Dear Editor,
While I am definitely not a spokesman for any facet of the Democratic Party, I stand up to refute the comments of several Republicans that have written in to your paper.
I am writing to address the gross inaccuracies concerning health care reform and out President, Barack Obama. I must say one thing “I’m sorry”… I am sorry that President Bush took Clinton’s economic surplus and totally degraded it. I’m sorry that Obama inherited a mess left over from the Bush AKA Cheney administration. I’m even sorry that the Republicans are blocking health care reform that would give thousands of Richmond County citizens access to important services. Let me remind the Republicans of one fact: The cost of the controversial wars that we are engaged in is 953 billion dollars and counting.
Hypothetically, if we weren’t straining our economy with the war -- that money would be enough to fund the Health Care Bill for the U.S. citizens. In response to Mr. Gerald’s claims concerning Democrats and ‘financial bailouts’, let me remind him that the first bailout was entitled TARP and it was under the Bush administration, not the Obama administration. Under the passed House bill, the Stupak amendment makes it illegal “to pay for any abortion or to cover any part of the costs of any health plan that includes coverage of abortion.”
So Mr. Gerald’s comments regarding ‘churches’ and ‘at-will abortion’ is grossly untrue. Also remember that in America, there is a separation of church and state. I know some people are still upset because of America’s presidential pick but please rally around our elected president. I remind everyone that “we are not a collection of red states and blue states… we are the United States”, so lets show some unity.
Michael D. McRae
Ellerbe
My article really sparked some controversy and started some dialog on both sides of the fence (dems and republicans). Therefore, my article was warranted and much needed.
I wanted to address a few of the comments that people have written about my letter:
1. I am indeed a real person...from Ellerbe, and my name is really Michael McRae.
2. President Clinton had a 200 billion dollar budget surplus at the end of his term. This is according to the bipartison congressional budget office. This is a FACT. Simply Put. There is no way to reput a given FACT.
3. Regarding Health Care: How come we didn't hear anything about eliminating pre-existing conditions etc from the Bush Administration. Was health care not a priority?
I agree with you all on one point. The Democrats had a very weak 'supermajority'. I love my party, but dems like Joe Liberman really blocked this legislation.
When Liberman decided not to back Barack Obama for president, the DEMS should have stripped him from all of his committee chairmanships and made him show his republican allegiance.
I am through with all this controversy...I think many people can agree with my article, and many people disagree. But please, stop this endless debate on this online forum, and do something constructive like writing in to your congressional leaders!
Have a great day!
Enjoy Fox and the "world waking up" .... I'm going back to the land of people who think!
CBS published false documents against president Bush but I'll bet you still watch CBS!
Those who hate Fox are angry about truth being exposed. The extremists want everything hidden if it doesn't agree with their party. Fox exposes everything whether it is Republican or Democrat. They have Democrats and Republicans working there. Even some of the Kennedys have worked for Fox. People are waking up! Dana. Face it!
Republican landslide coming this November.
/i'll see myself out
I don't think so, but then again I must remember who I'm talking to.
As for what I said about Obama quoting it back to them.... NO he didn't repeat 2000 pages of their TORT REFORM IS THE ONLY ANSWER back to them, but he did go point by point on their one and only answer.... I didn't see any of them get up and say, YOU LIE or anything else when they had a one on one chance to do so.
The way I see it, the far right and some of the equally insane Democrats are similar to school yard bullies. The talk the talk and even do a little pushing, but if you stand up to them and let them know you are not going to be bullied anymore, they cower back down!
LOL Fox news is the most trusted news agency.... WOW it's like my kids believing all the infomercials!
BTW...Fox airs Democrat and Repbulicans and is the 'Most Trusted" news media. Reason being T you get the full story. They don't cover or misrepresent for anyone. That is the reason for their status as 'most trusted'
You and Michelle Bachman should team up, maybe the two of you could find the name of that Japanese man LOL!
One was titled "The Patients' Choice Act of 2009," the plan was introduced by U.S. Senators Tom Coburn, (R-OK) and Richard Burr (R-NC) and U.S. Representatives Paul Ryan (R-WI) and Devin Nunes (R-CA) at 11 a.m. The focus of the proposal -- an advanced copy of which was obtained by the Huffington Post -- is to push for a "guaranteed choice of coverage" in the private market through federal-state partnerships known as State Health Insurance Exchanges.
Although Obama claims he would look at whatever they have to offer, that was a bald faced lie. Democrats will not allow it, they will consider no plan that doesn't give government complet control. I certainly do not want them to have control of my health. It doesn't work for Canada nor England and it will not work for Americans.
