Health Care Summit (Live Thread)

[Talint]

What's with this CBO shit again?

Congressional Budget Office.

Sup Bill O'Reilly on GMA.

I have no idea what that means.

[Not not Mattaru]

A highly staged, organized, elaborate event. In the political realm, there's usually an emphasis of it not accomplishing anything, and it only serves to placate.

It may be, but I was under the impression that the meticulous staging was to trap the GOP.

I wish these things had like Obama with a whiteboard keeping track of things while people yell ideas out.

[Mizango]

Also, although I know a lot about actual Kabuki Theater, I have not heard of it as a saying outside of some politics this year. Can anyone give me a clear definition of what it means in this context?

Its the new championed by Hannity, Limbaugh and O'Reilly as of late.

[Olo401]

What's with this CBO shit again?

I concur with my good friend kuronosan, what is with this CBO shit?

Part of the legislative process is forecasting the budgetary cost of a bill, which is done by the CBO (Congressional Budget Office). It's a non-partisan group of actuaries that goes over each piece of legislation that can impact the budget and tries to estimate every little detail up to 10 years into the future. Naturally, both sides will find plenty of things to pick out and use as talking points.

[Mizango]

I have no idea what that means.

Figured, I was poking fun at how all "you guys" sound the same. That's the 4th time that term has been used in just 2 days that I've heard.

[Olo401]

It may be, but I was under the impression that the meticulous staging was to trap the GOP.

I wish these things had like Obama with a whiteboard keeping track of things while people yell ideas out.

I was thinking he should do this on the ride to work today lol.. kinda like a SWOT meeting..

[Acturus]

[IMG]Robert's Rules Book[/IMG]

I used to be well-versed in parlimentary procedure, and I never did the verbal blowjob stuff.

[Mizango]

Kabuki theater is the new "be all that ends all" when you have nothing relevant or intelligent to say on a special topic.

[Not not Mattaru]

I was thinking he should do this on the ride to work today lol.. kinda like a SWOT meeting..

In all seriousness its an effective way to deal with debates, because it works as a mutual flow of conversation that both sides are held accountable to.

Of course getting elected officials to be accountable to things they say is like pulling light away from a black hole.

EDIT: @Miz, yeah seems like it. A: "That seemed kind of productive, at least in methodology" B:"NO, KABUKI THEATER"

[Mizango]

lol

[Talint]

Figured, I was poking fun at how all "you guys" sound the same. That's the 4th time that term has been used in just 2 days that I've heard.

If by "you guys" you mean always-conservative, you'd be mistaken... at least where health care is concerned.

But it still doesn't increase my optimism about anything coming out of this summit. The republicans have basically dug in and are not budging. If the republicans really wanted to pass health care reform, they would have compromised long ago to pass said legislation. The president and many democrats have gone against their own party's wing in an effort to be bipartisan, and the republicans just don't want any of it.

[Zhais]

One thing I've been loving, is how the repubs think the general masses can think for themselves and make their own good decisions....

[Olo401]

But it still doesn't increase my optimism about anything coming out of this summit. The republicans have basically dug in and are not budging. If the republicans really wanted to pass health care reform, they would have compromised long ago to pass said legislation. The president and many democrats have gone against their own party's wing in an effort to be bipartisan, and the republicans just don't want any of it.

Well then at least through today's exercise the people will at least be able to see with their own eyes that the Republicans just don't give a shit, that despite their claims they were included in the process from the beginning and their ideas (particularly interstate competition and emphasizing preventive medicine) are in the bill.

So let them dig in all they want. It's their own graves they've dug.

[Not not Mattaru]

If by "you guys" you mean always-conservative, you'd be mistaken... at least where health care is concerned.

But it still doesn't increase my optimism about anything coming out of this summit. The republicans have basically dug in and are not budging. If the republicans really wanted to pass health care reform, they would have compromised long ago to pass said legislation. The president and many democrats have gone against their own party's wing in an effort to be bipartisan, and the republicans just don't want any of it.

Politically, it is a double-bind that could also prove useful in the actual process. The Democrats don't have to worry about the liberal wing of their party defecting as much as just not voting, unlike Republicans who have runaway populism going on.

These summits at least forces the Republicans to at least come out of their offices or look like dicks to most people in the center. After they come out of their offices and actually have to discuss the issue it gives democrats A) a chance to actually find good ideas and B) hold Republicans to it so they can build a case for GOP obstruction if the renege, to center voters. To say Democrats have not been responsive to GOP complaints in the same way the GOP has been to democrats simply does not have any significant precedent in this debate.

[Not not Mattaru]

One thing I've been loving, is how the repubs think the general masses can think for themselves and make their own good decisions....

You realize who is in your avatar right? Sure Ayn Rand was an elitist, but the last thing she would say is have someone think for someone else.

[Zhais]

You realize who is in your avatar right? Sure Ayn Rand was an elitist, but the last thing she would say is have someone think for someone else.

Oh I know full well! I just love having the avatar to incite rage.

I don't fully support the Randian ideals, but rather find them interesting.

[Olo401]

Ugh McCain's up.. wake me when he's finished.

And lemme know if he takes credit for HIS CAMPAIGN PROPOSAL to tax health insurance plans.

[Mizango]

Oh hell, here comes John McCains dumb ass chiming in.

[kuronosan]

I really hate when John McCain talks. He's such a fucking retard.

[Not not Mattaru]

Check out those jowls.