President Obama Responds To DeMint's "Waterloo" Comment

[Dannys998877]

I don't think much of President's skills as a politician. And whatever Democrat holds the presidency would be attacked by Republicans who feel that only they have the right to govern. But the really vicious attacks on Obama aren't really about politics. It's about the color of his skin. White Republicans simply can't stomach the idea that one of "THEM" is President of the United States.

[braininahat]

One-term asshat president.

[garcia2ca]

No Mr. President the Health care Bill wasn't your Waterloo it is the BP oil Golf disaster going on right now.

[ccsuny]

Way to go Mr. President!!!!! You crushed them!

[cmfluteguy]

Obama is a very weak leader.

We voted for him, we "believed" in his message of change but he wants to be liked to much.

He needs to tell the GOP (18% minority by the way) to get the hell out of the way!

That is how democracy is supposed to work....majority rule.

I am very disappointed in him and his inability to execute our priorities. He is supposed to be the chief "executive'", not the chief speech giver!

[jamesspencerjackson]

why are they calling him the president? there's no proof he was born in this nation. his birth certificate is fake.

[luvs2teach00]

Even if he had a birth certificate, people would still hate him and delegitamize his black man. No other president has been asked for their birth certificate. This is all to paint him as "other" non America.

[strimpy]

Eject right wing hillbillies from Amerika! You should have shipped them off to Africa after they LOST the civil war.. stupid losers.

[richarcm]

Obama is such a LIAR.

[paulsboroman]

To beaner2810-Your comments are moronic.Top economists from the previous Republican administration and Pres. Obama's administration recommended the steps taken with Freddy Mac and Fannny Mae. Also, your comments related to the President's personal life are just plain childish. Finally, your attitude toward the 47 million Americans without health care reflect your personal greedy outlook on life, and the blind arrogance which led Americans to kick the GOP out of power.

[beaner2810]

The only change is as done is put us futher in the hole!

[paulsboroman]

Republicans fought regulating business & let greedy Wall Street people,with its gluttonous bankers & mortgage agents,lie & cheat this nation to its knees.We had a Republican administration ignore our Constitution(with a VP ordering the CIA to lie to Congress,& endorsing torture),while leading us into an immoral Iraqi War).We now hear selfish Republican leaders & constituents disrupt dialog to prevent 47 million working Americans from having health care that they themselves have.We're sick of it!

[beaner2810]

If the people taht dont have health insurance they need to go find a way to go get it like the rest of us. And it wasnt just the republicans that brought the nation to there knees you dear obama had is hands in it to!

[jer4703]

Gomer needs to back to the gas  station.

[19dan99]

It is always about you because you are a egomaniac narcissist and the people are finally starting to see what a scum bag you really are. Most people in this country want less Gov. so you must be impeached NOW! I don't believe you are even a naturalized citizen. Go back to south Chicago where you belong because you are in over your head.

[KeWill33]

Egomaniac narcissist, scum bag, and in over his head?---What makes you say these things about him.---Also, how many times does this man have to prove that he is a citizen before you actually believe it?---This sounds personal...do you know him?

[19dan99]

Know him? I have never met him but I spent the last year reading 4 books on him and learning all I could about him because I could not understand why so many people were buying what he was selling. The man has a past that rivals a gangster friends that are. Then I figured it out. "white guilt" that is the only thing that makes sense. This man has done nothing good in his life and yet people act like he is a god. He is not even a good person because of character. It is starting to come out.

[RoyalDemonforChrist]

you are right. he got elected because of racism. calling him a post racial icon is a fallacy. racism is paying large dividends for this president. also it shows how we havnt come far at all. white guilt is the most degrading form of racism and obama exploited the black community by appealing to their tribal instincts and white people by relieving their guilt. racism is the whole reason he got elected.

[KeWill33]

Tribal instincts.....LOL....LOL.

Thank you sir.  I needed a good laugh!

[KeWill33]

I believe that people gravitated toward him because he offered change.---Our country is in an awful place right now because we have continued to do the same things that we have always done. People wanted change.----Gangster friends eh? I'm sure that's never happened before...particularly not with the Kennedy's.---The man has done nothing good in his life? Lol...He has never done anything good...not in his entire life? ---What has he done that causes you to say that he has poor character?

