Rep. Alan Grayson: Americans Didn't Vote for the Status Quo Last Year, They Voted for Change

[monjiaitaly]

EVERYTIME I HEAR DEMOCRACY I WANT TO PUKE, WE ARE NOT A DEMOCRACY WE ARE A REPUBLIC, GODDAM ITTTT

[monjiaitaly]

bullshit

[nohealthcare62]

I love this man where has he been we need 100 more Alan Grayson's ! I am voting for Grayson for #President and Bill White for Gov of Texas ! Never will I vote another Repig or Democrap again !

[stagesurvivor5]

Longer lines, longer waits for appts. tax rate increased by 20%, more waste in the system. Spend, spend spend in this giant Ponzi scheme we call a government. Doctors and hospitals have been giving he taxpayers and free ride for decades. now fools are going to pay for it. How many have actually seen patients turned away from hosptials? This is the first step to totally socialized medicine don't make a mistake about it. It may be OK . Canada loves their system

[dougmanjones]

Finally, a liberal member of Congress who isn't ashamed to be a liberal. This guy's got a bright future in politics, hopefully.

[ignati123]

@dougmanjones He's got a bright future so long as there are useful idiots in America who vote de-facto Marxists into office. Grayson is a mis-informed, boorish, nobody. His best defense consists of blatant lies and distortions that anyone with 5 cents worth of brain can pick up on!

[dougmanjones]

@ignati123 - de-facto Marxist? Using Glenn Beck's grabbag of random, nonsensical political pejoratives again, huh? Next time, try 'Maoist.' I think it's making a comeback. 'Marxist' is so last month.

[ignati123]

@dougmanjones Mao was a Marxist. Your point is invalid.

[dougmanjones]

@ignati123 - ok...how 'bout 'Fascist?' Or maybe 'Nazi'?  Yeah, that's the ticket.

[ignati123]

@dougmanjones Nazi's are Fascist. Your point is invalid.

[dougmanjones]

@ignati123 - my point is...people are throwing around these names to describe Obama, and, in doing so, are making complete asses of themselves. My point is valid.

[ignati123]

@dougmanjones Obama is by definition, a socialist. The question is whether we are heading down the path to Communism, or Fascism, the 2 ultimate forms of socialism.

[nohealthcare62]

@ignati123 socialism is already here my husbands job is paying him 1/4 of what he is worth he is making $25 yr when he did make $100, a yr it is what it is and all of USA can thank WalMart all our Jobs moved to CHINA and Obama gave $120 mill to China to make Our Wind Power <(DIANE SAWYER)Obama sucks ! just like Bush : (

[dougmanjones]

@ignati123 - So....we're fucked either way, right? Glenn Beck was right?! Holy shit!!!! We're all gonna die!!!!!!!

[MasterFhyl]

Yeah we didn't vote for status quo Alan, so why are you Democrat assholes giving us the same partisan nonsense? It will be my pleasure to vote against you this year, you are NUTS!

[diamonddave514]

your congressman is nuts

[ohiobuzzie]

he's a freaking moron

[stophypocrisy]

Rep. Alan Grayson is the man willing to put his life on the line for Americans. I think there are only 3 Congress persons that has this courage, the rest are just worthless memes. Americans that understands the FED is looting Americans and is Americas down fall have your back Mr. Grayson, but beware of this most corrupt crime organization called the Federal Reserve. They have a shady past and I dont trust them. Every time you grill Ben his voice cracks and he sounds like he going to cry

[kat74n1]

Get everyone you know to sign this petition!!!!

[ASentinel2]

@kat74n1 America has called Alan Grayson back to the House this week....along with about 70 of his dumocrat colleagues...

Nancy Pelosi is reportedly puzzled by their reporting back to the office.

Later though, the issue was cleared up when the voters told the 70 LOUD & CLEAR "Clean out your desks you dirtbags!!!!" "YOU'RE FIRED !!!!!"

We are making YOUR political careers DIE QUICKLY !!!!!

Blahhh Hlaaaa HAaaaaa Haaaaaaa........

OUTA HERE !!!!

