About us Login Get email updates
County Fair
Print

WaPo reporter: House health care bill might be socialism

November 09, 2009 11:36 am ET by Jamison Foser

Here's a question Washington Post reporter Perry Bacon was asked during today's online Q&A:

Richmond, Va.: Watching ABC this morning and having them highlight things in the bill, I see that this is far from socialism. It seems to be an attempt at fairness in the insurance market. Can we have an honest debate now or will the tea party corporate warriors still rule the airways?

And here's Bacon's response:

Perry Bacon Jr.: I guess it depends on the meaning of socialism. The Tea Party people are alive and well and will continue to be a major force in our politics. Not sure if the Senate Republicans will show up at a rally with them like the House guys, but they will be involved.

So Bacon's questioner notes that right-wing cries of socialism are over-heated, and Bacon rushes to defend them.  Maybe this is what Washington Post executive editor Marcus Brauchli meant when he said the Post should be more responsive to conservatives.

Tags: The Washington Post, Perry Bacon Jr.

Expand All Expand 1st Level Collapse All Add Comment
    • Author by pros2pros2940 (November 09, 2009 11:46 am ET)
      1  
      Really ? "A major force" ?

      How so.....by giving them disproportionate coverage?
      Report Abuse
    • Author by MickD (November 09, 2009 11:53 am ET)
      1  
      He didn't answer the question, he just went right for his Rove Ranger playbook. I think these online Q&As will soon end, they don't want to answer anything unseemly against their presupposed he said/she said message.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by par4 (November 09, 2009 11:59 am ET)
        2
      Socialism? No. A useless bill that shouldn't pass the Senate? YES!!
      Report Abuse
    • Author by goesto11 (November 09, 2009 12:03 pm ET)
      1  
      If I were a conservative, I would write to the Post to demand they use this same standard across the board, e.g.,...

      Obama is not an American citizen, because the meaning of "citizen" is open to debate.

      Obama is a Nazi, because the meaning of "Nazi" depends on who's saying the word.

      Obama's goal is the destruction of America, because...

      Well, you get the point.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by shaggles (November 09, 2009 12:04 pm ET)
      1  
      Jr. Bacon Sleazeburger seems to be avoiding the question more than defending charges of socialism. "It depends what socialism means?" What? What does that mean other than that his side will use the word socialism whether it applies or not because they know it gets a reaction?
      Report Abuse
    • Author by magnolialover (November 09, 2009 12:30 pm ET)
      1  
      Thing is, Tea Party people are NOT a major force, they are a small force of people who tend to be louder than everyone else, so, ergo, the loudest get heard, doesn't mean that they're opinions, and or outlooks are the majority view (they're not in this case, not even close really), but this is a typical right wing talk radio / TV mantra.

      Whoever is loudest, must be correct!
      Report Abuse
    • Author by John Paradox (November 09, 2009 12:41 pm ET)
      3  
      Perry Bacon Jr.: I guess it depends on the meaning of socialism
      `When _I_ use a word,' Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, `it means just what I choose it to mean -- neither more nor less.'

      `The question is,' said Alice, `whether you CAN make words mean so many different things.'

      `The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, `which is to be master - - that's all.'
      Report Abuse
    • Author by SMTDL (November 09, 2009 1:01 pm ET)
      2  
      I think too many people are excusing use of over the top inappropriate "redefining " of terms that have been well defined in the world.Name some existing socialist countries recognized in the world as such!
      This bill would be socialism if it wanted Government to run hospitals with doctors and staff hired by the government.It is little more than regulating the insurance industry and providing a government subsidy to citizens to control costs!!!Insurance companies already enjoy government subsidies as do many other industries.Preposterous to call it socialism any more than our highways, schools,fire protection,police,etc!Are FEMA,FDA,EPA,OSHA,etc. socialism??
      Report Abuse