Obama: 'Washington so Washington-like'

Republicans need to stop rejecting every proposal from Obama and the Dems strictly for partisan reasons. The president and many Dems have shown a far greater willingness to cross the aisle than Republicans.

http://www.political-buzz.com/

Finally a good first step by President Obama in meeting with the Republicans. This should have been done earlier this year with at least the GOP Leadership after Obama assumed power. But instead he listened to Nancy Pelosi and tried to cram down the throats of the country very partisan legislation. The United States is facing very serious economic troubles. This is not a Democratic or Republican problem but an American problem. I hope Obama and the Republicans are serious and are paying more than just lip service in the meeting. And that means they have to sit down and have serious discussion. It can no longer be "My Way" of no way. It is unfortunate that it has taken a year and a major election setback in Massachusetts for the President to realize that he has to work with the GOP to get Bipartisan support for his programs. Hopefully some good can come out of this. A majority of the country is getting fed up with the petty partisan bickering and blaming each other that has been going all through 2009.

YEAH AND OBUMMER IS SO . . . OBUMMER-LIKE

This and 25 cents will get you a phone call and nothing more. It is not the American people that is their concern, it is political gain, and nothing Obama can do will change it.

I hope that with some issues that they can work together.
But, Obama has to walk the walk -- he has not been open to talking with the repubs..

After watching Boehner behaving marginally better than Justice Alito the other night, the thought occurs to me that Harry Reid added the tanning booth tax to the healthcare bill to take a swipe at Boehner.

The president is a cool and calculating, republicans still want tax breaks for billionaires as if they need them. The president also addresses the cross state line health    
Insurance proposal by the republican party, I'm glad we have a president who can take a look at it analyze it and have the wherewithal to see how the insurance company would try to take advantage. 

Perhaps if Obama and the Dems hadn't locked the doors to Republicans during the healthcare debates, he wouldn't feel the need to reprimand them for lack of cooperation. He allowed no input that he disagreed with and now complains there is no cooperation. Can't have it both ways.

Remember in January 2009 when Obama, with his filibuster-proof majority in the Senate and advantage in the House, arrogantly announced to Republicans that he would accept no dissent and no discussion, saying "I won. So I think on that one, I trump you." Remember that? For the past year, Obama and Democrats have been ignoring Americans while they try to ram their wildly unpopular socialist schemes down our throats. Then Virginia, New Jersey and Massachusetts happened. Let's continue to stand strong against Obama in every way until he either listens to and respects the American people or is shown the door in 2012. Meantime, let's get Congress out of the hands of Pelosi and Reid to limit further damage from Obama.

let's just stop talking to or at republicans - the media needs to stop covering any republican event, speech or appearance. We need to vote out of office all republicans on every level. None of them have any original ideas, they are old, out of date and very very crabby. actually they look like 2 year olds. Ignore them.

It's Obama's own party that is holding up healthcare. The Democrats have a Super Majority and he still can't this monstrosity passed. The reason has nothing to do with partisan politics and everything to do with the fact that it's a terrible, terrible bill. Most Americans realize this. Healthcare is not a god-given right. It's a good that should be purchased on the free market like anything else. That's how healthcare reform should be approached.

@Jefferson.....Absolutely right. The hell with the suffer Americans. Let's forego trying to accomplish anything so we can politically gain from it.

This is what a leader does.

"You'd think that this thing was some Bolshevik plot,'' --Obama.

The [chosen one] doth protest too much, methinks.

So now Obama wants to play the concilliatory cards with the republicans. All along he has had his henchmen in the House and The Senate ramming bills through with no regard for partinship and transparency, as promised. Now he wants to slap the Republicans around while trying to make nice with them He is nothing more than a petulant little boy that is pissed off because things did go his way, his charm did not carry the water and he is looking to continue blaming everyone in sight for his own shortcomings and lack of ability. What a disgrace to the office and the country.

How can anybody want a healthcare bill when nobody, including the Congress and Senate are sure what's in it?
This thing was written by lobbyists for the insurance and pharmaceutical industries, behind closed doors in the middle of the night.
A politician's dream.
No wonder business isn't hiring anybody.
There's no telling what these maniacs in Washington are going to do next.

NOVEMBER 02, 2010
NOVEMBER 06, 2012

TAKE IT BACK!

Its not like the republicans could STOP Obama and our MAJORITY liberal congress/house from doing anything..

Yes republicans are opposed BUT a lot of 'democrats' are opposed as well...

Now the SOCIALIST LIBERALS on the other hand LOVE the idea of total socialism hence some of these bills..

Learn how your government works before you go blaming stuff on one political party or another...

I love how Obumbles always positions himself above the fray when he is mostly responsible for it by trying to force his unpopular agenda.

The reality is that for the past year Obama, Pelooony and Harry "Thank heavens Obama is only slightly black" Reid didn't listen to the Republicans, didn't accept any ideas from them ranging from the stimulus to health care, and basically on anything else. Now, that Obimbo needs the Republicans, he's extending a hand. But the proof will be in the pudding. Will he and his Kooky Congressional Cohorts actually accept and implement some of the Republican ideas or just throw them away. Will they accept tort reform? Opening up state lines so there is more competition? Get away from government-run health care? We'll see.

More Kabuki theater from Obama. We are witnessing the final stages of an arrogant socialist movement that grossly misread a mandate, overreached and couldn't govern. Obama's now willing to dance a song, but few, if any, care about the boy who cried wolf any longer. Our sights are on taking back this great nation in November.

Mr. President, If you want to get something done in Washington, you have to get rid of the monkeys (Pelosi and Reid) riding your back. Your intentions are noble sir, but the House and Senate have no desire to play with the Republicans. It's all about control Mr. President, and they aren't going to give in one inch.

If your legacy, sir, is going to be a National Healthcare System, then let's start over indeed.

First, we need to include tort reform. We need to stop (or limit) malpractice lawsuits against doctors and/or hospitals. Malpractice costs have risen to the point of driving practioners out of state. Of those remaining, the cost of malpractice insurance has been simply passed on to the masses.

Second, we need to stop the inflationary costs of goods and services demanded by hospitals. Being charged 300% more for a readily available product (just because one is at the hospital) is obscene.

Third, we need to enact legislation that would make it illegal for workers to refuse insurance from their respective employer. Too often sir, I have heard stories of indivduals refusing insurance because of the cost to them (in terms of deductions). These same individuals sir, then go the ER for medical treatment when their conditions become chronic, or for routine check-ups (pap smears, etc.).

