Morning Widdershins: Why Do People Listen to Republicans?
Posted by: madamab on: August 23, 2009
- In: Morning Widdershins | Obama | Politics | War
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Why Isn't This Happening?
I’m not talking about Mom and Dad or your neighbor or your boss, who might be Republicans. I’m talking about Republican politicians. I mean, haven’t they been proven factually wrong like, oh, I dunno, a trillion times now?
They told us there was no global warming or climate change. Well, there is, and yes, duh fucking duh, it’s caused by human activity. There is not one scientist who is not paid off by major polluting industries who disagrees with this fact. So, proven wrong on the environment.
They told us that lowering taxes in a time of war and deregulating industry would stimulate the economy. Well, it didn’t, and now we’re in the worst down time since the Great Depression. Even worse, there was a surplus before all the Republican “fiscal conservatism” started up again. So, proven wrong on the economy.
What about national security? Ah yes. 9/11, the excuse for all the bad things Bush did, happened on the Republicans’ watch, and was preventable, according to the chair of the 9/11 Commission. After that horrible and tragic event, the Republicans insinuated that Saddam Hussein was behind that day’s attacks; at one point, nearly 70% of the American people believed this complete fabrication. The Republicans then told us there were weapons of mass destruction there in Iraq, and that we did not want the smoking gun to become a mushroom cloud. (Not only are the Republicans wrong about everything, but their sound bytes rarely make sense.) Alas, the all-powerful Hussein was eventually found hiding in a hole, and summarily executed. His army offered little to no resistance, and it was soon discovered that he did not, in fact, have anything that remotely resembled weapons of mass destruction. As for Osama bin Laden, the REAL mastermind behind the attacks? He was allowed to escape from Tora Bora in Afghanistan, and is now at large, possibly planning the next attack. So, wrong, wrong, double-plus wrong on national security.
I could go on and on and ON, but I think I’ve made my point. So why does anyone listen to Republicans any more?
Because the Obamacrats don’t want to win the argument. Why? In my opinion, it’s because a) they don’t think they have to, and b) in many cases, they are simply in agreement with the Republicans.
Is it really possible to draw any other conclusion? The American people said they wanted a change. They gave the Democrats the majority in both houses and the Presidency. And where is the understanding in the Obamacratic Party of that fact? They act like no one has anywhere else to go. They act like they are our bosses. They tell us we’re stupid and that we need to shut the f*ck up. In the primaries, of course, they threw all the traditional Democratic support groups under the bus, and then screamed at us that our candidate was a racist and that we were racists and that we were bitter, clinging, xenophobic gun-toting bible-slinging Republicans because we (justifiably) complained of our treatment. As Donna Brazile said, “Message to base: Stay home.” Now THAT’s inspiring leadership, folks.
Frankly, the Obamacrats are acting like entitled assholes who don’t give two craps about the people who voted them in. They actually claim to not understand why liberals are upset about the fact that Obama has allowed the public option to be eviscerated and now may give up on it altogether. Golly gee, when 77% of Americans want the public option, is it fucking rocket science, folks?
After the obvious inability of the Obamacrats to win the war of words, create a health care plan that makes any sense whatsoever, or actually accomplish what almost 80% of the American people want accomplished, people who treat their voters as if they are intelligent, do what their constituents want them to do, and know how to frame an argument, start sounding pretty damn good.
Our nation barely survived eight years of Bush/Cheney being wrong about EVERYTHING. We did not have the luxury of putting training wheels on a Chicago Machine politician who had neither the slightest clue how to govern, nor the slightest desire to do so. But the Obamacratic Party, in its infinite wisdom, decided they would rather feed at the corporate trough and divest themselves of that eeeeeevil Clintonian influence, than actually be a viable party for the foreseeable future. After six months of Obama’s attempts to break the land-speed record for a politician reneging on campaign promises, we are now looking at a Republican resurgence, after the Party should have been completely destroyed by Bush and Cheney.
And they wonder why we’re angry with Obama and the Obamacratic Party?! They’ve just proven everything the Republicans say about Democrats to be 100% accurate. They are elitist, spineless and incompetent; at least, the Obamacratic wing of the Party fits that description.
Well, whaddaya know. I guess the Republicans are right about one thing, after all: that the Democrats, in their current incarnation, suck donkey balls. Unfortunately, they’re wrong about everything else. But come election time, will it matter? Voters may just decide to listen to the Republicans once again. And once again, we the people will be totally, completely scrod.
