Bill Clinton's Last Major Push For Health Care Reform!

[Dralavant]

As you may know, the health care reform is taking hits left and right. With the President virtually giving in to the Big Pharmaceutical Companies who don't want true reform (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/13/internal-memo-confirms-bi_n_258285.html), Former President Bill Clinton took a step into the debate and went to set the record straight on some lies that are being thrown out there to the public. He spoke to a crowd of Progressive Blogggers (Yes, the big bunch of "Anti-Americans" as the Republicans tag them as...) urging them to strengthen their efforts and to push for true Health-Care Reform. This is coming from the man who was able to Heroically rescue the two famous reporters from their detainment in North Korea. During his speech he jokingly referred to that apologizing for his voice due to being on too many planes lately. lol

Here's an excerpt from Huffingtonpost.com for those who aren't able to view the Youtube videos videos posted below.



In a speech rallying progressives to make one last major push to pass health care reform, former President Bill Clinton accused Republicans of propagating a campaign of disinformation reminiscent of the effort to bring down his own attempt at reform.

"Do you want to go through that again?" the 42nd President asked the crowd of bloggers, online activists, and a slew of Democratic lawmakers at the Netroots Nation convention in Pittsburgh. "Of course you don't. I'm telling you no matter how low they drive support for this with misinformation, the minute the president signs a health care reform bill his approval will go up. Secondly, within a year, when all those bad things they say will happen don't happen, and all the good things happen, approval will explode."

The remarks fit into the wider theme of Clinton's more than hour-long address. Fresh off a trip to North Korea, in which he negotiated the release of two imprisoned American journalists, and with a sore voice, the former president declared the moment to be ripe for a progressive political era that could last "30 to 40 years."

But health care was the topic that the crowd wanted to hear about and Clinton didn't shy away from it. Occasionally referencing anecdotes from his failed reform effort in the early 1990s, he directly confronted the popular "death panel" myth being promoted among conservatives: that Democrats wanted to set up government panels to determine which sick patients to euthanize.

"Helping somebody draw up a living will is not the same thing as inviting seniors to die. It is a legitimate thing," he declared emphatically. "[Writing a will] doesn't have anything to do with all these crazy charges that are being made."

He pinpointed three ways in which Barack Obama's health care agenda faced an uphill battle: the complexity of the topic, the cost of reform, and the natural concern among the populace about changing the status quo. But he urged Democrats not to "lose their nerve."

"I'm pleading with you," he said, "try to keep this thing in the lane of getting something done. We need to pass a bill."

More than anything else, it was the memories of past failures that should compel current action, Clinton added. Unlike 17 years ago, he explained, the stars are now aligned to get legislation passed, in terms of the temperament of the American public, the genuine need for a systematic overhaul, or simple voting calculus in the United States Senate.

"Right now the Republicans are sitting around rooting for the President to fail," Clinton said. "And one of the reasons people are so hysterical at all these health care town-hall meetings... is they know they have no chance to beat health care this time, unless they can mortify with rigid fears some moderate conservative Democrats. Why do I know? Because they don't have the filibuster this time."


Youtube vids. Credit goes to Firedoglake.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZscvX9zsWAk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijjM0x20A2o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFsESh3YnhY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFa5Dkvmrmw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrO1PCJeIes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6Iv13jnCnk

[narutosimpson]

hes the best ever

[Blue_Panter_Ninja]

Nice :ohpek

[Hand Banana]

Bush is a beast.

[Diceman]

Another unamerican democrat spewing socialist filth around

[Camille]

Another unamerican democrat spewing socialist filth around

You don't get more American than Clinton :awesome

[Shinobi Mugen]

Bill Clinton was themost awesome president you guys ever had.

[Camille]

Bill Clinton was themost awesome president you guys ever had.

Eloquently put :lmao :awesome










Btw, I forgot to ask, Diceman, are you serious when you called Clinton un-American?

