Comments on: Friday Talking Points [100] -- Whigging Out

By: Chris Weigant

Chris Weigant — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:43:56 +0000

OK, I'm going to answer everyone in an uber-comment here. One by one... Osborne - Yeah, but reconciliation has some quirks to it. I will be writing about this in the very near future, though, you're right to point it out because it may be the only way forward. We'll see.... Michale - I actually got a lot of grief at the time for awarding a MDDOTW to Grayson over his holocaust comment. What will be addressed, if the bill actually makes it, is the same woman, not on Medicaid, who doesn't have health insurance. She will be able to get it, and to see a doctor, instead of the way it is now -- she is left on her own to die, uninsurable due to a pre-existing condition. You've got to admit, that's a step in the right direction. As for all government-run HC being a disaster, there are millions of happy Medicare users who might disagree with that... David/akadjian - Even the Tea Party people are now squabbling amongst themselves. The fight for the GOP's future is going to be an epic one next year... although a Democratic fight may be shaping up as well, with groups already cutting off their donations until Dems grow a spine. Should be an interesting election season! That Modern Whig Party site was pretty interesting. They seem to be Republican moderates who are fed up with the GOP extremism. I'd look for their growth in New England, since there are a lot of moderate Republicans up there who must be getting tired of losing elections... OK, on to the next article! -CW

By: akadjian

akadjian — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:00:03 +0000

Au contraire, mon frere. It's merely the Modern Whig Party!

David

By: Michale

Michale — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:41:55 +0000

David,

Another take on the old "The Republican Party is irrelevant and dead" theme..

There is only one problem with that..

When the Democrats fail at everything they try (as they always do) who will they blame???

Michale.....

By: akadjian

akadjian — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:45:43 +0000

As an aside, who is taking advantage of the "uncivil war" within the Republican party?

That's right, the Modern Whig Party!!!

http://www.modernwhig.org/

"The national Modern Whig Party continues to experience a surge in membership as moderate Republicans choose to abandon the GOP rather than pick a side in what some are terming a 'GOP civil war.' This is in addition to moderate and conservative Democrats."

By: Michale

Michale — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:29:20 +0000

David, You miss the point of the media stories. Like the Chicago Olympics fiasco, the "story" is that Obama's charisma that has been so touted is not the end all get all that it used to be. The "story" is that Obama continues to try and impose his will and the American people (and apparently the European people as well) continue say, "Up yours.." That's the point of all these incidents that the Left turns a blind eye to. Obama's 'midas touch' is fading. He has tried to do too much too fast. Michale.....

By: akadjian

akadjian — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:57:15 +0000

2010 will be interesting indeed.

Because while the mainstream media "story" largely seemed to be about how the 2 governor wins for Republicans was a referendum on Obama, I don't see this as the case.

The election in NJ was largely a referendum on Jon Corzine. Obama may have won NJ, but the governor election proved that people will look at candidates on an individual basis.

Similar story in Virginia. I just don't think the Democrat ran a good race. He was beaten by someone who ran a better one. Obama really didn't seem to have much to do with this.

I think you're right, Chris, the larger story - listen up, "liberal media" - is the fight for the Republican party.

Will they continue to run hard core conservatives like Palin, or will they look to moderates? Many people seem quite turned off by the hardliners so will be interesting to see their strategy.

Best
David

By: Michale

Michale — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:35:33 +0000

Glad to see ya Tweeting, CW.. :D Make some lively entries!! :D

As far as DunselCare, looks like ya'all have a House bull....er... bill.

Now, the bull...er..... bill... er... ball is in Harry Reid's hands...

Good luck with THAT!! :D

Michale...

By: Chris Weigant

Chris Weigant — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:33:24 +0000

Program Note: I have finally been convinced to join Twitter. If you want to follow Chris as a Twit, see me @ChrisWeigant. Kicking and screaming, I am being dragged into the 21st century... Check it out. -CW

By: Michale

Michale — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:40:38 +0000

Liz,

No one is saying that our health care system is perfect.

There is plenty of room for improvement.

But NO ONE can show me ANYWHERE where DunselCare is that improvement.

For example... Take the pre-existing conditions issue.