86 Responses to "Morning Widdershins: Why Do People Listen to Republicans?"
August 23, 2009 at 8:25 AM
Great Post!
Love the picture of the Republican Party going out of business. They would be too, if the Democratic Party would just do the right thing and stop trying to win over republican support.
The Dems are acting like love sick puppies. Most of them have filled their dance cards with republican names only. They want to dance with them soooo bad, dumb shits! Dems better start dancing with the Dems that brought them before it’s to late. Reading around the Dem blogosphere is like listening to all the girls standing on the wall around the room at a dance, they are getting pissed. Rightfully so!
How and why are the Dems so dumb as to not do a W???? He gave those that brung him to the dance just about everything they wanted. Hey Democratic Party, it’s our turn now so just frickin deliver!
August 23, 2009 at 8:31 AM
In this case the republicans may have been partially “right” Bi-partisan may not be the politican equivilant of date rape but it may be the political equivilant of domnestic abuse-in this case self inflicted by the Obamacrats on themselves.
August 23, 2009 at 8:34 AM
Caroline-me too she still have company? when will they be leaving? I my opinion Pat’s company have long overstayed their welcome….
Let Our Pat Johnson GO….
August 23, 2009 at 8:43 AM
CNAK: The best thing that we can do, IMHO, is to put tons of pressure on our Congresscritters, and complain a LOT to Pelosi and Reid (really, mostly Reid) about their Republican-lite actions and our President’s Reagan-Bush II worship.
The best possible outcome for America would be the Party telling Obama that he will not run again in 2012. They need to realize that they have an extraordinary woman who can actually do the hard work of governing, and they need to allow her to become the Presidential nominee and not stand in her way again.
More and more I am thinking that we should really try to make that happen. Right now we are looking at the choice of Obama or Romney in 2012. That’s the kind of choice that puts my vote in the third-party column or has me staying home twiddling my thumbs.
Or, maybe Hillary will go third-party. But pressuring these Obamacratic corporatists to become more Democratic would still be a good idea, I think.
August 23, 2009 at 8:45 AM
Fuzzy,
I agree! I hope she is having some fun or getting some rest or something. I love reading her posts and really will be glad when she gets back here.
August 23, 2009 at 8:56 AM
Mad,
Is there a difference between Romney and Obama?
Obama acts so Republican on all the important issues, it’s hard for me to tell.
If Obama would just do what us liberals have been waiting for, like perhaps he could just live up to some of his campaign promises, I’d vote for him. I will vote my principles and if that means I end up voting for Obama because he decides to do the right (Left) things, so be it! I will NEVER vote for a Republican, period. Like you, I’ll probably just end up staying home or wasting my time and vote third party, that stands no chance in hell, with the way our two party system is rigged.
August 23, 2009 at 9:17 AM
American SiCKO Adrian Campbell Montgomery Explains Why Barack Obama May Be Making a Horrible Mistake
August 23, 2009 at 9:19 AM
More working folks are getting the picture, that Obama is not keeping his promises. 77% want a Public Option but Obama is not listing? This Obama supporter supports HR 676 Single Payer which isn’t even on the table and was blocked by none other than President Obama.
August 23, 2009 at 9:20 AM
Did I kill this thread? You all know that hell will probably freeze over before Obama pulls a real liberal agenda. That means my chances of voting for Obama in 2012 are pretty near Zero.
August 23, 2009 at 9:24 AM
Just realized the above video is on Michael Moore channel? You know the guy that has been hiding out, and saying ‘mum’ about the Health Care Reform…so much for keeping their feet to the fire and holding the POWERS that be accountable.
August 23, 2009 at 9:44 AM
Fabulous post, Mad, with a picture that should be made into a poster. That woke me up and got me going.
August 23, 2009 at 9:54 AM
Woman Voter – Michael Moore has been a HUGE disappointment. He is a total Obama worshiper. When Bush does it, it’s outrageous…when Obama does it, it’s brilliant!! No thanks!!!
I miss Pat Johnson too. I’m not sure where she is, but I hope she posts again soon!
I agree, CNAK. I’d vote Obama if he wasn’t a Reagan Republican. But really, the chances of him changing are zero. He is exactly who he is and no one can make him be an FDR Democrat.
Next the disappointed Obots will say that he just needs to be re-elected and THEN he’ll become a liberal. As if!
