"All the problems with the American health care system come from government intervention, so naturally the Democrats' idea for fixing it is more government intervention."

The VA health system is the finest health system in America based on a Rand study that monitored 294 health categories. The VA was at the top in all 294 categories. This is a government run health system for the men and women in our Armed services that serve more than 8 million Americans. Are you going to suggest getting rid of the VA system because it is government run?

Medicare has been a critical life saver for most seniors in this country, and were it not for the destructive posturing of a select group of anti-tax conservative extremists who have worked to under fund this invaluable program we would not be in the mess we are in today regarding its condition going forward. Are you going to tell all people over 65 they should not have their Medicare?

Ann Coulter would not know a fact if she stepped on one.

I got this from AARP this AM for what its worth..

If your inbox is anything like mine, you're getting a lot of emails about how SCARY health reform is. From allegations about rationing care to wild reports of government-sponsored euthanasia, the rumors just keep getting crazier.

And I've had enough. Enough of the fear-mongering. Enough of the myths and unfounded rumors. Enough of the interest groups twisting the truth to stop health reform.

I'm fighting back – and I'm asking for your help!

Below I've debunked some of the common myths going around. Will you forward this email to your friends and help get the truth out about reform?

The truth is real reform is at risk because opponents are using scare tactics and slogans to gin up fear and misunderstandings. Don't let that happen.

Sincerely,

Barry Jackson
AARP Online Advocacy Manager

P.S. Let's make sure everyone gets the truth. After you've forwarded the message below, please share these myths and facts on Facebook if you have an account, or post them on other networking sites. If you're active on Twitter, please tweet the truth now.

******Delete the text above and forward this message to friends and family ******

Hi,

My inbox has been flooded with emails spreading crazy rumors about health reform so I wanted to share some facts from AARP about what's really going on. Please join me in forwarding these facts to everyone you know. Print them out and pass them around at your social gatherings and other places where people are discussing the issues of the day.

FACT #1: Medicare will not be ended, and no benefits or services will be cut.

Your services will not be ended, nor will your benefits be cut. AARP's position on this could not be clearer. And we have sent this message loud and clear to Congress. While the current proposals include savings in Medicare by cutting out fraud, abuse, waste, and inefficiency, we're standing up and making sure benefits for Medicare recipients are not only fully protected, but are improved.¹

FACT #2: No legislation currently in Congress would mandate the rationing of care. Period.

Our staff has read all of the legislation circulating in Congress and there are no provisions in these bills that would ration care for our members. None. If any ever did, we would vigorously fight to stop that legislation.²

FACT #3: There is no provision of any piece of legislation that would promote euthanasia of any kind.

The rumors out there are flat out lies. Right now Medicare does not cover counseling for end-of-life care. The portion of the bill in question would simply provide coverage for optional end-of-life consultations with doctors, so that the patient can be aware of all of the treatment options on the table. It is not mandatory and it has nothing to do with euthanasia.³

FACT #4: We have not endorsed President Obama's plan.

In fact, we haven't endorsed any plan. We are supporting reform of our health care system, something that AARP has pushed for many years. We're working closely with Republican and Democratic members of Congress to lower health care costs and to ensure quality affordable coverage for older Americans – and we want reform legislation passed and signed by the president this year.⁴

So what is AARP fighting for in health reform?

1. Stopping insurance companies from charging older Americans unaffordable premiums because of their age.
2. Ending the practice of excluding people from insurance because of pre-existing conditions.
3. Holding down health costs and making insurance coverage more affordable for all Americans.
4. Making prescription drugs more affordable by narrowing the Medicare doughnut hole, bringing generics to market faster, and allowing Medicare to negotiate better drug prices.

Find out more and take action at HealthActionNow.org.

Coulter's wrong from the very first sentence.  That takes talent.

Two things, sioux: 1)  Ann Coulter is a genius.  2)  AARP has an agenda of its own.  The Coulter comment just goes without saying.  The AARP thing may need explaining. 

AARP sponsors all kinds of insurance.  IMO, It bribes people to buy certain kinds of insurance (well, in so many words).  A big part of what AARP does is sponsor health insurance.  It makes me so mad I want to withdraw my membership and tell them I want a pro rata refund of my $12 annual fee.  Really.  I don't trust AARP any more than I do 0. 

But Coulter's still a genius. 

The Coulter statement--like most of her writing--is a flat-out lie.

Remember, this woman actually *DID* commit voter fraud, one of the few documented cases...

OF COURSE the AARP has an agenda. Working in the interest of older people. Is that so BAD?

SWG:  The AARP has an agenda:  IMO, it's fatten further the coffers of AAPR.  Period.

