Welcome to Obamacare Theater
Kodak moment: Photo source
Welcome to Obamacare Theater
by Michelle Malkin
Creators Syndicate
Copyright 2009
The White House sure likes to put on a show. Fresh off its joint stage production with ABC News, the Obama administration broadcast another health care propaganda play this week under the guise of a citizen “town hall.” (Full video here.)
Chicago consigliere and senior adviser Valerie Jarrett managed the floor and human props for Obama. In a telling moment as the event kicked off, she protested a wee bit much: “I want to emphasize that the President has not seen the questions ahead of time.” The audience responded with polite laughter.
But the denials of pre-planning and stacked decks deserve nothing but derisive mockery. Obama’s town hall was filled with backroom players and a supporting cast of socialized medicine activists and ideologues. One of the three lucky audience members whom Obama chose for questioning was Jason Rosenbaum. Rosenbaum works for the Washington, D.C.-based Health Care for America Now (HCAN). That’s the same K Street Astroturf outfit I reported on last week – the one with a $40 million budget to lobby for government-run health care. The one inextricably linked to left-wing billionaire George Soros.
Let’s look at who else miraculously drew a golden ticket. Another one of the three, softball-tossing citizen questioners at the White House forum identified herself as a member of the Service Employees International Union. That’s the same SEIU whose president, Andy Stern, boasted of spending nearly $61 million in members’ dues to elect Barack Obama. It’s the same union that produced Patrick Gaspard, former SEIU health care lobbyist and now White House director of the office of political affairs.
But the Obama health care “town hall’s” climactic moment came when the consoler-in-chief plucked Debby Smith from the crowd to tell her personal health care horror story. She choked back tears as she talked of her battle with kidney cancer, her joblessness, and her lack of insurance. Obama hugged the trembling woman and dubbed her “Exhibit A” for his massive entitlement program.
Debby Smith, however, is no ordinary patient. While she may be “unemployed,” she has been rather busy working for the Obama campaign – as a volunteer for Organizing for America. It’s the old Obama for Change political machine now housed under the Democratic National Committee. Smith has also identified herself as a worker for the Virginia Organizing Project, which has been coordinating lobbying trips and health care forums with HCAN. Yes, that same HCAN.
In December, Smith moderated a “a community discussion on health care issues” in Appalachia, Virginia and told her local paper that the meeting “would be reported back to former Sen. Tom Daschle, who has been directed by President Elect Barack Obama to form a committee to report on health care issues.”
Daschle may be out of the spotlight since his Health and Human Services cabinet nomination fiasco. But he is in constant contact with Team Obama. As he told the Associated Press earlier this week in a media meeting on health care reform: “We interact with them daily.” No doubt.
Veteran liberal journalist Helen Thomas earned some accolades for challenging the tightly-controlled White House events. But where was she back in March, when Team Obama pulled the same stunt? At a health care event in the East Room, the questioners included an Obama donor, a Democratic National Committee member, a former Democratic candidate for the Virginia statehouse who had publicly endorsed Obama, and a member of the SEIU. Yes, that SEIU.
The growing irritation of the once-smitten Beltway media is better late than never, I suppose. But one wonders what took so long for the sedatives to wear off the watchdogs. Team Obama has screamed “Kabuki!” from Day One.
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Categories: Health care,MoveOn.org,SEIU
That would be an insult to Kabuki.
More B.O. Puffinstuff
This guy is turning into a cartoon and adulterating the office of POTUS.
Like Bernie Goldberg said; this is nothing more than a marriage spat. The state run media is mad at their masters for picking underlings instead of the usual suspects from the state run media.
Helen Thomas better be very careful, she is in the “dispensable” category of Obamacare.
We can only hope that enough of these spats will turn into divorce. Having just celebrated my 15th anniversary with my husband yesterday, I’m no proponent of divorce, but this is one I’m rooting for!