Fourth, we need to eliminate the idealistic service of running interference based on a notion of preventative medicine. We should not be telling people how to run their lives sir. Programs should be available for people who need assistance, but we should not be offering that assitance without cost, sir. People need to be held accountable for their actions.

Thank you sir for taking the time to read this.

Jefferson - I don't remember that at all. There were 58 democratic votes a year ago - Obama's up one! (Alren Spector changed parties on April 28 and Al Franken wasn't seated until July)

And that's not the quote. The quote was that he won the election so his bills shouldn't have to be 100% liked by R's. Wouldn't you agree with that sentiment?

People continue to lose their homes to foreclosure.

The economy is in the toilet.

Unemployment is at record highs.

For many, 'the American Dream' is now 'the Impossible Dream.'

And Oblah-blah-blah is concerned about healthcare.

Who is out of touch?!

Where was the outcry when Republicans passed the Prescription Drug Bill of the Medicare Modernization Act that was not pay for and currently costs the US over 500 billion per year?

Gee. Obama's plan is rebuked in Massachusetts - the one state that already has universal healthcare and that cannot afford it - and he's out campaigning trying to make it seem like he's the guy who is cooperative. He's also the guy that had the nerver to tell other politicians to stop campaigning 100% of the time while he was giving his State of the Union campaign speech. The guy is full of hot air and anyone that supports him is a plain fool.

Obama PROMISED that, as part of his transparent administration, all of the meetings regarding healthcare would be televised on C-SPAN for ALL Americans to see.

He lied.

When Pres. Obama starts to understand that he is the President of ALL of the people in the US, then he will get the support of the Republicans. As long as he only represents the best interests of the Unions and the ultra-liberals, he will continue to encounter strong resistance from the Republicans, and the great majority of the centrist US.

The president is a cool and calculating, republicans still want tax breaks for billionaires as if they need them. The president also addresses the cross state line health
Insurance proposal by the republican party, I'm glad we have a president who can take a look at it analyze it and have the wherewithal to see how the insurance company would try to take advantage.

Posted by: Saul | January 29, 2010 1:33 PM

What you don't get is it's the billionaires that create jobs. As long as you want them to pay, pay, pay, we won't see jobs, jobs, jobs. Which would you rather have? A job or to feel good because you are making that billionaire pay more taxes. What business person in their right mind would hire anyone knowing that they may be faced with more taxes? They are not charities. They are in business to make a profit with employees being the largest expense. If they eliminate a few of us, their profits go up. Just as we've seen over the last few months from the banks, who layed off literally thosands of employees. It is what you'll see at GM as they move forward. It is laying people off that will put them into the black again. As long as this President and citizens like you keep threatening business and billionaires with more taxes, there will be no jobs.

Hey Obama. Americans aren't falling for the smirks and and flirts and lies anymore. Haven't you noticed?

Democrats have ruined this country with their socialist agenda. Problem is, most folks don't even notice how much socialism has crept up all around us. We're going to have to get busy if we want to "de-socialize" this once-great country of ours.

Start with public schools. What gives the government the right to take my tax dollars and use them to educate someone else's kids? If people who have kids want them educated, they can homeschool them or use their own money to pay for a private school. And people won't vote for us unless we keep them dumb, so I say let's keep it that way!

Then there's Medicare. Why is socialized medicine okay for people over 65? Ronald Reagan warned back in the early 1960s that passing Medicare would take away our freedoms, but unfortunately people did not mobilize to stop it. Now that Americans are finally waking up and joining the Tea Party movement, maybe we can finally make the Zombie Gipper proud and repeal Medicare.

We also need to get rid of all this socialist red tape that strangles the capitalist system. Liberals passed all kinds of rules saying businesses have to have all these safety protections for workers, they can't pay women less than men, they can't pollute the water or air, they can't sell "unsafe" products, and on and on and on. It's no wonder China's economy is going full steam while ours is sluggish: the Red Chinese of all people have figured out that businessmen need to be allowed to do what they do best: make profits, instead of having to worry about all these regulatory hassles. Sure, this might result in the occasional poisonous dog food, or lead in kids toys, but once a company gets a reputation for that sort of thing, you can bet people will buy a different brand for their surviving dog and/or child!

One more thing that really bugs me: last I checked, the Second Amendment gives us the right to bear arms, and doesn't say anything about "except on airplanes". So what gives these federal goons (the "TSA") the right to tell me I can't bring my gun on the plane? Maybe if we get a good conservative president in to replace Obama, he can appoint a Supreme Court that understands that my right to bear arms is absolute, regardless of what kind of transportation I use. If I want to start shooting up an airplane in mid flight, thanks to our Founding Fathers, that's my right as an American.
*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QDv4sYwjO0
*

@Ethan...Do you realize sir that malpractice costs are 1.5% of the cost of healthcare? While it is easy to sell the anger over an over litigious society, the actual savings is almost none. Your third point seems to parallel Obama's plan. It seems the argument from the right is how dare you be forced to buy insurance. In your fourth point you ask why should we seek preventitive medicine. You say why should we be forced to do anything. I ask then why we need to enforce all having auto insurance and why do we demand that inspections on that vehicle be done to ensure safety to them and others. But I admire your grown up addressing of the issues. More adults in the conversation are always welcome.

Hey Obama. Americans aren't falling for the smirks and and flirts and lies anymore. Haven't you noticed?

Posted by: Moni | January 29, 2010 2:29 PM

It does seem like they are begining to look at your smirks, flirts, and lies certainly.

Boy, listening to this man-child stamp his feet you'd think it was HIS side that won Massachusetts, Virginia, and New Jersey. Oh wait, that was the republicans. I can see now why they don't want to work with him. Could you imagine the tantrum he'd've thrown if he'd won ANY of those races? Tantrumas are not very presidential.

The Teabagger Socialist-Free Purity Pledge

I,_RickyBobby___ do solemnly swear to uphold the principles of a socialism-free society and heretofore pledge my word that I shall strictly adhere to the following:

I will complain about the destruction of 1st Amendment Rights in this country, while I am duly being allowed to exercise my 1st Amendment Rights.

I will complain about the destruction of my 2nd Amendment Rights in this country, while I am duly being allowed to exercise my 2nd Amendment rights by legally but brazenly brandishing unconcealed firearms in public.

I will foreswear the time-honored principles of fairness, decency, and respect by screaming unintelligible platitudes regarding tyranny, Nazi-ism, and socialism at public town halls. Also.

