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Boortz fearmongering: "Obama's health care plan is going to end up killing people"

June 17, 2009 3:29 pm ET

From the June 17 edition of Cox Radio Syndication's The Neal Boortz Show:

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    • Author by o rly (June 17, 2009 3:35 pm ET)
      1 3
      Fear! Fear!! FEAR FEAR FEAR FEAR FEAR FEAR!!!!!!

      Be fearful of EVERYTHING!!

      Fear!
      Report Abuse
    • Author by blueline99 (June 17, 2009 3:44 pm ET)
      1 2
      The elderly are already covered by Medicare... a government program. Is this guy an idiot!!! nevermind

      What's funny, the fear stories that they are saying is happening right now! It's already happening with the current system.

      People are currently dying because they do not have insurance, or under insured, or pay into an insurance program until they get sick and need care and the insurance company cancels your insurance because you forgot to check to report a flu shot in your application.


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    • Author by nerzog (June 17, 2009 3:44 pm ET)
      5 2
      Oh, that's right.... nobody ever dies from lack of treatment under our current system.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by puppienrainbows (June 17, 2009 4:10 pm ET)
           
        .....but they will under Obama's!
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        • Author by magnolialover (June 18, 2009 12:37 pm ET)
             
          Ah, wingnut logic.

          More people get covered, and hence, more people will get sick and die.

          OK...
          Report Abuse
    • Author by pete592 (June 17, 2009 4:22 pm ET)
      4 1
      In 2002, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) estimated that 18,000 Americans died in 2000 because they were uninsured. Since then,
      the number of uninsured has grown. Based on the IOM's methodology and subsequent Census Bureau estimates of insurance
      coverage, 137,000 people died from 2000 through 2006 because they lacked health insurance, including 22,000 people in 2006.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by mwright (June 18, 2009 9:32 am ET)
        2  
        But does this study indicate how many of those uninsureds were uninsured by choice? Or how many are illegal aliens? Everyone in this country has access to health care. It's called the emergency room.

        I have just one question for all those who think that we, as American citizens, have a "right" to health care: Since when did we obtain the "right" to another person's time, energy, knowledge and/or resources? And while I'm at it, what on God's green earth makes you think that the government is qualified to run the health care industry? Government-run anything is a disaster and will always be a disaster.
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        • Author by magnolialover (June 18, 2009 12:41 pm ET)
             
          The ER is not a replacement for well care for people. And how many times have we heard over the years from guys like you that when someone goes to the ER, and can't pay for it, we end up paying for it on the back end of our insurance payments (which is mostly true)?

          I think we, Americans, have a right to health care because we are the strongest, most powerful nation in the world. Economically, and militarily. If we, meaning America, can't provide for our own citizens, then we're less strong as a country, I believe.

          If we have a right to health care, we won't be imposing on other people's time, energy and knowledge, said people will be compensated for that time, as they are now. They won't be giving health care out for free. Doctors, nurses, and other health care providers are still going to get paid.

          You're also incorrect that the government can't run anything well. Medicare is a well run organization. As is social security. As is the military services. As are many different factions of government run programs. You just choose to ignore them. Aside from that, we always assume that the private industry can do better, and that's not always the case now is it?
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          • Author by Gmoney (June 18, 2009 4:18 pm ET)
               
            Right, Medicare and Social Security are so well run they are going broke. What makes you think you have the right to other people's resources (i.e. tax dollars confiscated from those working for a living that will be used to compensate the Drs., nurses, bureaucrats, etc.)? Just because you have the ability to suck oxygen doesn't entitle you to squat. Do you ever wonder where all this free stuff comes from? SOME OF US ARE OUT THERE WORKING FOR IT! Enjoy.
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      • Author by gpeterman24354 (June 18, 2009 10:18 am ET)
        1  
        If these 137,000 people were indigent and unable to afford health insurance, how can we expect the federal government to care for them? The federal government is broke!
        Report Abuse
    • Author by princeofwheels (June 17, 2009 4:51 pm ET)
      1 2
      Thank you Dr. Boortz. Were you in the same advanced class that gave us Dr. Wiener?
      "Hack panel", I like that.
      Dr. Boortz, you are wrong about your "decision making rant". Besides, you didn't mention who does it now!!!
      Report Abuse
    • Author by captfoster2 (June 17, 2009 5:10 pm ET)
      2 2
      Since the issue of health-care reform is not about health-care itself... buut is about all of us being able to access all the health-care that is out there...

      That this right-wing ass-clown can lie so...

