Michelle Malkin » Rep. Tsongas tries to explain why Congress is exempt from Obamacare. Fails.

Rep. Tsongas tries to explain why Congress is exempt from Obamacare. Fails.

By Michelle Malkin • August 10, 2009 07:01 AM

Herein lies the ultimate Achilles’ Heel of Obamacare. Watch as Democrat Rep. Niki Tsongas of Massachussetts attempts to explain why Congress is exempt from the government health care takeover mandates. The exchange starts at 4:00:

Transcript:

CONSTITUENT: My question to you, Congresswoman Tsongas, is that if this is such a great plan, why did you opt out of it when you took the vote [loud applause, standing ovation]?

TSONGAS: People often say why don’t the American people have what those of us in Congress have. [Audience erupts] Let me explain what I have. Let me explain what I have. What I have is a tremendous array — you know, last year when I went to a discussion — what I have is a tremendous array of choices. And I made a choice based on what I was willing to pay for and what made sense in terms of coverage for me and my family. [Audience shouts out: "We want choice! We want choice!] This is essentially what we are creating for the American people. We are creating greater choice.

[Smattering of applause overwhelmed by boos.]

Epic fail. The imperious “Do as I say, not as I do” ways of Washington cannot be packaged as choice-enhancing, no matter how hard Rep. Tsongas tries. Refresher from 5 key freedoms you’ll lose under Obamacare:

In short, the Obama platform would mandate extremely full, expensive, and highly subsidized coverage — including a lot of benefits people would never pay for with their own money — but deliver it through a highly restrictive, HMO-style plan that will determine what care and tests you can and can’t have. It’s a revolution, all right, but in the wrong direction.

More than 150,000 have signed GOP Rep. John Fleming’s petition telling Congress to live under the health care mandates it forces on the rest of the country.

If the Democrats can’t come up with a better answer than Tsongas (and they can’t), Obamacare is toast.

Posted in: Health care

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#773213

On August 10th, 2009 at 2:47 pm, Dan Lee said:

I have a question.. If the current health care system is so broken & is helping to destroy our economy, AND as the Democrats claim, we WOULD be able to keep our private insurance, wouldn’t that mean they are completely retarded & pushing a plan that won’t work? I mean if it’s so broken, why would you push a plan that lets people keep “broken” coverage?

It’s just proof they are lying.. LYING Cockroaches!
#773216

On August 10th, 2009 at 2:49 pm, wren said:

Thank you DancesWithDachshunds! # 74

To all who live in Massachusetts Congressional District #6, what can you tell us about Bill Hudak?

Bill Hudak is running against Rep. John Tierny.

Check out Hudak’s web site:
http://hudakforcongress.com/inner.asp?z=18
#773222

On August 10th, 2009 at 2:58 pm, mattm said:

The meeting seemed to be more peaceful before the union/ObamaCare thugs began to show up at the prompting of someone.
#773234

On August 10th, 2009 at 3:04 pm, wren said:

Thank you MDT! # 78

Here is the web site for Sam Meas who is running against Niki Tsongas in the 5th Congressional District in Massachusetts.

http://sammeasforcongress.com/Home_Page.html

Wow! Be sure to read the “About Sam” section on his web site.

Let the 2010 campaign season begin!
#773236

On August 10th, 2009 at 3:06 pm, mattm said:

OT

The White House has launched a “Reality Check” website on ObamaCare. It is filled with video, mostly from Obama officials, including the famous “disinformation” video.

This is the email I received.

Dear Friend,

Anyone that’s watched the news in the past few days knows that health insurance reform is a hot topic — and that rumors and scare tactics have only increased as more people engage with the issue. Given a lot of the outrageous claims floating around, it’s time to make sure everyone knows the facts about the security and stability you get with health insurance reform.