[19dan99]

Change, how is that change doing for you? Do you see how bad things are getting. It is going to get much worse and I am not being "negative" as you like to call people for telling the truth. Think about this: More spending than all the Presidents COMBINED! We are making money and like never before. Do you know what happens when we produce that much money? It weakens the dollar and it is only a matter of time when it all comes crashing down. Obama owns this, not Bush or kennedy, this is his!

[RoyalDemonforChrist]

it's simple monkey psychology. humans are susceptible to being sucked into group think and are very easily manipulated. your arrogance shows that you fall prey to this as well. stop being so self important monkey boy.

[beaner2810]

How about taking the money from a failing freddy mac and fany mae foundation! How about the book he wrote about doing drugs how about not giving more to the poor family he has in africa the list goes on!

[Malicia6]

Dear Barack,

I support you, millions of people support you. DON'T GIVE UP!

[kayscaiwerr]

I agree he will make it. The senators will get more greedy and ask corporatons for bigger sums which they will not agree to and it will all happen just like he promised.

[ntn1987]

Dream on. It will send America into bankruptcy.

[KeWill33]

We are so close to bankruptcy ( thanks to Bush) that just about anything is capable of sending us there.---I'd rather see us go into bankruptcy trying to better the lives of our people as opposed to anything else.

[stonescourt3]

so essentially, kewill33, you're saying that two wrongs make a right, is that correct?

[KeWill33]

No. I'm saying that it's inevitable, so I'd rather see us...

[stonescourt3]

but how do you justify $3 trillion government spending with helping anyone, when its affects on the economy will hurt the people in various ways, such as loss of jobs (9.5% unemployment), higher prices, and making the middle class work harder to pay for all of this?

[KeWill33]

I believe the bill will help people. It won't help me because I have stellar health insurance, and I don't think that's going to be an option for me once the bill is passed. But I'm one woman and I don't mind sacrificing a little bit to help 50 million other people.---We are already at a 10% employment rate...and the bill hasn't passed yet.---Higher prices ( yes, to help others).

[Enjoilongisland]

that 50 million figure is inaccurate, supporters of universal HC use it drum up support for the bill. Out of that 47-50 million uninsured AT LEAST 12 (some say as high as 20 million) million are illegals and about 16 million make over 50k a year and can afford some sort of health coverage. the real number of uninsured is between 14 and 22 million and even some of them are healthy and of working age.

[KeWill33]

You are counting people out because you dont think they are relevant. Illegal immigrants are people too. ---Because a family/person makes over 50k a year doesnt mean they can afford health care. Adequate health care costs about 1k per month plus any applicable co-pays. So lets say that there are 4 people in the family that have to be insuredthats 4k per month. Someone who makes 50k a year doesnt bring home 4k a month. Ahhh, so now we have a problem.

[Enjoilongisland]

Thousands of Illegals come here a day, work off the books so they don't pay INTO the system and then they have about 3 babies per couple. So yeah they are people but there is no way to sustain a HC system when the fastest growing group in the nation DOES NOT pa y taxes! Compassion is one thing but you made a horrible argument for illegals. And some private insurance companies are now offering FAMILY plans for about 300 a month. and individual coverage for 150ish.

[KeWill33]

Whether they are payiing or now, they are using the service and running up bills that are not being paid. So, either we are going to pay a little on the front end and give them health insurance or keep them uninsured and pay 10 times as much on the end.---I'm sure there are insurance companies that offer $300 per month plans, but that doesn't mean that the insurance is adequate. Again, what is the point of paying for health insurance that doesn't cover anything?

[Enjoilongisland]

any insurance company that offers a $300 is more adequate than a government run system. This is not an opinion based argument, there is empirical evidence that shows us how horrible a government run HC system is. Look at cancer survival rates in Canada and the U.K vs the U.S. Also your beloved government leaders will NOT be adopting the public option for themselves or their families. If they are so quick to send millions into the abyss they should be willing to lead the way.

