Chuck Norris, Parenting 101: F-minus?

Chuck Norris is a buffonish cartoon character. It's no surprise that he carries water for the right-wing lunatic fringe in this country.

What's sad is that Chucky Norris actually thinks people, other than the Corporate Sponsored Teabagger thugs who are currently terrorizing the healthcare townhalls all over the country, actually care what he has to say about healthcare.

A critical piece that you are missing, Chuck, is that no one is forcing ANYONE to take the childcare. Instead they are offering it to everyone. If you don't want someone coming into your home and helping you with the laundry and showing you how to wash your new born baby, how to care for it, thats fine. Don't ask for it. But for those of us that would like the option, it will be useful.

And now, representing the opposition, Sylvester Stallone.

"Yo America. About healthcare..."

There was a program in MO when I had my first child called Parents As Teachers. Every so many months, a "trained" child developmental specialist would come to my home, tell me what milestones my child should be hitting and give me games and other ideas on how to develop things like fine motor skills, spacial relationship, etc. She was there to answer any questions I had and provided me with lots of information that made dealing with my first child infinitely easier even though I am a college educated mother. These comments show exactly how ignorant some people are and how willing they are to turn anything into a "scary big government" program. I guess they have no capacity to place themselves in the shoes of another and to see where there is need for others. Thank God Chuck had such awesome parents that they never needed advice from anyone.

I know one thing. I would prefer the government controlling healthcare than Chuck Norris controlling healthcare.

Posted by: Lacy | August 11, 2009 10:09 PM

Precisely !!

Chucky Norris is a right-wing tool. Rich white guy with great health insurance to provide care for his kids for life. How about the poor or working class dad with their special needs kid who has no health coverage because none of the three jobs he's working provide it? Or maybe that dad has health insurance coverage but he's still going bankrupt with copays, premiums, deductables and denial of coverage?

And here's Norris, the right-wing corporate tool, making crap up to try and kill Health Care Reform for poor and middle-class people in this country.

Methinks the government should visit Mark Silva's home and give him parenting suggestions and orders.

Yeah, like I care what Walker Texas Ranger thinks about healthcare....jeeze!

President Obama's already-solid approval ratings have started to climb again. The increase in the President's poll numbers can be traced back to when Corporate Sponsored Wingnut Teabaggers started terrorizing healthcare town-hall meetings; Americans, apparently, don't like people who quash civilized discussion by rudely screaming ad nauseam.
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http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2009/08/10/Obama-has-6-month-approval-of-63-percent/UPI-86581249921095/

The loud Insurance Industry Astroturfed protests by the right-wing goon squads at Congressional town hall meetings are made for the media. It doesn't matter if the protests are astroturfed, or not; no "serious journalist" can resist showing, or writing about, chaotic right-wing protests. Thus the actions of a small, frustrated, and angry crowd dominate the debate the corporate media says this country is having.
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8194485.stm

I thought the article was right on. If you read the entire article in context, Chuck says some great things. I was surprised. Check out the longer version at WND

Well worth the read to see the EXTRA materials in Chuck’s EXCLUSIVE version of this same column at World Net Daily. There’s nearly twice the length and a load of Internet resource links to back up his references. Check it out at http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=106427

Here’s a sample of Chuck’s additional material:

“It’s unfortunate that rather than respect and welcome citizens’ questions and grievances, many of our national leaders are belittling, demonizing and marginalizing them as extremists. They refuse to believe these groups represent any real grassroots resistance. Instead, they concoct conspiracy theories that they are conservatives who are secretly mobilizing these irrational marches.

“Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Ca.) said that protestors of Obamacare are ‘un-American’ and ‘carrying Swastikas.’ And Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) accused the protesters of trying to "sabotage" the democratic process. And Senator Barbara Boxer (D-Ca.) responded that ‘well-dressed’ protestors are out to ‘hurt our president.’

“So who are the real extremists—citizens who voice their First Amendment grievances or politicians who through their rhetoric try socially to quarantine citizens and impede democratic debate?”

….MUCH MORE AT http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=106427

Chuck has the answer to the nation's healthcare problem. His tears can cure any disease or ailment. Too bad he never cries.

The heck with learning healthy eating, Chuck Norris can stare those vitamins into your child.

What a dope. I think he's been hit in the head one too many times. As far as government agents coming to your home I believe the Bushies took care of that with their domestic spying program. See Chuck, your own boys violated your Constitutional rights.

The time to let our voices be heard loud and clear on this issue is the 2010 congressional elections. It doesn't matter what Chuck Norris, President Obama, or any talking heads have to say about this.

Let your representatives that are a part of that election know now where you stand on this issue and remind them that they represent you and you will remember the way they voted on this issue when you vote either for or against them.

But on the left the words of the Sean Penns, Bill Mahers, Aleck Baldwins, Roseannas,,Oprahs, etc. are golden and we should listen to thier rantd because of thier special knowledge and perspectives?

Oh please....talk about double standards !!!!

“So who are the real extremists—citizens who voice their First Amendment grievances or politicians who through their rhetoric try socially to quarantine citizens and impede democratic debate?”

Do you even know what 'democratic debate' is?

Methinks not.

It includes listening, and excludes shouting down.

question:
How many of these patriotic anti-socialism wingnuts are collecting social security benefits and medicare, all the while working free for the insurance cabal to keep other Americans from getting any sort of health care?
A lot and they know who they are.....

question:
How many of these patriotic anti-socialism wingnuts are collecting social security benefits and medicare, all the while working free for the insurance cabal to keep other Americans from getting any sort of health care?
answer:
A lot and they know who they are. These rank hypocrites like these socialist programs as long as they get their *entitlements* but to heck with everyone else.
Just another rendition of privatize the profits and socialize the losses. Thats their kind of socialism.

i hate it when Hollywood People give opinions on matters they know little about.

The "THUGS" here are not teabaggers but SEIU and ACORN THUGS who are trying to intimidate citizens who are speaking out against OBAMA-SOCIALIZED care. Obama's POLL Numbers will continue to fall as will the Pelosi-Reid congress. 2010 will see conservatives retake the house and will make great gains in the senate!!!

