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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsMy GOD, the GOP is getting bold in their assault on Obama and Obmacare...
G.O.P. Maps Out Waves of Attacks Over Health LawThe document, the product of a series of closed-door strategy sessions that began in mid-October, is part of an increasingly organized Republican attack on the Affordable Care Act, President Obamas signature legislative initiative. Republican strategists say that over the next several months, they intend to keep Democrats on their heels through a multilayered, sequenced assault.
The idea is to gather stories of people affected by the health care law through social media, letters from constituents, or meetings during visits back home and use them to open a line of attack, keep it going until it enters the public discourse and forces a response, then quickly pivot to the next topic.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/21/us/politics/gop-maps-out-waves-of-attacks-over-health-law.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20131121&_r=0
Waves of attacks? They literally are waging war on Obama!
PeteSelman
(1,508 posts)2009. 2009. 2009. The last chance to reclaim the country for the People and it was blown by cowtowing and rolling over in the name of "reaching out" and "bipartisanship". Fools, cowards and sellouts!
The Democratic Party should have rolled those motherfuckers they way the did us all during the Chimperor's reign. Instead, as usual, the played the part of the beaten dog that still licks the master's hand.
This type of scorched earth politics will work for the GOP. They're going to win because people are stupid and they are ruthless. They'll refuse to pass anything of significance, call the entire eight years a failure and they'll be right. Not because they didn't sabotage the country but because this party is too weak and bought off to prevent it.
I am beyond disgusted.
newfie11
(8,159 posts)LuvNewcastle
(16,820 posts)The GOP strategy is to never let up on the attack when they see weakness in the opponent. We could learn a lot from them about tactics, but we won't. Our pols will start crying and capitulate like they always do. I really have trouble believing most of the party really cares about us. If they did, they would fight, and they don't.
We never have the upper hand for long. For the party to be this unsuccessful and lose so many battles, it's pretty obvious to me that we are being sabotaged from within. I can come to no other conclusion when, time after time, we don't speak up and tell the truth about the other side. They couldn't win so often if we didn't refuse to fight back. Something's got to give, because I'm just about done with them.
angry citizen
(73 posts)It seems to be their strategy to attack and weaken and never let the president have firm footing. The bad part is that he has weak kneed allies in congress. Thank God for EW.
fasttense
(17,301 posts)tooth and nail from the inception of this law to stop it, Tried to delay it at every turn, voted to repeal it (45 times),Fought it all the way to the Supreme Court, the Repuke governors have refused to set up exchanges in their states forcing the federal government to do the work instead, The heads of the insurance companies (mostly repukes) have been lying about the policies available on the exchange and gouging their customers, the congress has refused to fund the ACA, and now these same Repuke congressmen are SHOCKED, SHOCKED I TELL YOU, that the roll out has had such problems.
The President should have done a better job anticipating our obstructionism, so the only thing to do is scrap this law and start over.
What a bunch of BUll Sh#T, are Americans so duped and dumb that they cant see through this?
Bill USA
(6,436 posts)the cheek no matter what the Repugnants did.
IT has been Obama who was always offering compromises to the Rabid Right even before any negotiations of a settlement (whatever the issue) began. (re the ACA he preemptively dropped the Public Option - to the shock and dismay of most Democrats who had been fighting the fight for the ACA. This instills confusion and dismay among the troops)
This has frustrated the hell out of many democrats. But when they spoke up in dissent about the placating and ingratiating behavior - Obama showed far more willingness to express anger at the Democrats for voicing their opinion than he ever has shown for responding appropriately to the pestilence in D.C - the GOP.
okaawhatever
(9,453 posts)Response to okaawhatever (Reply #78)
Post removed
watoos
(7,142 posts)The M$M supports the Repubs, they fuel the flames. There are a lot more good stories from people regarding Obamacare than bad stories, one wouldn't know that from hearing the M$M. Support will eventually come from the people, the M$M will be forced to report the truth. When poor people in red states see poor people in blue states getting health care, the tide will turn, and badly for the Repubs.
pangaia
(24,324 posts)but I think I have to disagree with.." Support will eventually come from the people, the M$M will be forced to report the truth. When poor people in red states see poor people in blue states getting health care, the tide will turn, and badly for the Repubs."