Then why do they lobby on behalf of seniors? Just for kicks?

SWG:  How old are you, 20?  Get real. 

All the problems with the American health care system come from government intervention, so naturally the Democrats' idea for fixing it is more government intervention.

Well, that's simply silly.

--virgil

There's a non-answer for ya. I tried.

  American health care is already market based.

Accessibility  to it is the issue. Not everyone has that.  Ms. Coulter is only making a buck .

--virgil

It's okay for Coulter to spin things for a buck, but not the AARP? Too bad so many people are brainwashed into trusting people who enrich the powerful and being suspicious of those who try to help the vulnerable, even when they are AMONG the vulnerable.

She's nasty!  I bet she uses a mirror when waxing the pink parts.

--virgil

  American health care is already market based.

It's market based as in not a true free maket.  More like a cartel or economic junta.  When consumers even have the option of shopping around they don't even know what they are looking for.  It's like going to the grocery store blindfolded and hoping you got the bare essentials.

I don't even like AARP or want them to have much of a say in the reform but they hve more credibilty on the issue that Ann Coulter.  Even if it passes she'll still have her good private coverage (assuming).  What is the fear of private competing with the "public option" if private does it better?  In theory, they would win if they are the more efficient of the two.  Why not give it a try as opposed to hoping this thing will just work itself out?  This has been an issue for years and just now Washington is attempting to adequately address it.

How in the world could ANYONE think Ann Coulter is a genius? She's a self-serving, mean-spirited, publicity-hungry witch.

It's simply illogical to compare health care to personal trainers and manicures.

Well, I'm going to have to go ahead and assume that those against a government health program, (which of course is not unprecedented) think that Obama is simply lying.

What he proposes is an OPTION to be covered by a government plan. That means if you already have a plan you like, it does absolutely NOTHING to your health choices. You still have a choice in plans, you have a choice in doctors etc.

Sure government can sometimes muck stuff up, but medicare seems to be doing it's job okay. Imagine senior citizens without it. 

If you are simply just against an option for poorer people, well that's just a whole different thing.

So I'm going to give y'all the benefit of the doubt and assume you think Obama is just straight up lying, and that you don't really want to deprive minimum wagers from some kind of health care access.

AdamPayne,

Again, the VA is not a valid example in this argument.  We are not trying to adopt purely government run hospitals through this legislature.  I went through this with some other posters the other day, it's a worthless debate.  The VA is not as wonderful as everyone makes it sound to be but it serves it's purpose.  HOWEVER, unless we are talking about creating government run hospitals and clinics, the VA and your belief on how the system works doesn't have anything to do with the current legislation.

When Coulter said:

We already have near-universal health coverage in the form of Medicare, Medicaid, veterans' hospitals, emergency rooms and tax-deductible employer-provided health care -- all government creations.

I believe what she was trying to say is that we have all of these options (Medicare, Medicaid, Veteran's Hospitals, emergency rooms and tax-deductible employer provided health care) already in place for those who don't have insurance so why do we need more government care?  Never in the article did she say these programs weren't needed, so your statements saying she called for these programs to end is false.

Random,

Can you provide me with some info on Ann Coulter and voter fraud, I hadn't heard about that before.  Thanks.  Is it like the Acorn stuff?

God forbid someone expresses an opinion that doesn't agree with the rest of you....then she becomes a liar, stupid, etc.  Since when does someone having a different opinion mean they are stupid?

SCR~ thanks for the AARP  e-mail.

It reinforces that some are using fear,lies and scary" half- truths to further an agenda. A agenda that does not have any ones interest at heart but big pharm,HMO's and insurance company profits.

Ann Coulter~ *spit pathooey spew *~ a genius? Look a flying pig just went by my  window!

Genius do more than spew bile and write a few books.

" God forbid someone expresses an opinion that doesn't agree with the rest of you....then she becomes a liar, stupid, etc. "

And you'll be wise not to forget it, too.

--virgil

Virgil,

Are you implying that if I have an opinion that is different from the rest that I too am a liar or stupid?

yes, genius do odd stuff.  while being pretty, too.

(sigh)

Well, I'm going to have to go ahead and assume that those against a government health program, (which of course is not unprecedented) think that Obama is simply lying.

That's it.  They don't believe him.  It's not that there is an option for people who don't have or like their insurance.  It is that they think the guy is lying.  After 8 years of the past administration, I could buy that.

 Not at all, Woman.

In fact, it was  you who said that, not me. I actually thought you were talking about how I felt about Ann Coulter ( she does lie to sell herself and her books ).

--virgil

Virgil, Virgil.  That doesn't become you.  You're not as mean-spirited as you make others believe you are.  Me, on the other hand.............

