progressnotcongress.org: Anthony Weiner makes Varney look foolish while debating healthcare

[olympic007]

I'm shocked that this news ancor said that about the NHS he must be getting paid off, you will never see any country who has public health give it up. Thats why these insurance companies don't want it I just don't understand why people without vested intrests are against it I guess they must be brainwashed

[weejockpoopongmcplop]

The US is welcome to this piece of shit Varney.

[mangajo]

go ahead and ask the average brit if they would give up the nhs. overwhelming no. this guy is full of it

[cya4555]

Varney is very well paid to bad mouth America!!

[k9sjose]

Regulation, de-regulation, it's all been tried. De-regulation has worked when there is real competition to make choices for consumers. Regulation works for safety of the individuals (ref. FDA, FTA, FCC, FTB) - we need government to step in when the little guy is exploited. Do you not think that insurance companies exploit the little guys? O.K. Love the oil companies right now too, right? Please, healtcare is a basic human concern, why turn it over to the highest bidder?

[TheMrLiberty]

Yeah socialism is always a great idea! Dumb fucks. Weiner is clearly opposite of what our country is founded

[Kactapuss]

@TheMrLiberty Did you hear Weiner say socialism? I didn't. The interviewer said it about 10 times but that doesn't make it true.

[TheMrLiberty]

@Kactapuss You dont have to say it, its in the practice

[TheRoomaster]

@TheMrLiberty

so·cial·ism/ˈsōSHəˌlizəm/

Noun: A political and economic theory that advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole.

Pretty sure government-run healthcare would only deal with the exchange part of the equation, so I don't think you can call it socialism any more than you could call two pieces of bread a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.....gay boy.

[TheMrLiberty]

@TheRoomaster hey dumbfuck, single-payer system government healthcare call it what you like... Weiner's fundamental positions are those of a socialist. go fuck yourself

[charlieJH401]

@TheMrLiberty You are ignorant. I would say go fuck yourself, but you should get an education first.

[TheMrLiberty]

@charlieJH401 Our country was formed based on free market prinicipals, invidual rights and responsibilites. Name one of those Weeeener represents

[TheMrLiberty]

@TheRoomaster Dumb. Where do you think the money comes from and distributed from? Gov

[drernie3000]

served.

[demmmmm1]

This is what righties do every single time out. The second someone like Weiner makes sense, they do everything they can to talk over them.

Righties just aren’t much into listening. Takes too much brain power to process differing opinions.

VOTE DEMOCRAT 2012

[TheSmashedPumpkin]

SO ashamed to be British, what an absolute twat

[Raconteuring]

Formula to be a fox news anchor.

1. Have a loud obnoxious style of talking.

2. Ask 20+ questions at once and not allow the guest to answer. Interrupt always.

3. Throw the words socialism, Nazi, Hitler around.

4. Repeat the same things over and over and over and gradually raise your voice with each repetition.

5. Be overtly racist. Use stereotypes. Use generalization.

6. Have no sources to backup your argument or change the context of your source to fit your argument.

7. Repeat.

[dchris1990]

@Raconteuring you left out that after 7.... Repeat, you shouldve added.... 8. Rinse

[TheBillionairman]

WEINER for President!

[OccasionallyBearded]

That Fox Host is certainly one of the most obnoxious people on TV.

[OccasionallyBearded]

The British people actually live quite comfortably. Most of them wouldn't trade places with Americans when it comes to healthcare. Also, we *could* increase taxes on the top 5% rather than the average middle-class Americans...

[Andyerpointiz]

One thing the Fox and the 'baggers don't want people to know is: Whether you have private insurance or a saying payer - you will be getting the EXACT SAME medicine! The doctors are not going to change. The medicine may even get better! At least there will be a better chance of a schmoe like me getting access to some of the more successfull and economical medical procedures.

[keggerous]

"ur talking to an englishmen!"

omg! shut up u pompus wanker . . . i fucking hate ppl ike that. being english doesnt make u intelligent u fucking numb nuts

[DjWhooCares]

varney thumbed the video down!