Ah…!!! But aren’t we all…
One can only hope this Obama show is heading for it’s last curtain call. Did I hear the Senate is proposing a $1,000 fine if an American chooses not to go with Obamacare?
What a farce. Disgraceful.
Theatre of the absurd. Obama has learned it from his Socialist masters well. Alinski and company were teacing from the old Soviet puppetmaster playbook on how to deceive the masses with smoke and mirrors. Sadly, the majority of the blogs (local newspapers, not Kos) I read are still filled with Obama kool-aid drinkers who think we are the deceived ones because we do not understand the greatness we are missing with our own eyes. God help us.
I will not believe that there is any real discontent in the media until I see it expressed daily in their very own papers and on their very own broadcasts.
This is nothing more than a ploy to get more attention for the papers. I have no doubts the love-fest will continue as they vie for more taxpayer funded stimulus money to stay afloat and “remain competitive”.
I wish I could say that I believed their disappointment but sadly, I am more than just a little skeptical of their motivation here.
There are, unfortunately, a large number of American’s that will no doubt watch this disgraceful display and eat it all up and demand that Obama do something… much like a former fellow employee, whom I shall call Tara, that just fell over backwards over Michael Moore and his propaganda on health care… there was absolutely NO talking her out of her position… Michael Moore and O have these sheeple eating out of the palm of their greased up greedy little hands. ARRRRGH… WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO MY COUNTRY”-Mark Levin
Great column Michelle!
I’ve started calling Obama’s townhall meetings “Greenhouses,” because the place if full of obvious plants and exploited vegetables that are all rooted in dirt, get misty on command and blame the glass ceiling for all their troubles.
zero’s townhall meetings much like his administration are nothing more than drama, lies, fraud and bs.
If Debby Smith wasn’t so busy “volunteering” at so many events and organizations, maybe she’d have time for a REAL job.
Coming soon…
The United States Department of Victims!
This new addition to the bureaucracy will supply all victims with needed funds, jobs, healthcare, housing, gameboys, GM eco-cars. The only requirement is to convincingly create an air of pity in which The One may create miracles by restoring their dignity and faith in this country.
The beneficiaries will not be able to discuss anything with the media post-miracle. Once bought, it then becomes imperative that the victim fades into obscurity.
No doubt the Secretary of Victims will be a cabinet-level position.
Someday soon, we will be able to see the man behind the curtains. Maybe when we send those same curtains out to be dry-cleaned.
According to Michelle O and this Administration, there will be many career choices available for Volunteers won’t there? I mean, Acorn and the Unions can not be the only ones Obama owes favors to can they?
This could very well be part of her resume for the Volunteer homeguard that will be every bit as well trained, better funded and better armed than the American military might it not?
Just saying
We no longer have news and information, only propaganda.
On July 3rd, 2009 at 10:20 am, BlameAmericaLast said:
Right, one that actually provides the health insurance she desires!
I mean, the biggest incentive I have to work is the health coverage I am able to provide my family through our state employee’s plan.
If people like Ms. Smith would more time actively seeking employment and enhancing their job skills, through education and/or training, then maybe they wouldn’t be stuck looking to the government for health care.
This administration and democrats in general are nothing but liars and plain old whackos. All we can hope for is that all the “enlightened” American people that voted for this will eventually open their eyes and see what they have voted for.
I’ve said it before…
Free people do not default to being supplicants before some patron. Nor is a free person a thief. A free person would never go to their neighbors and DEMAND that they be taken care of.
We stand on our own. We care for our own. We live our lives, and we face life head-on.
There may even be some trouble brewing from within the Obama administration itself.
As you have heard Hillary and Obama are having a bit of a spat over Iran (Hillary had to push Obama to take a tougher stance), but that is not all. You also have this MSN article that Blames Bill Clinton for the housing market collapse while crediting Obama as the savior.
Seems to me that Obama is using his followers to attack Bill in a way to minimize Hillary.
How much is Obama paying in carbon credits? All them townhall meetings will have a big footprint.
