YOUR COMMENTS

Herb, I agree with you it is extremism that is destroying this country.

End the pork barrel politics, term limits for Congress!
- Don Diamant, Milton, NH

I wonder how long the American public will continue to fall for this constant charade.
The hypocrisy is ripe on both sides of the aisle here. We rushed into war and the protests from the left were just as organized as some of the faux outrage being seen now. The protests were marginalized and then ridiculed. We rushed into bailouts and are now rushing into national healthcare.
Now the protest from the right is being organized and partially scripted. This is also being marginalized despite very real questions and concerns.

On the left, your patriotism was in question for simply not going along with a strategy of a costly pre-emptive war.

On the right, you can be chastised for wanting to keep more money in your pocket. I believe we all lose if we continue to play this game by voting for Republicans OR Democrats. They are the same party, but each uses a different reason to take our money and force their respective agendas onto us.
- Herb C., Concord

In 1994, the same racist, ignorant, stupid people who are complaining about everything short of the sunrise voted in racist, ignorant and stupid politicians.

In the end, that gave us two wars, a recession, a monstrous deficit we'll never pay off, and insurance companies who will turn you down for cough medicine.

Anyone who votes Republican in 2010 or 2012 - after the damage they did to the country - does not care about America. They only hate, and they have zero to offer.
- NSR, Epping, NH

No one has done more to organize for health insurance reform than the health insurance companies themselves.

In the 80s HMOs were supposed to provide efficientcies, and the promise was that the private sector could do a better job finding and implementing savings.

Instead they have used their special interest leverage with Congress to acquire the power to make the medical decisions. They have acquired the power to not cover people when they need it.

Now they have the backlash of reform.

Tough!
- Bob Jean, Northwood, NH 03261

Obviously, there are many of you of the liberal persuasion who don’t agree with this editorial. Good going UL!

The media and Pelosi immediately condemned those who disagree with the healthcare bill as unAmerican and mobsters and astroturfers. Yet Obama can organize his campaign PAC and ACORN and SEIU and that is perfectly alright – right! What is reprehensible to me about all this is that those who are opposed to the health care bill(s) and who are trying to exercise their constitutional rights to be heard are being trampled by the liberals in government and the media who believe that freedom of expression is only to be tolerated as long as those who are doing the expressing agree with them. That’s not what our Constitution says.

Some of you are mouthing the latest "party line talking point" about there are 5 bills out there have you read all of them? If you haven't then shut up. The reason most of us are standing up and protesting is because we have read HR3200. And in fact, there are only 2 bills out there for public review - HR3200 and the Senate version – this one just released in the last couple of days. The senate version looks to be worse than the house version- but I only just started looking through it. Loved the part about establishing a fund of billions (50 billion in 2010 alone) to finance medical careers for disadvantaged youth; and student loan forgiveness (up to $30K). So what does this have to do with extending health care or health insurance for all?

So, before you criticize those of us who don't agree with the bills as written and have serious problems with our elected representatives standing up and misrepresenting what is in the bills, get your own facts straight. Perhaps people are getting loud, sometimes it's the only way to be heard over the SEIU and ACORN orchestrated interference. And we're not going to shut up.

By the way, I have not seen any major newspaper in this country print excerpts from the healthcare bills as they stand today. The Washington Post and the New York Times are two of the most liberal newspapers out there. They have multiple articles everyday on the magic of Obama and his health care reform, among other hourly Obamamania – yet they haven’t printed any excerpts from the bills. Because if they did, it would demonstrate that the President AND the Democratic Congress is misrepresenting what is in the bills and they know it.
- Sandy, Thornton

To Dave in Sandwich: If the UL can't be unbiased in delivering what is in a 1000+ page bill then who do we ask? Our politicians that will not face us at a town hall meeting? The ones I spend an hour writing a letter to just so they make a mark in the "for" or "opposed" column and disregard it anyway?

The paramount issue here is that whether you like my opinion or not, it is the prevailing one by any poll and our elected representatives are ramming this through as fast as they can before we figure out what is in it. If I'm wrong then what exactly is the rush? Let's wait 6 months so everyone reads it.

