STAGED HEALTH CARE FORUM
You've heard the phrase: Preaching to the choir. What good does that do? Here's another question: what good does it do when the preacher listens only to the choir? Consider the following.
Congressman Russ Carnahan says he wants to hear what Americans think of the proposed health care reform package. Previously, he held a public forum; it did not go well --- shouting, name calling, obscene gestures and some fighting outside which ended in arrests.
So today, Congressman Carnahan held a "closed" forum.
In truth ... it was a staged event ... stacked in favor health care reform.
Channel 4 reporter Laurie Waters pointed out those facts; she made it very clear that the participants were selected by the Democrats, had health insurance and supported health care reform. The three participants met with Congressman Carnahan in a home.
Now, before I continue .. I want to emphasize ... regardless of how the participants were selected ... even regardless of their expressed support for health care reform ---- they had serious issues and wanted Congressman Carnahan's ear.
One of the participants, Connie Cominsky, said she was diagnosed with a genetic brain disorder; she's losing her balance and her speech is affected. She has insurance, but one of her doctors advised her that she is no longer accepting that insurance. So, Connie has to find a new doctor, and she's worried about what help she can get with her pre-existing condition.
Another participant, Deborah Castillo and her husband, also have insurance. Their adopted son is diagnosed with schizophrenia;insurance company restrictions mean that she has to rely on Medicaid.
Those are the stories Congressman Carnahan heard.
They are heart breaking, and they reflect similiar stories from hundreds of thousands of Americans.
To that extent, this "forum" was successful for the participants and Congressman Carnahan.
BUT
Where are those who object to the health care reform proposals? Where are those who fear that the government is going to make health care worse? Where are any of those voices of opposition, fear?
Congressman Carnahan didn't hear from any of them.
Oh, he knows they exist, but if he plans to submit a vote on the health care plan by not truly listening ... well, what do you think happens?
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Hello Larry. After watching your comments this evening I had to e-mail you with a comment. You said that you thought Russ Carnahan should have had some of the opposing view in his last meeting I disagree. The reason being that the people opposing health care reform are just yelling and shouting so that no one else can speak favorably about it. They really don't have any ideas to help just repeating what they have heard from Conservative talk show hosts! When they talk against you and your reporting it shows me that they can't be reasoned with and are just being bullies about it.Nothing anyone says will satify them Richard Fones.
I emailed Carnahan with my objections to the health care bill and got a thank you back for supporting him and the bill. Today's forum is only more proof that his agenda is not with those he represents.
I don't understand the purpose of the news article. Why would you air a story that is staged? Carnahan "invited" people who supported the Obama health care plan...that is propaganda and you participated. Shame on you! The politicians are controlling the media. You have more responsibility to the viewing public.
I wouldn't call the private conversation in an undisclosed location with three hand-picked, pre-approved people in attendance a forum. Instead I would call it a conversation with people Mr. Carnahan knew would agree with him thus justifying his position on health care reform.
Just this afternoon I read some of the proposed health care bill. Even though much of it was confusing legalize, I garnered enough information to support my belief that it is wrong for this nation.
There is no GOVERNMENT money except for my taxes and those of other wage earners. The incentive to earn wages to pay those taxes is vanishing with every new GOVERNMENT program initiated. It seems easy for the privileged (including our senators and representatives)in this nation to direct my wages through taxes to pay for programs for those who haven't, don't, and won't contribute financially to maintain themselves or our country.
We seem to have forgotten that with privilege comes responsibility. Illegals in this country demonstrate and demand without responsibility. Others, both legals and illegals, choose to work and spend their money as they please without being responsible for their own well-being. No, I'm not callused or cruel. I very much believe in lending a helping hand but only if the recipients are willing to help themselves in return. (Those who are truly handicapped and unable to help themselves should certainly be cared for with no expectations of anything in return.)
This health care bill would create a state of dependency rather than leading citizens to be responsible for themselves. It would also lead to more GOVERNMENT intrusion into our lives. Our freedoms vanish with each GOVERNMENT intrusion or hand out. Remember,that hand out is really my tax dollar and yours.
It is regretable that tempers flare and people behave inappropriately. However it is also regretable when an average citizen tax payer gets pushed to a point of frustration which results in poor behavior. Illegals demonstrate, exhibit poor behavior, make national news and receive little or no public criticism. Quite often there is even a sympathetic tone toward those who want something literally--for nothing. This is probably the result of media and politicians trying to be "politically correct." Facts and reality don't always lend themselves to "political correctness" but always to the truth.
Politicians, including Mr. Carnahan, are elected by a majority vote of the citizens and their salaries paid for by all citizens. Therefore, their responsibility is to all of us not just to those with whom they agree.
Thank you!
Larry,
I'm not a member of any party. I'm not "rich" and do not own a yacht or even a tuxedo. I have an advanced degree and currently have group insurance through a company plan. If I find myself out of or between plans, I DO want to have guaranteed access to affordable health insurance. But I have not heard any justification of why a gov't run plan is the only solution or even a good solution.
I do think congress should treat such an expensive effort to reform health insurance and health care reform as one of the most critical "business decisions", and use appropriate requirement gathering techniques rather than coming to a pre-determined solution.
A short list of requirements:
1) Guaranteed insurability (i.e. we can get into ANY plan we want at amu to,e)
2) No exclusions for pre-existing conditions
3) No lifetime caps / no maximum payouts
4) Controlled premiums
5) Majority of the premium dollars stay in the healthcare pool, used for legitimate expesnses (i.e. not used for excessive commissions, salaries, stockholder dividends, advertising, lobbying, etc.)
6) Choose your own doctor (who has to accept your insurance)
7) If the doctors prescribe a treatment or say it is needed, you get it. (Checks and balances can be put in place to "control" unwarranted treatments)
8) Cannot cancel anyone (unless they just aren't paying their premiums, but are able to)
9) Doctors / medical providers must accept all legitimate insurance
10) No exclusions for pre-disposition to disorders (you can see this on the horizon)
11) If taxpayers have to support a small number of low/no income, can the gov't subsidize premiums in a a private plan rather than creating an entire gov't run insurance company?
Larry:
In a recent comment, you decried Cong. Carnahan's
town hall meeting as "preaching to the choir" and
what affect it would have on the outcome.
Have you attended any Cong. Akin's "town hall" meetings???? Here there was certainly a similair
audience, but no comment from you???
Perhaps a biased report????
I am, (as a constiuant of Akin) waiting to learn of the next 'town hall" meeting.