From the most liberal state in the country
 

Seems like the anti-health care reform continues -

DARTMOUTH, Mass. – Rep. Barney Frank lashed out at protester who held a poster depicting President Barack Obama with a Hitler-style mustache during a heated town hall meeting on federal health care reform.

"On what planet do you spend most of your time?" Frank asked the woman, who had stepped up to the podium at a southeastern Massachusetts senior center to ask why Frank supports what she called a Nazi policy.

"Ma'am, trying to have a conversation with you would be like trying to argue with a dining room table. I have no interest in doing it," Frank replied.

He continued by saying her ability to deface an image of the president and express her views "is a tribute to the First Amendment that this kind of vile, contemptible nonsense is so freely propagated."

Frank, who chairs the House Financial Services Committee, sought to assure more than 500 people attending the rowdy meeting that the average taxpayer wouldn't be hurt by plans currently under consideration in Congress.

Some of those attending the meeting organized by the Democratic Town Committee of Dartmouth shouted and booed as Frank and others addressed the crowd.

At one point, Frank asked the crowd: "Which one of you wants to yell next?"

Several people wanted to know how the government would pay for the reforms without worsening a growing federal budget deficit.

At least two dozen protesters gathered in small groups outside, handing out pamphlets and holding signs criticizing the overhaul, Obama and Frank. Some of the posters read: "It's the economy stupid, stop the spending" and "Healthcare reform yes, government takeover, no. Tort Reform Now"

Audrey Steele, 82, from New Bedford, said she does not want the government to get involved with health care because "they just make a mess of everything," referring to the $700 billion bailout of financial institutions that was used to pay for lavish conferences and hefty executive compensation.

Others at Tuesday's meeting were more supportive of reform.

Dr. Sheila Leavitt, a physician from Newton, said she hoped for changes that would support primary care physicians who aren't paid as much as specialists. She said some of the rowdy critics at Tuesday's meeting appeared to be using the same "talking points" as those who showed up at similar meetings around the country.

Did you see the video? She was a kook and Frank let her have it...great stuff :hihi:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYlZiWK2Iy8

-spence

:devil2:i'm not focused on the kook (although thats what the media will focus on), most of the other attendees were just pissed. I heard one man this morning on the radio tell Frank that he is unemployed and worried about healthcare, but that is HIS problem and not anyone elses, what right does he have to put his problems on the other people in the room.

My feelings exactlty. Notice how Frank says the "average" taxpayer will not see an increase.

Don't you think in the greatest country in the world, if he is/was/is a hardworking guy who happens to be out of work there ought to be programs in place to keep him covered??

I'm not pro-freeloading, and without calling healthcare a privilege or a right (that is a separate debate!), I think people in his shoes should have the opportunity to still be covered without it being as expensive as his rent/mortgage! If that means a gov't program or reform to reduce the outrageous costs, I'm all for it.


I've kept quiet on this because as busy as I am I have not had the time to read the bill as closely as ScottW, JohnnyD, Spence etc... (you guys need to get a life :D) and don't have a big enough grasp to post; I don't like to spout off...

I did find it interesting that one of the people on the Pro-side is a physician, and one of the people on the Con side was 82~

as a commentary, it is unfortunate that the media on both sides (Fox and everyone else) focuses on the kooks.

In its current form, I'm about 80% against this bill. I believe most of the aspects in it don't address the proper issues, and the issues that are addressed aren't effectively changed. Your above comment is my biggest issue with this whole health care debate.

This has turned into two clans of apes throwing feces at each other. Instead of addressing issues within the bill and giving examples that could improve them, the argument has been "Obama is a socialist and want panels of people to kill my grandma" and "Republicans are the party of no, stirring trouble just for the sake of it."

It's like two groups of children fighting on the playground. Until it stops and *constructive criticism* develops, we won't be able to create effective health care reform.

For all the pissing and moaning I have heard from the Republicans, I can't remember seeing a single one identifying an issue in the bill and recommending an alternative solution and why.

Like I tell my employees, "When you come to me with a problem, bring a suggestion for a solution."

Government can regulate or de-regulate the market but should not COMPETE with a free market.

and one person is to blame, Barak Obama. He promised health care reform, he campaigned on being a uniter and he is the ultimatley the man in charge. Dont blame Dems or Repubs. The buck stops with Obama.

And if health care reform fails (which it is on track to right now), it will certainly be his fault. But to say the level of blatant attacks by both parties lies on his shoulders is 100% his fault, I disagree.

You can force people to work together, but you can't make them get along.

Do I think he has reached across the aisle more so than his predecessor? I certainly do. Is he the grand uniter of Congress that he tried to make himself out to be? Not a chance.

Health care needs to be reformed and some form will pass in the House and Senate, but Republicans won't effectively moderate the plan if they don't turn down the venom and start being constructive.

Right now the Democrats have a 5-on-3 power play and it looks like the Republicans are making the idiot move of taking out their goalie.

Interestingly enough I heard Barney say to a guy who asked about healthcare reform "I don't need to negotiate with you, I negotiate with people who have votes and you don't have any."

I don't see what the healthcare debate has to do with the Nazis and death panels - sorry.
It shows the gullibility of people when you can reach for the worst possible comparison, regardless of relevance, and people will take it on face value and parrot it off as the truth.

I watched the clip, it was a little flip but nothing to make a big deal about. He was just saying he wasn't going to give up his position on the issue to a reporter!

-spence

Spence, Frank is nothing but a politically entitled, arrogant, loud mouth pompous jerk who looks down on any of his constituents who don't see things his way. He has shown time and time again that when someone has the audacity to question him, he gets pissed off and belittles them with petty insults. He's one of the greatest arguments for term limits in Congress.

