Obama to listen to GOP thugs -- but not to single-payer advocates

The White House wants to hear from the raving "death-panel" crowd:



In contrast, Obama's -- and Congress's -- message to the "little single-payer advocates" (AKA, the "liberal bleeding hearts") is STFU, STFU, STFU, STFU.

I had this crazy dream that the Democrats won last November. Weird, huh?

on Liberals and Progressives to fall in line. Nothing has changed.

If there is not a strong public option (at the very least) in what is finally passed, if anything *is* passed, then I'm out of the voting for Democrats business. There'll be little point, imo.

I understand that others may feel differently and will continue to fall in line. That's fine. They have a right to follow their own consciences, too.

Ditto!

I will be voting for the candidate who most matches my ideals and principles next time, whether Dem, Rep, Green, another "3rd party," or a written-in name. If I had followed this simple guideline for myself in 2008, I would have written in Dennis Kucinich, and I would have felt a lot better about my vote.

However, in some major areas, his policies and actions, and inactions, are an enormous disappointment.

I'm just about over it. I never thought I could feel this way. I've always been politically active.

I think we're doomed to more of the same. Change (in this climate) is impossible. :banghead:

has come. I am not getting in line again. The can do it right or do it without me.

because what they 'know' is not true. People are very pissed off at their weakness and cowardice, of seeing all the bigots with their place at the table, basing and bashing, while the very people who worked and voted him into office are treated with scorn.
Sorry to inform you, but everything has changed. This is about life, death, and the ability of my family to remain intact. Our very survival. Yeah, sure, we are going to 'fall in line' as our family is destroyed. Think again.

giving them more media attention. I'd like to suggest:

deliberately prevent other citizen's from meeting with their congressman, threaten people, carry guns into meetings, lie and pass ugly rumors. . .and the President will show an interest in our questions and concerns?

I don't think the White House understands something here - the people who are most frustrated are the ones who really just walk away permanently. The screamers demand attention because they know they'll get something...the quiet ones know not to bother any longer.

unreccs are out in force. That doesn't detract from the issue though.

Obama and Congress have handled healthcare abysmally. And they just seem to be digging themselves in deeper. One exception is Weiner, well, and the other single payer proponents. Obama seems to avoid controversy/conflict to his detriment. We don't have to make excuses for him/them. If it stinks, it stinks. No sense in lying about it.

that single payer is not also getting attention also. The 2 are not mutually exclusive. Obama is the president of everyone, not just Democrats. Also, Democratic members of congress represent their entire district, not just Democrats.
Perhaps they are doing what they are doing to simply say, "well, we listened". I read Republicans posting that the listening is a sham since they will do what they want anyways.

Also, what's the deal with all of the freepers who mob the town hall meetings? They are open to all, so why aren't the supporters of healthcare reform showing up in even greater numbers to counter the bullies?

Obama has used insulting terms to describe single-payer advocates (and liberals in general), and they've been excluded from the debate right from the beginning, with the Daschle house parties. He made great show about how open to all ideas he was, and the best, simplest, most proven, most humane, and most cost-effective option was taken off the table from the get-go.

Single-payer advocates have had to get arrested to get that best, simple, proven, humane, cost-effective approach so much as mentioned during the Congressional hearings. The fix isn't just in, it's waaaay in.

At least the 2 at the bottom, and I tried them twice.

of a sort that I do not like, written in a way that discriminates against my family. Why the fuck would I go out to support a law that is bigoted toward me and mine? It is not what I want. It is an unjust law that further codifies discrimination against the minorities the religionists in DC do not like. It is an anti-minority, pro-big Pharma, mandated purchase of for profit products from companies that I have watched sit silently as they allowed thousands of needless deaths.
And you are asking why I am not in favor of this half assed, discriminatory law? Are you really asking that?
Oh. And Rahm has told us to shut the fuck up. There is that.

Should only look back to 1993-94 when they sided with the insurance companies instead of their constituents. After failing to pass health care reform because of massive insurance lobby propaganda, they were reduced to a minority for 12 years.
Every day it looks like they can't govern and now they're allowing a vocal Republican lynch mob to shape the debate.
When will someone, anyone, in the Democratic Party seize the momentum and provide the leadership necessary to pass the legislation they were elected to enact? Allowing the minority to dictate is misfeasance of duty.
In plain English: They have to get off their asses and do the people's work. Accepting bribes from the insurance lobby to maintain a system that lowers living standards for the vast majority is immoral.
Republican shills and bigots whine about wanting their country back from the socialist colored guy (their vernacular not mine).
The vast majority wants a government of, by, and for the people, not one of, by, and for well heeled lobbyists handing out bribes for favorable legislation.

...perhaps. I live in Canada and we have a single-payer system. I can honestly say the propaganda being spread in the U.S. about Canada is just that. I don't think there is a single Canadian who would vote to drop the system for a similar U.S. system, and i personally haven't been to the doctors in 30 years but i still happily pay the taxes.

I agree that a single-payer option IS the solution for the U.S. but it seems so many aren't ready for that giant step. Fear & ignorance seems to dominate the nation and so perhaps a smaller step like a Public Option IS a great idea. If that can pass then single payer will be a more palitable option in the future. Anything less than a robust Public Option would be worthless though and the corporations win......again. In such a case you're always welcome in stress-free Canada.

Kucinich was the only candidate that supported single payer. Whoever was going to be the Democratic President would not have considered a single payer system at this time.


It's a fairy tale for anyone on here to believe that there ever was a chance that single payer was going to be considered.

If the right can scare there people regarding a public option then you can imagine how they would have reacted to single payer proposals.

That is not the problem. The problem is the Senate and the Blue Dogs. I don't think they could care less who they answer to as long as they get their money for their reelections or even if the lost get the cushy job lined up as a lobbyist for one of these health care/pharma companies.

Taking the discussion to the enemy is a smart move by Obama.

in hopes that you'll be listened to, when you know damn well that you've already been heard. See how well Republicans listen to your whining.

This lesser of two evils is bullshit.

Why the hell should people spend their energy, time, money, advocating for a party that will NOT represent them.

It is time for a true third party.

Rahm NEVER would have told the Republican wack jobs to shut the fuck up.

and tell me there's no difference. If you want THAT party in charge withold your vote.

And if you think there's no difference, you're as insane as THEY are.

not a whole hell of a lot of difference. And my Democrats don't seem to be listening to my "whining" either.

best to hear from the horses mouth than to lip read their BS....

My gut tells me he is thinking single payer or public option but he has to
first listen to their whining and baby cries before telling them where to
go stick their head....which is fair.

"To those Americans whose support I have yet to earn -- I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your president too."

Unlike Shrub, Obama intends to educate the misinformed, not turn his back on them. He doesn't want division like the last 8 years. While sticking it to right may seem gratifying to you and me, wouldn't you want a cooler head at the helm?