Alan Grayson’s diarrhea of the mouth
You remember Democrat Rep. Alan Grayson of Florida. A month ago, he was taking refuge in a union hall to shill for Obamacare in a cowardly last-minute meeting with angry constituents.
As you know, he has now traveled down Demagoguery Road and accused Republicans of wanting sick Americans to “DIE QUICKLY.”
The diarrhea of the mouth continued yesterday with Grayson trashing his political opponents as “knuckle-dragging Neanderthals.”
The Democrat etiquette police, of course, are nowhere to be found.
More offensive than Grayson’s incivility is his promotion of that “Harvard study” — authored by avowed single-payer advocates – purporting to show that 45,000 Americans die every year because of lack of insurance.
Reader Dale notes the methodology:
1. Survey a sample group in 1988, ask at that time if the person is insured, and to rate their health, do not verify actual coverage at that time or at any other time during the study
2. Track the deaths of people in the sample group between 1988 and 2000
3. Attribute deaths to lack of insurance for everyone who at the time of the initial interview claimed to be uninsured dies for any reason over the subsequent 12 years
If on the day of the interview I was uninsured, but then was insured for the next 12 years without interruption, my death would be attributed to me being uninsured. How rigorous a study is that?!
Indeed, if you actually read the study, you’ll read this:
December 2009, Vol 99, No. 12 | American Journal of Public Health
Limitations
Our study has several limitations. NHANES III assessed health insurance at a single point in time and did not validate self-reported insurance status. We were unable to measure the effect of gaining or losing coverage after the interview.
Point-in-time uninsurance is associated with subsequent uninsurance. Intermittent insurance coverage is common and accelerates the decline in health among middle-aged persons. Among the near-elderly, point-in-time uninsurance was associated with significant decline in overall health relative to those with private insurance. Earlier population-based surveys that did validate insurance status found that between 7% and 11% of those initially recorded as being uninsured were misclassified. If present, such misclassification might dilute the true effect of uninsurance in our sample. We excluded 29.5% of the sample because of missing data. These individuals were more likely to be uninsured and to die, which might also bias our estimate toward the null.
We have no information about duration of insurance coverage from this survey. Further, we have no data regarding cost sharing (out-of-pocket expenses) among the insured; cost sharing worsened blood pressure control among the poor in the RAND Health Insurance Experiment, and was associated with decreased use of essential medications, and increased rates of emergency department use and adverse events in a random sample of elderly and poor Canadians. Unmeasured characteristics (i.e., that individuals who place less value on health eschew both health insurance and healthy behaviors) might offer an alternative explanation for our findings.
Reader Kevin adds:
There’s another huge misrepresentation about the Harvard study that I haven’t seen reported.
Look at Table 1 on page 3. This is the raw data from the study. Item 2 is the breakdown between those who were insured and those who were uninsured. The last column is the percentage of each group that died. 3.3 % of the uninsured group died. The authors then take the 3.3% figure and interpolate it using census data to GUESS how many people in America die “because” they are uninsured. The word “because” is extremely disingenuous, as there would be no way of knowing if those people would have died with health insurance. And, as you mention in your article – whether any of those people received health insurance or health care before they died.
But even worse is when you consider the percentage of people WITH health insurance who died. Remember, 3.3% of the people “without” insurance died. How many people WITH insurance died? 3.0%. Considering the disparity in the sample (6655 insured/2350 “uninsured”) the difference is basically nothing.
So, this study could easily make the argument that while 44,789 (3.3% of total uninsured) died, a whopping 6,000,000 (3.0% of insured) died! Clearly, FEWER people WITHOUT insurance died. Of course, it’s a foolish argument but it highlights the major deficiency with this study which is that people die with or without insurance. And statistically, the numbers seem to be about even.
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Categories: Health care
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I seem to remember that it is the Rat bill that throws people under the bus.
Is Grayson available to speak at GOP fundraisers?
