(8-13-09): "Voters Give GOP First-Time Lead on Health Care (Poll)" (Rasmussen)

[JLB123]

The GOP has now taken the lead on health care, education, taxes, the economy, and Social Security.

They also lead in the generic ballot for the next Congressional elections.

Face facts...America does not like what Obama, Reid, and Pelosi are selling.

They also know Obama is lying about his pledge to not raise taxes on the middle class.


Voters Give GOP First-Time Lead on Health Care (Poll)
Rasmussen Reports ^ | 8/13/09

www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/mood_of_america/trust_on_issues (http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/mood_of_america/trust_on_issues)

For the first time in over two years of polling, voters trust Republicans slightly more than Democrats on the handling of the issue of health care. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that voters favor the GOP on the issue 44% to 41%.

Democrats held a four-point lead on the issue last month and a 10-point lead in June. For most of the past two years, more than 50% of voters said they trusted Democrats on health care. The latest results mark the lowest level of support measured for the party on the now-contentious issue.

Public support for the health care reform plan proposed by President Obama and congressional Democrats has fallen to a new low with just 42% of U.S. voters now in favor of it. That’s down five points from two weeks ago and down eight points from six weeks ago.

Overall, Republicans lead Democrats in terms of voter trust on eight out of 10 key issues for the second consecutive month, and the two are tied on one issue.

Republican candidates continue to hold a modest lead over Democrats for the seventh straight week in the Generic Congressional Ballot.

The GOP now holds a six-point lead on the top issue of the economy, an advantage that has changed little over the past four months.

Health care is not the only issue which the Republicans are enjoying a first-time lead. Voters now trust the GOP more than Democrats on the issue of education, 41% to 38%. This is also the first time in over two years the Republicans have held an advantage on that issue. Democrats led Republicans on education by three points in July and seven points in June.

Republicans lead Democrats on Social Security for the second straight month, this time by a 43% to 39% margin. Social Security is another issue where Democrats have enjoyed consistent leads in recent years.

The GOP maintains a strong 51% to 35% lead on taxes, after holding the same lead in July. Republicans have been trusted more by voters on the issue of taxes in every poll conducted since February.

Recent polling shows that 54% of U.S. voters say tax cuts for the middle class are more important than new spending for health care reform, even as the president’s top economic advisers signal that tax hikes may be necessary to fund the plan. But 76% say it is likely taxes will have to be raised on the middle class to cover the cost of health care reform.

[Wyoming Dem]

Hopefully, the other polls will be out quickly so we can see if this is a trend. Actually, this is pretty amazing when you consider that the Main Stream Media still dwells within Obama's butt crack and that must mean people are reading either newspapers or on the internet and are quickly becoming convinced of the "lie", because that's what it is, that taxes won't have to be raised to pay for the proposed Health Care Legislation and they are learning somewhere that it is going to mean cuts in Medicare/Medicaid. I personally think the biggest factor is the proposed legislation's dictating that "care will have to rationed". "The Greatest Generation" is about to be "kicked to the curb".

Of course, calling people who voiced their opposition as per The Bill Of Rights.
"Un-Patriotic" was not exactly smooth either. I also think there is a growing rift between Pelosi, et al and the POTUS.

As an aside...My son told me that figures came out in Wyoming that the States Sales Tax Revenue has fallen by nearly 25% and is expected to climb higher. And extrapolating...The IRS will be losing untold billions of lost tax revenue due to high unemployment and no taxable income. So the deficit grows bigger and bigger.

[JLB123]

The encouraging thing is this is after Obama opened his mouth and tried to explain his scheme to America.

Unfortunately, there was no teleprompter in the town hall.