I pledge to eliminate all government intervention in my life. I will abstain from the use of and participation in any socialist goods and services including but not limited to the following:

Social Security

Medicare/Medicaid

State Children’s Health Insurance Programs (SCHIP)

Police, Fire, and Emergency Services

US Postal Service

Roads and Highways

Air Travel (regulated by the socialist FAA)

The US Railway System

Public Subways and Metro Systems

Public Bus and Lightrail Systems

Rest Areas on Highways

Sidewalks

All Government-Funded Local/State Projects (e.g., see Iowa 2009 federal senate appropriations)

Public Water and Sewer Services (goodbye socialist toilet, shower, dishwasher, kitchen sink, outdoor hose!)

Public and State Universities and Colleges

Public Primary and Secondary Schools

Sesame Street

Publicly Funded Anti-Drug Use Education for Children

Public Museums

Libraries

Public Parks and Beaches

State and National Parks

Public Zoos

Unemployment Insurance

Municipal Garbage and Recycling Services

Treatment at Any Hospital or Clinic That Ever Received Funding From Local, State or Federal Government (pretty much all of them)

Medical Services and Medications That Were Created or Derived From Any Government Grant or Research Funding (again, pretty much all of them)

Socialist Byproducts of Government Investment Such as Duct Tape and Velcro (Nazi-NASA Inventions)

Use of the Internets, email, and networked computers, as the DoD's ARPANET was the basis for subsequent computer networking

Foodstuffs, Meats, Produce and Crops That Were Grown With, Fed With, Raised With or That Contain Inputs From Crops Grown With Government Subsidies

Clothing Made from Crops (e.g. cotton) That Were Grown With or That Contain Inputs From Government Subsidies
If a veteran of the government-run socialist US military, I will forego my VA benefits and insist on paying for my own medical care

I will not tour socialist government buildings like the Capitol in Washington, D.C.

I pledge to never take myself, my family, or my children on a tour of the following types of socialist locations, including but not limited to:

Smithsonian Museums such as the Air and Space Museum or Museum of American History

The socialist Washington, Lincoln, and Jefferson Monuments

The government-operated Statue of Liberty

The Grand Canyon

The socialist World War II and Vietnam Veterans Memorials

The government-run socialist-propaganda location known as Arlington National Cemetery

All other public-funded socialist sites, whether it be in my state or in Washington, DC

I will urge my Member of Congress and Senators to forego their government salary and government-provided healthcare.

I will oppose and condemn the government-funded and therefore socialist military of the United States of America.

I will boycott the products of socialist defense contractors such as GE, Lockheed-Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics, Raytheon, Humana, FedEx, General Motors, Honeywell, and hundreds of others that are paid by our socialist government to produce goods for our socialist army.

I will protest socialist security departments such as the Pentagon, FBI, CIA, Department of Homeland Security, TSA, Department of Justice and their socialist employees.

Upon reaching eligible retirement age, I will tear up my socialist Social Security checks.

Upon reaching age 65, I will forego Medicare and pay for my own private health insurance until I die.

SWORN ON A BIBLE OF PAT ROBERTON'S JESUS AND SIGNED THIS DAY OF __Today______ IN THE YEAR _January__.

_____RickyBobbyinAlabama___________________

Signed Printed Name/Town and State

Let see I guess none of the near 20 healthcare reform bills introduced in the House of Representatives by the Republicans count. And before you loony liberals call me a liar go to the website Open Congress it's all a matter of public record. But, the loony liberals keep eating up the propaganda like the good little drones they've become. If Obama was to move more to the center more would get done.

Obama said "I am absolutely committed to work with you,'' the president said, but the legislation has to actually do what it's promising. "Otherwise, we're going to be selling the American people a bill of goods.... There's got to be some test of realism in any of these policies, mine included.'' But today the Democrats in Congress have put together 2 health care bills that 1 - Don't reduce costs, and 2 - Potentially reduce benefits, as companies will rework the "cadillac" plans to avoid the excise tax. In addition these plans could hurt small business if the do away with the high deductible + HSA policies that many small businesses offer. These are plans that don't do what they promise, yet the President is behind them 100%.

Democrats have said NO to every Republican idea in this Congress. Republicans respond in kind.

In fact, both parties say No to most proposals from the other side. And have done so for the last 100 years.

Which in the Obamaland of the DNC Swamp, means that Republicans are labelled the "party of No"!

Do you realize sir that malpractice costs are 1.5% of the cost of healthcare? While it is easy to sell the anger over an over litigious society, the actual savings is almost none.

Posted by: bill r. | January 29, 2010 2:33 PM

bill- medical malpractice insurance and legal fees are not the only cost of defensive medicine... doctors ordering CT scans, hospital stays, battery of tests, ultrasounds etc to avoid lawsuits are the major costs of defensive medicine and is a huge contibutor to patient health care costs -- your 1.5% is only the doctors cost.

This is great! Call them on it! I'd love to see the smug John Boehner and his Jersey Shore tan look all frazzled when he actually gets taken to task. It's amazing how these guys can stand up there and proclaim how they're for the American People when they had years to do something for the American People and they failed. Healthcare is still a mess corporate thuggary was at an alltime high on their watch and now the economy is in shambles due to years of their hands-off approach with wall street. It's time to swallow some of your orange pride John and do something for your contituents... your state has been taking quite a beating while you site in Washington saying no to everything.

Without a single conciliatory note the boy wonder plunged ahead with his usual arrogant blame! Everything is the fault of the "previous administration" ad nauseum! Pelosi and company...(she has a lot LESS company today) ruled with the heavy handed arrogance that one would have expected her to rule...she had the world by the tail...then IT happened...the demicrats no longer had the super majority in the Senate...oops! The worm had turned it seems that her hero (the boy wonder) was now going to pretend to listen to the pesky Republicans, appease them, you know, let the press see that he was really interested in "bi-partisanship" or is that bull-ship? Which other...the only reason they want to talk today is that it finally got through to them that the town hall people were not just kooks and cracked pots...they were VOTERS...OMG! And the ingrates stole the Kennedy seat from the demicrat party in the most demicrat state in the union...OMG! They are going to try an end run to get the 4000 pages of junk passed...it won't work...pelosi does not have the votes...she can't get the votes...it is so over and it is proven by this so called meeting that the chief demicrat liar threw today for the "opposition." A pox on him and his administration!

American politics may be dumb, but I certainly hope it's not that dumb. Maybe a finally-combative Barack Obama can restore some value for smarts in political discourse. That'd be a change.

When did Republicans decide that they would only run spokesmodels right off the Faux assembly line for office? And when will somebody tell Mitch "Deputy Dawg" McConnell that he no longer fits in?

It is so precious when the little prince lectures repubs that they are politically vulnerable and therefore have to support these regurgitated 1960's proposals. Only a fool would suggest that repubs won in MA, NJ and VA because they supported these lame warmed over spend more proposals. Brilliant thinking by the affirmative action figure.