      Make one wonder which is worse... that he can lie about the issue with a straight face or that a good chunk of his listeners will believe his lies?
      Report Abuse
      • Author by bossman (June 18, 2009 12:31 pm ET)
        1  
        If it was about people being able to afford what is already out there, then why don't they just let you deduct private health insurance from your taxable income? It's about shutting down the private health insurance sector. I haven't ever seen a government run program that makes me want to turn over my health coverage to them.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by bshaw7733 (June 17, 2009 5:30 pm ET)
        2
      i think the 2 big differences between cons and liberal is that the cons believe in the rugged individual and the liberals believe in a society of the people. the trouble comes in when you look at the flaw on the cons side. back in the day the arguement for rugged individualism made more sense because people were spread out over a wider area and there was much less communication. today however, we have nearly 400 million people living in this country. i think that pretty much settles the arguement on weather were a group of individuals or an interwoven society. as such, we have a responsiblity not only to ourselves but to the society as a whole. we make sacrifices for the greater good. ie: fire, police, roads,safty net programs so the old and infirm don't die in the street. health care is one of the sacrifices we need to make to help our society thrive. you cannot and should not say that because some are less fortunate than others that their health is not worth anything. these people are your neighbors and friends and co-workers. if everyone had access to decent healthcare that in itself would make us a more prosperous society by keeping the people healthier and make them more productive in the rest of their lives. the rich are still free to seek out the best treatment money can buy. if we want the world to see us as a shining beacon we need to set the example by lifting people up instead of blowing them up. sorry, don't mean to preach :)
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      • Author by blaksheep69 (June 18, 2009 2:37 pm ET)
           
        You have got to be absolutely kidding me. If you want healthcare for everyone then YOU pay for it through donations to your local hospitals. Do not hold the proverbial gun to my head and make me pay for something that I do not want. I do not expect for someone else to pay for my childrens healthcare that is my job as their parent. The same goes for my wife and myself. This country is still made up of individuals. It is that thinking that has led to the era of no personal responsibility. It is you liberals that have led us down the path of the PLAYSTATION era. It is you that have ended the era of personal responsibility. It is you that has made this country weak in the eyes of many and it is you that continue to be the leeches of success and for that I say Thanks Allot.
        Report Abuse
      • Author by naderchaser (June 18, 2009 4:57 pm ET)
           
        I think you're argument is flawed. Individualism is what made and continues to make our country great. Every time liberals decide to take away a little more liberty, our country gets a little further away from what made us great in the first place. I don't understand why liberals like you have such a distrust of the individual but put so much faith in the government to do the right thing. It seems that all you want to do is use the government to impose your ideas of how we should all live our lives, which by the way is exactly what the fundamental religious groups want to do. So it would seem to me that liberals and fundamental religious groups are very much on the same page. Does anyone else see this as true? But I digress...My point is, individualism and liberty are the keys to a prosperous future not more government intervention in EVERY aspect of our lives. Surely all you liberals value your freedom to some extent?? Please tell me you do. If you don't, I don't think there is even a reason to debate anymore.
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    • Author by TheDayV (June 17, 2009 6:12 pm ET)
        1
      'That's not a conservative position.'

      Actually, that position would more than likely be a conservative one since conservatives believe in small government and cost-cutting, policies that would result in 'rationed healthcare'.
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    • Author by nerzog (June 17, 2009 6:21 pm ET)
      1 1
      So, Medicare has been euthanizing people for decades, and we haven't heard about it?
      Report Abuse
    • Author by felipesegundo (June 17, 2009 6:24 pm ET)
      1 3
      Wow...in five minutes and 52 seconds he succeeded in imparting absolutely no information whatsoever. Also, funny how old people in the UK (where I live) can get hip replacements on National Health. And how private healthcare is still legal 65 years after the NHS's creation.

      What a load of empty rhetoric.
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    • Author by rightwingnutjob (June 18, 2009 9:33 am ET)
      2 1
      Were in the constitution does it say anything about the right to free health care? This is an issue of taking money away for the so called rich and giving it to the poor. I do not want this to pass. I think there are people who need help yes, but there should be a system in place for them to earn their care.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by magnolialover (June 18, 2009 12:43 pm ET)
          2
        Where in the Constitution does it say you have the right to individually own a gun?

        Let me clue you in. It doesn't.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by joeislove (June 18, 2009 1:12 pm ET)
          1  
          The Supreme Court disagreed with you in District of Columbia v. Heller.
          Report Abuse
        • Author by independentthinker (June 18, 2009 1:16 pm ET)
          1  
          Please read second amendment, the read suprememe court ruling on second amendment. if you cant accept this as fact, there is no hope for you anyway.
          Report Abuse
        • Author by blaksheep69 (June 18, 2009 2:39 pm ET)
             
          Please tell me where in the Constitution it says that you have a right to vote in Federal Elections.
          Report Abuse
        • Author by Gmoney (June 18, 2009 4:30 pm ET)
             
          And where in the Constitution does it say you have a right to privacy? Let me clue you in. It doesn't. So what the hell does that have to do with the original post? Here is your argument in different words.

