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Progressives Should be Shutting Down These So-Called 'Town Meetings' Too!

Submitted by Dave Lindorff on Tue, 08/11/2009 - 7:35am.

BUZZFLASH GUEST COMMENTARY


By Dave Lindorff

Many progressives are getting all bent out of shape over the "brown shirt" rabble organized by health industry PR firms to disrupt the so-called "town meetings" being organized all over the country by Democratic members of Congress.

What they are conveniently forgetting is that these are not really "town meetings" at all, at least in the sense of the town meetings I grew up with, and started out covering as a young journalist in Connecticut--that is, meetings called and run democratically, with leaders elected from the floor, open to all residents of a community.

These "town meetings" are really nothing but propaganda sessions run by members of Congress who are trying to burnish their fraudulent credentials as public servants, and trying to perpetrate a huge fraud of a health care bill that purports to be a progressive "reform" of the US health care system, but that actually further entrenches the control of that system by the insurance industry, and to a lesser extent, the hospital and drug industry.

ObamaCare is to health reform what bank bailouts are to financial system reform, which is to say it is the opposite of what its name implies.

The right-wing nuts who cry that ObamaCare is introducing euthanasia for the elderly and infirm, or that it is socialism, are ignorant wackos, to be sure, but they are right about one thing: Americans are about to be royally screwed on health care reform by the president and the Democratic Congress, just as they've been screwed by them on financial system "reform."

The appropriate response to this screw-job is the one the right has adopted: shut these sham "town meetings" down, and run the sell-out politicians out of town on a rail, preferably coated in tar and feathers they way the snake-oil salesmen of old used to be handled!

This is not about civil discourse. This is about propaganda. The Obama administration and the Democratic Congressional leadership have sold out health care reform for the tainted coin of the medical-industrial industry, and are holding, or trying to hold, these meetings around the country to promote legislation that has essentially been written for them by that industry--legislation that will force everyone to pay for insurance as offered, and priced, by the private insurance industry. What a deal for those companies--a captive market of 300 million people! There will be little or no effort to control prices, and the higher costs will be financed through higher taxes, and through cuts in Medicare benefits.

This isn't "reform." It's corruption, pure and simple.

Any mention of a system that works--single payer--the system we already have in the form of Medicare for the elderly and disabled, and the system that has proved successful for almost four decades in Canada-- has been systematically blocked and censored out of the discussion. Every effort has been made to bury an excellent bill, HR 676, offered up by Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), which would cover every American by simply expanding Medicare to cover everyone.

The only proper response at this point is obstruction, and the more militant and boisterous that obstruction, the better.

Instead of opposing the right-wing hecklers at these events, progressives should be making common cause with them. Instead of calling them fascists, we should be working to turn them, by showing them that the enemy is not the left; it is the corporations that own both Democrats and Republicans alike.

The only proper approach to the wretched health care legislation currently working its way through Congress at this point is to kill it and start over. At these "town meeting" staged events, Obama and the Democrats need to hear, in no uncertain terms, that we don't want no stinkin' ObamaCare. We want Medicare for all.

BUZZFLASH GUEST COMMENTARY


DAVE LINDORFF is a Philadelphia-based journalist. He is author of “Marketplace Medicine: The Rise of the For-Profit Hospital Chains” (Bantam Books, 1992), and more recently of “The Case for Impeachment” (St. Martin’s Press, 2006). His work is available at www.thiscantbehappening.net




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Dave, take your rubbish elsewhere

Submitted by Start Loving on Tue, 08/11/2009 - 9:04pm.
Given the choice between trusting you, or Pres. Obama? Hmmmmm. Bye, bye Dave. Crawl back into your cave of cynicism and defeatism.
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"The only proper response at

