WaPo Turns Into Healthcare Insurance Industry Advocate By Skewing Coverage
By Nicole Belle Sunday Jun 28, 2009 4:00pmSo I'm skimming my bookmarked sites for post ideas and on CongressMatters (which, if you don't read regularly, you should), David Waldman blogged about this ridiculously slanted article in today's Washington Post:
Health-Care Activists Targeting Democrats
Sniping Among Liberals May Jeopardize Votes Needed to Pass BillBy Ceci Connolly
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Hmmmm....interesting spin. It's the liberals' fault. Not the obstructionist Republicans or centrist Democrats standing in the way of what the people want. Of course. It goes on:
Provided that the Democratic legislators in question were actually pressing for, you know, legislation that these constituencies actually agreed with and wanted to see passed. There's nothing "natural" about it, in the sense that support should be assumed or taken for granted. But that's the implication. I'm not the "natural" ally of anyone who insists that something supported by 76% of the population is really just some sort of "left-leaning" nonsense, and that we need to find "centrist" compromise with the other 24%.
But that's the underlying premise of the entire article, helped along by quotes from Democratic lawmakers and staffers who repeat the mantra, especially when it comes to the pressure being put on them (or rather, that they claim is not actually being put on them, because they all "ignore" ads and other "unhelpful" input from the grassroots).
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), for example:
"I do not think this is helpful. It doesn't move me one whit," she said. "They are spending a lot of money on something that is not productive."
That's a hell of a thing for a Member of Congress to say, don't you think? Spending a lot of money on something that is not productive? You don't say! At least it's private money, Senator. Gosh, sorry to bother you, Di!
Next graf:
Much of the sparring centers around whether to create a government-managed health insurance program that would compete with private insurers. Obama supports the concept, dubbed the "public option," but he has been vague on details. Left-of-center activists want a powerful entity with the ability to set prices for doctors and hospitals.
76% support for a public option. But only "left-of-center activists" want it.
But it gets better. Adam Green, with whom we've worked on his "Demand a Public Option" campaign, is one of the few liberals quoted for the article, and Connolly distorts that too:
When asking me about the Progressive Change Campaign Committee's TV ads (which begin airing Monday in DC) holding Senate Dems accountable for taking millions from insurance interests and being on the verge of opposing a public option supported by 76% of Americans, Connolly would ask me ridiculous questions like, "Why are you attacking your friends? Wouldn't you agree that these Democrats are better for you on most health care issues than Republicans?"
I had to patiently explain to her that the public option is the defining issue of the health care debate -- if Senators like Baucus and Nelson aren't with us on that, they are not our friends.
Connolly listened, and then chose to dismiss silly activists who are fighting for what 76% of Americans want:
Activists say they are simply pressing for quick delivery of "true health reform," but the intraparty rift runs the risk of alienating centrist Democrats who will be needed to pass a bill.
As if passing the bill is the goal, regardless of what's in it. Notice how she wrote "Activists say" for the side of an argument representing what 76% of Americans want and simply stated the other side as truth.
But just in case you weren't sure for whom Connolly was advocating:
Connolly then asked me why progressives were picking a political fight on the public option, as opposed to another issue. I guess the fact that it's the #1 domestic issue of the day -- one that affects millions of American families -- wasn't explanation enough.
I figured she was looking for a quote summarizing the political stakes, so I thought for a moment and said, "The public option has become a proxy for the question of whether Democrats will stand on principle and represent their constituents."
I was quite proud of that answer. It summarizes what a lot of people are feeling -- the public option is the "line in the sand" issue for Democrats, something Chris has written about here on OpenLeft several times.
Connolly's take on that quote:
Green, in an interview, was hard-pressed to articulate a substantive argument for the public plan but said that it "has become a proxy for the question of Democrats who stand on principle and represent their constituents."
WHAT? Connolly asked me a question on the politics, and when I gave her an answer on that, she said I didn't answer on the substance?
The Washington Post disinforming the public once again. You can email Ceci Connolly to give her feedback at connollyc@washpost.com or tweet her at @postdailydose.
