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Majority Supports Public Option In New Poll

By 57%. Give the people what they want.

Americans remain sharply divided about both the overall health care package and President Obama’s leadership on the issue, reflecting the intense partisan battle that has raged for months over the administration’s top legislative priority. But majorities now back two key and controversial provisions: both the so-called public option and a new mandate requiring all Americans to carry health insurance.

Independents and senior citizens, two groups crucial to the debate, have warmed to the idea of a public insurance option, and are particularly supportive if it were administered by the states and limited to those without access to affordable private insurance, as stipulated in some versions of the legislation.

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105 Responses to “Majority Supports Public Option In New Poll”

  1. Rex Mundane says:

    And that level of support exists in spite of no counter-movement on the scale of the 9-12 project and the well-funded opposition to the urgently necessary healthcare reform. Demonstrates how obvious the necessary reform is as well as it does how oblivious the opposition can be.

  2. Jay says:

    Except the way the question is asked is nonsense.

    Would you support or oppose having the government create a new health insurance plan to compete with private health insurance plans?

    Where is the competition? Can the government go out of business if they price too low? The government would be able to create rules and regulations giving their plans some kind of exclusive rights to do something that no private plan would be able to do.

    Give the people what they want? Give them an honest poll question first.

  3. Rex Mundane says:

    You’re right, Jay. The Government supplying something means in the long run that nobody else will eventually be able to supply it because it destroys any potential for profit from other companies in the same line of work. Thats why UPS and FedEx don’t exist because we have a US Postal Service. It’s why Bookstores are empty because there are public libraries. It’s why there are no private schools because there are public schools, no security companies because there’s a police force, why theres no private military contractors because theres an Army, the list goes on.

    The government would be able to create rules and regulations giving their plans some kind of exclusive rights to do something that no private plan would be able to do.

    Like what, exactly? Negotiate prices? Deny Care? Prevent legislative changes that inhibit the profit motive you seem to think they would be operating solely upon?

    What would an “honest poll question” be, Jay? “Would you support or oppose having the government create a new health insurance plan that will cause infinity suffering because it will destroy profits, which is the only reason anyone should ever get healthy?”

  4. Give them an honest poll question first.
    This is the most honest way the question’s been asked in a while.

  5. Wilbur says:

    I guess Jay’s idea of an honest poll question would be “do you favor squashing the tender flower of private enterprise under the bloody jackboot of a commie-fascist government health rationing system that kills babies and grannies?”

  6. Wilbur says:

    Sorry Rex, didn’t see your post, which makes mine redundant.

  7. Rex Mundane says:

    Oh right, competition is also why, in England, with the National Health System, there’s no private sector medical insurance whatsoever to supplement the NHS. So yeah, what you’re saying is completely valid and not at all at odds with the actual way of the world. Good on ya.

  8. SaveFarris says:

    Thats why UPS and FedEx don’t exist because we have a US Postal Service.

    FedEx and UPS are allowed to deliver 1st class mail direct to your mailbox?!? When did that change?

    And PS: Conservatives *LOVE* when you compare the public option to the Post Office. Keep it Up!!!!!

  9. Michael Over Here says:

    This American Life has a great show this week that goes in to detail on how the current US system came about haphazardly and specifically to cover only the healthy (by providing insurance to people capable of working full time jobs).

  10. Rex Mundane says:

    And PS: Conservatives *LOVE* when you compare the public option to the Post Office. Keep it Up!!!!!

    Right, right, I forgot the post office sucks. Funny thing, they’ve never lost or damaged any of my mail. UPS has… damnest thing, considering they’re supposed to be perfect, what with their profit motive and all, right? Private companies can do no wrong, and public interests corrupt everything, I keep forgetting.

  11. Quaker in a Basement says:

    And PS: Conservatives *LOVE* when you compare the public option to the Post Office.

    Right. Because no one ever uses the USPS any more.

  12. jr says:

    Cons want polls Luntz style “Do you support a black guy forcing your white daughter to go to the doctor with black guys hitting on her in the waiting room?”

  13. Jay says:

    Thats why UPS and FedEx don’t exist because we have a US Postal Service.

    Yes and what happens when I want to have have something delivered to my post office box express. Oh that’s right. I am forced to use USPS at a higher cost because it’s against the law for a post office box to accept packages from FedEx and UPS. And the very fact that the USPS still is able to operate is because of their exclusive rights. It’s hilarious that you would use a POS government entity like the post office to defend your position. If the USPS service is indicative of how government run health care would operate, then none for me thanks.

    It’s why there are no private schools because there are public schools

    Once again, you choose the public school system which is a freaking joke to defend your position! But now that you bring it up, because the public school system requires so much money to operate (with a piss poor ROI for the most part) with the tab picked up by the taxpayers, it costs people that much more to send their kids to private schools which study after study after study has shown, does far better educating students than public schools.