August 23, 2009 at 9:57 AM
I’m certain that 4 more will be the Obot line. One of my right-wing nutjob friends insisted that Bush “deserved” a second term. I replied that maybe he did, but American did not deserve him. No, BHO is looking more and more like a single term president. He almost seems to sense it, and feels that he must play with all the toys and have all of the bells and whistles now.
August 23, 2009 at 10:01 AM
Yea, Michael Moore is not someone I would pay to see any more. What a disappointment indeed. It is a good thing he isn’t a fireman, because he wouldn’t show up when the fire was on. Yup, he should stick to making films about something else, that doesn’t require rapid responders. Michael Moore #FAIL!
August 23, 2009 at 10:08 AM
LOL WV! No kidding! He’d show up two months later!
A guy who cares about health care reform voting for Obama over Hillary…right there I knew he was very confused!
August 23, 2009 at 10:10 AM
Well, I suppose I can’t put off exercising any longer. BBL!
August 23, 2009 at 10:48 AM
Mad,
I doubt/hope no one will be dumb enough to give him a second term with out him delivering in his first term. He doesn’t straighten out his ass soon, I don’t think the liberals will buy into any more bullshit, like I’ll get you HCR,ERA,Jobs,Fix DOMA,etc. in my second term. That Koolaid has to wear completly off at some point. Like alcohol, eventually you can’t drink enough to get drunk, you puke first.
August 23, 2009 at 11:02 AM
77% of the people want public option and Obama dismisses it as just a poll. Remind you of anyone? Hint: “focus group.”
Michael Moore is a big, fat, stupid, idiot. I always remember that a number of years ago the Village Voice made a list of the most “vile” celebrities who lived in NY. Michael Moore was on that list. So was Ann Coulter.
In 2012 I’m sure the Obama campaign will do what it did in 2008. If you oppose him – you will be a racist. I’m not sure he’ll have as many super delegates, but then who knows. When push comes to shove I don’t think the Democratic party will have the balls to throw him out, especially if Republicans take back Congress in 2010.
August 23, 2009 at 11:07 AM
madamab I did a 5.5 mile yesterday and today I feel great good luck to you and exersize beats cleaning house
August 23, 2009 at 11:08 AM
To give this post a serious response, I would have to say that some have begun to listen to the Repubs because the Dems have completely lost their grip on any meaningful message whatsoever. “hope” “change” have deteriorates into “God, I hope things change”, and that’s just not resonatinbg with the masses.
August 23, 2009 at 11:48 AM
Chatblu so right you are Pampers was all style and no substance
August 23, 2009 at 11:49 AM
Look at the first group of protesters in New Hampshire and tell me if the young lady (in the middle) doesn’t look like the lady at Taggles’ meeting and also the Barney Frank lady carrying on about ‘Hitler’?!?
August 23, 2009 at 11:59 AM
DYB – we will see, I guess. I am sure the race card will be played again. But in the end, the Party Leadership put him there, and they can take him away.
I am encouraged by the fact that some Dems (two from our great state!) are already starting to speak up against him. And the progressive caucus is becoming emboldened to vote against anything which doesn’t have a real public option. And HR 676 is coming to a vote.
Thanks Fuzzy – you inspire me with your dedication! I have been a lazy bum since I got back from Aruba…am trying to get back in the swing of things!
Chatblu – there IS no message on healthcare! I subscribe to the HealthJustice (1Payer.net) email alerts, and today they are blaming “policy wonks” for Obama’s fumbling and bumbling. Our Preznit is so great at messaging, it must be someone else’s fault!
I really cannot comprehend the pretzelfication of the Obots. If he’s too dumb to say “Medicare for all” to sell a policy he claimed to support in 2003, then he doesn’t deserve to be President. OTOH, if he doesn’t want single payer OR a robust (real) public option that will lead to it, then he isn’t worthy of any liberal’s support…heck, any Democrat’s support!
Geez, Obama supporters. Just say you’re disappointed and he’s wrong. Is it really that difficult? No politician is right all the time! WTF.
August 23, 2009 at 12:27 PM
BTW…that pic is not mine. I always link to the original so people can see who created it. I think it’s brilliant!
August 23, 2009 at 12:54 PM
Great Morning post there Madamab…. Nailed that one!!!
August 23, 2009 at 1:01 PM
Precisely, Mad. The only message on health care is BAD, BAD, BAD coming from the Repubs. Obama has no message whatsoever. I’m not surprised at the Obots’ contortions. It’s easier to contort that to look oneself in the mirror and say “Jeez, but did I ever screw this one up!” That they’re not so good at, I fear.