Who did Chuck support for president? Who has a show on FOX?

When did personal responsibility and accountability fly out the window in the country? Right after logic and reason.

Actually, according to Rasmussen Reports, as of 11 August, Obama's approval has dropped below 50% (http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/obama_administration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll). And since the Lightbringer has begun his sales campaign, opposition has increased to 53% (http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/current_events/healthcare/august_2009/support_for_congressional_health_care_reform_falls_to_new_low); in addition, the strength of opposition well exceeds the numbers on the pro-socialist side. Congressmen failed to realize (go figure) that the retired set would read and research the bill, then show up to debate this atrocious legislation.

Well we could just let the parents who don't give a hoot for their kids just continue to not give a hoot......frankly I'd rather see something in place to give struggling parents some type of direction. Oh but wait, would Chuck rather have those kids abused and ignored by the parents and then end up in foster care?

Any man who stars in Delta Force and Invasion USA has my ears. Obama is a lame liberal fool.

My occupation puts me in direct contact with people on a daily basis, in their homes, in a very poor area of our city. The point that I feel is being missed by people like Chuck IS a little less obvious, but still should be taken into consideration. I see mistreated and neglected children everyday. In some cases, this is because the parents are so overwhelmed with just trying to "make it" that they parent poorly or directly abuse. In other cases, it is truly that they are from a very different lifestyle and simply are not educated on parenting techniques, etc. Those of us that had good parenting when we were raised often take it for granted when we have children, because we learned a lot of good techniques and skills by the example that our own parents set. Not everyone has that luxury!!! I think of the home visits that would be offered, and I think of how many children might be saved from physical and mental suffering through the preparation and support of their parents. As others have mentioned in their posts- it's very easy for someone who is extremely removed from the hardships that the poor and uninsured suffer, to think that everything only comes down to an evil plot of the government to eek into our homes and control us. They are definitely missing the real issues.

He and Ronnie Raygun must have shared a fruit cake, or two, together !! Where do they find these underdeveloped experts, at the Republican or Libertarian Party, same difference !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.

I love how when liberals bus people into town halls and protests, PAYING people to carry the liberal cause, there's nothing wrong with it and conservatives are quashing free speech to speak against it. But when conservatives come on their own free will (even if rallied by conservative causes) they're called sexually explicit names, congressional leaders call them nazi's and un-american. There is little evidence of busses needing to bring people in or checks being written to those who come.

Maybe because too many voting for the left are so stuck on the government teet they don't know how to act, think or pay for themself?????

So it is ok for liberals to have other liberal hollywood stars that don't know anything tell them who to vote for, but when one actually does research and speaks his mind you have a problem with that.

I laughed at Chuck talking about "research." Hmmm, like getting talking points from Fox News, Limbaugh and Sarah Palin. Actually, he kind of is the kung fu Sarah Palin in some ways.

Thank you Chuck Norris.

With all the noise and furor being egged on by the right wing media, I cannot see how Obama and the Democrats are going to manage to pass any meaningful health care reform legislation.

The Party of No (GOP) really knows how to gin up fear and ignorance and mobilize it.

Stir the pot. Muddy the waters. Nothing gets accomplished. The status quo goes on.

The GOP and their conservative blow hards will pat themselves on the back for defeating the will of the American people.

I have to imagine that pro-slavery forces in the 19th century patted themselves on the back when they defeated anti-slavery legislation.

Similarly, the GOP pats itself on the back preventing America from having an affordable, state of the art, 21st Century health care system.

In 50 years, people will look back and laugh at these conservative clowns, and wonder why all the fuss?

The real victims in this whole farce are the people who really need health care coverage. Medical expenses are the number one cause of bankruptcy in the US.

Hope the GOP is proud to support that legacy.

thank the flying speghetti monster we have experts like Chuckles to tell us what to think. I'd be lost without his advise.

Pathetic, Silva. You just can't stand seeing others whipping up public opinion against something you've tied your star to, can you? So what if it's overblown and hyperbolic? The anti-war movement of the past administration wasn't, itself? Get over it.

Face it: some people would rather endure malnutrition because they're ignernt dimbulbs than have the government come in and get all bossy on them. And free people in a free society ought to be able to do that if they choose.

And even if you're not likely to be among the group to have nosy do-gooders barging in, the chances that it *can* happen through clerical or procedural error, or just bureaucratic intransigence are not insignificant. When you're invaded for one reason, being invaded by child welfare nazis, to whom no Constitutional limitations of power and authority seem to apply, is often just around the corner.

People are afraid of their government, Silva. Get it though your head.

So it is ok for liberals to have other liberal hollywood stars that don't know anything tell them who to vote for, but when one actually does research and speaks his mind you have a problem with that.

Posted by: Double Standard | August 12, 2009 9:15 AM

No. He's entitled to speak his mind, and this liberal has "no problem with that." So too, people are entitled to criticize him for being a clueless blowhard. Is it really all that hard for you to reconcile these two things?

Jamie,

And what do your comic books tell you about the economy?

Yea cause the Lefty Liberals have only about a million ill informed political dopes shleping for Obama. Get real!
And the fact that Chuck Norris did not just round house kick all of us into submission shows his respect for the democratic model that obama wants to bum rush and race his healthcare into place. Thank Chuck every day you are not round housed!

I just keep wondering how these healthcare initiatives are going to remain "deficit neutral." That concept actually makes no sense whatsoever. The only way they can ensure that is by paying for it out of my paycheck. So, whether or not Mr. Norris is correct about this cherry-picked comment, there still has not been adequate explanation to the American People about how these new initiatives would be funded.

I for one respect Mr. Norris' willingness to weigh in on the debate, much the same as we are doing here. Why we seem to think that President Obama has any more expertise than Mr. Norris on this topic is frankly baffling. The true experts on the topic have come down equally for and against it.

