Notes Re the AntiObamaCare Rally today: This very feeling was expressed by many in the group I mingled with... Many of them said for the first time in their lives, they were frightened at the turn of direction for America...
Our very democracy and way of life is at stake here. Is there any greater battle worth fighting?
Some Notes:
Observations….the Event coordinator thought there might be 32 people to counter the "other side" group at the MI event today. I personally counted a few over 100, and that was after some people had gone. Beautiful sunny day….the Anti-Obamacare HB 3200 folks were wonderful…not a duplicate homemade or organized-type sign in the group! Lots of signs and lots of spirit.
And all against the current plan for all sorts of reasons. Many horn honks and thumbs up for our side with just a few thumbs down….the other side of the street had only a few horn honks. Remember, most of these people could have spent the day doing something else beside making their homemade signs, and waving them at the passing people and the folks in the cars. Appropriately dressed, no scruffs among these folks. But there might have been in the group across the street.
One perfect sign said: Freedom Isn't Free! With an American flag proudly attached to the sign with red/white/blue ribbons decorating the edges.
Questions… Youngish man (about 35ish) with his mobile device said he wanted to do some research into the reasons why people might not want ObamaCare. He didn't ask our name, but who knows, we might be on YouTube….I said that, and several said they didn't care…they would say the same things if their name were known or not. He interviewed several of us, but I decided to interview him…. Most probably, he was part of the Government Plan and Intervention Group that were across the street.
Nadine, you would have had a field day here…He set up strawmen at every turn, and we called him on it…Soon as we did, he changed the subject….
He wanted the only choice to be the government option for everyone.
He said: "Don't you want to help the '45 million that don't have health insurance' because they are financially destitute."
I and a couple of others countered his contention of "45 Million" was wrong. He wanted sources. We gave some thoughts, and insisted he list his sources for the numbers he was using. He changed the subject.
Several of us said NO…we help in other ways and they can help themselves. If they really have no money, or very little, they can be on Medicaid. He said they couldn't as they might make too much money for that. I said Government should have catastrophic health care insurance plan available for everyone that people could afford. He thought everything should be 'free' for all. I also mentioned he couldn't have it both ways….either everyone help pay for their own insurance, or he and those like him could make slaves out of the Medical Providers. That got him going…said it wouldn't do that, and the Government plan would pay the Doctors and other providers well. I mentioned that most Docs were already in Group Health type facilities if they didn't want the joys and hassles of their own business and destiny.
Most of us don't want to pay for undocumented non-citizens --he countered with Obama said we wouldn't be…We countered with laughter. He countered with "when hasn't Obama told the truth"…Another bout of laughing….boiled down to "WHEN has Obama told the truth lately?
Most of us didn't feel the companies had to pay health insurance for their employees, but that there needs to be a variety of insurance companies that will provide affordable insurance rates for a variety of medical issues.
I told him I was on Medicare and a supplement. He said that was socialized health care. He said he was paying for that. (He looked to be about 35-38 or so)….I told him that not only had I and most like me had paid through our paychecks 2.65% of each check, PLUS our employer paid the same amount of 2.65% for every check, PLUS each of us continues paying taxes just like he does for all for Medicare. Plus we ourselves pay more for Medicare part B, and any supplement we have, and anything we have for drug coverage, in addition we pay anything that is left from a bill, and for any drug copays we have. He changed the subject.
He mentioned again that he wanted everyone to help with everyone's medical payments. The people there didn't want that at all. He tried to insist that we were not generous people, or didn't believe in charity. THAT stupid statement brought out all sorts of chatter and anger….The people at this rally were fairly well heeled, and DO contribute to many charities and good causes, both monetarily and by volunteering…both men and women that were there. He listened, but realized he had talked to the wrong group because we knew more than he did…. |