That’s why we’ve launched a new online resource — WhiteHouse.gov/RealityCheck — to help you separate fact from fiction and share the truth about health insurance reform. Here’s a few of the reality check videos you can find on the site:

* CEA Chair Christina Romer details how health insurance reform will impact small businesses.
* Domestic Policy Council Director Melody Barnes tackles a nasty rumor about euthanasia and clearly describes how reform helps families.
* Matt Flavin, the White House’s Director of Veterans and Wounded Warrior Policy, clears the air about Veteran’s benefits.
* Kavita Patel, M.D., a doctor serving in the White House’s Office of Public Engagement, explains that health care rationing is happening right now and how reform gives control back to patients and doctors.
* Bob Kocher, M.D., a doctor serving on the National Economic Council, debunks the myth that health insurance reform will be financed by cutting Medicare benefits.

There’s more information and a number of online tools you can use to spread the truth among your family, friends and other social networks. Take a look:

Health Insurance Reform Reality Check

We knew going into this effort that accomplishing comprehensive health insurance reform wasn’t going to be easy. Achieving real change never is. The entrenched interests that benefit from the status quo always use their influence in Washington to try and keep things just as they are.

But don’t be misled. We know the status quo is unsustainable. If we do nothing, millions more Americans will be denied insurance because of pre-existing conditions, or see their coverage suddenly dropped if they become seriously ill. Out-of-pocket expenses will continue to soar, and more and more families and businesses will be forced to deal with health insurance costs they can’t afford.

That’s the reality.

Americans deserve better. You deserve a health care system that works as well for you as it does for the status quo; one you can depend on — that won’t deny you coverage when you need it most or charge you crippling out-of-pocket co-pays. Health insurance reform means guaranteeing the health care security and stability you deserve.

President Barack Obama promised he’d bring change to Washington and fix our broken, unsustainable health insurance system. You can help deliver that change. Visit WhiteHouse.gov/RealityCheck, get the facts and spread the truth. The stakes are just too high to do nothing.

Thank you,
David

David Axelrod
Senior Advisor to the President
#773309

On August 10th, 2009 at 4:10 pm, rightwingrocker said:

No surprise.

For liberals, a non-answer is often the best answer. It’s a win-win situation for them. Think about it …

Avoiding the question affords them the opportunity to move on to more friendly territory without having to disclose the truth about their intentions AND allows them to pretend they know what they are talking about.

RWR
http://www.rightwingrocker.com
#773310

On August 10th, 2009 at 4:14 pm, rightwingrocker said:

My understanding (snark here) is that the health care reform bills mandate that every person must have medical insurance that gives at least a minimum package of benefits.

Article and Section, please.

RWR
http://www.rightwingrocker.com
#773314

On August 10th, 2009 at 4:17 pm, rightwingrocker said:

It’s a cold fact. Medical science is inventing more and more expensive ways to extend life less and less. At some point we have to say no: it is not worth a million bucks to keep grandma alive another month. It might be worth a million bucks to save a 20 year old with sixty good years of life expectancy.

At some pint WHO has to say no? Under Oblahmacare the government (the least qualified entity to be making these decisions) would be deciding, rather than the patient and family.

This is a completely inappropriate response to a perfectly valid concern.

RWR
http://www.rightwingrocker.com
#773324

On August 10th, 2009 at 4:28 pm, Ilovemycountry said:

http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2009/08/obama-has-cut-taxes-for-986-percent-of.html
#773333

On August 10th, 2009 at 4:39 pm, fred5676 said:

My recent email via Speaker Pelosi’s web site contact form at:
http://speaker.house.gov/contact/

Dear Speaker,

I have read the details of the menu of health care choices offered by your Health Plan at:

http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/index.asp

I urge you to continue your efforts to extend your plan to cover all Americans!

It sounds really great, especially this part:

“Federal employees, retirees and their survivors enjoy the widest selection of health plans in the country. You can choose from among Consumer-Driven and High Deductible plans that offer catastrophic risk protection with higher deductibles, health savings/reimbursable accounts and lower premiums, or Fee-for-Service (FFS) plans, and their Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO), or Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO) if you live (or sometimes if you work) within the area serviced by the plan.”