"Obama's POLL Numbers will continue to fall as will the Pelosi-Reid congress. 2010 will see conservatives retake the house and will make great gains in the senate!!!"
While you're fortune-telling, can you give me the results for tomorrow's races at Belmont?
Thanks!

The posts on this board must be what liberals talk about when they say we want to have a "serious debate" about health care. They want no such thing, rather they want us to shut up. At least Chuck has read one of the versions of the bill, unlike most of the people who will be voting on it.

Why such faith in government? It screws up everything it touches and is going to bankrupt this country.

Well, like many Americans, I want the government to play far less of a role in my life. While I understand that this is optional, it is not optional for Americans to pay for it - that is what a lot of people fail to understand. In theory it is a nice idea but it is a massive program that will cost billions, possibly trillions of dollars we don't have at this point.

So if I get this straight, neglectful and abusive parents are going to "opt" for this training? I think the adjectives above indicate that the vast majority won't - they are "neglectful" and "abusive" so the welfare of the child is obviously not a priority. So it would have to be mandatory to some extent...which is invasive and scary.

Wait a minute. As I read the responses, not a ONE of you who call Norris a "right wing dope", or he's been "hit in the head too many times" has addressed what he said. The fact that this column was written by an opponent of Norris' views aside, what about the question?

What KIND of Government agent, with what kind of agenda is going to be "deployed" - at taxpayer expense - to people's homes? Why aren't the legions of Government counselors already available enough?

In other words - who in their right mind thinks our Government (left or right) knows what's best for YOUR children?

What about the elephant in the room folks? Thanks to G interference over the last two or three decades - aptitude scores have plummeted and children have become more and more ignorant, and on and on.

Stop and think. You really want these clowns interfering MORE?

The "dirty secret" is that Mr. Norris fails to comprehend what he reads and misses key words in the legislation. The section he's referring to is in regards reimburse for VOLUNTARY counseling.

Chuck Norris is a laughing stock. He is a buffoon. Nobody should pay ANY attention to anything this moron has to say. Next story, please.

Lacy

I think the point is that we the taxpayers should not be paying for something like this. Why should I have to pay for someone's poor parenting skills?? It's sad that people no longer know how to parent their own children.

Maybe we can get former American Gladiator "Nitro" to share his thoughts on health care as long we're asking the experts

I see the Obamaites are out in force preaching that the Obama koolaide is the only answer. It seems that they believe low income applies to all. It seems that they believe the government needs to do everything for them so that they can continue to be an irresponsible as they have been for decades. Sure blame it on a conspiracy for the working people who will end up opposing this trillion dollar boondoggle.

Sure, its "important" when the hollywood types tell us who to support, who to vote for and what causes to support, but when one comes out against the hollywood liberal position, all of a sudden, its stupid to listen to what they have to say. No double standard at all.

Wait till Chuck hunts you down.....
http://www.chucknorrisfacts.com/

I am a Democrat. I am not a right wing Liberal. I do not beleive this health care plan will help us but hurt us. There are to many issues with it. Like the fact that you will no longer be able to sue your doctor for malpractice or that if you are terminally ill they can stop all treatment for you or if they deem there is no hope for you you get no treatment at all. (Page 430: Government will decide what level of treatments you may have at end-of-life. Page 29: Admission: your health care will be rationed!). The fact that all people in the US leagal or not will get health care (Page 50: All non-US citizens, illegal or not, will be provided with free healthcare services.). And we will have to pay no matter if we can afford it or not (Page 59: The federal government will have direct, real-time access to all individual bank accounts for electronic funds transfer.). I am sorry but this is socialism at its core. Not Democracy! I am NOT a socialist. Nor do I want to be in one or live in a country that is trying to be Socialist.

I also have issue with a the Czars that Obama has appointed illegally. We are paying these peoples salaries and they are not even legal jobs that the president created. And the other issue is that he named them a Czars = KINGS! RULERS!

And as for as his approval ratings - I hear they are headed to the toilet. I know of no one that like what he is doing and I talk to people all over the country. Democrats, Republicans and Liberals alike. Not one that I know or talked to thinks he is doing a good job (BTW - they are black and white people).

"Before so-called universal health care turns into universal hell care, write or call your representatives today and protest their voting Obamacare into law. Remind them what is needed in Washington is a truly bipartisan group that is allowed ample amount of time to work on a compromise health care law that doesn't raise taxes (for anyone), regulate personal medical choices, ration health care or restrict American citizens."

Mr. Silva, you forgot to print this part of the article. You also forgot to mention the program that Mr. Norris and his wife have run for 17 years for inner city youth called "Kickstart".

I really think a full disclosure is appropriate.

Chuck Norris' tears cure cancer....so I am willing to listen to his proposal.

Healthcare would be much cheaper if they severely restricted malpractice lawsuits. Many of the tests ordered are to cover the butts of the doctor, in case they are sued. The cost of insurance is through the roof. There are too many opportunists in this country waiting their whole life to win the Ghetto Lottery. Unfortunately, the lawyers lobby will never let lawsuit abuse reform happen. Doctors deserve to be paid extremely well, but when 30% of your income goes toward malpractice insurance, of course the bills will be higher. And the consumer is the person who pays for it in the end

How can supposedly well to do people read the document and interpret these outlandish conclusions? I think that may be part of the problem with transparency in this administration. FIRST you must improve the average reading comprehension schooling. Increasing it from 4th grade to at least 8th grade might prevent most of these right winged misinterpretations.

The bigger problem is that most of the people commenting have no clue what is actually in the healthcare bill and what it will cost everyone. Do you have any idea what this bill is about before you spout the mindless dribble that most of these comments do? If this is the best thing since sliced bread Why is the context of this bill hidden in secrecy? The President has asked for us to have faith that it is for our good, yet from past experience neither party does much of anything that really is in the interest of the people. Healthcare is a major issue but why would anyone continue to follow either part so blindly when most people feel that both sides are blowing smoke up our butts.

Um anything run by the state is bad. We blast China for being socialist, as much as we hated Russia. We called them Communists, but they never got passed the socialist phase. Communism is supposedly people living in perfect unison there is no need for government.