My preference would be to not make legislation so complicated in the first place so that people like you can't continue to tell us that we don't know what we are reading. The elitist attitude is what drives a busy middle class taxpayer onto the street with a protest sign.

Better yet, how about we start healthcare reform with a one page law that sets tort limits and requires that you be a US citizen in order to get treatment? (unless you pay on the spot) It's a step that will address the core problem - the rising cost of healthcare.
- Spencer, New Boston

It is always interesting when the liberal left finds fault with the conservative right for using the same tactics they use. When the liberals are on the soap box, they have the ear of God and know what is good for America. When the right takes a stand on an issue they are un-American fear mongers who are using bullying tactics to get their way. Didn't the left spend the last four years of Bush's administration feeding on the fears of Americans? "Organize for America", ACORN, etc. worked hard to coerce people into buying what they are selling. If you know of someone who doesn't agree with the left...report them to the White House website for their un-American activities. I know I want government controlling my healthcare...they do such a great job with everything else! I am still "hoping" for change I can believe in.
- Sam Allen, Dover

This is fantastic, look at all the liberals with their panties in a knot! Thanks UL, you have made my day.

I think the point many on the "reofrm" side fail to understand is that the people, yes people are tired of being lied to for political purposes (by both sides). That is what they are getting from too many politicians. Not just on health care reform but on every issue. So when they ask a civil question at a town hall meeting and they get the same old tired lies, people are fed up. That is what you see happening.

Let me give you an example. I had the experience last Thursday of being on the "teleconference town hall" with Jenne Shaheen. Since I wasnt brought into to the call until 6:20 I did not get to have my question asked of the good Senator. But she had the same old rhetoric and lies. She stated very clearly that the President is against a single payer plan. What? I am sorry Senator, I have SEEN and HEARD for myself the video of Obama in 2007 (2 years ag)saying that he is a single payer supporter and that a public option would be the start towards that. So Senator, will you tell me you did not know this? So besides dodging parts of questions she didnt want to answer, she lied. If I have seen the video, I am sure she has. Plus she has all the contacts remember?

Also, she wouldnt answer the question about members of the Senate and
House being covered by the plan. None of them will answer that question. They are asked time and time again but no answer.

If this "reform" is so good, why would they not be covered by it? Are they better than the rest of us? Or is tis plan a stinker and they know it. They write laws, they could easily include themselves in it.

So my liberal friends, given that the politicians wont say why they will not be covered by this plan, can any of you with all the answers for our future tell me why? I'd love to hear it.

Should ANY congresswoman/man or senator stand up and say they would be on the plan, I would really have to consider supporting it. But the odds are a lot better I will win the Powerball.
- Bob H, Manchester

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter”
Martin Luther King Jr.
- Wally, Manchester, NH

thank you Tom Labrie, you said it all.
Jon Stewart had a wonderful montage last night of Bill O'Rielly and a whole slew of conservative "pundits" railing against democratic anti-bush, anti-war protesters, calling them childish and talking about how their behavior takes away from their cause. They were probably right about that then, but which side are they on now?
- mike, hampstead, nh

Ah, yes. Typical Lefties represented in the comments: It's OK for the Left to protest, because they're presenting the "facts," and the evil old Right is presenting "talking points." Yeah, right. Explain to me again why I should pay for your healthcare? Point, please, to ONE program run better, cheaper, and more efficiently by the GOVT than by the private sector. Just one? Think healthcare is expensive now, JUST WAIT UNTIL IT'S FREE.
- Scott, New Boston

The essential truth of a UL editorial can be measured by the anger and spite it generates from the regular lefty commenters around here. This editorial is spot-on. When the Marxists from ANSWER, the Socialist Workers Party and assorted other far-left groups organized anti-war protests around the country, did the media or Democrats denounce them as manufactured astroturf? Of course not. But speak out against a sacred liberal cow and all of a sudden dissent isn't so patriotic. In fact, apparently it's now patriotic to report dissent to the White House.

