Comments on: Health Care: Dividing and Conquering The Barbarians At The Gates http://christyhardinsmith.firedoglake.com/2009/09/18/health-care-dividing-and-conquering-the-barbarians-at-the-gates/ Dip your toe in the legal waters and change politics as you know it. http://christyhardinsmith.firedoglake.com Sun, 25 Oct 2009 22:06:02 -0500 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: MrWhy http://christyhardinsmith.firedoglake.com/2009/09/18/health-care-dividing-and-conquering-the-barbarians-at-the-gates/#comment-19782 MrWhy Fri, 18 Sep 2009 18:30:26 +0000 http://christyhardinsmith.firedoglake.com/2009/09/18/health-care-dividing-and-conquering-the-barbarians-at-the-gates/#comment-19782 <p>I keep thinking we need to remind the pols of people close to them who could have benefited from a good public health care system. For Barack Obama, I think in particular of his mother and his father-in-law. But it could be someone from his community organizing years. You mention Jay Rockefeller’s VISTA experience. That’s the sort of connection I mean.</p> <p>So identify people in the lives of the Congressmen/women & Senators whose arms need twisting, and then ask the pols, would this proposed legislation be a burden or a benefit to your brother/sister/friend/neighbor/husband/wife/mother/father/etc?</p> <p>If we’re using examples they can easily dissociate themselves from, they can maintain their blindness. If we use examples they have a visceral connection with, they can walk away, but they won’t likely forget. Their conscience can work on them. </p> <p>I know it’s a lot of work, likely an impossible task, but there are millions of examples out there. Cancer, cleft lip, amputations, MS, CF, Parkinson’s, ad infinitum. What is Michael J. Fox up to these days?</p> I keep thinking we need to remind the pols of people close to them who could have benefited from a good public health care system. For Barack Obama, I think in particular of his mother and his father-in-law. But it could be someone from his community organizing years. You mention Jay Rockefeller’s VISTA experience. That’s the sort of connection I mean.

So identify people in the lives of the Congressmen/women & Senators whose arms need twisting, and then ask the pols, would this proposed legislation be a burden or a benefit to your brother/sister/friend/neighbor/husband/wife/mother/father/etc?

If we’re using examples they can easily dissociate themselves from, they can maintain their blindness. If we use examples they have a visceral connection with, they can walk away, but they won’t likely forget. Their conscience can work on them.

I know it’s a lot of work, likely an impossible task, but there are millions of examples out there. Cancer, cleft lip, amputations, MS, CF, Parkinson’s, ad infinitum. What is Michael J. Fox up to these days?

]]> By: tejanarusa http://christyhardinsmith.firedoglake.com/2009/09/18/health-care-dividing-and-conquering-the-barbarians-at-the-gates/#comment-19781 tejanarusa Fri, 18 Sep 2009 18:25:20 +0000 http://christyhardinsmith.firedoglake.com/2009/09/18/health-care-dividing-and-conquering-the-barbarians-at-the-gates/#comment-19781 <p>Will have to watch the video at home - is this different from what will be on Moyers’ Journal tonight?<br /> He is really the only consistent truthful voice on this issue on tv, even above Rachel and Keith, who are stuck with “Let’s Play Oddball” and creeps for guests like Pat Buchanan. Moyers brings on Wendell Potter for full shows - though, absolutely, props to Keith for having him on last night (? Wed?).</p> <p>Hope your health issues aren’t making you feel less optimistic about politics, and that they will be brief.</p> Will have to watch the video at home – is this different from what will be on Moyers’ Journal tonight?
He is really the only consistent truthful voice on this issue on tv, even above Rachel and Keith, who are stuck with “Let’s Play Oddball” and creeps for guests like Pat Buchanan. Moyers brings on Wendell Potter for full shows – though, absolutely, props to Keith for having him on last night (? Wed?).

Hope your health issues aren’t making you feel less optimistic about politics, and that they will be brief.