Again, congratulations on your efforts, and I can hardly wait until I get to use the same Health Plan that you do.
#773346

On August 10th, 2009 at 5:03 pm, Cowboy said:

I just sent an email to my congressman, Ike Skelton and Claire McCaskill asing where they stand on governemnt run healthcare. I also asked them both if they would support H.R. 615.

By the way, Ike Skelton is such a coward he’s not holding any townhalls in his district.
#773347

On August 10th, 2009 at 5:03 pm, Salt said:

On August 10th, 2009 at 4:28 pm, Ilovemycountry said:

US deficit climbs to 1.3 trillion dollars

I suppose you believe that 1.4% of Americans are going to pay for all of that.

Besides which, your post is off-topic. Please seek attention elsewhere.
#773357

On August 10th, 2009 at 5:20 pm, tiredofit08 said:

Michelle…another great interview on Glenn Beck today!!! spot one yet again….
#773359

On August 10th, 2009 at 5:23 pm, lgm said:

rightwingrocker said (#85):

Article and Section, please.

I’m sorry. I thought you guys were following the health care proposals, not just commenting on them.

rightwingrocker said (#86):

At some pint WHO has to say no? Under Oblahmacare the government (the least qualified entity to be making these decisions) would be deciding, rather than the patient and family.

That depends on how your health care is paid for. If you pay out of pocket, you make all decisions (very few Americans are in this category). If you have health insurance (most Americans pay for health care through insurance), the company decides, not you or your doctor.

For 99% of Americans, health care reform or not, the question is not whether bureaucrats will make life/death decisions — they will — but which bureaucrats & who do they work for?

Salt said(#90)

I suppose you believe that 1.4% of Americans are going to pay for all of that.

Financing tax cuts for the rich with long term debt: you were for it when Reagan and Bush did it.
#773367

On August 10th, 2009 at 5:34 pm, tiredofit08 said:

commie news network poll on health care protests…current results:

Town-hall protests over health care are:
Being orchestrated by lobbyists 56% 138352
Ordinary citizens expressing their opinions 44% 108433
Total Votes: 246785

go vote…
#773386

On August 10th, 2009 at 5:55 pm, Salt said:

On August 10th, 2009 at 5:23 pm, lgm said:

You’re continuing the off-topic discussion started by ILMC? Are you certain you wish to be associated with his point of view (assuming he even has one)?
#773470

On August 10th, 2009 at 8:07 pm, rightwingrocker said:

I’m sorry. I thought you guys were following the health care proposals, not just commenting on them.

So tell me, then, which Article and Section of the United States Constitution authorizes Congress or the President to do any of this.

If you pay out of pocket, you make all decisions (very few Americans are in this category). If you have health insurance (most Americans pay for health care through insurance), the company decides, not you or your doctor.

With an insurance policy paid for and monitored by you, and if you’re dissatisfied you can change. In case you hadn’t noticed, that goes away with Obamacare, and these decisions are then made by bureaucrats who have NO LEGAL AUTHORIZATION to make them.

Why do I feel like I’m talking to a child?

RWR
http://www.rightwingrocker.com
#773473

On August 10th, 2009 at 8:14 pm, rightwingrocker said:

Financing tax cuts for the rich with long term debt: you were for it when Reagan and Bush did it.

You don’t “finance” tax cuts. You simply ask people to pay less money.

When Reagan and Bush cut taxes (on all taxpayers, by the way, not just the rich), receipts increased. The only thing that increased the debt was the same out-of-control spending your guy is asking for right now.

Get it right.

RWR
http://www.rightwingrocker.com
#773475

On August 10th, 2009 at 8:16 pm, right_on said:

What Axlerod really knows, and should have said is the following:

Given a lot of the outrageous claims floating around, it’s time to make sure everyone knows the facts, as only we can spin and manipulate them, about the insecurity and instability you will get with health insurance reform.

Notice how “healthcare reform” has suddenly become “health insurance reform.”