August 23, 2009 at 1:21 PM
Hmmmm, I seem to remember someone saying during the debates that there is a difference between giving speeches about “change” and actually making “change” happen. Ozero has a huge democrat control in congress, something I don’t believe he will have after the midterm elections. And still he can’t seem to deliver “change” …..
Perhaps more people should have listened to that women who was saying that all talk and no action, gets you exactly THAT, all talk and no action.
August 23, 2009 at 1:26 PM
Oh, he may deliver “Change” all right. Not all change is positive.
August 23, 2009 at 1:42 PM
IR – Thank you so much for that video. I really hadn’t committed to supporting Hillary until I saw those debates. She just blew everyone away and I realized, she is the most Presidential person up there.
August 23, 2009 at 2:26 PM
I can not for the life of me figure out why anyone would listen to either party? You laid out a perfect example why after 8 years of the R administration so many flocked to the D’s for help but what we fail to understand that in stating this we alienated half of the country who knows danned well the D’s are just the other wing of the same damned vulture. So we end up looking like fools. The D’s threw a great candidate under the bus so here we sit with this good for nothing and a party as devoid as the other so what the hell good to rail at the R’s? We only make enemies of half our fellow Americans! I offer a better idea- Ban together and get rid of all the current politicians.
Join The Majority United and help to all throw the bums out we are all RIDsNow; proving
Republicans, Independents & Democrats are sticking together NOW as Americans first!
Just a thought- after all sticking with the D’s – gee – how’s that working out for ya?
August 23, 2009 at 2:33 PM
MB I don’t mean to denigrate your post but to Hell with the Republicans. Our own Dems are the ones now screwing us over!! I caught part of some of the talking heads. Joe Lieberman wants to back off health care, some Congressman named Cleaver (?) says we should try to get what we can and come back oh, next year or so. Of course the head of the Democratic Party doesn’t know what the hell he wants so maybe I shouldn’t blame the congressional critters so much, but I do.
Oh and did anyone see this? Brought a smile to my face!
August 23, 2009 at 2:34 PM
Oh and I forgot to say – you hit the ball out of the park with this one – if only we had a picture of a going out of business signed store right next door with Dem’s that might really bring it home!
August 23, 2009 at 2:44 PM
Are you going to throw all the real progressives out and all the women too? Maybe you are not a progressive so I will forgo asking about them, but to throw all the women out, in light of the new agenda that is being promoted to vote gender, makes no sense to that plan. Kinda contradictory in goal must less the time it would take to replace all these women and grow them at the same time. One problem, just one, with Puma in my opinion is that the new agendas and strategies promoted directly contradict the ones that came before them. Strategies blowing in the wind.
August 23, 2009 at 2:49 PM
I wish to remind of the Fuzzybear mantra….
“In a year where the democrats could have picked anyone to beat a republican for the presidency we had an obligation to pick the very best of what represents Us as Real Democrats. The democrats could have nominated a tray of cheeses and still won this ellection, sadly that is exactally what they did.”
I remember the Senator from New York and forer first lady saying something about”… I will got to the mat for healthcare…” I wish some one would run that clip…to show these Obots what they so callously threw away.
August 23, 2009 at 2:58 PM
Well Hillary is more popular than Obama? Bill Clinton is more Popular than Obama? I am not suprised…at all!
I am suprized the Obots are not saying that its all the Clintons fault that they are more popular than “Our Fearless Leader”….The Clintons need to fail some more so that Obama will look good…”
August 23, 2009 at 3:08 PM
Sometimes I wonder if chaos is the strategy of Puma or, perhaps, better worded, chaos seems to be created by the ever changing strategies. But, then again, I am not a member so I guess it is none of my business. My only goal in relationship to Puma as a movement is to maintain relationships to some individuals within the movement that I have watched be consistent in their values and actions. Obviously I am still not finished being pissed off for the time I wasted in Puma trying fight right wing talking points.
August 23, 2009 at 3:26 PM
Fuzzy!!! is this the clip you were talking about????
August 23, 2009 at 3:30 PM
You got my number, Invalid! LOL You were one of the people I had in mind when I typed that. 
August 23, 2009 at 3:36 PM
fuzzy: I was catching that cuz Geraldo was out on Cape Cod and I liked to have fallen out of the chair.