We can provide healthcare coverage to those who truly cannot afford it without turning a sixth of our ecomomy over to the central-planning bureaucrats in Washington. If the regime in DC had taken a deliberate, common-sense approach rather than over-reaching the way they did, confrontations like those we've seen recently wouldn't even be happening.
- Rick, Portsmouth

The Democrats complaining about the protesters tactics is truly the definition of hypocrisy. The reason these protesters are becoming quite shrill is that though the majority of people don't want, nor trust the democrats (check all the latest polls) to craft a healthcare proposal, they are going to attempt to shove it down our throat anyway. A minority of people governing the majority of people is the absolute definition of a tyranny. By the way, does else anyone notice that the writing style of many of the healthcare advocates here, is quite similar?
- Kevin, Campton

More proof that Obama is still on the campaign trail and the "Obama Political Machine" never disbanded.

It is an easy formula for Obama, tell the people what they want to hear and then just do what you want regardless because the "people" are too stupid to know the difference.

Do you really believe that taxes won't be raised at some point in the next four years??? Keep the "Hope and Change" going because the Reality bus is coming soon!
- Bob Hill, Concord NH

Dave from Sandwich,

And MSNBC is an objective news source, right?
- Danny, Manchester

Great article, you know you hammered home your point because all of the liberals are in a tizzy.

It's ironic that the same people who denigrated and got in others faces so that opposing view points couldn't be heard now think it's a bad thing? It's kind of like when your parents did something they knew was bad and gave you that "Do as I say not as I do" talk.

Yes, suggesting this isn't a grassroots protest and saying it is now Un-American to protest is trumpeting hypocrisy from the highest mountain.

Un-American, if free healthcare had been a basic human right the Founding Fathers wouldn't have neglected to put it in the Bill of Rights.
- Don Diamant, Milton, NH

Franklin you wrote "Groups funded by insurance and pharmeceutical companies are far from grass roots."

Very true, maybe you should be asking why they have advertising budgets of $150 million to support Obama's health care experiment. Now that it is out there that big pharm is supporting your guys policy are they still not grass-roots?

To Kelly from Bristol you wrote "Unfortunately, as is often the case, the far left and the far, far right on this issue have taken over., drowning out the average person and denying any sort of civil discourse... That is what is unamerican, not sending a form letter."

So is your rationale so warped that its ok for the left to vandalize shopfronts and torch car dealerships in the name of anti free trade and the environment?

What a bunch of hypocrites.
- Alex K., Deering, NH

I'd like to address the notion that's often put forth in these comments that if you haven't read the 1000-plus page legislation, you have no right to comment.

Let's get real here. The general public cannot be expected to read every page of a piece of legislation, and few ever do. Wading through legalese is like walking through deep muskeg with a heavy pack. That's why we depend on objective, fact-based news sources to make sense of the details.

Unfortunately, the Union Leader is not objective, and so they will not help you with that. It is not in their interest that you understand the legislation- only that you oppose it. Anything that will cause this legislation - and therefore, by extension, Obama - to fail is good, as far as the UL is concerned.

People should be angry - but not about the health care bill. They should be angry about the extent to which corporations now run this country. Big business controls the media, and their lobbyists control the votes in Congress. Even Obama made a deal with big Pharma, giving up price negotiations for help passing his bill.

When the public option is finally killed, you will know that the victory of corporations over 'government by the people' is complete.
- Dave, Sandwich

I agree with some kind of health care reform but rushing a bill thru that very few have read or can understand is a good way to make the problem worse. I hope these protests slow this proposed reform down and the government uses common sense here. I know that’s a lot to ask but maybe we should get a few plans and actually debate the merits of them all before we jump into this and cost the tax payers even more of their hard earned money. Slower is better when it comes to something that will affect the entire country. Maybe even having a 1 year trial of the 2 best programs to discover the flaws of each and then fix them before a national rollout. If the government rushes this thru it could be a disaster for as many people as it helps.
- Brian, Hoohsett

Why can't the UL editorial staff see what is clear to an elementary school student.

