It’s tempting to blame this shift on the Obama push for health care rationing, death panels and the general socialization of health care in America, but the trend started well before Obama’s coronation. But the free-fall did begin in earnest during the campaign season of 2008, and continued to where we are now. Why do you think this has happened? The Liberal Democrats have been telling us a lie about Americans wanting a public option. Now we know the truth. But why has there been such a change in popular opinion? The Democrats blame it on the Republicans. What is new with that method?These data suggest that one result of the debate has been a net decrease in Americans’ agreement that ensuring all Americans have healthcare coverage is an appropriate role for the federal government.
It appears that much of the current opposition to government-run health care may have originated from opposition to the so-called “public option” being pushed by the Democrats. Why would we be opposed to publicly-funded health care? Many of us simply object to the government encroaching further on the private sector. And why would we have any trust that the government can manage one-sixth of our economy when they can’t even pull off Cash for Clunkers or a swine flu vaccine program? Distrust is undoubtedly a key factor.
But one of the biggest reasons for this shift in attitude of Americans may be that there is not a perception of a compelling problem. Despite the rampant dubious claims of “46 million uninsured” and concerns about cost, Americans don’t seem to think there’s that big of a problem with their health care. Back in March, 2009, CNN found that almost 80% of Americans are happy with the quality of their health care and almost 75% were happy with their health care coverage. But 75% were dissatisfied with the cost of health care - not surprising…of course we want something for nothing! Given this high satisfaction level with existing private sector health care, why would America support socialized medicine, especially when almost 60% of Americans believe that government health care would increase the cost, rather than decrease it?
The Gallup findings reflect a profound shift in the attitude of Americans about the role of government in health care. If nothing else, this health care debate has forced Americans to think about the implications of the government’s intrusion in our lives and what it costs us, in money and freedom. Let’s hope that similar attitude shifts occur with respect to other aspects of the public versus private sector so we can put a stop to the creeping intrusion of government on American life.
Now we know that Americans don't want the public option no matter how many times the Democrats change the name of it. From now on if someone says that Americans want a government option tell them the truth. If they keep saying it call them a liar. Once again we find out that Democrats are lieing to us to get what they want.
ReplyDeleteNot only that Chris, but only 17% of Americans say that Health Care Reform is a priority. A VAST majority say that the economy (and jobs) is the priority. This is why Obama's numbers are TANKING with independent voters. He is burning up his voter goodwill and credibility by pursuing the government takeover of health care, when the voters are telling him "It's the JOBS, stupid".
ReplyDeletehttp://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704402404574525543109875438.html
Maybe there is hope for this country after all, maybe the people are waking up to the fact that this precious gift handed off to them is in danger of being lost and changed inot a country that the founders would never have allowed.
ReplyDeleteRemember this, if political correctness can spread like a cnacer into our military and cost us our sons and daughters lives, wait until the government controls your health care and political correctness rules the day there.
It will come in the form of what gets treated, who gets treated ,how you get treated, if you get treated, what disease gets the dollars for research and developement, all things will not be equal and it will be decided by nameless and faceless bereuacrats who will be making life and death decsions for us. TO HELL WITH THAT!
Doug - Funny you should mention the nameless and faceless bureaucrats making life and death decisions for us. Check out this article I just stumbled across:
ReplyDeleteThe Rationing Commission
Meet the unelected body that will dictate future medical decisions.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703792304574504020025055040.html
I also posted this on Brian's blog, as he was doing something related to health care as well. Just to explain the double-posting.
As a nurse, I can tell you that most of the medical profession is very wary of any health care run by the government. Dealing with Medicare and Medicaid shows how poorly they handle it. I can't even imagine what a mess it would be if they were in charge of everyone's health care!
ReplyDeleteI think it has to do with, like someone said, the economy/joblessness being a primary concern at this point in time, along with the notion that the government screws up everything they run.
ReplyDeleteBut, really, it just comes back to the illusion that the president wants to give off. On my blog today I wrote about his restructuring of statistics that constitute poverty, with the result of more than 20% of the nation being considered "poor," forcing them to take the government run option of health insurance, and forcing them to be declared as a sector of society they have no need, want, or desire to be a part of.
Mari thank you for you opinions on health care reform. It's great to hear things from an insiders perspective.
ReplyDeleteRight Wing Mama you are right about you blog. Thank you for informing us. We need all the perspectives we can get with this new gov't. Keep up the good work and make sure everyone check out all the other blogs.
ReplyDeleteI see Bruce and his liberal minion have nothing to say on these facts. But I'm sure they will keep saying the same old lies about Americans wanting a public option.
ReplyDeleteLOL, I've been waiting for Bruce...
ReplyDeletelol....i noticed that you missed a serious poll just a few down on the gallup page.
ReplyDeleteOn Healthcare, Americans Trust Obama More Than Congress.
55% trust Obama on healthcare reform
48% trust Democracts in Congress
37% trust Republicans in Congress
But looking at your post Gallup is a generally well done pull and i am not surprised in its results. Unfortunately Gallup is not the only polling firm nor are they the only possible correct one.