[weallknowitstrue]

Hello Mr Grayson:

Please take time to look into theses TWO THINGS TO SEE:

ONE, SEE:

"Lord Christopher Monckton: From Global Warming to Global Governance"

TWO, SEE:

"Professor Bob Carter"

Please get interested in this - the world needs your help in Americia.

[howdythere34]

Alan Grayson is a classless asshole....the dude is getting some attention by being a fuck up and must think it's good attention rather then realizing he looks like a douche back fuck up. Also look at who is interviewing him...they guy the pisses his pants right on the set.....you go Keith.....

[johnphoenix20009]

Dude you are so funny!. You really believe that garbage?.. you bought it hook line and sinker. yes, it's against the Constitution. It out lines the role of government. as in the past, you want to change that.. get an amendment passed. but dont skirt the document. That makes a persona filthy lieing cheater, and traitor. you just wait.. in a few years.. you will see, I am right.

[aunicornist]

Is Medicaid uncontitutional?

[johnphoenix20009]

I study American History. I study the founding fathers and thier thoughts on what this country shoul be like. I bet most of you think this is a democracy.. well it isn't Its a republic. Learn the difference in the two. Learn why our founding fathers set up our Gov as a republic and why they thought a democrcy was vile(evil). Learn why our constuitution is set up, to limit government powers so the people can rule themselves. Learn what it says Gov can and cannot do. Most people have no clue.

[aunicornist]

The Constitution does not prohibit a health insurance plan. It says that Congress has the power to "provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States" One would certainly think that health care would be an important part of welfare. Sure, when it was swritten there were no health insurance plans but that is like saying that it's unConstitutional for Congress to pass a bill that invests in the airforce because there were no planes at that time.

[captcrais101]

and the for profit private insurance system is!!! you are a moron.

[ROPdude]

James Madison (the father of the Constitution), along with Hamilton, Jay & Franklin have written extensively about the limitations of gov't control in an American form of gov't, & even then called socialism (the reasonable fascimale back then) unconstitutional. Our gov't's authority extends in protecting our rights & that's it. It has no business getting involved in providing healthcare. Grayson is smart enough to know this.

[aunicornist]

All the public option is is an optional insurance plan not a government takeover. Even if we had universal health care that still wouldn't be a take-over.

In Australia, government health care is available for everyone but if people wish they can still get private insurance if they wish. It's one thing to have priciples but if they make so that we settle for a poorer health care system than other countries just to stay true to those priciples than it's just plain irrational.

[johnphoenix20009]

What this seeks to do is put total healh care control in Governments hands. They will tell us what health to get when and where. Choices that the People should make for themselves. This is the first steps to Big Brother like in 1984. When Gov. is too powerful an the people have less freedoms and the Gov takes the freedoms and tells you what to do and how to live, it's time to abolish that government and start new. I do know what i'm talking about I watch the news. The news twist the truth too.

[aunicornist]

''What this seeks to do is put total healh care control in Governments hands.''

That's not true. The bill includes an optional insurqance plan but the bill will actually pu tmore people under PRIVATE insurance.

Are countries with Universal health care like "1984" as you say? I've stayed in Australia and experienced their health care. I didn't see anyone with less freedom. Either way this bill is NOT even government-run universal health care.

[johnphoenix20009]

ronaldinho10- What wrong with health care for everyone? nothing if it's done right. But the rules of our Government mandate that it is not to be our governments role to give that to the people. For Government to do it, it' against our Constitution.If done it should be done by the private sector. We are a broke country now, Obama cannot pay for this health care system without taking more tax money from US and hurting this country further.

aunicornist Gov, aid is different than total Gov control.

[ronaldinho10]

whats wrong with getting healthcare for everyone? We have it in denmark, and everything is all right...

[harvey101107]

Denmark is nothing like the United States.

[IAMtheNewWorldOrder]

The government exists to protect us-not only from government itself, but from PRIVATE entities as well.

All of you who are so worried about government takeovers make perfect PAWNS for the empire of banks & mega corporations, so that they can weaken the only thing that forces them to pay us fair wages, and give back to the people who made them rich.

We keep losing our money, but the rich keep making more and more. Faux-patriotism allows this to happen. YOU are part of the problem.