I don't think so. I think the die is cast and the US is done for. The The fascists, pseudo Christians, Dominionists and fake libertarians have won.
And.. the Chinese.. The ignorant will never know what hit them.
I do truly hope I am wrong.
JDPriestly
(57,936 posts)fight for liberal, Democratic (and democratic) values, someone who will grab the attention of the public. How about an Elizabeth Warren or a Bernie Sanders or an Alan Grayson or some combination of the the three? How about Elizabeth Warren and Alan Grayson or Bernie Sanders and Alan Grayson? How about everyone working together to defeat the Blue Dog machine candidates like Hillary? (She would no more offend Walmart or the news media than walk across the country.)
AAO
(3,300 posts)RKP5637
(67,032 posts)demwing
(16,916 posts)(at least not in the long run) for 2 reasons:
1. Truth is on our side, and truth can only be delayed, not defeated.
2. Time is also on our side. The changing demographics of this country have already defeated the GOP. They are like a death row prisoner that has already been given the lethal injection, but still rails on about how he'll get revenge against his enemies. The deed is already done, reality will eventually catch up and overtake the illusion.
LuvNewcastle
(16,820 posts)catches up with them. We can't wait for the inevitable to happen; we have to fight back now. They are desperate, and desperate people will do anything to survive. We need to go after them and not let up until they're destroyed. As long as they have any strength, they will continue to re-group and cause everyone misery. If we wait, there might not be a country left for us to govern when demographics turn in our favor.
demwing
(16,916 posts)it just means that reports of a GOP victory are very fucking premature
Dustlawyer
(10,493 posts)if you will, designed to make us "Root for OUR TEAM!" We get caught up fighting issues and watching "spineless" (bought off) Democrats lose over and over. The root problem is our system of electing, our supposed, Representatives. The special interests give regular donations to politicians as long as they "play ball" and vote the way the special interests want them too. What we want doesn't count, i.e. background checks on assault rifles, universal single payer health care... The ONLY thing we need to focus on is campaign finance reform! Publicly Funded Elections would help to reduce the influence on the politicians and give us our Representative Government back! Until then we are spinning our wheels and getting screwed.
I would like to see everyone at DU get on board and make this an issue that cannot be ignored!
Blanks
(4,835 posts)If you have a petition, I will sign it.
I think it is the tax structure that allows for the wealthy and corporations to stockpile these campaign funds that's the problem and that the campaign contributions themselves are just a symptom, but if you've got a petition I'll be glad to sign it.
I get a lot of offers to sign petitions and they seem to work.
Skittles
(152,967 posts)OMG the time they wasted coddling those corrupt bastards
Scuba
(53,475 posts)and of course this ....
And then they claim that government doesn't work.
Lifelong Dem
(344 posts)Dems want government to work and Repubs don't care about government. That's why they abuse the system and Dems look weak trying to keep the system working. Things like not using the filibuster the way Repubs do makes Dems look weak. It's not that they play hardball, it's that they are against government and don't care if the system works.
janlyn
(735 posts)The one I keep hearing the most here in Arkansas, is " I have been to the website and their premiums are huge."
My own brother said that to me today. I explained to him that based on his income, he would qualify for subsidies on his premium. More than likely he would qualify for expanded medicare.
He got the info from a right leaning website.
I think the only way to combat the republicans plan is for all of us to address the issues with people face to face, as I did with my brother.
Certainly they will not go looking for the facts on websites such as ours.
Up until now I have kept quite when people are Obama or Obamacare bashing. I decided today that I would do my best to educate people with the facts in a non-confrontational way.
Well said. Non confrontational helping of those who are too ideological or brainwashed to help themselves.
B Calm
(28,762 posts)stayed the same every year?
Nuclear Unicorn
(19,497 posts)Like in 1944 when the Marines took Okinawa with uncomplimentary anecdotes about the Japanese?
Seriously though, I stunned people are being this naïve, unless this is just an act. Did anyone honestly think they were going to simply accept the law? They fought tooth and nail against its passage. Scott Brown campaigned to be the 41st vote forcing the senate to pass the bill under rules of reconciliation. If you think it's bad now just wait 6 months until we're chin deep into the election cycle.
