Water is wet. The sky is blue.
In an interview with the New York Times in April, the president suggested that such a group, working outside of “normal political channels,” should guide decisions regarding that “huge driver of cost . . . the chronically ill and those toward the end of their lives . . . .”
Given such statements, is it any wonder that many of the sick and elderly are concerned that the Democrats’ proposals will ultimately lead to rationing of their health care by—dare I say it—death panels?
Pavlov just rang the bell, right-wingers. Slobbering yet?
Elsewhere in the piece, we get this:
Common sense tells us that the government’s attempts to solve large problems more often create new ones.
Er, no, Ronald Reagan told you this. And on occasion it’s true; but it’s a conservative article of faith that it’s always true. And that’s simply false. Because:
And common sense tells us to be skeptical when President Obama promises that the Democrats’ proposals “will provide more stability and security to every American.”
With all due respect, Americans are used to this kind of sweeping promise from Washington. And we know from long experience that it’s a promise Washington can’t keep.
Really. Social Security and Medicare didn’t keep that promise?
For all the “death panels” stupidity, this is the fundamental lie here. Social Security and Medicare have indeed provided more stability and security for every American. Even right-wing Americans like Medicare so much that they’ve been rioting all summer in order to keep the Medicare benefits they have.
Maybe “government can’t keep” the economic promise that Social Security and Medicare are fiscally sustainable - but that’s completely different from the assertion that government has never done anything to really better the lives of its citizens.