    If you’re going to argue that psuedo-competition with private health insurers is sure to keep the system chugging along just fine, you woul do well not hold up the United States Postal Service and the public school system as a beacon of light in government services.

  14. Indeed says:

    So we should get rid of the USPS and public schools? Shouldn’t have them?

  15. brif says:

    “Yes and what happens when I want to have have something delivered to my post office box express.”

    If that is your concern jay, then don’t rent a box at the post office. Use a private alternative, such as your local container store.

    With regards to public vs. private schools, private schools get to pick and choose which students they will accept, public schools don’t.

  16. brif says:

    “If the USPS service is indicative of how government run health care would operate, then none for me thanks.”

    and that’s your choice. But lots of other people are perfectly satisfied with the postal service and their local schools. who are you to say they are making the wrong choice or to deny them a choice?

  17. Sean D. Martin says:

    SaveFarris: FedEx and UPS are allowed to deliver 1st class mail direct to your mailbox?!? When did that change?

    And lacking that opportunity has put the out of business!

    Try again, Farris. Rex listed, what, nearly half a dozen places where the gov’t operates and private providers still continue to thrive. And the best you can come up with one small aspect of one of them?

    Overly weak attempt, Farris.

  18. Indeed says:

    Overly weak attempt, Farris.

    Just wait ’til he provides a link…

  19. Rex Mundane says:

    So your argument is that the Government would provide terrible service that everyone will flock to, even though they can choose not to? That they’d do such a bad job of paying for medical services, yet they’ll have so much business it will be unfair to the good, decent people at private insurance companies who do such a better job of paying for those services? Oh, of course. I’m clearly an imbecile for not seeing it sooner.

    Although it does occur to me to ask, You have a post office box but despise the post office? That’s sort of silly isn’t it? It’s like having a reserved private table at a horrible, expensive restaurant you hate going to, when there are better, cheaper eateries everywhere. But hey, your choice to live contrary to your own opinions I suppose.

    Oh, but I do appreciate the help with you telling me how to debate my point, considering how you’re doing such a thoroughly effective job presenting yours. I’ll be sure to take your advice to heart. Anything else you want to tell me how to do because I put so much stock in your opinion?

  20. Jody says:

    I just popped in to see how the usual trolls were going to try and stir some shit up with the usual rantingly stupid tactics. Nice to see they did not disappoint.

    It’s pretty revealing, the kind of mind that can belch out “How can insurance companies compete with a public option”, and then bitch about how UPS isn’t allowed to deliver to their post office box. Because the government sucks so bad they shouldn’t even be allowed to have a post office box, apparently.

    Of course, any person that thinks a nation should not have a public school system is just plain mentally ill. For serious. Someone that doesn’t believe a nation should invest in it’s own future while still living in that society is either blindingly stupid or brainwashed beyond all reason. Or both.

    They literally just want to make Obama fail as badly as possible. Fuck current problems. Fuck everyone without health care. We got a presidency to win back.

  21. Conservatives *LOVE* when you compare the public option to the Post Office

    Is that sarcasm? I’m confused as to what you hate so much about sending a letter across the country in a day for less than a dollar.

    Oh that’s right. I am forced to use USPS at a higher cost because it’s against the law for a post office box to accept packages from FedEx and UPS.

    Umm… Mailboxes Etc. and other private PO Box companies DO take UPS and FedEx. The reason UPS and FedEx say they don’t take deliveries at P.O. Boxes is because they’re typically… inside the post office. If that’s where yours is, it’s even doubly ironic how much you seem to hate them.

  22. mambochicken23 says:

    They literally just want to make Obama fail as badly as possible. Fuck current problems. Fuck everyone without health care. We got a presidency to win back.

    It makes me sick to know that this is the truth. Fucking repugnant people, all of them.

  23. Zython says:

    Is that sarcasm? I’m confused as to what you hate so much about sending a letter across the country in a day for less than a dollar.

    He probably hates that they screen letters for anthrax.

    But hey, I’m sure Jay is more than happy with insurances companies canceling coverage statewide to avoid paying 1 claim, or them playing eugenics.

  24. The only thing that would make this entire conversation funnier would be if Jay said the reason he didn’t just rent a mailbox from Mailboxes, Etc. or move to a better dwelling with easier mail access would be because such a private option outside of what the government plan provides him is just too darn expensive.

  25. Jay says:

    So your argument is that the Government would provide terrible service that everyone will flock to, even though they can choose not to?

