Was Wilson right? Did Obama lie?
by Michael C. Bender | September 10th, 2009
Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) shouts Wednesday as President Obama addresses a joint session of Congress. (Getty Images)
U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson’s decision to heckle President Obama during a speech to the joint session of Congress may have been, as Wilson apologized, inappropriate and regrettable. But was what he yelled correct?
What was said?
About halfway through President Obama’s 47-minute speech, Obama addressed the issue of whether his health insurance plan would provide coverage to illegal immigrants.
“There are also those who claim that our reform efforts would insure illegal immigrants This, too, is false,” Obama said. “The reforms I’m proposing would not apply to those who are here illegally.”
At this moment, Wilson shouted from his seat, “You lie.”
Who is right?
Technically, illegal immigrants could be insured in the bill that has passed three House committees (HR 3200). But the proposal would not provide illegal immigrants with anything they can’t already receive.
Three fact-check groups — CNN’s Truth Squad, Politifact.com and FactCheck.org — have debunked a viral e-mail that claimed illegal immigrants would receive free health care.
“That’s simply not what the bill says at all,” according to FactCheck.org.
But Obama simply said Wednesday that illegal immigrants couldn’t receive insurance under the proposal, and that isn’t exactly correct.
So what’s in the bill?
There is no mention of providing anything to illegal immigrant that they do not already receive and it explicitly states that illegal immigrants cannot receive any government money to help pay for their health care.
What would be available for illegal immigrants?
The Federation for American Immigration Reform, an anti-immigration group based in Washington D.C., correctly argues that illegal immigrants would be allowed to participate in the national health insurance exchange. That program would, generally, let individuals and small businesses shop and compare health insurance plans. The exchange would include the public option, which is a government-run insurance program that would compete with the private market.
“But it’s worth pointing out that illegal immigrants participating in the exchange would be paying for their insurance like everyone else,” according to Politifact.com. “That’s similar to the current system – we’re not aware of any particular restrictions that stop illegal immigrants from buying private insurance now.”
So illegal immigrants appear to be eligible to buy the public option, but they could not receive and so-called “premium credits” or “cost-saving credits” that would help drive down premiums.
Has Wilson apologized?
Yes, but he hasn’t retracted his claim.
“While I disagree with the president’s statement, my comments were inappropriate and regrettable,” Wilson said in a written statement.
Tags: health care, Joe Wilson, You lied!
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September 10th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Maybe Wilson wants Glen Becks job. The republican party has gone off the deep end because they cannot deal with the reality of a young, intelligent, black man leading this country with integrity, honesty, and strength.
September 10th, 2009 at 4:06 pm
What “young, intelligent black man” would you be referring to??
September 10th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
Joe “My New Hero” Wilson. I just wish he wouldn’t have apologized.
September 10th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
THIS IS A VERY VERY RACIST COUNTRY AND REPUBLICAN CAN ACCEPT A VERY RATIONAL NEW PRESIDENT JUST BECAUSE OF HIS COLOR..
September 10th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
Wilson is on his way to becoming a national hero. Took guts to do what he did. And if you think Obama really plans to permanently exclude illegals, you’re nuts.
September 10th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
Wilson is right and Obama has always lied. So he got the opportunity to speak up since many americans are now afraid of such.
September 10th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
WOW. Look at these comments. Three independent fact checking entities confirm what Obama is saying, and disprove what the whack job from South Carolina was saying, and the crazy posters still rant on.
Do these people realize that they are what is wrong with American politics? I don’t care what party you belong to, a fact is fact. When you deny it, you’re not fooling anyone but yourself.
Fact: Nothing in the bill about providing healthcare to illegal immigrants.
Ergo, Fact: Joe Wilson is the liar.
Ergo, Fact: All these crazy posters are delusional, and wouldn’t know a fact if it slapped them in the face.
Good luck with your UFO sightings and Lochness Monster hunts, people. Don’t forget your tinfoil hats.