Can you say buyer’s remorse?
August 23, 2009 at 3:43 PM
BJ,
Excuse me but, this new fang dangled feminism and working together for what, I have no idea, except republican ideas, is a smack in the face to any liberal.
Please show me what liberal policies are being pursued??
As a matter of fact, liberalism is denigrated every single day in this world of “No Party”, we’re Americans!
Give up choice to work with republicans!
Give up healthcare to screw obama and work with republicans!
That’s what I see happening and I want no part of it.
The great obsfucation is both parties are bad, so liberalism is bad. NOPE! and SCREW THAT!
I’m a liberal and republicans don’t like it, so they can go shit in a hat.
I’m a liberal and obacrats don’t like it, so they can go shit in a hat.
I will continue to work for values I believe in not some make believe kumbaya, where only one parties needs are satisfied, that being the Republican Party.
If anyone hasn’t figured it out by now, let me be clear. I will fight Obama from the left, and I don’t need the GOP’s help to do that (they wouldn’t do that anyways, they would NEVER fight for anything that goes against what they believe in). And Obotos won’t do that. But not all DEMOCRATS are OBOTS! But all Republicans are ratfuckers (the GOP, not your friend or next door neighbor, but their policies).
So do not come to this board and accuse anyone here of working for OBAMA or the Obots. Their goals are just as much at odds with ours as the Republicans. Obama won’t push liberal values and obots are lemmings.
So just being a liberal make you an obot! Fuck that shit!
Get it we are a left leaning board and if that makes us an enemy to anyone who claims all women are wonderful and we all need to work together. I think it only goes to prove the point that liberalism, not just obots are the enemy to a good very many.
August 23, 2009 at 3:55 PM
Freemenow, I am a progressive, registered Independent (since 1998). I switched then because it was clear the Dems, even under Clinton, were starting to join in with the Republicans in corporatism. I am sick of some in Puma spouting off that only Pumas have seen this. That’s why Puma is weakened. Hubris. They fail to honor or reach out to all the progressives that got this before their epiphany. (Though good for them they got it.) Not seeking out the wealth of registered Independents and Non-affiliated progressives from the beginning made Puma easy pickins for the right wing. I bring this up to you because of what seems to me as your hubris of “hitting the ball out of the bark” but then implying that we are failing “to bring it back home.” You come over here and preach as if people are not capable of seeing that, thus ignore the progressives who saw it before Puma was born, thus are incapable of growing your numbers, expect, via the right wing.
August 23, 2009 at 4:27 PM
I’ve given up the Democrats, but don’t anyone dare ask me to give up what I have believed in my entire adult life.
There could never be any amount of pressure sufficient enough to make a Republican president do what I would like. But there could be critical mass achieved working with others of like minds. If that’s all for naught, so be it.
At least I won’t be blindly fighting for the Republican Party.
August 23, 2009 at 4:34 PM
If everyone agrees how bad republicans are, why do people take such offense when it’s pointed out just how bad they are?
Why are people told to “stop focusing on the Republican Party”?
When anyone who reads this blog knows that the bulk of our threads are critical of obama for not being liberal enough?
hmmmm………
August 23, 2009 at 4:35 PM
Do you all want me to tell you how I really feel. LOL
Sorry didn’t mean to be a blog stopper.
August 23, 2009 at 4:38 PM
maybe I haven’t made myself clear enough and I should keep going!
This is really not a hard concept. Criticizing from the left is not supporting Barack Obama!
August 23, 2009 at 4:39 PM
Criticing the Republican Party and it’s politicians is NOT supporting Barack Obama!
August 23, 2009 at 4:39 PM
Fighting for liberal policies, is NOT supporting Barack Obama.
August 23, 2009 at 4:41 PM
Barack Obama walks and quacks like a Repub Lite and/or a Conservadem.
August 23, 2009 at 4:42 PM
If everyone agrees how bad republicans are, why do people take such offense when it’s pointed out just how bad they are?
That is such a good question taggles!
August 23, 2009 at 4:43 PM
It’s only natural to criticize the Republican Party if you believe this to be true, as so many once did! Until they were driven out of or chose not be be associated with a movement because they couldn’t be conservative enough. Or they saw the complete irrationality of attacking him with right wing talking points (socialist etc), when the man acts nothing like one!
August 23, 2009 at 4:56 PM
la-t-da,
Not seeking out the wealth of registered Independents and Non-affiliated progressives from the beginning made Puma easy pickins for the right wing.
