Pelosi pulls propaganda ploy to peddle public option

The Constitutional Alamo ^ | 10/26/09 | Michael Naragon

[Publius772000]

Many Democrats in the House and Senate have shown concern over the public distaste for a “public option” in health care, with most eyeing their upcoming campaigns in 2010 and the questions that will come their way regarding their support for the government takeover.

To the rescue has come the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, who apparently believes that a change in the terminology will change public opinion. According to a Breitbart story published October 26, Pelosi met with a focus group of senior citizens and used the term “competitive option” instead of “public option.” It appears as though this group of seniors was more receptive to the codeword “competitive,” believing, it would seem, that more government involvement in the health care industry would somehow provide competition.

Does anyone truly believe that the government will compete fairly with the private sector? Some do, as evidenced by a few of the callers on conservative talk radio these days. As with many difficulties facing the United States in the waning days of 2009, this bait-and-switch could have been solved with a little education, something that is severely lacking in the government school system. For those who believe the government will “compete,” ask yourself what that means. Insurance companies and doctors charge money for their services, hoping that, if they’re successful at what they do, they’ll make a profit. As their costs go up, their prices rise as well. This is one reason why tort reform–a limit on frivolous lawsuits against doctors and others–is so crucial. The doctor, free from such legal entanglements, can charge less and still make a profit. The insurance company, with government regulations of the industry removed, could also charge less and still make a profit.

What is the federal government’s goal in the health care industry?

[Publius772000]

Since when has the liberal establishment been concerned about “competition”? Since they got into the business of business. The Speaker is trying to do some cosmetic surgery on the government control of health care. And if anyone knows about plastics, it’s Pelosi.

[When do we get liberated?]

They can’t think we are that stupid....Oh, wait we voted this bunch of clowns in.

[Publius772000]

Oh, and I forgot to mention another famous incident of propaganda... the Bolsheviks. Lenin’s “Bolshevik” came from the word “bolshoi,” meaning “bigger.” The Bolsheviks were one of the smallest of the minority political groups in Russia, but the clever name apparently had some effect.

[deannadurbin]

I didn’t vote them in.

[Michael.SF.]

Oh, wait we voted this bunch of clowns in.

What do you mean "we" Kimosabe?

;)

[When do we get liberated?]

“We” was the American public in general. It would require serious brain rewiring for this Libertarian Conservative to become a Marxist.

[Doctor Don]

Mannequin Lady is changing the name for socialized medicine........she will not fool voters!

[Publius772000]

If you look at the number of times this proposal has changed terminology... socialized medicine, nationalized health care, public option, competitive option, etc., it’s no wonder that Harry Reid sounds like a complete ignoramus when he tries to describe what’s in the newest version of this albatross.