Pew Research still has as off October 55% in favor of a government run insurance.
A recent WSJ/NBC poll had public option at 48% in favor and 42% against.
The ABC News/WashPost had the public option support at 57%.
The Kaiser Health Tracking Poll had it at 57% in favor
I guess you can't call us liars if we say more Americans want a public option. Nice try though. Way to take one little poll and run with it.
Chris, you're wrong so often, you outrun my ability to expose all your lies.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/19/AR2009101902451.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/graphic/2009/10/20/GR2009102000148.html?sid=ST2009101902502
You on the left are great. It took you all day to figure out how you could blame the Republicans and to find another wrong. As you on the left think that two wrong make a right. So Bruce how does that "expose all your lies"? Are you saying Gallup lied? What were the lies I told Bruce? Just because you lie constantly doesn't mean everyone is a liar Bruce. I know it must make a liar like you feel better thinking that you are not alone.
ReplyDeleteChris noticed you ignored my post.
ReplyDeleteJoeC, Chris doesn't like to recognize facts that don't agree with his ideology. Don't feel too bad.
ReplyDeletePew also said that 43% are worried about HOW TO PAY for it a SMALL matter to LIBS who LOVE spending other CITIZENS money. 2010 we will see what POLLS really COUNT, New York Times or BALLOT BOX!
ReplyDeleteAlso that SMALL metter that 85% of Citizens SATISFIED with there Insurance,wonder HOW those CITIZENS will feel in 2010!
Joe I didn't ignore it. That was the part of the 2 wrongs don't make a right post. Sorry I wasn't clearer. I did notice that I showed the percent of drop over a decade while you only showed the other polls end result. Did you happen to notice that there was a large drop in all of the polls you quoted also. Do you know what a sliding scale is? Take a look at how high your polls were over that same decade. You need to show the whole picture Joe. Also Joe look at the wording of the questions. Gallup has been doing this poll for a long time and it shows a marked drop insuport of a public option. They are the only poll that has this full spectrum of time and using the same question for a decade. You can ignore the poll if you like. I know deep in your idealogue hearts you wish it wasn't true but it is. Point out that Republicans suck when polls show that Democrats are going down fast after taking control of our country. Republican were down and now are on the rise. Democrats were on the up and in just 10 short months have nose dived in the publics eyes. Saying Republicans numbers are bad doesn't change the facts any. Nice try though JoeC.
ReplyDeletewhat his posting of polls fails to mention is that there is a total lack of support for the bills that the dems are trying to push down our throats. THE PEOPLE DONT WANT THEM!!!!!
ReplyDeleteYes there is a majority that want reform but not in the form that the big government, all power must be centralized in Washington , socialistic crowd is trying to force on us.
You socialists big government types want government run health care then let your experiment take place in one state and lets see what happens then.
Hell try it out here in michigan and you can tax all the businesses and the people to fund this monstrosity and when everything comes crashing down I can at least move to another state to escape your disaster.
Chris, i checked the methodology and the margin for error and they are all within acceptable polling standards. the reality is that you point to losing a number of people voer a decade, which is down. I give you that its been higher.
ReplyDeleteNow you have to own up to the fact that your only accepting one poll that matches your beliefs in coming to your conclusion that more americans don't want a public option. the reality is that a majority of the polls show that as of last month a majority of people still want a public option. There's no way around that.
That isn't what I was saying Joe. Look at where they were in the past and where they are now. Joe it is the one poll that has been doing this same poll for decades. All the polls show a huge drop over the last few years. So Joe are you saying that this Gallup Poll doesn't count? Are you saying that this extensive decades long poll is less valued then the few one time only, apples to oranges polls? Joe I never said those other polls aren right. You are the one that said that the Gallup poll is wrong. I don't care what you think about the poll. I love the fact that when the reality of the damages done by the Democrats hit you on the left it will be like a ton of bricks. And even then you wont face reality and blame someone else. I can't believe that America has 20% liberal compaired to the 80% that are moderate to conservative. Talk about a fringe group. 20% of our population has a mental illness. You liberals pushed us too far. Now we will make your 20% even less. Obama and Congress will make you liberals a dirty word by the time they are done destoying the greatest nation the world has ever known.
ReplyDeleteJoeC things change and you are watching change happen at a rate never seen by the conservatives or liberals. You and the liberal policies are loosing faver with Americans. I can't wait to see what next month brings.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that things are changing. And it would be strange if a change as big as the public option didn't arouse deep feelings on both sides. I think a part of that opposition is just fear of change, not logic.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteOr maybe it was fear that brought in the public option. God knows Obama and Congress tryed to scare us into taking health care reform with w public option in it. But now people are starting to think and read about what is in this abortion of a bill.The gov't tryed to crisis and scare Americans into taking a public option and it isn't working. People are now learning more about the health care bills and it isn't logical just like the stimulus bill wasn't logical.
ReplyDelete