If we do ANYTHING except reform the way the government interferes with health insurance, millions more Americans will be denied insurance because of pre-existing conditions, and see their coverage suddenly dropped when they become seriously ill.

Out-of-pocket expenses will continue to soar, and more and more families and businesses will be forced to pay higher and higher taxes and health insurance costs they won’t be able to afford, and our only option will then be to ration to save costs, or euthanize.

Now, that’s the real truth and consequences of electing an inexperienced idealist, who hates America, to the highest office in the land..

The truth is easily realized with liberals when you take the opposite meaning of what they profess as the truth. This dude, Axlerod. IS the Obama Administration’s equivalent to Joseph Goebbels, Nazi Germany’s spin-meister in chief. He has been credited with the saying, “Tell a big enough lie, often enough, to enough people, and it becomes the truth.”

And so it is….they have now created a new TASS agency to provide all the “news” that is fit to be believed…”I…do solemnly swear, to protect and defend the Constitution, from all enemies, both foreign and domestic, so help me God.”

I guess the term “enemy” is relative to a person who views the Constitution as restricting the free exercise of tyranny, who staffs his advisors with enemies of the state, and who so obviously does not believe in the same God as do we.
#773512

On August 10th, 2009 at 8:56 pm, Mainah said:

I am no longer a registered Republican, I am an Independant. I will NEVER again vote for Collins or Snowe, even if that means a dem gets in. Least I know then what I am getting. I think Senate polling numbers are SO low that it wouldn’t be too hard to have the whole lot of them thrown out and get some new blood in there. THAT is my goal. I think we need a national movement to “throw them out”.
#773531

On August 10th, 2009 at 9:38 pm, graysonret said:

They are the tories, and we are the patriots. If we keep the pressure up, we’ll get our liberty back and get back a Constitutional government once again. Perhaps an updated “Common Sense” would be useful about now. The battles will be fought in the townhalls and ballot boxes.
#773542

On August 10th, 2009 at 9:55 pm, Jet Jaguar said:

On August 10th, 2009 at 12:07 pm, lgm said:

At some point we have to say no: it is not worth a million bucks to keep grandma alive another month. It might be worth a million bucks to save a 20 year old with sixty good years of life expectancy.

Grandma might make a good lampshade, eh lgm?
#773548

On August 10th, 2009 at 10:04 pm, JonB said:

lgm said:

At some point we have to say no: it is not worth a million bucks to keep grandma alive another month. It might be worth a million bucks to save a 20 year old with sixty good years of life expectancy.

At some point we have to say no: It is not worth a million bucks to keep a moron like you alive another month. It might be worth a million bucks to save someone who has a shred of intelligence and can comprehend the value of life.
#773557

On August 10th, 2009 at 10:20 pm, graysonret said:

lgm would have been right at home with Pol Pot, Stalin and Hitler. That’s the problem with socialized, government controlled medical care. The elites decide who lives and who doesn’t. In other words, they play God. Such societies have never worked; in the end, caused rebellion. When men decide the morals and values of a society they become totally corrupted. Read your world history. People become slaves of the elites. Everything becomes stagnant, unless forced at the point of a gun, or punishment. Is that the society lgm wants? The USSR failed and China is becoming more and more capitalistic, while we want to go where they found as failing.
#773566

On August 10th, 2009 at 10:44 pm, Mainah said:

http://ncpa.org/pdfs/Where_Civic_Republicanism_and_Deliberative_Democracy_Meet.pdf

Obama’s health policy advisor Ezekiel Emanuel has some ideas that scare the hell out of me, as a parent of a child with a disability.