Submitted by Atmost11 on Tue, 08/11/2009 - 4:55pm.
"The only proper response at this point is obstruction, and the more militant and boisterous that obstruction, the better." "The only proper response at this point is obstruction, and the more militant and boisterous that obstruction, the better." "The only proper response at this point is obstruction, and the more militant and boisterous that obstruction, the better." "The only proper response at this point is obstruction, and the more militant and boisterous that obstruction, the better." "The only proper response at this point is obstruction, and the more militant and boisterous that obstruction, the better." "The only proper response at this point is obstruction, and the more militant and boisterous that obstruction, the better." "The only proper response at this point is obstruction, and the more militant and boisterous that obstruction, the better." "The only proper response at this point is obstruction, and the more militant and boisterous that obstruction, the better." USA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't believe there are people as incorrect as David Lindorff. David Lindorff you piss me off more than the maximum amount possible to every angy individual in the world. David Lindorff, IN MY OPIION, you are a disgrace. David Lindorff, in my opinion, everyone ought to shout you down. USA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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USA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Submitted by Atmost11 on Tue, 08/11/2009 - 4:18pm.
USA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Let's get it right!

Submitted by Joe Citizen on Tue, 08/11/2009 - 3:50pm.

"The Obama administration and the Democratic Congressional leadership have sold out health care reform for the tainted coin of the medical-industrial industry..."

I agree.

I think President Obama was quite sincere when he said he would fight the lobbyists and deliver real health care reform, on the campaign trail.

However, once elected, for reasons best known to himself and his inner circle the job of writing the law was delegated to Congress and in particular some of the most corrupt hacks from both sides of the isle. Think Baucus, for example.

Mandatory private insurance is not the way to go without MASSIVE oversight and regulation. Why wouldn't executive salaries go through the roof if premiums were guaranteed boy the government? Why wouldn't big pharma jack up medication costs?

I have read HR 676. It is a short bill essentially extending Medicare to all Americans with a sliding scale of premiums. That sounds like the right direction to me. I notice it applies to "residents". However, I would like it to apply to citizens and legal aliens.

There is still room for private insurance with a system like HR676. Those who wanted extended or specialty insurance would certainly be free to purchase policies, as is done in Europe.

At the very least we should have a group of legitimate experts study all the health care systems all over the world and take the best parts from each, then present it to America.

This business of letting the health care business write the law is not only wrong, it is pure corruption of the legislative process.

I say let's get this right the first time.

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USA! USA! USA!

Submitted by Atmost11 on Tue, 08/11/2009 - 7:10pm.
USA! USA! USA!
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C'mon, Dave, be honest with us

Submitted by ETS on Tue, 08/11/2009 - 2:59pm.

You got your's. You're old enough to be on Medicare.

You can boohoohoo all you want how "Obamacare" leaves out 15 million citizens, mostly the poor. Well, Dave, both you and I know that they will be taken care of the very same way they are now, through Medicaid and property tax supported county hospitals.

Health care reform was never about the "poor." It has always been about getting a better deal, a fairer deal for the poor schmoes punching a time clock. It is about making sure Betty Lou Bialystok doesn't have her employer provided health insurance coverage yanked away just before she goes under the knife. It's about Joe the Plumber not getting his employer provided health insurance canceled because he had a pimple on his butt when he was 15-years-old.

I think most working Americans would settle for some federal control on the excesses of insurance company practices and excessive profits. Though to be quite frank, I'd rather see all the insurance company CEOs and executives marched off the re-education camps, but realistically we both know that ain't gonna happen.

ET Spoon
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Nah

Submitted by dlindorff on Tue, 08/11/2009 - 4:26pm.
I'm just 60 and I'm sure not in this for myself. Medicaid sucks. It's not really care. It's patch-up work, and hugely expensive at that. And the 49 million uninsured are mostly people who earn just too much to qualify for that. Basically you represent what's worst about this f***ed up country--people who only care about their own well-being and not about those around them--and who cannot imagine that there are people who actually do care about others, and who would be willing to pay more so others could have a decent life.
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I NOMINATE DAVID LINDORFF

Submitted by Atmost11 on Tue, 08/11/2009 - 2:42pm.
I NOMINATE DAVID LINDORFF FOR MOST IGNORANT FOOL OF ALL TIME.
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The irony escapes you

Submitted by Kevin Schmidt S... on Tue, 08/11/2009 - 3:07pm.

