National
Thousands of downtown DC protesters blast Obama
The line of protesters clogged several blocks near the Capitol, according to the D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency. Demonstrators chanted "enough, enough" and "We the People." Others yelled "You lie, you lie!" and "Pelosi has to go," referring to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
Throngs of people waved U.S. flags and held signs reading "Go Green Recycle Congress" and "Obama Bin Lyin.'" Men wore colonial costumes as they listened to speakers who warned of "judgment day" — Election Day 2010.
Other signs — reflecting the growing intensity of the health care debate — depicted President Barack Obama with the signature mustache of Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler. Many referred to Obama as a socialist or communist, and another imposed his face on that of the villainous Joker from "Batman."
Richard Brigle, 57, a Vietnam War veteran and former Teamster, came from Paw Paw, Mich. He said health care needs to be reformed — but not according to Obama's plan.
"My grandkids are going to be paying for this. It's going to cost too much money that we don't have," he said while marching, bracing himself with a wooden cane as he walked.
FreedomWorks Foundation, a conservative organization led by former House Majority Leader Dick Armey, organized several groups from across the country for what they billed as a "March on Washington."
Organizers say they built on momentum from the April "tea party" demonstrations held nationwide to protest tax policies, along with growing resentment over the economic stimulus packages and bank bailouts.
Armey and other speakers directed their ire at Pelosi - Armey took a photo, telling the crowd he wanted to be able to prove to her they were there.
"If it's necessary, we'll come back here next year," he said.
Many protesters said they paid their own way to the event — an ethic they believe should be applied to the government. They say unchecked spending on things like a government-run health insurance option could increase inflation and lead to economic ruin.
Terri Hall, 45, of Starke, Fla., said she felt compelled to become political for the first time this year because she was upset by government spending.
"Our government has lost sight of the powers they were granted," she said. She added that deficit spending is out of control, and said she thought it was putting the country at risk.
Race also became an issue when a black Republican leader denounced African-American politicians that she said had an "affinity" for socialism.
"I'm outraged prominent black politicians use the race card" to cover up their failed policies, said Deneen Borelli of New York.
One woman held a sign with images of Martin Luther King Jr. and Obama, with the words printed alongside: "He had a dream, we got a nightmare."
Lawmakers also supported the rally. Rep. Mike Pence, chairman of the House Republican Conference, said Americans want health care reform but they don't want a government takeover.
"Republicans, Democrats and independents are stepping up and demanding we put our fiscal house in order," Pence, of Indiana, told The Associated Press.
"I think the overriding message after years of borrowing, spending and bailouts is enough is enough," Pence said.
Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., and Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., also spoke at the rally.
Other sponsors of the event include the Heartland Institute, Americans for Tax Reform and the Ayn Rand Center for Individuals Rights.
Connie Castleton, 52, of Irving, Texas, said she drove 20 hours from her home to attend the rally. The nurse said she's motivated to try and get others involved in opposing Obama's health care plan.
"There's a lot more people mad about what's going on than I thought," she said.
Several protesters said they represented a "silent majority" or referred to themselves as "community organizers" — a phrase often associated with the president.
"This isn't some right-wing conservative agenda," said 30-year-old Adam Moore of Rochester, Mich. "This is a true grass-roots movement."
Erica Coyle, who is in her 50s and is from Louisville, Ky., said problems began before Obama took office, but she said the situation has worsened and people are "finally waking up."
"This is his Waterloo," Coyle said of Obama.
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Im sad to admit alot of
Im sad to admit alot of friends and family said " if Obama is elected he would enslave the white man" right wing radio strikes again! emotionally illogically say if that foreigner Obama is for it im against it or I cant call him a (expletive)so I will redicule him about anything else. Charles Manson may get what he wanted! very sad sore loosers at their worst!
