In this week's Internet address, President Obama continued to urge people to lean on members of Congress to pass health care reform legislation.
Obama made the argument that the current system of spiraling costs and reduced services can't be maintained and needs an overhaul.
But, unfortunately, in my eyes, Obama also continued to ignore the elephant sitting in the middle of the debate: How will we pay for his plan? ...
It's all well and good to talk about the savings that will be generated by cutting waste and improper payments to insurance companies, as the president does. He estimates that "billions" in revenue from cost cutting will create "big savings over time."
The problem is that other estimates from respectable sources say cuts in current spending alone won't do the trick, that new revenue streams will need to be developed at least for the launch of the reform package.
It will take some bold thinking to produce funds in an economy hurting as badly as ours. Some have advocated an additional tax on junk food -- a major cause of obesity and other health-related problems.
I like that idea. But one thing is clear: Unless the president is able to put out a plan that shows exactly where the funds will come from to pay for his reform package, regular folks won't get too fired up over his health care plan.
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Paul Shepard blogs the Democrat side of politics for Black Voices. He has been a journalist for 16 years on the national urban/minority affairs beat for the Cleveland Plain Dealer and for AP in Washington. He runs his own public affairs firm, Shepard Strategic Communications.
Comments: (17)
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By: Jeannette on 7/20/2009 10:11AM
I voted for him only for history,big mistake on my behalf...I only wish our people will stop voting democrate because of family tradition... We will be taxed like never before and I happen to have a small buss and Im pretty much screwed the more you make the more they take... we are all in for a rude awake... And how dare he reach out to this blog to see if black would carry him another term..WAKE UP !!!!PLEASE> right color wrong party
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By: geep on 7/20/2009 9:43PM
Right, you should have voted for McCain, then everything would be perfect. Obama has had to take on a boatload of problems all at one time, which is unprecedented for the highest office. He is doing very well with the cards he was dealt. He gets high marks for wanting to tackle the health care problem. Of course if you are fully covered with health insurance you don't have a health care problem to worry about, right? Wrong! You already pay a high tax for everybody who goes to an emergency room for treatment without insurance. Have your premiums gone up? If something is not done to change the way health care is provided we will all be in trouble. If you pay out of pocket for medical care you pay 300 percent more than someone who has a good insurance policy for the same treatment. The insurance companies negotiate with providers, but try to negotiate with them as an individual. Let's hope that the President can work out something with Congress to make things better for everybody.
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By: Philemon on 7/20/2009 11:02AM
I felt that people voted for Obama just because of his skin color. My mother voted for Obama not knowing one of his policies. She felt as though he should be president to inspire young african amerians. Now I am a democrat but I am quite skeptical on many of Obama's policies. I feel as though they are too far out of reach. Many of his policies require a great range in money to produce, and in this recession, I just can't see where all of this money is coming from. Obama is just stating theory. Looking back at the election, I can say that Obama is a dreamer and McCain is an idealist.
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By: deliaheart on 7/20/2009 2:07PM
you say that now, but if McCain were in office now he would be faced with the same issues and would probably be in the same predicament. Remeber, the President does not have the final word on anything. Nothing gets passed without the vote from the house and the senate so complain to your congress people to do the right thing. you people always want to do the woulda, shoulda, coulda. what are you doing in your own community. stop trying to blame President Obama for all your woes. He did not create them. I guess if you had the opportunity you would have kept Bush in office also.
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By: molliebea on 7/21/2009 3:46AM
May I ask which of President Obama's policies are you skeptical of, and the reasons behind this skepticism? He has not altered his platform one bit; the Republicans are saying No to everything and are standing in the way. Why aren't you ALL writing these Republicans and thrashing them for their lack of action and obstructionism?
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By: molliebea on 7/20/2009 8:05PM
in your post you state: "Many of his policies require a great range in money to produce, and in this recession, I just can't see where all of this money is coming from. Obama is just stating theory."
Don't you realize that the United States can print as much money as they need. And why all of a sudden are you concerned about where the money is coming from? Did you worry about where the money was coming from when it was being sent to Iraq? Were you concerned when millionaires were given a tax cut and you did not see a penny? Where is the concern for this greed from the Republicans who have a problem with these rich millionaires now being asked to "give back" a bit of that tax cut to help pay for health care? We have been in a recession for over 5 years because of georgewbush! Where was your concern then?
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By: Impeachbarack on 7/20/2009 11:07AM
Barack is either stupid or thinks the American people are stupid. The Govt can berely pay for public education or pay medical benefits for enlisted soldiers and they want us to believe they can pay for quality health care??? Earlier this year during his campaign Barack said "America is broke.." Yet, he's been spending like a druken sailer; more so than George Bush. If you people fall for this, like you fell for his stimulous package or his NAACP speech, you will be paying taxes like you've never seen before through Cap and Trade!!!!
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By: Cassie2bless on 7/20/2009 12:12PM
It's amazing to me when things don't go our way, we are so quick to play the blame game. We are not goin to agree with President Obama on every decision he makes. We all know with any business sometimes you have to fall in order to get back up.If your business is makin so much money Jeanette then you should be able to afford more taxes. Why is it that the middle class have to
alway pay for the higher taxes. At least he has Dream for all people and not want us to go back to the old JIM CROW days like McCain. He still has my vote and my support.
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By: Jeannette on 7/20/2009 1:28PM
Thats just It Business Is not so good...Do you listen to current events ???Have you heard of the trinkle down effect ??? My customers are sufferin which means they make cuts so I make cuts..Only people that gets breaks are the ones with a crap load of kids or on the system already..You might not see It, but Obama has made choices faster than any other President and thats a problem in itself..Who Is he listening too???Goverment cant solve all our problems ..Everytime its tried people abuse the system just like Welfare..Its a wonderfull thing to help kids but its seems to help sorry men living off the momma cause she needs a man...Goverment anything should always be limited because of abuse...
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By: Mollie Galloway on 7/20/2009 6:24PM
I agree with you sweetheart. We are so quick to blame President Obama for something he is NOT responsible for. He is trying to fix a mess that came to fruition the last 8 years. I did not hear any one complaining then!
As a Black American, I voted for our President because I believed in him and still do. I would vote for him again and still PLAN TO.
And I am tired of Black Americans complaining when they don't know what they are complaining about, except the white person is complaining! Give me a break. Black people, get off your duffs and start helping this President- and yourself, and stop complaining and WAITING on him to solve all of your problems. You are responsibile for yourselves, not him.
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