Illogical ad hominem slurs only points the "ignorant fool" finger at you!

Address the message, don't smear the messenger.

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USA

Submitted by Atmost11 on Tue, 08/11/2009 - 4:17pm.
USA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Almost 11, is that your IQ?

Submitted by Kevin Schmidt S... on Wed, 08/12/2009 - 2:31am.
It can't be your age, you are much too childish to be almost 11.
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DAVE LINDORFF IS A

Submitted by Atmost11 on Tue, 08/11/2009 - 2:40pm.

DAVE LINDORFF IS A COMMUNIST!!!!!! DAVE LINDORFF IS A COMMUNIST!!!!!! DAVE LINDORFF IS A COMMUNIST!!!!!! DAVE LINDORFF IS A COMMUNIST!!!!!! DAVE LINDORFF IS A COMMUNIST!!!!!! DAVE LINDORFF IS A COMMUNIST!!!!!! DAVE LINDORFF IS A COMMUNIST!!!!!! DAVE LINDORFF IS A COMMUNIST!!!!!! DAVE LINDORFF IS A COMMUNIST!!!!!! DAVE LINDORFF IS A COMMUNIST!!!!!! DAVE LINDORFF IS A COMMUNIST!!!!!! DAVE LINDORFF IS A COMMUNIST!!!!!! DAVE LINDORFF IS A COMMUNIST!!!!!! DAVE LINDORFF IS A COMMUNIST!!!!!! DAVE LINDORFF IS A COMMUNIST!!!!!! DAVE LINDORFF IS A COMMUNIST!!!!!! DAVE LINDORFF IS A COMMUNIST!!!!!! DAVE LINDORFF IS A COMMUNIST!!!!!! DAVE LINDORFF IS A COMMUNIST!!!!!! (REPEAT 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 TIMES AT MAXIMUM VOLUME) (REPEAT 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 TIMES AT MAXIMUM VOLUME) (REPEAT 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 TIMES AT MAXIMUM VOLUME) (REPEAT 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 TIMES AT MAXIMUM VOLUME) (REPEAT 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 TIMES AT MAXIMUM VOLUME) Seriously dude you are insane.

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duh

Submitted by CyberChas on Tue, 08/11/2009 - 11:35pm.
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More irony

Submitted by Kevin Schmidt S... on Tue, 08/11/2009 - 3:08pm.
Atmost11, why do you hate the Constitution and civil discourse?
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USA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Submitted by Atmost11 on Tue, 08/11/2009 - 4:15pm.
USA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
USA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
USA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
USA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
USA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
USA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
USA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
USA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
USA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
USA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
USA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
USA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
USA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
USA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
USA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Now that's just plane stupid.

Submitted by ETS on Tue, 08/11/2009 - 3:01pm.

And, no, he is not a communist.

He's just a coordinator class, bleeding-heart on Medicare.

ET Spoon
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As opposed to you being ironically stupid?

Submitted by Kevin Schmidt S... on Tue, 08/11/2009 - 3:12pm.
I take it you support corporate welfare for the insurance companies as opposed to saving billions with single payer.
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Progressives to the Rescue of Obama

Submitted by CyberChas on Tue, 08/11/2009 - 2:34pm.
Oh, yes, of course, progressives all over America owe it to President Obama to come to his rescue and stand up loud and proud for his health plan.

After all, Obama did close Gitmo within weeks of taking office.

Obama did de-escalate the Iraq war and begin taking our troops home within minutes of taking office.

Obama did this without any increase in troop deployment to any other wars, like Afghanastan.

Obama did begin the prosecutions of the criminals in the Bush/Cheney administration, and restoring of our civil liberties within seconds of his Attorney General being confirmed.

Why, goodness, Obama stopped using Signing Statements and began undoing the damage that had been done by the right wing in the last eight years.

So, of course, Progressives have an obligation to stand up and defend his Health Care plan, even if it's not particularly progressive or anti-corporate. After all, after all the things Obama has done for us progressives (see above) we owe him one.