[IAMtheNewWorldOrder]

Listen you anti-government faux-libertarians:

The founding fathers CREATED government. They created a CENTRAL government, with a NATIONAL president and a NATIONAL congress.

They built an ENTIRE CITY for the SOUL PURPOSE of CENTRAL GOVERNMENT.

I think the reason we hear so much talk about "smaller government" is because government is the only thing in the way of PRIVATE entities enslaving us and controlling our lives with their money.

THINK a little! The government is for US.

[aunicornist]

Da gubmints out to get you! Barack Obama, the Muslim, Terrorist, illegal mmigrant, Socialist, Fascist, Commie, Nazi and His Death Panels will recruit the young "Obama Youth" to round up unproductive old people and grind them into food.After that his group of NWO CFR Bilderberg group stormtroopers will take all God fearin' gun-totin' freedom lovin' conservatives to death camps to be slaughtered for population control. All survivors will be forced to work in abortion mines and worship Satan.

[mimiandrayray]

what an idiot

[gsv67]

"Change, Change, Change, that's all you'll have left in your pocket if you vote for that Democrat!!" George H. Bush 1992 election campaign against Bill Clinton. So true today!!

[IAMtheNewWorldOrder]

Thats funny because Clinton went on to actually cut the deficit, and preside over the best economy we had in 30 years. Every other president (reagan, h.w. bush, w bush) increased the deficit.

Republicans just say shit until people like you think it's true.

And as for today, republicans always like to leave huge messes for democrats to clean up before they leave. Clinton didn't clean up the first Bush's mess in his first year either.

Don't be part of the problem by believing bullshit.

[johnphoenix20009]

This guy is dead wrong. It is not our Governments role to provide health care or create jobs. This guy is twisting the truth to make it apply to Obama's agenda. I am a democrat. If the republicans can stop this evil health care bill that our government should not be invested in I am all for it. Read you U.S. Constitution to see Governments role. It is Not to provide jobs and give people health care that will bankrupt our country! Alan, I invite you to respond.

[bdazzzle]

It is the governments role to be whatever the people vote for. And as much as i disagree with the democrats at times (i voted for ron paul), i think the massive majority voted to tell the republicans to sit the fuck down lol

[IAMtheNewWorldOrder]

quit lying. you're not a democrat.

if you are-you're not anymore. you bought into the bullshit propaganda that the insurance companies created to keep robbing people and that the republicans created to make the democrats fail so they can get back into power.

you're about as democratic as I am republican.

[aunicornist]

If what you are sayign is true, why wasn't Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security struck down as unconstitutional?

''This guy is twisting the truth to make it apply to Obama's agenda.''

Do you even know what you're talking about? If you payed attention to the news the Obama admin. sadly isn't even fighting for the public option anymore.

''If the republicans can stop this evil health care bill that our government should not be invested in I am all for it.''

Evil? Are you serious?

[lessgovtnow]

@ johnphoenix20009

Exactly, others must read our Constitution. It explains how limited the national government shall be and what powers are given to the states.

The founding fathers went through much and constructed a near-perfect document that isn't being followed.

[Grey80002]

Good to see Grayson still swinging...

[Fogbats]

The republicans filibuster this much and they think they can say they aren't the party of NO?

Keep going Grayson... we need our government back.  I voted for change last year, I will continue in voting for change in 2010.

[azmegladon]

here is a crazy idea, lets look at the facts: the Republicans ran the White house for 8 years and fucked our country up, so here is a crazy idea, lets go the OTHER way, duh

[lisabob22]

they also controlled the house and senate from 1995 until 2007

[lessgovtnow]

@3:17

We don't have a "democracy;" we have a Republic. There's a major difference.

Most Republicans and Democrats say "democracy." Did they not pass civics class?

[zet168]

The United states is a republic can be considered an indirect democracy or representative democracy.

[lessgovtnow]

Understood. There is a huge difference between a representative democracy and a democracy. He along with many politicians say, "democracy," and that's scary.

Think if 51% of the people (democracy) vote to burn your house down. Bottom line is your rights are not protected.