September 10th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
This is tricky.
If Obama did lie, then so be it.
Perhaps Obama is mistaken, then he should correct himself.
Perhaps Obama thinks that wishing can make it so, then he is flying from reality.
Or,perhaps Obama simply doesn’t know what he is talking about, in which case he is incompetent.
Then, again, Obama is just a politician.
Take your choice!
September 10th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
People, lets not use the RACE CARD. it doesnt get this country anywhere. I do not believe any of this is about race, its about strong beliefs that people have.
That said, I cant imagine what would have happend to someone if they told Bush he LIED , all the damn time hahah.
He probably would have sent them to gitmo.
Anyways Everyone in DC is a liar, so whats new?????
September 10th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
The mere act of him shouting out like he was at a baseball game was very disrepectful and decorum should have prevented such outrageous behavior on his part. Free speach is alive and well thank God but his actions I feel were very disrepectful to our President. There should be some type of repercussions for this, if not it will soon be open season on President Obama. I thought I was at a town hall meeting there for a moment.
September 10th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
“Wow” is right on the money. Many of these
same citizens, who are so uptight about illegal immigrants, have them in their employ.
September 10th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
I don’t understand why no one will admit that illegal immigrants are just that! And I don’t understand why no one in Washington is doing anything about it. We have a legal right to arrest them and deport them. All I know is if I don’t do my job I get fired! And if I break the law I get arrested! So why as Americans are we allowing others to break our laws? And people in Washington making 6 figure incomes not do their jobs? And then watch this circus in Washington over health care? The leaders of this nation seem really lost to me. And if they really wanted what the people want, then why don’t they just let us vote on this health care? And move to things that will create jobs here in the US?
September 10th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Rep Wilson is right I have heard Obama lie on tv also, Wilson he should get a medal
September 10th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
JAY
HONESTLY DISLIKING OUR CURRENT PRESIDENT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH RACE FOR MOST OF US. THOSE WHO THINK IT DOES TEND TO BE ON THE DEM SIDE SAYING REPUBLICANS ARE RACIST. GUESS WHAT WHEN WE ATTACK OBAMA’S SOCIALIST IDEALS WE ATTACK HIS IDEALS NOT HIS SKIN COLOR SO GET OFF YOUR EVERY WHITE PERSON IS RACIST KICK AND ACTUALLY DISCUSS IDEAS. LOOK AT OUR FEDERALLY OWNED AUTOMOBILE COMPANIES, BANKS, ETC. THAT IS WHAT I DISAGREE WITH. YOUR YOUNG BLACK AMAZING PRESIDENT IS SLOWLY TAKING AWAY EVERY SINGLE RIGHT WE HAVE IN THIS COUNTRY. HE MIGHT AS WELL TEAR UP THE BILL OF RIGHTS IN FRONT OF CONGRESS, SEND ALL OUR JOBS AWAY AND STRIP US OF EVERY POSSESSION WE HAVE BECAUSE THAT IS THE RESULT OF HIS 10 YEAR PLAN. PLEASE DO RESEARCH BEFORE SUPPORTING HIM. DONT JUST BELIEVE WHAT YOU HEAR. I DONT WATCH FOX OR CNN OR BELIEVE THE POST OR NEWSDAY. I RESEARCH! THIS IS WHY REPUBLICANS ARE MAD… NOT BECAUSE HES BLACK. SLAVERY HAPPENED HOW MANY DAMN YEARS AGO. COME ON!