[KeWill33]

You don't have enough information to say that a $300 health care plan is more adequate than a government run system. You simply don't have the evidence to say that. You can't base our government run healthcare system off of someone else's government. run system.------- I think you are looking at this the wrong way. They are not trying to send people into the abyss, they are trying to get healthcare for everyone.---You are such a negative person. That must suck!

[beaner2810]

I can tell you how it will work! go to your nearest va hospital are ask a veteran! We are not negative just informed! How many countries with goverment health care find cures diseases like this great country?

[retron23]

"The fiscal year 2006 budget proposal that Bush released this week does not include specific spending reductions for future fiscal years. However, White House budget estimates indicate that to maintain current spending levels through 2010, spending for health care for veterans would have to decrease by 16% after inflation and spending for basic scientific research would have to decrease by 13%." - Medical News Today, 2005

[retron23]

"Barack Obama and Joe Biden are committed to creating a 21st Century Department of Veterans' Affairs that provides the care and benefits our nation's veterans deserve. They will: * Allow All Veterans Back into the VA: Reverse the 2003 ban on enrolling modest-income veterans, which has denied care to a million veterans.  * Strengthen VA Care: Make the VA a leader of national health care reform so that veterans get the best care possible." - quoted on the Vietnam Vets of America site

[KeWill33]

Should we get inadequate healthcare that doesnt cover anything without a $500 co-pay? Or should we just go without? -----The healthy working age people? What is working age? And what is healthy? There are many people who have mental health or other issues that prevent them from being able to work. They are not healthy people, but because illnesses like Depression arent considered true health problems they are labeled healthy working age people.

[Enjoilongisland]

I have adequate HC and my co pay is $20 the copay means nothing on how good your insurance is. Also the U.S has the best HC in the world that is a fact you cannot argue. When i say Healthy i mean people without chronic illness that impede their ability to function. I have a uncle the suffers from depression but he still works. Depression sucks but it hardly prevents the majority of sufferers from working because there are effective ways to treat it and no RATIONING OF MEDS like in a gov system!

[KeWill33]

You missed the point. I mentioned the co-pay to say that purchasing adequate healthcare is too expensive.---There are varying degrees of Depression. I never suggested that it prevents the "majority" of sufferers from working. I said that it does prevent some people from working.----I disagree, there are not too many effective ways to treat Depression. Most people who engage in treatments still endure major depressive episodes.

[KeWill33]

Thats just one example of many. -----So, Im going to stick with my original number of 50million. The number that has been nationally quoted is 47 million.since 47 is closer to 50 than it is to 40; Im going to go with 50.

[Enjoilongisland]

And and take 12-20 million off the top because they are illegal and even Obama said they won't be covered under his plan. Even our retarded president knows that the economy could not handle that many people leeching off the system. Not to mention people with good HC right now don't want to have to wait in line behind a fucking illegal for care.Don't put so much faith in politicians man, they make a lot of promises but hardly deliver, if they did life would be great by now. Think.

[KeWill33]

I am a woman not a man.----I have told you that I am sticking with my numbers. I have read your point but I am not taking 12-20 million off the number.----I think the difference between you and me is that I see people as humans, not "fucking illegals" or "morons" or "people who are disillusioned into thinking that they deserve more than the next person." We are all humans. .--- My faith in politicians has nothing to do with my viewpoint.

[Enjoilongisland]

I doesn't matter how you view illegals the simple fact is that they DON"T PAY INTO THE SYSTEM it would be unsustainable if we tried to cover them it is simple as that, i hate to say it but you sound like a five year old. Yes they are people but at the end of the day money still makes the world go 'round and because of that the illegals can't and won't be covered even under the Bama's plan.Yeah treating everybody is a nice idea but not practical. And why do i care what your sex is?

[KeWill33]

You said "come on man," in your last post. I was pointing out to you that I am a woman not a man.----I think this is a good place for the conversation to end because either you are not understanding what I am saying, or you are pretending like you don't understand.--So, I'm going to say goodbye and goodluck.---You sound like a very angry person, so I wish you peace.

