.
> > > > > > > > It all becomes very Fox news propaganda nuanced bullshit.

> > > > > > > LL: Yes, many of them are, though we're hoping they're in the
> > > > > > > minority. They are a vociferous minority and, harder to believe,
> > > they
> > > > > > > have the fundamentalist churches in their corner!

> > > > > > > So much for Christianity!

> > > > > > > ***************

> > > > > > > > On 7 Nov, 18:18, LLP...@aol.com wrote:

> > > > > > > > > 10 of the  Nuttiest Statements Elected Officials Have Made in
> > > the
> > > > > > > Health
> > > > > > > > > Care Battle
> > > > > > > > > By Joshua Holland, AlterNet
> > > > > > > > > Posted on  November 7, 2009, Printed on November 7,  2009
> > > > > > >http://www.alternet.org/story/143790/
> > > > > > > > > Even by the standards of our typically debased public
> > > discourse,
> > > > > one
> > > > > > > has to
> > > > > > > > >  step back and marvel for a moment at the sheer, unmitigated
> > > > > craziness
> > > > > > > the
> > > > > > > > > debate  over health care reform has elicited from the right
> > > wing.
> > > > > > > > > It hasn't been the usual conservative boilerplate -- blather
> > > about
> > > > > > > "tort
> > > > > > > > > reform" or _dubious "analyses"_
> > > > > > > > > (http://mediamatters.org/research/200910280029)  predicting
> > > the
> > > > > latest
> > > > > > > proposal would  break the budget and blow up the
> > > > > > > > > national debt. We've been treated to some truly  extreme, and
> > > > > sometimes
> > > > > > > > > bizarre, arguments about American health care and  even _lied
> > >  to_
> > > > > > > > > (

> > >http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2009/jul/30/e-mail-an.
> > > > > ..
> > > > > > > > > eds-check-/)  about what the proposed  health reform bills
> > > > > contained.
> > > > > > > > > We're accustomed to that kind of hyperbole from hate-radio and
> > > the
> > > > > > > > > conservative bloggers, but this summer it hasn't been limited
> > > to
> > > > > Rush
> > > > > > >  Limbaugh
> > > > > > > > > _fulminating  about socialism_
> > > > > > > > > (

> > >http://www.alternet.org/media/141547/limbaugh's_lies_sabotage_the_hea..
> > > > > .)
> > > > > > >  or Glenn Beck  weepily warning
> > > > > > > > > that the Dems' health care legislation are stealthy reparations
> > > > >  for
> > > > > > > slavery.
> > > > > > > > > What makes the ocean of crazy surrounding this debate truly
> > > > > remarkable
> > > > > > > is
> > > > > > > > > that the overheated, ill-informed spew is also coming from the
> > > > > mouths
> > > > > > > of
> > > > > > > > > actual  public officials, people tasked with creating
> > > legislation.
> > > > > > > National
> > > > > > > > > office  holders -- _not loopy local GOP party  chairs_
> > > > > > > > > (http://thegopspeaks.blogspot.com/2009/10/6.html) , but people
> > > who
> > > > > > > supposedly represent the
> > > > > > > > > interests of entire  congressional districts and earn a public
> > > > > salary
> > > > > > > -- have
> > > > > > > > > offered up months of  bizarre tales about our health care
> > > system
> > > > > and
> > > > > > > the effort to
> > > > > > > > > reform it that are  every bit as outlandish as anything
> > > scribbled
> > > > > on an
> > > > > > > > > overheated right-wing  blog.
> > > > > > > > > The most charitable view is that some of the lawmakers who
> > > oppose
> > > > > > > reform
> > > > > > > > > most  vehemently just have no clue what they're talking about.
> > > Sen.
> > > > > > > James
> > > > > > > > > Inhofe,  R-Okla., whom some have dubbed _"the dumbest senator
> > > of
> > > > >  them
> > > > > > > all,"_
> > > > > > > > > (http://www.counterpunch.org/jackson05122004.html)  suggested
> > > as
> > > > > much
> > > > > > >  when
> > > > > > > > > asked what he didn't like about the reform bill.
> > > > > > > > > "I don't have to read it or know what's in it. I'm going to
> > > oppose
> > > > > it
> > > > > > > > > anyways," he toldGrady County Express Star. According to the
> > > > > report,
> > > > > > > > > "information provided by news media have helped [Inhofe] become
> > > a
> > > > > > > staunch
> > > > > > > > > non-supporter of the bill." In other words, his opposition is
> > > > > firmly
> > > > > > > grounded in
> > > > > > > > > whatever he's picked up from the _fair-and-balanced
> > >  conservative
> > > > > > > media_
> > > > > > > > > (http://mediamatters.org/reports/200904080025) .
> > > > > > > > > Whether examples of dumb-as-a-box-of-rocks ignorance or
> > > intentional
> > > > > > > > > obfuscation, here are some of the craziest things that have
> > > been
> > > > > said
> > > > > > > about
> > > > > > > > > health care this summer by real-live elected officials.
> > > > > > > > > It's by no means comprehensive!
> > > > > > > > > 1. Policy Terminated!
> > > > > > > > > The thing that makes the rhetoric against health care reform so
> > > > > > > outlandish
> > > > > > > > > is  how divorced it is from reality.
> > > > > > > > > The Democrats' health care proposals, as any critic on the left
> > > can
> > > > > > > tell
> > > > > > > > > you,  are rather compromised, incremental reforms that won't
> > > > > directly
> > > > > > > impact
> > > > > > > > > the vast  majority of Americans who have decent health care
> > > > > already. It
> > > > > > > has a
> > > > > > > > > public  insurance option, but only 1 in 50 Americans would be
> > > > > covered
> > > > > > > by it
> > > > > > > > > in 2019.  According to the Congressional Budget Office, it
> > > wouldn't
> > > > > add
> > > > > > > to
> > > > > > > > > the deficit.