Yeah, Righhhhhhht.

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Sinking To Their Level, Dave?

Submitted by neoconned on Tue, 08/11/2009 - 2:16pm.
I agree that a bad health care bill deserves to be opposed to its death, but I fail to see where doing as you propose would do anything but give Rush and slimy ilk more to attack us with. Use your head and not your feelings! Using feelings will only pull us down to their level! If we truly are smarter (like we want to think we are) when compared to the GOP morons who are attempting a putsch, we had best come up with a different and more effective strategy to counter the bully-boy tactics of the GOP. Only then do we have an opportunity to triumph against the corporatists.
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You saw through their strategy of polarization

Submitted by Kevin Schmidt S... on Tue, 08/11/2009 - 12:03pm.

The goal of the upper 1% plutocracy is to polarize WE THE PEOPLE so we fight amongst ourselves. Meanwhile, the lobbyists bribe the politicians into voting their way.

Also, when the right demonizes Obama, there is a greater chance more on the left will come to his defense, even though Obama is just a kinder, gentler version of Dubya/dick.

So the polarization strategy actually helps to prop up bad government unresponsive to doing what is right by WE THE PEOPLE.

The greatest threat to the U.S. is not any international terrorist organization, or Russia or even China. The greatest threat to the U.S. is the K Street lobbyist pimps, working for the upper 1% plutocracy and multinational corporations, who give billions of dollars in campaign contributions (legalized bribes) to our Congressional representative whores.

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Good article (mostly)

Submitted by Alan8 on Tue, 08/11/2009 - 11:57am.
...except "...run the sell-out politicians out of town on a rail, preferably coated in tar and feathers..."

Do that and you'll be breaking the law, will probably be shot by secret-service agents, and will have zero impact.

Support and vote for the Green Party, which has been backing single-payer health care (and many other good issues) forever. Supporting the corrupt Democrats is an exercise in futility, since they're mostly financed by corporate interests.
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I thought "Greens" was a food group

Submitted by Kevin Schmidt S... on Tue, 08/11/2009 - 12:09pm.

The corruption problem will not be solved by electing new faces into Congress because they too can easily be corrupted by the deep green pockets of the K Street lobbyist pimps.

End private campaign contributions and you end the unconstitutional practice of buying votes.

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Green Party is resistant to corruption

Submitted by Alan8 on Tue, 08/11/2009 - 9:57pm.

The Green Party (unlike the republicrats) doesn't accept ANY corporate money, so is more resistant to corporate corruption.

In addition (also unlike the republicrats) the Green Party actually stands for something. Here are their 10 Key Values: http://www.gp.org/tenkey.shtml

These 10 Key Values are shared by all Green politicians and voters, so a corrupt Green would stand out like a sore thumb.

Voting for a politician from one of the two corporate-funded parties is voting against your best interests.

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Where have I heard that before?

Submitted by Kevin Schmidt S... on Wed, 08/12/2009 - 2:35am.

Oh ya, from politicians in ALL parties. The salad guys are no different. They are just as easily corruptible as anyone else.

The corruption will end when private campaign funding will end.

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good article

Submitted by godblessfdr on Tue, 08/11/2009 - 8:30am.
I as a liberal agree with David lindorff that we should be trying to kill this health bill because it will only make things worse not better.For those with health insurance the rates will only continue to rise as the health insurance industry has a captive audience with no real controls set on it.This will result in more companies then ever dropping insurance which they plan on doing anyway.They will just do it sooner.As far as expanding medicare instead of a real Canadian or Italian health care system where everything is paid for.remember people on medicare have to carry supplemental health insurance through private companies and people on medicare still get bills for thousands of dollars after medicare pays their 80% of hospital cost.I know,my mother was on medicare before she passed away and without supplemental insurance she would have been screwed.Also Mr. Lindorff is extremely naive when he says try to convince the conservatives that our enemy is big business.These people are brainwashed morons and will fight for capitalism to the death as they are doing in townhall meetings because their Fundamentalist churches are incorporating God and profit together.everyone knows God was a big business man.
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