[aunicornist]

Direct democracy and representives are both types of democracies: that's the point. But yeah, I can see why it's important to differentiate the two.

[floridagrandpa]

I would like to see our health care system reformed. That said I do not think reducing the number of votes for closure in the Senate is a good thing. The Senate is suppose to be a breaking mechanism on government , a slow and deliberate part of the government.That is to slow down a rash move by the house which is design to reflect current thought of the people. Lets let compromise work and get a good bill that most can live with.

[aeiouandxyz]

The founding fathers wanted gridlock. Government is not supposed to solve all our problems. Grayson knows his Constitution, but does he really know the people and their ideas behind it?

[zet168]

". Government is not supposed to solve all our problems."

Why do conservatives always use this strawman argument? No one believes Government will "solve all of our problems"

[harvey101107]

No one believes it, but in reality that's what they're asking. The nanny state is intended to attempt to solve all of man's problems with their tax dollars.

[zet168]

No it's not. My position is this: Whether you like it or not, we are going to pay taxes. If I'm going to pay taxes then I want those taxes to be utilized and go towards the best services possible. I've stayed in Australia and I've experienced their health care. Sure it has some flaws, but there is no such thing as a perfect system.

[zet168]

Providing some basic services does not equal "solving all of man's problems"

[ROPdude]

It's not a strawman argument. Freemarket will never solve all of our problems. The gov't will never solve our problems. There never will be a utopia. But it's better to let society try to solve it's own problems than appoint a small group of gov't beaucrats to manage society & hope they solve our problems.

[aunicornist]

No one is saying it has to be ALL government, but why not utilize when you can? Plenty of countries have governments that provide good health services. If we're the most powerful country in the world we should have the best healthcare system in the world.

[ROPdude]

Because if you look at history, and understand what the founder's of this country intended you'll understand why they were very specific about limiting gov't powers. I don't like the healthcare industry in this country either, but when you give it even more gov't control you're only opening up more possibilities to make everything worse... for everyone. Getting more people dependent on gov't for their medical needs is the wrong way to go even if those who want it have the best of intentions

[guyv00]

I thought this was healthcare INSURANCE and not actual healthcare we're supposed to be talking about, the government won't be touching actual healthcare.

[ROPdude]

A public option, which is worked into the bill IS the government running healthcare.

[aunicornist]

There's nothing stopping you from picking a different plan if you think the opublic option will be so terrible.

[ROPdude]

The gov't has imbeded itself into every health insurance company decades ago. it was congress in the 70's that created the HMO. They wouldn't exist if it weren't for the gov't. The gov't already controls 40+% if all healthcare transactions through medicare & medicade, it's only a matter of a few decades until they convince the unwitting public that they (along with only a few corporate intrests) should be in charge of all of it.

[IAMtheNewWorldOrder]

thats just an age old bullshit GOP talking point. Reagan said that medicare would lead to socialism too...

right now the insurance companies literally have control over people's lives, and it is more profitable to take premiums and then deny coverage than it is to pay for coverage. business & compassion don't mix.

people like you are so afraid of the government taking over-but you'll let corporations run wild, buying up everything and everyone. we elect our government. we dont elect ceo's.

[ROPdude]

"people like you are so afraid of the government taking over-but you'll let corporations run wild, buying up everything and everyone." - Not true. In the first 100+ years in this country corporations were illegal unless they could legally prove they could provide a public good. Even then, they had to write a charter that said they would dismantle after a period of time. When the gov't grew outside it's constitutional boundries, some wealthy elite bought their way out of this law.

[ROPdude]

"Reagan said that medicare would lead to socialism too..." - I see you've watched "Sicko". Guess what: the gov't going from giving Healthcare to the elderly to giving Healthcare to everyone IS incremental socialism. And those awful insurance companies couldn't get away with what they do if our gov't was protecting our rights like it's supposed to. But health insurance lobbyists are too popular with both parties for anything to really "change".

Are you starting to see the bigger picture?

[guard0544]

news flash....we do. you can point to this or that and claim "See we fail in this"...but when it comes to quality of care, and availability of care, Id rather be here than anywhere. is it perfect? of course not. Can we do something to improve it? of course. Is the current health care bill being proposed a step in the right direction? of course not.