[Andyerpointiz]

Weiner is absolutely correct! This Varney is a duplicitous stooge!

[Loejyrrab]

@Andyerpointiz Andy, he's worse than a duplicitous stooge. He is a cock sucking right wing scum sucking pile of British bitch ass mother fucker who gets paid by another scumsucker, Rupert Murd-cock, to say all the garbage he says. He's not worthy of carrying Cong.Weiner's soiled shorts. Leave the country now Varney you got that?

[GoSuMonSteR]

They shout socialism and "USSR" when they're out of arguments.

[FultonSeele]

the British system is one of best in the world.. the news anchor is clearly senile.

[proutVA]

a british anchor is fox news' idea of diversity

[doyoureallythinkso]

"The British version of healthcare, I know these things..." Shut up you embarrassing twat.

Don't be fooled by this numpty - We Brits LOVE the NHS!

Thank God for Aneurin Bevan :)

[RealTime88]

@doyoureallythinkso Free hospital visits, the phramacy charges the same for all medicine and does not charge for children and people over 60. Anything else I miss? NHS is a great system I agree from what I read.

[Loejyrrab]

@doyoureallythinkso The Canadians love their health system too. As do the Italians, the Israelis and every other copuntry that offers single payer. Only here, in this rat hole USA, do people die by the thousands for lack of good medical care. Only here, in America, are unpaid medical bills the leading cause of bankruptcy. Varney complains that medicare is broke. The money we have blown in Iraq & Afgh could have financed health care for our citizens for 100 freekin years. Varney, drop dead.

[womanbeing]

2012 Weiner!!

[Soulfunk89]

Blah, blah, blah, I'm British and that makes me an expert on government-funded healthcare policies. Go Weiner.

[pbmdh]

Medicare is "bankrupt" because republicans raped its trillion dollar surplus and spent it on the two retarded wars we're in.

[StealthyOwned]

Anthony Weiner 2012. Why are American's so afraid of Tax increases to support everyone; You do realize that the more taxes you pay, the less you pay for everything else. Look at Sweden, they pay something like 50% of their income in taxes, but they get free University/Collage, Free medical care (Dentist, Doctor, hospital), In some cases Free living costs (Don't need to pay rent when renting an apartment). Thus all your money is expendable cash. Raise your taxes idiots.

[rickbar123]

Fuck all insurance companys

[TheDalinkwent]

Varneys bitching about profit being effected is very telling, he doesn't care that more people have access to healthcare, he can only cry and stomp his feet, because people who are already rich might not get even richer, and sadly he's probally convinced many average Americans that profit motive is much more important that helping people NOT DIE!!!

[shockwaveization]

anthony weiner ..he couldnt have been born with a more fitting name..the guys a demagogue and knows nothing of the actuall implications of the policies he endorses..government state and federal laws along with government protectionism for big insurance are the culprits for high medical costs of today.

[newdimensionfilms]

"You've asked me now 4 questions I want to answer them all"

I don't even care what his politics are at that point I just wish all politicians did that.

[topster88]

I like that Weiner has balls, but he pretty much sidestepped the fact that medicare wound up costing so much more than its initial projections.

[dano032]

@topster88 He was never given a real chance to answer. And he actually did answer. At 3:00 "people live 10 years on average longer than projected at the time"

[topster88]

@dano032 Exactly. He tired to spin a blatant miscalculation, likely an intentional one to pass medicare in the first place, as if medicare is the very reason for the 10-year lifespan increase, which I'm pretty sure has not been proven.

[Firstworldleader]

Anthony Weiner for Prez. 2016

[yes4me]

This is perfectly what this debate is all about. You get to hear both sides screaming in 3'55" about the senate and the country have been debating for years while people are dying due to financial problem with the healthcare system. This game must stop. Weiner is 100% right imo. I wish his bill or Grayson had passed, but it is never going to be thanks to lobbyists and republicans.