HYPE:
DunselCare will forbid insurance companies from denying care based on pre-existing conditions.

REALITY:
This won't go into effect for 4 years. And, if you want to go with the Public Plan, you have to be with NO INSURANCE for SIX MONTHS!! Get that?? You cannot enroll in the public plan unless you have been without insurance for at least six months.

DunselCare will A> exacerbate existing problems and 2> create a whole slew of NEW problems.

Ya'all seem to support DunselCare simply because it's SOMETHING and it gives the Democrats a MUCH needed win...

Does ANYONE care that it is crap??? Anyone?? Anyone Beuhler??

As far as Veteran's Care... Remember how I mentioned previously that there are many examples of Federal government run health care?? And they are ALL disasters... The VA is simply another example..

What makes ya'all think that, ALL OF THE SUDDEN, the Federal Government will be able to run a smooth, reliable, fair and waste-free health care program??

Obama and his magic beans???

Unlike Republicans, I really don't give a rat's arse if the Government takes over health care.

MY only beef is that the government has proven time and time again that it is INCAPABLE of running a health care program that meets the needs of it's patients..

Anyone who thinks that DunselCare will be any different than the VA, IHS, Medicade, etc etc is simply deluding themselves.

Michale.....

By: Elizabeth Miller

Elizabeth Miller — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:59:46 +0000

Michale,

I guess you're as happy with your own healthcare plan as I am with mine. And, we just don't want to mess with a good thing...perfectly understandable.

I'm surprised, though, that you have nothing good to say about the healthcare received by veterans...or am I wrong to think that this is an example of a first rate delivery system?

By: Michale

Michale — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:37:37 +0000

Dachau? Really?

Would have been nice to see this sort of aggressiveness when Alan Grayson committed the same offense... I don't mean from our illustrious host (as I recall, CW did take Grayson to the carpet over this, but not forcefully enough IMNSHO) but rather the rank and file..

Once again, hypocrisy raises it's ugly head.

On the issue of DunselCare, let me tell you a true story.

There is a young single mother with two kids. She is on Medicaid, but is only allocated $2000 a month with no roll-over. She has developed a kidney stone that is approx 8mm. For all those who need that put into inches, that's a bit larger than a quarter of an inch stone. This young mother has been to the emergency room 3 times for the pain. She was told that this stone has only a 20% chance of passing and that it must be removed by a urologist. The ONLY urologist that accepts Medicaid is 80 miles away and can't fit this young woman in for 2 months. So this young lady will most likely develop life-threatening complications in the ensuing 2 months.

Now, honestly. Will DunselCare address such a moronic situation?

No, it will not.

Will DunselCare make such a moronic situation worse?? Most likely.

There are MANY examples of Federal "government run health care" in this country today.

And ALL of them are disasters. Poor care, long waiting lines, rationed care, sub-standard personnel, massive fraud and huge waste.

And there is nothing, absolutely NOTHING in DunselCare that indicates it will do any better.

DunselCare violates the very first tenet of the Doctor's oath.

FIRST, do no harm..

Once again, Democrats have painted themselves into a LOSE LOSE corner.

Michale.....

By: nypoet22

nypoet22 — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 06:07:27 +0000

Now that we've got the silly and surreal out of our system, let's just move on, shall we?

Never! We have not yet begun to get silly and surreal!

by the way, #1 gives me the opening to point out the ongoing stupidity of the Left in dealing with the israel-palestine debate. Since the Israeli Left has been basically impotent for nearly a decade, the recent launch of the J-street lobby seems to be a first step in a positive direction for people who want a viable jewish state without rampant discrimination against arabs. a little moderation would be a nice change...

By: Osborne Ink

Osborne Ink — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:44:01 +0000

Chris, given the fact that a public option is a deficit-reduction measure, it fits the Senate rules for budget reconciliation. Just bear that in mind when you talk about Reid, Lieberman, and the public option.

By: fstanley

fstanley — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:58:40 +0000

Congrats on your 100 FTPs - keep up the great political commentary!

With regards to point 5 - I could not agree more. Now is the time for forceful action. The Democrats must not weaken. They must stand up for the American people and stop the GOP from tying to destroy every attempt to make things even a little better for those who have the least.

...Stan