Curious: I wonder what Daschle’s angle is in all of this?
The question is why only two members of the White House press corp have the audacity to question this lie?
Yes. I get my news from conservative sites on the Internet and conservative talk radio. I grew up watching “the news” on TV. I can’t remember the last time I did this. I do know that it was years ago. Libt[au]rds will point out that what I watch is biased. Damn straight it’s biased! …just like the crap they watch is biased. “Unbiased” news is a myth. I want Conservatism to crush Liberalism.
Why would he be paying anything for them? He is entitled because of (an abhorrent) oppression that happened hundreds of years here ago even though it is still being practiced today in many parts of the world.
Besides, he has you and me to pay for him.
when even liberal hags like helen thomas can see through the bs, you know the act is not working. when all the parasites and actors in the audience are taken out of the picture, the only real thing about the townhall meeting was the furniture.
ummm hundreds of years ago here …
Doh! Need coffee :”> and a preview.
Cowboy, as regrettable as it is, Republicans must be included in your assessment.
From you keyboard to God’s ear…
Agreed. Libs get ahead by making other people look worse and by theft. Conservatives get ahead by helping others to succeed and to be prosperous.
OK so thirty years from now….. which daughter will Der Fuhrer Dictator BroBama choose to succeed him here in the USA?
It may depend on whether one or the other, or both inherit his Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Maybe when he becomes World President he will appointment Michelle as the USA “Czar” until the daughters are old enough to hold the title.
I understand he is very involved in space exploration for signs of life on other planets. Once he has conquered Earth he will be looking to grace other civilizations with his all knowing magnificence. Barry “Carnac” Soetoro.
The UNIVERSE cannot contains this mans ego.
I know the liberals will never tire of deceiving as long as it gets them power or keeps them in power; but I do wonder when the general populace will tire of being deceived. The art of deception seems to run rampant in the Democrat Party.
Helen Thomas and the other slobbering media cronies feel betrayed. Obama is having an affair w/ lefty bloggers and they’ve gotten their feelings hurt.
Don’t worry, they’ll “Stand by their man,” just like Hillary clung to Bill’s coat tails.
Oh wait ~ she made it to Senator and Sect. of State ALL BY HERSELF! LOL!!!!
Betraying GOP members ~ We clean house.
Betraying Progressive liberals ~ They promote them.
On July 3rd, 2009 at 10:37 am, DBNinKY said:
Curious: I wonder what Daschle’s angle is in all of this?
Follow the money.After watching this snake over the years you can bet he isn’t doing this for free.There must be tons to be stolen off of this scam of the century for all those pushing it so hard.
In one sense, I can’t blame Hope-a-Dope for what he’s doing: he ran his entire campaign based on selling an illusion, and it worked.
If I were in his shoes, it’d be tempting to think, “They were dumb enough to fall for my smoke-and-mirrors act to get me into the White House; why shouldn’t they be dumb enough to fall for for more fakery once I’m there?”
We are dealing with a past master bullsh*tter here, folks, better at it than Bill Clinton ever was. He’s BS’d his way through his entire life and he’s not about to stop now.
And why should he? It obviously works for him, at least as long as he’s surrounded by co-dependents (the donkey party) and enablers (the Voluntary State Media).
He’ll never change. The only remedy is to take back at least one house of Congress in 2010, so we can put a cork in his fast-track bankrupting of this country, and then toss him out on his ear in 2012.
That all depends on not having the donks cheat on a wholesale level in the next two elections, though, something I’m not at all optimistic about.
Villians and victims. The Left cannot exist without them.
In less than six months into his presidency, Obama has shown, once again, that he and anyone connected to him, cannot, and must not be trusted.
Remember the phrase, “Give him a chance. He’s only been in office ____ months!” If he is given any more time to implement his vision of change, the harm he will cause this country and her people will be irreparable. His “vision” has already had a devastating effect on capitalism, personal integrity, and public trust.