[amfanmagician]

Wow, finally a democrat with some backbone. Bravo!

[bposey00]

I never thought I'd say this but I love Weiner.

[ScreamingEagle2010]

I like the fact that Anthony doesn't back down. You can't win with these people. Can you imagine Lincoln or Jefferson trying to reason with these people? All shout no substance.

[alex37spe]

I think I came at 3:43

[pthuir1]

What kind of interviewer can't listen to the person he is interviewing? Incompetent idiot.

[lavishlyDecorated]

A republican brit? Now I've seen it all!

[luce67]

@lavishlyDecorated Yes, they are called Tories. Not so steeped in religion as their American counterparts but they are stalwarts of the wealthy and the noble class in Britain.

[hollowman113]

the man is a undercover democrat

[tontocorazon]

"Socialized" What a fucking asshole.

[pillsburydourboy]

"The end of democracy and the defeat of the American Revolution will occur when government falls into the hands of lending institutions and moneyed incorporations."

— Thomas Jefferson

""I hope we shall crush in its birth the aristocracy of our moneyed corporations which dare already to challenge our government to a trial of strength and bid defiance to the laws our country."

— Thomas Jefferson

[pillsburydourboy]

and republicans don't even know what socialism means. here's a primer:

*socialism = govt control of the means of production

*socialized medicine = govt employment of healthcare workers

*single payer national healthcare = government-administered healthcare insurance (delivery can be public or private)

*fascism = govt collusion with corporations (sound familiar?)

[pillsburydourboy]

conservatives couldn't find 3 brits who want to abolish the NHS. they featured 3 british citizens in an ad attacking national healthcare. those 3 people later contacted the press to express their dismay at having been tricked into being tools for the insurance industry. they said they want to improve the NHS and hope that americans will establish a similar system for themselves.

varney, like all fox commentators, is nothing but a corporate whore.

weiner and grayson are the democrats' salvation

[Elminstershat]

Holy crap this interviewer is retarded.

[agat0r]

You New Yorkers slay me. You project yourselves to be all that and a bag of chips, but look who you vote into office. You aren't nearly as bright as you think you are. Weiner is a communists and enemy of the United States. Only a politician would claim it an efficient business as it is in the red.

Poly means many,

tics are a blood sucking parasite.

[BenkaiDebussy]

@agat0r Mm, yes, every country with socialized medicine/UHC pays less per capita on healthcare because they're *less* efficient than our own system, that certainly makes sense Mr. agat0r!

When people point out that every country with UHC pays less on healthcare do you just stick your fingers in your ears or something? This isn't exactly a complicated situation.

[agat0r]

@BenkaiDebussy I know it's hard for your ilk to pay attention but here is what was written: "Only a politician would claim it an efficient business as it is in the red."

Did you even watch the video? Weiner proclaimed the bankrupt medicare system as something positive when it is bankrupt. The topic wasn't HC simleton but I could just vas easily dismantle that argument as well. Countries are in the red because of it and are actually doing away with the system we are trying to acquire.Brilliant

[sploders]

WEINER FOR PRESIDENT 2012!!!

[HEYUFOFF]

This LITTLE Weiner Is A TOOL!

[toasterbot]

Man fox found like the only british guy who doesnt love the nhs.

[rickbar123]

Screw the Insurance CEOs

[DWDave67]

Got to love  this guy... another Faux Opinion anchor bites the dust

[chris72888]

haha dickheads... enjoy the house and senate for 4 more months, because the republicans will overtake both... Enjoy your progressive agenda now, you will no longer be in control in November. And I can't wait!

[brandonabell]

@chris72888 What are you rooting for a sports team or something? Go Lakers! Or something like that.

[TheSugarField]

@chris72888 People Deserve the government they get. be prepared to reap what you sow. Enjoy your freedom while it lasts, fascist pig.