This whole "They're just being big meanies because they don't like our law!" thing makes us look ridiculous.
LuvNewcastle
(16,820 posts)Because it's a government program, and they've been trying to destroy the federal government since Reagan. That's why they're trying to cut "entitlement" spending. They want to destroy Social Security and Medicare and food stamps and anything else that helps people who aren't rich. So why don't the Democrats ever mention that?
Everybody but the public seem to know that they want to destroy the government and privatize everything, but the public are clueless about it. Why have the Dems never brought this up? Everything the GOP has done over the past 30 years has been a piece-by-piece effort to destroy the federal government.
They've been playing this long game all this time and they're finally about to succeed. They've purposely bankrupted us and made sure that needed programs are de-funded so much that they can't even function like they should. People are tired of the government not working for them and they're beginning to think that government can't work. It's obvious to anyone with eyes and ears that the GOP has been doing this for all these years, but do the Dems ever bring it up? Why do you think they don't?
Nuclear Unicorn
(19,497 posts)How does that change the fact that we're foolish and naïve if we run around saying our programs can only survive so long as no one dissents?
We live in a democracy. We even operate under the name "The Democratic Party." That implies we govern according to majority rule but majority rule implies there is a mechanism by which this is decided.
That would be the political process and that process entails each side competing against the other(s). We have guaranteed rights of free speech and assembly to ensure everybody gets to talk about the virtues of their agenda -- and yes -- criticize the policies of its opposites.
When I started my political coming-of-age it was in anti-war protests on campus. The Iraq war had passed Congress by significant bipartisan majorities. Yet, I made every effort, such as was in my modest capabilities, to cause as much political grief as possible for those who voted in favor of the war. I made every effort to explain why it should be defunded. I spoke of the human toll, not just of the troops but the toll taken on the Iraqis as well. I regret none of it. It was my right as a free citizen to oppose a law. Yet, somehow they managed to wage their war in spite of my protests.
We need to wage our war for improving the lives of Americans despite the fact the GOP will never bless our efforts. We can't sacrifice being a free society so we'll just have to tuck our heads down and trudge forward. It's a long, hard slog. It never ends and it never gets better. It's an endurance sport. We are losing this battle because the American people are having a crisis in confidence in our ability to competently deliver on our promises. Part of winning will be presenting ourselves as if we are confidently up to the task, not a bunch of whiney babies who want to run home and cry as soon as our feelings get hurt.
beerandjesus
(1,301 posts)And good points, although I do think there's an important qualitative difference, in that your anti-war positions were based on facts, and the right-wingers' position against Obamacare is based on lies.
But it sounds like your last few sentences actually support LuvNewcastle's point. His concern is that our party isn't up to the long, hard slog, and that enough Democrats are a bunch of whiny babies. Given that the media are siding with the liars on this issue, what do you think the party should do?
Don't mean to single you out, but I basically agree with LuvNewcastle's analysis, so I'm very interested in your counter!
What I would look into, in the President's shoes, is a way to use the Medicaid money the states are leaving on the table to open federal clinics in the affected states. I haven't figured out every detail, but it seems like that would be a good way to start shaming the Republicans and exposing them as the cruel monsters they are. I live in South Carolina. Believe me, a new free clinic in North Charleston, overflowing into the street on a Sunday afternoon, would be a great photo-op.
Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)done. Stop blaming the media for mediocre politicians doing corrupt and shitty things. The media sucks, but that does not mean the politicians do not suck. The press is not supposed to do the job of our elected officials, you do understand that don't you? The press is in business. You get that, don't you?
I saw the 'moderate centrists' of this Party sell out the best elements of this bill to please themselves and the right wing. Now they expect those of us they mocked during their crafting of the law to defend their shitty, for profit 'companies deserve your money' policies?
Where is the Blue Dog Moderate magic we hear about all the time? That bipartisan 'pragmatism' they always claim they embody?
LuvNewcastle
(16,820 posts)I wasn't talking about crying when our feelings get hurt or trying to crush dissent, I'm talking about telling some truths about the other side that never seem to get told. It seems that there is a dance everyone does around each other while no one ever gets to the root of the differences between us.
