Democratic Underground Latest Greatest Lobby Journals Search Options Help Login
Google

Michael Moore to Barack - "why you are now the second largest recipient of health industry payola"

Printer-friendly format Printer-friendly format
Printer-friendly format Email this thread to a friend
Printer-friendly format Bookmark this thread
This topic is archived.
Home » Discuss » Editorials & Other Articles Donate to DU
 
Donnachaidh Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jan-04-08 09:57 AM
Original message
Michael Moore to Barack - "why you are now the second largest recipient of health industry payola"
From Michael's newest email -

January 3, 2007

Friends,

There was no doubt about it. The message from Iowa tonight was simple, but deafening:

If you're a candidate for President, and you voted for the war, you lose. And if you voted and voted and voted for the war -- and never once showed any remorse -- you really lose.

In short, if you had something to do with keeping us in this war for four-plus years, you are not allowed to be the next president of the United States.

Over 70% of Iowan Democrats voted for candidates who either never voted for the invasion of Iraq (Obama, Richardson, Kucinich) or who have since admitted their mistake (Edwards, Biden, Dodd). I can't tell you how bad I feel for Senator Clinton tonight. I don't believe she was ever really for this war. But she did -- and continued to do -- what she thought was the politically expedient thing to eventually get elected. And she was wrong. And tonight she must go to sleep wondering what would have happened if she had voted her conscience instead of her calculator.

John Edwards was supposed to have come in third. He had been written off. He was outspent by the other front-runners six to one. But somewhere along the road he threw off the old politico hack jacket and turned into a real person, a fighter for the poor, for the uninsured, for peace. And for that, he came in a surprise second, ending up with just one less delegate than the man who was against the war from the beginning. But, as Joshua Holland of AlterNet pointed out earlier today, Edwards is still the only front-runner who will pull out all the troops and do it as quickly as possible. His speech tonight was brilliant and moving.

What an amazing night, not just for Barack Obama, but for America. I know that Senator Obama is so much more than simply the color of his skin, but all of us must acknowledge -- and celebrate -- the fact that one of the whitest states in the U.S. just voted for a black man to be our next president. Thank you, Iowa, for this historic moment. Thank you for at least letting us believe that we are better than what we often seem to be. And to have so many young people come out and vote -- and vote for Obama -- this is a proud moment. It all began with the record youth turnout in 2004 -- the ONLY age group that Kerry won -- and they came back out tonight en force. Good on every single one of you!

As the only top candidate who was anti-war before the war began, Barack Obama became the vessel through which the people of this Midwestern state were able to say loud and clear: "Bring 'Em Home!" Most pundits won't read the election this way because, well, most pundits merrily led us down the path to war. For them to call this vote tonight a repudiation of the war -- and of Senator Clinton's four years' worth of votes for it -- might require the pundit class to remind their viewers and readers that they share some culpability in starting this war. And, like Hillary, damn few of them have offered us an apology.

With all due respect to Senator Obama's victory, the most important news out of the caucus this evening was the whopping, room-busting turnout of Democrats. 239,000 people showed up to vote Democratic tonight (93% more than in '04, which was a record year), while only 115,000 showed up to vote Republican. And this is a red state! The Republican caucuses looked anemic. The looks on their faces were glum, tired. As the camera followed some of them into their caucus sites, they held their heads down or turned away, sorta like criminals on a perp walk. They know their days of power are over. They know their guy blew it. Their only hope was to vote for a man who has a direct line to heaven. Huckabee is their Hail Mary pass. But don't rule him out. He's got a sense of humor, he's downhome, and he said that if elected, he'd put me on a boat to Cuba. Hey, a free Caribbean vacation!

Bottom line: People have had it. Iowa will go blue (Happy Blue Year, Hawkeyes!). Whomever your candidate is on the Dem side, this was a good night. Get some sleep. The Republicans won't go down without a fight. Look what happened when Kerry tried to play nice. So Barack, you can talk all you want about "let's put the partisanship aside, let's all get along," but the other side has no intention of being anything but the bullies they are. Get your game face on now. And, if you can, tell me why you are now the second largest recipient of health industry payola after Hillary. You now take more money from the people committed to stopping universal health care than any of the Republican candidates.

