It Never Ends

[one...two...tree 2,762]

The right said a bipartisan, common-sense measure on end-of-life care was scandalous. It wasn't, but reality didn't matter -- conservatives believed it was true, and now it's apparently gone from the bill. The right said a public option would represent a Soviet-style takeover of the health care system. . It wasn't, but reality didn't matter -- conservatives believed it was true, and now the idea is in trouble. Ideally, reform advocates would be able to see around the curve, predicting what the next ridiculous right-wing attack might be, and preparing a response in advance. But that's not easy; the Republican Attack Machine features the painful combination of creativity, paranoia, and pathological dishonesty.

For example, Amy Sullivan reports on the next conservative temper tantrum.

Now conservative opponents of health reform have found a new threat: home nurse visits to low-income parents. "We are setting up a situation where Obama will be invading parent's [sic] homes and taking away their children," one columnist warned on RightWingNews.com. That something as harmless as home nurse visits has become a target of conservative ire is surprising because of its longstanding popularity with both Republican and Democratic lawmakers. But health reform advocates are scratching their heads at the attacks for another reason: funding for home nurse visits was largely included in health reform legislation to accommodate social conservatives. [...]

[H]ome nurse visits are exactly the kind of pro-family policy that social conservatives would embrace. And they have. The home visitation provision in health reform legislation was modeled on a bill authored by Republican Senator Kit Bond of Missouri. Bond went through a parenting education program in Missouri when his son was born three decades ago and has been a fan of the idea ever since. [...]

Home visits have been so popular with conservatives that the idea kept coming up during conversations White House aides hosted with pro-life advocates earlier this year in an effort to find common ground on abortion. And when Democratic Reps. Tim Ryan and Rosa DeLauro drafted the abortion reduction bill they introduced last month, they specifically included funding for home nurse visits as a way of accommodating pro-life preferences for policies that support women who decide to give birth instead of having abortions.

But that was before conservative anxiety over health reform reached its boiling point.

Now, prenatal counseling, according to the Heritage Foundation, Chuck Norris, and assorted right-wing voices, are "mandatory home inspections."

Will it matter that the idea was sought by the right? Almost certainly not, because intellectual consistency, honesty, and seriousness have had absolutely no role in the policy debate whatsoever.

Kevin Drum added, "It hasn't gotten a ton of attention yet, but that's only because the loonies have been obsessed with death panels instead. If that weren't in the bill, Sarah Palin would have dubbed the home nurse program as the Baby Brainwashing Brigades and everyone would be going nuts over that instead."

We know the drill. The right makes something up ... Fox News and Limbaugh say it's true ... Republican lawmakers start condemning the imaginary threat ... major mainstream news outlets report that "some say" the imaginary threat is real ... millions of Americans believe it ... Democrats point to reality, but it's too late ... and the worthwhile idea is dropped from the legislation.

The challenge in overcoming this is more than just overwhelming; it's also endless and unpredictable. Our political system just doesn't work the way it should.

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/

[My Name Is Nobody 3]

The right said a bipartisan, common-sense measure on end-of-life care was scandalous. It wasn't, but reality didn't matter -- conservatives believed it was true, and now it's apparently gone from the bill. The right said a public option would represent a Soviet-style takeover of the health care system. . It wasn't, but reality didn't matter -- conservatives believed it was true, and now the idea is in trouble. Ideally, reform advocates would be able to see around the curve, predicting what the next ridiculous right-wing attack might be, and preparing a response in advance. But that's not easy; the Republican Attack Machine features the painful combination of creativity, paranoia, and pathological dishonesty.

For example, Amy Sullivan reports on the next conservative temper tantrum.

Now conservative opponents of health reform have found a new threat: home nurse visits to low-income parents. "We are setting up a situation where Obama will be invading parent's [sic] homes and taking away their children," one columnist warned on RightWingNews.com. That something as harmless as home nurse visits has become a target of conservative ire is surprising because of its longstanding popularity with both Republican and Democratic lawmakers. But health reform advocates are scratching their heads at the attacks for another reason: funding for home nurse visits was largely included in health reform legislation to accommodate social conservatives. [...]

[H]ome nurse visits are exactly the kind of pro-family policy that social conservatives would embrace. And they have. The home visitation provision in health reform legislation was modeled on a bill authored by Republican Senator Kit Bond of Missouri. Bond went through a parenting education program in Missouri when his son was born three decades ago and has been a fan of the idea ever since. [...]

Home visits have been so popular with conservatives that the idea kept coming up during conversations White House aides hosted with pro-life advocates earlier this year in an effort to find common ground on abortion. And when Democratic Reps. Tim Ryan and Rosa DeLauro drafted the abortion reduction bill they introduced last month, they specifically included funding for home nurse visits as a way of accommodating pro-life preferences for policies that support women who decide to give birth instead of having abortions.

But that was before conservative anxiety over health reform reached its boiling point.

Now, prenatal counseling, according to the Heritage Foundation, Chuck Norris, and assorted right-wing voices, are "mandatory home inspections."

Will it matter that the idea was sought by the right? Almost certainly not, because intellectual consistency, honesty, and seriousness have had absolutely no role in the policy debate whatsoever.

Kevin Drum added, "It hasn't gotten a ton of attention yet, but that's only because the loonies have been obsessed with death panels instead. If that weren't in the bill, Sarah Palin would have dubbed the home nurse program as the Baby Brainwashing Brigades and everyone would be going nuts over that instead."