Some things need to get aired out in this country. We need to expose the other side's dirty laundry. They've got this agenda that they've been working on for all these years and the Democrats never bring it up. We need to have a national discussion about what the GOP has done and what they still want to do. It should have been done a long time ago, but some people in our party have prevented that, I believe. They've prevented it because they share many of the same goals.
This country has to make a choice about which direction they want to go, and that choice should be an informed choice. We've come to a fork in the road. We can't make compromises anymore; we have to choose one path or the other.
Nuclear Unicorn
(19,497 posts)I dunno. We were strutting pretty proud about displaying the GOP's desire to drown large government in the bath tub during the just resolved federal government shutdown. We had them right where we wanted them and the whole nation was captivated by the spectacle. It was surely the end of them! we said.
Dear God how I wish once again for those halcyon days.
LuvNewcastle
(16,820 posts)Never does. Of course, they've got almost all the media on their side. God, it's so frustrating! It just seems to me like the best strategy is to stay on them like they do to us, and the way to do that is to tell everybody what kind of shit they've got in store if people keep being taken in by them. It's easy for those of us who know some history to see where we're going, but we need to explain it to the public. We need a big change in our strategy if we want to win this thing: we've got to start fighting back. We've got the truth on our side.
JDPriestly
(57,936 posts)Nuclear Unicorn
(19,497 posts)the first guy to tell me that.
pangaia
(24,324 posts)Mopar151
(9,965 posts)Right down to the same families, in many cases. Anti-communisim and "Entitlement Reform", union-busting - it's all about re-establishing control over a government, and a people, that the oligarchy sees as "out of control".
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)in the plan ... as if this strategy is something new; it is not.
But on a positive note ... the first two talking points depend on the media's laziness as they are easily refuted/discredited and will be overwhelmed this time next month by the weight of positive stories ... if, again, the media actually does its job.
The last point ... the website's security ... is just another "death panel" argument; it'll take a lot of twisting just to make it approach being true; but sounds really, really scary to those that want to have something to be scared/angry about.
liberal N proud
(60,302 posts)Botany
(70,294 posts)Cobalt Violet
(9,905 posts)It will be hard to convince millions how bad ACA is. This will backfire on them like everything else they do.
Skip Intro
(19,768 posts)That is the reality.
Polls show a large majority oppose the ACA.
Not trying to be negative, but that is the reality.
FiveGoodMen
(20,018 posts)Because I keep hearing otherwise.
Skip Intro
(19,768 posts)Yesterday's CBS poll has 31% for and 61% against.
FiveGoodMen
(20,018 posts)Skip Intro
(19,768 posts)RBInMaine
(13,570 posts)Nuclear Unicorn
(19,497 posts)"Who are you going to believe, me or your lying family budget?" is not a strong campaign position to have going into an election year.
madrchsod
(58,162 posts)if nixon would`t have ordered the break-in at the watergate we would this very same healthcare today.
this is`t about healthcare it`s about making sure no black man will ever be elected again to the presidency.
yes this is a war ....this is the last stand for the racists in this country.
IrishAyes
(6,151 posts)Maybe it's a mean aspect of my personality or character, but when a person or entity causes as much grief and destruction as the GOP has, I purely delight in any hint of its karmic misery on the way.
JoePhilly
(27,787 posts)TBF
(31,922 posts)they will fight tooth and nail to not have to pay for people having things like healthcare (except themselves of course).
The most successful capitalists get to the top because they care about one thing - money.
City Lights
(25,171 posts)IrishAyes
(6,151 posts)hedgehog
(36,286 posts)Because whoever did, owns the Republican Party..
IrishAyes
(6,151 posts)liberal N proud
(60,302 posts)A message of the week is presented to the Republican members at the beginning of each week, Ms. McMorris Rodgers said. A Call to Action email chain distributes relevant breaking news. A new website, gop.gov/yourstory, is collecting anecdotes from each member.
The goal, according to Ms. McMorris Rodgers, is to use all the Republican voices we have in the House, the media markets in all the districts we represent, to take our message all over the country.
Media Markets? hmmm?
spanone
(135,637 posts)Atman
(31,464 posts)Whey you are staring at a 9% approval rating, WTF? Might as well just go for it.
greenman3610
(3,947 posts)I am a big obama fan, but I fault him, and Sibelius, for allowing this opening on what should have been a no brainer.