[bilpayne]

we are not the most powerful China is and there just getting started

[natem20]

but we're the most innovative, we have the imagination. Let me tell you a little secret that the greatest nation in the world is the "imaginnnation"

[GOPSpinMachineInOD]

Bravo Alan..keep up the good work

[ccf22p]

USA has the best Doctors and medical experts in the world. There is no argument there.

The problem is that 74% of medical new hires have 0 medical experience and are "paper pushers". They are there to deal with insurance.

Government is the solution and over 70% of Americans WANT the Public Option.

[beornborg]

Grayson should get a deal through GoDaddy for all those domains

[GhostOfTheWriter]

Grayson rocks!

[MooseOfReason]

If we didn't have the 60-vote rule, we'd really be screwed.

[voyeurdug]

Nice tie.

[hgryphon]

Rep Grayson has the best ties. That's one thing I've noticed since subscribing to him.

[manonthemount]

You clearly do not understand this bill and have been manipulated by conservative propaganda. As for the zealous imposition of religious dogma on the majority, you prove yourself ignorant when you imply this would be an incipient abuse instead of a historical trend.

Since you imply that you subscribe to biblical, christian principles, perhaps you forgot Jesus' commands to care for the sick, weak, and needy, or to "turn the other cheek." He also names explicit consequences for your malice

[mgunch]

I don't believe in war or capital punishment - yet my taxes pay for both.

No one has the right to tell a woman how she must use her own body.

[guard0544]

Do you see anything wrong with a mother choosing to excessively drink alcohol like while pregnant? I will assume no, since by your logic it is her body and she can do what she wants with it. No one should be able to tell her what to do. The consequency of the "fetus" inside her shouldnt matter at all. Its not even a baby until it squirts out her vagina anyways, right?

[IAMtheNewWorldOrder]

if we were allowed to force mothers not to drink while they are pregnant, the republican party wouldn't exist.

[TheGeorgeBush666]

I cant decide which one is creepier. I wouldnt leave young children with either one.

[harvey101107]

By the way Grayson, we live in a REPUBLIC, not a DEMOCRACY.

Democracy = the people vote on the issues

Republic = the people elect representatives, and they vote on the issues

[zet168]

The United States is a Republic but it can also be considered an indirect democracy or representative democracy. Your definition you posted for Democracy is actually called Direct Democracy.

[harvey101107]

Government, solving people's problems? Best joke i've heard all day.

[zet168]

No one said that. Although if we're going to pay taxes I would much rather it go toward heathcare than killing people overseas. America is the most powerful country in the world, why can't we havbe the best health care in the world? It's unacceptable that we have a system that ranks behind Switzerland, Germany, Australia, Ireland and many many other countries,

[harvey101107]

I don't support the war, but I also don't think putting millions more Americans on Medicare is the solution to our healthcare problem.

We do have the best healthcare in the world - the problem is the cost. Government doesn't understand the concept of insurance, and because of this they're only going to further inflate the price.

[zet168]

By what statistics do you conclude that the US has the best health care system in the world?

[harvey101107]

While our healthcare costs are undoubtedly too high, myself and over 70% of Americans agree that we have the best healthcare in the world. Rasmussen, Zogby and several other pollsters have run these polls with consistent results. Many wealthy foreigners, including the Saudi royal family, come to America for medical needs. There's no doubt America's hospitals and doctors are the envy of the world. It's simply a matter of making them more accessible.

More government, however, is not the answer.

[zet168]

I'm not asking how many THINK we have the best health care. Show me some statistics that show that America ranks the highest.

[harvey101107]

In terms of what? Quality? Coverage? Cost? Be specific.

[zet168]

All of those three.

[BigMrFirebird]

Don't hold your breath.

[featherian]

why not audit the fed? why the healthcare run by goverment? are they gunna print money for healthcare as well? is USA looking for money printers?to create job? are they gunna chip everyone after the obamacare pass? anyone read the obamacare completly? are we gunna get many more vaccine as healthy as the AH1N1? if yes could we know how mutch MERCURY suplement we should take? if MERCURY is bad why is it in the vaccine? should we use javel as well? what about codex alimentarius?