Anyway, welcome to the United Socialists of America.

Don't believe me, Well here is Daniel Webster's definition....

Main Entry: so·cial·ism
Pronunciation: \ˈsō-shə-ˌli-zəm\
Function: noun
Date: 1837
1 : any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods
2 a : a system of society or group living in which there is no private property b : a system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state
3 : a stage of society in Marxist theory transitional between capitalism and communism and distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done

The Chuck Norris Health Plan: a Total Gym in every home!

The nation would rather know Steven Seagal's position on this matter. Or how about Vin Diesel? How does he feel on this issue?

Sheri Hollister -- if you would have taken even 30 seconds, you would have found photographic evidence of people "carrying swastikas" to these events:

http://thinkprogress.org/2009/08/07/pelosi-swastikas/

Why are you media bashers (John D, rwilymz, among others) picking on Silva who accurately reported the story, and not the Town Hall hypocrites like Bill Bennett who provided the forum for Norris in the first place? Did you even visit the website or do you already have it bookmarked for your ongoing source of crap?

Insurance companies place limits and caps on covered services, or the costs would be so sky high, no one could have insurance. Insurance premiums are high, and this high cost is for people in groups and plans where many of the high risk individuals are already eliminated. People complain they don't want these caps and limits, they complain they can't afford these high insurance costs. How then, is the government going to offer a health insurance option without the same caps and limitations and high costs (through taxes) to covere every single person in the United States. Keep in mind, this means all the high risk people, and individuals that won't be paying for the governemnt insurance because they can't afford it. I just can't figure out how this will be possible. It will only be possible if care is rationed, covereage is limited, or an immense amount of your paycheck will be used for health care insurance.

Another mascot for Republican lemmings to rally around. These people don't understand discourse and debate; they don't understand the facts, so they rally around these mascots, like Chuck Norris or "Joe the Plumber" to cover up the fact that these people KNOW NOTHING about what they're ranting and raving and foaming at the mouth about.

It's extremely unfortunate that politicians have given the most basest, stupidest people in this country a pulpit to tarnish the image of our whole nation and to dumb-down the discussion to the point it's freaks shouting in a microphone and b-list action hero stars acting as mascots to rally around.

This whole discussion has become pathetic with the kind of people "conservatives" brought into the fray to shill their agenda. It really makes me lose faith in this nation to see that stupid people are so prevalent.

Oh Please wrote: Why should I have to pay for someone's poor parenting skills??

Because you'll end up paying for it one way or the other. If a child is not properly raised, be it nutritional, educational or disciplinary, they are more than likely to not be as productive adults as they should/could be. This is one of the reasons you see so many young people in prison, and so many are repeat offenders. If all they know is broken homes and violence, they will repeat the cycle. Heaven forbid you or a family member is a victim of someone who didn't have the chance to learn to be better. Yes, sometimes it does take a village.

Insurance companies place limits and caps on covered services, or the costs would be so sky high, no one could have insurance. Insurance premiums are high, and this high cost is for people in groups and plans where many of the high risk individuals are already eliminated. People complain they don't want these caps and limits, they complain they can't afford these high insurance costs. How then, is the government going to offer a health insurance option without the same caps and limitations and high costs (through taxes) to covere every single person in the United States. Keep in mind, this means all the high risk people, and individuals that won't be paying for the government insurance because they can't afford it. I just can't figure out how this will be possible. It will only be possible if care is rationed, covereage is limited, or an immense amount of your paycheck will be used for health care insurance.

"Um anything run by the state is bad."

Very well. Let's disband our armed forces, police departments, fire departments, highway and road departments, EMTs, sanitation services, etc. After all, they're all run by the state...

---

"Why should I have to pay for someone's poor parenting skills??"

Oh Please,

You are going to pay for someone else's poor parenting skills one way or another, don't you understand that? We share Planet Earth with each other - you cannot escape that. You can either pay upfront and hopefully teach that parent good parenting skills and the child will hopefully grow up happy and healthy or you can let that child grow up in an abusive/neglectful environment and 15 or so miserable years later they can go out and start commmitting crimes which have social costs and get locked up for the rest of their life at your expense. Which would you rather pay for?

Offering people some assistance at a critical time in their lives---help that might save a kid's life. That sure is one "dirty little secret."

You can pick up almost any newspaper almost any day and find a story about a toddler beaten to death by parents who had no idea what the child was or should be capable of, physically or intellectually. Decided the soiled diaper or crying, or spilled food was "disobedience" and had to teach the kid some discipline and respect.
But we don't want "government agents" going around "interfering" with people's "values."

Does the Bill of Rights include a right to willful, dangerous ignorance? Because I sure don't recall that one.

The point Norris is making is that this program is full of waste, and thus going to be expensive. We need healthcare not home visits to check on parenting. More government employees and more payroll and pensions amounts to incredible cost with no real benefit to taxpayers. I don't need any home visits and sure do not want to pay for it.

My uncle, a US-citizen who has lived in Canada for years now, told us Canada wants to make its healthcare system like the US, but now the US is trying to make its healthcare system like Canada. Hmm...let's think about that one for a moment.

On another note, Chuck Norris is coming out with an official fact book in November!

"There are too many opportunists in this country waiting their whole life to win the Ghetto Lottery"

The Ghetto lottery? Are you kidding me? Jeez, no wonder that Republicans fail so badly with minority voters.

I just want to know how are we really going to pay for healthcare?

I also would like to know what government agency actually reduces their budget year on year to ensure that it is solvent? Vs. spending beyond their means so they can grow their budget allocation.

Will my day to day expenses go up to pay for this? I believe that the cost of goods in Europe and Canada are higher due to high taxes to pay for socialist programs.

Helathcare is not free, somebody will pay for it.

>>>Why are you media bashers (John D, rwilymz, among others) picking on Silva who accurately reported the story...

I BEG your pardon, bunkum? "Accurately reporting the story"???