September 10th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
AND WOW. GO READ THE DAMN BILL. THEY STILL HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE WITH HIS BILL. HOW ABOUT WE KICK THEM OUT OF OUR COUNTRY! BUT I GUESS I WOULD BE SAYING KICK OUT YOUR COUSIN WITH THAT SO I UNDERSTAND WHY YOU LOVE MR. OBAMA SO MUCH…
September 10th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
How dare him,regradless if THE PRESIDENT lied or not. did that idiot scream that to George Bush, who lied this country right into a war. It is disgraceful that the people of the USA show such disrespect to the PRESIDENT and eachother. Everyone knows the real reason is he is black.This is why no one likes America, because we are the most disrepectful people in the world. Obama is doing no worse than the idiots we had for the last 8 yrs. I hope Obama takes off the kit gloves and starts slamming this ingorant a** people.GROW UP PEOPLE
September 10th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
Caitlyn – I read the bill – so did the fact checkers. Yes, illegal immigrants would get access to healthcare, but they already do. There’s no change there – it’s not the focus of the healthcare reform. The focus is change for AMERICANS. More Americans, under the bill, would have access to free health care. Don’t you have a brother, sister, cousin, or friend that works his or her butt off as a waiter/waitress, or some other service industry job, and they don’t have healthcare? What if they get into a car accident? Need surgery? Thousands and thousands of dollars later, who do they turn to? This bill is NOT about illegal immigration. When Obama gets to that, (and he will) you can complain then. For now, stick to what the bill is about – Americans. Miller and others are just trying to distract the public away from the important issues.
September 10th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
Caitlyn:
You can make your point without yelling, and it’s easier to read. If illegal immigrants can buy into the public option, that means more money in the coffers when it’s needed. They won’t be getting FREE health insurance. You do realize that many undocumented workers pay income taxes through their employer, but since they can’t file a return, they don’t get the refund, don’t you?
Just because someone agrees with a particular policy point doesn’t mean that they “love” Obama “so much”. Maybe you had romantic feelings for Bush that you’re projecting on others.
The level of ignorance in this country is frightening.
September 10th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
Unk, health care will not be free. We will have to pay for it, but it will be more affordable.
September 10th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Caitlyn, thank you for proving my point. In the face of undeniable facts (and yes, I have read the bill), you still maintain there is some portion of the bill that specifies health care for illegal immigrants. Tell me what page, if you’ve read the bill. I dare you to respond with the page number.
You can’t, because it doesn’t exist. So who’s the liar?
And, as usual with uneducated people who prefer rants to facts, if you were somehow trying to insult me by saying illegal immigrants are my cousin, I must’ve missed the joke.
This bill has nothing to do with illegal immigration. It’s not in the bill. It will not be in the bill.
The bill is about making sure your cousin doesn’t die because some insurance company refuses to insure them. Wake up. Stop letting big business determine whether you get health care or not. Stop letting your political views get in the way of a health care system that covers all American.
September 10th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
Joe Wilson is an idiot.
September 10th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
he just blurted what we are all thinking……unfortunate that it came out that way but Van Jones had no problem saying the things he said, according to his followers. They would say Jones was just speaking the truth in the face of oppression. Hmmm….
September 10th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
Actually, while Obama’s statement is correct, it is still not conceding a loop hole. While illegals won’t receive any government money, nothing will stop illegals from just going to hospital’s ERs. Since hospital are required to treat everyone, regardless of their ability to pay and only VA hospitals are owned by the government, illegals can still get free health care.
I applaud Rep. Wilson for his gumption and wish more Rep. had voiced his opinion.
Another issue that has me bothered is the issue of pre-existing conditions. Insurance companies put that in there to stop people that just find out they have a medical conditions from just up and getting insurance without having paid into the system while they were healthy. In doing so, it has excluded everyone that didn’t have continuous insurance, including people that had insurance and had gotten treatment in the past. These people in many cases through no fault of their own, may have lost insurance because an employer dropped company coverage and that individual couldn’t afford the COBRA, or lost their job by no fault of their own and again couldn’t afford their COBRA payments. I know because I was one of those people. I’m now disabled because of the inability to get or afford insurance and treatment. Believe me when I say, I always took the health insurance when it was offered by my employer, even if it hurt my financial budget and in my youth when I was health. I had the foresight, but still got hurt.