Give 'em hell Mr. President! The American people have your back!

"You'd think this thing was some Bolshevik plot,'' Obama says of health care.
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Now we are starting to see the true Obama. Wah wah wah, I'm not getting my way! As the sheeple have said frequently the last year, "You lost, deal with it!".

"Bolshevik plot?" LOL. That actually has a bit of credibility to it. The way people talk about the "creeping socialism" behind the idea that everyone should have access to affordable health care, you'd think that it was the 1919, and this was the first Red Scare. Affordable universal health care is no more "socialism" than universal (and compulsory) education. You would think adults would have stopped being afraid of the Boogey Man long before puberty

Republicans should work with obama just liked obama worked (for the short time he might have actually worked)
with President Bush.
More "do as I say, not as I do" baloney.
The republicans are in a great place right now and in 10 months the republicans can ask obama to work with them. It'll be fun to watch.
Hopefully the republicans aren't buying into the empty rhetoric and false promises, which is about all obama brings to the table.

This should be done more often.

It takes away all the posturing and talking points from the Repug house reps. They like to grandstand with strawmen when nobody is around to answer. Now the White House can say to any GOP Rep who is making noise on an issue "President Obama took questions from your caucus for over an hour, why didn't you bring up this concern with him then?"

Obama is not going to reach the Wingnut ideologues, but he just wants to find the moderates who might decide that it's country over party.

heartburn.....I would recommend looking at research done by "The National Bureau of Economic Research". An article on tort reform that shows it would produce a mere 1 to 2 % savings overall with all defensive procedures added in. I think in an issue as important as reform in healthcare, providing some figures ($) to back up the republicans tort reform argument, other than it will save money, would be helpful. If you have any such research, I would be happy to read it.

What a freakin' idiot. He tries to jam down our throats national healthcare, despite the fact that the very idea is unconstitutional. Then he gets kicked in the balls by Massachusetts. Now, instead of recognizing how stupid he is and try to make amends he attacks.
Obama, my two middle fingers are extended in your direction.

My reaction would be to spit on the Republicans for yet again acting out of self-interest and not the national interest. But Obama goes the extra mile, without giving up on an inch of principle, to involve them in bipartisan governance.

That's why he's a better person than I am and a great leader. That's the guy I voted for. Thank you.

THAT WAS ONE OF THE BEST BEATDOWNS OF THE OBSTRUCTIONIST RETHUGLICAN PARTY CLOWNS - EVER!

I have been highly critical of Pres Obama for a while, but damn, this was just really great to watch, makes me remember why I voted for him. He may not be a Dem dream, but he's a good guy, and I appreciate his candor. We need this kinda thing on TV everyday, a great warm-and-fuzzy to get progressives inspired again.

Comrade Barry knows about "Bolshevik" plots first hand. Now we gave the proverbial pot calling the kettle black.

Give 'em hell Mr. President! The American people have your back!

Posted by: Marty | January 29, 2010 3:18 PM
____________________

LOL. Are you sure the American people have his back? He has the lowest approval ratings of any president in history entering his second year in office. He lost major races in Virigina, New Jersey and Massachusetts. It's clear the majority of American not only DO NOT have his back, but they want to kick his backside out the door and into the street. That process continues in November.

If it looks like, sounds like, and smell like, then it must be. And arrogance on the chosen one's part can't change that, nor will all of the Kool-Aid in the world.

but he just wants to find the moderates who might decide that it's country over party.

Posted by: Annie C | January 29, 2010 3:26 PM
____________________

That's not what Obama believes, so why try and impose that rule on Repbulicans? Obama is the partisan and divisive president in decades.He's completed blinded by ideology first and foremost. Country falls about fifth with Obama, after himself, his cigarettes, his golfing and his parties.

The bad news for the GOP is that President Obama not only took their tough questions, but he answered them -- and he was tough, forcing the GOP to confront the facts instead of their make-believe Fox News reality. In fact, to get a sense of just how effective President Obama was, Fox Propaganda"News" cut off the Q&A session before it ended (CNN and MSNBC both carried the full event live).

That was excellent!

Make those right wing lunatic fringe tools cringe when they have to think of W's faltering efforts to hold any kind of dialog. And make them ashamed of their own childish behaviour.

If Republicans want to act like 8-year olds, then they can be treated like 8-year olds.

If you judge Obama by his own words, and you can include his time as a state rep, his is a complete failure and HE HAS NEVER EXCEPTED the blame for his lack of leadership, he is nothing more than a speech and his track record is FACT written and explained away by HIM! Just go look

The GOP believes their own bs crap, that is their greatest weakness.

That was so good that Fox News suffered a Cowardice breakdown. They bailed out with 20 minutes to go like the right wing cheerleaders they are because they knew the GOP was being schooled.

Somebody needs to call them on it.

Obama never stops talking, stops talking, stops talking, stops talking, stops talking, stops talking.

And saying nothing.

Will the Repubs support a single payer Medicare for all system? Removing profit and greed from the system will bring down cost and coverage for all Americans. Only the selfish will disagree and support the "free markets" in health care reform. Has it worked so far?

Depot Jim is a perfect example of wingnut mania. Obama did not cram anything down anyone's throat. By law, he cannot. Let me explain the Constitution to someone that does not get it. Any American citizen, including the President, can propose a bill to a member of Congress. I won't go through the entire bill introduction and committee process, but it will see legislative action in both houses before the President even sees it again. Did Reagan and Bush "cram things", down Americans' throats or did they also need to go through the same process?

That was a great illustration of Presidential leadership.

The Dems are right on the issues, but we sometimes forget that the 'low-information voters' and other frightened, stampeded GOP constituencies are part of the nation too, as are the fools who represent them. Obama went before the GOP caucus and he was the adult. He called them on their crap but didn't demonize anyone, including the scared white teabaggers who stand in line to get Palin's autograph.

A new program from the Obama Administration!

"The Leave No GOoPER Behind Act"

Class begins today:

"What resulted was what one Democratic strategist described as, "amazing theater" -- certainly for cable news. Standing on a stage, looking down at his Republican questioners, Obama assumed the role of responsible adult to the GOP children, or, at the very least, of a college professor teaching and lecturing a room full of students."
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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/29/obama-goes-to-the-gop-lio_n_442331.html

You can't buy optics like that with all the money in the world.

and to the naysayers of this administration and the attempts to unite, i'll tell you what the republicans said: "if you don't like it, leave" or at least go to alabama with rickybobby. i hear he has indoor plumbing and all.