How true!
They are also forgetting there were 18 million Hillary supporters some/probably most who chose to vote party line or chose what they believed to be the lesser of two evils. Just because they voted for Obama does not make them Obots. There are a lot of liberal Democrats who are not happy with Obama doing the two-step with Republicans. These are the people we progressive/liberals should be looking to work with in holding Obama’s feet to the fire, not republicans.
This RW meme about my fellow americans is like republicans trying to put the toothpaste back in the tube. How many years have they said how un-american we liberals are? Now all of a sudden we are their fellow americans, yeah right. Their vision of America, you know the visions such anti- LGBT, abortion, ERA, HCR, etc. is not our vision of America. I’ll stand with any progressive/liberal who is willing to fight along side me to see that we gat our vision of America. I’ll fight with every breath in my body to stop republicans from getting their vision of America. They are not our friends, they are the enemy.
I know it’s hard for some of us to get over the total betrayal done to us during the primaries, but we need to move through the stages of grief and keep trying to find a way to fulfill our vision of America.
The one thing I know for certain is that our vision will never come to be, by making nice with republicans. Trying to effect change, along side other progressive/liberals is our only option, IMHO. It may not be the option we want, but it is the only one where we may find some common ground. I am no longer a Democrat or PUMA, I am disgusted with the Democratic Party, but there are many democrats that share my values, I would like to find common ground with them if possible, also with the registered Independents and Non-affiliated progressives you spoke of.
August 23, 2009 at 5:01 PM
I was fighting with people who took the RW approach to torture, don’t release the pics! They should be happy with Obama.
I was fighting with people who took the RW approach to not wanting to help their neighbor in the foreclosure crisis. All those people were just lazy assed pieces of shit who deserved what they got. They should be happy with Obama. Very few of these people have been helped.
I was fighting with people who took the RW approach to wanting the banks bailed out over individual people. They should be happy with Obama.
I was fighting with people who took the RW approach to healthcare. They should be happy with Obama.
August 23, 2009 at 5:17 PM
“but there are many democrats that share my values, I would like to find common ground with them if possible”
I think many of those kind of registered democrats can be found in the areas of the country that are voting in some of the people in the progressive caucuses. (We have Grijalva here and I know he is authentic.) If you have any of the HR 676 co-sponsors and some of the other members of the progressive caucuses in your area, go to their campaign rallies. You will meet progressive Dems and Independents. That is where they are. You can normally find them supporting Kucinich in the primaries before he leaves the race. Most of the people then become the “worst of two evils” voting block.
August 23, 2009 at 5:43 PM
There are people out there that know many of the Dem politicians sold there soul years ago. I seriously doubt that many of these “worst of two evil” voters will vote for Obama again. They will view it as a waste of time and energy. They will just go back to focusing on local politics and liberal causes. I know several people that only got involved in the GE because of Sarah Palin. The Fundamentalism scared the crap out of them. We must not forget that Obama got votes from these people that might not have normally voted.
August 23, 2009 at 5:46 PM
I never see anyone asking, why don’t you say how bad the repubs are, when we make a post criticizing the democrats.
If someone truly believes both parties suck, then none of this should be a problem……
August 23, 2009 at 5:59 PM
All I know is, I am a liberal. I believe in liberal principles.
Why can’t we all just get along? Because partisanship exists for a REASON. If you go with the right wing, you get one ideology and one set of results. If you go with the left wing, you get a different ideology and a different set of results. I mean, that’s the way it’s supposed to work. Right?
The problem happened in 2008 when we had a real Democrat who could have gotten the results the left wing wanted, but then we were told that we couldn’t have her and that we should vote for a right winger instead. And as we predicted, we are getting right wing results.
Obviously as a left-wing type, I am not going to be happy with right-wing results.
If I want left-wing results, then I will not elect a right-winger, whether that person calls him/herself a Democrat, Republican or Independent.
August 23, 2009 at 6:02 PM
I am highly angry at the Republicans in the last couple of days. Tittering on that, “I hate these fucking people.” I was looking back and researching the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003. How the Republicans got that legislation through as well as the bill itself, which pretty much began the privatization of Medicare, is absolutely shameful.
Most Dems really did try to fight them, but then the RNC astroturf campaign started saying that the Dems did not want to help grandma get cheaper drugs. That bill has been the biggest tax dollar give-away to HMO’s and drug companies in the history of our country and that was done by Republicans.