    Uh…no. My argument is that government run health insurance would undercut private insurance to the point where:

    A. Only the wealthiest could afford to buy private health insurance

    B. The government ‘option’ would be the really the only viable option for most Americans, leaving us in the hands of the people who’ve done such a bang up job any other time they’ve stuck their snouts where it doesn’t belong.

    Another area where your comparison to FedEx and UPS falls short is that the government doesn’t handcuff those two entities, dictating their terms of service and prices they can charge. The USPS is also the only entity that is allowed to deliver first class mail.

    The reason UPS and FedEx say they don’t take deliveries at P.O. Boxes is because they’re typically… inside the post office.

    No, the reason they cannot is because the USPS will not allow them to deliver to a PO box.

  26. No, the reason they cannot is because the USPS will not allow them to deliver to a PO box.

    That’s what I said, champ. If you want a private company to deliver to a dropoff location for you, pick somewhere other than inside a public facility. I’m guessing since you ducked the issue completely we totally nailed that your box is inside a Post Office, even while you’re whining how much you hate the Postal Service?

  27. brif says:

    i don’t understand your argument jay. what do you mean “undercut private insurance?” if i have private insurance, why would i or anyone else drop it for a public option that is so obviously inferior, even if it is cheaper?

  28. Southern Quaker says:

    Let’s compare, shall we? A 1 oz letter sent from my house to my mother-in-law’s house on the Northwest coast will cost the following:

    USPS First Class Mail: $0.44
    Express Mail: $21.70 or $17.50 for the flat-rate envelope
    Priority Mail: $4.95

    FedEx Standard Overnight: $42.52
    FedEx Second Day: $19.73
    FedEx Express Saver: $16.56
    FedEx Home Delivery: $7.84 (yup, that’s right, FedEx will deliver a letter to your doorstep in about 4 days for about 18 times what the USPS charges.)

    UPS Next Day Air: $36.36
    UPS Next Day Saver: $29.62
    UPS Second Day Air: $21.45

    Now, which meme are we addressing here? Is it the one where the government can’t offer decent service at an affordable price? Or the one where a government alternative puts the poor, disadvantaged private company out of business? I just can’t keep them straight any more.

  29. Southern Quaker says:

    Oh, I forgot to mention the part where my friendly letter carrier will pick up the mail at my doorstep for no extra charge.

  30. Rex Mundane says:

    The USPS is also the only entity that is allowed to deliver first class mail.

    And McDonalds is the only entity that is “allowed” to sell Big Macs. If you don’t like the service they offer, by all means, don’t use it. I seriously don’t get this point you’re trying to make, if you don’t want their business you’re not being forced to use it. If they provide such bad service, chrissake don’t pay them for it.

    Let me ask this, has UPS or FedEx or DHL or whatever expressed any intrest whatsoever in handling first-class mail? “Oh goodness how we wish we could carry letters at 44 cents per, yet so very hamstrung are we that we cannot,” or something? These are big companies with alot of money. If they thought they could provide this service at a profit, wouldn’t they be lobbying constantly for the right to do so, to change whatever was necessary to? Have they been? If they haven’t, isn’t this completely a non-issue, with you fighting for their right to do what they have no interest in doing?

  31. Indeed says:

    Remember when that local community college put Harvard out of business? That was awesome.

  32. Dennis says:

    Remember when that local community college put Harvard out of business? That was awesome

    Harvard doesn’t undercut that community college’s tuition.

    Harvard also don’t impose any fees or taxes on that community college.

    Harvard pretty much doesn’t have a whole to do with that community college, Indeed.

  33. Quaker in a Basement says:

    Dennis doesn’t get the point.

  34. Quaker in a Basement says:

    The cost of health care for Americans is twice the cost of health care in almost every other industrialized country.

    Somebody please explain to me again why so many people are defending the system we have.

  35. mambochicken23 says:

    Somebody please explain to me again why so many people are defending the system we have.

    Because they are partisan idiots who would rather a Republican president spend boatloads of money on stupid wars than a Democratic president spend money on helping the American people have affordable health care.

  36. mambochicken23 says:

    Dennis doesn’t get the point.

    What else is new? While the guy can “read”, he has absolutely zero comprehension skills.

  37. mrak says:

    Remember when that local community college put Harvard out of business? That was awesome.

    Now that’s got me wondering if public transit is to blame for the auto industry’s financial state.

    I mean, why would anyone buy a car when one can take a “public option” bus or subway?

  38. locus says:

    Jay’s last two points:
    >Uh…no. My argument is that government run health insurance >would undercut private insurance to the point where:
    >
    >A. Only the wealthiest could afford to buy private health >insurance
    >
    >B. The government ‘option’ would be the really the only viable >option for most Americans, leaving us in the hands of the >people who’ve done such a bang up job any other time they’ve >stuck their snouts where it doesn’t belong.

