NewsTrust - John McCain - Most Recent Stories: Opinion

The Hard and Bitter Truth

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700

New York Times - By Bob Herbert - Sep. 22 (Opinion) - President Obama will face hard realities if he continues the war in Afghanistan.

NewsTrust Rating: 3.0 average (not enough reviews) - See Review » - Review It Visit NewsTrust | About | Sign Up | Disclaimer

Bernie Sanders: The VA is a Socialized Health Care System, Right Mr. McCain?

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Crooks and Liars - Jul. 16 (Opinion) - Bernie Sanders gives John McCain an uncomfortable moment asking him if the VA is socialized health care, and if he or anyone else in the Senate is advocating doing away with it. Sanders is exactly right. It is not the job of the Senate to protect the private health insurance industry. It's a shame the best we may get out of the Senate is a public option and that we don't have a few more Bernie Sanders out there fighting for real health care reform. Tags: Bernie Sanders, health care reform, John McCain, socialized medicine, Veterans Administration EmailPrint.Related ◦You can tax my health benefits too ◦The Ed Show: Insurance and Drug Companies Spending $1.4 Million a Day to Lobby Congress ◦Bernie Sanders: The Democrats Need to Commit to Stopping a Filibuster on Health Care Reform ◦President Obama will lose the left if he loses a vibrant "Public Option" ◦Why do we have to hear Republican objections to health-care reform all day long on TV? Login or Register to post comments. 308 comments What we need is mental health care Wed, 07/15/2009 - 13:38 — project republicans really need mental health care. How else could you explain the things they do and say? republicanism is a mental illness! .Login or register to reply It's not just Republicans. Wed, 07/15/2009 - 17:47 — Stupid Git Democrats are selling us out to private insurance as well. Bernie is an Independent. The reality is our only chance in this country is to boot out the Democrats and Republicans who only support lobbyists and get more Bernies, McKinneys and the likes who try to help Americans regardless of how much they contribute to re-election campaigns. .Login or register to reply We've been successful Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:46 — KWillow ...so far with our Dems. We got "more". Now we're working on "better". If more Independents (progressive, of course) run, I shall vote for them over a DinoDem. I'd like to hug Senator Sanders. Can't so I'll make a small $$ donation to him. .Login or register to reply Good point. Wed, 07/15/2009 - 20:03 — Stupid Git And great action. If every uninsured American gave $1 to Bernie Sanders for his support of us over the insurance companies maybe his colleagues would take notice since the only thing that gets their attention is money. .Login or register to reply Where did you go to make the donation? Wed, 07/15/2009 - 20:18 — Stupid Git I've been looking for an election site for Sanders and nothing comes up in my searches. Could you provide me a link so I can make a donation too? Thank so much for the inspiration and your help. .Login or register to reply Don't know Wed, 07/15/2009 - 20:25 — Helen Rainier if he has an election website per se, but he does have his official Senate website. If you go to congress.org and look him up there under "Officials" there will be a link to take you to his site. .Login or register to reply Stupid Git: Wed, 07/15/2009 - 20:39 — KWillow This is the site to make a donation to Senator Sanders: http://bernie.org/?page_id=82 .Login or register to reply How About Senator Bernie Sanders For POTUS??? Wed, 07/15/2009 - 21:18 — Abbybwood !! He'd get my $$$$, volunteerism and votes in a heartbeat. Abbybwood, R.N. .Login or register to reply Thanks!!! Wed, 07/15/2009 - 21:32 — Stupid Git :) .Login or register to reply Bernie is Thu, 07/16/2009 - 06:51 — Seattle_Truthseeker ALL of our Senator! No matter where we are from - Iv'e called his office on more than one occasion and his staff is intelligent and courteous. He is fighting like mad, along with a tiny handful of others. He tried to get the usury laws reinstated to put a lid on the predatory credit card issue as well. We all need to support him and thank him in any way that we can. .Login or register to reply Sanders is my favorite senator. Wed, 07/15/2009 - 22:14 — BigIslandDave We need a lot more like him. We did have Wellstone, but the Bush Crime Family saw to it that his career wouldn't last long ... BID .Login or register to reply Yeah... Thu, 07/16/2009 - 03:35 — Paul How's Sanders/Dean sound in 2012? .Login or register to reply It sounds Thu, 07/16/2009 - 06:52 — Seattle_Truthseeker wonderful! Can we make it happen?? .Login or register to reply It is time to scream for Thu, 07/16/2009 - 05:54 — docb TERM LIMITS....I have and will certainly vote for independents --if they are qualified! Though a Dem [registerd] I am beyond over their slip sliding to the tune of Lobbyists! Call Congress 1.828.0498 .Login or register to reply Re: Bernie Sanders: The VA is a Socialized Health Care System, Thu, 07/16/2009 - 10:38 — New York Diana I respect your sentiment, but you are dead wrong about term limits--it'll do nothing but ensure 365/day/year campaigning. We'll get new faces but the same corporate-critter-types. What's needed is Campaign Finance Reform--get money out of politics. It's the only way to ensure that people WE choose are elected to represent us. .Login or register to reply [Comment Deleted] Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:36 — Constitutionall... [Comment Deleted By Administration For Violation Of Terms Of Service] .Login or register to reply Re: Bernie Sanders: The VA is a Socialized Health Care System, Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:52 — Zabphelia convoluted comment is convoluted. .Login or register to reply Say again? Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:54 — Chicken Little - Not Would you be kind enough to clarify and perhaps put your remark into context. .Login or register to reply Wow, one of those classic moments of pure, unadulterated Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:56 — Chicken Little - Not transference .Login or register to reply you mean projection? Wed, 07/15/2009 - 20:41 — Tyler Durden . .Login or register to reply Yes, we love force. Wed, 07/15/2009 - 20:08 — Stupid Git Like forcing Americans who have limited income to hold out on medical care until it's critical and they end up in the emergency room where it costs much more to treat the illness. Oh wait, that's compassionate conservatives. We do force stimulus money on broke Southern states so they can keep much needed teachers and social workers. How evil! .Login or register to reply Re: Bernie Sanders: The VA is a Socialized Health Care System, Wed, 07/15/2009 - 23:55 — Edwin Like forcing Americans who have limited income to hold out on medical care until it's critical and they end up in the emergency room where it costs much more to treat the illness. And make them pay a fine for not having insurance in the first place. Don't forget that gem!! .Login or register to reply Yeah... Thu, 07/16/2009 - 03:37 — Paul ...that version of legislation will probably propose re-establishing debtor prisons. .Login or register to reply If Republicanism Is A "Mental Illness".... Wed, 07/15/2009 - 21:14 — Abbybwood What does that make Democratisism...."normal"?!! Doh!! .Login or register to reply Up lifting Thu, 07/16/2009 - 05:36 — Golferman I feel very normal and I feel very up lifting when I think about democrats. .Login or register to reply )O( Thu, 07/16/2009 - 05:43 — ysbaddaden That's D'oh!! .Login or register to reply [Comment Deleted] Thu, 07/16/2009 - 03:29 — sallycougar [Comment Deleted By Administration For Violation Of Terms Of Service] .Login or register to reply Actually... Thu, 07/16/2009 - 03:33 — Paul I think it is a spiritual disease. .Login or register to reply Sent this to all my red neck friends and relatives.. Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:09 — Hulk Someday, maybe the god of logic will strike them and they will finally "get it". Geeeesh, are these idiots dumb or what? .Login or register to reply Re: Bernie Sanders: The VA is a Socialized Health Care System, Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:37 — Constitutionall... Or perhaps the Gods of logic need to visit you??? Why is it you insist on stealing from others via the government?? .Login or register to reply Hmm, how long have you been with C&L Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:54 — KWillow Constitutional: Member for 1 week 4 days !!! MedievalRightWing: about 35 minutes. .Login or register to reply Oh ohhh Thu, 07/16/2009 - 06:55 — Seattle_Truthseeker could it be we have two shiny new (albeit covered in boils and sores as are all of them) troll's Lions and tigers and trolls! Oh my! .Login or register to reply Did you Wed, 07/15/2009 - 20:34 — jwf have this same level of outrage about BigDick Cheney's Haliburton stealing our tax dollars via the government? The same company that apparently couldn't afford GFI outlets in barrack showers? Or the 10 billion in unmarked bills that disappeared off of palettes in Iraq? The same money that Dan Senor, aka Mr. Campbell Brown of the "liberal media" said was lost because Iraq didn't have "first world accounting standards? Were you having teabagging parties over that? Or did your outrage start on January 20, 2009? .Login or register to reply Re: Bernie Sanders: The VA is a Socialized Health Care System, Thu, 07/16/2009 - 10:41 — New York Diana Very well said. .Login or