Millions of Manipulated Americans
Posted: Monday, August 10, 2009
by Joel Hirschhorn
http://www.delusionaldemocracy.com
In Corruption We Trust ought to replace the official In God We Trust slogan used by the government on currency. Threatened by legitimate health care reform the health insurance industry and others making obscene profits from the current inefficient and ineffective health care system decided not to depend solely on lavish lobbying of members of Congress and advertising. They have successfully mounted a campaign of phony grassroots activists using the foulest practices against members of Congress holding town meetings during the summer congressional recess. Large numbers of incredibly misinformed and manipulated Americans are behaving outrageously in their protests of health care reform. This is reality of the absurd.
Have any of these moronic protesters been able to escape rising copayments, deductibles and premiums, if they are lucky enough to have health insurance? Do they think that these trends will stop by themselves without health care and insurance reforms? If so, they should be institutionalized and given psychiatric treatment.
A number of Republican and conservative organizations as well as the usual group of conservative radio and cable loudmouths are behind this national protest movement. They provide the instructions, talking points and slogans. It is a shameful and shocking example of how freedom of speech becomes an avenue for corporate corruption. Even though all these protesters may not prevent passage of a health care reform law, they may be effective in watering down the law enough to allow the health insurance and pharmaceutical industries to maintain their economic stranglehold on the
These rude protesters are more than ridiculous. They are not patriots. They are tools for the corporate plutocracy. When Republicans had the power of the White House and Congress they never pursued health care reform; now they want to ruin the efforts of president Obama and the Democrats in Congress. That means defeating what is in the best interests of most Americans, those with and without health insurance. Sadly, all these corporate-driven protests may cause Obama and the Democrats to settle for legislation that offers very little in genuine reforms, including a government insurance option that is critically needed as an alternative to the awful private insurance companies and far less than what is really needed, a government single payer system. According to a Journal poll, 76 percent of respondents said it was either "extremely" or "quite" important to "give people a choice of both a public plan administered by the federal government and a private plan for their health insurance."
What's worse than no reform legislation? Obama taking credit for a hollow victory based on terrible legislation.
Media coverage shows that many of the protestors look old enough to be in or very close to entering the federal Medicare program. To be against a government insurance option denies the reality that Medicare has been a lifesaver for many millions of Americans. It is unlikely that any of the older protesters turn down Medicare coverage or see the stupidity and hypocrisy of using Medicare while fighting the government insurance option. Americans under 65 deserve an option like Medicare, especially those unable to get private health insurance because of preexisting conditions or high costs, and those that lose their insurance when they lose their jobs or when their employers stop providing health insurance because of high costs.
A widespread view is that another explanation for much of this protest movement is that it is a surrogate for racial bigotry. In other words, being against health care reform is more acceptable than openly expressing displeasure with the skin color of Obama. Many of these protesters are also very likely part of the movement arguing that Obama was not born in the and should not be president. Health care reform is just another opportunity for the extreme right to get a lot of media attention by being disruptive and obnoxious.
In sum, never have so many acted so stupidly to harm so many others while serving selfish corporate interests. In corporate power and corruption they trust. They are shills, saboteurs, reactionaries and political psychopaths that disgrace.
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Top-level comments on this article: (4 total)Joel I can to the conclusion a long time ago it was indoctrination. Manipulate well an offshoot of that. Get them to nod and then close.
I get the impression that many of these are simply sour grapes cases that are lashing out at Obama the way we lashed out at Bush during his far more serious (IMO) mis-administration.-GGL
Great article! I think everyone should have access to good quality healthcare, regardless of their wealth, and no-one should pay rip-off premiums for what should be a basic right.
This article is a good writing in its pure form. It has a commom sense mentality that cannot be avoided. I personally thank you for truth. It is sad that the greedy itself along with hatred can sway so many (intelligent) minds. When you hear the Radios and the opposition, they are called, "a great American." Note: The haters and the opposition are called, "a great American." These are what I call, "The Barnum and Bailey Mentality." Thanks Joel.
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