I will teach this speech tomorrow - Can you all suggest some highlights?

[garthranzz]

Not just content, but rhetoric.

I note the balance. The recognition of McCain. The reference to the late Ted Kennedy.

Tort reform - we need to be careful with that. LEGITIMATE law suits protect us.

There's an easy way to address the frivolous suits.

Anyway, what would you like freshmen in college to think about, take note of, respond to, etc?

[LaydeeBug]

1. "The Character of our Country"

and how he will not back down from this issue. His introduction that he was not the first President to address this issue, but wants to be the last.

[The Wielding Truth]

2. Yes, you show make sure to cover the character of our Country.

[sandnsea]

3. These two paragraphs

"That large-heartedness – that concern and regard for the plight of others – is not a partisan feeling. It is not a Republican or a Democratic feeling. It, too, is part of the American character. Our ability to stand in other people’s shoes. A recognition that we are all in this together; that when fortune turns against one of us, others are there to lend a helping hand. A belief that in this country, hard work and responsibility should be rewarded by some measure of security and fair play; and an acknowledgement that sometimes government has to step in to help deliver on that promise.

This has always been the history of our progress. In 1933, when over half of our seniors could not support themselves and millions had seen their savings wiped away, there were those who argued that Social Security would lead to socialism. But the men and women of Congress stood fast, and we are all the better for it. In 1965, when some argued that Medicare represented a government takeover of health care, members of Congress, Democrats and Republicans, did not back down. They joined together so that all of us could enter our golden years with some basic peace of mind."

http://www.obama-mamas.com/blog/?p=375

[HereSince1628]

4. It was GREAT on emotional appeal, it was short on details

Obama talked about a "plan' but there is actuall no plan at this point.

Here is something that approaches something specific, Obama said health insurance should be affordable, but he doesn't say what percentage of income the cost of insurance should be.

That's a bit frightening since the Baucus proposal says $13,0000 is reasonable for a household expense.

For those of us who have years of IRS 1040's with income less than $13,000, that is somewhat concerning.

Is means testing of a houselhold fair for people who live at the same address but who by state law are denied marital status and the benefits that follow from a "legal union."


The speech was really GREAT at the level of emotional appeal. The speech left a lot to be defined somewhere else.

[autorank]

5. Four more years - two key parts

Link: NYT http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/10/us/politics/10obama.text.html?_r=1&pagewanted=print

Obama says: "Here are the details that every American needs to know about this plan:"

He describes the plan as having two parts:

Part 1: Those with insurance.

Start: "First, if you are among the hundreds of millions of Americans who already have health insurance through your job, Medicare, Medicaid, or the VA, nothing in this plan ..."

End: "That's what Americans who have health insurance can expect from this plan – more security and stability."

Part 2: Those without insurance.

Start: "Now, if you're one of the tens of millions of Americans who don't currently have health insurance, the second part of this plan will ..."

End: "But we cannot have large businesses and individuals who can afford coverage game the system by avoiding responsibility to themselves or their employees. Improving our health care system only works if everybody does their part."

Then he transitions. That's the meat of it in terms of substance.

This is all that matters and there are some big problems with it like the insurance exchage:

"This exchange will take effect in four years, which will give us time to do it right." This is in part 2. Four years, as in 4, one, two, three (still no exchange) four.

The rest of the speech is of interest but this is the plan. Does it meet needs now? How will prices go down? If you buy insurance now but can't afford it, can you dump it and get the public option? It sounds like you have to wait four years to get that benefit. What about years one through three?

There's a factual error in the text as well.

Please teach the truth of the text and all that's not there.