But then there's that evil twin I have.  Do you have one, too?

Alcien,

Coulter is a narcissist selling narcissism to other would be narcissists.

--virgil

Alicen,

She may be smart, but no genius there. Just venality ( and apparently, proud of it ).

--virgil

Can you provide me with some info on Ann Coulter and voter fraud, I hadn't heard about that before.  Thanks.  Is it like the Acorn stuff?

No, the "ACORN stuff" mainly consisted of fraud perpetrated against the ACORN organization by contractors.  Voter-registration fraud.

Coulter voted in a Connecticut election despite not being a resident of the precinct, and gave a phony address to register in Florida

http://www.nydailynews.com/...

http://www.bradblog.com/?p=...

Oh, and there's the homestead exemption she claimed.

She was let off the hook, naturally, as being too valuable for the GOP Justice Department to pursue.

Hey, jf:  I'm all for a "government option."  I've asked my lawmakers if they'll take it; they've not answered.  I wonder why.  If it's not good enough for them, why in the name of time is it good for anybody else? 

The fact is that soon we will have government-run everything.  Car manufacturers, car dealers, insurance companies, banks, homes, you name it, the government will run it.  Right into the ground.  Might as well put a marker on it, mound dirt up over it, and put up a sign, "R.I.P." 

Too bad about the illegal aliens when nothing works here anymore, with private industry gone down the toilet.  They may have to go home (wherever that may be) to get help when they break a leg or run a 104-degree fever or contract pneumonia or anything else imaginable.

When nobody works, who pays for anything?  Who, for instance, is going to pay those $4,500 for clunkers?  Just asking.

Virgil,

Yes, I did say that.  But please, she's not the only person, right or left, that lies and sells themselves to make money and promote their books.  They all do it.  It's their jobs.  If you don't like what she says, don't read it.  Save yourself the anger instead of giving her what she wants, right?

My point was that you and I both know that in these blogs, many people will insult others just because of a difference of opinion.  I always thought the point was for intelligent debate, not insults and accusations just because someone has a difference of opinion.

It just seems sometimes that when someone posts a different point of view, they are automatically discounted for having a different point of view.  But that's just my opinion.  For example, treating people like idiots because they don't agree with the health care plan.  Aren't they entitled to their opinion as well?

And can anyone here actually tell me what is in the current health care plan that everyone is insisting needs to be passed so soon?

Pretty is as pretty does.

Genius~ You may have a point.She does remind me of a Muslim jinni.

From now on I will hear what she emits from her vocal orface in the dulcet tones of Robin Williams. When I am forced to hear her at all.

Sage,

I know how you feel, Bill Maher makes me feel the same way.

"And can anyone here actually tell me what is in the current health care plan that everyone is insisting needs to be passed so soon?"

A single payer public option ( medicare with extended eligibility requirements ).

 Woman,

I apologize for any affronts you may have felt from anything I've posted. I mean no harm, so call it if you see it.  :   )

--virgil

Never listen to him either. I saw him in "The Amazon *something* in the Avacado Jungle*something*"~ can't remember the exact title...but his "acting" stuck with me.

There is a fine line between sarcasm and pure mean.

casooner90:  how did Coulter get in here anyhow?  What does she have to do with anything?  Nothing. 

Presumably Coulter, along with most of our elected officials and appointed officials, etc. have enough dough to manage their own health care bills. 

The difference, it seems to me, is that Coulter is probably willing to pay for her own health affairs, while our elected officials, etc. are perfectly willing for us to pay for theirs.  And we've been doing so and will continue to do so until their death, if I'm not badly mistaken.  I really don't think that's fair.  In fact, I believe that they want Ann Coulter, and others like her, to pay not only for hers, but for theirs and that of a lot of other people.  But then I've been known to have some really RADICAL ideas.  I am SUCH a RADICAL grandmother.

I don't want some government bureaucrat standing behind the door, figuratively speaking, while I'm in an examining room with my doctor discussing ANYTHING.  But I believe, candidly, that that is precisly what we'll be getting, if the administration has its way.

Virgil,

Thanks.  What get me is that everyone is so worried about the bill passing/not passing, but it seems like no one really knows the details of the bill that I have heard is over 1,000 pages.  I need to read it myself, but I find devoting that much time to government legislation is hard to get excited about.

No worries, I didn't mean you.  I just meant that so many times it seems that a different opinion becomes an excuse to demonize the person behind the opinion.  Not you, of course.  I mean, I got that your waxing comment was meant to be funny.  =-)

Woman,

You don't think Ms. Coulter probably waxes the pink parts ?