Now they are saying again that the Dems want to take money out of Medicare and are scaring the elderly again because the Dems want to recoup some of that money. It is tax money that did not help the elderly but hurt them.
That bill has language that the government can not negotiate with HMO’s and drug companies for lower prices as well as that “donut hole” thing that is forcing many elderly people to stop taking there medication because there is a time period every year where they have to pay cash for their drugs and can’t afford it.
Some of the health care reform bill has to be dedicated to trying to undo some of the crap that the Medicare Modernization Act did. I say screw them and shove a public option down their freaking throats.
August 23, 2009 at 6:30 PM
Me too la-t-da!
These Repubs are the ultimate ratf@ckers. That Medicare Part D was absolutely dreadful and has cost our senior citizens so much time and money! It’s the only bad thing about Medicare. And remember, Bush vetoed S-Chip?! OMG! Who doesn’t want to help sick kids?!
Although we do have a lot of craptastic Dems in office, including Obama of course, the solution is not to put in Repubs instead. When people do that, the Dems think “Hey! We’d better act more like Repubs!” The solution is to run more liberal candidates at the local level and support them when they run for Congress. If you want liberal results, electing a conservative won’t work.
IMHO.
August 23, 2009 at 6:53 PM
And Medicare Advantage, MB. Both Medicare D and Medicare Advantage put tax dollars in the drug and HMO industry. It was one of the biggest con job pulled on the elderly and tax payers in our country. If Obama had a pair, which we know he doesn’t, he would just repeal the whole fucking bill. And the Republicans don’t dare say the words Medicare Modernization Act. The bill they do not speak of.
August 23, 2009 at 7:02 PM
I just wanna say that I love this blog and I am so happy I found it.
I also second everything you have said.
August 23, 2009 at 7:05 PM
It was also a con job pulled on the Republican fiscal conservations in Congress. The Bush administration lied about the budget. Only Medicare A and B and Medicaid are socialized. With that bill in place it is really a stretch for any of those politicians, Dem or Rep, to say Medicare is socialized medicine.
BBL!
August 23, 2009 at 7:08 PM
Thanks jillforhill – it is great to have you here!
LTD – as you know, even Republicans had to be forced to vote for that piece of crap!
August 23, 2009 at 7:16 PM
This is where a lot of seniors got screwed. These “advantage” plans are only advantageous to the insurance companies. They take your medicare part a or b (I forget) premium and then you only have some co-pays and the like. However, it is like an HMO. You only go to their doctors, their hospitals, etc. Originally before part D they would advertise they also covered parts of your medications. And, they could deny coverage on some things.
With original medicare, no having to go to particular doctors or hospitals. BUT, you really do need a supplement, medi-gap, plan to pick up co-pays and deductibles.
I’ll give you an example: The momster was in the skilled n.f./rehab. I just got the medicare e.o.b. For one month, medicare paid $12,741.05. Mom’s medi-gap policy will pick up the remaining $2,002.50. Medicare did this for the 2 months and 12 days she was in there.
A friend of mine’s mother is on a medicare advantage program. She was in the hospital and then the doc wanted to put her in a s.n.f. The nursing home wanted $750 per week from the family because the Viva program doesn’t cover that like original medicare. The family is pooling their funds trying to cover for 3 weeks.
Now, mom pays $175 a month for the medigap plan but I consider it well worth it. She has no co-pays or other costs she has to come up with. She is not signed up for medicare part D because she has coverage for scripts through Tricare for life since my father was a retired Army officer.
If you dig around on google there have been some real horror stories for seniors who went to the advantage programs. Mostly, they were a boon to the insurance companies.
I’m now going to back to the la-t-da and Taggles show. I’ve been reading the back and forth for a bit.
August 23, 2009 at 7:18 PM
la-t-da: that’s one of the plans Obie did have was to cut back on the advantage plans.
August 23, 2009 at 7:20 PM
If you look at the search results above, the ones bashing doing away or cutting back the advantage plans are the insurance companies or conservative sites/think tanks.
Off to dinner.
August 23, 2009 at 7:22 PM
Fredster, that was really a great comment. Thank you for sharing it.
People really think that Medicare, normal Medicare, will act like an insurance company and try to dictate which doctors they can see. It does not work that way. And with Medicare, you already have the ability to purchase extra insurance (“medi-gap” – thanks for reminding me what it’s called!) should you so desire.