register to reply Nobody's insisting on stealing from others Thu, 07/16/2009 - 04:17 — brantl They're insisting that the rich should pay their fair share, for a change. You idiot. Apparently you missed out on Warren Buffet saying that he pays less taxes than his secretary, who makes orders of magnitude less money than him. .Login or register to reply Obviously Constitutional must be making Thu, 07/16/2009 - 06:59 — Seattle_Truthseeker 250k/year adjusted gross income - and even if that was the case (highly unlikely) - paying fair share would seem to be the appropriate thing. Why do reich-wing knuckle draggers vote against their own best interests? Just amazing! Time for the U$A to join the rest of the "industrialized" world. And....Fight on Bernie! Please don't stop! .Login or register to reply Is it stealing if we the people vote for it? Thu, 07/16/2009 - 07:41 — LibertyLover And our elected representatives vote for it? You keep forgetting that in this country, WE ARE the GOVERNMENT. So How can one steal from oneself? .Login or register to reply health care Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:51 — pokerdog we have free health care here in canada, and its no big deal. its not perfect.but like your system is not either. i dont have too worry about,getting health care cause its free. i dont know why some of you are bend over backwards opposing it. the problem is in your country is that you spend too much on the millitary [which is way over bloated}and dont tell me that you got too protect the world ,thats bull.what your country needs is more rep. like bernie,who has backbone and is not bought and paid for' .Login or register to reply Spot on... Thu, 07/16/2009 - 05:39 — Golferman I totally agree. .Login or register to reply Spot on Thu, 07/16/2009 - 07:01 — Seattle_Truthseeker indeed .Login or register to reply Bernie Sanders Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:12 — joriet is my favorite socialist. Franken is a close 2nd. Blue Dogs and repugs can kiss my commie a**. .Login or register to reply Bernie Sanders gives me hope ... Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:16 — calgarylady That was very refreshing. I like him. .Login or register to reply Me too Wed, 07/15/2009 - 22:03 — OliverDreams My gosh, someone besides Kucinich standing up for the American people? And this guy was dead on. Bravo! .Login or register to reply And the MSM smear campaign.. Thu, 07/16/2009 - 03:40 — Paul ...to depict him as a lunatic commences in 5....4...3...2...1... .Login or register to reply Before you reach one.. Thu, 07/16/2009 - 05:41 — Golferman I am turning my tv off. .Login or register to reply Re: Bernie Sanders: The VA is a Socialized Health Care System, Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:19 — pinkobait "Bernie Sanders gives John McCain an uncomfortable moment" Then McCain makes the inevitable wise crack and affects the same shit eating grin that all the white,privileged frat boys have always indulged themselves in. Jesus wept. .Login or register to reply The VA? Thu, 07/16/2009 - 02:30 — annie While I appreciate Mr. Sanders' point that the VA is providing socialized health care, I wonder if anyone in Congress will point out that their own health care is socialized medicine, too. It's called the Rolls Royce of health care plans. This Republican talking point that the Democrats are aiming for socialized medicine is preposterous. At least if one doesn't find roads, bridges, and other infrastructures offensive and "socialized" benefits. .Login or register to reply The ONLY acts of government... Thu, 07/16/2009 - 03:48 — Paul ...that don't constitute socialism are acts of tyranny towards, and predation upon, the citizens. All actions of government that serve the People and work for the well-being and continuation of the nation are, by definition, socialist. We are so used to government that is based upon the idea of applied sociopathy, that any act of government which is based upon a foundation of justice is held suspect? Sorry, Republicans, but I must repudiate that model. .Login or register to reply Excellent point! Thu, 07/16/2009 - 04:31 — annie All actions of government that serve the People and work for the well-being and continuation of the nation are, by definition, socialist. I'd love to see a list of all "socialized" American benefits alongside another list of all benefits to corporations that harm Americans, both provided by government statutes. Even the most recent ones would be a good start. Then we could surely get those Republicans who parrot the alarm cry, "SOCIALIZED MEDICINE!" to agree to voluntarily and personally give up all socialized programs and benefits and live with corporate benefits and no government protections or oversight of them. .Login or register to reply Did you know Thu, 07/16/2009 - 03:56 — Floridiot That that c&*ksucker McCain gets 30,000 dollars a year SSDI disability payments and free medical along with his senate salary? .Login or register to reply And Thu, 07/16/2009 - 04:42 — annie I thought people are eligible for disability payments ONLY if the disability prevents them from working. I think it's more likely he qualifies for VA Disability Insurance, which does not have the same requirement. .Login or register to reply Doesn't matter Thu, 07/16/2009 - 05:42 — Floridiot The whole point is that he doesn't need it let alone deserve it after his show above. He is talking out of both sides of his mouth when he spews the medical for profit bull. Bernie nailed him on it tho, good for him .Login or register to reply Well, duh. Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:19 — Roket It’s very difficult to refute absolute logic. Not to mention that logic also has a liberal bias. A rebuttal would be very entertaining. .Login or register to reply Not Dumb idiots and they already get it. Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:20 — Rufus It's called bribery. .Login or register to reply Go Bernie Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:21 — David A It is so encouraging to see our elected representatives in Congress apeaking truth to power. We need more floor time for Sanders and Kucinich discussing these issues. We need more expert panels where the relevant experts on both sides of the issue are vigorously cross-examined. You know single payer will come out ahead on the merits. The more this happens the more likely the tide will turn with the public. Just like S-CHIP, if enough of the public supports something it eventually gets very embarassing for Congress to continue to whore it out for the insurance companies. .Login or register to reply Bernie is the MAN Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:22 — MartyPower I've lived in NY (Queens, Nassau - d'Amato and Pete King, the uber schmucks; Suffolk), VA (Fairfax and Loudoun - don't start on THOSE fascists) and Vermont (OK, I'm home), and Bernie is the first elected official I'm proud to claim. He's THE man - I'm shocked to always find that not only do I not have to demand that he votes for my interests, he co-sponsors the BILLS. .Login or register to reply Let's ask the real question: Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:23 — MedievalRightWing Would you like your health care to come from the VA? Didn't think so. Yet, the VA medical program is what the new Obama care will be like. Yeah, that's the kind of health care I want. .Login or register to reply Obviously not a veteran, huh? Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:27 — fiver And what is "Obama care"? The President hasn't released a health care plan though numerous versions are winding their way through Congress now. .Login or register to reply Veteran, no I was not, Patriot, yes I am Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:33 — MedievalRightWing Obama care will be state-run "you have no choice but to accept it" health care, because there will be nothing else. Oh the lines of humanity waiting for treatment. It will be oh so efficient and masterfully handled, just like every other burearcratically run failure...er...program. .Login or register to reply ∆∆∆ Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:34 — Alice X - Choms... Au contraire ye of nil facts. The house plan fully protects private insurance and the companies that offer it. .Login or register to reply What a joke Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:38 — MedievalRightWing Private insurance and the companies that offer it might be protected, but who is going to buy it? Companies that employ people can and will dismantle their insurance programs as they see fit and leave employees no other choice but to go on Obama care... .Login or register to reply Isn't that the corporate freedom you wingnuts hold so dear? Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:41 — fiver Now be a good little troll and go back to freeperland. The words are so much shorter easier to spell. .Login or register to reply Re: Bernie Sanders: The VA is a Socialized Health Care System, Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:43 — Constitutionall... Why should he? Are your arguments that weak that they cannot be challenged??? .Login or register to reply And just which argument do you find so weak? Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:47 — fiver Your so deliberately nonspecific. Why is that? Do you not understand the issues? Or are you simply slow? .Login or register to reply Challenged??? Thu, 07/16/2009 - 06:36 — Terrible Is that what you call coming on here and talking about a fantasy that isn't even being discussed by Congress? When you America haters can come up with an argument that isn't based on complete falsehoods THEN you can talk abour challenging. .Login or register to reply Hey Midlevel wrong wing Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:45 — mudshark You keep paying your ins policies. You keep paying. And when they deny you coverage and then drop you. Write them another check. I'm sure you'll feel like you got your money's worth. .Login or register to reply Medieval and his crony Thu, 07/16/2009 - 07:15 — Seattle_Truthseeker are now on my ignore. buh bye .Login or register to reply ∆∆∆ Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:49 — Alice X - Choms... Which side of the argument are you taking? Of course it is a joke. It is meant to be a joke. The joke is on you and me. On all of us. For profit health insurance companies have a 20% overhead. That means 20% for profits and administration. Medicare has 3% overhead. It is government run, there are no profits. The 3% is pure administrative cost, and very effective and streamlined at that. That is what wrong with FOR PROFIT health insurance. The less health care they pay for, the more profits they make. They have been doing their damnest to NOT pay for health care. That is why SINGLE PAYER is what we need. .Login or register to reply Like the employees who get bonus' for denying care? Wed, 07/15/2009 - 20:13 — KWillow "...employees no other choice but to go on Obama care..." Well BOO-HOO! At least they'll have a health plan if they are laid off. .Login or register to reply That won't happen Wed, 07/15/2009 - 20:37 — Helen Rainier if the private insurance companies are providing as good of service and are otherwise competitive. Besides, isn't that what the American free market is supposed to be all about? Whoever provides the best service and is most competitive? Sounds like you want the private insurers to continue to have a monopoly without having to be competitive or provide a service that people will be happy to pay for. .Login or register to reply Also Wed, 07/15/2009 - 20:43 — KWillow UPS and FED EX and several other mail-package delivery companies are able to do quite well competing with the Post Office (tho that is partially privatized, isn't it? No reason Blue Cross and Aetna should be destroyed. They'll just have to give better service. .Login or register to reply Re: Bernie Sanders: The VA is a Socialized Health Care System, Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:47 — Constitutionall... BALONEY. They force the private insurance companies to PAY for the government plans!!! The plan increases the cost of private insurance, takes their money and uses that to subsidize their competition!!! .Login or register to reply Constitupated: Wed, 07/15/2009 - 20:16 — KWillow They force the private insurance companies to PAY for the government plans!!! Links, please? That's a new one on me! I thought we'd raise the super Rich's taxes by...maybe... 1%? .Login or register to reply Re: Bernie Sanders: The VA is a Socialized Health Care System, Wed, 07/15/2009 - 21:18 — Constitutionall... you better look into the plan then. My source is the plan itself. .Login or register to reply Really? Where? Wed, 07/15/2009 - 21:23 — fiver And which plan? Here's the tri-committee House version. After your thorough review of its 1000+ pages, perhaps you could point out where private insurers have to pay for the public option? A page number would be sufficient. .Login or register to reply C'mon CS, I even gave you the link! Wed, 07/15/2009 - 21:41 — fiver You said your "source is the plan itself." It's only 1000 pages, and you said you'd already done it. So where is it? .Login or register to reply Still waiting.... Wed, 07/15/2009 - 22:01 — fiver You know, you can admit you weren't being truthful when you said you sourced from the plan itself. It's not like your reputation here is going to suffer. You shouldn't even need a basic grasp of statistics to figure that out. .Login or register to reply Well, it's been an hour. Wed, 07/15/2009 - 22:27 — fiver And... you've... still... got ... nothing. My questions have been fully answered. Have a nice day. .Login or register to reply You know... at some point... Wed, 07/15/2009 - 23:51 — Tyler Durden ... I am starting to be convinced that these trolls don't even believe 3/4 of whatever bullsh*t it is that they write... .Login or register to reply Re: Bernie Sanders: The VA is a Socialized Health Care System, Thu, 07/16/2009 - 07:19 — PorkyPine They don't. They're paid by the RNC to make these posts. .Login or register to reply Absolutely correct. Thu, 07/16/2009 - 07:55 — Liberal AND Proud No working in the hot sun summer job. Nice and cool in Mom's basement and she supplies the Hot Pockets for free! .Login or register to reply Patriot my ass, Medieval Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:40 — bmw 528 You're just a self centered shill for selfish insurance interests whose motto is: I've got mine---tough shit if you don't. Don't like government run medical programs? When you are eligible for Medicare, don't take advantage of what's offered you. That would be the honorable thing to do, right? Sure pal. .Login or register to reply Re: Bernie Sanders: The VA is a Socialized Health Care System, Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:41 — Constitutionall... And you advocate using government to STEAL from those you are jealous of. .Login or register to reply As opposed to Exxon stealing from everyone? Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:45 — fiver Or how about your "brilliant" bankers who so earned their billions? Or how about George W. Bush, the poster boy for nepotism, corporate whoredom, and outright idiocy? At least now we know who invited MRW here to get his ass kicked. .Login or register to reply Taxes are not stealing- Wed, 07/15/2009 - 20:47 — KWillow ...and the Rich, and Corporations have plenty of 'representation' in D.C., believe me. Actually, if the Gov closed some -not all!- of the disgraceful loopholes that enable businesses' to pay virtually NO taxes, while making good use of the Fed Gov't services, and squeezing the American people for every penny they can, well, that could probably pay for a very fine single payer plan, indeed. If. .Login or register to reply Steal? Wed, 07/15/2009 - 20:48 — Andy K Win an election, teabagger. Let's talk about that Constitution of which I believe you speak. From Article 1, Section 8: The Congress shall have power To lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defence and general welfare of the United States; but all duties, imposts and excises shall be uniform throughout the United States; Then there's the Sixteenth Amendment, part of the Constitution since 1913: The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration. Do you just speak of the Constitution but not believe in it? .Login or register to reply Just ran across this post Wed, 07/15/2009 - 20:34 — Helen Rainier and you apparently are not a veteran. Therefore you have no personal experience with the VA. Do you know someone who has had a bad experience with them? All the vets I have run into at the VA seem very satisfied. What are you basing your assessment on? What you know or what you think you know? .Login or register to reply One Word Thu, 07/16/2009 - 06:03 — Liberal AND Proud Medicare .Login or register to reply If you think that's actually likely to happen Thu, 07/16/2009 - 06:33 — Terrible during this administration you ought to stop taking whatever drugs are making you delusional. .Login or register to reply If you are not a veteran then by definition... Thu, 07/16/2009 - 07:13 — Seattle_Truthseeker You have no direct experience with the VA. Ergo, you can not, and do not speak from a position of authority, nor first hand knowlege. I have seen VA treatment provided to my brother (a Viet-nam vet) and I beg to differ with you as to your opinion of the VA and the care that it provides. "Obama-Care"?? Is that the best that Limpbough can come up with? One would think that with the millions of dollars per day being poured into stopping any health care change, by big pharma, big insurance et al, they could do better. Do your OWN research - THINK for your self. Further, why do you rail against your own best interests? (That is rhetorical and I am not seeking a reply) .Login or register to reply Veteran, no I was not, Patriot, yes I am Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:33 — MedievalRightWing Obama care will be state-run "you have no choice but to accept it" health care, because there will be nothing else. Oh the lines of humanity waiting for treatment. It will be oh so efficient and masterfully handled, just like every other burearcratically run failure...er...program. .Login or register to reply ∆∆∆ Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:37 — Alice X - Choms... You have a member for 15 minutes and already you have made more mistakes than most make in a week. If you were a patriot as you claim then you would want to improve the VA capabilities to the highest possible level. I would. .Login or register to reply They think being a "Patriot" Thu, 07/16/2009 - 06:40 — Terrible means tearing the country apart. .Login or register to reply And putting a yellow Thu, 07/16/2009 - 08:10 — Seattle_Truthseeker made in China "I support the troops" ribbon on their SUV. How's about supporting the troops by going to an Army post and doing some MWR volunteer work? ( I have!) Or volunteering to help the USO! Or how about going up to a car that has the "gold star" on it, in a parking lot, near Fort Campbell and telling the driver how sorry you are, and having her break down in your GD damn arms!!!! (my eyes fill with tears just remembering that!!) Or if you are of age, sir, as you are such a "patriot" going down, volunteering to be a ground pounding puke, swear the oath, and put on the suit? Just STFU please.... you make me ill .Login or register to reply We heard you the first time. Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:37 — fiver As many doctors say: "You are what you eat." And a wingnut's favorite dish appears to be chickenhawk. I love how you support our troops. .Login or register to reply Is Obama... Wed, 07/15/2009 - 20:49 — hungryMoose a chicken hawk? .Login or register to reply That's a good question Wed, 07/15/2009 - 22:53 — mudshark Normally I'd say yes. But being that he didn't start this mess. I'd have to give him a pass on this, for now. But make no mistake, he's on the clock. And time is running out. .Login or register to reply You either are. Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:38 — mudshark Or are not a Veteran. The only you stop being a Veteran is when you die. And even then, you're still considered a Veteran. Your ignorance is showing. .Login or register to reply Since you are not a veteran, then what sort of authority Wed, 07/15/2009 - 23:55 — Tyler Durden via experience, do you posses to trash the VA? My wife had a couple of rotations at the VA in San Diego, they provided top notch care. My dad is ex-AF and he has had a couple of procedures done at the VA, again he received top notch care. If that is the level of care the so called "Obamaplan" is going to provide... then count me in!!! By the way, funny how you a**holes used the troops when you needed all those photo-ops to fed the patriotic masses. And as soon as they get in the way, it takes two seconds flat for you guys to be the first ones to trash our troops. There are tons of dedicated professionals at the VA, you just trashed. A**hole... .Login or register to reply Re: Bernie Sanders: The VA is a Socialized Health Care System, Thu, 07/16/2009 - 07:22 — PorkyPine How much per post are they paying you? Just wondering. .Login or register to reply Let's ask the real question. Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:42 — mudshark Why do you hate America? .Login or register to reply ∆∆∆ Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:40 — Alice X - Choms... MedievalRightWing How aptly named, as in Neo-Feudalism. Do not worry your silly fascist head for one scintilla of a second about Obama's health care. It is going to be exactly the same as before, except now everyone will have to buy their shitty for profit policies and if not they will be fined. The insurance companies are ecstatic I am confident. 75 million new suckers on a platter. The public option, which is flim flam anyway, given the 'level playing field with private insurers' statement therein, which is bound to mean no government sponsored savings, the same booby trap as Medicare D, doesn't kick in until 2013. Plenty of time to make it far worse or disappear altogether. .Login or register to reply Would you like your healthcare to come from the VA? Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:35 — bmw 528 How about the 47 million people who have NOTHING? They'll gladly take VA--because something is better than what they have now. Public option---That's the kind of health care the uninsured want. Stop being a self centered shill for private insurance. .Login or register to reply Nothing? Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:45 — MedievalRightWing Those who have no health care insurance have nothing? Can the not walk into any hospital in the USA and get treatment? Yes, they can because they cannot by law be turned away...so don't say that they have no health care...they do...and you know it... .Login or register to reply Bull pucks Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:47 — dondiago They let them die in the waiting room! .Login or register to reply Re: Bernie Sanders: The VA is a Socialized Health Care System, Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:50 — Constitutionall... Do you mean like the do in Canada??? http://www.cbc.ca/canada/manitoba/story/2008/... .Login or register to reply In Canada that makes the news. Wed, 07/15/2009 - 20:02 — dondiago It never makes the news in the USA because it happens ALL THE TIME! .Login or register to reply Or give them a taxi to skid row. Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:50 — fiver / .Login or register to reply What alternate reality do you live in Medieval? Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:50 — bmw 528 Do you think that there is no cost to someone that is indigent or uninsured walking into a healthcare facility that needs treatment? Either the private sector or the taxpayers through subsidy absorb this cost. What the hell is wrong with you people? .Login or register to reply Re: Bernie Sanders: The VA is a Socialized Health Care System, Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:53 — Constitutionall... What is wrong with us is that we are tired of the left's LIES about this issue. There are NOT 45 million uninsured Americans. The number is closer to 7-8 million and the prescription for that is FAR different than for the grossly exaggerated number the left puts up. We are tired of the delusion that a government bureaucrat is better than an insurance company bureaucrat. We are tired of the left constantly using government to FORCE to destroy individual liberty. .Login or register to reply You are Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:54 — dondiago delusional! .Login or register to reply Damned leftist lies!!! Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:59 — Stupid Git Always lying about how many insured Americans there are, how humans are responsible for climate change, latina women can be fair minded... don't get me started on the theory of evolution and gravity! .Login or register to reply We all know there is no such thing as gravity Wed, 07/15/2009 - 20:19 — dondiago THE EARTH SUCKS! .Login or register to reply ∆∆∆ Wed, 07/15/2009 - 20:02 — Alice X - Choms... Individual liberty, as in the right to die on the curb outside the hospital with no one intervening. That right? You are in the right country for that, pal. .Login or register to reply Nice straw man. Wed, 07/15/2009 - 20:24 — Constitutionall... Why can't you guys argue on facts instead of insults and sound bites??? .Login or register to reply Because us Libs.... Wed, 07/15/2009 - 20:33 — Zabphelia like to use FORCE!!! .Login or register to reply ∆∆∆ Wed, 07/15/2009 - 20:36 — Alice X - Choms... Where is the insult? Do you not read English? You are the one without facts. .Login or register to reply No facts?? Wed, 07/15/2009 - 20:44 — Constitutionall... You obviously have not read the post where I dissected the Census study to show what it really counted and how many Americans are actually uninsured. Look to the post I submitted here Wed, 07/15/2009 - 20:23 .Login or register to reply Go be "right" at somebody else's site, obtuse one Wed, 07/15/2009 - 20:49 — bmw 528 Since you have this strange and compelling need to be "right" at others expense, please move on. People like you confuse opinion with fact, thinking they are the same. They are---to the terminally stubborn and egotistically hidebound. .Login or register to reply Would you like someone to teach you how to link? Wed, 07/15/2009 - 20:52 — Andy K The burden is on you. If you need help, I'll teach you how to copy and paste URLs. .Login or register to reply Link please. Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:56 — fiver And the allcaps don't make you look forceful, they make you look like what you write isn't worth reading on its own merits. .Login or register to reply Nice try, but bullshit, Constitutional Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:57 — bmw 528 Guess you miss the point that in reality, there should be ZERO uninsured. You selfish libertarians who worship John Wayne and Ayn Rand are a real pain in the ass and set our country back decades through your paranoid and delusional fantasies. .Login or register to reply Re: Bernie Sanders: The VA is a Socialized Health Care System, Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:56 — Vacuus Deus There are NOT 45 million uninsured Americans. The number is closer to 7-8 million and the prescription for that is FAR different than for the grossly exaggerated number the left puts up. Citation needed. .Login or register to reply Constitutional Wed, 07/15/2009 - 20:00 — bmw 528 The number of uninsured should be ZERO. Got it now? I thought a little repetition might help you out. .Login or register to reply I beg to disagree bmw Wed, 07/15/2009 - 20:02 — fiver The number of uninsured should be 100%. Health insurance companies are a worthless relic that do nothing except enrich themselves. They'll be gone eventually; they're just trying to see how many billions they can STEAL (is that how you do it CS?) before we finally throw them out on their backsides. .Login or register to reply Fiver Wed, 07/15/2009 - 20:30 — bmw 528 I agree, that should be the end result. I'ts going to take time to get there, though. .Login or register to reply Yeah, I know :( Wed, 07/15/2009 - 20:40 — fiver Heard it straight from Nancy Pelosi today. .Login or register to reply Re: Bernie Sanders: The VA is a Socialized Health Care System, Wed, 07/15/2009 - 20:26 — Constitutionall... And you advocate stealing from someone else to provide them coverage??? I have shown below that most are covered and have no problem helping those who are truly in need. But scrapping a system where nearly 80% are satisfied with their OWN coverage