A study can come with countless caveats that invalidate its data, but as long the authors hail from any Ivy League school, people like Grayson will espouse its merits because it’s “Harvard Study” and the supporters will buy into it because it confirms their beliefs.
In a grudging way, I respect this Grayson guy. He’s a nutjob but an honest one. I won’t hold my breath waiting for Politburo Supreme Soviet Pelosky to hold him to the same standard as Joe Wilson, though.
Alan Grayson: Democrat posterboy for the Republican Party!!
Very good.
Take the message to task. As for the messenger and the Representative’s delivery, this is nothing new, it happens all the time in the House, but not during a joint session of Congress while the President is speaking.
He talks big in front of Congress and the Unions. When it comes to talking to his constituents, he runs away and hides.
He definitely needs to keep talking. It will 1. Ensure he loses his next election and 2. Help the other side. His rhetoric also does nothing to help his cause for healthcare. In fact, it just points out how delusional, disgusting and uncivil those jerks really are.
There’s nothing “honest” about this fool. He’s a hard core leftist speaking only for affect and with total immunity from his sanctioned position on the floor of the house.
Would it hurt his feelings if I called him “intellectually dishonest”?
And is this the same “Study” group that’s tackling that pesky global warming stuff? Sure sound like it.
And that’s why this bill is not going to be in effect until 2013.
Grayson will personally be responsible for 135,000 deaths. How barbaric!
Drudge linked to Politco’s video of this; the comments from some readers are disturbing to say the least.
…and constipation of the brain.
He must have been looking in the miror when he saw someone who is a “knuckle-dragger.”
That’s funny. I’ve seen him before and I knew he’s a jerk. A few days back he mercilessly grilled a Federal Reserve lawyer and got accolades for the performance from both sides of the aisle. I’m thinking that made his head got even bigger than it already is and taking it up a notch was the only logical course of action.
He won’t care about any backlash though – he’s perfectly happy with the attention.
Why is his behavior O.K. just because it is done in a different venue than Wilson’s “you lie” comment. One was carefully rehearsed with props. The other was an emotional reaction to the FACT that the POTUS was indeed lying. Just because one event took place during a presidential speech and the other on the floor of Congress doesn’t make one event worse or better than the other. Both were uncivil. Another difference is that Wilson apologized to the president and the apology was accepted. This POS Grayson not only wouldn’t apologize, but went on TV talks shows and made even worse comments. I do find it interesting that the liberals (and certain trolls on these threads) can find a way to make our side out to be the worst people on the planet, but when their side does it, there is a lot of spin about how it was different that time and somehow acceptable. The argument is moronic and shallow…and we aren’t buying that crap any more. Since Wilson was formally admonished, so should they admonish Grayson.
You’re good as long as you’re not standing on the floor of the House* when you say it.
*it says these are rules for Presidential put-downs, but the Dems will no doubt extend them to cover their own a$$e$
The guy is an idiot, on cnn he said there was no republican plan, A republican told him the plan, he said thats no plan.
A lying dishonest toad.
Let me guess…this moron does NOT support HR615 that would require him and his family to give up their plush FEHCP to Congress members that is run by Blue Cross and be forced to enroll in the government option plan that he wants for us?
“knuckle-dragging Neanderthals.”
Does he realize exactly how racist that is????
When are Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson coming on the air to denounce this?
How is that the same as “Nappy Headed Ho” ????
Or Malacca.. (whatever the hell that means)
Oh.. wait a second… Grayson’s a democrat. He can’t be a racist.
Sorry… Nevermind.
Give ‘em enough rope…
2010 is going to be interesting.
Based on what I know of the Dem plans, they’re the ones who are pushing for all of us to “die quickly” — if you survive the womb, that is.
The first we heard of this guy he was excoriating some Obama minion in a hearing to sort out where all the TARP money had gone. He actually sounded like a conservative with fire in his belly. Next he was pushing for mandatory two week vacations, and since he represents a district that includes Orlando you could see his nekkid motive there. Now this. I’m guessing syphilus is causing the degeneration.