]]> By: oldgold http://christyhardinsmith.firedoglake.com/2009/09/18/health-care-dividing-and-conquering-the-barbarians-at-the-gates/#comment-19778 oldgold Fri, 18 Sep 2009 14:39:26 +0000 http://christyhardinsmith.firedoglake.com/2009/09/18/health-care-dividing-and-conquering-the-barbarians-at-the-gates/#comment-19778 <blockquote><p>What has struck me forcefully about the so-called “health care debate” is how little actual issues debate there has been. And how much orchestrated noise from paid operatives has been ginned up to distract the public from the real prize: real reforms. </p> </blockquote> <p>Yes! Lots of noise, sloganeering and fear mongering, but not much civil, thoughtful and pushing the envelope discussion. </p> <p>At times like this, when Congress is in the throws of yet another episode of sordid craziness, I am always reminded of the lyrics of <strong>Send in the Clowns.</strong></p> <blockquote> <p>Don’t you love farce?<br /> Our fault, I fear.<br /> I thought that you’d want what I want…<br /> Sorry, my dear!<br /> But where are the clowns<br /> Send in the clowns<br /> Don’t bother, they’re here. </p> <p>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnwJ5KIcKX4</p></blockquote>

What has struck me forcefully about the so-called “health care debate” is how little actual issues debate there has been. And how much orchestrated noise from paid operatives has been ginned up to distract the public from the real prize: real reforms.

Yes! Lots of noise, sloganeering and fear mongering, but not much civil, thoughtful and pushing the envelope discussion.

At times like this, when Congress is in the throws of yet another episode of sordid craziness, I am always reminded of the lyrics of Send in the Clowns.

Don’t you love farce?
Our fault, I fear.
I thought that you’d want what I want…
Sorry, my dear!
But where are the clowns
Send in the clowns
Don’t bother, they’re here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnwJ5KIcKX4

]]> By: demi http://christyhardinsmith.firedoglake.com/2009/09/18/health-care-dividing-and-conquering-the-barbarians-at-the-gates/#comment-19777 demi Fri, 18 Sep 2009 14:24:36 +0000 http://christyhardinsmith.firedoglake.com/2009/09/18/health-care-dividing-and-conquering-the-barbarians-at-the-gates/#comment-19777 <p>Ha ha. There’s prolly no FDLer who didn’t think of him when looking at the pic.</p> Ha ha. There’s prolly no FDLer who didn’t think of him when looking at the pic.

]]> By: Christy Hardin Smith http://christyhardinsmith.firedoglake.com/2009/09/18/health-care-dividing-and-conquering-the-barbarians-at-the-gates/#comment-19776 Christy Hardin Smith Fri, 18 Sep 2009 14:19:35 +0000 http://christyhardinsmith.firedoglake.com/2009/09/18/health-care-dividing-and-conquering-the-barbarians-at-the-gates/#comment-19776 <p>I love that picture. Cracks me up every time I see it. LOL</p> I love that picture. Cracks me up every time I see it. LOL

]]> By: oldgold http://christyhardinsmith.firedoglake.com/2009/09/18/health-care-dividing-and-conquering-the-barbarians-at-the-gates/#comment-19775 oldgold Fri, 18 Sep 2009 14:13:23 +0000 http://christyhardinsmith.firedoglake.com/2009/09/18/health-care-dividing-and-conquering-the-barbarians-at-the-gates/#comment-19775 <p>At first I thought it was a photo of NorskeFlamethrower as a child.</p> At first I thought it was a photo of NorskeFlamethrower as a child.

]]> By: demi http://christyhardinsmith.firedoglake.com/2009/09/18/health-care-dividing-and-conquering-the-barbarians-at-the-gates/#comment-19774 demi Fri, 18 Sep 2009 14:05:17 +0000 http://christyhardinsmith.firedoglake.com/2009/09/18/health-care-dividing-and-conquering-the-barbarians-at-the-gates/#comment-19774 <p>PS, I forgot to mention how adorable that shot of your Peanut is. Kind of reminds me of that neighbor on Home Improvement.</p> PS, I forgot to mention how adorable that shot of your Peanut is. Kind of reminds me of that neighbor on Home Improvement.