Which of these silva-made "reports" are actual reportage instead of snotty editorializing?

>Actually, no.
>How about reading, and nutrition, for starters?
>No, that's what why we have home-schooling.
>When juvenile prisons started overflowing.

If you wish to be treated like an honest discussant, the first rule is that you be honest. You can be honest and combative; you can be honest and bellicose; you can be honest and genuinely pleasant. But you must be honest. You aren't.

People are STILL scared of their own government. They are scared of their own government whether it's run by Democrats or Republicans.

Wow! People...isn't it about time everyone settled down a little? OK - can we all agree that people without health insurance should have some? Can we also agree that Obama and the Dems tried to cobble this thing together and ram it down our throats a little too quickly? Thats what started all the furor: the economy is weak, there are no jobs, home values are tanking and the people are not trusting the government much at the moment because they are hurting. Then, a bunch of slick politicians throw together a gazillion dollar healthcare bill, and try to rush it past us. It doesn't take a genius in psychology to figure out this ain't gonna fly with a wary populace. (Leadership 101) As far as the government helping people out with parenting skills - somebody better. All the gun grabbers want to blame firearms for the carnage these kids are causing as they shoot up their neighborhoods. The reality is that someone "raised" these little sociopaths and kinda forgot to teach them that its not OK to pull the trigger on other human beings. Maybe the government can do it.

i think he did bring up a good point, i think that part can be revised easily enough .

Notice that most of the people who are so adamantly against health care reform, seem to be either a) doctors, b) insurance people, or c) yammering rednecks who don't have two brain cells to rub together.

Norris falls into the C category.

>>>Does the Bill of Rights include a right to willful, dangerous ignorance? Because I sure don't recall that one.

Ninth and/or Tenth Amendments. Read them some time.

More importantly, the Constitution was written to grant the government only limited and specific authorities, and nosy-nellying to make sure each family is raising their own children "correctly" is not among the authorities the government was granted.

I think Bruce Lee hit him too hard in Return of The Dragon and Chuck has been brain dead ever since.

>>>It's extremely unfortunate that politicians have given the most basest, stupidest people in this country a pulpit to tarnish the image of our whole nation and to dumb-down the discussion to the point it's freaks shouting in a microphone and b-list action hero stars acting as mascots to rally around.

Ah, nostalgia! I can remember, as if it were last Administration, the exact same shrill shilling being done by those on the "other side". Granted, the issues were somewhat different, but it was still shrill shilling. And not uncommonly choreographed by Hollywood b-listers and past-primers.

Those were the days!

"Are we to assume the state's mediators would understand every parent's social or religious core values on parenting?'' Norris asks. "Or would they teach some secular-progressive and religiously neutered version of parental values and wisdom?''

No, that's what why we have home-schooling."

Mark, you miss the point on this. We have the right to be and believe in what we want. Government involvement in our personal lives is not a good thing. Are we not to think for ourselves?

I'm sure you'd like it if a govenment offical came to your house and told you to raise your kids a certain way? Sure you would!

I don't trust bureacracy! I don't care who it is, it's not right to put your faith in other people to do right by you.

People should be left to run their own lives and if people die or are too dumb to survive all that will happen is weed out the week...I'm quite certain I have something like this before!!

Earth to Chuck Norris and those on the right--CIVIL discourse and free speech are not the same as screaming at congressmen to prevent a rational discussion from taking place.

It's like screaming "fire" in a crowded theater.

Washed up Chucklehead Norris. Maybe he and Huckleberry Mike should run in 2012. Or how about Palin/ Norris?? There you go. And there would be idiots who would actually vote for that ticket.

Yeah right, Chuck Norris the health care policy and parenting expert. Stick to what you know Chuckles: bad action movies with laughable plots.

If every government program is bad, then we should throw away the police, the fire department, the social security program, the FDA and the FAA. And I wonder what US would become.

When you find out that you are benefiting from one of the government program, you would want to keep it running as long as possible.

I would recommend more people to go to the inner cities and understand the issues.

The people who live in the inner cities are not going to go anyway. So their issues are our issues.

I'll bet his view would be different if he was broke, unemployed and didn't have health insurance.

So it is ok for liberals to have other liberal hollywood stars that don't know anything tell them who to vote for, but when one actually does research and speaks his mind you have a problem with that.

Posted by: Double Standard | August 12, 2009 9:15 AM

No. He's entitled to speak his mind, and this liberal has "no problem with that." So too, people are entitled to criticize him for being a clueless blowhard. Is it really all that hard for you to reconcile these two things?

So in much the same fashion its ok for people to go out and voice their opinion against this healthcare reform at the meetings and there's nothing un-American about that.

Oh wait, you guys already said it was. oops. Double standard is showing again

The real issue that should be being discussed is will this reform work.

Is it possible to take all the uninsurable people of the country and offer them a cheap healthcare solution. (Cheaper then the ones currently out there)

The true answer is no. It's not going to be cheap to provide coverage for people who cannot themselves afford it, or are "uninsurable" through our current healthcare because of disease or age.

A system designed to give the most expensive people to insure in our country won't be cheap. Not to mention all the salaries that need to be paid for the people who run said healthcare.

There's not a lot of talk from the other side of how this will not hike taxes to an all-time high.

Instead they simply call the protestor's names and play the distraction game, while Obama tells the nation how urgent it is to pass this bill RIGHT NOW before anyone has a chance to realize the long term effects.

We've never had anything like this before, we're entering uncharted waters, why in the world are we rushing into it???? Let's take our time and really give this some thought.

Why are Republicans constantly mis-analyzing the provisions of the healthcare law? When the law clearly states that insurance will cover end of life issues discussions with your doctor, Republicans think it requires euthanizing old people in death camps. When the law allows for funding of parenting programs, the Republicans think it requires that people conform their parenting to government mandates.

Wally:
>>>CIVIL discourse and free speech are not the same as screaming at congressmen to prevent a rational discussion from taking place.

Civil discourse does not need to be rational. Some of the most civil discourse is committed between polite nincompoops who don't know what they're talking about.

