Why Is Barack Obama Writing GOP Talking Points? by John Nichols

[slipslidingaway]

http://www.thenation.com/blogs/thebeat/537639/why_is_barack_obama_writing_gop_talking_points

The president, who was once an ardent advocate for repairing are broken health care system by developing a single-payer "Medicare for All" program, now rejects the wisdom he expressed before moving to Washington.


"On one end of the spectrum, there are some who have suggested scrapping our system of private insurance and replacing it with government-run health care," the president declared. "Though many other countries have such a system, in America it would be neither practical nor realistic."


...So the president is equating career civil servants – like the folks who organize the military's health care, services for veterans, the existing Medicare and Medicaid programs, the Indian Health Services and the care provided for the president and his family – with insurance company profiteers who refuse coverage to people with preexisting conditions, discriminate against women and the elderly in establishing pricing structures and connive to deny care to Americans when they need it most.


...By suggesting that "government bureaucrats" are no better than "insurance company bureaucrats," the president reinforces everything his Republican critics are saying. Republicans in the House and Senate argue that a "government takeover of health care" would not do a thing to expand quality of care or to reduce costs.

With his inept comparison, Obama says pretty much the same thing.

In effect, he is writing the GOP's talking points..."

[slipslidingaway]

1. Why Is Barack Obama Writing GOP Talking Points? by John Nichols

hate these bugs where it posts, but then does not include it the thread in my DU...adding this reply so I can find the thread later.

[depakid]

2. Obama eclipses even Clinton with his ability to enable and legitimize Republicans

and sow the seeds of defeat for Democrats and the causes that many of us stand for.

More and more astute observers are coming to the conclusion that not only doesn't Obama get it, but that he's bound and determined to be one of those who's supposed to be in party of science, but who constantly practices political creationism...

[slipslidingaway]

3. Agreed and that is a sad realization to accept, he should know better

that is the worst part.

:(

[Mithreal]

5. Damn, that was well said.

depakid, did you come up with that? I see it's in italics, but maybe just for emphasis or is it a quote?

[Mithreal]

4. Does it often. Uses their framing. To be fair, he's not the only one.

President Obama has given away liberals chance to solve the crises by reinforcing conservative worldview and their prescription for solution. Of course, the regressive party isn't even conservative anymore, just irrational and crazed.

We need to do a better job here on DU making sure that on whatever issues he is delivering significant change are known. Someone who is good at writing ops might consider doing something like a weekly report card that highlights achievements, not pronouncements but is also honest about his shortcomings. I am becoming very discouraged with Obama, sort of an understatement there, but I have not given up on my reps and continue to work for my local Dems.

[slipslidingaway]

9. Yes, to be fair he is not the only one, although he gets more media

attention and therefore more criticism.

DU seems to be a shouting match, either mostly praise or mostly criticism, what is lacking is something you mentioned...


"Someone who is good at writing ops might consider doing something like a weekly report card that highlights achievements, not pronouncements but is also honest about his shortcomings..."


The reason I usually favor criticism is that the good will not harm people, the bad certainly will and I doubt the president looks to DU for praise and encouragement.

:)

[jonathon]

6. It is a one party system.

[slipslidingaway]

10. Agreed, for the most part it is :( n/t

[RedCloud]

7. It's called "Left in form, right in essence."

[slipslidingaway]

11. Good description :) n/t

[Skittles]

8. he wants to be accepted into their club

[slipslidingaway]

12. Yes and he has been ...

now if we could just off this bailout of insurance companies.

[berni_mccoy]

13. OUT OF CONTEXT RW BULLSHIT. For those interested in the truth, please read FULL TEXT

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-health-care-reform

On one end of the spectrum, there are some who've suggested scrapping our system of private insurance and replacing it with a government-run health care system. And though many other countries have such a system, in America it would be neither practical nor realistic.

On the other end of the spectrum, there are those, and this includes most Republicans in Congress, who believe the answer is to loosen regulations on the insurance industry -- whether it's state consumer protections or minimum standards for the kind of insurance they can sell. The argument is, is that that will somehow lower costs. I disagree with that approach. I'm concerned that this would only give the insurance industry even freer rein to raise premiums and deny care.

So I don't believe we should give government bureaucrats or insurance company bureaucrats more control over health care in America. I believe it's time to give the American people more control over their health care and their health insurance. I don't believe we can afford to leave life-and-death decisions about health care to the discretion of insurance company executives alone. I believe that doctors and nurses and physician assistants like the ones in this room should be free to decide what's best for their patients.

[slipslidingaway]

16. Do caps really help? I thought the RW bullshit was government RUN health care...

which is NOT Medicare for All!!!

And how does this bill reduce the deficit in the first decade, over 50% comes from the CLASS provision, but people never mention that fact.

CLASS is the voluntary long term benefit plan that people can pay into and then collect later on, at some point that debt will also become due.

[slipslidingaway]

14. New thread posted tonight ...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=7864735&mesg_id=7864735

[Odin2005]

15. Because he is just another corporatist.

[slipslidingaway]

17. My first clue ...

was when the corporate media began to promote Obama shortly after the mid term elections in 2006.

Will he run, do you think he will run etc. etc.