The Democrats are not complaining about anyone's right to protest nor the right of the GOP to organize protests and responses to the Democratic plan.

What they are dispelling is the notion that these protests are "grass roots" and that the shouting matches are anything but an attempt at getting answers.

Groups funded by insurance and pharmeceutical companies are far from grass roots. People who scream and shout without getting a word in edge-wise are far from concerned citizens trying to be heard.

This editorial also fails to note the difference in the venues of the Democratic protesters in the past. You will be hard pressed to find the same kind of disrupive behavior at any town-hall type meetings.

It's time to start debating the facts instead of spreading fear and misinformation. Perhaps the UL should take the lead and report the facts instead of the fictionalized scenarios born out of partisanship and corporate greed. Go to FactCheck.org and get the facts about the arguments made by both sides.
- Franklin, Manchester

I don't think the problem is protesting. I think the problem is screaming lunatic statements at the top of your lungs.

What we need is an honest, civilized debate in this country with each side laying out their points clearly and intelligently. We need the opportunity for the American public to honestly compare and contrast views and come to a rational decision.

Unfortunately, as is often the case, the far left and the far, far right on this issue have taken over., drowning out the average person and denying any sort of civil discourse... That is what is unamerican, not sending a form letter.
- Kelly, Bristol

Great. Another gov't program that the politician will be running for reelection on the platform of reforming in a future election.
Kind of like education, the environment, energy, social security, etc etc.
You sheep will never learn.
Picture if you will. How many states had budget shortfalls this year? What do you think July 2010 will look like when budgets are do? More federal bailouts? More iou's?
- Michael, Manchester

I think some are forgetting the fact that the Bush admin was notorious for having the VP go on the air and say that people not agreeing with the president where, and I quote "Not very Patriotic". This was in direct reference to any opposition to Bush. already forgot the phrase " You are either with us or with the Terrorist" ?

Here is my phrase on health care reform : "You are either With Us or With the Lobbyist"
- Brett, Manchester

I received one of those emails with the explicit instructions on who to contact and what to say...it's patethetic that these organizers figure I can't think for myself. I resent being spoon-fed by them or anyone. Even more, I resent the President and his cronies trying to ram something down our throats without thoughtful discussion. Supporters complain that there is misinformation out there...how can you tell, have you all read all 5 bills (1000 pages each or more)that have been presented? Do you know the details intimately, so that you can explain them in laymans terms to anyone? Not likely. Well, then you supporters are guilty of the same behavior you are criticizing!! Just blindly accepting it because President Obama says it's good for all - you take his word and swallow it whole. I would rather study it further and have a good product in the end than to ram it through and suffer much regret later! For those that say we can't wait, why? Even if it was passed tomorrow the reforms likely wouldn't take effect for months or more.
- Dawn Gagnon, Manchester

No surprize here. The left is infamous for doing what it condemns the right for doing. Remember Hillary's stupid comment about the GOP obsessing over race when its the left that does that? Sadly, the left is honest in somethings, It simply can not imagine that millions of people do not agree with thier point of view. That the government has no demonstrated ability to manage health care effectively or efficently, witness Medicare or the VA, makes no difference, as "it'll be different this time". Yeah, and I've got a bridge to sell you.
- jeff, goffstown

Organizing for America is not the only group that many of us support sending out form letters. I noticed you did not refer to the factual content of the letters simply the fact that they were sent, I wonder why?

What you don’t seem to understand is that it’s ok to protest a legitimate issue but when you’re protesting against a problem that doesn’t exist based on propaganda and misinformation it becomes foolish.

You can go through these pages and find multiple examples of right wing talking points that have repeatedly been proven false yet these same people repeat them over and over again. This is where it becomes ludicrous and it becomes necessary to call it what it really is willful ignorance.

Look at it this way,
If Fox and Rush announced tomorrow that two plus two equals nine these same people would be at town hall meetings demanding that elected officials acknowledge that two plus two equals nine. Now we could show them the books and help them use their fingers but no matter what facts are presented these people will not be persuaded to see the absolute fact that two plus two equals four. After countless hours of trying eventually you would have to give up and call it what it is.