[muchosa1]

Americans voted for change? Obama did not win by to large of a majority vote

[skybirdbird]

well.....seeing what they have gotten through i am glad for the gridlock.....yes this does have to end some how.......people did not vote for tax, tax, tax, control, control, control.......i vote to disable the gov until they learn how to pay their own way............i used to like al.....now i see that he is just another cog.........

[InMooseWeTrust]

Considering how out of control the federal government is, I wouldn't mind a little legislative gridlock. The Democrats should have done something to stop all the bills passed by the Republicans during Bush's first six years.

[Textynn]

yeah Dems and Progressives. We need to keep echoing this line .  We voted for Change.

[brotherjupiter]

America today Corporatism or Aristocracy?

Tough call.

She's no longer a democracy that you can be sure.

[Textynn]

Oligarchy

[ccm800]

go sign the petition!!!!!!!!

[wilderwun211]

I like what ROPdude said .Its very true. He is wound up as he should be especialy whats going on in the U.S.

[keytoothed]

Senator! I am for the public option! But we cannot but the Insurance companies in charge of its administration! And this is what the bill does! It will be catastrophe! It's like Philip Grumman and the all rest whom the government contracts out work! They will charge an extra 25% for their services!!!! STOP THIS MADNESS!!!

[Textynn]

and if you don't pay , they can turn you in???

Single Payer Now

[keytoothed]

@Textynn Read the bill. In New England, because they allowed the private insurance companies to be the middle men, they add a 25% surcharge. It is exactly what other other "contractors" do when contracting labor from the government. They're going to bleed the payers dry. I believe we should have health care, but I don't want the private companies to be in the middle!

[jo05dk]

Unconstitutional?

That's the Bush/Palin/whatever moron America for ya. Let people die if they haven't realized the american dream. As long as you get to bomb every country you want, who gives a rats ass about what happens to unfortunate americans..

Man.. I don't get how anyone can be that stupid. Thinking the way the country has been run is the model for the future as well. History is supposed to teach us not to repeat mistakes, but that part has skipped the mind of the american rightwinger.

[LeopardFrogPilboxhat]

Actually Alan the spineless democrats and bluedogs are the biggest barrier. You've got more than enough votes in the senate. What the hell are you guys doing out there?

Ram that through. You know not only do a majority support this bill but as a country we're proud of the 1964 Civil Rights bill which would not have passed if it were left up to a popular vote

[wdcsucks1]

grayson, if you want to be so good with the people why dont you call for stopping the wars in iraq and afganistan and save through that trillions of dollars? what is your stand about the wars? you know who is profiting from then on the expense of the taxpayer but you say nothing about it!!!

[zet168]

Grayson has spoken out against the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan on several occasions.

[ROPdude]

Hey Grayson: if you fucking follow the Constitution, you'll know that government is supposed to stay the fuck out of our lives. And America IS NOT a fucking DEMOCRACY, it's a REPUBLIC. Get your fucking head on straight, dipshit.

[gogobrent]

wow ropdude, you seem to be a bit wound up.

[ROPdude]

I would question why anyone with a clue and who cares about this country would NOT get "wound up" at Grayson talking this bullshit.

P.S. I love how whoever runs his Youtube page buried my comment.

Hey Grayson: WISE UP

[scion53]

i'm going to make a stab in the dark and state that you sir have deep emotional problems

[ROPdude]

I'm going to take a...

... did you say "stab in the dark"?...

... and say you know next to nothing about your countries Constitution, history, law, and economics.

Have a pleasant day.

[KhamusSolo]

Cry more you fair weather american

[zet168]

Would you mind explaining how an optional insurance plan is unconstitutional? Is Medicare unconstitutional? Is it unconstitutional for my aunt who's disabled with Multiple Sclerosis to receive money from Social security? Apparently to you the ideal government is one which doesn't give a fuck about the well-being of its citizens.