Regarding health care reform - are there really people out there that don't think this is necessary? Have they read the Congressional Budget Office report that showed the Senate version of the bill would shave billions off the national debt. Why would anyone other than an insurance company oppose this bill?

Some people think that a bill that offers health care to people that don't have it now is an entitlement that we can't afford. Even if you don't think health care is something everyone should have access to, read the Congressional Budget Office report on the Senate bill, which projects that it will shave many billions off the national debt over the next 20 years. How can you argue against that?

"You'd think that this thing was some Bolshevik plot,'' Obama told his audience. "That's how you guys have presented it.''

Really? Secret meetings, 2000 pages, distortions, lies, and false statements. Sounds like a plot to me.

Yeah, "you lied" illegals would be covered, because you guys wouldn't enforce them not being covered. You don't even enforce our current immigration laws or the laws regulating the hiring of illegals. WHY WOULD ANYONE BELIEVE YOU?

The Republicans are not participating in the Democrats folly because it is just that. Worthless, wasteful nonsense. Just more buracracy, waste, and control.

Deal in secrecy, mislead the people, pass it quickly before too many people figure out what's going on.

The Republicans don't have the votes to stop anything. It's the rogue DEMOCRATS who are holding things up because they seem to feel the same way.

The Republicans have alternative ideas. It's the DEMOCRATS who refuse to have them heard.

Where's the transparency? I'll bet Peolsi wet her pants when she climbed down from her pedestal and figured out Obama was speaking to HER about that.

As far as acting "bi-partisan". When pigs fly. "Bi-partisan" to a Democrat means doing things their way or the highway, and blaming YOU if something goes wrong.

ANY party in the minority can be described as the "party of no".

Yesterdays address was a disgraceful, pitiful package of misinformation and lies.

President Obama complained in his talk with Republicans of the political atmosphere hurting the cause for solutions.

However, Obama insulted the U.S. Supreme Court in his State of the Union address by taking a cheap shot. I only wish that the justices would have walked out on Obama.

If any Republican had a half a sense of decency about what's best for the country and world, they'd vote for some of these things they've been trying to obstruct.

But what Obama's appearance most reminded me of, in not a comedian way but in a comedian's straight-man way, is what Colbert did to Bush at the White House press corps bash those long years ago. Obviously, the jokers in that crowd were the Republicans.

Colbert presented the truth. That's all he did. And it was too much for nearly everybody in the room. Obama did the same thing, and though it couldn't have been easy for him, I suspect it was very satisfying. He may even have a big chuckle about it all later tonight in the privacy of his White House sanctuary.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-869183917758574879#

The Republicans have actually started believing their own crazy BS talking points, so they couldn't debate at Obama's level. Not. Even. Close.

We need to remember this.

Talk about diminished expectations. The Obama Kool-Aid Kids here are so desperate for any good news about Dear Leader that they are jumping for joy when their man is able to adequately answer a question. My, how the mighty have fallen.

Bolshevik? No, I'd say more Trotskyite.

The people posting comments just calling Obama names like little children still haven't realized that the reason the country is still in the toilet is because of people with the attitude that Obama is bad simply because he's Obama. They try to make people who don't absolutely hate him look like morons...inevitably making themselves look like the same. They make people dislike Republicans in general which is terrible because there are many of them who are intelligent enough to know that 50% of the time the president will be from the opposite party but you still have to work with him. Fighting solves nothing. Name calling solves nothing. The American people make their lawmakers think that what they want is someone who will tell them how much s/he hates Obama which makes it hard for them to go against their constituents to do what is right for the country, forgetting that for the most part the people who only want to argue are completely uneducated in politics and have no idea what's necessary to fix the country. Lawmakers need to please their constituents in the long run, but in the short run they need to work together to do what is right. So by calling Obama your ridiculous little made up names, all you're doing is dragging the country into a bigger hole and making Republicans look like childish buffoons. I'm honestly waiting for one of you to call him "President Doody-head" and then shoot spitwad at the girl next to you.

Wait 'til the bloated oxycontin moron (Rush) gets hold of this and spins the crap out of it.

Druggy Rush will have the Wingnut/Teabagger "faithful" convinced Obama declared war on America and sold it to al Qaeda to pay off ACORN for framing James O'Keefe.

heartburn.....I would recommend looking at research done by "The National Bureau of Economic Research". An article on tort reform that shows it would produce a mere 1 to 2 % savings overall with all defensive procedures added in. I think in an issue as important as reform in healthcare, providing some figures ($) to back up the republicans tort reform argument, other than it will save money, would be helpful. If you have any such research, I would be happy to read it.

Posted by: bill r. | January 29, 2010 3:27 PM

Here is a link to a study completed in the state of MA alone- conservative estimates put the cost of defensive medicine at +/-$200B/year...

Ignoring tort reform and claiming as a goal to reform health care is dishonest..

http://www.massmed.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Research_Reports_and_Studies2&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=27797

The proof that Republicans in Washington are more interested in protecting their party than helping the people in our country is their unanimous, lock-step opposition to everything and anything Obama and the Democrats propose. Republican "lawmakers" don't exercise the freedoms they say they covet; they merely do exactly and precisely what they're told to do by their leader, which is how things are done in China and Russia, and should never be done in America. Furthermore, had the followers of these Conservative sock puppets in D.C. done their reading assignments in high school, beginning with George Orwell's "1984," they might not be so easily led around by their noses with their eyes closed shut. For heaven's sake, people by the millions are starving and homeless and desperate and all Republicans can do is try to find new ways to prevent the federal government from finding solutions. Grow up and think straight or get the hell out of the way! JL

"Watching the reaction some of you participated in, I would have thought I was some kind of Bolshevik revolutionary"
-PRES OBAMA

I about fell out of my chair laughing at that one! The Rethuglican liars were just stunned at having the unapologetic truth laid out free of spin and probably realized then they were screwed by not being able to cut the mic or talk over him.

This is the president who I voted for -- someone able to walk into the lion's den and prevail.

Pres Obama also made the point that when you demonize your opposition or the opposition's ideas, you (Republicans) effectively take yourself out of the process.

Well done, Sir!

President Obama thoroughly, calmly and repeatedly countered the Republican talking points with rational, intelligent thought and discussion. As millions around the country know by now, Obama came off as the only grownup in a room full of children.

