August 27, 2009
Reed's Unimpressive Spinnage
As I catch up with my Projo reading, an article describing a Web chat with Senator Reed reinforces my impression that he's spectacularly unimpressive. I see no intellectual interest in the man, only talking-point recitation:
When readers mentioned two proposals that Republicans tend to embrace, Reed pointed out what he views as their limitations. When a reader expressed support for tort reform to cut down on the practice of "defensive medicine" to avoid costly malpractice lawsuits, Reed replied, "Tort reform is not a primary or sole solution to the problem of accelerating health-care costs."Health savings accounts — another proposal dear to conservatives — are not effective for people who have lost their jobs, Reed wrote. "In addition, with the demands facing many families today, including saving for college, there is a pressure to set aside funds for health care rather than other needs," he added.
The tort reform retort merely shuffles the deck in an attempt to make the savings disappear under the assertion that they wouldn't solve the problem all on their own. The health savings account answer is simply shallow. First, with substantial resources saved in such an account, a temporarily unemployed American could more easily afford COBRA or other individual healthcare option. Second, the Democrats insist that people will continue to invest in their own healthcare, so they're already setting aside those funds for that purpose.
This is a man who claims to be able to invent a better healthcare system?
It is unfortunate that not one of these contributers thought it important enough to mark the death of Sen. Edward Kennedy with a few words. What we may see though in the coming days is one of them registering disgust at what is being written or said about the late senator. That would not surprise me.
Posted by Phil at August 27, 2009 4:24 AM
Posted by: Phil at August 27, 2009 3:48 PMSorry to disappoint, Phil, but I haven't followed politics long enough or the Kennedys closely enough to have strong positive or negative feelings about Ted, and our readers hardly require the factual information that he has died. He was a famous politician, but frankly, I'd find it disrespectful to contrive something to say about his passing merely for the self-reflective purpose of having said something. The cultural acknowledgment of his life and death loses nothing by my silence.
I hope he finds forgiveness and repose with God, but I hope the same for everybody, no matter their comportment while on Earth.
Posted by: Justin Katz at August 27, 2009 5:13 PMI've picked up the pieces of too many car crashes to wax sentimental about a drunk-driving murderer.
Even if he didn't go on to be the nation's leading expert at spending other people's money.
Posted by: EMT at August 28, 2009 7:59 AMSo much for the conservative meme that it's the Democrats that want to make you change your health care plan. There's no way I would voluntarily change my coverage for a health savings account, although I'll admit that as a young man I might have made use of the option.
This is hardly a "change" to the system, unless you're talking about forcing them on folks (they're offered now for business and individuals who want them). So do you have an HSA? How about you folks with kids? Having kids was a big switch in my risk tolerance.
Posted by: Russ at August 28, 2009 9:57 AMJustin,
I suppose that confessing to Phil that your politics are too shallow for you to comment on the late senator gives you a pass on the subject.
OldTimeLefty
Here you go, Phil & OTL, some good commentary on the late Senator Kennedy, Patron Saint of the modern Democrat Party:
http://spectator.org/archives/2009/08/28/trustfund-ted
This is what Alfred Regnery, publisher of The American Spectator has to say about the last election,
“All I know is that we are sick of this nonsense, sick of hearing about him, his plans for the country, for the great shift he has in store in taking what we thought was a center- right country and turning it into a bastion of liberalism...”
The poor man is so deluded that he does not know who won the last election much less the direction of the country. Obama was not elected with the help of the Right, but over its opposition. The poor man’s party lost and he apparently can’t - like some of his followers? - own up to it. Shame on you Tom W for offering such shallow proof.
OldTimeLefty Posted by: OldTimeLefty at August 29, 2009 11:22 PM
Thanks for sharing that snippet OldTiredLiberal. Barack Obama is finding out that Alfred Regnery is right on. America is a center-right country and millions upon millions who voted for Obama now realize the tremendous mistake they made. Obama is the wrong man for the wrong job at the absolute worst possible time in our history. This embarrassing "TV personality" wanted health care reform done by the August recess. A shocking level of sheer ignorance and incompetence. Barack Obama will go down in history as the single most incompetent and destructive President this nation has ever seen.
Phil why do you take this blog to task for not talking Teddy?? Teddy was not a significant figure for anyone born after 1965 (Justin) or those not card carrying members of the loony leftie. (Justin) Teddy was not well liked or respected in many corners of this nation. In fact America has rejected most of the liberal ideology Kennedy expoused.
Phil I must confess that I am continually amused at the level of care and concern you liberals have for the opinions of those on and in the right.
Regarding the title of this thread, "Reed's Unimpressive Spinnage", is that really a surprise??
Jack Reed is a thoroughly unimpressive individual on every level.
Tim,
You have again mistaken invective for argument. The strategy of weak minded people the world over.
You assert, in contradiction of the facts of the last election, that the Rightists have a majority. The election says you are mistaken and you say you are not. I'll stay with the electorate here.
You say that "millions upon millions who voted for Obama now realize the tremendous mistake they made", but supply no evidence. anyone can assert anything. What you freely assert, I just as freely deny. Your argument goes nowhere since it is contravened by electoral facts.
You said "In fact America has rejected most of the liberal ideology Kennedy expoused.(sic)" Amazing, you say this while major health care reform, a Kennedy sponsored idea, is about to leave committee and be put to a vote. Any realistic count shows that the Democrats have the votes to pass the legislation. Need I remind you that the rule is one person=one vote, not one decibel=one vote. So shout your head off, or wherever it is that you shout from, most likely your other end.
Try, try, try to say something factual rather than fatuous.
OldTimeLefty
Posted by: OldTimeLefty at August 30, 2009 11:12 AM