    A. If you don’t receive your healthcare through your employer and must purchase it on the open market, you’d better be wealthy. This is a reality of the market WITHOUT a public option.

    B. I’m sure that you’re aware of all the studies that show that many parts of the country have no real “choice” for health insurance. Many markets are dominated by only one entity. The public option would offer new choice to not only the individual purchasing on the open private market, but also for businesses who are trying to reduce costs while supporting their employees.

    Because I know everyone hates to see assertions go without links, here’s a Health Affairs article for you to peruse on market consolidation…
    http://content.healthaffairs.org/cgi/reprint/23/6/11.pdf

  39. If you don’t receive your healthcare through your employer and must purchase it on the open market, you’d better be wealthy
    Unless, of course, you are poor or elderly.
    Then you get Medicaid or Medicare.
    Hardly anyone is uninsured because they “can’t be”.
    This is all designed to get single payer nationalized medicine into the US.
    Period.
    The fact that 57% of people surveyed want “the public option*”, whatever that is, means nothing.

    * See here “That isn’t to say a public option is just a modified single-payer system. It would be one option among many for individuals and businesses, and would leave the private insurance system in place (you can read more on the benefits of the public option here). But it does crack the door open for expanding the number of Americans who get their health insurance through the government.”

  40. Indeed says:

    Remember when highly intelligent actor Ronaldus Magnus tried to warn us that Medicare would destroy Our Freedom? But then all-powerful Al Sharpton hijacked the reasoned debate and got Medicare passed and made Dutch his bitch in the process because Obama’s father was black? Remember that? That was awesome too.

  41. Zython says:

    Hardly anyone is uninsured because they “can’t be”.

    Well, except those whose insurance providers cut them off.

  42. Tater Salad says:

    Public Option is dead in the water. The Post Office, Am-Track, Medicare, Medicaid, Fanne & Freddie. Give us a break. Anything run by the government (taxpayers) is a joke and will be broke in 5 years. No public Option!

  43. Parthenon says:

    Well according to you guys, public health insurance will be awful so the private companies would have nothing to worry about.

  44. Parthenon says:

    That was awesome too.

    I think you missed the George Soros cameo, but yeah, good times.

  45. Remember when highly intelligent actor Ronaldus Magnus tried to warn us that Medicare would destroy Our Freedom?

    I sure do, and I have noticed that Pres Obama (I call Presidents, past and present, “President”, because they deserve it), says our health care system is in big trouble, Medicare included. You don’t believe him?

    He says Medicare is running up a staggering deficit. You don’t believe him?

    Don’t you care about the fact that health care for the elderly is eroding?

    In other words, Indeed, you are, as usual, full of bunk.

    Zython: Stop beating that horse. It is dead. D-E-A-D.

  46. Rex Mundane says:

    Anything run by the government (taxpayers) is a joke and will be broke in 5 years.

    …because that’s how long The Post Office, Am-Track, Medicare, Medicaid, and the F-Macs have lasted? I mean I get that you’re a reactionary nitwit, but seriously you’ve based your argument on one sole point that you know for a fact to be false. The hell?

  47. Parthenon says:

    Stop beating that horse. It is dead. D-E-A-D

    Longer Frank: That hurts my argument, therefore I’d like you to stop saying it.

  48. Rex Mundane says:

    Funding issues within Medicare is proof that it destroyed our freedoms, Frank? And proof that Indeed doesn’t care about the elderly somehow?

  49. Harvard doesn’t undercut that community college’s tuition.

    Harvard is free. You’re on a roll today.

  50. Tater Salad says:

    To the Democrats in Congress who don’t quite get it: I want to offer a personal pledge. I and a lot of other people have every intention of removing you from Congress in the next election if you stand in the way of health care legislation that the majority of the American people want without any public option attached. That is not a hollow or idle threat. We will come to your district and we will work against you, first in the primary and, if we have to, in the general election. We do not want the “Public Option (single payer)”…..period! Rest assured, we are all watching how you vote now and in the future.

  51. Ummm, congressmembers have contact forms on their own websites, Tater. Just cutting you off before you use a blog’s comment section to start writing letters to your mom too or whatever.

  52. Rex Mundane says:

    Tater, you’re apparently under the impression that, within this post on how the majority of people support the public option, that the majority of people oppose it. Take a nap, man, you’re drunk.

    Or okay, seriously, what is this “meaningful” reform that doesn’t include a single alternative for people? Is this that whole food’s guy’s idea again like where the best reform is to make sure employers pay less and you pay more for the provider to pay less for you to recieve less? That wonderful plan that fixes what problems exactly?

  53. timmy says:

    Has Jay has gone off to ponder how abortion will be better eliminated by his church controlled non-government?