]]> By: cbl2 http://christyhardinsmith.firedoglake.com/2009/09/18/health-care-dividing-and-conquering-the-barbarians-at-the-gates/#comment-19773 cbl2 Fri, 18 Sep 2009 13:59:30 +0000 http://christyhardinsmith.firedoglake.com/2009/09/18/health-care-dividing-and-conquering-the-barbarians-at-the-gates/#comment-19773 <p>Good Morning Christy and Firedogs, </p> <blockquote><p>But it was more meticulously organized and lavishly staged beyond even what my cynical self expected</p></blockquote> <p>y’all’s reporting was so good. going in, like you, I thought I understood the depth and scope - your dispatches from Denver proved me wrong</p> <p>love that lil barbarian pic - warrior in training :D</p> Good Morning Christy and Firedogs,

But it was more meticulously organized and lavishly staged beyond even what my cynical self expected

y’all’s reporting was so good. going in, like you, I thought I understood the depth and scope – your dispatches from Denver proved me wrong

love that lil barbarian pic – warrior in training :D

]]> By: Pade http://christyhardinsmith.firedoglake.com/2009/09/18/health-care-dividing-and-conquering-the-barbarians-at-the-gates/#comment-19772 Pade Fri, 18 Sep 2009 13:51:53 +0000 http://christyhardinsmith.firedoglake.com/2009/09/18/health-care-dividing-and-conquering-the-barbarians-at-the-gates/#comment-19772 <p>You are welcome. She says the body needs something in the protein, fat, non starchy veg, and carbohydrates at each meal. Also lots of water is a good thing. Two snacks per day also. Good things like nuts. Real fat is very important to rebuild the body. It is a very logical and sensible program. I got into it by accident - having to go to my homeopathic dentist and have a tooth pulled and needing something to read till Blanche let me drive home. Started reading - borrowed the book - and then bought everything she wrote. I have also gotten books for friends. I think you will learn a lot and enjoy the info. I know you are getting the Peanut into eating the good things and how neat to be able to raise a child on this sensible program. </p> <p>Got to go to rehab - the hip is improving after being set back by the local PT place. I now go down to the PT associated with my surgeon. Big improvement - today to the pool.</p> You are welcome. She says the body needs something in the protein, fat, non starchy veg, and carbohydrates at each meal. Also lots of water is a good thing. Two snacks per day also. Good things like nuts. Real fat is very important to rebuild the body. It is a very logical and sensible program. I got into it by accident – having to go to my homeopathic dentist and have a tooth pulled and needing something to read till Blanche let me drive home. Started reading – borrowed the book – and then bought everything she wrote. I have also gotten books for friends. I think you will learn a lot and enjoy the info. I know you are getting the Peanut into eating the good things and how neat to be able to raise a child on this sensible program.

Got to go to rehab – the hip is improving after being set back by the local PT place. I now go down to the PT associated with my surgeon. Big improvement – today to the pool.

]]> By: Christy Hardin Smith http://christyhardinsmith.firedoglake.com/2009/09/18/health-care-dividing-and-conquering-the-barbarians-at-the-gates/#comment-19771 Christy Hardin Smith Fri, 18 Sep 2009 13:23:42 +0000 http://christyhardinsmith.firedoglake.com/2009/09/18/health-care-dividing-and-conquering-the-barbarians-at-the-gates/#comment-19771 <p>I will check that out, thanks. Am trying to do lots of antioxidants — fruits, veggies, especially green leafies — and whole foods as much as possible at the moment. And lots and lots of water.</p> I will check that out, thanks. Am trying to do lots of antioxidants — fruits, veggies, especially green leafies — and whole foods as much as possible at the moment. And lots and lots of water.

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