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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009

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NEXT STOP, REALITY TV (MAYBE)

Va. Socialites Crashed
Obama's State Dinner

And, yes, Tareq and Michaele Salahi want reality-TV turn

Nov 25, 09 9:29 PM CST
Racist Image of Michelle Obama Taken Down

Blog site removes it, not Google, then issues apology

Nov 25, 09 2:07 PM CST
PROFILE

Biden the
Second Most
Powerful
Vice Prez

He's scaling back from Cheney, but a major player in his own right

Nov 26, 09 12:47 PM CST
Worst Modern VP Picks

Don't be so quick to judge Palin

Nov 26, 09 11:52 AM CST
FACEBOOK DOESN'T LIE, RIGHT?

Party-Crashers Got Close
to Obamas Before

Photos show them in inaugural box; Secret Service admits mistake

Nov 26, 09 7:28 PM CST
Blair Knew Iraq Had No WMD
10 Days Before War Began

Intelligence ignored, British panel told

Nov 25, 09 8:16 PM CST
Google Issues Disclaimer
Over Racist Michelle Image

But company won't
pull doctored photo

Nov 24, 09 12:28 PM CST
analysis

Kid Lit Goes Political

Children's books get hyper-partisan

Nov 26, 09 4:33 AM CST
White House Backs Senate On 'Cadillac' Health Tax

Advisers outline cost control measures for health plan

Nov 26, 09 8:48 AM CST
Clintons Strive to Avoid Conflict of Interest Claims

Pair lead separate lives focusing on same issues

Nov 26, 09 9:20 AM CST
MALKIN GETS FESTIVE

This Year's Top Liberal Turkeys

Stimulus, President O-bow-ma get top billing

Nov 25, 09 8:01 PM CST
Bachmann, Palin
to Address
Tea Party
Convention

Nashville to host ultra-conservative gathering February

Nov 25, 09 4:34 PM CST
UK Weighs
Super-Tough
Bank Bonus Laws

Banks to be ordered to reveal numbers of millionaire staff

Nov 26, 09 9:03 AM CST

|NEXT STORY »

INTERVIEW

Daschle: Insurers Can Talk to Rush—Or Me

Says Dems need to 'do better' at selling health care reform

By Matt Cantor| Posted Aug 30, 09 9:42 AM CDT|

(Newser) – Why is Tom Daschle taking money to advise an insurer that’s against the creation of a public health care option—a measure he supports? Pish-posh, the former Senate majority leader tells Deborah Solomon in the New York Times. Who would doubters on the left “advise these insurance companies talk to? They can talk to Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin or they can talk to me,” he tells the New York Times Magazine in its weekly Q&A.

Asked about President Obama’s performance selling health care reform, Daschle, who dropped out as health secretary-designate amid word he owed $140,000 in back taxes, says, “We have to do better at making this issue a moral imperative. This in many respects is the civil rights battle of the early part of this century ... it’s a fight for equal rights when it comes to health.”

In this Feb. 2, 2009 file photo, former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)

Former Sen. Tom Daschle speaks to the media after a closed session meeting with the Senate Finance Committee on Capitol Hill, Monday, Feb. 2, 2009, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

In this Jan. 8, 2009 file photo, then-Health and Human Services Secretary-designate Tom Daschle, right, smiles as he prepares to testify on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

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29 comments

VIEWING:

bahari@bellsouth.net
Aug 30, 09 9:50 AM CDT

Equal rights for everyone for healthcare, now I believe him on that. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

timeandagain
Aug 30, 09 9:50 AM CDT

Listening to a TAX CHEAT talk about "moral imperatives" is a bit ironic, huh? Typical trash Democrat... Healthcare is DEAD. Reply

-14

IN RESPONSE:

Circusdog
Aug 30, 09 9:57 AM CDT

hope you never get sick and your family has to sponsor car washes to pay for your medical treatment.

+14

IN RESPONSE:

timeandagain
Aug 30, 09 10:05 AM CDT

My family and I have health insurance that I pay +/-$1100/month for... That is money that I work hard for and I could probably spend on cable TV or a nicer car or more toys, but health insurance is a priority that I make for myself and my family. I don't count on government HANDOUTS for the things that I view as a priority. (And I pay my taxes in full and on time...)

-6

IN RESPONSE:

Newser001
Aug 30, 09 10:30 AM CDT

@timeandagain, And when the time comes, (G-d forbid) you're unable to provide for your family, then what - What will your attitude be, then? When your renewal premiums jump by 29% in one year, then what...? When you can no longer afford healthcare, but you had a difference to enable change, but fought it; hindsight is 20/20. With regard to taxation; let's go to a flat tax - No more finagling out of obligations through loopholes.