Many people in their 20′s and 30′s still think that they are indestructible and opt out of health ins., thinking that they don’t need it and can get it if they get hurt. It’s reasoning like this that has forced up the cost of insurance. I’m not saying it is the only reason, just one of many.
September 10th, 2009 at 5:46 pm
Wilson is a TOTAL DISGRACE!
September 10th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
Disrespectful IDIOT!Rather u agree or disagree
September 10th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
Well to my opinion, Illigal immigrants are thinking that the Reform will cover them. i agree with Tony and i accept all the other comments. This is not race or color issue this is about the Health care and the problem we are having of 12 million illigal immigrants and i think its more. This is one of the most important issue that been going around since 9/11. Obama gave them Hope and dreams you should not toy with these kind of feelings, but then again they should have research of the bills and reform. In the other hand Joe Wilson He hasss the RIGHT to say this thing to Obama or any other person here, this is why this country is so great, lets respect this. He did disrepect the persident, i dont know if he is right or wrong, but he has that right. I hope they can fix the biggest problems fast because draging this will just make more alone the way like the Unemployment. Maybe i am wrong but this is what i think.
September 10th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
Obama is tryin 2 control the foxes that have run all the hen houses in U.S.A. OIL Insurace Big Pharm Banks.
September 10th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
Give me an f’n break with the “it is because he is black card.” Want to talk about a liar, ask Charlie Rangle about his finances.
September 10th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
All of you in this blog that keep insisting that our dislike of Obama’s ideas are because he is black, please shut the hell up! You are the ones that keep mentioning his race, not those of us that don’t agree with him/you. Incidentally, I have an Allen West for Congress bumper sticker on my car. I support his IDEAS, he could be purple — that wouldn’t matter. If WE are the one’s that have the problem, why are YOU the ones that keep bringing it up? Try thinking for a change, instead of regurgitating Keith Olberdork and Rachel Madcow, you ignorant asses!!!
September 10th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
Illegal aliens are already sucking up tax dollars on health care they should not be allowed to receive. Go to the health care district on 45th St and look at all the illegals running around with half a dozen off-spring. That and all the local ghetto dwellers are in line next to them.
September 10th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
If members of congress can stand, clap, holler, whistle, yell and show unbridaled approval for what the President says, then the opposition should be able to do the same in an equally negative manner.
September 10th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
I agree, the president has not helped the TRUE Americans. It is perfectly okay for these people to come over, get jobs, licences, and welfare while hard working Americans are losing their homes, and struggling to make it. I agree with “local md” as well, it’s the illegals and ghetto dwellers that get the hand outs because they are too lazy to take the steps to becoming a RESPECTABLE citizen, so they suck up tax dollars, and continue to squeeze out kids for a bigger check. For the ghetto dwellers: get off your tush and get jobs, pull up your pants, learn proper English make an attempt to be upstanding citizens. For the illegals, there is no point in saying anything they won’t understand, and I WILL NOT learn another language, it is disrespectful not to learn the custom and language for the country you are in. Furthermore I don’t appreciate having their culture forced down my throat, if you loved your country so much why are you here? I fully understand that this nation was founded by immigrants, but at least spoke English.
September 10th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
Deena, thank you for proving that those who are accusing the GOP of racism are right. You did a heckuva job! A shining example of xenophobia and ignorance.
September 10th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
To all of you who say let just get rid of the immigrants, Do you know that you all come from an immigrant? and that a lot of the jobs in this country that the immigrants do the “whites” do not want to do. how about thinking of other way to deal with the problem, This country was created by immigrants.
September 10th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
It is ok to disagree with the president but Mr. Wilson should show the president some respect. If Mr. Wilson wants to make a comment like he made, he should save it for when Congress is in session. The entire world watches Presidential speeches and as Americans we should show some restraint and respect before making a comment. Although we have First Admendment rights, I am sure that Mr. Wilson would not have appreciated an outburst like that at one of his speeches. Again you can disagree with The President but Mr. Wilson should show him more respect.