  54. Sean D. Martin says:

    Indeed: Just wait ’til he provides a link…

    Yeah, he’s been gettin’ himself a bit of a reputation in that dept.

  55. Sean D. Martin says:

    Jody: They literally just want to make Obama fail as badly as possible. Fuck current problems. Fuck everyone without health care. We got a presidency to win back.

    There were those who wanted to see Bush fail. But largely the general sentiment I saw expressed was folks wanted him to stop screwing up. “I don’t want to see you fail to get Bin Laden, I want you to direct our forces to the right places!” “I don’t want to see you fail in New Orleans, I want to see you ordering in the helicopters loaded with supplies!”

    Another difference between the left and the right.

  56. Sean D. Martin says:

    August J. Pollak: The reason UPS and FedEx say they don’t take deliveries at P.O. Boxes is because they’re typically… inside the post office.

    Wha–? Waitaminute. You mean the limit on where UPS and FedEx can deliver is self-imposed? It isn’t due to some rule the Post Office made?

    If so, there goes that argument from the right.

    (Why am I getting images of ducks at a carnival shooting gallery in my head?)

  57. Dennis says:

    WaPo/ABC poll uses skewed sample to show public-option support

    My first clue that the new WaPo/ABC poll had big problems in its sampling came from question 38 of the raw data released by ABC last night, the generic Congressional ballot. Most polls have that within the margin of error; both Rasmussen and Pew have it at a dead heat. The WaPo/ABC survey has Democrats winning that matchup by twelve points, 51%/39%.

    That tends to discredit much of what the Post reports this morning:….

    ….The sampling comprises 33% Democrats, as opposed to only 20% Republicans. That thirteen-point spread is two points larger than their September polling, at 32%/21%. More tellingly, it’s significantly larger than their Election Day sample, which included 35% Democrats to 26% Republicans for a gap of nine points, about a third smaller than the gap in this poll. Of course, that’s when they were more concerned about accuracy over political points of view.

    Amazing, just simply amazing all the sticklers who show up here to dispute every polls’ findings and accuse the presenter as ‘cherry-picking’ fi they don’t like the results, are now mum about this one.

    ‘Fits my views, so, hey, who am I to argue?’

  58. Dennis says:

    Harvard doesn’t undercut that community college’s tuition.

    Harvard is free. You’re on a roll today.
    –August J. Pollak

    What are you talking about, Pollak?

    Tuition to Rise 3.5 Percent at Harvard for 2009-10

    Why wouldn’t you have even bothered to look that up before you said something so stupid? I don’t get you.

  59. Rex Mundane says:

    Amazing, just simply amazing that Dennis thinks that the good, decent intellectuals at HotAir.com, who would accuse the chair I’m sitting on of having a liberal bias, have anything like a valid opinion, and that anyone gives a damn about it.

  60. timmy says:

    Maybe only 20 percent of respondents could identify themselves as Republicans?

  61. Indeed says:

    Another difference between the left and the right.

    A key one at that. And not insignificant either. Also.

  62. mambochicken23 says:

    Maybe only 20 percent of respondents could identify themselves as Republicans?

    I wonder if that’s because the Republican party is currently looked at as the party of bigoted, violent, democracy-threatening, Bible-thumping, science-denying morons who put party before country at every turn. Gee, I do wonder…

  63. Indeed says:

    WaPo/ABC poll uses skewed sample to show public-option support

    Al Sharpton probably made WaPo/ABC skew the poll. He shook them down and made them his bitches, just like the all-powerful Sharpton made Rushie Limbaugh his bitch. Truly shameful. And we all know why Sharpton did this: Because Obama’s father was black, so we have to all grab our ankles.* It’s true. You can look it up.

    *Totally not a racist thing to say or write in any possible way, no matter what any of Those Uppity Liberals say.

  64. Dennis says:

    Amazing, just simply amazing that Dennis thinks that the good, decent intellectuals at HotAir.com, who would accuse the chair I’m sitting on of having a liberal bias, have anything like a valid opinion, and that anyone gives a damn about it.
    –Rex Mundi

    Rex, it’s a post mainly for the benefit of two people, Wilbur and Zython, and they know why. If they hadn’t both posted here I’d have given them the benefit of the doubt, but they both have.

    I wonder if that’s because the Republican party is currently looked at as the party of bigoted, violent, democracy-threatening, Bible-thumping, science-denying morons who put party before country at every turn. Gee, I do wonder…
    –mambochicken23

    mambo! And you an academic. A new poll that skews the party ID in the favor you’d like to see and posts results that some of which you favor and the blog owner posts only the one result that he uses to encourage Democratic legislators to ‘Give the people what they want’, with not one poster expressing any reservations.

    Shocking. Truly shocking.