Start targeting your local representatives to get them out of office. Do not “donate” money to established political entities. Starve these leeches, and remove them from the body politic. They, and their president are bleeding us dry!
Have a safe and sane Independence Day, all! God Bless the United States of America!
Doesn’t the “genius” president know that the only effective shill is one that is undetected?
You have to know you are a screwup when even Helen Thomas and Chip Reid call your mouthpiece to task. Even CBS had to say who “Exhibit A” really was.
When you have to lie this hard, you know your plan is in the crapper.
I guess Obambi can now assume the mantle of Liar in Chief. Expect nothing but agitprop from the Obamatons with respect to “global warming,” the deficit, socialized medicine etc., etc., etc.
I just watched part of the Obamacare Theater video and one thing I noticed (and have seen elsewhere) is that the words health insurance have been replaced by health care. The Dems are changing the language (just like being against gay marriage is homophobia, govt. spending is investments, tax cuts are spending etc…) So now anybody that does not have health insurance does not have health care which, of course, is a moral outrage that cannot be tolerated.
BHO has just about reaced the end of his shake down of the American Public, and his supportors (MSM) is already souring on him. Very shortly BHO will find himself a lame duck within his own party.
It is going to tough being Obama caught between a Barrak and a hard place.
As I’ve said before, if a dem has accused a republican/conservative of lying or acting in a negative manner, in most cases you can bet they’ve already said it or done it.
Dems are easy to read, they always, always act or talk the opposite of what they preach.
The future dictionary definition of “fraud” will have a picture of O-Führer.
***
The “democratic” / liberal / socialist / marxist / communist President Obama (PBUH) and his congressional and government minions are right on track to taking over the country and setting up the new U.S.S.A.
***
The new U.S.S.A. looks more like George Orwell’s 1984 book all the time. Newspeak, memory holes, 5 minute hate exercises, etc. are playing out in the Left Wing (Not MSM) media daily.
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The big tax increases and energy cost hikes / shortages will wake up the “sheeple” soon. Hugo Chavez already recognizes a fellow COMRADE OBAMA–and even super liberal Helen Thomas is starting to recognize the PRAVDA pressers.
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John Bibb
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I do believe this man is sick, mentally ill, ego maniac, paranoid delusional:
“3. a false belief or opinion: delusions of grandeur.
4. psychiatry. a fixed false belief that is resistant to reason or confrontation with actual fact: a paranoid delusion.”
Dictionary.com
and this one should get ya going as well..
Fox was reporting the Senate version may contain language that says if you don’t want to take gov health care, it could cost you up to a $1000 fine…yep you don’t want to take gov health care you’ll still have to chip in to help those that do…lovely…more to come on this one I’m sure…
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/07/02/senate-democrats-trim-cost-health-care/
Flag on the play.
Helen Thomas criticizing a Democrat…
Calling him and his minions out on an obvious love/love relationship with the MSM..
Hmmmmmmmm.. I smell BS..
She was either denied access / slighted in some way or..
This is a pitiful attempt for the Obamistas to claim that they aren’t in bed with the MSM – “Look, we were fighting just last week.”
Don’t trust them, don’t want to see Helen’s picture any more. It would run buzzards off of a gut pile..
Indeed. They’re making this stupidity up as they go along. This is more like a stream of “thought” from the imbecilic mind of Al Frankenstein.
No truer words have ever been spoken. Indeed, Mao’s China was in a continual state of “revolution” in search of crisis and enemies of the state, just like our African-born president’s administration.
When will people ever learn that the left’s modus operandi (be it “radical” or otherwise) brings nothing but chaos and ruin. FDR’s policies exacerbated a depression and MADE it “great.” LBJ’s “war on poverty” has done nothing more or less than create a permanent dependent class and instituted a form of slavery that destroys individuality, self-realization, and enlightened culture.
