About us Login Get email updates
Research
Print

Dingell rebuts claims that he said purpose of health care reform is to "control" the American people

March 24, 2010 7:44 pm ET — 21 Comments

Conservative media figures have asserted that in a March 22 interview, Rep. John Dingell said health care reform will "control the people." In fact, Dingell has said that conservatives are taking him out of context and has explained that he was referring to "overseeing" the "insurance companies."

Dingell said "it takes a long time" to enact health care reform

Dingell stated of the implementation of the health care bill: "[i]t takes a long time to do the necessary administrative steps that have to be taken to put the legislation together to control the people." In the March 23 interview, Dingell was talking about the length of time it takes to implement such a complex law:

HOST: Are we ready to let 72,000 more people die in our country, if 18,000 died or whatever the number is, the figure that anyone comes up with, per year because of a lack of health insurance or health care, when this bill doesn't basically take effect until 2014?

DINGELL: Paul W., we're not ready to be doing it. But let me remind you, this has been going on for years. We are bringing it to a halt. The harsh fact of the matter is, when you're going to pass legislation that will cover 300 [million] American people in different ways, it takes a long time to do the necessary administrative steps that have to be taken to put the legislation together to control the people.

You know, our Republicans have spent a long time not participating, not helping, harping and delaying. But at the same time, they have contributed nothing to this and have made no offer whatsoever as to what it is they want or what they stand for.

Dingell said that he was talking about "overseeing" the "insurance companies." In a March 24 statement, Dingell said that he "was referring to the insurance companies":

"Right-wing bloggers are attempting to take my words out-of-context in another pathetic attempt to destroy the historic step taken yesterday for our country. During an interview on Paul W. Smith's show, I said:

'The harsh fact of the matter is when you're going to pass legislation that will cover 300 [million] American people in different ways it takes a long time to do the necessary administrative steps that have to be taken to put the legislation together to control the people.'

"If one were to listen to the entire interview, and not just a clip creatively chopped up for political gain, it is obvious that by 'people' I was referring to the insurance companies who we must do a better job of overseeing. Specifically, we are going to end the deplorable practices of those who rescind the health insurance policies of people on gurneys heading into emergency rooms.

Conservative media assert Dingell was saying "Obamacare" will "control the people"

American Thinker: "Rep. Dingell: It's taken a long time to 'control the people.' " In a March 24 post on American Thinker, Peter Barry Chowka wrote that Dingell "made an amazing admission" in the interview, and then quoted Dingell's remarks.

Wash. Times: "Off the beaten path online: Rep. Dingell: "It's taken a long time to 'control the people.' " In a March 24 post to The Washington Times' Water Cooler blog, Kerry Picket linked to the American Thinker post and used the American Thinker headline: "Rep. Dingell: It's taken a long time to 'control the people'..."

HotAir: "Dingell: It will take a while for ObamaCare to 'control the people.' " In a March 24 post to Hot Air headlined "Dingell: It will take a while for ObamaCare to 'control the people,' " Ed Morrissey falsely claimed that Dingell stated "that it takes a lot of hard work and preparation to create a system that will 'control the people.' "

Michelle Malkin: "The Demcare control freaks are partying hard." In a March 24 post to her blog headlined "The Demcare control freaks are partying hard," Malkin wrote:

We know what kind of America Democrat dinosaur Sen. John Dingell wants: "The harsh fact of the matter is when you're going to pass legislation that will cover 300 [million] American people in different ways it takes a long time to do the necessary administrative steps that have to be taken to put the legislation together to control the people."

Yes, he said it:

[a YouTube video of Dingell's comments is embedded in the post here]

Welcome to Nancy Pelosi's vision of taking America in a "new direction".

Gateway Pundit: "Dem Rep. Dingell Admits: Obamacare 'Will Eventually Control the People.' " In a March 24 blog post, Gateway Pundit's Jim Hoft headlined his post "Dem Rep. Dingell Admits: Obamacare 'Will Eventually Control the People.' "

Fox Nation: "Rep. Dingell: "It's Taken a Long Time to 'Control the People.' " A March 34 post to on Fox Nation was headlined "Rep. Dingell: It's Taken a Long Time to 'Control the People' " and linked to the American Thinker post.