If it's such a great program why don't all the dems vow to drop their current health plans and sign up for OBamaReidPolosiCare

Let's see why would the Republicans and the American people say yes to something that they have NOT seen? The Dems along with the President and his thugs behind closed doors at the White House putting this thing together. No Republicans or independents were present. Pres. BO wasn't asking for help then was he? His State of the Union was a farce and had many political tactics and attacks that were not appropriate. The tone of the State of the Union address was offensive. So many Americans are struggling including my own family of 6. All of the cheering and back slapping was truly offensive especially with a 10.2% unemployment rate that was not to go higher than 8.2%, out of control spending by the Dems., the deficit at an obscene 14.9 Trillion dollars, more spending on the way with a fast speed rail that we don't need and how about this one? Can't afford? The CTA in Chicago is bankrupt, Amtrak is bankrupt, hey and our federal govt. is bankrupt! I don't believe him and I certainly would not trust any of those people with my children let alone my money!

Hey you anti-socialist tea baggers. Lets hear from you the next time your streets need fixing, or you need a policeman or fireman. What do you think that is? As for educating other people's kids....wow, what a horrible thing to have. An educated populace. Just remember your words when the Chinese and Indians take over the world economies.

Is it just me or doth the "Chosen One" have no clothes?

Give 'em hell Mr. President! The American people have your back!

Posted by: Marty | January 29, 2010 3:18 PM
____________________

LOL. Are you sure the American people have his back? He has the lowest approval ratings of any president in history entering his second year in office. He lost major races in Virigina, New Jersey and Massachusetts. It's clear the majority of American not only DO NOT have his back, but they want to kick his backside out the door and into the street. That process continues in November.

Posted by: Jackson | January 29, 2010 3:42 PM

Typical right wing LIES and misinformation. Believe what you want, but his approval ratings are comparable to many presidents in their first year, including Ronald Reagan, who is considered a saint by most conservatives.

I like the fact that the cameras were rolling when the questions were asked. When everyone says that the Republicans don't have any ideas, maybe they're right as it seems that their ideas are lacking the details needed to be considered. If they're trying to give more tax breaks when the treasury is broke - you're right, I'm not going to listen. That's not an idea, it's a sound byte.

While I will not copy all the nonsense from Running Amok Loon:
Posted by: RickyBobbyinAlabama | January 29, 2010 2:47 PM

RickyBobby, just a few points:
1. The Grand Canyon is a natural creation. It was not created by man, nor the government. It was created by nature and by God. We can visit it anytime we want.
2. Police, fire, emergency personnel: The Constitution requires that the government protect the people. That includes the military, the police, fire, paramedics.
3. The Memorials. Those are in honor of those who served and fought for this country. They hold Americans who died defending this country. They are not socialist places, they are public places in honor of Americans. I have family in Arlington. I will go and visit them anytime I want. I will have parents who will eventually be buried at a military cemetary in Florida. I will go and visit them anytime too.
4. Government building like the U.S. Capitol, White House, and other places are still there for the people. They re not socialist enterprises, though those currently occupying them certainly may be. It's the people who are the socialists, not the buildings.
5.Museums, zoos, colleges and such. Last I check, one still had to pay admission into those places. Much of their revenue comes from those who pay admissions, those who are members and CORPORATIONS who sponsor exhibits and the like. Colleges also require most attendees to pay for tuition and room and board. They do receive some taxpayer dollars as well. Since I am a taxpayers and have paid for tuition for me and for my son, I will attend one anytime I want.

I could go on and answer all your moronic, worthless, invalid, nonsensical points. But what is the point? You make roadkill seem like a scientist.

Just wait until the democrats start turning the tables and starting a REAL grass-roots movement, we'll make this country better... health care, work, dignity for all,

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Friday shows that 25% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty-two percent (42%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -17

Yes, Marty, we've got his back, alright! LOL

There has been no Republican senator elected from Massachusetts since 1972.

In the election of 2008 Barack Obama won Massachusetts by 26 points.

14+ months later in an election to fill a seat held either by a member of the Kennedy family (or by a Kennedy family stand-in) for the last 58 years the good people of Massachusetts elected a Republican candidate.

During the campaign the Republican candidate Scott Brown made it VERY clear that he was against the Health-Care Bill, and he is even rumored to have signed his autograph on occasion with the number '41' affixed to it.

Get it?

You get to be a smart you know what when you are president I guess

===============================
During the campaign the Republican candidate Scott Brown made it VERY clear that he was against the Health-Care Bill, and he is even rumored to have signed his autograph on occasion with the number '41' affixed to it.
Posted by: Terry | January 29, 2010 6:17 PM
==============================

Sociopath,

I'm glad he won...Nude model Scotty Brown has a decision to make now.

He can vote like a true moderate and possibly retain his seat in two years, or he can vote with the rest of the nutbag Republicans and lose his seat faster than he got it.

MA isn't Alabama.

Ma voters didn't vote for naked Scotty Brown, they rebelled against Dems. They want a better health care bill and more cracking down on Wall Street from the Dems. Brown can either vote with the Dems on those things or he can lose his seat and watch those bills pass anyway.
.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/20/obama-backers-more-commit_n_429673.html

Brown will get two years in MA to do the right thing. He'll either vote 90% of the time with the Democrats or he will lose his seat to a Dem in '12.

Brown is already walking back his past associations with and endorsements of Teabagger Republican candidates.
.
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/77383-brown-camp-wont-say-whether-controversial-endorsement-is-legitimate
.

Obama is on the right path if he makes HCR better. And I can't wait to watch the Repubs explain why they're voting against crackdowns on Wall Street.

What's funny is his wife, Michelle, is starting a crusade against fat people. Isn't that over half of their base? I mean just drive through Chicago and look at all of the brothers and sisters that shove fistfulls of McGriddles in their faces. Talk about a carbon footprint. Geesh!!!

"You'd think that this thing was some Bolshevik plot,''
Now you're understanding it Obama, you finally see what the rest of America sees.

" but it will see legislative action in both houses before the President even sees it again."
One important thing you left out of your "Constitutional" lesson there Discussed, those in both houses are to be representative to the will of their constituents... which is NOT happening. So this is also known as "cramming it down our throats.

"I'm not an ideologue. I'm just a Marxist." Barack Obama

obama's arrogance and ignorance are rapidly reducing his presidency to a mere placeholder in the history of the white house.

The Ignorant White Trash Republican Party is led by the Senator McCarthy's of the 21st Century. (Quick Ignorant Republicans: Google up Senator McCarthy to see what I am talking about and then proceed). Smearing people with lies, innuendo and bullshit is about all the Republican party has become with their ignorant leadership from FOXNEWS and Rush Limbaugh. "Country First" my rear end. More like "Party First" like good Communist Manifesto's throughout history. Go back and listen to Rush Limbaugh and Stupid Sarah Palin for your talking points. Acting like children in a world of adults; I know what the party should now be called: "REPUBLICANT"S). I used to proudly vote Republican and would think of George Will or William Buckley as the voices of conservatism; intelligent and well thought out ideas and philsophies. Now the party is full of stupid hick tea baggers who scream out crazy hillbilly dribbel during debates. Get out of this country if you hate it so much because you are all sick racist hillbillies.