Ezekiel J. Emanuel

The fundamental challenge to theories of distributive justice for health care is to develop a prin- cipled mechanism for defining what fragment of the vast universe of technically available, effective medi- cal care services is basic and will be guaranteed socially and what services are discretionary and will not be guaranteed socially. Such an approach accepts a two-tiered health system-some citizens will receive only basic services while others will receive both basic and some discretionary health services. Within the discretionary tier, some citizens will re- ceive few discretionary services, other richer citizens will receive almost all available services, creating a multiple-tiered system

“The patient, or micro, level entails determining which individual patients will re- ceive specific medical services; that is, whether Mrs. White should receive this available liver for trans- plantation”

“This civic republican or deliberative democratic conception of the good provides both procedural and substantive insights for developing a just allocation of health care resources. Procedurally, it suggests the need for public forums to deliberate about which health services should be considered basic and should be socially guaranteed. Substantively, it suggests services that promote the continuation of the polity those that ensure healthy future generations, ensure development of practical reasoning skills, and ensure full and active participation by citi- zens in public deliberations-are to be socially guaranteed as basic. Conversely, services provided to in- dividuals who are irreversibly prevented from being or becoming participating citizens are not basic and should not be guaranteed. An obvious example is not guaranteeing health services to patients with de-mentia.”
#773582

On August 10th, 2009 at 11:07 pm, lgm said:

graysonret said (#102):

That’s the problem with socialized, government controlled medical care. The elites decide who lives and who doesn’t.

OK, who do you think should decide when heroic end of life procedures are too expensive? Hint: unless you’re worth millions and self insured paying medical expenses out of pocket, it isn’t you or your doctor, and it isn’t going to be.
#773632

On August 10th, 2009 at 11:38 pm, rightwingrocker said:

OK, who do you think should decide when heroic end of life procedures are too expensive?

I’d rather leave it to Lassie and Rin Tin Tin than the government.

And we’re not even talking about heroic or life-end procedures here. We’re talking about stuff that’s considered ROUTINE, like having a pacemaker put in.

I’m still not sure why we’re having this discussion. No one has shown how this is in any way legal under the supreme law of the land.

RWR
http://www.rightwingrocker.com
#773639

On August 10th, 2009 at 11:42 pm, graysonret said:

End of life decisons are discussed with the patient, if possible, family and their physician. They shouldn’t be “discussed” by lawyer politicians in D.C.. I won’t accept some politician deciding what my patient’s care will be or won’t be. That’s why socialized medicine loses so many healthcare professionals. We refuse to work under such a system of uncaring about life and the tragedy that occurs to the families involved, while the “uncaring” politicians have everything to help them.
#773667

On August 11th, 2009 at 1:23 am, puhiawa said:

Creepy
#773679

On August 11th, 2009 at 3:17 am, Living in the PSRK said:

Patients forced to live in agony after NHS refuses to pay for painkilling injections
#773721

On August 11th, 2009 at 7:50 am, bilgerat said:

Well, my congress critter, John Tierney, 6th district in Mass., is refusing to hold a town meeting….must’ve gotten scared when he say what happened to his BFF Niki….what a worm…..
#773729

On August 11th, 2009 at 8:07 am, bilgerat said:

Thanks, DWD. I’m glad to see someone else is finally running against Tierney.

While I won’t be able to make it to the rally Thursday, I will definitely keep tabs on Bill Hudak, and provide as much support as I possibly can.

Anything to get that scumsucker Tierney out of office!!!
#773975

On August 11th, 2009 at 12:16 pm, spaceycakes said:

At some point we have to say no

What’s this ‘we’ crap? You have no say in my grandma’s care.
#774039

On August 11th, 2009 at 12:52 pm, Major O said:

What’s this ‘we’ crap? You have no say in my grandma’s care.

Lgm is that useful idiot that will be the FIRST person shot when his Beloved ascends to total control.

Conservatives need to get over the idea that some folks are liberal because they don’t have the facts and realize that many people are liberal because they have a willingness to be deluded (arising from any number of deep-seated mental/emotional issues). This willingness is impervious to any sort of fact or logic. It’s folks like this who, along with straight up doctrinaire libs, that make some kind of major conflict inevitable because there is just no reasoning and they won’t back down from trying to force you into their way of thinking.