RedState: "Control. It's made of Obamacare." In a March 24 post headlined "Control. It's made of Obamacare," RedState blogger Aaron Gardner wrote that "Dingell Spills the Beans" and linked to a portion of Dingell's comments.

Expand All Expand 1st Level Collapse All Add Comment
    • Author by Fever (March 24, 2010 8:31 pm ET)
      7 4
      I was "forced" to listen to Boortz on the radio today, and he was having a ball with this. You could clearly tell what Dingell was referring to - getting everything in order to enact the law - but now the wing-nuts think he means to actually control the people of this country.

      You know, at first I was mildly amused at the neo-cons behavior. Now - not so much.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by whatIthink (March 24, 2010 8:33 pm ET)
      8 3
      [http://content.cartoonbox.slate.com/?feature=bf9f99c81d6582a1aae3a2ca9ffb64e9]
      Report Abuse
    • Author by kingd (March 24, 2010 8:41 pm ET)
      5 1
      I heard the comment, but didn't quite take it the way "they" are. He also said "...legislation that will cover 300 people..."
      I haven't heard any inane palaver about Rep. Dingell slightly misstating the numbers.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by RushisRIGHT (March 24, 2010 8:51 pm ET)
         
      Retract your statements you moron. Classic lib.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by Pedro2 (March 24, 2010 9:18 pm ET)
         
      The main purpose is to tax people. Then from taxing comes control.

      Report Abuse
    • Author by wakeupamericab4its2late (March 24, 2010 9:37 pm ET)
         
      for all of you that think this government takeover of healthcare is such a great idea..answer me this why did your president exempt himself and his panel from the provisions in this bill ? what what unfolds in the next few years as this starts to occur before your eyes and remember you heard it here first.
      1. regardless of the lies we have been fed, you will no longer be able to keep your doctor because you will be switched to the government medicare..
      2. why will this happen, because businesses will be mandated to provide healthcare but it doesn"t matter where from as long as they provide it
      3. those who are currently receiving high quality health care from their employers (i.e., union workers and employees of large corperations )will be switched to the government healthcare because it will be cheaper for the businesses due to the lack of competiton and the increased cost of private healthcare
      4. busineeses will have no choice but to do this because the cost will cut into the bottom line too much forcing them to choose betwen lesser healthcare or going out of business
      5. doctors will refuse to take you because they are only receiving 30 cents on the dolar to provide healthcare, so you wil be screwed.
      6.if you think im lying, consult with anyone on medicare or medicaid and ask them if they have ever been refused service by a doctor or if a hospital has told them 'we don"t except that'.
      7. prepare yourself because if this isn't repealed it is probably gonna get really bad out there and thousands will die because of this decline in the quality of healthcare.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by Jeremy Danials (March 25, 2010 1:18 am ET)
      2 1
      The key is to never misspeak. I cost Gore the 2000 Election, it's given Glennbeckistan a lot of "ammo" for his paranoid schizophrenic, Bipolar, persecution complex-having, Delusionas-of-grandeur rants.

      Sadly, this means I understand why they would misinterpret this.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by egb (March 25, 2010 3:30 am ET)
        3 4
        Is "I will accept public campaign financing" a misspeak or a child who promises to be good? How about "My administration will have no lobbyists"? How about "post racial" -- do you think that was a misspeak? What about the promise to bring American together again -- do you think that was a "misspeak"? What about "95% of Americans will get a tax cut" -- was that a misspeak? Did Obama misspeak when he said he would go through budget bills line by line and eliminate earmarks?

        BTW, "misspeak" is a verb. What is the noun version of that?
        Report Abuse
        • Author by DellDolly (March 25, 2010 2:21 pm ET)
          1 3
          He didn't say "I will accept public campaign financing". You're cropping his comment out of context,and not accurately quoting him at all, despite the quotation marks you used, dishonest poster that you are.