[KeWill33]

Middle class pay for everything? Well Im used to thatI have made over 100k for the last 6 years. Because I am single and do not have children, they tax the hell out of me; so, Im used to paying for everything. The wealthy won't do it because they refuse, and the poor can't do it because they don't have the resources. The middle class people have always carried the burden of this country.

[dachrisman2004]

Here's how they justify it:  WELL OBAMA DID IT, SO IT MUST BE NECESSARY...AND YOU BETTER STOP RAISING QUESTIONS ABOUT OBAMA, OR YOU WILL OFFICIALLY BE A RACIST!

[OpenCarryNH]

The rich will ALWAYS have better health care than the poor. This program will just destroy the system for those who aren't rich and bring the level of care someone who is in the middle-class can get to something closer to what the poor get. The UK and Canada have terrible systems. That is why most people PAY for their health care and ditch the NHS if they are financially able to. There are places in the UK it takes 3+ years to see a dentist. I make an appointment and see one in under a week

[KeWill33]

I have been following but I haven't heard the answer to this as of yet. Are we ( people who like their health care) going to have the option to keep what he have if we pay the difference between what they want to give us and what w have?---By the by, I agree with you...I believe our health care will be seriously comprimised when this bill is passed.--I'm just hoping that we will have some kind of options.

[quickboat22]

Has anyone actually addressed the reason heath care costs have sky rocketed? Is it our lack of health or something else? Anyone know?

[djtleek]

Obama doesn't even know the provisions of the bill but is ramming it down our throats. He should try reading the bill before going on camera and advocating it so dearly.

[Hightowerism]

It is time for both parties to realize they work for us. Millions of Americans need a universal health care system. Rep. and Dems. need to set aside there political rivalries, personal agendas, and ideology to create this institution. If the executive and legislative branches of government are unable to create a workable health care system, SHAME ON THEM!

Next election, we will take action.

[Hightowerism]

It is time for both parties to realize that they work for the people of the United States. It is time to set aside political agendas, personal goals, and bitter rivalries to create a badly needed universal health care system. If our executive and legislative branches of government are unable to develop a workable system, then shame on them. There are systems in other countries that we can learn as to what and what not to do. We have always been a welfare state, and there is no shame in it.

[Enjoilongisland]

Everybody pretty much agrees that the HC system needs to be fixed but a government run HC system shouldn't even be considered. Instead of spending the money on a new gov program we should give the uninsured Americans a annual tax credit or voucher to buy their own insurance. This will make the private insurance companies fight to the death to win over these new customers and competition ALWAYS brings prices down and quality up, and it also keeps the individual in control of their own life.

[Hightowerism]

Most times the uninsured do not work, so how are they to get a health care tax when they have any taxes to file.

[Enjoilongisland]

Actually if you are talking about u.s citizens that are not covered about 16mil are between the ages of 18-31 and make over 50k a year and can afford their own HC. 12 million are illegal and aren't even covered under Obama's plan. The remaining 19 million (using the 47mil estimate) could get a credit or voucher (if unemployed) worth about $7.200 per year and that would only cost about 134billion opposed to Obama's $1Trillion plan. And it would give individuals a real choice.

[Hightowerism]

I see that you are well versed on the statistics of health care reform. I am not as up to par on the totality of the situation. However, you are taking a normative point of view, I am living an empirical view. I live in S.C. and work for the school system in which are representatives do not wish to help. I do not have health insurance because I am part-time. As with the school system so goes health care, any help is better than none.

[Enjoilongisland]

Thats a horrible way to look at HC and to be honest quite selfish. you work like 16 million uninsured and should be given a credit to choose YOUR OWN CARE! Wouldn't you rather be the master of your own destiny!? About 90% of Americans DO have insurance. I think the 10% should be more considerate and not suggest we scrap the whole system for their sake. We can EASILY get the 22M uninsured covered by making RESPONSIBLE changes that dont impede ANY individuals right to choose.

[dearyogini]

Oh, snap! DeMint is totally pwned by the POTUS!

