RTS posted this one in another thread

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204313604574330442429438938.html#mod=rss_opinion_main

 

Here's the Bloomberg one

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aqb9sFbXBp4g

 

Those polls measure whether respondents are satisfied with their current coverage and how they believe Obama is handling the reform, respectively. Those aren't indications of how Americans view health reform. From Quinnipiac cited in your link:

• 62 - 32 percent in favor of giving people the option of a government insurance plan;
  
• 61 - 36 percent for higher taxes on high income earners to pay for health care reform;
  
• 60 - 32 percent in favor of insurance subsidies for individuals making up to $43,000 and families of four making up to $88,000;
  
• 54 - 38 percent for requiring businesses to provide insurance or pay the government.
  

 

And from the last Gallup:

 

Those polls measure whether respondents are satisfied with their current coverage and how they believe Obama is handling the reform, respectively. Those aren't indications of how Americans view health reform. From Quinnipiac cited in your link:

 

 

And from the last Gallup:

 

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Thanks for the info, Habib.

RTS, I know that you don't believe something just because someone says it. I don't necessarily disbelieve it. I just don't know if it only shows part of the story.

You are correct, TB&G. I'm sure we will see more about this, I'm interested in the other side of the story as well.

 

That being said, knowing how union thugs are, I won't be surprised if all of this is went down ad the lawyer laid it out.

The idea of the "town hall meeting" is part and parcel to democracy. Constituents voicing their concerns to elected officials is both healthy and necessary. On the other end, the elected should also be able to articulate their decisions and positions to their constituents. However, intentionally disrupting or restricting this in the name of a particular cause is anathema to democracy. From my experience, it appears the more contentious the issue, the more likely it is for this to happen. That is very troubling to me.

 

There have been many arrests and reports of violence at town halls.

I'm not quite sure what causes this type of irrational behavior over politics. The most vocal protesters - in any cause, from George Bush to Iraq to healthcare - seem to be the least informed or have the least understanding of the issues they so adamantly oppose or support. Something in every issue ignites the ire of the sheep. I think this is a problem far beyond the healthcare town halls, and its a reflection of the complacency in this country that we can't manage a reasoned and rational debate over issues. Or, at the least, we allow the most idiotic among us to dominate the discussion. I don't know if that is sustainable.

Those polls measure whether respondents are satisfied with their current coverage and how they believe Obama is handling the reform, respectively. Those aren't indications of how Americans view health reform. From Quinnipiac cited in your link:

 

 

And from the last Gallup:

 

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The Quinnipiac and Gallop polls say people are in favor of healthcare reform. Not specifically the healthcare reform that is on the table right now. The other 2 polls would indicate that more people do not want what is on the table right now.

 

I agree there are systemic issues with our current healthcare system, and there need to changes made. However, I will continue to be against anything that I think will lead us down the path to single payer or European style socialized medicine.

The Quinnipiac and Gallop polls say people are in favor of healthcare reform. Not specifically the healthcare reform that is on the table right now. The other 2 polls would indicate that more people do not want what is on the table right now.

 

They don't indicate that. On the contrary, the excerpts I posted from the Quinnipiac poll were opinions on major components to the proposed bill. That's very specific.

I agree there are systemic issues with our current healthcare system, and there need to changes made.

 

I think you are 100% correct in saying changes are needed. I think you are 100% correct in saying many are against the current plan. The problem I have with the town hall meetings is the people instantaneously start yelling (both sides) and neither side can present their case. We would be better served to hear are legislators explain the bill to us, and then we would be better served in presenting an opposing plan.

 

But instead, everyone yells, everyone looks like an idiot, the cause isn't advanced for either side, no middle ground is found, and both sides just retreat further into their corner, making a change even more impossible than it was the day before.

The beauty of this is that you have one side's talking heads yelling about "freedom of speech" when only a few years ago , for example, O'Reilly was referring to protesters as Nazis for disrupting and not allowing discourse.

 

Tape is a talking head's worst enemy.