          He said "If I am the Democratic nominee, I will aggressively pursue an agreement with the Republican nominee to preserve a publicly financed general election."

          And he did that.

          Report Abuse
    • Author by colorofblue (March 25, 2010 1:46 am ET)
         
      Are you serious? You hear him saying "it takes a lot of time to control the insurance companies"?? You people must have sheep ears.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by egb (March 25, 2010 3:22 am ET)
      3 7
      Dingell might "rebut" the claim, but tired people most often say what they really think, and that is what Dingell did. Once the cat was out of the bag, having Dingell try to recapture it is comical. He believes it is government's job to "control" people. Those of you who support Dingell will have your day of reckoning if people like Dingell aren't voted out of office.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by usappa00 (March 25, 2010 3:49 am ET)
        6 3
        You’re an idiot. He was talking about controlling the people involved in health care reform and making sure the system works. The government controls all aspects of our society, have you ever heard of laws? I guess its o.k. when the government controls abortion, or drugs? God forbid the government try to control health insurance companies that have been making billions of dollars in profits denying care to the people, while raising premiums every year.

        When Blue Cross denies a claim,they are controlling fate.
        Report Abuse
      • Author by mikelartist (March 25, 2010 11:51 am ET)
        2 1
        What a foolish notion. Get a life and quit guessing as to what "tired people really think".

        You are an embarrassment to your already embarrassing party.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by MagCynic (March 25, 2010 9:15 am ET)
      3 4
      The harsh fact of the matter is when you're going to pass legislation that will cover 300 [million] American people in different ways it takes a long time to do the necessary administrative steps that have to be taken to put the legislation together to control the people.
      Sorry, Rep. Dingell, for taking you at your literal word. I'm so used to liberals taking every, literal word a conservatives says I just couldn't help myself. What's that? You simply misspoke and forgot to put the word "insurance" before people? I'm sorry. If a conservative can't be given slack for misspeaking then you will not be given slack for misspeaking.

      I'll bet MMFA would be all over this had a Republican Congressman said this. Even if he later revised his statement and corrected himself that he meant the insurance people, MMFA would still go by their older statement intentionally ignoring the revision. Different standards I guess.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by political_left-religious_right (March 25, 2010 11:04 am ET)
        1 3
        I'll bet MMFA would be all over this had a Republican Congressman said this. Even if he later revised his statement and corrected himself that he meant the insurance people, MMFA would still go by their older statement intentionally ignoring the revision.

        You can, of course, provide examples of this happening? Until then, your bet wins you nothing.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by political_left-religious_right (March 26, 2010 2:05 pm ET)
             
          Wow, three thumbs down without an explanation, never mind a rebuttal. You neocons are classy and brave!
          Report Abuse
      • Author by mikelartist (March 25, 2010 11:54 am ET)
        1 1
        You might have a point if there was anything in the bill that "controlled people".. but there isn't. There is legislation that controls how insurance companies can do commerce in the United States. (no denial of pre-existing conditions... etc)

        You defense of the predatory insurance industry is undeniable.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by rrrrigghhttt (March 25, 2010 3:32 pm ET)
            1
          forcing you to buy insurance or pay a fine is not controlling?
          Report Abuse
    • Author by bludog1 (March 25, 2010 12:39 pm ET)
      2 1
      So who are we supposed to believe? The transcript or the "recreation" following the moment of candor?
      Report Abuse
    • Author by MaineiacMan (March 25, 2010 2:02 pm ET)
      2 1
      Of course he 'rebuts' it. Would you expect anything else?

      Now back to your regularly scheduled programming of bashing Republicans, bashing American principles and supporting socialism.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by Tbone Slickens (March 25, 2010 3:18 pm ET)
      2  
      It's a tepid defense of Dingell from the "it depends on what the definition of is, is" crowd!
      Report Abuse
The Fox Effect
Media Matters Connect

Push Back

Phone calls, emails and letters from the public do make a difference. Remember that to be effective you must be polite, and professional. Express your specific concerns regarding that particular news report or commentary, and indicate what you would like the media outlet to do differently in the future.