[gratefulundead9]

The Republicans are really desperate. DeMint's comments are suicidal... IDIOT.

[Enjoilongisland]

the Democrats are desperate, the moderate Democrats aren't backing him, every Republican is fighting him tooth and nail and the director of the congressional budget office Douglas Elmendorf (who was appointed by the Dems) dropped a bomb by saying the that the plan(s) currently on the table will NOT bring HC costs down. Obama knows that if this doesn't pass by August the chances of it ever passing are slim. Especially with 2010 elections coming up, not many politicians will take big risks.

[gratefulundead9]

There's no doubt he is facing strong antithesis. But what I want to draw attention to is how DeMint's comments serve no credibility to the opposition. I have heard rational arguments against this HC plan, and there's a lot of room for discussion. But again, DeMint's statements are moronic and should be ostracized by even his colleague. Direct the argument against the details in the plan, but don't set it up against the President. That's just weak.

[Enjoilongisland]

I can see how people can find his comment a bit brash. But you have to admit there is some truth to what Demint is saying. The current plan has not one single Republican fingerprint on it even though they have offered up amendments, the Dems have ignored them in the name of the same old partisan politics Obama promised to help stop. So i think that if the all dem HC plan can be stopped, Obama will be forced to accept a more bipartisan plan which will only benefit the people of the U.S.

[gratefulundead9]

I completely agree that when dealing with such a delicate matter, bipartisanship is most necessary. But to be frank, I don't have much faith in either party. Each has gone with their own agenda and the results are disgusting. All this blaming is sophomoric in my opinion. Especially when both carry their own guilt. However, I think Obama wants bipartisanship. Everyone should have the prescience to see it's needed--just recall Clinton's HC plans. The problem is rushing this when it's too risky.

[Hightowerism]

true....

[steamhack90]

You're wrong about DeMint! DeMint is your best friend in the Senate right now. His plan for reforming the HC is much better than Obamas inefficient and expensive UHC. trust me. The UHC will raise your taxes tremeandous and bring up prices for people, the 70% of americans that do have a insurance. I'm not American, and I do not believe in a small state, but as a realist I have faith in DeMint. He's what America needs right now.

[gjufool]

DeMint, I'm sure, has a good health care plan, as do all members of Congress. And WE PAY for it. If we don't, we're tax scofflaws to be hounded by the IRS.

Meanwhile, this is what people like DeMint are interested in doing FOR US.

[bgbreakdown]

Demint can kiss my big yellow butt!

[1altadena]

The republicans are a bunch of losers..

[Enjoilongisland]

Obama's approval rating has been slipping for a while now and his disapproval rating has been steadily climbing which can only mean that he is losing support from the independents, which is not good because they are the fastest growing voting group. Ever the liberal Washington post's polls indicate a 5 point drop in popularity. Obama is losing momentum like it or not.

[spedster22]

at least they are not trying to ruin our economy.

[dfdrox]

Jim DeMint is a disgrace to the sublime chamber in which he serves. His sad devotion to a marginalized ideology will be his political undoing. I am a citizen of South Carolina and could not possibly hide my head in shame any more than I already do. Senator, your days in the Senate are numbered. Start packing.

[ImperialistSwine]

dfdrox:

"Sad devotion to a marginalized ideology?" Are you channelling Emperor Palpatine? I'm sure you realize that DeMint's "marginalized ideology" is perfectly consistent with his constituency's historical values.

We get it. He's conservative. You don't like him. But, don't forget where you are (or, at least, where you claim to be) - I mean, SC isn't exactly the Left Bank for Chrissakes.

If you feel that strongly about it, may I suggest that you move? We'll manage without you.

[dfdrox]

ImperialistSwine: The "historical values" of the Senator's constituents are old hat. Furthermore, the SC electorate is, generally speaking, uneducated and unenlightened. Our public education system ranks near the bottom. Our state recently ranked as the nation's 5th most obese. Need I say more? The US is lagging behind the rest of the modern world, and "standing athwart history and yelling 'stop'" is a recipe for disaster. I love SC too much to leave. I'd rather stay and fight. Care to join me?