[foxyladi]

Hopefully, the other polls will be out quickly so we can see if this is a trend. Actually, this is pretty amazing when you consider that the Main Stream Media still dwells within Obama's butt crack and that must mean people are reading either newspapers or on the internet and are quickly becoming convinced of the "lie", because that's what it is, that taxes won't have to be raised to pay for the proposed Health Care Legislation and they are learning somewhere that it is going to mean cuts in Medicare/Medicaid. I personally think the biggest factor is the proposed legislation's dictating that "care will have to rationed". "The Greatest Generation" is about to be "kicked to the curb".

Of course, calling people who voiced their opposition as per The Bill Of Rights.
"Un-Patriotic" was not exactly smooth either. I also think there is a growing rift between Pelosi, et al and the POTUS.

As an aside...My son told me that figures came out in Wyoming that the States Sales Tax Revenue has fallen by nearly 25% and is expected to climb higher. And extrapolating...The IRS will be losing untold billions of lost tax revenue due to high unemployment and no taxable income. So the deficit grows bigger and bigger.

so much for them green shoots..

[Laura Cereta]

Face facts...America does not like what Obama, Reid, and Pelosi are selling.



Never did... at least not me, anyway. Obama "sold" change and after Bush (W.) that sounded good enough to some people.

[JLB123]

Never did... at least not me, anyway. Obama "sold" change and after Bush (W.) that sounded good enough to some people.

Some people can't think past generalized slogans like "Hope" and "Change".

Now they "hope" their house doesn't get reposessed and that Congress will "change" back to Republican.

[foxyladi]

Some people can't think past generalized slogans like "Hope" and "Change".

Now they "hope" their house doesn't get reposessed and that Congress will "change" back to Republican.

:rotfl::rotfl:

[Tybee]

Obama's town hall meeting:


Obama: 8,619 words.

Audience: 1,186 words.

Campaigning is the way of life for our President....


http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/08/13/town-halls/

[Aria]

Obama's town hall meeting:

Obama: 8,619 words.
Audience: 1,186 words.

Campaigning is the way of life for our President....

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/08/13/town-halls/

I guess we know who's listening! The purpose of the THs is obviously not intended to give the people a chance to speak and the WH to hear. After all, we the people just need to understand everything better! :rolleyes::-bd:mad:

Obama: %-(

[Wyoming Dem]

I guess we know who's listening! The purpose of the THs is obviously not intended to give the people a chance to speak and the WH to hear. After all, we the people just need to understand everything better! :rolleyes::-bd:mad:

Obama: %-(
I agree whole-heartedly with that statement...Obama NEVER listens. We are supposed to listen to him and nod out heads in agreement and genuflect and kiss his ring...
There is no room for anyone within the Obama Administration or without that disagrees with himself and his henchmen. He is a sanctomonious son of a bitch and believes, way down deep inside, that he is a superior intellect to us and therfore, has all the answers for running our miserable stupid lives. That old statment about "bitter, clinging to their guns and bibles" was the MOST elitist statment ever made by a POTUS (at least that we ever knew about.) That whole speech that got him in trouble was a soliliqey about Middle America and how stupid, unsophisticated and unenlightened we all are.

[Tybee]

I agree whole-heartedly with that statement...Obama NEVER listens. We are supposed to listen to him and nod out heads in agreement and genuflect and kiss his ring...
There is no room for anyone within the Obama Administration or without that disagrees with himself and his henchmen. He is a sanctomonious son of a bitch and believes, way down deep inside, that he is a superior intellect to us and therfore, has all the answers for running our miserable stupid lives. That old statment about "bitter, clinging to their guns and bibles" was the MOST elitist statment ever made by a POTUS (at least that we ever knew about.) That whole speech that got him in trouble was a soliliqey about Middle America and how stupid, unsophisticated and unenlightened we all are.

And, we're damn tired of being talked AT. People should've listened to their mothers about staying away from smooth talkers. He's made his living at only talking, and it's a sad sign for the ones that fell for it.

[greenleaf]

Some people can't think past generalized slogans like "Hope" and "Change".

Now they "hope" their house doesn't get reposessed and that Congress will "change" back to Republican.