[ROPdude]

You've got me & my ideas about gov't all wrong. Here's the deal: we were brought up in an America that isn't even close to what the founder's envisioned. The people lost sight of what they intended & the gov't did what gov'ts always do: GROW. Get in everyone's business. Act like they can take care of everyone. All of the programs you've mentioned are absolutely unconstitutional, & because we live in a crony-captialistic coutry (NOT a fremarket) it's hard to understand why we don't need them

[Irishwillmooney]

How does America being a Republic over a Democracy mean anything about how involved the government should get?

[ROPdude]

You've just asked one of the most important questions I think someone could ask. In a democracy, you have no rights as an individual it's a majority rule only. If 51% of the people want something that would violate your rights, the gov't makes it so & you have to live with it. In a republic, there are a set of principles to live by & in our case, principles given to us fromthe accumlative wisdom of mankind. We the people stick to the principles & no individual gets their rights violated.

[Irishwillmooney]

Oh really?

Actually it's majority rule in both democracy and republics, only our founding fathers created checks and balances within 3 branches, a very unique republic at the time. However when the American people decided that all 3 parts that have to do with creating laws go one way, overwhelmingly it seems pretty clear which direction we should go. And if no one gets their rights violated, why was there slavery, censorship of newspapers, no gay rights, and taxation withouth representation?

[ROPdude]

Republic= Res + Publica (latin meaning the public thing, or the law). This is where "no one is above the law" comes from. There was slavery because at the time most of the world believed that people from Africa were 3/5 of a human being. There were no gay rights because this country was based of the belief that marriage was between a man & a woman. As far a censorship taxation w/out representation, there have always been violations of our consitution almost from day one.

[Irishwillmooney]

But didn't you say "We the people stick to the principles & no individual gets their rights violated."

And you say that most 'believe' that marriage is between a man and a woman, isn't that majority rule taking away rights of the minority?

Yes everyone is not above the law but they should be equal in the law or their rights are violated. Now the majority wants to give the people an equal chance to get health care, but you want minority rights because you dont believe in that.

[ROPdude]

As far as the marriage thing goes I think it has to do with the strong Christian beliefs people had a the time. "Now the majority wants to give the people an equal chance to get health care." - you just touched on the fundmental point of this whole healthcare debate. Having the right to get something isn't the same as giving people an equal chance to get something. Healthcare in this is so distorted, it's really soft fascism not a freemarket. In a freemarket everyone would have an equal chance

[ROPdude]

Also, there is a huge misunderstanding as to why socialized medicine is unconstitutional. Socialism is gov't means & control over prodution (farms, industry, etc) & distribution (transportation, communications, etc). The constitution was meant to restrain gov't from ever playing around in these areas to avoid corruption & abuse.

[Irishwillmooney]

The 'free market' assumes that everyone has an equal opportunity but they don't and it becomes very biased. Also if you want to go back to the principles of the republic, TJ said everyone has a right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, shouldn't getting care when you are sick fall under life? TJ, was also for very small government but said every generation should have a revolution to readjust to its own times, with millions uninsured and that costing us the times call for reform!

[ROPdude]

"The 'free market' assumes that everyone has an equal opportunity but they don't and it becomes very biased." - How so? Actually, tell me something: what is your definition of free market competition, how is it supposed to work, and what's the government's role in it? And if anyone is in a life threatening circumstance, hospitals are required to save them. But tell me: because someone is sick, does that give me the right to force you & your neighbors to pay for it?

[zet168]

In one post you called it fascism, in the next you called it socialism. Something cannot fit the definition of both of those at the same time.

[ROPdude]

Because one can lead to the other or vice versa. Socialism is gov't control of production & distribution through ownership, regulation or taxation. If corporations are allowed to flourish, they start lobbying the gov't (like in America today), and then it can evolve into facism. Our healhcare system in this country is a perfect example of this. They say they're "reforming" healhcare, bt now they're REQUIRING everyone to buy a plan or you get fined $3800.

[EcrossH]

I love your work Alan. Keep fighting for us.

[BlueSkies360]

I understand that Republicans (and more than 1/2 of the country that support them) are just bothering you. Why don't we just send those who disagree with us to Siberia, so we can get our job done? Whould that satisfy you comrade Grayson?

[ZKoftherebellion]

lol more then 1/2?

cool made up numbers,bro.

[gogobrent]

delusional..