1. Brad Close

   It frightens me sometimes just how quickly people are able to abandon rational thought when the politicians do something they disagree with. America isn’t the only place where this happens (example follows).

   Here is Australia at the moment we are fighting our own battle to have our classification scheme changed to allow a mature (R18+) rating for computer games. Reading some of the opinions expressed during this debate, you’d be forgiven for thinking that within a day or two of introducing the rating we’d be living in Sodom and Gomorrah. Strong words have been exchange by both sides of the debate. So I can relate.

   Once you hit a topic that hits people’s emotional core, logic and rationality are lost in a red mist of blind emotional irrationality. Sad but true.

   Mar 25th, 2010

2. Scott

   Brad,

   I’m glad it’s not just Americans then. People don’t realize how much credibility their argument loses when you reduce things to hateful name-calling. It mkes me that much more vigilant about teaching Emma the right way to express her emotions.

   -S

   Mar 25th, 2010

3. Mike

   I have several Republican and conservative friends, I’m generally a left leaning middle of the road kind of guy when it comes to politics. But I even had a friend who was super pissed the health care reform passed because he is under the impression that there will be “government sponsored abortions.” This is one of the most ludicrous things I have heard, yet it seems to come up all the time.

   I’m happy the bill went through, if for no other reason, the insurance companies will not be able to deny coverage for pre-existing conditions. I am a relatively healthy and active 34 yr old, I rarely drink, I don’t smoke, but I have two herniated discs in my lower back. It’s impossible to try to find a new insurance company because of my condition. They act as though I am a cripple and don’t want to help.

   I agree with you, 59% of the people do not approve health care reform because it does NOT go far enough (I’m one of them), but at least I’m smart enough to realize that these things take steps. Hopefully within the next 10 years legislation will pass that starts filling those holes. Healthcare is not a privilage (spelling?), it’s a right.

   On the Republicans, words can’t describe how disappointed I am in them. I was a Republican, I miss a party of ideas. At some point the Republicans changed from a group of people who had a clearly defined message to a bunch of rich bastards who can’t stand to lose. They’d become the all inclusive party of “no.” They lost there way when they started allowing pundits like Glenn Beck or Rush Limbaugh start dictating who they are. It’s sad to see a once great institution become a shell of it’s former self.

   I hope my rambling made sense. Love the show, sorry I didn’t get a chance to donate this week. I am a web designer and have tinkered in social media and from what I can tell someone with your experience should have no problems either finding a new job or getting a ton of freelance to survive and thrive. Best of luck in finding a new job.

   Mar 25th, 2010

4. Mike

   One more comment, while I fundamentally disagree with you on your death penalty stance (I am 100% for it), that case in Texas that you referenced is rather frightening. I do believe if you have committed murder you deserve to die (I also believe that in cases of rape, child and animal abuse, but that’s a whole other conversation).

   But if there are any questions, any doubts, if there is a new technology that comes around while one is waiting for their death sentence to be fulfilled, as human being they deserve every opportunity to prove their innocence. As you were saying, what’s 30 more days? If he’s guilty then there’s nothing wrong, but if he’s innocent then it’s a life spared.

   If I was a relative of the murdered victim and there was a doubt I would want to know. I would want to make sure the right person was paying for what they did, not someone at the wrong place at the wrong time. I hope that prisoner got his stay of execution and was granted his 30 days.

   Mar 25th, 2010

5. Mike

   As a human being I am embarrassed to hear about that crowd accosting that man with Parkinson’s. How could anyone do that? It actually hurt me to hear that. I’ll never understand the hatred people have towards one another just because they’re born different or have differing opinions. Whatever happened to having an open discussion or argument? It’s just so sad to see how our country is becoming more and more divided.

   Can’t we all just get along?

   Mar 25th, 2010

6. Robert R.

   Hi Everyone,

   I think the healthcare bill is definitely a step in the right direction and on that note it is unbelievable to me that some of the poorest people in the US are some of the most conservative. They can’t see that they are just pawns of the GOP. The GOP uses back channel communications and rumors to get rednecks to believe that the healthcare bill will destroy the US and they lynch mob their elected leaders because of it even though they could benefit. Why are poor Americans defending rich insurance companies? Do they honestly believe that they don’t deserve healthcare coverage even though they work 60 hours per week at their shitty construction job? I know I sound a little bitter here but down to brass tacks, this is what they are saying.

   “I have a crappy job and I am poor and I don’t deserve healthcare coverage because the republican party says I don’t and I am proud of that”

   I just don’t get it. This is like the new new deal. Help Americans and work on paying down the deficit. It is a win win. Why don’t people see that?

   Mar 26th, 2010

7. Scott Parent

   So glad to see some intelligent debate about these topics.

   @Mike – this week’s rant about the death penalty was less about whether it’s right or wrong and more about making sure innocent people don’t die because we don’t have the patience to wait 30 days. We’re on the same page.

   @Robert – Agreed my friend. The biggest supporters and propagators of lies and scare tactics are usually the poorest and most uneducated people – ironically enough they are usually rallying against the very thing designed to protect them. So sad really.

   -S

   Mar 26th, 2010

8. Joe

   I usually do not comment on your podcast, but I really agreed with this one on the healthcare bill. We have to start somewhere, and thank goodness Obama is willing to take this on. It is a beginning.

   Thanks Scott for stating the obvious.

   Joe

   Mar 27th, 2010

9. Ben

   Scott,

   As a physican, I’d like to add my viewpoints.

   The healthcare reform bill has some positive points, like the elimination of lifetime benefit caps and elimination of denial of coverage for pre-existing condition. However, the bill essentially expands Medicaid for more uninsured Americans. We are all going to pay for this in additional Medicare taxes. In addition, the Medicaid system is far from ideal. Medicaid patients typically have limited physician choices and can have rationed healthcare depending on the state. Small businesses will also be forced to provide insurance coverage. I’m not sure how they will afford it. Also Congress did nothing to stop the 21% physician paycut which takes effect today. You will start to see more physicians limiting access for seniors simply because they cannot afford to see them as patients anymore. Congress also did nothing for tort reform which would help to cut physician overhead.

   Mar 31st, 2010

10. Ben

    Clarification to the above: I was referring to the 21% Medicare physician pay cut. Medicare payments are linked by a flawed formula to the SGR (sustained growth rate). This formula calculates an annual cut in payments (which is counter-intuitive when you factor in inflation). In the past Congress has either eliminated the cuts for one year, or in the case of President Bush, there have been occasional payment increases. This year, Congress has not stopped the cuts from happening. While they could still pass legislation later to stop the cuts, these cuts go into effect April 1. What I fail to understand is why Congress doesn’t pass a permanent solution to this problem and fix the formula in the first place.

    Mar 31st, 2010

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