September 10th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
One politician calling another politician a liar is always pretty funny…
September 10th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
TO UNK:
You read the bill? NOW THATS A LIE!!!!! You read 1100 pages???? LIAR!!!!!!!!
Your local politicians haven’t even read the bill, know one understands it. You are so full of crap!!! Wake up People!!! Why does this have to black or racist?? How come this guy is never half white or half black? Does his mother who is wghite count for anything? My mother who is mexican is mexican…Thats it, Im Bi-Racial..Why is race always an issue for black people. The Irish were enslaved for thousands of years by the Scandinnavcians and Europeans travelling to America. They rowned 10x’s as many ships as the early people taken from Africa. The Mayans took other tribes and slaughtered them for hudred of years, they dont clutch, they move on like everybody else. The Irish were the most discriminated people in the US, they weren’t allowed to vote, get jobs and most had to change their last name and forced to enter the civil war, WWI and WWII. Millions died. Why is that never brought up? One half black / half white middle aged man becomes president (first real job), makes money like water that we will all be paying for (just wait till taxes and interest go up in 18 months!!!)and someone disagrees its about race?? That is racist!!! The race card is over people, stop clutching to it!!! Ebony Magazine, BET, United Negro College Fund, NAACP,ACORN, BlackBusiness.com (yes, find a black owned business near you), The Internet Black pages.com, to name just a few are racist. Imagine: White Business.com???? OMG!!!!!
September 10th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
Deena Elizabeth wrote The level of ignorance in this country is frightening. and I agree with her, you know in many countries in Europe people speak like 4 different languages and here you all think english is all you need and anyone who does not speak your language is so inferior. for your information the immigrants in this country work harder that the ones born here , the immigrants come to this country to better ourself and our family. and to answer your question, we all love our country we are here because socialism was implanted in our country and I see it happening here but all the white people say is OH you all don’t like Obama because he is black. open your eyes and see what’s happening or soon you will be the one being the immigrant.
September 10th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
To UNK hey He is black now when he messes up he will be half white….. hahaah well done Wilson
September 10th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
Read the BILL !!!!
PG 50 Section 152 in HC bill – HC will be provided to ALL non US citizens, illegal or otherwise.
g 58 HC Bill – Government will have real-time access to individual’s finances and a National ID Healthcard will be issued!
Pg 59 HC Bill lines 21-24 Government will have direct access to your bank accts for election funds transfer
PG 65 Sec 164 is a payoff subsidized plan for retirees and their families in Unions & community organizations (read: ACORN).
G 85 Line 7 HC Bill – Specifics of Benefit Levels for Plans = The Government will ration your Healthcare!
PG 91 Lines 4-7 HC Bill – Government mandates linguistic appropriate services. Example – Translation for illegal aliens.
September 10th, 2009 at 8:02 pm
I think it is a sign of real progress for this nation when a man like U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson feels so threatened by the wave of impending change that he must shout out like an unruly child and interupt a formal address by the President of the United States. Just think, instead of nodding our heads while a Republican President lies to us about WMDs in Iraq and sitting passively while american lives and money are spent to conquer other nations…we are instead listening to a progressive President plead his case to make health coverage a right for all americans…we are discussing enhancing the lives of americans through health care instead of spreading death abroad in the name of (religion, $$$, oil, who knows why???)…Despite the lack of civility or decorum, at least we are debating about something positive…that is progress and change…let’s keep it moving forward and never look back!!!!
September 10th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
Wilson had the guts to say the truth – Obama did lie and everyone is foolish enough to believe him. The problem arose when he blurted out his comment during the president’s speech, which puts the focus on him instead of Obama’s lies.
September 10th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
Hmm…I sure thought the bailout bill was passed by congress and signed by Bush before Obama took office.
September 10th, 2009 at 8:44 pm
I am also curious about the Republicans being called the conservative party when in fact they drove the national debt to new highs every time they were in the oval office.
