PORTSMOUTH, N.H. (AP) — Hoping to blunt the momentum of critics, President Barack Obama went on the offensive in support of his health care plan, urging the country not to listen to those who seek to "scare and mislead the American people."
"For all the scare tactics out there, what is truly scary is if we do nothing," Obama told a friendly town hall audience.
Retooling his message amid sliding support, Obama poked at critics who he said were trying to "scare the heck out of folks." He said there should be a vigorous debate over health care, but "with each other, not over each other."
"Where we disagree, let's disagree over things that are real, not these wild misrepresentations that don't bear any resemblance to anything that's actually being proposed," Obama said, trying to wrest back control over a debate at the core of his political agenda.
Addressing a town hall in New Hampshire, Obama also flayed the insurance industry in an attempt to attract a vital - and skeptical - audience: the tens of millions of people who already have health insurance and are just fine with the care they get.
He said the overhaul is essential to them, too, contending it is the way to keep control in their hands.
"Your health insurance will be there for you when it counts, not just when you're paying premiums," Obama said to applause at a local high school.
Obama said "after all the chatter and shouting and the noise," Americans will soon have more and cheaper options for health care.
"I don't think government bureaucrats should be meddling. But I also don't think insurance company bureaucrats should be meddling," he said.
Comments
I know how to solve the problem of the health care and welfare problems...Weekly drug testing...That way those who are low-lifes and drains on the system wont get anything they dont deserve because I would bet 90% of them who dont have it or on welfare would fail...Taking from the working and the rich who provide the jobs.... just isn't the way to go to pick up the slack for those who choose to do nothing with their lives.
Hey your comment didnt sound as if it was in support of government healthcare. You know we are just supposed to blindly support it and not ask any questions. YOU are being very un-american
Yes you're not being american, I should report you to the white house...LOL...You know I feel like I am living in an orwellian nightmare.
I reported myself to the whitehouse for thought crime, I encourage all of you to do it.
Obama actually says, "I don't think government bureaucrats should be meddling."
He is supporting a government takeover of 1/6 of the US economy. He is proposing a public option that will surely develop into a single payer system. He is proposing a Federal Health Board that will determine what and who gets rationed (in effect, who is aided and who suffers, who lives and who dies).
Let's also remember these gems from the campaign trail:
No jobs for lobbyists, earmark reform, no tax increases on the bottom 95%,"sunlight before signing", transparancy, Out of Iraq in 16 mos...
Is it possible for Obama to be more dishonest?
Why doesn't the government allow those that have no insurance coverage to join/be covered under, the same plan that congress uses and let everyone else alone? In essence, that will place all of the people living off of the public "tit" the same coverage and those of us that EARN a good private health policy will be allowed to benefit from it.
It's all a load of it... at this point the politicians have lied so much they are starting to believe their own lies.
I don't want to run an auto company, well alright. I don't want to control your life but we are going to have to start charging you higher rates for electricity and bankrupting those dreaded energy companies. I don't want to run your healthcare but your going to have to accept our government healthcare once you are of medicare age.
The man has said that the stimulus is a spending bill but he tells the congress to watch what they spend and that he believes in fiscal discipline. This is orwellian. War is peace, spending is saving, we have to kill the free market to save it, none of what they say makes sense.
"I don't think government bureaucrats should be meddling. But I also don't think insurance company bureaucrats should be meddling," he said.
You beat me to it nonsocialist. This is easily one of the dumbest quotes to come out of his mouth during his short term in office. What is really funny is that you have to have above average intelligence to understand why, so the majority are left out. At least dubya would say something so outlandish and stupid that everyone would realize his folly.
Watch it, watch it ! Obama desires blind obedience .
I believe he feels that he has taken on more than what he is capable of and that the presidential election of 2012 may not go in his favor .
Stan,
Here's how 2012 is gonna go. The DSPs are going to have more campaign cash, have the government-dependent/union/youth voting block, and they're going to Sarah Palinize whomever the opposition is.
I think the only scenario where he loses is a viable liberal third party candidate.
Obamaliar. I read the healthcare ripoff. It's right out of Karl Marx's head. Scariest thing I've ever seen. Hussein can't move his lips without lieing.
Gonzo....I believe when Obama said he didn't think the government or insurance companies should be meddling he is referring to anyone coming between you and your doctor. I could be wrong but that's how I'm hearing it. If that is what he meant wouldn't you agree with that statement?
I have 2 words for government health care---Veterans Administration. Is this what we want? They can't even take care of our soldiers who've been injured in combat!!! What makes you think our government can run health care????
I believe our soldiers are happy with their health care. I can't speak for them so maybe our veterans that use that health care can comment.
I work in the health care field and not one...not even one...want this. Facts are, we are all concerned and afraid of the outcome if he gets his agenda through. MDs,RNS, aids, consultants, ect...not one.
I use both the VA and a private doctor I went for a test in brecksville in May and they did some routine bloodwork My next appointment was in July I was told by the doctor there was alot of blood in my urine and I needed to have that checked out immediatly and he would put in the referral to cleveland to have me seen there. This would of probably taken another 6-8 weeks. I called my private doctor who told me to come over right now and was retested on the spot. It was negative the second time but it could of been something very serious. Of course I was under the impression if something was wrong they would notify me. The 8 weeks it took for me to find out could have been critical if there was something seriously wrong. Also appointments are about 2 months out There is your government health care.
I think Obama stating that politicans should not be meddling, in any context, is a hypocritical statement.
The US government is the fastest growing sector of the country. They are meddling in auto production. They are meddling in banking. They are meddling in healthcare.
This has all taken place or continued under his administration.
The bottom line is that there are almost no government (local, state, federal) programs that are efficient or employ the top minds in the country. This is because government programs are not profit driven like the private sector, so there is no competition and no real drive. The governments create their own revenue through the private sector.
It is hard for me to believe that the government can implement an efficient, effective healthcare system to cover everybody. What will inevitably occur is a decrease in service and higher healthcare costs as the private sector sees a higher demand for quality care.
I cetainly believe that everybody should have access to health insurance, but this proposition is not insurance. If preeexisting conditions are overlooked that defeats the inherent fundamental principles of insurance.
I do not see the current bill being passed because the dems in congress are scared as hell of the consequences of passing this and it blowing up in the long run. If it were a good plan they would have passed it already. They control all the legislative processes in D.C. They can pass whatever they like.
Very Very Very Un-American posts here. All you posters should immediately place a value on all your possessions, property, cars, savings, etc... and write a check for 50% of your total worth and send it to the white house so you can help pay for those less fortunate then you