Mass
(27,315 posts)is the opposition to Obama. Each time they try to have government do something (even something very conservative), part of their caucus bolts and oppose them because they do not believe in government.
So, this is a pain, but this is a sign of the weakness of the GOP caucus and frankly it would be nice to see the Democrats amplify this.
BKH70041
(961 posts)I've only been at this site a short time, but I know already there will be a group of members (the same ones who do it everyday) who will come along and swear to you that everything is fine, that Obama's got this, that there are trillions of Americans who have signed up and are getting free medical checkups and prescription medicine even as we speak, and that this is nothing but a bunch of media trying to create stories to sell. Stick around and they'll tell you the same thing tomorrow, and the next day, and the day after that.
Meanwhile back in the jungle...
Botany
(70,294 posts)But on Wednesday, the White House Council of Economic Advisers released a report showing that health care spending had grown by 1.3 percent since 2010, the year the health care law passed. That is the lowest rate on record for any three-year period and less than a third of the average since 1965, according to the White House.
Jason Furman, the councils chairman, said much of that slowdown was attributable to structural changes in the health care economy ushered in by the health law, such as accountable care organizations, which band general practitioners, specialists and hospitals together to plan out a patients care, not play off one another to raise their billing. And insurance premiums on plans offered through the exchanges are lower than expected.
BKH70041
(961 posts)Never in doubt.
SammyWinstonJack
(44,129 posts):
RBInMaine
(13,570 posts)will not fight for the ACA because they didn't get Medicare For All which could not pass, and so will stay home and not vote, and then will bitch because more Republicans get elected and do things they hate, and round and round and round they go.
flamingdem
(39,304 posts)More people will learn about it and it does benefit the majority.
There are WAY more positive stories than negative stories.
And they are working out the glitches.
More wasted repuke dollars
Lancero
(2,984 posts)Is that all of what they plan to hit him with is, technically, correct.
How they are presenting the information makes the ACA look bad, when it isn't. But it's all about how they choose to present this information. Minus point 3 - That one is correct no matter how it's presented.
People have lost their insurance plans, even after Obama has stated that 'if you like your plan, you can keep it'. They are ignoring how bad and low quality these plans were, and that a number of companies are pushing people to more expensive plans even when their old ones meet all of the ACA's requirements.
It raises health care costs - They can point to the tax on medical devices, and the people who have lost their bad insurance and have to pay slightly more for good insurance. And they are ignoring the companies that are pushing people to more expensive plans, even though the old ones are still good under the ACA.
The security of the exchanges, and really all websites in general, is debatable. If someone really cared enough, they could compromise the website. Especially given the plethora of issues the website had at launch - Given all the usability issues, it's possible that were vulnerabilities that hackers could have exploited. But as I said, this applies to all websites.
The stories are relating to points 1 and 2.
Mass
(27,315 posts)It is also a way for Cantor to show he can control his caucus and be a good speaker should Boehner quit (after the fiasco of the shutdown). Note that he is at the center of this mess.
They can only agree on one thing: Obama is bad.
DallasNE
(7,392 posts)Obamacare Increases Health Care Costs. What's the truth? Health care costs are increasing at their slowest pace in 50 years. So why are these false charges effective? Because the media does not report the facts. They play it as a he said/he said story. No it's not, data is available so the true story is that health care costs are increasing at their slowest pace in 50 years. That, and there is no balance in reporting as far more time is devoted to presenting the lies than is devoted to telling the truth and that is just plain sick.
JDPriestly
(57,936 posts)success stories better told and more widely heard than these nutty Republican stories?
Obama needs to learn something about politics.
Sorry. But Obama should have been prepared for this.
napkinz
(17,199 posts)napkinz
(17,199 posts)Lifelong Dem
(344 posts)Only 1.5% enrolling in the ACA will see prices rise. For 98.5% enrolling they will stay the same or cost less with better coverage.
http://tinyurl.com/oah9h9e
WinstonSmith4740
(3,048 posts)Since they are so brazen as to announce what their plans are, the Dems should get out ahead of this curve, NOT let the Rethugs set the ground rules, and NOT be on the defensive. Somehow we've got to get it through to these weak-kneed, spineless democrats that the best defense is a good offense...there's enough GOOD stories out there about the ACA that the dems CAN be right there countering these attacks. They've got to stay off their heels, get up on the balls of their feet and fight this for a change. Maybe now that they've managed to change the filibuster rules for nominees, they'll realize the rethugs CAN be beat at their own game.