Everything Obama is doing will crush that which makes this a great nation (freedom, liberty, individualism), and is establishing a totally non-functioning land-mass. The ultimate result of his policies will utterly destroy our currency and economy, cause panic and ruin to our communities, and bring about a complete collapse of the United States.
And, it’s all because the leftist cannot exist without enemies and perpetual crisis.
How much sympathy should I have for this woman who appears to VOLUNTEER to remain unemployed?
How much sympathy should I have for organizations and their message who have millions to spend on lobbying, yet can’t find the cash to pay this woman a salary?
I went to a hospital once for treatment and was told it would be 6 months before X-rays could be taken, and a second time years later I was told I didn’t need knee surgery based on some quacks interpretation of X-rays, rather than doing an MRI. Both times, it was government run Veterans Affairs hospitals.
In the early to mid 90′s, Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D) said in a news article I clipped that of the nations 26 million veterans (at the time), the VA only provided treatment to 4%…this after he had been the Chairman of the Senate VA Committee.
They need to clean up that mess first rather than expanding that nightmare to everyone.
Oh, and in the second instance when I was told I didn’t need surgery based on their X-rays, my ACL was severed.
Don’t insult Kodak! Their film has captured some of most touching moments of the last century…I don’t even think Kodak film could capture the image of a guy who doesn’t even have a reflection!
Sorry happy….didn’t see you’d felt the same way. Oh well…great minds, etc.
And thus sharpened wooden stakes were invented. Short ones through the heart longer ones for modeling the results
In the name of efficiency you may forgo the short stakes–the longer one will reach the heart over time (History Channel)
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Volunteer For America–Join the Patriotic Resistance.
Jet Jaguar, those would be rino’s and the main reason I will not contribute to the RNC to support them.
The Theater Of Tyranny…
The Cast: Dependency…
Dialog: Whining and wheedling…
Directed By: Power and corruption
Production By: The Dimocrat Collective
Production By: The
DimocratDimocrap CollectiveLet’s see – works for a group that lobbies for health care but they don’t provide health insurance. Is there anything more Dem than that?
Has the Doofus in Chief ever answered a single question from the press that was not borne of adulation or was planted? He is a dolt, pure and simple. A narcissistic dolt.
Don’t forget enemy of America.
Now we can see why Minister of Propaganda Gibbs wanted to wait until after the “townhall meeting” to hold this discussion with the White House press. And remember the media’s bleat? “It’s about the process, not the questions!” Oh, sure. Will any of the media have the balls to stop televising these staged events?
Here is yet another example of what is wrong with the squishy post-partisan “big tent” GOP: Colin Powell is having second thoughts about Obama’s agenda. Well DUH!!!
New to this planet general? Are all of your kind this dumb? Obviously, you don’t read before signing either. Go back to your planet and stop bothering us with your useless opinions.
Obie would completely collapse were it not for the allusion of support from his sock puppets.
Shout it from the rooftops… “our king has no clothes”
all form – no substance… change for amerika…
Debby is unemployed but manages to get around the country pretty easily. Truth is she has a job- In the military we would call it counterintelligence.
rags and aloha; well said, as usual. can this guy find those victims or what. just dip into the obama campaign workers and voila, every form of victim you could possibly need. hey, is that victim from tampa sitting pretty in her house with all her chillen, and has that victim from mcdonalds graduated to franchise owner yet? curious minds want to know if obiwonknobi can help these victims or only identify them and have a party to celebrate their victimhood and his rise to the dacha on the sea status.
Why does the Obama team need to find all these losers to be props when team
O already has Brian Williams in the stable? Williams was so enthalled with Barack that it seemed libidinous?
More good news on the ObamaCare front. Newsmax is reporting that people could be fined a $1000.00 dollars a year for refusing to get insurance under the senate healthcare bill.
I suppose asking if this can be constitutional is a waste of time?
“Curious: I wonder what Daschle’s
anglePAYOFF is in all of this?”Answer: he’s a LOBBYIST.
“I’d like to buy a clue, Pat”
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