All we really need to do is to allow younger people to buy into Medicare. Who knows, if enough people jump in the pool, maybe medi-gap wouldn’t even be necessary.
August 23, 2009 at 7:31 PM
MB: With original medicare I would almost consider it essential to buy the medi-gap policy. You can purchase as much or as little as you want on the plans. We just chose, after Dad’s death, to take the one that picked up all co-pays, deductibles for the momster. For instance, at the beginning of the year, you have, I think, a $135 deductible for docs and labs. The ones for hospital visits are extremely high when you are considering seniors on fixed incomes (I hate that phrase!), let’s say limited resources.
I just thought it was better for her to take one that pays all those things even though it was one of the higher priced ones. One good thing: Now that she’s over 80 the premiums won’t go up anymore.
August 23, 2009 at 7:34 PM
Clinton put Medi-gap in place. I think? Isn’t that what they call Medicare Part C?
“All we really need to do is to allow younger people to buy into Medicare.”
I think the public option is about have people be able to buy into Medicaid because of the ills of Medicare Advantage and Part D.
It is all confusing and indeed an “Uniquely American System”. LOL
August 23, 2009 at 7:39 PM
LTD – I am talking about single-payer. The ideal! 
Yeah, like having three jobs was “uniquely American” to Bush! LOL
Fredster – that’s good to know. And I freaking despise Joe Lieberman! He is such a DINO.
August 23, 2009 at 7:52 PM
I could never join the republicans and follow their talking points nor do I want to.
1.I have been un-American to them for the last 8 years,because I questioned Bush.
2. They are against everything I am for.
3. Some of the republicans,especially hannity, have accused Bill of rape and that Hillary approved it. They say Hillary told the woman they say he raped “thank you for taking care of my husband”. IMHO any so-called Hillary,liberal or Clinton supporter that quotes,references or agrees with him is not a clinton supporter or a liberal,but is a republican.
August 23, 2009 at 8:03 PM
Absolutely, Jill. I agree with everything you said!
I would always cringe when PUMAs would quote Hannity and Limbaugh. These people have been screwing liberals and Clinton supporters for decades. Ain’t no way I’m gonna listen to those nutjobs. If Rush says the sky is blue, I’m checking first!
August 23, 2009 at 11:21 PM
Clinton put Medi-gap in place. I think? Isn’t that what they call Medicare Part C?
Nope, the medi-gap plans have been in effect for quite some time. My parents had that before Clinton came in.
Part C is the medicare advantage plans:
Medicare Part C combines your Part A and Part B options and must cover all medically needed services. The difference is that private insurance companies that are approved by Medicare provide this type of coverage. In most cases, Part C is a lower-cost alternative to the Original Medicare Plan, and providers usually offer extra benefits and include prescription drug coverage (Part D).
Part C plans often have networks, and you must use the doctors or hospitals that belong to the plan. These plans help you coordinate and manage your overall care. Part C includes specialized care for people who need a large amount of health care services. If you find yourself needing medical attention while traveling out of your plan coverage area, you will still be covered for emergency or urgent care services.
Here’s the info from medicare about medigap policies:
http://www.medicare.gov/medigap/Default.asp
August 23, 2009 at 11:52 PM
Thanks, fredster, for clearing that up for me. All the A and B and C and D are starting to look the same. LOL Thanks for saving my ass there. Appreciate it.
August 24, 2009 at 6:33 AM
[...] For more explaining the changes, this entry from the Widdershins ought to clear it up [...]
August 25, 2009 at 3:22 AM
Found a great article on Twitter Marketing…Can it get me more traffic?
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August 23, 2009 at 8:24 AM
Madamab what a wonderful picture to wake up to…GOP going out of business sale, only thing missing is everything every idea 100% off!
Alas this will be know as the ERA of missed opportunities (pun intended) we could have won the argument and put a nail in the coffin of modern conservatism…keeping only the GOP around as a vocal noisy counterpoint to keep our politicians Honesy and reminding us Liberals why we are correct and they are just “right”.
Pampers will go down in History as the first President to be given everything to make his job work and just threw it away.
Like Elsa in Indiana Jones and the last crusade when she found the holy grail, Pampers had no faith in the Oval office or the American Presidency. To Oblahblah it was just a prize to be won for the sake of winning with no plan of what to do with it after it was attained.
Again it is we the people that suffer for one mans greed selfishness and arrogance.