New Left Media - Teabagging Convention Video Released Tonight

[Ronfar]

How the fuck can that guy get a straight face. If that was me i'd be busting up laughing at most of those answers.

[kuronosan]

He's a journalism major. I'm sure he's prepared himself for the camaraderie.

Speaking of which, I really can't believe some of the answers of those people.

"People should fend for themselves"
"Oh I really doubt that 30 million don't have insurance it seems exaggerated"
"I dunno wut in bill but i know it bad lol"

These people are a shining example of uneducated idiocy in this country. Especially since they don't do any research - and when they were presented with facts (such as the 2.0% decrease with TORT reform) they just act like the facts were made up.

No they weren't, you dumb bastards, these documents are available for anyone with a brain to view.

[Serra]

Problem is, people don't like doing the research. Left or Right, they like just hearing what their news site of choice/loudest political voices say and assume that's the truth. Too bad we can't examine how knowledgeable a voter is to prevent those who only decide based on mob mentality from affecting policy...

[Alleya]

How to fix the toxic political environment:

Replace news crawls with the affiliations of guests.

Politicians on shows have their campaign contributors and relevant voting record scrolling beneath them as they talk.

"Experts" and pundits have their corporate/political/special interest ties/degrees (it's amazing how many social scientists are billed as environmental experts for example) scrolling beneath them as they talk.

It would put a whooooooooole lot of what passes for news in this country into perspective.

[Gregorio]

sometimes I wonder if these people had jobs (which they obviously don't have if they can spend all day protesting) even have insurance. Reminds me of my dad, who has no insurance, has had excruciatingly painful hip arthritis for almost 10 years, and goes on and on about how evil socialized medicine is even though he'll pretty much never be able to afford a hip replacement without it.

That seems like a silly thing to assume. Is it unthinkable that they would hold protests on weekends or even that people could take a day off work to attend the protest? All those gay rights supporters must be jobless hippies too I guess.

Anyway...I think this is the attitude that most tea baggers hate. The "you don't know whats best for you, so we're just going to force it on you like it or not" thing never works. Even if they don't have insurance, I'd find it more hypocritical for them to be living off the public option (if it ever comes to pass) and still protesting.

[Serra]

How to fix the toxic political environment:

Replace news crawls with the affiliations of guests.

Politicians on shows have their campaign contributors and relevant voting record scrolling beneath them as they talk.

"Experts" and pundits have their corporate/political/special interest ties/degrees (it's amazing how many social scientists are billed as environmental experts for example) scrolling beneath them as they talk.

It would put a whooooooooole lot of what passes for news in this country into perspective.

While it would help in terms of some people, I don't think it'd be enough for the majority. The populace needs to be educated. People don't like reading and only listen for the 'buzz-words' they can get agitated about.

[Jaybar]

I didn't realize the government is trying to shove this down the throats of America. I thought a lot (read: majority) of people were looking for a reform in the way our health-care is currently run.

[kuronosan]

I didn't realize the government is trying to shove this down the throats of America. I thought a lot (read: majority) of people were looking for a reform in the way our health-care is currently run.

A lot of people are. The ones that aren't are mostly the ones who have no fucking clue what they're opposing OR are educated enough to know why they feel they should oppose it but will not be affected negatively either way.

In other words, you're either a fucking moron or you have enough money where it's not a problem for you unless you're asked to part with more money.

[Caiyuo]

I can't hardly stay with politics anymore because I can always feel myself growing into a condescending douche towards conservatives for reasons like this most recent video, but god fucking damn, I can't hardly stand to see 40-something adults that aren't making a consciousness attempt to think for themselves on important matters. It's not opposition itself that I'm critical of, it's just the total bullshit they're basing it on.

[Gregorio]

A lot of people are. The ones that aren't are mostly the ones who have no fucking clue what they're opposing OR are educated enough to know why they feel they should oppose it but will not be affected negatively either way.

In other words, you're either a fucking moron or you have enough money where it's not a problem for you unless you're asked to part with more money.

Against government run health care = dumbfucks or rich people? Is there no other possible reason why you could be against it?

[Kerberoz]

Against government run health care = dumbfucks or old money rich people.

Fixed.

[Plow]

Against government run health care = dumbfucks or rich people? Is there no other possible reason why you could be against it?

This is absolutely nowhere remotely close to resembling government run health care whatsoever.

In other words, yes, they're fucking morons.

[kuronosan]

Against government run health care = dumbfucks or rich people? Is there no other possible reason why you could be against it?

Pretty much what Plow just said. If this were even something resembling government-run health care and not another government-aid program (again, like financial aid for school) then I'm sure these guys would have valid complaints.

So yes. They are dumb fucks or rich people. Sorry.

[Serra]

But zomg, the death panels!!! They government is gonna vote to decide if old people should live or die!! Think of the old people!!

In all seriousness, anyone who claims we have the best medical system in the world is delusional. We are in desperate need of reform, and while this bill has been whittled down, it's certainly better than leaving things as they are. Who cares if it's socialized medicine. Saying we should rely on the market to fix something like this just illustrates who uninformed these people are. The market can only fix things when people have a choice in the matter, and I don't know about you guys, but if I ever have a heart attack, I wouldn't be looking at which hospital will offer me the cheapest treatment.

Actually.. back to the death panels... anyone know where that ridiculousness got started?

[kuronosan]

Sarah Palin and the Republican machine started that one.

They've perpetuated all of this anti-Obama nonsense and all of this anti-health care bill nonsense.

The truth is they're so worried that he'll get re-elected they're probably trying to nose dive this bill so that when they're in office they'll look better when they pass their own.

[Gregorio]

This is absolutely nowhere remotely close to resembling government run health care whatsoever.

In other words, yes, they're fucking morons.

I know this bill isn't exactly government run health care, but this bill isn't what many people around here have been clamoring for. Even people who are in support of this bill don't know exactly what they're talking about (look a few posts up at Serra saying "Who cares if it's socialized medicine", which it's not).

My gripe was against the point that if you are against health care reform (it wasn't really stated whether it was this bill or the universal health care dream so many people want) you are retarded or rich. Some people could be against the bill, for instance, because people could be fined for not having health insurance. Some people could be against the bill because smaller businesses could be forced into providing health insurance as well.

[Serra]

I know it's not socialized medicine. It's just that seems to be a sticking point for many against it, and I'm saying if it was, would that be a bad thing?

[Gregorio]

I know it's not socialized medicine. It's just that seems to be a sticking point for many against it, and I'm saying if it was, would that be a bad thing?

I would say yes, because it's a step toward the direction of you not owning your own health. I say that because if the public coffers were paying for your health insurance, I'd want to make sure you are working out every day, not smoking, not eating McDonalds, not using drugs, etc. And the problem with that is you should have the right to be a fat, lazy, chain-smoking drug user if you want to and the public shouldn't be taxed because of it.

[AidenCarby]

I would say yes, because it's a step toward the direction of you not owning your own health. I say that because if the public coffers were paying for your health insurance, I'd want to make sure you are working out every day, not smoking, not eating McDonalds, not using drugs, etc. And the problem with that is you should have the right to be a fat, lazy, chain-smoking drug user if you want to and the public shouldn't be taxed because of it.

Public is already taxed lol, how do you think medicare and medicaid are around?

[Gregorio]

Public is already taxed lol, how do you think medicare and medicaid are around?

The public is taxed for a lot of things...but medicare and medicaid /= universal health care.