  65. Why wouldn’t you have even bothered to look that up before you said something so stupid? I don’t get you.

    Or you can read two paragraphs later. I’ll just accept your apology now and save you time.

  66. Dennis says:

    just like the all-powerful Sharpton made Rushie Limbaugh his bitch.

    Wow, the one guy who took great pride in plastering quotes he knew were forged still can’t stop yapping his trap about it.

    You’re like Dan Rather and the TANG memos, Indeed. Even after being shamed, ridiculed, admonished, fired and having his frivolous court case thrown out, he still yaps.

    Indeed: “Note to self, keep yapping- they’ll forget.”

  67. mambochicken23 says:

    mambo! And you an academic.

    Nice reading comprehension, AGAIN, Dennis. Clutching your pearls because of something that I never said. I merely opined as to why only 20% of respondents self-identified as Republicans. I didn’t remark on anything else.

    Why wouldn’t you have even bothered to look that up before you said something so stupid? I don’t get you.

    Reading comprehension fail again. Again, and again, and again. You can’t be this dumb, Dennis. Or are you? Questions swirl…

  68. Dennis says:

    Or you can read two paragraphs later. I’ll just accept your apology now and save you time.

    I did read that paragraph. There is nothing in there I didn’t already know save for the exact tuition amounts, and in no way could anyone claim that “Harvard is free.” One could say it was free for certain income level students, but you couldn’t say “Harvard is free” without someone looking at you like you’re a complete buffoon.

  69. One could say it was free for certain income level students, but you couldn’t say “Harvard is free” without someone looking at you like you’re a complete buffoon.

    Not really thinking you could say a family making over 80 grand a year thinks community college has an unfair financial incentive against Harvard and look like a complete buffoon either.

  70. Indeed says:

    I did read that paragraph.

    That’s comforting.

  71. That is the third time you have mentioned it as an example of a “bad deed” by a private company, therefore I’d like you to stop saying it.

    sending a letter across the country in a day for less than a dollar.
    Try getting it across the county in 4 days for $.44

    the Republican party is currently looked at as the party of bigoted, violent, democracy-threatening, Bible-thumping, science-denying morons who put party before country at every turn.

    That’s because you have a mainstream media that thinks Pres Obama makes the sun come up in the morning, and an administration that deliberately tramples on freedom the press (something you can’t even accuse Pres Bush of doing).

  72. Sean D. Martin says:

    Dennis: Harvard doesn’t undercut that community college’s tuition.

    Exactly. Harvard isn’t cheaper and yet people continue to clamor to get in. Harvard has to turn away business despite their being far cheaper alternatives available.

  73. Sean D. Martin says:

    Frank DiSalle: The fact that 57% of people surveyed want “the public option*”, whatever that is, means nothing.

    OK, all take note for any future discussions. Frank is never allowed to quote poll data to support any point he has.

  74. Rex Mundane says:

    That’s because you have a mainstream media that thinks Pres Obama makes the sun come up in the morning…

    Come the fornicate on, Frank, the MSM was asking “Is the Honeymoon Over?” in bloody December.

    and an administration that deliberately tramples on freedom the press (something you can’t even accuse Pres Bush of doing).

    Choosing not to appear on Fox Massive-Quote-Fingers-Visible-From-Space News is not “trampling freedom of the press” Frank. And for chrissake what the hell would they need to trample for if they’re behaving so sycophantically? Do you even realize when you’re refuting your own argument anymore, man? Seriously ask the doctor to up the medication, we’re all worried about you man. We’re worried because we love.

  75. Sean D. Martin says:

    Frank DiSalle: Zython: Stop beating that horse. It is dead. D-E-A-D.

    Uh, “that horse” is insurance companies cutting off people when they actually end up needing their insurance. How is that a “dead” topic? Have insurance companies stopped doing it? No.

    It’s a perfectly valid point, and one which deserves to continued to be brought up in discussions of health care and health care insurance. What objection do you have to it being made other than “I don’t like your point so I’m putting my fingers in my ears and humming while telling you to stop it.”?

  76. Sean D. Martin says:

    Indeed: Remember when highly intelligent actor Ronaldus Magnus tried to warn us that Medicare would destroy Our Freedom?

    Frank DiSalle: I sure do, and I have noticed that Pres Obama (I call Presidents, past and present, “President”, because they deserve it)

    Uh, it’s the GOP who called him “Ronaldus Magnus”, Frank. (It was on their web site.) I see no disrespect in calling someone by a name used by their own party to praise them.

  77. Sean D. Martin says:

    Tater Salad: To the Democrats in Congress who don’t quite get it: I want to offer a personal pledge.

    And so serious and determine are you that you’re making sure they hear you by posting the same comment multiple times on Oliver’s website?