is beyond idiotic. .Login or register to reply Link please. Wed, 07/15/2009 - 20:31 — fiver Cause this one shows 72% support a government sponsored health care plan. You do understand that 72% includes quite a few Republicans, right? .Login or register to reply This is a perfect example of how the left lies. Wed, 07/15/2009 - 20:51 — Constitutionall... This is a perfect example of how the left lies. They cite this poll result (and it is a real and valid result) but ignore the other question asked that shows they are happy with their OWN insurance. They "support" a government sponsored plan because they have been mislead as to the magnitude of the problems. .Login or register to reply So the poll is "a real and valid result"... Wed, 07/15/2009 - 20:55 — fiver ... yet is a "perfect example of how the left lies"? Do you even read it before you post it? Oh, and where's that link? .Login or register to reply Re: Bernie Sanders: The VA is a Socialized Health Care System, Wed, 07/15/2009 - 21:24 — Constitutionall... YOUR LINK - you should read your own links!!! Here, I'll help you out (they did after all bury it) "Most Americans who have health insurance are fairly happy with the cost and quality of their own care, but perceptions of the country’s health care in general are much more negative. In terms of quality, 77 percent say they are satisfied with their own care" .Login or register to reply seen sicko Wed, 07/15/2009 - 21:26 — AngryGus foolio? .Login or register to reply Re: Bernie Sanders: The VA is a Socialized Health Care System, Wed, 07/15/2009 - 21:27 — Constitutionall... Now THERE is a good source!!!! .Login or register to reply keep fighting for Wed, 07/15/2009 - 21:35 — AngryGus the super rich, they paid for your brainwashing and your knee pads too. .Login or register to reply Re: Bernie Sanders: The VA is a Socialized Health Care System, Wed, 07/15/2009 - 21:50 — Constitutionall... Now THAT was a real rebuttal of the facts!!! .Login or register to reply What facts? Thu, 07/16/2009 - 00:00 — Tyler Durden So far you seem to be under the delusion that your opinions equal fact. What you think smells like a few dozen of roses, it does in fact smell like a massive pile of cow manure defecated by disease-ridden cows suffering from a bad case of diarrhea. .Login or register to reply Thanks. Wed, 07/15/2009 - 21:30 — fiver But could you tell me where it says they're happy with their "coverage"? Your word. Or do you think "coverage" and "care" are synonymous? .Login or register to reply I did, and I don't think in this case it is anything Wed, 07/15/2009 - 21:34 — Constitutionall... other than a semantic difference. .Login or register to reply Con Man convoluted logic Wed, 07/15/2009 - 20:58 — bmw 528 If I say it--it's fact. If YOU say it, you're misinformed because you don't accept my word as fact. What rubbish. We get how you selfish fools roll, buster. .Login or register to reply Re: Bernie Sanders: The VA is a Socialized Health Care System, Wed, 07/15/2009 - 21:26 — Constitutionall... Who is selfish?? You are asking other people to pay for what you will not. .Login or register to reply YOU are selfish Wed, 07/15/2009 - 21:29 — bmw 528 Imagine that, your "stolen" tax dollars funding something you don't personally approve of. A society of sharing and equity---why the horror of it all. You selfish jerks need a moral overhaul. .Login or register to reply Re: Bernie Sanders: The VA is a Socialized Health Care System, Wed, 07/15/2009 - 21:54 — Constitutionall... When you use your own money in the same percentage that you ask of me, you can call me selfish. [It's about time for you to wrap it up for the evening. You're really chattering now. Bandwidth is expensive. Thank you. Site Monitor] .Login or register to reply Maybe they feel that way because... Wed, 07/15/2009 - 21:00 — Andy K they know that when the uninsure need treatment, it usually drives up health care prices. When someone can't afford insurance, they tend to use a hospital's emergency room, then they work out a payment plan (and it costs to administer that plan). Then a percentage opf those can't keep up on their payments, but the hospital needs to pay for the materials used and the labor. And Bill Frist still wants the investors of HCA to make their profits. That cost gets passed on to the insured. .Login or register to reply Um- Wed, 07/15/2009 - 21:22 — KWillow The poll you are citing is from The Onion. I am looking over your link (Census & Insurance). So far I see nothing supporting your bizarre contention that there are only 8 or 9 million uninsured. Especially considering the different studies & different dates they were done. Now that we have 8% official unemployment, which is really closer to 20% I think the numbers of uninsured is higher. Or do you think the unemployment numbers are too high, too? And your dismissal of "illegals" is without merit. Weather they are legal or not, sick people must be cared for. Otherwise we have epidemics. As for whether illegals "deserve" health care, most of them work very very hard doing jobs American's won't do for exploitation (slave) wages. .Login or register to reply Re: Bernie Sanders: The VA is a Socialized Health Care System, Wed, 07/15/2009 - 21:49 — Constitutionall... They are here ILLEGALLY. They should not be here PERIOD - until they follow our immigration laws. .Login or register to reply You didn't say "illegals" in your math. Wed, 07/15/2009 - 21:57 — fiver You said "non-citizens." Care to clarify? Or are you spouting nativist theory as well? .Login or register to reply From the Onion? Thu, 07/16/2009 - 08:23 — Seattle_Truthseeker hahahahahaahahahhahhaha oh dear! hahahha poor sad silly troll.... oh my .Login or register to reply Go Bernie! Wed, 07/15/2009 - 21:28 — ctalk I think the only one lying here is you and your weak argument. Go Bernie! .Login or register to reply Ah yes. "All taxes are Wed, 07/15/2009 - 21:51 — JThompson Ah yes. "All taxes are theft!!!1oneone". If I'm not mistaken, that's the mating cry of the Red-Faced Entitled Neo-con. Their behavior in the wild is similar to that of a Jackdaw. They make a lot of noise, are aggressive in numbers, exhibit flocking behavior, and try to hoard any shiny thing they come across. Do we support "stealing" from others to pay for the evils of socialized medicine? Yep! Your turn to answer questions. Do you support stealing from others to provide you with roads to drive on? Do you support stealing from others to provide your other forms of infrastructure? (Gas, electricity water, phone lines, etc) Do you support stealing from others to provide you police protection so those lesser people you despise so much can't take your stuff? Do you support stealing from others to fight pointless wars? Do you support stealing from others to subsidize the very worthless corporate scum you live to defend? Do you support stealing from others so those corporations pay no taxes at all? Do you support stealing from others to make sure your burning house is put out? Why, I suspect the answer to most, if not all of these is a most resounding yes. So if you support some socialized projects, why not this particular kind? Is it because you think you won't use it? Does it strike you as unfair other people pay for things you benefit from when they don't use them? Why would it be theft to expect you to pay for something that might help them? Waiting for the "You used ad hominem! I win!" wail that typically follows mockery of anyone with a bad argument. (Hint: Your argument is addressed. I mocked you for the hell of it. Not ad hominem.) That or admission to being a Randroid. If that's the case, I retract it all. I'd hate to be accused of attacking a person's religion. .Login or register to reply 123next ›last » 308 comments Login or Register to post comments. .Sister Sites Embed This MediaBernie Sanders: The VA is a Socialized Health Care System, Right Mr. McCain? User loginUsername: * Password: * Remember me Create new account Request new password NavigationHome Archives Tags Directory Contact Us Donate FAQ AdvertisingCommentingGeneral ProblemsMedia ProblemsSupported BrowsersUser Registration Daily VideoCafeEnter your email address and we will send you a daily list of posts from Video Cafe: Delivered by FeedBurner Recent commentsWith the changing 3 sec ago )O( 8 sec ago my kids are considered Latino 14 sec ago Re: Al Franken Lightens Up the Sotomayor Hearing 27 sec ago Re: The right's irrational view of race is on full display in S 34 sec ago He was, after all 1 min 12 sec ago )O( 1 min 13 sec ago Tornado 2 min 19 sec ago In an earlier post where I mentioned 2 min 29 sec ago Re: The right's irrational view of race is on full display in S 2 min 31 sec ago Blogrollskippy the bush kangaroo driftglass The Huffington Post Raw Story Daily Kos PrairieWeather echidne of the snakes shakespearessister left coaster The Moderate Voice AmericaBlog Bob Cesca Firedoglake Talk Left Ed Cone truthdig Balloon Juice Digby Down with tyranny feministing Lawyers, Guns & Money rude pundit Eschaton Angry Bear Brad DeLong The Talent Show One good move NewsHoggers pharyngula Sadly, No! Correntewire Rising Hegemon first-draft Glenn Greenwald Mahablog bart cop Intoxination Blue Gal The Reality-Based Community Whiskey Fire A Tiny Revolution Jesus General Average Bro James Wolcott Majikthise more Crooks and Liars Premium gay sex with meghan mccainThose dreaded zombie liesFox News' Attack On Obama's "Czars" Debunked - By Fox News' Wendell GolerJohn Yoo Defends HimselfChinese-born engineer guilty of economic espionageWhat the NAACP Means to MeI support the Seattle TimesRead more...Advertise here Blogads Advertise here