:rotfl:

[agatha]

Personally, I think people ARE watching the news. And they are seeing people who look and speek just as normal and "everyday" as they themselves do. They also see these people being called a "mob" and "unpatriotic" and are wondering what in the WORLD is going on. We've all seen the various Code Pink protests and forgive me, but I could not identify with the ones I saw at all. I also think that many, many people voted "against Bush" and not "for Obama" and thus have been paying more attention to him and his administration. The bloom is off the rose, if you will...

[hobbitt]

personally, i think people are watching the news. And they are seeing people who look and speek just as normal and "everyday" as they themselves do. They also see these people being called a "mob" and "unpatriotic" and are wondering what in the world is going on.

The bloom is off the rose, if you will...

:)

@};-

[CGP]

Personally, I think people ARE watching the news. And they are seeing people who look and speek just as normal and "everyday" as they themselves do. They also see these people being called a "mob" and "unpatriotic" and are wondering what in the WORLD is going on. We've all seen the various Code Pink protests and forgive me, but I could not identify with the ones I saw at all. I also think that many, many people voted "against Bush" and not "for Obama" and thus have been paying more attention to him and his administration. The bloom is off the rose, if you will...

I don't see people who I identify with at these Town Halls. They don't speak for me. I cringe at much of what I hear as so much of it is not based in reality but rooted in fear, misinformation and fantasy.

Code Pink protesters vs Town Hall protesters - little difference in my view. I identify with neither. Both are using disruption and negative attention to draw attention to their cause. I would have more respect for the people protesting Obama's health care reforms if they actually conducted some kind of public march which they organized themselves. But crashing these public meetings with a very intentional aim to disrupt them and cause as much havoc/chaos as possible is clearly an effort to manipulate public opinon and make it seem that all of America is having sleepless nights over the health care bill. :rolleyes:

[JLB123]

I don't see people who I identify with at these Town Halls. They don't speak for me. I cringe at much of what I hear as so much of it is not based in reality but rooted in fear, misinformation and fantasy.

Code Pink protesters vs Town Hall protesters - little difference in my view. I identify with neither. Both are using disruption and negative attention to draw attention to their cause. I would have more respect for the people protesting Obama's health care reforms if they actually conducted some kind of public march which they organized themselves. But crashing these public meetings with a very intentional aim to disrupt them and cause as much havoc/chaos as possible is clearly an effort to manipulate public opinon and make it seem that all of America is having sleepless nights over the health care bill. :rolleyes:

I see people at the town hall meetings quoting from the very bills the Congressmen probably haven't even read.

[NanCi1214]

I don't see people who I identify with at these Town Halls. They don't speak for me. I cringe at much of what I hear as so much of it is not based in reality but rooted in fear, misinformation and fantasy.

Code Pink protesters vs Town Hall protesters - little difference in my view. I identify with neither. Both are using disruption and negative attention to draw attention to their cause. I would have more respect for the people protesting Obama's health care reforms if they actually conducted some kind of public march which they organized themselves. But crashing these public meetings with a very intentional aim to disrupt them and cause as much havoc/chaos as possible is clearly an effort to manipulate public opinon and make it seem that all of America is having sleepless nights over the health care bill. :rolleyes:

It is just too bad we cannot indeed take the governmnet out of health care for a week or two or a month, just as these so-called conservative nuts are demanding. That would close down the VA system, eliminate Mediaid, and most important eliminate Medicare. Plus we should do away with any tax breaks given to those who are disabled. Yes, let everyone stand on their own two feet!
Care to guess that most of these people who are so against health care reform will be among the first to lose all health insurance?
It is true the Republicans are trying to stir the pot with disinformation, etc. I've received telephone calls, appeals via flyers, crap from Newsmax, etc. The Republican Party literature reads too much like the old John Birch Society nonsense did. Probably the same people. As for the use of the Nazi symbols, well, didn't the Nazi sympathizers of pre-WW II have a home in the Republican right wing?
Wake up people! Bill Clinton left us talking about a surplus. It took George Bush less than 8 years to put us in a recession. Obama hasn't been in office a year yet, and he may pull us out yet. And, no, I didn't vote for him either.
Nor did I vote for Bush. But they won, folks. When people win you give them a chance. This isn't some juvenile game. It is our country, our livlihood, our welfare at state. The Republican Party isn't offering anything! Just negatives.