We know the drill. The right makes something up ... Fox News and Limbaugh say it's true ... Republican lawmakers start condemning the imaginary threat ... major mainstream news outlets report that "some say" the imaginary threat is real ... millions of Americans believe it ... Democrats point to reality, but it's too late ... and the worthwhile idea is dropped from the legislation.

The challenge in overcoming this is more than just overwhelming; it's also endless and unpredictable. Our political system just doesn't work the way it should.

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/

I wish the libs would use their majorities in the house and senate and pass this dam bill. They need to quit complaining and get to voting...... time is wasting. Get it over with. Sheeeesh. All this whining is getting old.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

If there's one thing the Democrats have failed on with regard to healthcare reform, is just how effective the Right Wing propaganda machine is thanks in large part to Faux News, in scaring the American public with deception and outright lies.

[My Name Is Nobody 3]

If there's one thing the Democrats have failed on with regard to healthcare reform, is just how effective the Right Wing propaganda machine is thanks in large part to Faux News, in scaring the American public with deception and outright lies.

Thats what I said. If they are so right ,then the American public will understand if they use their majorities to pass the reform

[one...two...tree 2,762]

If there's one thing the Democrats have failed on with regard to healthcare reform, is just how effective the Right Wing propaganda machine is thanks in large part to Faux News, in scaring the American public with deception and outright lies.

Thats what I said. If they are so right ,then the American public will understand if they use their majorities to pass the reform

All it takes is a little coaxing to get enough Americans skeered that the guvmint is gonna take away their Medicare, sent granny to a death camp, and serve pickled baby fingers in school cafeterias. Fear is a great motivator and the Right Wingers know how to use it well on the masses.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

If there's one thing the Democrats have failed on with regard to healthcare reform, is just how effective the Right Wing propaganda machine is thanks in large part to Faux News, in scaring the American public with deception and outright lies.

Thats what I said. If they are so right ,then the American public will understand if they use their majorities to pass the reform

All it takes is a little coaxing to get enough Americans skeered that the guvmint is gonna take away their Medicare, sent granny to a death camp, and serve pickled baby fingers in school cafeterias. Fear is a great motivator and the Right Wingers know how to use it well on the masses.

Mmmm, pickled baby fingers!

[luckytxn 2,264]

Yeah it was real fun to have to listen to for years all the same tactics that the Socialists did before the current regime took over. It is funny to listen to the whining now and many get a real chuckle listening to the whining.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Yeah it was real fun to have to listen to for years all the same tactics that the Socialists did before the current regime took over. It is funny to listen to the whining now and many get a real chuckle listening to the whining.

Stand in front of mirror right now, lucky, and take a good look at a Socialist. Thine own self be true. Self loathing is just going to bring you down. Embrace the dirty little Socialist that you truly are. Come on, man, I'm pulling for you.

[Ban Hammer 13,369]

If there's one thing the Democrats have failed on with regard to healthcare reform, is just how effective the Right Wing propaganda machine is thanks in large part to Faux News, in scaring the American public with deception and outright lies.

that's right, blame the democrats failboat on fox news

[luckytxn 2,264]

If there's one thing the Democrats have failed on with regard to healthcare reform, is just how effective the Right Wing propaganda machine is thanks in large part to Faux News, in scaring the American public with deception and outright lies.

that's right, blame the democrats failboat on fox news

For sure. All the other media outlets with a Socialist bent can't beat a little old Fox network?

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

If there's one thing the Democrats have failed on with regard to healthcare reform, is just how effective the Right Wing propaganda machine is thanks in large part to Faux News, in scaring the American public with deception and outright lies.

that's right, blame the democrats failboat on fox news

For sure. All the other media outlets with a Socialist bent can't beat a little old Fox network?

Hint: Put some babes on that can read the news, without trying to castrate every male that did her wrong. I'm just saying..

Edited August 17, 2009 by Mister_Bill

[SMOKE 1,426]

i never watched fox news until i joined VJ. i figured ' if X & Y hate it...it must be good'...they were right, it is awesome....America agrees....must be why its the #1 cable news network.

Hint: Put some babes on that can read the news, without trying to castrate every male that did her wrong. I'm just saying..

yet another reason to save it to your favorites

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Gotta agree with the right wing crowd on this - the only party to blame for this issue not being handled right is the Democrats. They have the majorities in both chambers of Congress to pass any bill they want. They just can't get their shite together and do the right thing.

No point in blaming the GOP here, the Dems chose to entertain them far too long - they still do - and give them the time to get their propaganda machine into high gear. The Dems failed to deliver on their campaign pledges and there will be a price to pay. I wish they would have learned something in the early 90's but it becomes ever more obvious that they didn't.

[Peikko 1,575]

It does seem rather odd, this plaintive cry. What exactly does anyone expect the extreme right to do differently, aside from get more extreme while the Dems are in power?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

It does seem rather odd, this plaintive cry. What exactly does anyone expect the extreme right to do differently, aside from get more extreme while the Dems are in power?

Exactly. It was fairly obvious from the very early stages that there was not going to be a reform bill that will have bi-partisan support. The GOP played for time to get the propaganda machine up and running - nothing more and nothing less. I said a long time ago that any effort to get GOP support for a true reform bill is futile and should be abandoned.

Edited August 17, 2009 by Mr. Big Dog