Now, I've got to go write yet another email to Harry Reid.
napkinz
(17,199 posts)nt
Quantess
(27,630 posts)Is that like when people get so mad they literally rip someones head off and defecate down their necks?
I see.
nikto
(3,284 posts)The GOP/Neocons are the "Boss" Monsters.
Pretzel_Warrior
(8,361 posts)Fuck the senate minority. Just fuck them. House won't pass immigration reform or even work on technical fixes for Obamacare...so FUCK them. to the mattresses! It is going to be bloody for these bade od shit with (R) behind their name.
I, for one, fully support Obama doing everything in his power with appointments, executive orders, and the like. Build up a case against Repugs for 2014 to catalyze and get participation from young people, African Americans, Latin Americans, and women.
Skittles
(152,967 posts)truly pathetic
indepat
(20,899 posts)Kablooie
(18,572 posts)Otherwise the negativity will swamp public opinion as it's already starting to do.
But who would pay for it?
The Republicans are fine spending tons of Koch money to kill the ACA but I don't know if there's anyone on the left who would do the same.
Of course if by chance they did find a way to kill the whole law there would be HUGE backlash from the millions of people and families who would lose their insurance or watch their premiums shoot up.
I'm sure the GOP has a whole plan ready to blame this contingency on Obama too.
God I hope the 2014 election sinks these people into the depths of obscurity where they belong.
bucolic_frolic
(42,680 posts)He's doing a good job all day long everyday
OBAMA: 8 MIllion Jobs 44 Months of Job Growth GDP: Up Dow: Up Deficit: Down Bin Laden: Dead Iraq War: Over Obamacare: Law
Kablooie
(18,572 posts)why don't I ever hear how many people will lose their insurance completely if the ACA is killed.
bucolic_frolic
(42,680 posts)about 100 to 1.
Worse than ever.
Don't know what they expect to accomplish
It's the Faux News Bubble applied to comments about articles
giftedgirl77
(4,713 posts)is going to start touring states that did not take the Medicaid Expansion & try to drudge up horror stories of people losing insurance or having their rates jump.
I'm keeping my ears open to see if they are going to be in my area because you can bet your ass I'll be there.
AZ Progressive
(3,411 posts)take 110% advantage of the situation when Obama gives them an opening....
blkmusclmachine
(16,149 posts)magical thyme
(14,881 posts)law impacts directly impacts themselves. Because when it comes to the bottom line, the vast majority of people worry first about themselves and their immediate family. As long as a majority of people benefit from the law, this too shall pass.
As long as *their* costs stay the same or go down, as long as *they* get coverage they never had before, as long as *they* keep their own doctors, they will move on. Only the political animals will be running around screaming and making a lot of noise. Everybody else for the most part is just living in their own little bubbles. They'll feel bad for the minority who lose out on something, but they won't change their votes based on it.
In a way, the prepared onslaught is a good thing. It will force the administration to fix the issues faster, so they won't have a chance to fester for long. The faster they get the website working for all, the faster it ceases to exist as an issue, the faster it becomes just a routine, buggy software rollout and is forgotten.
Most people haven't even tried accessing the website yet. My guess is the holiday weeks -- Thanksgiving and Christmas-New Years -- will see big influxes. That's when a lot of people have extra time and are looking for an excuse to escape the family for an hour or so...
stillcool
(32,626 posts)Pathetic. I heard Andrea Mitchell the other day going off about health insurance. What does she know about getting insurance? She was 'interviewing' a dem rep..meaning she read the dissertation prepared for her, and then asked for a response....and then promptly interrupted, bringing forth more trash to throw at her 'guest'.
ReRe
(10,597 posts)... a war waged by a bunch of delirious politically raged right-wing bully maniacs. Period.
The ACA is the law of the land now. The debate is over.
The wingers are advocating the braking of a law.
That looks unlawful to me.