The attitude in the East Wing of the White House as President Barack Obama signed the historic health care reform bill into law said it all: "Fired up and ready to go," attendees chanted.
"Fired up" because of the fight it took to get this bill passed, and "ready to go" because hopefully the bill will be one of a number of major reforms this country needs. President Obama is going to need that sort of fight for the remainder of his term.
There is no question, though, that this was the right thing to do.
Vice President Joe Biden put it best when he said: " History is made when a leader steps up stays true to his values and charts a fundamentally different course for the country. ...Mr President, you are that leader."
President Obama called it a "new season in America."
"The bill I'm signing will set in motion reforms that generations of Americans fought for and marched for," said Obama.
Among the immediate changes, which I'm not sure how anyone with a heart can argue against, are that insurance companies can no longer deny people coverage based on preexisting conditions or drop coverage when they get sick. There will be free preventive care and young adults will be able to stay on their parents' plan until they are 26 years old.
"Today we are affirming that essential truth...we are not a nation that scales back its aspirations," President Obama said.
Good job, Mr. President.
Comments: (7)
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By: tell the truth on 3/23/2010 3:04PM
Obama is a P.O.S. All of the mafioso wheeling and dealing to bribe, intimidate, buy, and threaten (by the SEIU, Obamalinsky's SOCIALIST friend Andy) the representatives into voting for his chitty bill.
Why do hard working people have to pay for the parasites, and leeches in our society? They didn't even vote on the same bill they voted on in Nov, because that P.O.S knew if he added that Doc Fix to the CBO, it would have went waaay over the mark.
He is a thief, plain and simple. It no longer became what the MAJORITY of Americans wanted; it became a fight for HIS LEGACY, a point he was not embarrassed to make. The more he said this, the more I saw just how ugly and black his heart is.
He punked out Stupid ass Stupak, and made a man who claimed to be a staunch Pro-Lifer sign on to his nonsense.
People don't even know what the hell is going on. All they hear is BENEFITS START IMMEDIATELY, which they DON'T. These encroachers think they'll be getting their gubment insurance cards within 90 days. NOT!
Certain provisions would apply to those who ALREADY have insurance, such as ensuring the insurance co's accept people regardless of their health; senior supposedly get 250 to help with their meds; and brats gets to stay on their parent's ins nutil 27, I believe.
The 32 million wards of the state won't actually get to SEE their DOC until 2014; yet, we must start paying these increases immediately. So, we have a fricking lay away insurance plan, where you pay for 4 years, and only get benefits for 6 years, instead of the ten years.
Why? Because they need OUR MONEY NOW TO PAY FOR THE PROGRAM!!! 159 new gubment entities, each with grants, or a purchasing committee- and who pays for this? The tax payers do, that's who.
Medicare/aid is an intergenerational pyramid scheme, where each generation pays for it's preceding one. To agree with this bill means you don't care about the future of the youth, who will eventaully be burdened with taking care of their preceding generation.
Just so he can have his L E G A C Y! Phuk the misery this bill will cause to millions of people who are already without work; yet we are MANDATED to purchase insurance. This is unconstitutional.
People think that healthcare is a RIGHT, but it is NOT! It is a priviledge! We have the right to free speech (until he tries to take that too), religion, thought, and even action (you suffer the consequences for your actions); but health insurance is a PRODUCT, which must be PURCHASED!!Don't get it twisted, freeloaders!!!!!!
Since you think that you have the RIGHT to health insurance, and the gubment and working citizens should pay for your worthless asses; then you should also receive subsidies for rent and mortgage, since we have the RIGHT to live where we please; you should also get subsidies for your food, since you have the RIGHT to eat; and hell, while we're at it, lets throw in our clothes also, since we have the RIGHT to be clothed.
Pulease- why don't you read and find out for yourselves, instead of just repeating Obamalinsky's talking points? And since he's set aside 10bil for 16,000 NEW FEDERAL IRS AGENTS to monitor, and report those who aren't complying with his MANDATE, why don't you get your lazy asses off of your couches, and go apply for a position. That way, you'll see how it feels to have to carry someone who you don't even know.
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By: inhisimage on 3/23/2010 3:12PM
No one is mad but the DEVIL. EXCELLENT JOB PRESIDENT OBAMA!!!! The people wanted this and needed it.
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By: Robin on 3/25/2010 12:25AM
inhisimage, ITA. I have a pre-existing condition....seasonal allergies and am 51. I own my own business and am co-owner of another. I am a homeowner and pay federal (we have no state tax in Texas) property, school and all other taxes required. My premiums are over $900 monthly! I use OTC drugs as much as possible but unfortunately, they don't always work. Texas health premiums have gone up more than 92%! We have the largest number of uninsured adults (25%)and children (20%). Thank you Obama, Congressional Democrats and those great Americans that pushed for the passage of this bill. I am not looking for a handout, never have, never will. I know that this will help me and millions of other Americans. The fact that some of these changes will take effect immediately only makes this even sweeter. Now, maybe we can start taxing the companies that outsource jobs, recscind the rax for the wealthy rather than waiting for it to expire, and get out of Bush's bloody wars, there will be loads of money to pay for this.
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By: inhisimage on 3/25/2010 1:50AM
Robin,
I know very well how you feel. My dad passed away in 1999 but I wish he was here to see this day. I was his voice when I was seeking medical assistance for him. My father worked pretty much all of his life and the only income he had was a small social security check. He had Medicare but, unfortunately, it did not cover prescription medication. The medications that he was taking were very expensive. I was his voice until the day he died, but now there is a bill that will speak for individuals like my father. I count this bill a blessing for seniors, uninsured, children, and anyone that is or have ever been ill. It is also a blessing for those individuals like me that have fought for their loved ones that are ill. All the time I spent fighting for my father was precious time that I could have spent with him before his death. And as for those that oppose this bill because of President Obama I pray that they change their cold stone hearts.
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By: Robert on 3/23/2010 4:31PM
This is only the beginning of Obama's agenda. He is not for the people. He and his cronies are exempt from this health bill...gee...why--if it's so good for the 'common folk', they should be part of what we have to get...KMA Obama.(kiss my ...)
Why on televison do I hear him say "that's what they sent me here to do" who the heck is "THEY". Is Obama the tallyban? He acts like an enemy not a countryman.
Please wake-up and do yourselves a justice...seek the knowledge, seek the truth, open your eyes and start thinking for yourselves...Don't let Obama tell you how to live your life.
He wants us to be his slaves. Those who have something will soon have nothing. Those who have nothing will soon have less than that! He, Obama wants to control us. Government keeps the good man down. Let us choose, let us have our freedom to either make something of ourselves or not. And those who choose not, don't look at me to support your backend.
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By: inhisimage on 3/26/2010 12:10AM
Where were you and what did you have to say when Bush was President? Do you realize that President Obama is cleaning up the mess of Republicans? What is the REAL reason you people are so angry?
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By: howard on 3/28/2010 8:59AM
Looking back you have got to wonder how much valuble time was lost in all the years fighting for something that is only good for the peoples health and welfare. The things we could have accomplished are unfathomable.
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