September 10th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
Hey Jimbo,
Those lines are not in the bill! They come from an email that is circulating erroneous information. You can verify what I’m saying at truthorfiction.com
September 11th, 2009 at 1:21 am
As the bill says, illegal aliens would not get government help with their health care, but could pay their premiums like everyone else. I would prefer this because they would not be showing up in hospital emergency rooms, and would be helping lower insurance rates for all.
HEY WHITE BOYS, IN A MELTING POT, THE LONGER THE STEW COOKS, THE DARKER IT GETS. WHITE IS NOT GOING TO BE THE MAJORITY COLOR FOR LONG. GET OVER IT.
September 11th, 2009 at 1:30 am
HERE IS FULL TEXT OF SEC. 152, LOOKS LIKE JIMBO IS FULL OF CRAP
(a) In General- Except as otherwise explicitly permitted by this Act and by subsequent regulations consistent with this Act, all health care and related services (including insurance coverage and public health activities) covered by this Act shall be provided without regard to personal characteristics extraneous to the provision of high quality health care or related services.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
1
(b) Implementation- To implement the requirement set forth in subsection (a), the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall, not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, promulgate such regulations as are necessary or appropriate to insure that all health care and related services (including insurance coverage and public health activities) covered by this Act are provided (whether directly or through contractual, licensing, or other arrangements) without regard to personal characteristics extraneous to the provision of high quality health care or related services.
September 11th, 2009 at 6:31 am
Perhaps if the Prez had been clear and complete in his statement about how much health care illegales are currently getting and that the current bills’ language would not cut off their aid and access to care, he wouldn’t have subjected himself to the charge of lying by being technically incorrect in part.
Perhaps, if some Democrats had had the body parts that provide for ‘gumption’, he’d have been properly challenged as to his ‘lies’.
Note to the civics-impaired products of our educrocracy factories:
Presidents–all of them, both Obama and Bush– are that and only that. They are not kings. We citizens don’t need them ‘ruling’ without being challenged from time to time in a public way about what they’re saying–and what they are not telling us.
September 11th, 2009 at 8:47 am
Both sides are right on this one. The bill does specifically say that it will NOT cover illegal’s however, it contains no provision to have people requesting a health ID card to prove they are an american citizen or a legal immigrant.
There is a simple fix, make all persons applying submit proof of citzenship (SS# can then be checked against the name provided).
This of course does not fix illegals just going to the emergency room anyway and footing us with the bill as they do now. There is a fix to that also, same deal as the when applying for an ID card, give the hospital your name and SS#, if your illegal you will be treated and released into the custody of INS.
There are simple common sense solutions to these problems!
September 11th, 2009 at 9:35 am
Thank you Tim. You have the first intelligent post in about twenty. Also, if you have 1000 pages to read please tell me you will grasp the entire theory of what your reading…. No you cant sorry! Mark C. your a tool hows that sound… Please continue to believe obama and the media that way ya’ll can enjoy your crazy debt from raised taxes to support person A’s health care for her 12 kids when she hasn’t had a job her whole life… And i believe that the democrats should now be know as socialists since they no longer believe in democracy. YES I SAID IT!
September 11th, 2009 at 9:35 am
take a drive in the ghetto and you will understand.
September 11th, 2009 at 9:49 am
That explains a lot about your opinions. Someone must be reading for you,Caitlyn.
“Also, if you have 1000 pages to read please tell me you will grasp the entire theory of what your reading…. No you cant sorry!”
September 11th, 2009 at 9:55 am
Bull. every person is saying they have read it. my point is none of you have. while i did in fact read it i laugh because those who understand it dont agree with it. congressmen and women are baffled by this bill because of the amount of provisions and contradicting terms in it. try factchecking fact check and dont whine to me because you disagree with my side of the story.
