President Obama's health care--

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by justplugit

Imho, the PA. citizens took Senator Specter to the wood shed with their
knowledge of the HC Bill. They knew their stuff and stood and exercised their their freedom of speech.
The Senator had admitted previously he needed himself and 10 lawyers to know what was in the Bill.

When the President in NH, was asked how they would pay for the bill he admitted
they were exploring ways. Buy something then figure out how to pay for it?

When he was asked how they would attract new Doctors and Nurses he said
they would help finance education for Primary Care Physicians. No mention
of the additional costs to educate the Specialists that can require another 2-4 years of training or that the HC Bill Sec 1501 pg. 659-670 - Doctors in Residency calls for the government to tell the Physician where he will do his residency.
A lot of fine print hidden in this bill.

Imho today's score:

Gun/Bible clinging, astroturf, status quo, American citizens -1
Elitist intellectuals_______________________________-0

I didn't see that one, but from the one's I have seen, it's been people just screaming propaganda. Repeating the same paranoid stuff I hear on Conservative radio.

Like Newt and Palin talking about how terrible the "Death Panels" will be, even though there is nothing like that in the bill. But like Newt said, "The bill is 1000 pages long. No one knows what is in it."

[detbuch]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

I didn't see that one, but from the one's I have seen, it's been people just screaming propaganda. Repeating the same paranoid stuff I hear on Conservative radio."

I keep hearing about paranoid Conservative radio. There are a lot of different shows accross the country that I have no knowledge of, but the few that I have access to seem quite reasoned. I hear reasoned, well thought-out objections to the national plan, expressing, I assume, many of the valid points that you allude to (though you have not yet expressed them here, so I don't know if they're the same valid points that you have). Also, the shows that I listen to, have many Liberal callers and they are given time to express their opinions. A couple put Liberal callers on first. One host can be gruff to what he considers stupidity, but the others are quite civil.

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by detbuch

I keep hearing about paranoid Conservative radio. There are a lot of different shows accross the country that I have no knowledge of, but the few that I have access to seem quite reasoned. I hear reasoned, well thought-out objections to the national plan, expressing, I assume, many of the valid points that you allude to (though you have not yet expressed them here, so I don't know if they're the same valid points that you have). Also, the shows that I listen to, have many Liberal callers and they are given time to express their opinions. A couple put Liberal callers on first. One host can be gruff to what he considers stupidity, but the others are quite civil.

While they may be reasoned, well thought-out objections (and I have no doubt many are), I have also heard a large number that leave out part of the facts to suit their political agenda or completely misconstrue the facts to get their target audience fired up.

Now, I'm not saying the Dems are innocent of this behavior. They do the same thing. Just about every Dem Congressman/woman I have heard in a radio or tv interview is also guilty of this. The difference is that there is hardly a following for left-wing radio media - and also that they are infrequently referenced as a source.

[scottw]

the best thing that has happened politically in 2009 for Republicans was Arlen Spector becoming a democrat....he represents his new party very well

[scottw]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

leave out part of the facts to suit their political agenda or completely misconstrue the facts

like when Obama says he's not for single payer?

btw, Blowhard Obama keeps talking about what "IS" and "IS NOT" in his plan...can we actually see the Obama plan? We have the house plan, which Obama clearly hasn't read....are we just supposed to take his word when he TELLS us what his plan contains and does not contain or should he present something in writing...his is a constant liar after all.....

[detbuch]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

While they may be reasoned, well thought-out objections (and I have no doubt many are), I have also heard a large number that leave out part of the facts to suit their political agenda or completely misconstrue the facts to get their target audience fired up.

As I said, many liberals call in to the shows that I hear, and they give their perspective and fill in what the host leaves out. Some are very knowledgeable and, occaisionally get the better of the host. Some of the programs (e.g. Michael Medved, Dennis Praegur, Dennis Miller, and others) periodically invite notable liberals to debate their views on a segment of the show. "Right Wing" talk radio is not as one sided and bombastic as you perceive it to be. It is, actually, an alternative media outlet for information and opinion that is hard to come by (for those like you and I) that don't have the time to scour.

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by detbuch

It is, actually, an alternative media outlet for information and opinion that is hard to come by (for those like you and I) that don't have the time to scour.

I can agree with this. I try to be critical of just about information I come across - my own included. Conservative radio is readily available. If there was a similarly based source and following for Liberal radio, I guarantee people's criticism of polar views with conveniently left out information would translate fully to Liberal hosts.

[justplugit]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

I didn't see that one, but from the one's I have seen, it's been people just screaming propaganda. Repeating the same paranoid stuff I hear on Conservative radio.

JD, if you get a chance, listen to one the whole way through. I'm fortunate to have the time.
I believe you will find the majority of the people have genuine concerns about
the HC Bill , Cap and Trade, The Stimulus, as well as concerns for the direction our country is heading.

The news always shows the sensational excerpts of these meetings so it is slanted towards the angry screamers rather then a group of average American Citizens who have done their homework and want answers to the tough questions.

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by justplugit

JD, if you get a chance, listen to one the whole way through. I'm fortunate to have the time.
I believe you will find the majority of the people have genuine concerns about
the HC Bill , Cap and Trade, The Stimulus, as well as concerns for the direction our country is heading.

The news always shows the sensational excerpts of these meetings so it is slanted towards the angry screamers rather then a group of average American Citizens who have done their homework and want answers to the tough questions.

I wish I could. Hell, I'd even be interested in attending one if I had the time. I have watched 10-15 minutes here and there on CSPAN. In those 15 minutes, I noticed two things: a majority of people have no idea what they're talking about(on both sides of the argument), and much time was wasted in educating people, and the people that appeared to know what they were talking about were spouting questions that have already been answered 100 times on any of the major news stations.

This is pretty consistent with my previous experiences with "Town Hall" type meetings. My company has provided equipment for a ton of town meetings in towns like Westwood and Mansfield, places where the residents are a part of the legislative process.