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it's a surprise that anything gets anywhere in congress
and especially when the journalists are ditching or misrepresenting
the majority view. free speech is one thing, but some really need
to have their butts kicked across the ocean or at least into a
honey bucket with their shallow brains.
I have a tough time thinking there are that many people (businesses, employees, citizens) out there who are happy to pay ever-increasing health insurance premiums. This is just like the teabagging lie that had random, run of the mill "conservative" dullards (who enjoy a tax cut under Obama) out in their sparse numbers "protesting" a tax increase for Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity.
Ceci Connolly spent 1999-2000 making sure Al Gore wasn't president. She's very skilled at rumor, innuendo and, if necessary, just flat making it up. See the Daily Howler archives (all 248 entries) for just how duplicitous the woman is.
The Washington Post, speaking for power for, well, not much longer.
For a second there I thought it said, "WaPo Turns Into Healthcare Insurance Industry Advocate By Showing Cleavage."
That left leaning Wa Post isn't far left? Who woulda known that? They are bought and paid for propagandists just like Fox.
I said they'd add on so much crap, detach so much that was 'good,' that the even the center-right 'liberals' would reject it, and that thereafter they would be blamed for the failure this displeasure was designed to provoke.
Obama will sing ANY "health-care reform" bill that manages to get to h is desk, and proclaim himslfl the salvation of the middle class...
Obama will sing his new health care bill? Who's the writer? Will he be credited? Enquiring minds want to know.
Don't sweat the small stuff. If that is all you have to comment on, give someone a chance to come back and correct it.
Obama wants to APPEAR to be doing something for the commonweal, much more than he actually wants to do it.
Sometimes you doth protest too much. Can't you take a joke?
Sometimes
But not at Woody's expense.
doesn't need a babysitter.
Precisely, which is why I said don't sweat the small stuff.
Silly rabbit.
If they don't do the correct thing we take to the streets!
Ridiculously slanted? The entire debate is ridiculously slanted. It is not just this article. I expect nothing much from the WaPo and I am not informed about some of the details. These I am sure about:
Maybe, but the CBO DID NOT draw up numbers with the 'public option'.
Obama provides no details on it, as far as I am concerned the 'public option' is a HOAX.
Left-of-center activists, there are precious few in the Congress, DO want a powerful entity, it is called SINGLE PAYER. Not so named in the article at all. Another egregious omission.
The public option was not in the CBO numbers and Baucus had the thirteen people standing up for single payer ARRESTED.
Daily Kos on Howard Dean, the 'public option' which he correctly calls the 'compromise' position, here
No shit, it is the best Congress that lobbyists money can buy.
These polls I would like to see. Who would give a rat's ass about the insurance vipers other than they themselves.
Ask the wrong questions in a poll and you will get the wrong answer.
The entire debate is ridiculously slanted.
...Ceci "Gore says he discovered Love Canal" Connolly, a frequent Roundtable guest on FnS.
If the new health plan provided coverage for all, thus lowering the costs overall, with escalating and deescalating costs based on income, no preexisting condition excuse clause, transferability, and the ability for doctors to recommend and carry out what they think is the best treatment it could work.
But I don't wear rosy glasses
Might make me look too much like Bono.
Ya know, I've always disliked Bono's rosy glasses. I don't care for his blue ones either.
We sure can't make shit anymore, however... are we good about selling shit or what?
How else can one explain that we are the only industrialized country sans universal health care, on top of that we're still having a debate, and it seems that the proponents of forcing Americans to pay the most in healthcare costs in exchange of one of the worst health care systems in the industrialized world will get their way.
In other words, we... the American people are the proverbial "whore" and we are so f*cking dumb that marketing has managed to convince most of us to be all too happy about having to pay for the screw.
We have to be for sure in the running up for the title of dumbest motherf*ckers on earth.
if you wore orange you cound be a boner
I'm always sporting a boner.
Grand slam?
KNEW it!!!!!!