[agat0r]

@TheSugarField Exactly. I've been warning people for nearly a decade about this. I was called every name in the book. Now.....I'm not so crazy anymore. We are watching the death of America. All evil need to prevail is for us to do nothing and that is exactly what we are doing, as they destroy the country, finacially rape our children, and enslave us. We are a pathetic lot. I am convinced that this is the most ignorant generation to ever live.

[TheSugarField]

@agat0r Now now, don't be so pessimistic. As long as there is hope, there is a way.

I myself am 19, and my peers generally are split between conservatism and liberalism. That's the way it is and always has been, since the founding of America. While Communism/Marxism is the logical far end of liberalism, Fascism is the logical end of conservatism, and as long as there is a split between the two, we will be at about the same point we are now. That isn't so bad, is it? We will progress, eventually.

[agat0r]

@TheSugarField Sorry to pop your bubble at such a young age, but the America I grew up in is already gone. We are without question watching the death of what's remaining. You are welcome to rely on faith or hope but to take any other position is to be willingly ignorant of a great many things. There actually is a point from which there is no recovery-we have surpassed it loooong ago. Ever read "Creature from Jekyl Island"?

[rockstar0725]

Anthony Weiner is absolutely inspiring in this. I don't know how someone so clearly intelligent could stand being perpetually disrespected and interrupted by a complete and total moron like Varney. It's embarrassing that when discussing crucial issues like this on our national television, a professional talk show host could resort to name calling and lies during a debate with a US senator, and still keep his job. This country makes me ill sometimes.

[melskilove]

YOU DON''T KNOW WHAT SOCIALISM MEANS LOL....

[PupuTheClown]

What a classic liberal blood-sucking jew.

[kirksteel]

@PupuTheClown Wow, you are a classic, open-minded, well-read intellectual. I love the way you ignore rational discourse in order to vomit hatred. Mom must be proud.

[el100783]

His whole argument revolves around "you have to trust me because I'm British." What a hack. Anthony Weiner is not a liberal that you should try to use spun Fox News talking points with. I like the part where Varney runs out of arguments, and just retreats to the conservative fail-safe of whining about "socialism." How pathetic

[VarialProductions]

this guy Varney is a first-class hack.

[Slipknotyk06]

God this is a joke. Medicare grew 21 percent last year. Medicare's overhead is near 50% when you count in the wages of the bureaucrats as well as their benefits. Medicare is garbage. The English Universal health care system costs hundreds of billions annually, and is the third largest employer in the world. It's inefficient at best. WHY DO YOU THINK WEINER DODGED THAT QUESTION LIKE A LITTLE COWARD!?!?!

[BadLuck765]

@Slipknotyk06 Hmm. I really don't have a good answer to that aside from "nuh uh." Tell me, firstly, why no politician brings that point up? Eh? Got nothing, right? But even if theyr'e somehow retarded enough not to make that their -primary- argument, I suppose you have some nice lovely sources to show Medicare's 50% overhead?

[Slipknotyk06]

@BadLuck765 - You caught me, I'm speculating. However, I'm betting that it's extremely accurate. You know that American Bureaucracies have legendary bureaucratic inefficiencies. Overhead has always been an issue for the public sector because it has union employees with massive benefits packages not found in private sector. Overhead & standard 6% profit at insurance companies combines to make for a 30% overhead and profit at most insurance companies.

[Slipknotyk06]

@BadLuck765 - The average medicare employee processing the claim costs roughly double the average insurance agency clerk. The process in Medicare is far less streamlined, so things take far longer because of the miles and miles of red tape that the medicare employee has to deal with. There has to be a reason why Medicare increases 21% in size in one year, gets a large part of that funded, then still doesn't have enough money to make it permanently solvent. I say overhead must be near 50%

[TheSugarField]

@Slipknotyk06 Source please, otherwise literally rid yourself from the gene pool, thanks in advance!