[NanCi1214]

I don't see people who I identify with at these Town Halls. They don't speak for me. I cringe at much of what I hear as so much of it is not based in reality but rooted in fear, misinformation and fantasy.

Code Pink protesters vs Town Hall protesters - little difference in my view. I identify with neither. Both are using disruption and negative attention to draw attention to their cause. I would have more respect for the people protesting Obama's health care reforms if they actually conducted some kind of public march which they organized themselves. But crashing these public meetings with a very intentional aim to disrupt them and cause as much havoc/chaos as possible is clearly an effort to manipulate public opinon and make it seem that all of America is having sleepless nights over the health care bill. :rolleyes:

It is just too bad we cannot indeed take the governmnet out of health care for a week or two or a month, just as these so-called conservative nuts are demanding. That would close down the VA system, eliminate Mediaid, and most important eliminate Medicare. Plus we should do away with any tax breaks given to those who are disabled. Yes, let everyone stand on their own two feet!
Care to guess that most of these people who are so against health care reform will be among the first to lose all health insurance?
It is true the Republicans are trying to stir the pot with disinformation, etc. I've received telephone calls, appeals via flyers, crap from Newsmax, etc. The Republican Party literature reads too much like the old John Birch Society nonsense did. Probably the same people. As for the use of the Nazi symbols, well, didn't the Nazi sympathizers of pre-WW II have a home in the Republican right wing?
Wake up people! Bill Clinton left us talking about a surplus. It took George Bush less than 8 years to put us in a recession. Obama hasn't been in office a year yet, and he may pull us out yet. And, no, I didn't vote for him either.
Nor did I vote for Bush. But they won, folks. When people win you give them a chance. This isn't some juvenile game. It is our country, our livlihood, our welfare at stake. The Republican Party isn't offering anything! Just negatives.

[Aria]

I see people at the town hall meetings quoting from the very bills the Congressmen probably haven't even read.

I see people at town hall meetings wanting, expecting, demanding to be heard from Congressmen with cotton in their ears who are attempting to shove an unknown, unfinished health reform bill down their throats.

Next?

[JLB123]

I see people at town hall meetings wanting, expecting, demanding to be heard from Congressmen with cotton in their ears who are attempting to shove an unknown, unfinished health reform bill down their throats.

Next?

Not just cotton in their ears, but talking on the phone ignoring the very people in the room.

[agatha]

The Republican Party isn't offering anything! Just negatives.

Not true.



http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/08/03/health-care-reforms-americans/


Health Care Reforms Americans Will Never See

Several health care reform bills floating through Congress are unlikely to see the light of day, in part because chairmen of the congressional committees reviewing reforms have the latitude to decide which versions to consider and which to refuse to let come for a vote.

Dozens of bills that aim to fill in pieces of the health care puzzle are floating around Capitol Hill. From allowing seniors to open health savings accounts, to increasing access to cancer screening procedures, to improving end-of-life care, many bills have languished in House and Senate committees with no action taken on them.

Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., on Sunday accused House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel of ignoring a "great plan" for health care by Republican Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin.

"There are good ideas out here. The idea that we need a 'Fannie Med' in every state to compete with insurance companies is ridiculous," DeMint said on "FOX News Sunday," adding that his own Health Care Freedom Act would force interstate competition and give families who don't get employer insurance $5,000 a year to buy health insurance.

But Rangel said Ryan doesn't even have the support of fellow Republicans on the committee, and suggested that the GOP has merely criticized the health care proposals working their way through Congress without offering an alternative.