NewsTrust Rating: 4.0 average (not enough reviews) - See Review » - Review It Visit NewsTrust | About | Sign Up | Disclaimer

John McCain: Accountability For Torture is That People's Reputations Have Been Harmed Very Badly

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Crooks and Liars - Jul. 13 (Opinion) - GREGORY: But where's the accountability? McCAIN: Well, the accountability, obviously, is that people's reputations have been harmed very badly. The question is, is do we want America's image harmed more by dragging this out further and further? You've got to

NewsTrust Rating: 2.6 average (not enough reviews) - See Reviews » - Review It Visit NewsTrust | About | Sign Up | Disclaimer

Sweet, Tweet Revenge

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

New York Times - By Maureen Dowd - Jul. 11 (Opinion) - It was only a matter of time, once John McCain joined the 21st century and got himself a Ford Fusion Hybrid, a Facebook page and a Twitter account, that he would reconnect with people out of his past he would rather forget.

NewsTrust Rating: Not rated yet - See Info » - Review It Visit NewsTrust | About | Sign Up | Disclaimer

We are Already at War with Iran

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0700

stopwar.lafilmonline.com - By Jon Raymond - Jun. 28 (Opinion) - There are protesters in the streets of the U.S. crying for freedom for Iranians. What do they want? What do they think we can do? Meanwhile, there are reports that the CIA seeded the Iranian uprising. Whether this is true or not, it’s not a stretch to believe that right wing sympathizers, even outside the CIA, and possibly backed by right wing money, would be promoting these uprisings and rallies. The right wants war with Iran and they will stop at nothing to get it. They want total control of the Middle East. This has been their goal for years. They want Afghanistan and they want Iraq. It has nothing to do with terrorists or suppressive governments. It has to do with oil and war profiteering. They want control of Middle Eastern oil and they want perpetual war.

NewsTrust Rating: Not rated yet - See Info » - Review It Visit NewsTrust | About | Sign Up | Disclaimer

What do the CIA, John McCain, the Iran Uprising, the Afghanistan War, and your Lockheed-Martin Stocks have in Common?

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0700

stopwar.lafilmonline.com - By Jon Raymond - Jun. 21 (Opinion) - We “elected” a president twice under highly questionable circumstances, a corrupt Supreme Court, corrupt election officials, a governor of Florida who used his authority in miscounting votes to see that his brother was elected, and hacked election machines in at least two recent presidential elections.

