0 comment Wednesday, July 16, 2014 | admin
Don't be caught flat-footed at your next summer gathering. This video from JibJab is not to be missed.
The reactions to it are varied. Some say it's an anti-Obama piece. I say it's pro, because it so well illustrates the insurmountable problems he's facing. What do you think?
On a wonkier, remotely related note, Obama had a few nimble moves for us today at his press conference.
A reporter reminded the president of his oft-repeated promise: that under Obama's health care plan, all of us can still keep our chosen doctors and our own private insurance plans, if we want to.
But a healthcare plan paid for by the government, the reporter pointed out, would force out private insurers -- because our employers would choose to stop providing us with private insurance.
That reporter was quite right. Individual employees wouldn't have any choice at all -- the employers would. So to say we'd all be able to keep our chosen doctors and stay within our private plans simply isn't true. I'll even go a step further. It's deceptive.
Obama's deft response? It was essentially, "Umm, well, but the government wouldn't force anyone to choose. Now, could your employer choose for you, and force you to take the government plan? Well, sure."
Then he tried to talk around his illusory "you can keep your own doctor" promise by sarcastically touting the efficiencies of free enterprise. He said, in effect, "Hey, all you free market insurance company folks? I'm with you. You say free enterprise is the most efficient? Then put your money where your mouth is, Blue Cross. Go ahead. Compete against a free government plan."
His actual quote: "Why would it drive private insurance out of business? If -- if private -- if private insurers say that the marketplace provides the best quality health care; if they tell us that they�re offering a good deal, then why is it that the government, which they say can�t run anything, suddenly is going to drive them out of business? That�s not logical."
Give me a break. This circular logic is disingenous and I expected better from him. It's insulting.
That a private company cannot compete against a free government service is axiomatic. My widget will cost you $5.00 while the government's widget is free. What is "not logical" is to expect an employer to pay for private insurance when he can get it for free from the government. Where is the "free market" competition in this equation?
I'm all for health care reform, don't get me wrong. Close members of my own family do not have private health insurance and their doctor bills are devastating. But Obama should be honest about what his plan will do and tell it to us straight. When politicians -- even the Almighty O -- try to snow me with neat-sounding arguments that don't pass scrutiny, I get suspicious. If deception is necessary to get me to "buy-in," there's a problem.We need meaningful debate and informed discussion on this complicated issue, desperately, yesterday. But obfuscating things just provides fuel for the opposition, and turns proponents like me into wary skeptics.
The reactions to it are varied. Some say it's an anti-Obama piece. I say it's pro, because it so well illustrates the insurmountable problems he's facing. What do you think?
On a wonkier, remotely related note, Obama had a few nimble moves for us today at his press conference.
A reporter reminded the president of his oft-repeated promise: that under Obama's health care plan, all of us can still keep our chosen doctors and our own private insurance plans, if we want to.But a healthcare plan paid for by the government, the reporter pointed out, would force out private insurers -- because our employers would choose to stop providing us with private insurance.
That reporter was quite right. Individual employees wouldn't have any choice at all -- the employers would. So to say we'd all be able to keep our chosen doctors and stay within our private plans simply isn't true. I'll even go a step further. It's deceptive.Obama's deft response? It was essentially, "Umm, well, but the government wouldn't force anyone to choose. Now, could your employer choose for you, and force you to take the government plan? Well, sure."
Then he tried to talk around his illusory "you can keep your own doctor" promise by sarcastically touting the efficiencies of free enterprise. He said, in effect, "Hey, all you free market insurance company folks? I'm with you. You say free enterprise is the most efficient? Then put your money where your mouth is, Blue Cross. Go ahead. Compete against a free government plan."
His actual quote: "Why would it drive private insurance out of business? If -- if private -- if private insurers say that the marketplace provides the best quality health care; if they tell us that they�re offering a good deal, then why is it that the government, which they say can�t run anything, suddenly is going to drive them out of business? That�s not logical."
Give me a break. This circular logic is disingenous and I expected better from him. It's insulting.
That a private company cannot compete against a free government service is axiomatic. My widget will cost you $5.00 while the government's widget is free. What is "not logical" is to expect an employer to pay for private insurance when he can get it for free from the government. Where is the "free market" competition in this equation?I'm all for health care reform, don't get me wrong. Close members of my own family do not have private health insurance and their doctor bills are devastating. But Obama should be honest about what his plan will do and tell it to us straight. When politicians -- even the Almighty O -- try to snow me with neat-sounding arguments that don't pass scrutiny, I get suspicious. If deception is necessary to get me to "buy-in," there's a problem.We need meaningful debate and informed discussion on this complicated issue, desperately, yesterday. But obfuscating things just provides fuel for the opposition, and turns proponents like me into wary skeptics.Labels: Random