Specter: Health Care Critics Don't Speak for America

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Fiercely vocal opponents to President Obama's health care reform agenda have a right to speak their mind, but don't "represent all of America," Sen. Arlen Specter said Wednesday.

The former longtime Republican, who switched party allegiances in April, was one of several Democrats to face heated criticism from constituents in town hall meetings across the country over proposed health care reform. (See video below.)

Opponents have railed against the Democratic proposals, characterizing them in general as government-run health care that will overburden taxpayers. Critics have taken specific issue with so-called "death panels," which will supposedly force elderly Medicare patients to seek end of life treatments. (Though those rumors have been proven false.)

"These people have a right to be organized," Specter said on CBS' "The Early Show" Wednesday. "I'm not going to complain about the fact that they are organized. They have a right to do that and they have a right to speak. But I think we ought to understand that they're not necessarily representative of America."

But Specter said that he's been "impressed with the fact that people [are] very well prepared," even though he has "no doubt the materials have been supplied to them."

"They've come in with copies of the House bill, with the sections marked. And also, although they may not be representative, they're significant. And they have to be listened to. And I think that it's a loud, clear warning to Congress, to Washington, that we've got to do something about it. And not just continue the same old partisan wrangling in Washington.

Specter said the frustration over health care may be linked to deeper problems in the country.

"I think there is a mood in America of anger. With so many people unemployed and so much bickering in Washington, people are disgusted with the partisanship and with the fear of losing their health care, it all boils over."

And Specter did give credence to opponents' concerns over adding to an already hefty deficit – an issue he says will be addressed in whatever legislation Congress produces.

"I think President Obama was wise to make it explicit he wouldn't sign a health care bill that added to the deficit. And I have said publicly at these meetings repeatedly I will not vote for a health care plan that produces a deficit. So there is a great concern about that."

[ctaymo]

Damn straight the people are angry. And many generations are wondering why things are the way they used to be. Where's my share, my cut, my "bail out". Why don't I have the right to "medicaid" after I worked so hard and now I am down and out? There is a sense of entitlement based on the idea that if we are such an advanced society, why can't we solve the health care issues? Let's shake out the proverbial piggy bank. What do you find? a few screws, lots of nuts and two cents if your are lucky.

The answer simply is Greed. And a big change in the way our society functions. The way we are brought up to believe that we can "be anything we want to be", yet the schools have to cut programs that can help train students not heading to college for jobs like they used to. Instead we are focusing on the math and reading scores because that's what gives the money. Not to mention there is little preparation (unless your parents teach you) on how to properly handle money and debt and live within your means. Why not prepare those newly entering the system? Greed. I am reminded of a passage I once heard: "we are in the business of controlling debt, not wealth".

And as the technology age gets fancier with its gadgets, and more and more people live BEYOND their means, to keep appearance, to"make their kids love them", to make their kids "popular".... we will experience more and more people who are in debt saying "why me? what did I do to deserve this?"

Sense of entitlement and greed have found us in this arena. And all are at fault. You could pick apart society and say this and that just like I pulled some examples, but pointing fingers doesn't get anywhere. We need solutions to the problems. Many people are putting their tails between their legs and are facing their problems, determined to bring change and solution to a problem so volatile.

And the interaction like this will be necessary. Change is not neat and clean and quiet. It is revolutionary. It is crossing the Deleware river in the dead of winter. It is standing up for what you believe in, and not backing down. It is the essence of this country, and it will prevail. Do not have a false sense of security in what you think you know as America. This is a MAJORITY, not a minority, screaming for a lifeboat to keep them afloat. They want change before they qualify for the assistance programs, and to keep their two cents.

[mikeyc287]

specter might wanna be a ********** spector

[hungry1968-16]

by erbssr August 12, 2009 6:41 PM EDT
Arlen Specter needs to get his head out of the sand. The people protesting DO represent most Americans feelings!!!!!







Since when is 18% of the population considered "most"?

[alanrobisch]

hungry did you ever consider learning something before you comment. Most over 50% according to Rasmussen oppose the plan. Your sarcasm and ignorance won't help win your point and per Rasmussen a higher percentage feel positively about republicans than democrats.

Face it when the democrats find it necessary to personally attack people who criticize the obama plan they are in trouble. It gets people angry and brings even more opposition when people like Spector and yourself talk down to people who oppose the plan. BTW I am still waiting for your apology for calling me a liar

[erbssr]

Arlen Specter needs to get his head out of the sand. The people protesting DO represent most Americans feelings!!!!!

[Timothy_Z]

How dare these people criticize the lack of knowledge on the part of the public when they are passing bills they themselves have not read.

[sjc_1]

You are allowed free speech, but you can NOT yell fire in a crowded theater. Disrupting the free speech of others is not freedom for all. Inciting riots by telling lies is immoral and should be dealt with severely.

[jab232]

Specter is right. You could disrupt every town hall meeting in the nation with a very small minority of the population. That's why the GOP is using the tactic.

In 2008 the average Fox network viewership was 2.2 million. Even if that represents a total of maybe ten million watching the network which is promoting town hall disruptions, the population of the U.S. is over 304 million. Ten million is one-thirtieth.

When we spend all our media time and space writing about yelling and name-calling at town halls, we are catering to a very small minority.

[johndevinejr]

I saw the entire interview with republican Wing Nut Craig Miller. He seemed to think that President Obama has violated his oath of office. Something about 31 czars. (czars have been appointed by Nixon, Reagan, Clinton and Bush)
He was, I think, very representative of the protesters. The Right Wing Smear machine has gotten them all wound up, angry and frightened. Mr Miller didn't seem to clear about what in the Health Care Reform bills he was against. It seemed that he was just opposed to Democrats being in control.
Mr Miller, this is a democracy, the majority of the people voted for Mr Obama. The republicans have been so arrogant, reckless and incompetent they needed to be removed.
This country has been severely damaged by republicans and their tactic of stoking fear and hatred in their base. Now they try to intimidate people without any clear idea of why they are doing it.
It is the reason that the republican party is a failure. The bring nothing to the table, they only try to oppose anything and everthing.
The party of NO.

[parrots7]

The Republican Jewish Coalition, which is launching a campaign against Obama on behalf of Senator John McCain, sponsored the poll to "understand why Barack Obama continues to have a problem among Jewish voters," the group's executive director, Matt Brooks, told Politico.


*******
This is obviously the most important thing in the lives of these very Dumb Repugs ..... now imagine if this Repug had become POTUS ?? Any Repug ??? Dumb Repugs !

[roach9703]

Dear Weaselcrat:

Why this the Health Care Plan Stinks:
1. How can the working poor, particularly those who are self employed pay a 12% tax, because they can not afford expensive health care insurance? Obama promised he would not do that? ( against Hillary)
b. Why is each district REQUIRED to have an insurer provide abortion coverage? ( Back door FOCA?)
c. An 8% excise tax for small business - wonderful,
d. more "taxes on the wealthy" also means that small business owners who employ 25 people or so have an additional income tax on top a payroll excise tax.
e. how are health care costs being contained when subsidies are known to increase costs from college tuition to medicare costs?
f. where is the money? - "cost savings for computers" Yeah, sure.
g. then, sleeping pills for elderly instead of pace makers - wow
h. then, we tax health care benefits for employers who are " too generous"? Obama said he would not do that.

[democracy1]

Anyone who has a copy of this bill (as I do) knows that you are spreading lies and misinformation. For example, the word "abortion" does not appear in the bill even ONE time. Not once! And besides, the Hyde Amendment (in law since 1976) bars the use of federal funds to pay for abortions.

Stop spreading LIES!