Free speech does not need to be civil -- nor rational, for that matter. Remember most of the criticisms of US foreign policy? Free speech, largely uncivil, particularly with terms like "nazi" and "war crimes" continually tossed around. And a lot of it was not rational, seeing as how people with virtually no experience in military theory and war-planning were giving dictates on both.

Screaming at Congressmen -- and Presidents, and veeps, and Secretaries of Defense and State -- USED to be a favorite pastime ... up until early this year.

Funny how it's now all different since the shoe is on the other foot. "Irony" is a polite term for hypocrisy.

Why does anyione listen to this anti--american traitor? He has supported the notion of secesssion, with himself becoming President of Texas. He hates this nation and wants to destroy it. Again, why sdoes anyone listen to him?

Jim:
>>>I'll bet his view would be different if he was broke, unemployed and didn't have health insurance.

I'll bet it wouldn't, Jim. Many of those broke, unemployed and uninsured use hospital emergency rooms as their Primary Care Physician, and they simply sign all the financial responsibility forms ... and don't pay the bills.

That isn't likely to change, frankly. Habits -- even [and especially] bad ones -- are hard to break. They'll still be using hospital emergency rooms improperly, still signing all the forms claiming they'll pay the deductibles and co-pays, and still not paying their share.

Read the comments. It is worth noting that most of them are attacks on Mr. Norris and have no substantative information. This is why this debate has become so rancourous.
If you disagree with his point, show where in the bill it specifically indicates that this type of parental interference is optional and not mandatory.

Norris is expecting parents to be intelligent - which they SHOULD be - in raising their children. Expecting the government to come into your home and give your tips on how to LIVE LIFE means that you haven't got the brains to take care of yourself.

How silly that someone who has never worked in health care or insurance, has never studied the issue other than a brief review of a 1,000 page document, and who's slim resume includes stints with fringe groups, should be commenting on this important issue.

No I am not talking about Chuck Norris.

Barry Obama, the crooked community activist, is trying to take over 1/5thof the US economy. I watched our Affirmative Action President yesterday stumble without Soro's and Moveon.org's teleprompter. He doesn't have a clue what he is talking about! The guy is stupid. Americans don't want this by 3 to 1.

One-termer Barry's approval is in the toilet. He has screwed up this country in 6 months more than 8 years of Bush. $11 trillion in new debt. 9.4% unemployment. America is laughed at by its enemies. And all you crazies on the leftwing, what few are left, are busy insulting free speech. What a joke.

So another clown joint the me, me , me,me, me circus.

""Another mascot for Republican lemmings to rally around. These people don't understand discourse and debate; they don't understand the facts, so they rally around these mascots, like Chuck Norris or "Joe the Plumber" to cover up the fact that these people KNOW NOTHING about what they're ranting and raving and foaming at the mouth about.

It's extremely unfortunate that politicians have given the most basest, stupidest people in this country a pulpit to tarnish the image of our whole nation and to dumb-down the discussion to the point it's freaks shouting in a microphone and b-list action hero stars acting as mascots to rally around.

This whole discussion has become pathetic with the kind of people "conservatives" brought into the fray to shill their agenda. It really makes me lose faith in this nation to see that stupid people are so prevalent.""

Comments like these DO NOT ADDRESS the issues, they just smear, label, and insult. You did not address one comment that any "conservative" Obama care detractor has made. Nobody has convinced us why we should trust the Federal government, which has yet to run anything efficiently, with our very livelihoods, and 1/7 of our economy!

it's really too bad that norris, at nearly seventy years of age, appears to have so little understanding of how people actually live. on countless pages on this website, people lament the crime that plagues this city and invariably blame the epidemic on poor parenting. maybe it would be a good thing if a social worker had intervened in some of these cases, or if there were classes where new mothers could go to learn how to nurture their children. a simple truth of life is that sometimes people need help. sometimes a woman gets pregnant and the father isn't involved in raising the child. (i'm looking at you, carlos ray http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/N/NO009.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_Norris#Personal_life.) and so, yes, maybe she might need help, counselling and advice on how to raise her child.

[["Or would they teach some secular-progressive and religiously neutered version of parental values and wisdom?'']]

frankly, carlos ray, yes a government program should be religiously neutral. i'm kind of surprised that that is news to you. so, secular, check. and progressive...why is that a bad thing. like, "we're making progress in raising reading levels and we're making progress in improving the nutritional levels of young children."

i think people like carlos ray expect that everything will be ok if we just rely on ourselves and jesus, but out here in the real world people sometimes need a helping hand. i know, carlos ray, that it's fun to whip up black-helicopter paranoid fantasies about "government agents," but if you are only going to be a broomstick in the gears of this discussion, then maybe you should remember the fifth principle of the martial art you started.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_Norris#Chun_Kuk_Do

Chuck is right.

Why do low income folks get special visits?

If this is supposed to treat people fairly, offer the visits to everyone, not just Obama pet minorities.

>>>When the law clearly states that insurance will cover end of life issues discussions with your doctor, Republicans think it requires euthanizing old people in death camps.

Oooh! Good question! Maybe the Democrats -- who supported Social Security privatization when Clinton supported it but who nearly universally claimed that when Bush also supported it later said it was simply a Republican trick to put granny on an ice floe -- have an answer.

>>>When the law allows for funding of parenting programs, the Republicans think it requires that people conform their parenting to government mandates.

Ooooh! Another good question. Maybe because it's happening right now. Parents are having their kids taken away from them already over trivial issues -- and ironically NOT having children taken away who later end up murdered -- and all because it is mandatory to interfere with parenting.

It is not and should not be the central role of the FEDERAL goverment to develop, implement and administrate childcare development.

I do not want my tax dollars going to this program.

Here's a question for all you left-wing kool-aide drinking morons who kneel at the knee of Obama and say 'yes' to whatever idea (or tax cheat) he trouts out in front of you: if the plan is too good to pass on why did he and all of the other Dems exempt themselves from having to participate?