[Slipknotyk06]

@TheSugarField - Source: UsGovernmentSpending [dot] com

Medicare costs

2008 - 390B

2009 - 430B

2010 - 457B

2011 projected (497B)

I've found it pretty difficult to find benefits paid out by medicare, However, a reasonable estimate would be 200B (2010). The total budget for Medicaid/Medicare/CHIP is 707B (2010) and 457B is a little under 2/3. 225B however is reflective of 50%+ overhead.

Under Obama's budget, projected Medicare Expendatures go over 650B annually around 2016.

[werealldoodshey]

but he has a british accent so he MUST be smart!

[MrBranda08]

how old are you Steve? Forget it! lol

[RealTime88]

@MrBranda08 I thought that was funny myself!!! His name is Stu though.

[MrBranda08]

The British health is far more better as people are living longer

[RebellionDaLasIcon]

In Mass they said we had to pay a fine for not having health insurance, but you are broke they didn't charge you or they take it from your income check when you file your taxes. No one comes after you they are trying to scare you....

[Kyanlikethepepper]

that anchor thinks he knows crap just because he is English, get a better argument.

[walterm85]

oh man, just awesome. Go Rep. Weiner! Him schooling Varney on the definition of socialism is the best part. "You're talking to an Englishman!!" LOL; somebody get this guy an economics class, or at least a dictionary. what a shill!

[mookow77]

Weiner is one tough Dem

[Atombombmother]

So the Fox news commentator's point is private insurance has higher overhead to make up for the fact that doctors can't overcharge Medicare. Um, yea, argument lost about who is better at controlling costs..

[sdfghhtryu67]

Anthony Weiner is the tougest democrat PERIOD, keep making those republican look fake.

[PupuTheClown]

,,your awful !

[RealTime88]

@sdfghhtryu67 That is why I like him. Anthony stands up for what he believes in and knows what he needs to do to get the job done. Why some other Democrats do not I have no idea.

[RealTime88]

@sdfghhtryu67 Public Option would mean competition with private health care? Competition is a good thing because the people get to choose correct?

[RealTime88]

@sdfghhtryu67 Oh copy that!! At least they know big business sucks and has to be roped in so they can stop screwing good people in America.

[borjon23]

@sdfghhtryu67

In other words, he's the anti-Obama.

[RealTime88]

@sdfghhtryu67 I second that!!

[RP2008PREZ]

This interviewer is an idiot and knows he's in the wrong, which is evidence becuase he keeps interrupting.

[RealTime88]

@RP2008PREZ I'm a moderate Democrat and I agree with Congressman Weiner more Americans should have healthcare. But I must say even though Stuart was interrupting it did make for a good interview. Great conversation about a subject that is important to many Americans. And true to form Weiner knew how to defend his position of the private sector goes against the government. That is competition. If it works in education why not in healthcare right?

[shockwaveization]

@RealTime88 you need to equate yourselves with the actual ramifications of the policies he endorses.. you seriously thinmk the guy defended anything except a means to bankrupt our nation under the guys of good intentions? you know where that road leads..we wouldnt be in this mess anyways if it werent for government controls and protectionist policies procured by big insurance. people like weiner who sold the american people on medicare and social security, two economically unviable systems.

[RealTime88]

@shockwaveization So it sounds like you hate government and big business but you don't agree with Congressman Weiner's solution to fixing healthcare in America? What a shame!! Where do you think America would be without medicare or social security? We would be worse off!!! I am a Democrat and proud of it. Deal with it!

[Freshmanwave]

Note how Varney tried to cut Weiner off and where the interruptions are...that's code for "I am outclassed in debate, so I will murk up the waters by not letting him say anything".

[GBTRU]

What is so funny is that Canada had this debate in some sort of another 47 years ago. They are better off statistically, live longer lives, healtheir lives.

This asshole is like the rest of the Republicans, sitting around high on the hog because the have money, and their friends have money, and all they want to do is make more of it, and protect it as hard as they can. While the middle class and poor suffer. Go ahead tea partiers defend the rich.

[MCnVegas]

Weiner took Varney to school.