On Wednesday night, Rep. Joe
On Wednesday night, Rep. Joe Wilson [R, SC-2], shouted "You lie!" at President Obama when he said that the healthcare bill would not cover illegal immigrants. "The supporters of the government takeover of healthcare and liberals who want to give healthcare to illegals are using my opposition as an excuse to distract from the critical questions being raised about this poorly conceived plan," Wilson said the next day in a campaign fundraising video.
However, in 2003, Wilson voted to provide federal funds for illegal immigrants' healthcare. The vote came on the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003, which contained Sec. 1011 authorizing $250 million annually between 2003 and 2008 for government reimbursements to hospitals who provide treatment for uninsured illegal immigrants. The program has been extended through 2009 and there is currently a bipartisan bill in Congress to make it permanent
isn't it terrible when your voting record is made public
How about the alternative
How about the alternative explanation. That if the federal government mandates that ERs treat anyone who comes through the door then the federal government should pay, at least in part, for the cost of that mandate?
It's a reasonable explanation. So reasonable that the Maine Constitution contains a provision that if the state mandates a new cost to the cities/towns that the state needs to pay for it....not that the provision is followed in spirit but not many seem to complain.
I just have to say, to
I just have to say, to Quicknote...Rest Assured this is NOT Racism. This is NOT about Black or White, Democrat or Republican....These were everyday American Citizens concerned about the Spending of money we don't have, and worried about the pockets of there Children and Grandchildren. You could have watched this LIVE yesterday it was Grandparents, Mothers, Fathers, Blacks, Whites....it was NOT a racist movement. To suggest that is crazy. I'm sure Racist have there own get togethers BUT that is Not what this was, It was a protest for Obama to hear the voices of the American people and say we don't want BIGGER goverment running us and spending money we don't have and using our Children as thier ATMS.
It is not crazy to suggest
It is not crazy to suggest racism exists. It most certainly is about D's and R's. watching the parade yesterday I saw no higly known Democrat whom participated in the march or voiced approval of it. Do the dem's have concerns? you betcha. But doing nothing is not going to help us at all. Sometimes you must take risk to gain a great benefit. Do not worry, Obama heard the American people when we voted him into office.
verified I do not support all of
I do not support all of Pres. Obama's goals, I would like to make that clear before continuing. I am afraid, however, that this is the deep-seated racism of a lot of Americans coming to the surface. There has been too much vitriolic opposition like this to Pres. Obama and his programs by Republican representatives and their supporters, the conservatives, who are not tolerant people and never have been. I think this is a fearful direction that many Americans are taking.
Speak as rationally as possible, recognizing human beings are not always rational.
There is no doubt in my mind
There is no doubt in my mind that this is part of the problem. I still remember the comment that another customer at a gas station I was filling up had to say the day after the election...What is wrong with this country that we would elect a Black man as president(the commentor used a much different phrase to describe the race of then President-elect Obama.)
I have an idea, why doesn't
I have an idea, why doesn't the President and our Legislators come up with a plan that is good enough for them ,instead of one they won't even sign up for? We're paying their salary, but yet they have to have a better health care plan than they think their constituents deserve!
Isn't this what they are
Isn't this what they are trying to do? as far as signing up for it..they can't, I can't and you can't...YET.
How is their plan better than ours if the new health care bill passes
As soon as members of Congress are sworn in, they may participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP). The program offers an assortment of health plans from which to choose, including fee-for-service, point-of-service, and health maintenance organizations (HMOs). In addition, Congress members can also insure their spouses and their dependents.
Not only does Congress get to choose from a wide range of plans, but there’s no waiting period. Unlike many Americans who must struggle against precondition clauses or are even denied coverage because of those preconditions, Senators and Representatives are covered no matter what - effective immediately.
And here’s the best part. The government pays up to 75 percent of the premium. That government, of course, is funded by taxpayers, the same taxpayers who often cannot afford health care themselves.
Read more: http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/
I might add that the biggest hurdle to overcome here is conservative congressional disaproval of trying to bring the same system they have to the average Joe
verified Dosh, I followed your link
Dosh, I followed your link and there's not one word about the million moron march. I don't know about Coyle but I remember it - and who organized it. Heil Louis!