Knuckle-dragger seems to be the favored ad hominem of lefties for those of us who won’t fall in lock-step with their ideologies and agendas.
They forget that some of us prefer to think for ourselves. They resent us for our refusal to be force-fed their rancid pablum.
Can’t I just Finish My Waffle a Florida Resident, has the skinny on Grayson, and where his funding comes from. We should name these post like Colbert Report’s “better know a district”. How about: Better save a district.
http://bellalu0.wordpress.com/2009/10/01/save-district-8-florida-vote-out-incumbent/
Put up a TV camera and some people just have to run their mouths. Democrat Rep. Alan Grayson of Florida-a jerk for our times. He is probably one of those poisoned toads you have to wear gloves and put in a box.
Grayson is my Congressman and he got elected because Rick Keller initially promised not to seek re-election and then became one of McCain’s RINOs who sought re-election. The buy is as crazy as Pelosi or Shumer on their worst day.
I’m looking forward to voting for his opponent next year and lobbying everyone I know to do the same.
I was always taught that if you had to resort to lies and name-calling, you were wrong. People would laugh at you. It shows the mentality of some of our representatives today.
Diarrhea of the mouth…..
Oh no! He’s melting from the inside out!
Is this guy off his meds or what?
Well I checked and, big surprise, Grayson AIN’T on the list of those in COngress who pledge to enroll themselves and their families in the government option plan IF they vote for one.
Once again, an elected official gets all confused about cause and effect. Somehow he thinks insurance is a life saving thing. I’m not aware of anybody ever dying from lack of insurance – they might have dies of a heart attack but not lack of insurance. Further, even with insurance, many people die every day. I’d guess though that somewhere in his mind, he believes if you have insurance, you will live forever.
grayson is a typical liberal coward, all talk no action, put him in a room with real constituents demanding answers and he quickly moves to his happy place where the sun doesn’t shine. name calling, what a pathetic piece of crap.
Let him talk. Most Americans see it for what it is more hyped rhetoric. Not to mention we all know that Pelosi and Company wont hold him to any standards like they did Wilson which just goes to show that the Wilson Censure vote was nothing more than a partisan attack.
As for Wilson’s “knuckle-dragging Neanderthals” comment. He said this of Republicans he believes are blocking his form of health care reform. If I were the RNC I would ask if he believes that of the constiuents in his district (which happens to be a right leaning district)that are against his brand of health care reform too? If he claims no then follow up with, so why did you have to hide out in a union hall instead of actually meeting with your constiuents?
Lifetime back-bencher saw the Joe Wilson episode and decided this is a good way to take his 2010 reelection campaign fundraising national.
Ignore the slob and let his opponent use the video next Fall.
Meahwhile, Team Bush/McCain have rallied around Tim Pawlenty for 2012 as “the only candidate who can beat Obama”. Brilliant! Another vanilla white guy from the Northeast white boy country club establishment.
Who does the White House attack? Sarah Palin. Austan Goolsbee calls her a wingnut and quitter.
So who is the real threat? Why is the GOP again declaring early on who their candidate is going to be? Why the same lame claim that the candidate is “the only one” who can beat the Democrat?
The Stupid Party strikes again!
It appears we found another liberal lunatic that can only project his own party’s resemblance to knuckle dragging Neanderthals along with their desire to quickly finish off the old and infirm by their Lord High Executioners established in the current House bill denying life saving treatments because they would be too costly. I do believe somebody has been out in the hot sun too long during the recent summer recess. Yep! No lie to big for those on the left.
No, he believes in government control of the citizenry. The Democrat plan has remained the same for decades – to take away freedom and liberty from Americans, hold political power, and change culture to pure, rot-gut socialism.
Grayson is just another in a long line of Democrat slobs, seeking his own desires. Once elected, they think they are no longer a citizen, but much more important than us peasants.
