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Where's the Movement?
Where's the Movement?
by George Lakoff | Common Dreams
In forming his administration, President Obama abandoned the movement that had begun during his campaign for deal-making and a pragmatism that hasn't worked. That movement is still possible and needed now. Here is look at what is required, and how a version of it is forming in California.
We begin with this week's triple whammy.
Freedom vs. The Public Option
Which would you prefer, consumer choice or freedom? Extended coverage or freedom? Bending the cost curve or freedom?
John Boehner, House Minority Leader, speaking of health care, said recently, "This bill is the greatest threat to freedom that I have seen in the 19 years I have been here in Washington. . . It's going to lead to a government takeover of our health care system, with tens of thousands of new bureaucrats right down the street, making these decisions [choose your doctor, buy your own health insurance] for you."
This is exactly what Frank Luntz advised conservatives to say. They have repeated it and repeated it. Why has it worked to rally conservative populists against their interests? The most effective framing is more than mere language, more than spin or salesmanship. It has worked because conservatives really believe that the issue is freedom. It fits the conservative moral system. It fits how conservatives see the world.
The Democrats have helped the conservatives. Their pathetic attempt to make any deal to get 60 votes convinced even Massachusetts voters that government under the Democrats was corrupt and oppressive, not just inept, but immoral.
All politics is moral Read more.
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Understanding where Mr Boehner is speaking from, his comments are exactly what today's public would expect. Blaming someone else.
First of all, it's not the Government who's taking over healthcare Mr Boehner, Corporate America is in control here. Has been, and still in control. It hasn't been a case of the government getting between the patient and his doctor, as your party has been trying to sell the public on. It's the private insurance companys that make the yes or no decisions. And that's Corporate America Mr Boehner. It's been the private insurance companies who raised healthcare costs Mr Boehner, not the Government. Pharmacutel costs and controls are noit decidewd by the government either. Again, it's Corporate America Mr Boehner.
The only meaningful control that our government has over the healthcare of this country, is Medicare. And contrary to the misleading propaganda and decptionable campaign by both political parties, it provides excellant quality at a very fair price to millions of Americans. In this instance, the government is in control of costs, why, because Medicare is all about the people they cover. Not Corporate America's Profit GREED.
Mr Boehner, I blame you, and and about 535 other elected officials for the mess we have today, not only in healthcare, all the other stupid polices and non-control of our country. All of you are very similiar in your understanding of why you are where you are. And it's not to appease your political party of choice, or your outstanding debits to Corporate America. Yet, all of you don't give a s_it about what you're supposed to be doing, REPRESENTING the people. Not the Democratic Party, not the Republican Party either.
I hope that "We the People" give you and the rest of the elected officials exactly what you deserve, and what you've earned, a one way ticket out of our government. FOREVER.