Change (what an inspired screen name), the Bush tax cuts increased revenue to the federal government, just like the Reagan and JFK cuts before. But don't let history interfere with your hopium fantasies. The cuts had nothing to do with the spending binges begun by GWB and tripled by BHO
Fix: All will pay? I thought the party line was the evil rich and evil corporations would pay. All will be covered? Except for illegal immigrants. Excuse me, how racist. I mean except for undocumented Democrats.
Regarding drugs, where do you think all the world's research and development takes place? Answer: USA. If you libs succeed in destroying capitalism and the profit motive, you better plan on never getting a medical condition that can't be cured or controlled by existing drugs, because there will be nothing new. Unless, of course, the Chinese develop it. How much do you suppose it will cost then?
Sorry for the interruption. You may now resume your shallow discussion of DNC talking points.
verified Bush inherited projected
Bush inherited projected budget surpluses then turned around and doubled the national debt. You need to get your history from reliable sources, not your little conservaclown fantasies.
______________________
Winston Churchill
I think a little research is
I think a little research is needed before you (like a lot of right wingers) proceed with false statements--Bush's tax cuts did not increase revenue. Making the tax cuts permanent would be regressive; that is, it would confer by far the biggest benefits on high-income taxpayers. After-tax income would increase by more than 6 percent for households in the top 1 percent of the nation's income distribution, 2 percent for households in the middle 60 percent, and only 0.3 percent for households in the bottom 20 percent. The share of the tax cut accruing to high-income taxpayers would exceed their share of federal tax payments today, so their share of the federal tax burden would decline. The tax cuts will ultimately have to be financed with other tax increases or spending cuts. Once plausible methods of financing the tax cuts are taken into account, more than three-quarters of households are likely to end up worse off than they would have been if the tax cuts had never taken effect.· Making the tax cuts permanent would generate large, backloaded revenue losses over the next 10 years. Combined with a minimal but necessary fix to the government's Alternative Minimum Tax, making the tax cuts permanent would reduce federal revenues by almost $1.8 trillion over 10 years — and that's in addition to the $1.7 trillion of revenue losses already locked into law. By 2014, the annual revenue loss would amount to $400 billion, or 2 percent of gross domestic product. Jeesh you are like the king of revisionist history
As far as reaseach is concerned I guess you have never heard that that one of our most used antiboitics,Penicillin, is attributed to Scottish scientist and Nobel laureate Alexander Fleming in 1928. It was a fortuitous accident: in his laboratory in the basement of St. Mary's Hospital in London. To state that all research regarding drugs is conducted in the US is just another fallacy that people,who chose to ignore the facts, continue to spew. The plan being put forth By the democrats will in no way stop research. You guys need to turn off your TV and radios and stop listening to those idiots who are playing you like a well worn fiddle.
There sure is alot of money
There sure is alot of money being spent to stop public health care why....all the lawyers will lose 40% of thier moneies, insurance industry will lose 60% of thier accounts, phamacudicals will lose billions of dollars and for the patient the sky will not fall OUR HEALTH COST WILL BE CUT IN HALF!! OR LESS and ALL WILL BE COVERED AND ALL WILL PAY...Currently millions donot pay for healthcare and as a result those who do get straddled with thier bill!!!! THATS A FACT!!!! having them pay for themselves will lower our cost drasticly...Medical malpractice will be shunk by 60% no more will a doctor be sued because a baby was born with MS because of its mothers behavior (drugs and alcohol) not because a botched delivery and other scam lawsuits for which we pay for. Drugs will be forced to shrink thier prices by 70% no more will a pill costing 1cent be charged $15.00 This is robbery and it is happenning every second!!! So Bring on the Public option !!!!
Where were the Tea baggers
Where were the Tea baggers when their Boy Bush 1) passed tax cuts for the rich that cost more than Obama healthcare plan with a simple majority!
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