Is giving him free publicity wise?
He has it exactly backwards. Don’t get sick; die quickly describes a National Healthcare System with more than 300 million people waiting in line.
Alan, may you be the first to be served by the Republican Health Care Plan
Dang HIM
Ought to take a rope and Hang Him
Dang HIM!
THAT’S MY TERM CONGRESSCRITTER!
Wait, this guy is a real Congressman?! I thought that was a SNL or Daily Show skit.
Our elected officials are so out of touch with reality it’s funny. The left apparently thinks that calling us tea-baggers, knuckle draggers and such is a way to endear us to them and prove their superiority.
I stand in awe of the higher intelligence of the left and just can’t wait until we are a dictatorship so they can make my life better./sarc off
I received an e-mail last night wherein the author stated he used to employ an expletive with which we are all familiar — “Bu!!$*!t!” or its shortened form, B.S.
He now uses another expletive which will happily allow us to express our disdain for what someone is shoveling out without offending anyone’s ears — “PELOSI!”
Just think, Joe Wilson would have been joined by a chorus of Democrats if he had merely replaced his “You lie!” with a resounding “PELOSI!”
Now, when someone tries to tell you this is the most ethical Congress ever, you can reply, “That’s a bunch of PELOSI!”
Or, when some Congresscritter trots out a statistic such as 4,000 people die every day without health insurance, you can say, “PELOSI!”
Now, everyone all together, “PELOSI!”
Don’t you feel better?
Note in his speech how he refers to those in power as democrats and republicans and what they “have in mind for you, America“. America = the rest of us.
Last time I checked it was the Democrats who push things like abortion and euthanasia. Also, studies consistently show that church going Christians, those who view life as sacred, are overwhelmingly conservative. Grayson needs to look in the mirror or consult his aging parents about this statement. The real shame is that Democrats cannot take responsibility for their own ideas and actions.
This turd and his apologists should try reading some of the 30 plans the Republicans have attempted to introduce in the House but have been prevented from doing so by Nazi Pelousi.
***
This DIMOCRAT probably votes PRO ABORTION–50 million dead babies (not “cell clumps”) don’t bother him. All sound and fury–signifying nothing.
***
He can hide and posture now. Vote him out in 2010 and have him check our the economic recovery from the unemployment line.
***
John Bibb
***
Aren’t Republicans supposed to be greedy children of unmarried parents? If so, doesn’t that mean that they want to keep you alive so they can make money off of your healthcare? Not that there’s anything wrong with that…
Does he have an opponent yet? And does that opponent have a website whereby we can contribute $$$? Sounds like this is a perfect opportunity to raise some cash.
And best comment I’ve read on this guy’s “Republicans want you to die quickly” statement is that common sense would tell you that isn’t so. After all, everyone knows dead people vote for Democrats.
Yes, they truly are knuckleheads.
I’d only vote for Pawlenty if Palin was also on the ticket (preferably @ the top).
Hahaha! I love a good episode of “They Can Dish It Out But They Can’t Take It!” in the morning…
What a bunch of whiny pussies.
Well, since Mr. Grayson started the name calling…
Flying Monkey.
Southpaw: With the Wicked Witch of the West flying in on her broom from San Francisco!
Ever notice how it’s always the Ivy Leaguers that are screwing everything up?
I need to put that on a bumper sticker. I’m sure it would really tick some people off here in DC.
Where’s the Republican answer to this comedian explaining the Dem Health Care Plan:
1. If you like your current Health Insurance, too bad. We’re going to make it so your employer will dump you into a public plan.
2. We’re going to cut a half trillion dollars out of Medicare by cutting authorizations for the medicines and procedures you need.
3. Our plan will cover illegal aliens and abortions. If you don’t like it, stuff it.
4. If you refuse our plan, you will be fined and/or go to jail.
Lies, Damn lies, statistics…..