"I'm not saying that none of you guys have some idea. I'm saying you should come together with your leadership, compete with your ideas and at the end have a bipartisan national health insurance program," Rangel said.

Partisanship aside, several bills with bipartisan support have been offered and ignored. Among the dozens in the pipeline are legislation aimed at reducing the cost of private health insurance by pooling costs and a bill to expand states' authority over the disbursement of federal money.

Rep. Nydia Velazquez, D-N.Y., for instance, introduced a bill in February that provides for the establishment of cooperatives for small businesses to fund their health care plans.

Last week, Velazquez, chairwoman of the Small Business Committee, wrote House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman to ask that changes be made to the prevailing version being debated in order to relieve the burden on small businesses that would be forced to pay an 8 percent payroll tax if employees were placed into the government plan.

"According to the 2006 Census, the average annual payroll for employers with one to 4 employees was $286,987, while payroll of employers with 10 to 19 employees was $429,877," she wrote. "These numbers dramatically increase as the employer size gets closer to 100. As such, nearly all firms who have an employee will face the prospect of a fee if they fail to offer coverage."

The bill that passed Waxman's committee on Friday included an amendment by Blue Dog Democratic Rep. Mike Ross of Arkansas that allows an exemption on employers whose staffs earn less than $500,000, a 2 percent payroll tax for staffs making less than $585,000, a 4 percent tax for firms paying less than $670,000 and 6 percent on companies paying less than $750,000.

In a statement to FOXNews.com on Monday, Velazquez, who is also chairwoman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, said she hopes to achieve an effective health care reform bill.

"Working together, we can craft a measure that ensures access to quality coverage and reduces skyrocketing health care costs for small businesses. As health care legislation continues developing, I will work with my colleagues to ensure the final legislative product achieves these goals," she said.

In her letter to Waxman -- to which she has not yet received a reply -- Velazquez also noted that only firms with 20 employees or fewer will be guaranteed access to the government option. Suggesting that private options will be limited after the government option is placed into effect, Velazquez said many small firms would be excluded.

"These small businesses will have fewer choices for affordable coverage and little incentive to continue offering it," she wrote.

YOU DECIDE: Would You Pay Higher Taxes to Fund Health Care Reform?

Velazquez's bill never went through the committee vetting process. Neither did legislation by Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio, who sponsored a bill with the support of Ohio Republican Rep. Steve LaTourette that would allow the Health and Human Services Department to grant waivers on states trying to implement policies to expand health care access.

Still more bills have been left in the referral stage, awaiting traction from a powerful chairman with an interest in the provisions.

On the Senate side, Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, has denied a vote on a bill sponsored by Sens. Ron Wyden, a Democrat from Oregon, and Robert Bennett, a Republican from Utah.

The two first proposed the "Healthy Americans Act" two years ago. It would allow everyone in America to purchase their own insurance and everyone would be covered forever. Employers would face some new taxes but would no longer be required to provide health insurance.

The Congressional Budget Office has not only scored the plan as revenue-neutral in its first year, but found that within its first two years, it would actually "reduce future budget deficits or increase future surpluses." In other words, it would make money for the government.

The plan does require concessions from almost all sectors to make it work, and among the most vocal in opposition to it have been the labor unions. Their employees tend to receive a greater share of their compensation in benefits than wages.

The American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, AFSCME, has run radio ads against Wyden in his home state, an action he said probably stems from fear of the unknown.

"I'm sure that like other groups they are seeing there ought to be changes, but not that would affect us. The reality is the typical working person and the typical member of the unions not only is not going to get their taxes increased under our legislation, they are going to get a tax cut," Wyden said.

In May, the Finance Committee held a hearing on reform. Asked by Wyden why the legislation won't be reviewed, Baucus responded, "That's just not going to happen."

[foxyladi]

:rotfl:

genericstamp!