Health Reform Opponents: "I Guess I'm Racist"

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: Health Care

A video opposing health care reform that came out last month is causing a stir on the Internet today. The spot features Americans staring at directly at the camera and saying something you don't much hear in polite company: "I guess I'm racist." The reason? They oppose President Obama's health care reform efforts. Watch at left.

The video appears to be the work of filmmaker Ray Griggs, who has released a documentary called "I Want Your Money." Introducing the spot on his Web page, Griggs writes that "Americans have every right to speak out against the ruinous direction our nation is currently heading without being labeled a racist."

Griggs calls the video a "national commercial," though it is not clear whether it has run on television. According to a posting on the conservative Web site Free Republic, it has appeared on Fox News.

Blogger Andrew Sullivan, who flagged the video Sunday, says it's "an effective ad against something of a straw man." He suggests Griggs is "[c]onflating wider worries about the intensity of vaguely articulated loathing of Obama as racially tinged with specific worries about health insurance reform."

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
Follow on Twitter »

13 Comments Have Your Say
Email Story Send to a Friend
Share This Tell Your Friends
Tweet This Tweet This
More Share It

Add a Comment See all 13 Comments


by brianblogger December 10, 2009 10:15 PM EST: Funny how Americans weren't called "racists" when they rejected Hillarycare back in 1993. Or maybe they just hated women. Whatever. Typical leftists - they can't tolerate dissent or opposing views so they have to attack them. Obamacare stinks to high heaven and I don't care if it is being promoted by a blue-eyed busty blonde female President. The American people don't want this dookie sandwich but the corrupt Congress and President want to ram it down people's throats while they and their liberal allies are exempt. The Revolution is coming folks, if this government thinks that people are going to cheerfully lie down and accept indentured servitude, they're smoking crack.; Reply to this comment


by saturn05 December 7, 2009 5:44 PM EST: Sometimes I have to admit that people are idiots in their comments. You can hate the healthcare reform, Obama, Democrats or whomever you want. You can even be a racist if you want. But don't expect for everyone else to like you, agree with you or to not call you a racist if that is what you are. But just because you don't like Obama and his administration doesn't automatically make you a racist. Now if you hate him because he is Black, then yes you just might be a racist. I happen to be in support of most of what Obama has done to get us out of the disaster that Bush and the Republican Party caused. So I can't blame Obama for spending money to get us to a place where we can be solvent again, much like Clinton had to do to get us of a mess another repub caused. So pull you panties out of your b*** and get a grip. He is doing what he can as the President and we need to give him time. But if you are on of those idiots who do not see the big picture, just don't bore us with your dribble.; Reply to this comment


by rshoff December 7, 2009 4:33 PM EST: We are a Democratic Republic people! We vote for our legislatures and leaders in two branches of the three branches of government. We do not sit around the table and make decisions for them. We 'the people', nor our opinions, are equal to theirs while they are in office. That would be a Popular Democracy, and THAT we are NOT! Unless you want to scrap the constitution that you site with every bigoted and ignorant opinion, we will not be. And if you are one that thinks we can run a country by consensus, you're an idiot.; Reply to this comment

by NowBeWithThat December 7, 2009 4:25 PM EST

Thanks to the Obama Administration, Alinsky's Rules for Radicals Rule # 5 are getting quite a workout:

RULE 5
"Ridicule is man's most potent weapon. There is no defense. It's irrational. It's infuriating. It also works as a key pressure point to force the enemy into concessions. Pretty crude, rude and mean, huh? They want to create anger and fear."

Hey I'm black and they call me racist.

Reply to this comment


by smoknmirrors December 7, 2009 5:24 PM EST: This is a strange comment given that the "commercial" doesn't appear to have been concocted by those favoring the Obama Administration. Personally, I don't call these people racist at all. Fatuous seems to describe them much more accurately.

by velma179 December 7, 2009 3:50 PM EST

This video is so telling on many levels.

1) People in this country are so ill-informed, they have no idea it is Congress that makes laws. President Obama can't ORDER them to do as he wishes, sheesh... he's not King of America!

2) The people who appreciate this video are the same ones who won't admit to their racism -- or better said, their fear of the "other, the person not like me". They will hide behind the sort of infantile, childish behavior that says "well, YOU said I am _______" -- in the attempt to transfer the blame of their own failings onto someone else.

3) Health care reform is good for America. People that promote opposition by instigating hate for progress on "face value" are not.

Reply to this comment


by czhnder December 7, 2009 4:30 PM EST: Velma179 says, "Health care reform is good for America." How? When? How much? Just because you "think" it is good for America? Your stupidity is showing!!!


by slownewsday-5 December 7, 2009 4:38 PM EST: sorry, czhnder - doing nothing and expecting the rampant problems to be fixed is the real "stupid" view.


by MotherRedDog December 7, 2009 3:34 PM EST: I guess I'm racist and I have a Puerto Rican daughter-in-law whom I love very much and a bi-racial granddaughter who is the most beautiful baby in the world.; Reply to this comment

by markj2 December 7, 2009 3:31 PM EST

How many thousands and thousands of people have called,mailed or e-mailed there respective senators in oppisition to this nightmare they call Health Care, and yet they still don't listen to "WE THE PEOPLE". I guess were just going to have to all surround the White House and Congress and nothing/nobody gets in and nobody gets out until they dump this Health Care Bill. Fix only what is broken,nothing more/nothing less. TORT reform, screw the trial lawyers and all the corrupt politians.

Reply to this comment


by velma179 December 7, 2009 3:40 PM EST: by markj2 December 7, 2009 3:31 PM EST
"How many thousands and thousands of people have called,mailed or e-mailed there respective senators in oppisition to this nightmare they call Health Care..."

***********

Obviously not as many as the hundreds of thousands that have contacted Senators and Reps to SUPPORT the legislation.

We the People is the ENTIRE Country... not just those who agree with you!


by lmartink December 7, 2009 3:42 PM EST: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may be coming to talk with you.

Your post constitutes a real threat to the country. You might be able to plead insanity because you are nuts.


by lmartink December 7, 2009 3:11 PM EST: The video should also say, "I guess I'm racist, and pathetically stupid." That would be more accurate.; Reply to this comment