Go Chuck - kick their butts!!

I'm sure the new Tribune web-folks think this article "worked", just judging by all of the comments written..... laughable..... as the Tribune continues it's downward spiral toward the National Enquirer.....

TakeAChill,

You nearly got it right, but your resultant outcome was wrong. The issue highlighted in the article is a SOCIAL one, not a HEALTH one. Social ills are not the same thing as HEALTH ills. The OA is trying to convince us that they are and they are willing to spend BILLIONS of our dollars in an attempt to "fix" the problem. If the OA were serious about helthcare reform, then social intervention programs such as these should be removed and addressed under separate cover. Americans are free to choose whatever form of lifestyle they want. If that means that we choose to allow our kids to become part of the ignoarant masses, then so be it. We should not be spending money becuase the government believes that we (as parents) are performing under some sort of nationalized standard.

This highlighted item of the current healthcare bill is just one more indication that we're heading for a socialist state because the government is telling us that we are not capable of taking care of ourselves and that it is in our best interest to relinquish our control of our lives to them. Thanks but no thanks.

The lead story in Wednesday's Washington Post, for example, is headlined: "Obama Faces 'Scare Tactics' Head-On."

News outlets that are focusing on the incendiary rhetoric of conservatives outside President Obama's town hall meeting Tuesday ignored the incendiary rhetoric -- and even violence -- of liberals outside an appearance by former President George W. Bush in 2002.

When Bush visited Portland, Ore., for a fundraiser, protesters stalked his motorcade, assailed his limousine and stoned a car containing his advisers. Chanting "Bush is a terrorist!", the demonstrators bullied passers-by, including gay softball players and a wheelchair-bound grandfather with multiple sclerosis.

One protester even brandished a sign that seemed to advocate Bush's assassination. The man held a large photo of Bush that had been doctored to show a gun barrel pressed against his temple.

"BUSH: WANTED, DEAD OR ALIVE," read the placard, which had an X over the word "ALIVE."

Another poster showed Bush's face with the words: "F--- YOU, MOTHERF---ER!"

A third sign urged motorists to "HONK IF YOU HATE BUSH." A fourth declared: "CHRISTIAN FASCISM," with a swastika in place of the letter S in each word.

Although reporters from numerous national news organizations were traveling with Bush and witnessed the protest, none reported that protesters were shrieking at Republican donors epithets like "Slut!" "Whore!" and "Fascists!"

Frank Dulcich, president and CEO of Pacific Seafood Group, had a cup of liquid thrown into his face, and then was surrounded by a group of menacing protesters, including several who wore masks. Donald Tykeson, 75, who had multiple sclerosis and was confined to a wheelchair, was blocked by a thug who threatened him.

Protesters slashed the tires of several state patrol cruisers and leapt onto an occupied police car, slamming the hood and blocking the windshield with placards. A female police officer was knocked to the street by advancing protesters, badly injuring her wrist.

The angry protest grew so violent that the Secret Service was forced to take the highly unusual step of using a backup route for Bush's motorcade because the primary route had been compromised by protesters, one of whom pounded his fist on the president's moving limousine.

All the while, angry demonstrators brandished signs with incendiary rhetoric, such as "9/11 - YOU LET IT HAPPEN, SHRUB," and "BUSH: BASTARD CHILD OF THE SUPREME COURT." One sign read: "IMPEACH THE COURT-APPOINTED JUNTA AND THE FASCIST, EGOMANIACAL, BLOOD-SWILLING BEAST!"

Yet none of these signs were cited in the national media's coverage of the event. By contrast, the press focused extensively on over-the-top signs held by Obama critics at the president's town hall event held Tuesday in New Hampshire.

What hypocrisy.

I think Norris gained some respect when, as "Walker, Texas Ranger" he told Haley Joel Osment that the little boy was diagnosed with AIDS, causing Haley to pronounce, "Walker Told Me I Have AIDS" a phrase that rings true today.

To all you left wing zealots who want change: You may get it and you won't like it and then you'll find out who's going to pay for it. Norris may be a Hollywood type, but his argument is sound. Thank God for the first amendment.

The first version of the healthcare program should be very simple.

It should be mirror Medicare. Participants must pay a monthly premium (like those who participate in Medicare). A participant cannot be turned down for a pre-existing condition.

It should be an elective program. Those who have private insurance may keep what they have.

People who are on welfare already qualify for free medical care.

If we start simply, not with 1000 pages of restrictions and programs, we'll have a base to work from. Once the economy gets better, then we can decide if we want to pay for more programs.

SOCIALISM, SOCIALISM, FASCISM, COMMUNISM!

Thanks, I feel so much better now. I wonder who really wrote this for Norris.

Chucky - do us all a favor and stick to selling ab-rollers or what ever else piece of crap home work out equipment they pay you to promote.

Whoa, Everyday American, you really can't accuse right leaning people of being "lemmings" because if any one group is exibiting lemming behavior, it is the lef leaning white house and congress rushing huge initiatives through due process with an essence of panic - many of them without even reading the bill.

If you want to accuse right leaning people of "not understanding discourse and debate" you need only look in the mirror. My Obamatron friends can't even listen to my logical and real concerns. No discussion, no discourse will be tolerated - Pelosi calls us Nazis for questioning a proposal of this magnitude.

Democrats in congress have said - in their own words - that this will MARGINALLY improve healthcare at 3X the cost. If that makes sense, then I have no idea what to say...

Chuck Norris doesn't sleep. He waits.

Chuck Norris must have been kicked in the head a few times too many. And he probably sparred without the head protection.

Big mistake...

Chuck Norris doesnt need Obamacare. When Chuck Norris is approached by illness, he roundhouse kicks it right out of Texas.

but..

Jack Bauer >>>>>>>>>>>> Chuck Norris.