--virgil

There isn't "a" bill.  There's like half a dozen floating around.  One's just four pages or so long.

That's why it was so important to get "a" bill out of Congress quickly--so everybody could be on the same page, whether it's page four or page 994.

The Medicare-for-all bill that Virgil's mentioning is the four-pages-or-so one.  It makes the most sense and therefore has the least chance of passing.

Oh, and the Congressmen already have the government option.  Works just fine.

uh Alicen..the post is written by Coulter.

Alicen,

I agree, it does seem unfair that with the people representing our country can afford their own health care and yet depend on the citizens of this country to provide it for them.  It would seem if they are really that concerned about it, and those that could would lose their tax payer sponsored health care and let that money be used elsewhere, paying for those who really need it.

It's like the King collecting taxes from the poor, paying for his food with the tax payers money (when he already has his own), but then complaining how more needs to be done to give the poor food as he stuffs his face thanks to them.

 The fact is that soon we will have government-run everything.  Car manufacturers, car dealers, insurance companies, banks, homes, you name it, the government will run it.  Right into the ground.  Might as well put a marker on it, mound dirt up over it, and put up a sign, "R.I.P."

We already have that to a certain extent due to mismanagement in the private sector.  They came running to the government to subsidize their losses.  It's already run into the ground.  Other than these companies no longer existing (which I'm a fan of) how much worse can they get.  Everyday they are in operation is a testimony to the government saving their ass.  GM, Ford, and AIG should not be.

Too bad about the illegal aliens when nothing works here anymore, with private industry gone down the toilet.  They may have to go home

This may be a indirect indicator of that trend already happening- http://www.azcentral.com/bu...

Who, for instance, is going to pay those $4,500 for clunkers? 

I wish nobody would pay for them.  It artificially props up the illusion that is our economic system.  If such programs didn't exist, maybe cars would sell for their real value or truly efficient business models in the American private industry would work.

Random,

I think the biggest problem is the number of bills floating around.  There is so much information that no one really knows what to think of it all.  It's hard to believe anyone on TV these days, media or politician, because they are all out there trying to prove their own agenda.  I think if this is something the administration really wants, they need to find ONE bill and say, "This is what we want to do." 

Oh, and the Congressmen already have the government option.  Works just fine.

Can you tell me what the government option for the Congressmen provides?  Also, I've heard they have exempted themselves out of the plan in the larger bills.  Is this the same in the smaller bill?

And if the bill you are discussing means Medical for all, does this mean even those who already have private insurance?

 I agree, it does seem unfair that with the people representing our country can afford their own health care and yet depend on the citizens of this country to provide it for them.

I agree.  Everyone should get it.

Virgil:  I'll grant you that Coulter is probably as narcissistic as they come.  It's impossible to deny, however, that she is quite agile on her feet; that is, she can actually think and speak at the same time, as distinguished from, uh, uh, uh, that one with the sibilant s's. 

And IMO there's nothing wrong with a little narcissism.  Without it, perhaps people would forgo showers, deodorant, clean clothing, etc.  I believe I'd rather have the narcissism. 

I'd give anything to be as articulate as Ann Coulter is.  Well, almost anything.  Articulate, self-possessed, lovely.  And if she isn't a genius, who cares? 

sage:  OOPS!  I was on the AARP track.  Heaven knows that's a train wreck.  (That's my excuse, and I'm sticking to it.)

Jfrancis,

Who, for instance, is going to pay those $4,500 for clunkers? 

I wish nobody would pay for them.  It artificially props up the illusion that is our economic system.  If such programs didn't exist, maybe cars would sell for their real value or truly efficient business models in the American private industry would work.

I agree. Part of the problem was the way these businesses were running in the first place...if we bail them out then give them a deal where we give incentives to the public to buy their product, it seems they aren't really learning anything.  Also, I think this deal is going to give everyone the illusion that all is right with the automotive industry and the economy is improving when in reality, this trend will end as soon as the money does.  Also, with it being August anyways, this is the end of the year for the previous year model and when a lot of people do their car buying anyway.  So now it seems like the government is putting us another proposed 2B plus the original 1B further into debt just to convince people to buy cars. 

Alicen,

Ms. Coulter is a show person with no substance save for what niche market she's able to manipulate.

Here's an example : http://www.youtube.com/watc...

--virgil

I went on a car lot this weekend with 10k in hand and the salesman pretty much laughed at me not even willing to try to make a deal (even on a used).  I guess they are doing fine with their clunker welfare checks. 

I think eventually, they'll realize that they've priced themselves out of a sustinable market.  The average American is not going to be able to buy a car that is more than his annual salary.