Open Thread: the Obama Speech September 10, 2009 Jill What did you all think? Discuss in the comments. For those who haven’t seen it, CSPAN has it here.
I’ll start: Congress is awful. They cheered when Obama said federal dollars wouldn’t pay for abortions. They jeered when he said that the plan wouldn’t cover undocumented immigrants. Ugh.
Though I reside waaaay out on the left wing, I like to think of myself as respectful and empathic of others’ viewpoints. I grew up in a deeply conservative, God fearing household, and even though my own opinions diverge dramatically from those of my entire family, I still have very strong and loving relationships with them and try to recognize and respect the steps involved in coming to their own decisions. That said, I just cannot understand the extreme hatred spouted by Republicans toward the President disguised as health care opposition. It is beyond me how anyone can be vehemently opposed to granting the citizens of their country health and wellness that won’t leave them destitute. I can’t follow their logic no matter how hard I try. It’s beyond frustrating, and leads me to the conclusion that their reservations are a product of the big, scary, eloquent, black man in front of them. I can’t help but think that a white Democrat, while still likely polarizing, would lead to such blatant disrespect and demagoguery.
I will also say that although unsurprising, the reactions and dispositions of several of the Congress members in the room was in my opinion, juvenile (mostly from the Right). This need to hinder change without wanting to talk about one’s concerns is really immature, and it’s also unnerving to see a room full of (mainly older) white men fidgeting, sighing, sulking, not paying attention to what Obama had to say. It’s such a tired thing. Speak up, communicate and grow up. On another note, I thought his speech was great, even though some things concern me. I’m not exactly comfortable with the idea that everyone will be required to have health care, although I get the legitimate reasons for it. Nonetheless, that for me is a smaller issue than the millions of people who need and desire health care and cannot currently have it or afford it. As an uninsured but responsible person, I thought calling those who would choose not to have insurance irresponsible was a blanket statement to support mandating health care, but I am otherwise pleased with the plan and I’m simply glad that this overdue conversation of reform is really happening.
“I’ll start: Congress is awful. They cheered when Obama said federal dollars wouldn’t pay for abortions. They jeered when he said that the plan wouldn’t cover undocumented immigrants. Ugh.” I had to seriously change the channel for a few moments when that happened. My major problem was that he came across delusional about how much this reform would cost. If he wants to truly make it universal, then we will have to raise taxes, there really is no other way and that’s actually exactly what JAMA showed in a great report a couple months ago. There is no way to provide for tens of millions of uninsured patients (as well as those with pre-existing conditions) through medicare cuts and a curb on “employer tax exemptions”. You’ll still fall hundreds of billions of dollars short. Either this new plan is going to be severely diluted to be “budget neutral” or Obama needed to be much more honest about how much this plan will cost and how we will pay for it. Otherwise, I think it’s great that he at least acknowledged a need for some sort of tort reform and his plan to have insurance companies compete for those who are underprivileged and with pre-existing conditions is pretty appealing. I guess we’ll have to wait and see what happens. In my opinion, the proposal falls far short of what’s needed to repair the problems in this country, but at least there might be an open door for further reforms.
I am afraid to much wil be taken out of the plan, and we will be left with a system of fining people who can’t afford insurance without giving them affordable options. That seems incredibly cruel and counterproductive. I hope it won’t happen, but it seems like compromise on both sides is taking it that direction.
I don’t think they were jeering at the undocumented immigrants part, I think they were booing Wlson. Though personally I’m hardly going to cheer the lack of coverage for undocumented immigrants.
I am so fucking furious right now! Rep. Joe Wilson’s utter disrespect towards President Obama has just made me angry! He ‘apologized’ last night for what his outburst. but I am not accepting it. The only thing I will accept is his defeat to the hands of Rob Miller in 2010. I live in Wilson’s district and I no longer consider him as my congressman.
Jovan, thanks for saying that; that’s the first thing I’ve read that makes me feel a little bit better since hearing about this creep. I hope you’ll write your local paper to the same effect.