He is the new “hero” of the left. Overall, from what I have been reading elsewhere, the opinion is he owes no apology at all for “speaking the truth” as they see it.
I wish this guy would keep talking. I hope that he is just getting warmed up. I would like to see him on every left-wing hugging talk show. Go Grayson go. What better proof is there than the rantings of a lefty loon. Talk, talk, talk baby. Don’t hold back. Let it all hang out.
Democrat Rep. Alan Grayson of Florida, all I have to say is:
He’ll get his wish after the gov gets control of healthcare…. we will die faster. Is that how the gov plans to bring the unemployment numbers down? Just the change we can believe in!
If only LIBS would die quickly.
Liar. Nothing else matters.
Reportedly on the radio this morning, Grayson didn’t just call the Repubs “knuckle draggers,” he equated their lack of support for the Obama plan to the holocaust. IF Grayson actually did that, he should be loudly condemmed. Grayson cannot possibly morally equate the 45,000 people who die each year from ILLNESS, to the purposeful systematic slaughter of 6 million people.
I have no need to guess where Grayson landed on Terri Schiavo’s case. Tell me again, who wants you to die?
Once again the left levels the “Nazi” card against the right and nothing is said about it, but remember the outrage when the posters of Obama with a Hitler stache were seen Pelosi, Reid and Company were quick to condemn it.
No, it’s how he plans to “save” Social Security and Medicare.
100%, give or take a few in Biblical times..
Note: “Unmeasured characteristics (i.e., that individuals who place less value on health eschew both health insurance and healthy behaviors) might offer an alternative explanation for our findings. “
Wow, what a discovery! Having insurance makes you live forever! So how to explain my mom dying last year after 7 years of cancer treatments, tests and surgeries – all covered by insurance. Hmmm…? Why do people listen and vote for these mouth-running idiots?
Also note that this was a peer reviewed study in what passes for a respectable journal, the American Journal of Public Health.
Just shows that no source, not matter what university pedigree or publishing journal should be taken at face value. The study authors and the editors and peer jury should all be sanctioned for this piece of partisan tripe.
Dear Mr. Grayson,
“Everyone has a right to their opinion, but no one has the right to be taken seriously.” — Will Rogers
Of course, the alternative that he supports would force the same sick Americans to DIE SLOWLY WHILE WAITING FOR TREATMENT.
If Mr. Grayson is so sure he’s got it right, then he should be trying to force Congress onto the same plan.
I won’t hold my breath.
RWR
http://www.rightwingrocker.com
The way Obama’s going, Rin Tin Tin would be able to get enough votes to beat him. Does anyone really believe he’s going to have a chance after the shellacking he’s foisting upon the American people?
This is a different America, folks, and Team Bush/McCain is headed to the same place Obama is: straight down the toilet.
RWR
http://www.rightwingrocker.com
Compassionate conservatism was nothing but ever bigger government in Republican hands. Unless the Republican party sheds itself of the idea that more government is better government, then the election of Republicans will only lead to even worse socialistic and dictatorial government. As Bush led to Obama, so will a Republican of the same stripe lead to another and worse Obama.
The Republican party had better decide if it wishes to be the party of constitutional conservatism or just another party of the progressive movement. The Tea Party folks are searching for constitutional conservatism and will not accept another individual who is supposedly fiscally conservative but is actually neither fiscally conservative or socially conservative.
I predict a serious third party movement if the Republicans follow along with a Bush/McCain surrogate.
Alan Grayson – Putting the ‘Duh’ in Floriduh since 2007
Grayson is an arrogant ass, and a bully. But, most of all, a pathetic liar. Too bad the Republican on that clip did not have the spine to really get in Grayson’s face with facts.
I would pay very good money to see Grayson debate Dennis Prager, Thomas Sowell or Fred Thompson
You can say the things he says without a mind that is deranged. He needs to be removed from office, if not now, next year.
There’s already a move on for just that, and maybe this party will emerge as the choice!
RWR
http://www.rightwingrocker.com