[Diceman]

Umm...no.That guy was a playa,how's that un-American?:lmao

[Dark Uchiha]

so sad that the boisterousness lies of a few, will drown out the will of many.

i still have hope

[Camille]

Umm...no.That guy was a playa,how's that un-American?:lmao

Just checking :lmao

[Dralavant]

so sad that the boisterousness lies of a few, will drown out the will of many.

i still have hope

You're absolutely right. Such as these "Death Panel" claims from Sarah Palin and other crazy nut jobs. I mean seriously, the would rather listen to someone who believes that Dinosaurs were on the Earth 5,000 years ago? That shows you how STUPID our country is. We could have Scientists and Smart people run the country, but instead we have congressmen and congresswomen who are easily paid to go against the better interests of the American people and discard the facts. :facepalm

[Camille]

You're absolutely right. Such as these "Death Panel" claims from Sarah Palin and other crazy nut jobs. I mean seriously, the would rather listen to someone who believes that Dinosaurs were on the Earth 5,000 years ago? That shows you how STUPID our country is. We could have Scientists and Smart people run the country, but instead we have congressmen and congresswomen who are easily paid to go against the better interests of the American people and discard the facts. :facepalm

You got that wrong. Humans walked with dinosaurs 6000 years ago, right after the Earth was created by the almighty God :LOS

Well, your Secretary of Energy is a Nobel laureate...that's a start, right? :hurr

Aah, the anti-intellectualism in America will end one day, you'll see.

[Blue_Panter_Ninja]

In Belgium and France people are paying .........100$$ a YEAR for Health CARE per person.:edu:amazed

[Magus]

The democrats are pushing this so hard, they’re really setting themselves up for massive disappointment when their efforts fail.

[Raiden]

Another unamerican democrat spewing socialist filth around

Yeah, President Bush should rip a page out of his book instead of remaining silent and hoping that the negatives of his legacy will fade. He doesn't have to comment on things like health care reform, but it would be great for him if he spoke out against and helped stop poverty, starvation, or something.

[LouDAgreat]

Yeah, President Bush should rip a page out of his book instead of remaining silent and hoping that the negatives of his legacy will fade. He doesn't have to comment on things like health care reform, but it would be great for him if he spoke out against and helped stop poverty, starvation, or something.

I think he doesn't want to be too big in the spotlight after having it for so long, and not in a positive way. He's probably sick of the fun poked at him, and feels he would only make things worse by showing his face. Instead of turning up the debate, he'll just get lambasted by media all over. They'll cite he's a hypocrite, and stupid and doesn't make sense, and the focus will be more on why Bush is an idiot other than the core issues of the debate.

He'll just be attacked, no matter what he says, and it's pointless to go in public if opponents to what he supports will just use him as a scapegoat to all the problems in America and stray away from the real concerns of the debate.

[Dralavant]

The democrats are pushing this so hard, they’re really setting themselves up for massive disappointment when their efforts fail.

Ah yes, but what if they succeed? And our economy begins to recover? What if those who are uninsured are given real Health care that's highly beneficial, and those who already have insurance to be presented with lots of options that members of congress enjoy? I don't see this as a disappointment if it's passed.

People argue that the democrats are pushing this too fact. Well we've been trying to fix it for at least 30 years. I think that now is the time to get this done.

[Hand Banana]

The economy won't recover just because people have insurance.

[Masaki]

The economy won't recover just because people have insurance.

But people will have health care.

[The Space Cowboy]

Ah yes, but what if they succeed? And our economy begins to recover? What if those who are uninsured are given real Health care that's highly beneficial, and those who already have insurance to be presented with lots of options that members of congress enjoy? I don't see this as a disappointment if it's passed.

People argue that the democrats are pushing this too fact. Well we've been trying to fix it for at least 30 years. I think that now is the time to get this done.


Yes, you go ahead and cripple the Fed. Gov. by creating another massive entitlements program that can't be un-funded. Good god man, do you want to export the California budget crises to the Federal Government?

[Hand Banana]

But people will have health care.