MASTER of REALITY you first say "White Trash Republican " but then call Republicans "sick racist".... take a look in the mirror lately?...
"Get out of this country if you hate it so much" It's not America we dislike, We dislike how it is being taken, by this President and current make up of congress, in the opposite direction of the way it was meant to be and what made this nation a strong, prosperous country. If you don't like Capitalism, YOU can 'MoveOn'

Obama did this out of fear. Obama has never worked with Conservatives, so why would he do it now?

The answer is he is not. He's just looking for ways to find weakness with Republicans and to be able to make comments when the Republicans rightly attack his liberal/Socialist ideas.

Remember, Modern Liberalism ALWAYS ends up hurting people. The economy is a disaster because of Modern Liberalism in both parties.

MAJMark: The majority calls the shots in a democracy. And yes I believe in Capitalism but not Communism, lying about positions you know nothing about, distorting reality like your favorite TV Show - FOXNews Maniacs Gone Wild or listening to drug addicted $400 million dollar a year blowhards who tell idiots lies and pretends to be a conservative. Ever read a book MAJMark? Try reading books on subjects; maybe it would improve your obviously poor grasp of the English language.

Kinda reminded me of the ending of "Game of Death" wherein Obama was--of course--Bruce Lee. Obama schooled 160 GOP members in their own backyard. It makes you wonder...if all of them can't handle 1 man, how would 1 of them handle running this country? What a joke they are.

heartburn....Thank you for the link which I have read. I'm sure we each could find many pieces of research, but I will go with yours for the sake of saving time and going back and forth over this. The link you post says that it would save only 12% of cost. While I am not opposed in the least to tort reform, my question remains that the republican plan needs more substance than tort reform and buying across state lines. That seems to be just as dishonest.

"What's funny is his wife, Michelle, is starting a crusade against fat people. Isn't that over half of their base? I mean just drive through Chicago and look at all of the brothers and sisters that shove fistfulls of McGriddles in their faces. Talk about a carbon footprint. Geesh!!!

Posted by: Dewandra
"

You mean Rush Limbaug?

Repubs went into a battle of wits without realizing they were unarmed. Ouch.

That was a man playing against boys and girls.

MASTER of REALITY I read plenty of them. Ever read the Constitution M.R.?
There's no distortion from my end.
Look up socialism and its history and you'll easily be able to compare this current Administration and congress as just that. Or will you just ignore the comparison, like most of you do. My guess you know all to well where they are taking this country, because you loath prosperity unless it is handed to you.
"poor grasp of the English language"
Like FOXNews Maniacs Gone Wild, drug addicted blowhards idiots?
Tell us, has your voice changed and did you get your pubes yet, because you sure talk like some young puke who hasn't been around long enough to understand they way adults talk or know anything about this country.

It funny that all of the dumbocratics initial promises have to be revised after a year. Healthcare turned out to be not what anyone wanted. Gitmo is not working out for the chosen one. The economy/bail out is a failure and he should have listened to the the republicans/the country, 3 month to decide of on sending troops was way to long, but at least he did the right thing., and the worst thing is the deficit., you cant even defend that type of stupidity....WHAT HAS HE DONE RIGHT???????????? Imagine if he didn't win, and we did the opposite of what his has done.... we would be doing so much better at this point as a country.

RickyBobbyinAlabama I have posted in the past when a loony liberal post one of these stupid rants I was going to call them out. You're an idiot now I am waiting for your other stupid rant.

heartburn so in your little liberal mind 1.5% of 1/6 of the US economy adds up to almost nothing. Wow you do follow the propaganda!

Kenneth and at one time it was thought the ideology of liberalism was of caring and concerned persons, wow you proved me wrong.

Now do we want to talk about the five big lies Obama told in his State of the Union?
One; the amount of debt when he took office
two; Supreme Court ruling and foreign contributions
three; his tax cuts that are not real cuts at all
four; his estimate on savings from Obama care
five; his estimate on job saved or created due to the stimulus package

And another funny thing is how the mainstream media is not reporting that the guy that did the Acorn videos has been released and charges dropped over wiretapping. Because he was not there to wiretap but, of course the mainstream media will not report the rest of the story because it does not look good for the Liberals.

Posted by: bill r. | January 29, 2010 10:33 PM

I agree- I believe Pau Ryan from Wisconsin had a comprehensive HC plan...

Completely remaking anything as large as the US HC system by congress -who could not even be close to being qualified - does not make any sense. Incremental common sense changes need to be made...

"And another funny thing is how the mainstream media is not reporting that the guy that did the Acorn videos has been released and charges dropped over wiretapping. Because he was not there to wiretap but, of course the mainstream media will not report the rest of the story because it does not look good for the Liberals."
_________________________

What planet do you live on? It is illegal to enter a Federal Building under false pretense. Joke or no Joke, the law doesn't care. Why don't you drive 100 mph on the road and tell the officer, "it was only a prank!" Ignorance is not an excuse! That is why they should get severe punishment so no one does it again! I can't believe you have the nerve to defend criminals.

heartburn so in your little liberal mind 1.5% of 1/6 of the US economy adds up to almost nothing. Wow you do follow the propaganda!
Posted by: Crooks_In_DC | January 30, 2010 10:22 AM

Let me first say before you eat your own, heartburn was not the one who said that. It was me. What you missed was that heartburn and I actually had an honest talk on the issues. Something sadly needed in this country. What you miss in your partisan rant is only common sense. While you wish to change the laws of mathmatics, 1.5% still remains ONLY 1.5% PERCENT. The common sense to this? If I offer you a 1.5% reduction in your bills.....or I offer you 25% reduction, which one would you take? If you want to cheerlead, by all means get your pom poms out, but then leave the solving of issues to those who can openingly and honestly debate these issues.

bill r. you are being idiotic by comparing my bills to 1/6 of the United States economy. But then again that is the way liberals thank. Thank God they only account for 20% of the voting population.