          Q. Where in the Constitution does it say anything about the right to free health care?

          A. Well...uhhh...I think the Constitution doesn't say anything about individuals owning guns but people do it anyway...uhhh...so screw the Constitution...we have the power...uhhh...let's do whatever we want...now we can finally get back at all of those evil people who have dared to succeed in life
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    • Author by gpeterman24354 (June 18, 2009 9:57 am ET)
      2 2
      Boortz gets this one right, example: the government just failed miserably with insuring that rural television viewers get the basic channels on thier TV with the switch to an inferior digital signal that doesn't get out to isolated rural areas. No more tornado warnings for these folks. There is no telling how many more people would be affected for the worse with government attempting another program that affects everybody from the federal level. Government needs to improve or demonstrate that it can get it right before anything like this is even attempted.
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    • Author by VerbotenDingleberry (June 18, 2009 11:04 am ET)
      5 1
      I hope you Lefties get the Healthcare plan you want. I really do. People like me have enough money to do what the Canadians and Brits do; go elsewhere for care. Successful people will always get what they have earned, one way or another. You, the poor, will be the ones suffering under Government Rule as usual. And the best Irony? The Rich Lefties will get their care just as I do; they just won't tell their poor friends.

      I'm not cruel; I just understand that you people can not be reasoned with. You need proof positive of your stupidity. You need the universal teacher: pain. Well, get ready, it's coming.

      I really think 0bama is just the right "man" for this job.

      0bama/Biden 2012!
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      • Author by magnolialover (June 18, 2009 12:44 pm ET)
          2
        Ah, the good old, "I've got mine, so screw the rest of you.."

        Such a stand up guy you are.
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        • Author by jross-atl (June 18, 2009 3:29 pm ET)
          1  
          Nah, this is more like "Do what you want to yourselves, I'm clear of the blast zone" It's not like the productive citizens have any obligation to save the rest of us from ourselves.

          We (collectively) voted for this "change" and it seems we're going to get it good and hard.

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    • Author by jross-atl (June 18, 2009 3:21 pm ET)
      1  
      I've seen first person how government handles health and human services through the VA. I promise you, you don't want it. Boortz is an optimist.

      Report Abuse
    • Author by dickkidu (June 18, 2009 4:33 pm ET)
      1  
      America has a Constitution in case the mass idiots have forgotton. The Government does not generate wealth, they strong arm it citizens. Private sector and individuals creat jobs and wealth. When did you last get a job from a "poor person"? The dunderheads in Washington DC can't keep Medicare/Medicade and Social Security funded for then next 30 years. The majority of the deadbeats who spounge off my tax dollars don't pay ANY income taxes, federal withholding or state taxes, but the leeches live better than I do after working 60 hours a week, all they have to do is bum a ride to the welfare office, sign up and the imperial federal government sends them money, pays their rent, pays for more babies, etc... There is alot to fear, and it's the madman in Washington DC & his socialist gang!
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    • Author by m5shelly (June 18, 2009 5:59 pm ET)
      1  
      I wish people would do at least a little bit of research before making some of these comments!

      Medicare/Medicaid are big failures. These programs are the main reasons for the large deficits and the near bankruptcy for California and New York! Oh yeah, the federal government handed these plans down to the state level, then continued to add mandated care to these plans... why in the hell should my tax dollars pay for someone to get obesity surgery?

      And where did the idea of social security being sucessful come from? Do you think your children will be earning checks when they are over 65? I highly doubt it.

      In my opinion, the fix to health care would be more competition between care givers and insurance companies, more transparancy in health care costs, less screwing of insurance companies by the medical community (you will get the higher cost prescription if you have insurance), and caps on all lawsuits regarding doctors and hospitals (since they are mainly fraudulent).

      Basically, the main reason this is being debated is the wealth-envy of lower class society. Your saviour is attempting to tax the rich to feed the poor, and keep at least one of his campaign promises. I hope that this one is shot down. People do not realize how detrimental this will be to taxes, federal deficit, and overall free-market business in the US (not government-run business like we are moving toward - that's called fascist).

      Go to work people, and perhaps you could afford to cover your own health care costs, or mooch off the rest of us and just go to the emergency room - you know they can't turn you down.
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    • Author by Former Democrat (June 19, 2009 3:51 pm ET)
         
      Long ago, the government convinced us that it was a "right" and therefore an obligation for government to educate our children. They convinced us that they could do a better job teaching our children than the private sector or churches.........How's that working out for us??
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