People in Aerica have plenty of access to health care. Just to fucking lazy to apply for it. Its sad when 7-11 offers health care but people won't take it.

[Seto Kaiba]

People in Aerica have plenty of access to health care. Just to fucking lazy to apply for it. Its sad when 7-11 offers health care but people won't take it.

Please tell me you're joking.

[The Space Cowboy]

He probably isn't. When I worked at a convenience store, they actually -did- offer health care benefits after 90 days. The problem isn't that they're too lazy to take it, but the optional benefits cost so much that you might as well be working for half your stated wage.

I had a coworker who -just- worked there because of the health benefits. Rest of the time, he was self employed

[Seto Kaiba]

He probably isn't. When I worked at a convenience store, they actually -did- offer health care benefits after 90 days.

That's not what I was wondering about.

[Hand Banana]

What part do you think I was kidding about? I did spell America wrong :(

[Sejame]

We have access to amzing health care here.. unfortunately it cripples you financially.

I lived in England my whole life untill I was 18 ( now 24 ) and never had any problems with the health care. People talk about the long waiting periods, but this isn't for emergencies just silly things like breaking a finger. I was smashed into a metal fence during a marathon ( PWNED ) when i was 14 and was seen instantly.

Then I come here and get a kidney stone. Of course when I had it I had no clue what it was but was ( other than having the most intense pain i have felt in my life - compares to a woman giving birth apparently ) a sunday and the dr's offices are closed so went into the ER. I got sorted and I have really good health insurance ( They paid around 3k of it ) but was still responsible for 1k in medical bills. Imagine someone who has terrible health insurance or none at all. a 4k bill would annihilate them.
Add that on top of how much I pay each week in medical insurance and it's stupidly expensive. I'd much prefer the higher tax prices anyday.

[Banhammer]

Okay, first there was Macdonalds

Then there was vanilla ice

Then there was brittney spears

Then there was Bush and Bush for a million years

With the hip hop culture in middle

Then there was twilight

Then prop eight

If the american people really go apeshit about this, then there's somewhat of a deservance of the future

[dummy plug]

im rooting for Clinton :kaga

[Bryan Paulsen]

Yes, you go ahead and cripple the Fed. Gov. by creating another massive entitlements program that can't be un-funded. Good god man, do you want to export the California budget crises to the Federal Government?

The federal government's budget is so fucked they don't even bother anymore. We just borrow from China.

How do you think CA got in this mess? Acting the same way, but instead of China they were begging our government.

Because of the idiots that like to ignore dollar signs in favor of, "Oooooh, we're getting this, and I don't even notice it on my taxes!"

Idiots. CA sucks. The people here are mostly dumb-asses, and God forbid the majority of the rest of the nation be like them.

Let's just make the rest of the USA like CA...At least we'll have health-care to show for it. Bah.

[Camille]

im rooting for Clinton :kaga

We all should :ho

[Rescuebear]

I find it ironic that Clinton was kicked out in a world where Bush exists.

[Pilaf]

I find it ironic that Clinton was kicked out in a world where Bush exists.

Clinton served his two terms..he wasn't "kicked out." He just couldn't run again, per the U.S. constitution.

[hyakku]

The federal government's budget is so fucked they don't even bother anymore. We just borrow from China.

How do you think CA got in this mess? Acting the same way, but instead of China they were begging our government.

Because of the idiots that like to ignore dollar signs in favor of, "Oooooh, we're getting this, and I don't even notice it on my taxes!"

Idiots. CA sucks. The people here are mostly dumb-asses, and God forbid the majority of the rest of the nation be like them.

Let's just make the rest of the USA like CA...At least we'll have health-care to show for it. Bah.

No.