Yes, the CLAPPING was for her. :rotf2:

Hmm, lets see how our modern, hip, leader handles things when he has mega-billions to spend......

So you want to give him MORE $ for health care?
Oops....

NEW YORK (AP) -- Hundreds of auto dealers in the New York area have withdrawn from the government's Cash for Clunkers program, citing delays in getting reimbursed by the government, a dealership group said Wednesday.

The Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association, which represents dealerships in the New York metro area, said about half its 425 members have left the program because they cannot afford to offer more rebates. They're also worried about getting repaid.

"(The government) needs to move the system forward and they need to start paying these dealers," said Mark Schienberg, the group's president. "This is a cash-dependent business."

The program offers up to $4,500 to shoppers who trade in vehicles getting 18 mpg or less for a more fuel-efficient car or truck. Dealers pay the rebates out of pocket, then must wait to be reimbursed by the government. But administrative snags and heavy paperwork have created a backlog of unpaid claims.

You could replace "Frank" with just about any politician.

lets try full context of that moonbat's speech and barney's response.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdQKetTLXm8

more moonbats:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/0..._n_262554.html
"Woman Shouts "Heil Hitler!" At Jewish Man Praising Israel's National Health System"

Stay classy misinformed people!

Not true, JD. As much as I don't trust most of them, I don't expect to see or hear them acting like him. Most of them are good enough liars and/or actors to come across better in public than Frank.

Right on! :uhuh:

Nobody took Barney to task for screwing up Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. If he couldn't get that right, he certainly would not get health insurance right.

man you guys are WAY missing the point. Spend all the time you want focusing on the wacko, but Massahusetts by population IS THE MOST LIBERAL STATE IN THE COUNTRY. If Obama's healthcare cannot get a warm reception here, the IS NO HOPE for the rest of the country. NONE. Get it?

Try harder.

Did you read the end of your own post?

"Others at Tuesday's meeting were more supportive of reform.

Dr. Sheila Leavitt, a physician from Newton, said she hoped for changes that would support primary care physicians who aren't paid as much as specialists. She said some of the rowdy critics at Tuesday's meeting appeared to be using the same "talking points" as those who showed up at similar meetings around the country."

Are you saying that this statement you quoted supports the argument that most people at the meeting are for reform? I know you watched your little edited CNN video clip, but did you watch the longer versions? It's pretty clear that most people in the meeting are not supportive of HC reform right now. Jimmy's comment is accurate.

So there's some people shout out some talking points against reform and that's the pulse of the entire State of Massachusetts?

I think most people believe reform is necessary be it the public option or tort, but a few holding signs comparing Obama to Hitler and state that MA is anti is pretty silly.

-spence

Needs more misquoted Jefferson.

Unless this state voted 100% for Obama, I don't think you can make that statement.

There will never be any policy that makes everyone happy - most liberal state or not.

Spence, if you looked at polls you'd see that it's not just a few Hitler sign toting crazies who aren't for the government reform as it's currently written. And I'd be willing to bet my paycheck that the woman with the idiotic sign voted for Obama in the presidential election. She doesn't strike me as a conservative person. Jim basically is saying that the current government HC reform proposal is not what the majority of citizens in MA want.

I think most people whether they're Republican, Democrat or Independent want some sort of change to healthcare. But most people don't want to see our government in charge of it. I think tort reform would be a good start, but with all the lawyers in politics it would go over like a fart in church.

Ahh Spence, not "some people" active people which I bet 100% are voters and they are the only ones who matter. If not, why are they spending so much time and money on these road shows. Those people represent VOTERS.

I'd lay a hefty bet on the Hitler idiot being somehow connected to the left... Probably some "lefty's" crazy brother in law, that got put up to it... No one would go to this like that without knowing it will hurt the "right" so someone on the right, would not be playing the fool for the camera... Probably also why Bawney Fwank gave him so much attention...

That's not really the point of RIJIMMY's thread.

-spence

Wasn't the Hitler comment directly tied originally to Rush???

You mean something like the little 13 yr old girl that asked and read the second question
at Obama's town hall meeting. Something like- Why are all those people outside
holding those mean signs about your HC Program?

Later you find out her mother was a contributor/ supporter of Obama and
her little girl had attended the Easter egg hunt at the White House.

I stay out of this forum for the most part but its always good for a little entertainment. That being said, does anyone actually think that our health care system does not need reform?

Ya for sure Rob some reform, but, imho, not at the expense
of a government take over which will allow government control
over 1/6th of our economy.

A similar plan in England makes their system the 3rd largest employer
in the world.

Oh Spince. The point he was making is that even though MA is the most liberal state in the country, most people here are not backing the President on the HC reform bill. Pretty simple to understand.

You made it about one person who held up an offensive sign and a few others who were shouting "talking points". It's ironic that you're now using the same tactic that you usually blame others of using. You're starting to get off your game a little. You need to get out and catch a fish before you go crazy and start showing up at town hall meetings in the east bay with signs of your own showing pictures of Obama and Biden dressed ad Bo and Luke Duke.

Spence doesn't fish, he's a troll and I'm beginning to suspect that he and Barney Frank are the same person, has anyone ever seen the two of them in the same room together?...I bet not...unbridled arrogance like that is rare....that pic in his avatar isn't really Spence... Spence is actually Barney Frank... :uhuh:

Fishbones - right
Spence - wrong

None of this petty bickering when you girls eventually fish with me. :buds:

Don't worry. I promise to play nice with Spence while you're on vacation, Jimmy. In fact I'm planning on taking him fishing down Monomoy next week. I even bought him a new wetsuit so he can venture further out in the surf.

that was awesome