NewsTrust Rating: Not rated yet - See Info » - Review It Visit NewsTrust | About | Sign Up | Disclaimer

The First 100 Days of John McCain

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Politics Daily - By Walter Shapiro - Apr. 30 (Opinion) - Even if McCain had won the White House with a clear majority --– instead of becoming the second successive Republican president to take office after losing the popular vote --– he probably would have been hard-pressed to find common ground with congressional Democrats on the economy. The ideological fault lines have been deep, from the size of the economic stimulus package (McCain's original $420 billion proposal prompted House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to brand him "President McCheap") to the administration's laissez-faire attitude toward a looming General Motors bankruptcy and the almost certain dismemberment of Chrysler (the Detroit Free Press headlined, "McCain to City: Drop Dead").

NewsTrust Rating: 4.0 average (not enough reviews) - See Review » - Review It Visit NewsTrust | About | Sign Up | Disclaimer

Tax Tea Party Time, Part Two

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Forbes - By Bruce Bartlett - Apr. 16 (Opinion) - many protesters implicitly assume that that the deficit has increased solely as a result of Barack Obama's policies. But in fact, the Congressional Budget Office was projecting a deficit of more than $1 trillion this year back in January, before any of Obama's policies had been enacted, and a cumulative deficit of $4.3 trillion through 2019. (CBO made no assumptions about what his policies might be in making its projection.)

NewsTrust Rating: 3.7 average - 5 Reviews » - Review It Visit NewsTrust | About | Sign Up | Disclaimer

A Chance for Consensus on Iraq

Sun, 21 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Washington Post - By John McCain, Joe Lieberman, Lindsey Graham - Dec. 21 (Opinion) - After our visit to Iraq this month, it is clear that what was once unthinkable there is now taking place: A stable, safe and free Iraq is emerging. Violence has fallen to the lowest level since the first months of the war. The Sunni Arabs who once formed the core of the insurgency are today among our most steadfast allies in the fight against al-Qaeda. A status-of-forces agreement between Iraq and America will take effect next month, providing for the withdrawal of U.S. troops and a commensurate increase in Iraqi self-defense. And Iraqi politics is increasingly taking on the messy but exhilarating quality of a functioning democracy. While uncertainty and risk remain high, and the gains made are not irreversible, the situation in Iraq has improved dramatically since the dark days before the surge.

NewsTrust Rating: 3.3 average - 3 Reviews » - Review It Visit NewsTrust | About | Sign Up | Disclaimer

Requiem for a Maverick

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Rolling Stone - By Matt Taibbi - Nov. 21 (Opinion) - They compounded a millionfold Bush's legacy of incompetence by soiling both possible Republican ideological strategies going forward: They killed off Bush-style neoconservatism as well as the more traditional fiscal conservatism McCain himself was once known for by trying to fuse both approaches into one gorgeously incoherent ticket.

NewsTrust Rating: 4.0 average - 11 Reviews » - Review It Visit NewsTrust | About | Sign Up | Disclaimer

Bill Ayers talks back

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Salon - By Walter Shapiro - Nov. 17 (Interview) - Proving yet again that there are indeed second and even third acts in American lives, Bill Ayers had transformed himself over a quarter of a century from an on-the-run-from-the-law member of the Weather Underground to a Distinguished Professor of Education at the University of Illinois at Chicago. But because of a single event -- a 1995 coffee that he and his wife gave for fledgling state Senate candidate Barack Obama -- Ayers again found himself in the cross hairs of history.

NewsTrust Rating: 3.9 average (not enough reviews) - See Review » - Review It Visit NewsTrust | About | Sign Up | Disclaimer

The Fall

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

New Yorker - By David Grann - Nov. 10 (Editorial) - In 2000, some prominent Republicans came to McCain’s defense, among them Frank Schaeffer, the son of Francis Schaeffer, an evangelist and anti-abortion crusader who is credited with helping to create the religious right. Schaeffer worked closely with his father, who died in 1984, but he felt that the movement had become extreme. In 2000, Schaeffer gave McCain his family’s imprimatur, vouching for him on Christian radio shows. Six years later, Schaeffer, who had a son in the Marines, co-wrote a book, “AWOL,” which spoke of the need for Americans to serve their country. McCain provided a blurb saying that the book illuminated “a more genuine and wiser patriotism.” But, in October, Schaeffer, a lifelong Republican, wrote an open letter to McCain that said, “If your campaign does not stop equating Sen. Barack Obama with terrorism, questioning his patriotism and portraying Mr. Obama as ‘not one of us,’ I accuse you of deliberately feeding the most unhinged elements of our society the red meat of hate, and therefore of potentially instigating violence.” He went on, “You are unleashing the monster of American hatred and prejudice, to the peril of all of us. You are doing this in wartime. You are doing this as our economy collapses. You are doing this in a country with a history of assassinations.”

NewsTrust Rating: 4.8 average - 4 Reviews » - Review It Visit NewsTrust | About | Sign Up | Disclaimer

McCain's Downfall: Republican Foreign Policy

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Washington Post - By Fareed Zakaria - Nov. 10 (Opinion) - Ideas matter, Richard Weaver once wrote, and the Republican Party has become a party bereft of ideas or trapped by the wrong ones. The Reagan-Thatcher revolution of low taxes, deregulation and tight money seems irrelevant to the problems of underregulated financial products, huge deficits and a deepening recession. The Republican Party's social program is out of tune with an increasingly young, diverse and tolerant electorate. As the conservative writer David Frum points out, "College-educated Americans have come to believe that their money is safe with the Democrats -- but that their values are under threat from Republicans."

NewsTrust Rating: 3.7 average - 3 Reviews » - Review It Visit NewsTrust | About | Sign Up | Disclaimer

Newt in 2012?

Sat, 08 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Washington Post - By Robert Novak - Nov. 08 (Opinion) - In serious conversations among Republicans since their election debacle Tuesday, what name is mentioned most often as the Moses, or Reagan, who could lead them out of the wilderness before 40 years? To the consternation of many Republicans, it is none other than Newt Gingrich, the former speaker of the House. Gingrich is far from a unanimous or even a consensus choice to run for president in 2012, but there is a strong feeling in Republican ranks that he is the only leader of their party who has shown the skill and energy to attempt a comeback quickly. Even one of his strongest supporters for president in 2012 admits it is a "very risky choice." But Republicans are in a desperate mood after the fiasco of John McCain's seemingly safe candidacy. Republicans seem chastened by the failure of seeking moderate, independent and even Democratic votes. They are ready to try going back to the "old-time religion."

NewsTrust Rating: Not rated yet - See Info » - Review It Visit NewsTrust | About | Sign Up | Disclaimer

The Perils of 'Populist Chic'

Sat, 08 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Wall Street Journal - By Mark Lilla - Nov. 08 (Opinion) - Finita la commedia. Many things ended on Tuesday evening when Barack Obama was elected the 44th president of the United States, and depending on how you voted you are either celebrating or mourning this weekend. But no matter what our political affiliations, we should all -- Republicans and Democrats alike -- be toasting the return of Governor Sarah Palin to Juneau, Alaska. The Palin farce is already the stuff of legend. For a generation at least it is sure to keep presidential historians and late-night comedians in gainful employment, which is no small thing. But it would be a pity if laughter drowned out serious reflection about this bizarre episode. As Jane Mayer reported recently in the New Yorker ("The Insiders," Oct. 27, 2008), John McCain's choice was not a fluke, or a senior moment, or an act of desperation. It was the result of a long campaign by influential conservative intellectuals to find a young, populist leader to whom they might hitch their wagons in the future.

