Comments on: An Opportunity to Evaluate What has Changed – Or Not http://www.healthcareletter.com/2009/09/21/an-opportunity-to-evaluate-what-has-changed-or-not/ Call to Action Weblog Fri, 18 Nov 2011 01:16:40 -0600 hourly 1 By: David Onkels http://www.healthcareletter.com/2009/09/21/an-opportunity-to-evaluate-what-has-changed-or-not/comment-page-1/#comment-43 David Onkels Wed, 07 Oct 2009 02:18:32 +0000 http://www.healthcareletter.com/?p=1230#comment-43 What I disliked about the speech was that every statement you listed contains a first person singular pronoun, even if the last one is possessive. That personalizes the debate and makes the President into a paternalistic figure (In his own mind: to me he's just an extreme egotist). It has that quality in common with all his speeches, and I think that his excessive use of the pronoun diminishes the Presidency and makes him look self-important. I was so disgusted that I started yelling at the television about halfway through. I'm not much consoled by the way the debate hass progressed. What I disliked about the speech was that every statement you listed contains a first person singular pronoun, even if the last one is possessive. That personalizes the debate and makes the President into a paternalistic figure (In his own mind: to me he’s just an extreme egotist).

It has that quality in common with all his speeches, and I think that his excessive use of the pronoun diminishes the Presidency and makes him look self-important.

I was so disgusted that I started yelling at the television about halfway through. I’m not much consoled by the way the debate hass progressed.

]]> By: Rob Plamondon http://www.healthcareletter.com/2009/09/21/an-opportunity-to-evaluate-what-has-changed-or-not/comment-page-1/#comment-29 Rob Plamondon Fri, 02 Oct 2009 19:09:59 +0000 http://www.healthcareletter.com/?p=1230#comment-29 Oakleigh, thanks for sharing your thoughts on the President's remarks. I too am encouraged by the influence the "voice of the people" has had on this debate. There are many things to be concerned with over a bill that attempts to resolve an issue this complex. First, I am not sure it truly reforms Healthcare insurance, but just rather requires that everyone have insurance (or pay a tax penalty) and ensure that everyone has insurance (at some cost to the American people). To me, it fails to address many of the other issues that are driving up healthcare costs (litigation, defensive medicine, work flow issues, etc.). Second, I am very concerned over the amount of pork that often goes into legislation of this magnitude. Often times the costs associated with these riders, generally to appease special interests or politicians and get them on board, outweighs the costs of doing what was originally intended. To break these down into manageable pieces and adressing specific issues head on will lead to a more cost effective and practical solution for the consumer. It may not all happen on President Obama's watch as he so desires, but it moves us in the right direction; we see improvements over time leading to and unltimate goal. This is a process and needs to be treated as such. Sweeping change does not happen overnight. I have read and heard a lot of good ideas presented on how we can make an impact on this issues. Often, though, these view are not shared through the mainstream news media, nor do they seem to be getting much attention from those drafting the legislation. I hope the voice of the people continues and that those in power will ultimately listen. The American people want affordable choices, and they want to be in control of those choices. Oakleigh, thanks for sharing your thoughts on the President’s remarks. I too am encouraged by the influence the “voice of the people” has had on this debate. There are many things to be concerned with over a bill that attempts to resolve an issue this complex. First, I am not sure it truly reforms Healthcare insurance, but just rather requires that everyone have insurance (or pay a tax penalty) and ensure that everyone has insurance (at some cost to the American people). To me, it fails to address many of the other issues that are driving up healthcare costs (litigation, defensive medicine, work flow issues, etc.). Second, I am very concerned over the amount of pork that often goes into legislation of this magnitude. Often times the costs associated with these riders, generally to appease special interests or politicians and get them on board, outweighs the costs of doing what was originally intended.

To break these down into manageable pieces and adressing specific issues head on will lead to a more cost effective and practical solution for the consumer. It may not all happen on President Obama’s watch as he so desires, but it moves us in the right direction; we see improvements over time leading to and unltimate goal. This is a process and needs to be treated as such. Sweeping change does not happen overnight.

I have read and heard a lot of good ideas presented on how we can make an impact on this issues. Often, though, these view are not shared through the mainstream news media, nor do they seem to be getting much attention from those drafting the legislation. I hope the voice of the people continues and that those in power will ultimately listen. The American people want affordable choices, and they want to be in control of those choices.

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