    Let me know how that works out fer ya.

  78. Sean D. Martin says:

    Frank DiSalle: That’s because you have a mainstream media that thinks Pres Obama makes the sun come up in the morning, …

    Demonstrably untrue.

    … and an administration that deliberately tramples on freedom the press

    Ditto.

    But what you’re really claiming here is that the press is committed to being a masochist? That their being trampled by the administration and respond with “We love you! Do it more!”??

  79. Dennis says:

    Not really thinking you could say a family making over 80 grand a year thinks community college has an unfair financial incentive against Harvard and look like a complete buffoon either.
    –Weasel

    Weasel. You said “Harvard was free.” You didn’t stip what income level, you thought everyone who got in got their tuition paid for by the Harvard endowment.

    You’re a weasel and a buffoon, Pollak. Not because you didn’t know that, because you tried to act like a smart-ass and were wrong.

  80. Indeed says:

    You’re a weasel and a buffoon, Pollak.

    Said the five year old.

  81. Dennis says:

    Said the five year old.

    Wow, I’m surprised you didn’t try to back up his buffoonery with a link or some forged quote that said that Harvard actually was free, Indeed.

  82. Indeed says:

    You’re a weasel and a buffoon, Pollak.

    ..and that’s why the Public Option is for doody heads! Heh!

  83. Dennis says:

    And back to the thread topic, and this is for Wilbur;s benefit, too:

    FromOW.com archives, circa August 20, 2009

    PUBLIC OPTION: 77% Support Public Option

    A 20 percentage point drop in one month for the public option, and you guys are whooping it up?

    “Give them what they want.”

  84. mambochicken23 says:

    A 20 percentage point drop in one month for the public option, and you guys are whooping it up?

    Assuming that there’s been a precipitous drop, why do you think that it’s happened, Dennis? Could it have anything to do with the lies and misinformation that the media, especially Fox News, has been feeding the public?

    I asked you once, quite a while back, whether the ends justify the means – whether it was permissible to lie and distort and inflame in order to defeat health care reform measures. As I recall, you never answered me.

  85. You’re a weasel and a buffoon, Pollak.

    Ne’erdowell hooliganry, I do say!

  86. mambochicken23 says:

    Assuming that there’s been a precipitous drop, why do you think that it’s happened, Dennis? Could it have anything to do with the lies and misinformation that the media, especially Fox News, has been feeding the public?

    I should add – if this drop is due to, in significant measure, the lies and distortions of right-wing fuckwits, then the fact that the majority still want it to pass is a testament to how fucked up the current system is and how badly it needs to be reformed.

  87. A 20 percentage point drop in one month for the public option, and you guys are whooping it up?

    Heh. Weasels indeed. In that same thread, you picked a different poll with a different methodology and different results to show that support for Obama’s health care reform was worse. Now you’re doing the same thing to fake some kind of taunt that it was better back then. Of course, accurately comparing the WaPo poll to itself shows a steady increase in support since August, declining only in mid-July following the teabagger coverage… I think you were saying something about acting like a smartass, kiddo?

  88. Dennis says:

    I asked you once, quite a while back, whether the ends justify the means – whether it was permissible to lie and distort and inflame in order to defeat health care reform measures. As I recall, you never answered me.

    No. I don’t buy that that’s the case though, mambo. Both side have mechanisms to get out their messages. Both sides distort, or mainly present their side of the issue. Most people can filter through the noise and there are a myriad of filtering devices and truth detector organizations that can set the record straight. Most of the time, when someone lies or gets it completely wrong, the implications are that the embarrassment is more damaging than the gain the original lie would’ve produced.

    For instance, I don’t give a rat’s ass that Limbaugh didn’t get his shitty sports franchise, but the lies that liberal blogs and Indeed and Sharpton and some sports writers used to achieve that end worked for their intended goal. I am of the belief that that will end up hurting the perpetuators of the lies more that whatever gain they think they achieved. We’ll see.

  89. Sean D. Martin says:

    Dennis: Weasel. You said “Harvard was free.” You didn’t stip what income level, you thought everyone who got in got their tuition paid for by the Harvard endowment.

    You’re a weasel and a buffoon, Pollak. Not because you didn’t know that, because you tried to act like a smart-ass and were wrong.

    And therefore, Dennis silently continued, because you overstated things with one brief sentence nothing else you say has any validity. All I have to do is keep picking on one point over and over and that way I can ignore any other points you make. And by constantly tying back to your one statement and calling others out on not repudiating it to a level I’m satisfied with, I can also ignore any legitimate points anyone else makes.

  90. Dennis says:

    I think you were saying something about acting like a smartass, kiddo?