I liked him and his show, Walker, Texas Ranger, however, I always felt the show had a little too much religion for my taste. But, this is over the top. I don't see the problem with helping people become better parents. It's something we're not teaching in schools, they barely get the three R's these days. I'm sure the experts who would do this wouldn't be teaching religion, or values per-se, just guidelines anyone can use to be a better parent. What's wrong with that? What are you afraid of? This is overreaching to say the least. This health plan will help everyone, and by the way, there isn't one plan yet, the many plans formulated in these committees have to be merged into one plan, then you can read it and pick it apart.

>>>What's wrong with that? What are you afraid of?

What's wrong with guvmint people listening in on phone calls you make to Pakistan? What's wrong with other guvmint folks digging through your luggage when you fly from Chicago to New Orleans?

...maybe that it's GUVMINT folks doing it? perhaps?

...and because they have claimed the authority to do so "for our own good"?

...even though there is no authority for it in the Constitution?

Perhaps?

Schools aren't supposed to be teching people how to be better parents. That's what churches and families are for. And if you don't like churches, then there's still families. And if your family isn't so big on being effective parents, then you having children is simply irresponsible.

There is a legitimate political philosophy that holds personal responsibility the responsibility of the person, and not the government. You may not share that belief, but that's why we have elections: to figure it all out.

The government cannot run a cash for clunkers program and has failed miserably at most every bloated, misguided program it has established. Nobama, Rummy, Axelstick, Daley and their Democrat buddies and patronage armies have completely screwed up the State of Illinois, Cook County, Chicago Public School system, CTA, etc. and left the local, county and state in debt and bankrupt. Now they moved their act to Washington. This feed me healthcare program is nothing more than a charade to increase government workers that owe their jobs to Democrats and who will mindlessly vote them in to office every election. This has brought the good state of Illinois to its knees and will do the same to the country. This program is an incredible farce and only the glazed nuts from ACORN and SEUI and other organizations support it.

Why do I or the media care what Chuck Norris says? Do we really have to pass the mic to meaning less opinions just because they made a couple of bad movies? Whats next Lindsay Lohan opinions on health care to treat herpes? geez lets listend to her she might know a thing or two. Since when did every news item become according to TMZ

The program Norris condemns sounds exactly like the Parents as Teachers program, which started in Missouri. We participated when our oldest son was born, and found it wonderful in every way. It really helped get our son off to a good start. Today he's a National Merit scholar and will soon be graduating from a prestigious university not only debt free, but with money in the bank thanks to his hard work. Take that Chuck Norris.

My problem isn't with Chuck being a celebrity, as I actually think it's important for artists of any stripe to raise public issues. I just don't like how Norris is pretending to be an expert, when that sort of thing should be left to the experts. (In theory, I've disqualified all politicians as well.)

I liked him and his show, Walker, Texas Ranger, however, I always felt the show had a little too much religion for my taste. But, this is over the top. I don't see the problem with helping people become better parents. It's something we're not teaching in schools, they barely get the three R's these days. I'm sure the experts who would do this wouldn't be teaching religion, or values per-se, just guidelines anyone can use to be a better parent. What's wrong with that? What are you afraid of? This is overreaching to say the least. This health plan will help everyone, and by the way, there isn't one plan yet, the many plans formulated in these committees have to be merged into one plan, then you can read it and pick it apart.

Hey, Chuck, you better get back to make-up. Your mascara is running !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.

"And if your family isn't so big on being effective parents, then you having children is simply irresponsible. "

Ahh, I love compassionate conservatives. Were your parents abusive? Then you should never have children! Are your parents dead? No children for you! Your parents were alcoholics? Then be responsible and get yourself sterilized to preserve our master race!

Why do I or the media care what Chuck Norris says? Do we really have to pass the mic to meaning less opinions just because they made a couple of bad movies? Whats next Lindsay Lohan opinions on health care to treat herpes? geez lets listend to her she might know a thing or two. Since when did every news item become according to TMZ

Who cares what Chuck Norris thinks, he is an action figure, not someone intelligent. Actors are a dime a dozen, and anyone of them can be paid to say anything, that is what actors do. Chuck Norris is an actor, and this is one of his roles, a man filled with hatred for poor people and children needing health care!

Patrick

Chuck - when is Texas going to succceed from the union? Maybe it's time - why not become part of Mexico instead.

A number of the commentators above need to read Chuck Norris aubobiography. It will answer many of their questions about his charactor and credibility. Well intentioned as the "Counseling" provision in question may be, it points to one fact: Obamacare will not save you or anyone else any money. It's more spend, spend, spend.

>>>Ahh, I love compassionate conservatives.

That's swell. But why bring it up to me? I'm a libertarian.

Oh, oh, right. Because to brainless liberals, a libertarian is a republican who doesn't believe in god.

Yeah? Well, to brainless conservatives, a libertarian is a democrat who hates taxes.

I get it coming and going, and none of you have the honesty or integrity to deal with me on my own; you always have to include me in the group with your "enemies". Grow up.

The bottom line is this: There are many, many, many people who are sick to death of the government treating them as if they were no more than 5 years old and needing to have their hands held to walk to the bathroom. And both of the main "parties" do this ... and not always on different issues.

If you need your hand held, that's your issue and your problem. Do not make it everyone else's issue through compulsory participation, or through compulsory pocket-picking, either one.

far as i see it insurance companies make LOTS of money and uncle sam wants a peice of the pie. prob is every time he gets a peice of a pie he ends up owning the bakery and you end up eating whatever he feels like baking

God bless Chuck Norris.

While it is great that there are people who want to help others with how to care for their new baby and such, the problem is that when government does anything it is a disaster. Ever wait in line at the DMV? Well, in Charlotte NC, it is staffed mainly by a bunch of fat, lazy incompetent imbeciles who could not get a job anyplace else, but cannot be fired from a government job. That is the issue here - Government, especially liberal, socialistic government f***'s up everything it touches.

"Obama's POLL Numbers will continue to fall as will the Pelosi-Reid congress. 2010 will see conservatives retake the house and will make great gains in the senate!!!"
While you're fortune-telling, can you give me the results for tomorrow's races at Belmont?
Thanks!

Just curious to know if he ever got them to you? Cause you could take it to the bank