September 11th, 2009 at 9:59 am
i believe that you should earn your future and health. if you cannot provide for yourself than you are apparently one of the lemmings who use this country for all the wonderful free stuff. and really immigrants are dragging this country down. while i came from polish irish and italian immigrants they worked their asses off and learned the language and damn near founded this country along with most people ancestors. get a job and have health care…. make money and take care of your self. ((i am a republican. i can help myself thanks.))
September 11th, 2009 at 10:10 am
You Democrats are too funny! I can’t count the times that the Liberals (Like Harry Reid) have called Bush a liar,
This is why people are upset with this issue of the Bill!
The problem is not what’s in the bill; it’s what the bill leaves out. There’s no provision for how the prohibition would be enforced, or any requirement for people to prove they are citizens or legal residents before getting health care benefits. The Democrats on the Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means committees defeated Republican-offered amendments that would have required people to verify their legal status before getting care, with some Democrats saying such requirements would be unnecessarily burdensome for people legally entitled to care. Wilson cited the defeat of those two amendments Thursday when he discussed his outburst with reporters.
For the Record I don’t think Obama was lying. He is just an ignorant young so call intelligent President that doesn’t know what the hell is on this Bill!
September 11th, 2009 at 10:25 am
Caitlyn you are a sad individual. Division is why this country is in the mess that it is in right now. When are you going to understand it has nothing to do with black or white, but green. I wont even bother addressing your obvious ignorance with a retort to your above comments.Your every day life is an obvious hell all its own.
September 11th, 2009 at 10:30 am
robin every attack on my commentary has been personal. try attacking my ideals. & i am an individual who believes in myself and pushes myself. most democrats can say that… thanks
September 11th, 2009 at 10:30 am
cant***********
September 11th, 2009 at 10:31 am
& where did i bring up race out of curiosity?
September 11th, 2009 at 10:40 am
Your comment,”Take a drive in the ghetto and you will understand”. I think that pretty much summed it all up.
September 11th, 2009 at 10:41 am
ghetto can be black or white dear. just referring to a monetary level.
September 11th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
Caitlyn,
The illegals are here for the same reason your (“while i came from polish irish and italian immigrants they worked their asses off and learned the language and damn near founded this country along with most people ancestors”) ancestors did.
A better life for their children and grandchildren. History will tell you no one wanted your ancestors here either.
September 11th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Wow!reminds me of those poor Germans who thought Hitler was such a powerful, charimatic speaker who had his nation’s best interest in mine and so they relinquished control to him — only to find out too late he was an egotistic, power-hungry, maniac!
September 11th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
Of course Obama lied. The House bill says:
21 SEC. 152. PROHIBITING DISCRIMINATION IN HEALTH CARE.
22 (a) IN GENERAL.—Except as otherwise explicitly per23
mitted by this Act and by subsequent regulations con24
sistent with this Act, all health care and related services
25 (including insurance coverage and public health activities)
1 covered by this Act shall be provided without regard to
2 personal characteristics extraneous to the provision of
3 high quality health care or related services.
Since legal status is “extranouus” to provision of health care, Illegals are explicitly covered!
September 11th, 2009 at 9:30 pm
Our country needs to come together. The division of America is scary and insane. Blaming illegals for our woes is akin to the Jews in 1930s Germany. Life is not so simple. More than one out of ten Americans is unemployed. I am one of one in ten. Times are hard.
September 11th, 2009 at 10:52 pm
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September 12th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
I really feel like crap after reading these comments. But then again, I always do when I read these hate exchanges.
I love you all!!!!
September 12th, 2009 at 11:34 pm
Bush Sr. lied, “Read my lips. No new taxes.”.
Clinton lied, “I did not have sex with that women.”
Bush Jr. lied. “Iraq possess weapons of mass destruction.”
Obama is an East Coast, college educated president like the three before him. If he did not lie, he will be. He will be.