NewsTrust Rating: 3.7 average (not enough reviews) - See Reviews » - Review It Visit NewsTrust | About | Sign Up | Disclaimer

What a Long, Strange Trip It’s Been

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

In These Times - By Bill Ayers - Nov. 07 (Opinion) - Obama has continually been asked to defend something that ought to be at democracy’s heart: the importance of talking to as many people as possible in this complicated and wildly diverse society, of listening with the possibility of learning something new, and of speaking with the possibility of persuading or influencing others. The McCain-Palin attacks not only involved guilt by association, they also assumed that one must apply a political litmus test to begin a conversation.

NewsTrust Rating: 4.3 average - 8 Reviews » - Review It Visit NewsTrust | About | Sign Up | Disclaimer

Obama's Victory Speech

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Forbes - By Barack Obama - Nov. 05 (Speech) - Remarks of President-elect Barack Obama, on Election Night, November 4th, 2008: If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer. still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time ?

NewsTrust Rating: 3.7 average (not enough reviews) - See Reviews » - Review It Visit NewsTrust | About | Sign Up | Disclaimer

No Landslide

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Power Line - By John Hinderaker - Nov. 05 (Opinion) - Barack Obama's victory last night was no doubt historic, and the Democrats, as expected, extended their leads in the House and the Senate. But their victory was no landslide, despite what appeared to be overwhelming advantages. Obama won around 52 percent of the popular vote, defeating John McCain by between five and six points. That's nothing like the true landslides of the past: Reagan by ten points in 1980 and 18 in 1984; Nixon by 23 in 1972; or even Bush by eight in 1988. And yet, with hindsight, it is remarkable how much Obama had going for him. After breaking his pledge to take public financing he raised more money, by far, than any Presidential candidate in history, outspending McCain nearly two to one.

NewsTrust Rating: 1.7 average (not enough reviews) - See Review » - Review It Visit NewsTrust | About | Sign Up | Disclaimer

A Way Out of the Wilderness

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Washington Post - By Jeff Flake - Nov. 05 (Opinion) - Well, we Republicans have just made history. Not the type of history we wanted to make, mind you, but history nonetheless. Not only did we lose the White House but, after losing our House and Senate majorities in 2006, we followed it up last night with even steeper losses in Congress. The temptation for Republican members of Congress today will be to assume the role of the post-Watergate Republicans of 1974 and accept minority status as a permanent condition. Indeed, the terrain is more difficult for us now than it was in 1992. Then, Republicanism was still largely defined by the Reagan years. Today the party is defined in the public mind by the Bush presidency. We've got a steep hill to climb. Much of the backroom maneuvering and media speculation in the coming weeks will focus on identifying new standard-bearers for the party. This is important, and after a second straight drubbing, the House Republican leadership should be replaced. But the far more critical task is determining what standard these new leaders will bear.

NewsTrust Rating: 2.9 average (not enough reviews) - See Reviews » - Review It Visit NewsTrust | About | Sign Up | Disclaimer

Notes from the collapse

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Hot Air - By Ed Morrissey - Nov. 05 (Opinion) - This morning, after having absorbed the substantial victory of Barack Obama, I noticed a couple of interesting items in the data. Barack Obama certainly won this race, but he won it with just a little more votes than George Bush won in his re-election bid, and the turnout models came up short. In 2004, Bush beat John Kerry by winning 62.04 million votes. In 2008, Obama won 62.443 million, a gain of only 400,000. In 2004, Kerry garnered 59.028 million votes; John McCain only got 55.386 million. That means this election saw 3.24 million fewer votes than four years ago. Far from being more energized, the nation appeared to be more apathetic. Using these numbers, we can see that Barack Obama succeeded in turning out his base much more effectively than McCain did his. How do we know that it’s a base turnout rather than a tsunami of opinion to Democrats? For one thing, Dems didn’t pick up a boatload of new seats in the House, and they may underperform expectations yet in the Senate. They did gain some strength with independents, but only gaining between 11-20 seats in the House tells us that they found votes in districts they already control, more than finding converts.

NewsTrust Rating: 3.3 average (not enough reviews) - See Review » - Review It Visit NewsTrust | About | Sign Up | Disclaimer

The Next President

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

New York Times - Nov. 05 (Editorial) - This is one of those moments in history when it is worth pausing to reflect on the basic facts: An American with the name Barack Hussein Obama, the son of a white woman and a black man he barely knew, raised by his grandparents far outside the stream of American power and wealth, has been elected the 44th president of the United States. Showing extraordinary focus and quiet certainty, Mr. Obama swept away one political presumption after another to defeat first Hillary Clinton, who wanted to be president so badly that she lost her bearings, and then John McCain, who forsook his principles for a campaign built on anger and fear. His triumph was decisive and sweeping, because he saw what is wrong with this country: the utter failure of government to protect its citizens. He offered a government that does not try to solve every problem but will do those things beyond the power of individual citizens: to regulate the economy fairly, keep the air clean and the food safe, ensure that the sick have access to health care, and educate children to compete in a globalized world.

NewsTrust Rating: 3.6 average (not enough reviews) - See Review » - Review It Visit NewsTrust | About | Sign Up | Disclaimer

McCain is on the verge of a defeat that marks the end of the Republican era

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

The Guardian - By Sidney Blumenthal - Nov. 04 (Opinion) - Today's election is poised to end the Republican era in American politics - an era that began in reaction to Lyndon Johnson's Great Society, the Vietnam war and the civil rights revolution, was pioneered by Richard Nixon, consolidated by Ronald Reagan, and wrecked by George W Bush.

NewsTrust Rating: 3.5 average - 4 Reviews » - Review It Visit NewsTrust | About | Sign Up | Disclaimer

We Could Be In for a Lurch to the Left

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Opinion Journal (WSJ) - By Fred Barnes - Nov. 04 (Opinion) - A sharp lurch to the left and enactment of a liberal agenda, or major parts of it, are all but inevitable. The centrist limits in earlier eras of Democratic control are gone.

NewsTrust Rating: 3.0 average - 3 Reviews » - Review It Visit NewsTrust | About | Sign Up | Disclaimer

Obama and the Better Angels of Our Nature

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

The Nation - By John Nichols - Nov. 04 (Opinion) - As Election Day finally arrives, it is right to speak of hope – a hope that America's Democrats, independents and Republicans will again embrace the better angels of our nature and support the candidacy of another young Illinoisan so overwhelmingly that he can secure his claim on the presidency of a nation that is so ready to begin anew.

NewsTrust Rating: 3.4 average (not enough reviews) - See Reviews » - Review It Visit NewsTrust | About | Sign Up | Disclaimer

Note to John McCain: Read this before conceding

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Slate - By Ted Scheinman - Nov. 04 (Opinion) - The concession formula is pretty simple: Accept tearful, painfully drawn-out applause; crack self-deprecating joke; congratulate opponent (and stanch booing that accompanies every mention of said opponent); pledge yourself to the cause of unity; and thank your family, your supporters, God, and the American people (though not necessarily in that order).

NewsTrust Rating: 3.8 average (not enough reviews) - See Reviews » - Review It Visit NewsTrust | About | Sign Up | Disclaimer