HmongRodneyKing and once more you show your ignorance. It was not federal property that he enter. Once more you show your lack of checking the facts.

heartburn I agree with the common sense approach. On the Open Congress website you will see that this is the approach that the Republicans try in the House of Representatives. They introduce near 20 bills related to healthcare reform not one large massive boondoggle riddled with payoffs and pork. It was a commonsense approach wherein each bill addressed a few items at a time and made it hard to hide pork. All this is a matter of public record and how the liberals in the House of Representatives squashed all the bills in committee never letting any of them come to the floor for debate. The German healthcare system is set up in a similar fashion where they have not one law or bill but a combination of them. That is how the Germans are able to keep better control of the system and its cost plus if a problem surfaces they are fast in a response to fix it. A bill denying the insurance companies the ability to deny coverage due to pre-existing conditions and coverage mobility could be one bill. Tort reform that not only deals with healthcare can be another. Another bill can address the problem with people that have access to health insurance but declined to accept it. And we should not count people that can afford to pay as they go and choose to do so. Remove those two groups of people along with illegal aliens from who the liberals call uninsured and that still leaves us with near 10 million people without insurance. If everybody kicked in a half a percent to 1% more in payroll taxes just for healthcare these 10 million could be insured also. But, the illegal alien problem must be addressed with a new immigration reform law and it must be enforced no matter if it does remove a lot of liberal voters.

bill r. you are being idiotic by comparing my bills to 1/6 of the United States economy. But then again that is the way liberals thank. Thank God they only account for 20% of the voting population.
Posted by: Crooks_In_DC | January 30, 2010 12:39 PM

Are you really that slow? Tell me once again how 1.5% of your salary is different than 1.5% of the economy. Other than the amount, is it not still 1.5% ? Is this were I say a snide remark about conservatives that can't find their rear ends with both hands? As far as idiotic......who is the one that apparently can't read and attacks the wrong poster. That's what happens when one let's rabid emotions take over reason.

""If the Republican leadership is going to insist that 60 votes in the Senate are required to do any business at all in this town -- a supermajority --..."

Let's be clear on this: congress doesn't need a supermajority to do just ANY business in DC, it needs a supermajority to ramrod wildly unpopular partisan programs through the legislative process. It's not Republicans who insist on this: it's the Consititution.

I've spent my entire Saturday reading articles and posted comments about the President and the Republicans. I have yet seen any comments here that The President Is not responsible for the deficit. It was there when he walked through the door. As he said we had a surplus in 2000. Now 10 years later we are in the hole for what 1.3 Billion?
The old pay as you go ideas worked. I for one pay as I go. I don't have a credit card. My position is If I can't pay cash I can do with out.
It might be an old fashioned idea stemming from the generation of The Great Depression but it works. If people had no invested in houses selling for 250,00 dollars when they can only afford 50,000 dollars the banks and wall street would not have seen such a collapse. Even the private individual who spends above their means end up losing everything or filing for Bankruptcy. We do not want the nation to have to file bankruptcy because then no one wins.
Encourage your representatives and Senators from either side to Talk to and not at each other. Stop pointing fingers and just get down to business.
Another point is infrastructure job worked in the 30's so why can't it help now. A bridge in my town has been in the planning stage for 30 years. Since the stimulus packages to individual states the bridge has become a reality.. I see a lot of road work happening around my area that began mid 2009 and continue.
So some of the things President Obama are working. Given a chance some other things can work too

bill r. about the 1.5% mine does not add up to tens of billions of dollars so try to get real. And by the way that it's the CBO's estimate of a bill introduced by Republicans in the House of the Representatives that it would save over $150 billion, that is tort reform. But I guess seeing how the trial lawyers of America had bought and paid for the Democrats in Congress, and their contributions to the Democrats is a matter of public record. And about my little error I am sorry but, I am not a loony liberal who never makes a mistake. And I do not back a loony liberal president who in his State of the Union address lies boldface to the camera. But if you want you can try to tell us how comparing 1/6 of the entire US economy to somebody's paycheck is the same, it should be entertaining. We all know 1.5% is 1.5% so what is your point. But saying that 1.5% of a cherry is the same as 1.5% of a watermelon is totally ignorant and just shows how a liberal would thinks.

But if you want you can try to tell us how comparing 1/6 of the entire US economy to somebody's paycheck is the same, it should be entertaining.
Posted by: Crooks_In_DC | January 31, 2010 11:18 AM

It seems you still don't get it. I had 2 kids so I'll try to be patient with you also. It has nothing to do with your paycheck. It has to do with the fact that a percentage remains a percentage no matter what amount to use. While you boost that tort reform (which I have nothing against) will save us, it just isn't so. You brag that 150 billion will be saved in tort reform, you should know that the cost of healthcare for the year 2007 was 2.2 trillion. If you don't get it now........you never will.

C Span just re-ran that seance the President had with the opposition.

One thing I hadn't noticed before:

His very effective use of the Marine Band.

And those great arrangements. Super.

Except at the very end. Perhaps the one adopted by Monty Python could be, er, elided......or something.

bill r. okay you agree and I agree that 1.5% is 1.5% like I stated in my earlier post but, comparing a person's paycheck to 1/6 of the economy is like comparing apples to oranges it does not work. And if you had read any of my previous post tort reform is only a small part of the overall reform needed in healthcare. But you saying that $150 billion savings is nothing shows lack of common sense. Even Pres. Obama has more common sense because he is saying that there is $50 billion in savings if we can end the fraud and corruption that now exists in Medicare and Medicaid. Or the $20 billion that he said he cut from the budget last week. So if you combined $150 billion with the $50 billion you get $200 billion now subtract that from the 2007 total of 2.2 trillion and that drops to $2 trillion. I do not know about loony liberals but that sure seems like a start to me. Now just thank if they could get a few bills passed (like the ones put up by the Republicans in the House of Representatives in 2009) how much we could save. We do not need one massive bill like the Liberals tried to ram down our throat full of pork and bribes. Pass smaller bills that address one or two problems at a time and at the same time it is harder to hide the pork. Open the insurance market so that it can sell across state lines which they are forbidding to do now. Do not allow insurance companies to deny services. Force the people (mostly young, dumb, and healthy) who have access to healthcare but, refuse to get it, that would help lower premiums overall basic economics would tell you that. And like my doctor told me there is too much medical equipment now in the system, a lot of the most expensive testing equipment stands unused a lot of the time. And we need real immigration reform. Them along with tort reform would save us money and I would imagine there are other reforms that I could never even think of that would add even more. And by the way my kid will be 28 this year so I know the choices that a parent must make. And just because you are a parent does not mean a lot to another parent.

Going back to Jim at the top, I agree; I'm glad Obama is finally reaching out to Republicans. I'm uncertain, however, if his bipartisan approach will actually solve anything. After reading these comments and watching this: http://tinyurl.com/yetp7do I'm not sure what to think...