IN RESPONSE:

JonmarkP
Aug 30, 09 12:33 PM CDT

You're pretty smug about this. Are you not aware that over half of the countries bankruptcies are filed because of medical bills for people who have medical insurance? Your 20% copay on a $200,000 medical bill is $40,000-sounds like that would sink your little boat in a hurry. Then you'd be whining about how it's "the Government's fault" for not protecting you.

IN RESPONSE:

So_Cal_Larry
Aug 30, 09 5:31 PM CDT

TimeAndAgain may well have it right. Universal health care has been dead since President Truman in the 1940s. It's having a very rough time with President Obama when it should be sailing through. This, like other social programs (social security, medicare, medicaid) are always done by Democrats and always opposed by Republicans using the worst demagoguery. Demagoguing the issue does not require truth or facts, it requires appealing to emotions and prejudices rather than rationality. The Republicans do this so skillfully because they have so much experience and practice at it. Healthcare reform without a robust 'public option' is not reform at all. It's another giveaway by the government to the corporations who answer to stockholders who demand increasing dividends every year. Unfortunately, Tom Daschle, the tax cheat, whom I used to love and respect, has crossed over to the dark side. It pays much more than public service.

IN RESPONSE:

Robert_Dada
Aug 30, 09 8:20 PM CDT

timeandanass: $1100 a month for health care that ranks 37th in the world. And this is the system you want to preserve. You exemplify imbecile on every level. Not only are you supporting a system that is basically sticking you in the *ss, but you are paying handsomely for it. What an idiot.

IN RESPONSE:

cornelison
Aug 31, 09 12:35 AM CDT

It's, "We the people." It's about using your collective power to make sure that everyone is protected with a health care plan. At the end of the national anthem it's about, "land of the free and home of the brave." I see nothing brave about the cruelty displayed in the conservative media.

| 0 minutes ago

polstroad
Aug 30, 09 9:55 AM CDT

timeaandagain: grow up. I have no problem with what you say about a tax deliguent but do we turn to the GOP for moral perspectives after the long line of sex cheaters? All you folks can seem to do is call names to an entire party rather than addressing an individual and a single issue at a time. Want to talk about Bush and booze? Rush and drugs? etc etc? good for the goose is good for the gander. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

timeandagain
Aug 30, 09 10:00 AM CDT

FYI - someone who doesn't file taxes or an extension by April 15 is a "tax deliguent" [sic]. Someone who gets caught not paying $140 THOUSAND in back taxes is a slime-ball Democrat tax CHEAT! Get it straight... Pay you taxes Dems! "Good for the goose is good for the gander"... Right??

-6

IN RESPONSE:

JonmarkP
Aug 30, 09 12:29 PM CDT

See, the problem with that is that IRS statistics show wealthy Republicans are more likely to be audited because they're more apt to be tax cheats. Have you thought of doing a little bit of research before you expose yourself to the world as an uniformed dolt?

IN RESPONSE:

NewserScooter
Aug 30, 09 10:27 PM CDT

Jon wealthy people in general are more likely to be audited however it seems that Dems seeking cabinet positions, or heads of congressional tax comm. are more likely to be tax cheats

-3

IN RESPONSE:

cornelison
Aug 31, 09 12:40 AM CDT

The GOP doesn't want to debate or talk about health care. Their part of the debates are over. They only vote, "No." They're waiting for 2010 & 2012 while sick & dying people have no affordable health care. They don't care about people - period.

| 0 minutes ago

timeandagain
Aug 30, 09 9:56 AM CDT

Look - there is a mouth on BOTH sides of Tom's face! Oh, yeah, he is a Democrat! Reply

-6

IN RESPONSE:

Circusdog
Aug 30, 09 9:58 AM CDT

and republicans can talk with there heads up their asses go figure!

| 0 minutes ago

polstroad
Aug 30, 09 10:25 AM CDT

the govt does not hand out. we all pay in one or another way. Is your bank insured? that is by the govt you dislike. Medicare? govt. V.A. Hospital? govt. Our military? govt. You and your family are not the only ones in our nation. There are some less fortunate and count your blessings that nothing happens to you or your job or your family cause insurance will toss you off your insurance. I served my nation...why should I bother? Your taxes, friend, just bailed out banks that give out llmore in bonuses than you will make in 4 years. On behalf of those lucky people: thanks for paying up so we can get our bonuses. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

jamerican
Aug 30, 09 12:30 PM CDT

I think that a lot of Republicans would agree that something needs to be done about the rising cost of healthcare and would also agree that what scares them the most is a government run program. Let's fact it, our government doesn't run anything well or efficiently and I detest paying more taxes for a bunch of idiots to make our healthcare system more complicated than the IRS. I, for one, do not want the government to run healthcare and if you lood at Medicare it is terribly wastefull and inefficient. I morally do not want the government to pay my taxes to take care 20 million criminal illegal mexicans who should not be here in the first place. Obama has made it clear that he thinks abortion is a form of birth control and his value of life certainly logically leads to euthanasia. Some of these issues must be dealt with before a lot more Americans will support this program. Reply

-4

IN RESPONSE:

Rocket448
Aug 30, 09 3:07 PM CDT

Your problem is: mexicans, african-americans, and other people of color. God forbid any of your tax dollars should be of use to them. Or the roads you drive on, the firefighters you look up to, the policemen who protect you and your property....you just want your tax money to benefit, well, you. You know what that makes you, right?