    Pollack, best to quit and just hit the log off button after you’ve been embarrassed like you were with the “Harvard is free” taunt. You just make it worse.

    Wait till you have something really good and then pounce. Patience is a virtue.

    No charge for the advice.

  91. Dennis says:

    And by constantly tying back to your one statement and calling others out on not repudiating it to a level I’m satisfied with, I can also ignore any legitimate points anyone else makes.

    Sorry, Sean, I’ve been on like four different blogs today commenting. I can’t answer everyone. What was it you wanted me to address?

  92. Indeed says:

    What was it you wanted me to address?

    What
    are
    the
    “tenets
    of
    the
    Laffer
    Curve”?

  93. Indeed says:

    Hey look, another poll. Let’s see what this one says,

    New Poll: 48% Of Republicans Say Obama Does Not Love America — 27% Say He Does

    More than half of Republicans either say President Obama doesn’t love America or say they aren’t sure of his feelings toward the country he leads.

    That’s according to a new national poll due out tomorrow from Public Policy Polling. The firm gave TPMDC an early look this afternoon.

    PPP polled 766 registered voters nationwide. Of the GOP respondents, 27% agreed that Obama “loves America,” 48% disagreed and 25% said they weren’t sure.

    “It was the first time we asked that question,” PPP’s Tom Jensen told TPMDC. “But it’s very similar to the birther numbers we’ve seen before.”

    “It’s just more confirmation that Obama’s opponents will say anything,” he added.

  94. Sean D. Martin says:

    Dennis: Sorry, Sean, I’ve been on like four different blogs today commenting. I can’t answer everyone. What was it you wanted me to address?

    I didn’t specify anything. Just noting that, at the time I posted, you’d posted around half a dozen comments which, in one way or another, complained about the “Harvard is free” line.

  95. Zython says:

    Zython: Stop beating that horse. It is dead. D-E-A-D.

    Translation: “I don’t wish to express my views on the story, as it makes me feel uncomfortable.”

  96. Translation: “I don’t wish to express my views on the story, as it makes me feel uncomfortable.”
    Translation: One incident is not a trend.
    Repeating it three times doesn’t mean it happened three times.
    Repeating it three times doesn’t mean it happened three times.
    Repeating it three times doesn’t mean it happened three times.

  97. Zython says:

    One incident is not a trend.

    How about two?

    Three?

    What number turns this into a trend?

  98. Sean D. Martin says:

    Let me see if I can predict Frank’s answer.

    “Can’t hear you. Hum. Hummmm hummmmmm. La la.”

    Let’s watch and see what happens.

  99. Enlightened Liberal says:

    Wow, Dennis posts on FOUR blogs daily? And still claims to hold a job? Maybe his job is the old “$10/post” deal from the RNC. If so he’ll have enough to retire soon and we’ll be rid of him.

  100. Dennis says:

    Had a very busy, very productive morning and a very slow afternoon, EL.

    My job isn’t as linearly structured as your is, I’ll wager.

    My job doesn’t end on the 5:00 whistle, either. But thatnks for your interest in me. I’ll give you an addie to my friends list if you’d like.

  101. Indeed says:

    My job isn’t as linearly structured as your is, I’ll wager.

    A safe bet, considering that Ol’ Rushie might need to have his balls licked any time of day or night.

    http://www.oliverwillis.com/2009/07/31/rush-limbaughs-premature-galt/#comment-167636

  102. Dennis says:

    Indeed,

    Before you came back under a new ID, I thought you had just gone the way of CSS, News Reference and now, Jaim; that you had jumped the shark of insanity like they did, and realized too that you couldn’t take the daily pounding to your credibility, your very reason for posting here.

    I admire the fact that after a period of three full months away sulking, you got right back on your donkey and came back for more. Changing names was a bit weak and dishonest, but the coming back part is a credit to your lack of resolve in the face of adversity; that being knocked down, embarrassed, ridiculed and rendered impotent by anyone taking the time to pay the least bit of attention to you, was not reason enough for you to stop trying.

    Anita Dunn would be proud of you. So would Mao and Mother Theresa. And apparently, but not confirmed, Lee Atwater.

    You chose your path and you trudge along.

  103. Tater Salad says:

    I don’t know what poll who are getting but the public option will not pass…..period. Who needs another Post Office type of Healthcare, Am-Tracl, Fannie & Freddie, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid. Single payer will not get off the ground. Democratic Senators and Rep.s will not get voted back into office if this is pushed. Watch! Just saying my thoughts!

  104. Sean D. Martin says:

    Enlightened Liberal: Wow, Dennis posts on FOUR blogs daily?

    Relevance? There some limit to the number of blogs one is allowed to post to and still be taken seriously?

    I object to the things he does say. Not how many places he says them.