Where did you watch the video from Friday, Bonnie? I watched the video in full and I didn't see anything which made me believe the Republicans had ANYTHING to offer in the way of health care! It actually showed they had some bologna on paper which was totally out of touch with reality. They said they could fix health care without costing the people of the US anything.... can they make pigs fly too?
Do you honestly believe if those fine group of folks had such a plan we wouldn't all be jumping on it? As president Obama said, I'd like to check their math!
The people do not want a government run health care...it is as simple as that. Reid had to bribe, coerce and lie to get the votes he needed, and those Democrats who took the bribes are paying the price back home now. If they could take back that vote, they would.
And Andrew Jackson had the least amount of debt of all presidents. he was the only president in United States history to have paid off the national debt. However, this accomplishment was short lived.
This is debt increases for the 90s...there was no surplus:
09/29/2000 $5,674,178,209,886.86
09/30/1999 $5,656,270,901,615.43
09/30/1998 $5,526,193,008,897.62
09/30/1997 $5,413,146,011,397.34
09/30/1996 $5,224,810,939,135.73
09/29/1995 $4,973,982,900,709.39
09/30/1994 $4,692,749,910,013.32
09/30/1993 $4,411,488,883,139.38
09/30/1992 $4,064,620,655,521.66
09/30/1991 $3,665,303,351,697.03
War always increases debt.
The lack of courage on the part of Democrats has led to a watered down bill which nobody should vote on at this point!
Bonnie, your lack of reality regarding what happened on Friday proves to me once more how out of touch you are with reality. Sadly, it's all about party politics for you. My memory failed me for a bit regarding just how partisan you are.
Furthermore, the reason I admire Obama's actions on Friday were far from a partisan cheer. I want him to call the Democrats out on their lack of governing and lobbyist centered junk as well.
You see, Bonnie, I am on the side of TRUTH.... and neither party can claim any moral high ground in regards to truth! Obama inspired me by getting back to the truth and calling people on the insane load of junk they are throwing at the US people!
As far as giving, I totally agree with you Bonnie. I believe if you teach a man to fish it's more beneficial than giving him everything. The problem I have comes with all the "fishing areas" being sent off to other countries leaving the "fisherman" without "fishing holes" to feed themselves and their families! If all the big fish take away the ponds, what responsibility do they have? I guess that is where we disagree!
Stormchaser, SERIOUSLY? Clinton didn't have a surplus? Really now... I suppose you should contact all of history with that information.
It seems some of you people live in the land of Rupert.... denial of all truth!
The second inaccuracy is that the Republicans are blocking Health Care. Obama had super majorities in both houses, took the attitude they didn't need the Republicans, and failed with his own party. Obama can't govern. He is absolutely way too liberal, and this country has made it clear it doesn't want his brand of liberal/socialist healthcare.
You don't have a clue as to whether I have compassion or not, as a matter of fact, Republicans give much more to the needy than Democrats, according to statistics.
However my philosophy is "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day - teach him to fish and you feed him for life" This way he keeps his self-reliance and self respect. You do a person a grave disservice when you rob them of that.
I set great store by this scripture;
"Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need." Ephesians 4:28
I believe this scripture means to help those who cannot help themselves Dana.. I do not believe it means to furnish them with the luxuries of life and I do not believe it means to aid them in laziness, irresponsibility and immorality.
If, in your opinion, that is lack of compassion, then so be it. I will not argue the point.
I think President Obama proved what the Republicans are full of yesterday, and I can't wait to see him do the same thing to the other side. It's time politicians put up or shut up!
In concerns to Christianity, either you believe what Christ taught or you don't, just don't twist it to suit your political agenda or party politics!
I'll repeat it one more time, I have NOTHING AT ALL against being wealthy or incredibly rich, it's greed I have an issue with. I don't think the rich should support every person in the world, but I do believe you should give back with what the good Lord blesses you with. If that makes me a socialist or a communist or Hitler's love child in your eyes, so be it!
This isn't about parties, it's about what's best for our nation - actually I believe the Republican party has gone too far to the left.
I am in favor of maintaining the system that our Founders fought and died to establish.
Thousands have died to maintain that system.
Judging what just happened in Mass, the majority feel the same way.
BTW Prig, you were as serious as a heart attack when you made that statement
Dana, forgive me if I’m wrong but judging from your tone, I thought sure that you thought the rich should give their money to bring everyone up to the same level economically, which is Socialism.
I don’t know too many poor in America. However if you know of any who are cold and hungry it would be a derelict of duty for you not to help them. Don’t try to force this on others, however. The Constitution gives each individual the right to decide.
We have been a blessed nation and I, for one, believe we should have a special day of prayer to come together and give thanks to that One Who is responsible for the blessings contrary to the belief of our President.
We are the only nation that is known as the Christian nation.
I knew we were in trouble when i heard Obama deny our status as a Christian nation.