And yes there is a difference in legitimacy between a grass roots organizations and a corporate based lobbyist led propaganda program.
- Jim, Raymond NH

You forgot to mention flag@whitehouse.gov; the reporting mechanism that Obama and his minions will use to form an Ememies List. The populace has been encouraged to use that connection to report their neighbors, co-workers and family members for saying any misinformation regarding Obama Care. I've already turned myself in and I encourage others to do so as well in a grassroots protest against this kind of behavior by our government.
- Gene, Hooksett

Organizing for America was also urging citizens to visit Democratic legislators. Hodes & Shea-Porter are getting less attention than Gregg & Shaheen because they are definitely pro-reform.

This is just an editorial, but it is still worth poinmting out that the facts are wrong.
- Timothy Horrigan, Durham, NH

You must be joking, if you are your sense of humor needs a lot of work. You compare apples to oranges and get koolaid. And dragging the fringe right war machine J Goldberg into this does not help your argument one bit.

There is a clear QUALITATIVE difference between what supporters of Obama's reasonable and necessary health care ideas say, and what the foaming fringe right says, given the same facts. As we continually see, the GOP seems to not understand that; "facts matter."

You can't bark, "get the government out of health care" because it is already deeply IN health care, and without it's involvement private insurance would not work.

You can't bark, "this is going to cost us an arm and a leg" because it is proven the status quo if left in place will bankrupt the US.

Yet you try. Why? Because you want the election in 2012, it's all about politics for you and yours. You stir this misinformation up and have the gall to suggest it is fair-minded. That's a crock.

The barking points of people like Sarah Barbie are so constituted as to take complete fabrications and use them to instill fear, in that area Palin's, " evil death panel," interpretation of Obama's health care ideas is the cake served up with the koolaid. Talk about insulting our intelligence!
- Tom Labrie, Rochester

Here's the deal according to Obama: Liberals can protest all they want, burn American flags, organize communities, and call anybody who doesn't agree with them "racist". Conservatives on the other hand are supposed to shut up, pay their taxes, and maybe if they're lucky have token use of the 1st Amendment.
- Mark, Manchester

I too was less than thrilled when I received that email from Organize America. So I emailed Sen Gregg's office telling them about it and asking them to continue to oppose this health reform fiasco. Its not much, but oif we allspeak out it really won't matter what Organize America does...
- PeterB, Plaistow

I'm sure all those uniform letters you received were aimed at shutting down the debate and preventing dialogue from taking place. And I'm sure an army of people then broke into Senator Gregg's office and shouted down the staff. Give me a break, UL. Nobody's criticizing the right of the powerful to organize protests - they are criticizing the tactics being used by the tea bag folks, who prevented other constituents from politely asking questions of their representatives. These are the same uncivil tactics used by Code Pink at the height of the Iraq War and by some pro-life activists at the Sotomayor hearings. Like many, I have concerns about the President's health care proposals, but it does me little good to try and shout down Carol Shea-Porter, Jeanne Shaheen, or Judd Gregg.
- Joe, Manchester

the president realizes the american public isn't too bright, after all WE did elect him .
- dave, littleton

Why not consider the real issues? Where has the health care reform been during the past three Republican controlled administrations? Why are the for-profit health insurance companies dumping millions of dollars (which could be better spent on covering health care) to defeat real reform, which must include a public option? For you to imply our President is insulting the people’s intelligence smacks of your interest in protecting the profits of the special interest groups. Additionally, your use of the phrase, “...President Obama is denouncing the exact same tactics in which his own organization is engaged!” should be stricken of the phrase “exact same tactics”. I have seen no evidence of the disruptive and anti-social methods used by the anti-health care folks used by those interested in real reform. I am willing to give up some of the investment profits I am making via the insurance companies to see this reform help America. How about you? Or is it possible greed is still your controlling motive?
- Joel, Alstead