(P.S. to ysbaddaden).
I'm sure it's very sporty and fun to wear!
hehe
should be could .
collaborating Intel. :) Washington Post... ? in "sheep's clothing"
[Start]... A conservative notice, dated 6/8/2009
"I'm from the government and I'm here to help."
If these words send a shiver up your spine now... just wait.
What if the next time you hear that, it's your doctor?
What if it's the person who decides if you get a life-saving procedure?
If that scares you as much as it scares me, I hope you'll sign and return the enclosed Petitions to Congress IMMEDIATELY.
And I hope you’ll join Campaign for Liberty's fight against this governments takeover of our healthcare system. **
As you'll see, there's no time to waste.
You and I must DEMAND President Obama and Congress back off their healthcare rationing Scheme and other plans for government intervention.
There's no telling when Congress may act to implement their European-style takeover of medicine, So there's absolutely NO time to waste.
If passed, not only could the 1.5 TRILLION federal government: takeover of healthcare be the last straw to bankrupt our country, but it would also:
*** Hand control of our healthcare industry to an unelected federal board who will take charge of deciding who gets medical care – and who doesn’t;
[Page 1 of 6]
**Campaign for Liberty ►[ http://www.campaignforliberty.com/ ]
Note: Recreated using PaperPort Version 11.1 (11.1.0.300). :)
Here is a list of elected people taking payoffs to cheat the American people and the amounts of bribes being taken. This is just from health care and insurance.
It is mind boggling to think how much these people are taking from others!
Arlen Specter (R-D- PA- $4,026,933)
Max Baucus (DLC- MT- $2,833,731)
Mitch McConnell (R-KY- $2,758,468)
And when you just go right to Big Insurance, the non-presidential candidates who got the biggest legalized bribes were the 7 senators who have been tasked with the job of killing single-payer:
Ben Nelson (DLC-NE- $1,196,799)
Max Baucus (DLC- MT- $1,184,113)
Joe Lieberman (DLC- CT- $1,036,302)
Arlen Specter (R-D- PA- $1,035,530)
Chuck Schumer (D-NY- $981,400)
Mitch McConnell (R-KY- $929,207)
Chuck Grassley (R-IA- $884,724)
We need to investigate and prosecute these criminals now. Severe jail terms are in order for these criminals!
republicanism is a mental illness@!
"We need to investigate and prosecute these criminals now."
But what law(s) specifically have they broken? If they have not... seems, therein lies the challenge? Thank you nonetheless √
"..but the intraparty rift runs the risk of alienating centrist Democrats who will be needed to pass a bill."
funny how that always seems to work out.
The Washington Past is no longer interested in its readers' comments--especially if those comments contradict their advertisers and corporate benefactors.
Do yourself a favor: stop reading the Past. Delete it from your bookmarks. You'll never have to listen to Chuckles Kraphammer again. And you'll feel better for it.
When I went to Washington and thought that I would spend the morning reading that great liberal newspaper, the Washington Post. What a let down. You have to hold your nose and cover your eyes choosing between it and the Washington Times.
that wasn't part of the discussion 15 years ago. The insurance industry promised they'd fix things if we'd just leave them alone, and if they'd done just one frickin' thing, their promises might command a little respect today. As is, anyone who believes one stinking thing they say these days is clutching a fistfull of hot air.
This is re-runs, people. I was mildly interested when the discussion of a trigger emerged, but lost it when I saw the gun was NOT against the temple of the insurance profiteers.
Was one of the leaders of the pack in passing along lies and scripts about Al Gore. She was on FOX a lot as a reward. She writes, not opinion journalism, but opinionated spin masking as news articles. Revolting, and the WaPo is more and more of a Villager, right-wing rag.
Snip - A particularly juicy one, at that: the incredible true story of two newspapers, sparring over the story of Nicaraguan Contras, inner-city drug dealers, and the way the whole thing eventually evolved into a tidy little tale of a "victimized" black community, under the thrall of paranoia.
[ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/29/iwap... ]
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