CA got into this mess the EXACT WAY PEOPLE ARE PROPOSING WE GET OUT OF IT. By telling the government to fuck off and let us do what we want. THAT'S what happened in California. Everyone here thought it was a fucking awesome idea to let the general public make some of the most important legislation, many of which didn't read the bill at all; fuck, half of them didn't even speak ENGLISH, but in the name of non - intervention we voted for all of these expensive measures (three strikes, stupid construction and education raises [really; the UC system needed Merced? UCSC, Riverside and Davis aren't even capped yet]), many of which people had confused (not related to the economy but the most recent I have in memory is the people who voted yes to prop 8 thinking it was legalizing gay marriage), and then we decided to vote AGAINST taxes and cutting programs for shits and giggles.

This is the PRECISE reason why we need sensible government intervention. If it were left up to the population shit would be fucking apeshit.

Edit: I'm not angry at you or anything either dude, just in the general mindstate of people in CA.

[Bryan Paulsen]

No.

CA got into this mess the EXACT WAY PEOPLE ARE PROPOSING WE GET OUT OF IT. By telling the government to fuck off and let us do what we want. THAT'S what happened in California. Everyone here thought it was a fucking awesome idea to let the general public make some of the most important legislation, many of which didn't read the bill at all; fuck, half of them didn't even speak ENGLISH, but in the name of non - intervention we voted for all of these expensive measures (three strikes, stupid construction and education raises [really; the UC system needed Merced? UCSC, Riverside and Davis aren't even capped yet]), many of which people had confused (not related to the economy but the most recent I have in memory is the people who voted yes to prop 8 thinking it was legalizing gay marriage), and then we decided to vote AGAINST taxes and cutting programs for shits and giggles.

You're arguing the same thing I'm arguing.

The idiots in CA like to vote for things that they pretend they're getting for free (translation: ignoring costs in favor of just paying attention to benefits), and they'll do it regardless of if the money is there to pay it, while they themselves have no desire to help pay for it. This state has a ton of unfuded hand-outs as a result. End result? Massive debt.

No different from what the government has been doing now with numerous things, health-care only being another recent fiasco. It'll pass well before it's ever paid for, and it'll also cost more in the end than originally projected. Mark it down.


This is the PRECISE reason why we need sensible government intervention. If it were left up to the population shit would be fucking apeshit.

The government is acting no differently than those idiots that drove CA into the ground. That's what you fail to realize - the only reason we've got away with this shit at a federal level is because of China. Our fiscal policy is entirely unsound, and has no indications of becoming sound anytime soon. The American people don't want to be taxed, but they want hand-outs like health-care - an obvious parallel to CA.

Sensible government intervention is something I'm all for, but there is zero precedent to believe that this government will do anything fiscally responsible.

This Congress is a joke.


Edit: I'm not angry at you or anything either dude, just in the general mindstate of people in CA.

You and me both.

[Shinobi Mugen]

http://media.fukung.net/images/18135/c816aadac170de8ea2ad58a3061ee8ac.png

[Dark Uchiha]

its just mind boggling.

obama campaign pledge on healthcare was for a public option

november came
voters voted overwhelmingly for democrat majority in the senate

60 votes we were told was needed to pass healthcare in November

its august and you have dems saying they cant vote for the public option.

its like...do they know they will lose there job when reelection comes?
do they know they are the majority?
do they think that they will have 60 votes forever if they dont do this?

this is muthafuckn maddness

[Dralavant]

http://media.fukung.net/images/18135/c816aadac170de8ea2ad58a3061ee8ac.png

A Perfect example indeed.

its just mind boggling.

obama campaign pledge on healthcare was for a public option

november came
voters voted overwhelmingly for democrat majority in the senate

60 votes we were told was needed to pass healthcare in November

its august and you have dems saying they cant vote for the public option.

its like...do they know they will lose there job when reelection comes?
do they know they are the majority?
do they think that they will have 60 votes forever if they dont do this?

this is muthafuckn maddness

I couldn't agree with you more. We have the Majority now, I can't understand for the life of me why the fuck we're not getting anything done. And if we don't pass the public option this year, than the democrats will have one hell of a hard time during election cycle. That is except for those who are trying hard to get the public option.