I was lied to by the three other presidents I voted for. Obama will not be different. He must lie to hold office. Half the truth is even more evil than a lie because it masquerades as the truth. Politicians are out of control because if they tell the truth they can not be elected. Jack Goldman, St. Paul, MN
September 12th, 2009 at 11:38 pm
By the way. America is a racist nation. We had legal slavery, legal segregation, and we have legal race and gender biased quotas against white Christian males. America subsidizes Israel, a race based terrorist nation. America always has been and always will be a racially charged nation. Immigration is about race. Did ten thousand Somalians wake up and decide to move to Minneapolis MN one day. The Federal government is racist and lives by race quotas. Obama would not be President if he were white. It’s all about race, all other things being equal in an automated mechanized culture. Merit is a thing of the past. Race based decisions are all that matters now. America invades, Iraq, no WMDs and ignores Israel, 100 nukes, based on racism. The real world is always about racism and who gets the money. Ideals are nice but they don’t work. We are mammals and we respond to race. Race is a factor and matters.
September 13th, 2009 at 3:53 am
I don’t care if the president’s skin is purple with green spots. The question is did the president lie when he said his that “There are also those who claim that our reform efforts would insure illegal immigrants…”
Is this an accurate statement? Either law-breakers are insured by the plan or they’re not. If they aren’t specifically excluded by the proprosed reform, then isn’t it logical to conclude that they are insured by it?
“This, too, is false,” Obama said.
“The reforms I’m proposing would not apply to those who are here illegally.”
My question is this: do the proposed bills specifically say that the reforms will not apply to those who are here illegally? Here again, it seems simple: If you’re not kicked out, you’re in until someone kicks you out. (If this is status quo for immmigration policy, this “reform” would be no different.)
So, the bigger question is this: does the president’s ideology make it even possible for him to know what is false and what is true? If truth is relative as many believe, and everyone creates their own truth, then the only logical answer is the president can make statements about his truth and no one can disagree. Herein lies the problem. The “you lie” upset the apple cart of relativism and dared to dethrone in a moment of pomp and circumstance.
Let’s get real. There is so much spin and legalese that the ‘average’ American citizen will believe anyone that they feel they can trust, with whom they hold similar beliefs, who shows the most decorum, has the slickest presentation, and wins the hearts of the masses with compassion and the appearance of goodwill. Shame on us for being so ill-informed until now. But I’m happy to see that the agent of change–who would rather have made his plan the law by now without any review by the people whatsoever–has helped us all take the blinders off and start checking the facts. We all should shout, and we all should be thinking while we listen to the other side. Let’s dare to ask questions and get straight answers for ourselves because no one’s going to do it for us.
My concern is not that a lawyer would lie. (After sixteen years, the jury’s still out on “what ‘is’ is”.) My concern is that this proposal has the potential to alter our financial, moral, ethical, and personal futures.
We cannot look the other way while lawyers decide our fate. Maybe it is time for voices to be raised and actually heard on both sides. Will the freedom to express a dissenting view be silenced by the ruling party? Sure doesn’t sound like America, does it? I emailed my senators and got the usual “agree to disagree” line and the same old loyal-to-the-party line. Whatever happened to actually representing your constituents?
I just find it ironic that the president says he’s willing to hear the other side’s concerns; but at the same time, he says that the time for discussion is past. I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of hearing glossy double-speak. I want the truth to come out about what the reform will really mean to me and my family, not just here and now, but how far the law can and will be stretched. It sounds like the president’s plan is a virtual bungee cord. I’m not willing to take the leap off the bridge.
If it takes an irreverant representative who has the nerve to shout out his dissenting views in front of millions, then so be it. The average American has been tuned out far too long, and it’s about time we wake up and find out for ourselves what really is the truth.
September 17th, 2009 at 12:06 am
Hey, #7, “Wow”, re-read the article: “But Obama simply said Wednesday that illegal immigrants couldn’t receive insurance under the proposal, and that isn’t exactly correct.”…that’s the nice way of saying President Obama LIED.
September 30th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
If Obama is so smart how is it he did not know how many state”s we have?