IN RESPONSE:

cornelison
Aug 31, 09 12:45 AM CDT

The waiting is over. Think about a family of 4 and how much money they are spending on health insurance. If you had affordable health care think of the leftover money. It's the money that can be spent on debt or in the marketplace. Now THAT is a capitalistic stimulus plan.

| 0 minutes ago

JimW
Aug 30, 09 1:03 PM CDT

It won't cover illegals, and doesn't pay for abortion. Those are both dealt with differently by individual state laws. Those are both myths. I swear, some people will believe anything as fact, and spout is as the truth. They will even quote it from such-and-such a page on such-and-such a bill, when it does not even exist at all. Anyone interested in buying a couple of bridges? Reply

IN RESPONSE:

Ucantusethatname
Aug 30, 09 1:36 PM CDT

Illegals receive treatment now. Nothing would change--unless provision in a health bill bans payment for health care to illegals. Of course, the courts would rule such a provision unconstitutional. Before passing any bill, remember that the projected national deficit has upped to $9 trillion.

-1

| 0 minutes ago

polstroad
Aug 30, 09 1:26 PM CDT

think on this: the quick but realistic check on a nation's health system is the average longevity of its citizens. There are some 25 nations (including Cuba) that have better longevity rates than our country. In addition, we pay (average) twice as much money for health care than any nation in the world. Now doesn't that suggest that something is very wrong in our country and in big need of fixing? Or is simply: I got mine so who cares about America? Reply

IN RESPONSE:

Newser001
Aug 30, 09 2:14 PM CDT

Spot on!

| 0 minutes ago

Ucantusethatname
Aug 30, 09 1:32 PM CDT

"Moral imperative"? Words from a scumbag tax evader. Which Americans in their right mind would listen to this disgraced politician again? And why would Obama appoint such scum? Please go back to the Dakotas and take care of the sheep. Reply

-1

IN RESPONSE:

So_Cal_Larry
Aug 30, 09 5:50 PM CDT

Unfortunately, President Obama has not remained true to his principles and promises. There were to be no lobbyists around him - there are many already. He was to get on the cases of the Wall St. money pigs who brought the world economy to its knees. He has appointed tax cheat foxes from Goldman Sachs to guard the hen house of our economy, and further reward these pigs with more taxpayer money. He has already done deals with big pharma to keep their profits high and our pockets empty. And, he says a 'public option' is not necessary for healthcare reform. That is a blatant lie, and leaves the poor people dying for lack of care. The President seems to be abandoning many of his principles and election promises. All this in six months. With a leftist landslide election and substantial majorities in both the House and Senate. It's all becoming very disappointing, to one of 'the left of the left' Democrats.

| 0 minutes ago

Rocket448
Aug 30, 09 2:57 PM CDT

So, youdontuseyourbrain, would you call any elected official who has violated a regulation or broken a law, "scum"? I mean, that's logical, isn't it? SO, who of the GOP does that leave to make laws. then? Get a grip. Reply

-1

| 0 minutes ago

So_Cal_Larry
Aug 30, 09 5:40 PM CDT

Bill Moyers of PBS has two important programs this week. 'Bill Moyers Journal' on PBS had an excellent hour-long program on our health care system. You can see it again at PBS.org website. Bill Moyers appeared for thirty minutes with Bill Maher on HBO on Friday evening, with repeats all weak long. It is a very enlightening half-hour. I have been emailing many Democratic leaders over the past few weeks regarding their lack of toughness on healthcare reform. I have been suggesting that they take this round stick that Marine Corps Officers carry - a swagger stick, and shove it up their butts so they could stand up straight and to right. Bill Moyers thought that the Democratic Party had it's collective spine removed, and cannot stand up straight and do right. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

NewserScooter
Aug 30, 09 10:29 PM CDT

Apparently thats what happened after they found out what the public thought about their plan, and their desire to keep their seats.

| 0 minutes ago

View all 29 comments »

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What is Newser?

What Is it
About Palin?
Hard to Say

MORE ABOUT:
politics • right wingers • Sarah Palin • conservatives • right-wing attacks • President Obama • Going Rogue • Going Rogue review

Palin Pulls in Big Bucks
—for Democrats

MORE ABOUT:
Democrats • Democratic National Committee • health care reform • Sarah Palin • political fundraising • Sarah Palin book tour

Obama:
'Let's Finish the Job'

MORE ABOUT:
Nancy Pelosi • health care • Congress • Democrats • House of Representatives • health care reform • President Obama