Despite what your answer may be, I was proud to sit in my living room tonight and see you and your family up on that stage. We became a bit better tonight, and on that I will close by saying, sweet dreams -- and on to that other totally white state of New Hampshire!

Yours,

Michael Moore
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
LostinVA Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jan-04-08 09:58 AM
Response to Original message
1. You should post this in GDP
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
ananda Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jan-04-08 10:01 AM
Response to Original message
2. Thank you, MM!
You're da guy!

Well said!
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
DS1 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jan-04-08 10:02 AM
Response to Original message
3. less than 1 in 5 registered voters showed up in Iowa
They don't really seem to earn the 'right' to be first, as farcical as it is in the first place.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
9119495 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jan-04-08 10:32 AM
Response to Reply #3
15. It is a party meeting that takes a few hours...
I'd like to see another state beat 1 in 5 for such a meeting.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
DS1 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jan-04-08 10:48 AM
Response to Reply #15
19. I'd like to see another state given the chance
:)
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
9119495 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jan-04-08 12:28 PM
Response to Reply #19
24. Fair enough. It is a whole lot of fun that I do selfishly guard.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
harun Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jan-04-08 10:03 AM
Response to Original message
4. "Their only hope was to vote for a man who has a direct line to heaven."
That one just busted me up.

:rofl:

Brilliance from Moore, as usual.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
gaiilonfong Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jan-04-08 10:04 AM
Response to Original message
5. What a misleading header
Doesn't surprise me !

Michael Moore is great, let's see if Barak can answer this, BUT Moore said on to NH which means he is putting his support behing Obama too!
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Donnachaidh Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jan-04-08 10:07 AM
Response to Reply #5
6. where exactly do you see him giving his support?
And that header was put up because Obama NEEDS to answer that question.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
speedoo Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jan-04-08 10:11 AM
Response to Reply #5
8. Yeah. Why the hate, OP?
sheesh.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Donnachaidh Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jan-04-08 10:14 AM
Response to Reply #8
10. Hate equals can't ask the difficult questions?
Edited on Fri Jan-04-08 10:15 AM by Donnachaidh
Gee -- why the diversion? sheesh :eyes:

Can Obama answer the question HONESTLY? His supporters had no problems throwing the same questions at Hillary. When did the playing field change?

Calling someone a *hater* is a COP OUT.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
speedoo Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jan-04-08 10:16 AM
Response to Reply #10
12. How many times are you gonna post this?
Is that a cop out too?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Donnachaidh Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jan-04-08 10:45 AM
Response to Reply #12
17. oohhhh
gee -- answer the question. Can't do it? Or are you going to fall back on the *hater* cop-out?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
speedoo Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jan-04-08 11:35 AM
Response to Reply #17
22. No, I can't answer the question.
Edited on Fri Jan-04-08 11:36 AM by speedoo
Because I'm not an Obama supporter.

But I just hope all you Edwards supporters are not replacing or joining, the army of Hillary supporters in trying to take down a dem. I'm beginning to hate this place because of this kind of crap.

(edit - spelling)
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Triana Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jan-04-08 10:09 AM
Response to Original message
7. yea....he is - 2nd in the health industry - 2nd in pharmaceuticals
...and 5th in the insurance industry, second in the commercial banking industry, third in securities/investment.



Still gets too much money from all of them to suit me. He may make a fine pres, but I KNOW these industries who invest SO MUCH MONEY in a politician EXPECT PAYBACK once they're elected. And THAT bothers me.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
countmyvote4real Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jan-04-08 10:15 AM
Response to Reply #7
11. Thank you for that.
Very informative.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
KaryninMiami Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jan-04-08 10:30 AM
Response to Reply #7
14. This is an excellent overview chart - can you provide the link?
I'd like to see who did the research. Thanks.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Triana Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jan-04-08 10:38 AM
Response to Reply #14
16. opensecrets.org is where the info came from...
Edited on Fri Jan-04-08 10:41 AM by Triana
...another DUer posted it previously and I snatched the graphic.


EDIT: for instance here is one chart:

http://opensecrets.org/pres08/select.asp?cycle=2008


and another:

http://opensecrets.org/pres08/select.asp?Ind=H04


...they were just all put on one page.

Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
BB1 Donating Member (671 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jan-04-08 10:48 AM
Response to Reply #7
20. According to this graph
you'd be better of with Kucinich. He gets virtually nothing from big biz. Would that be the reason he's getting booted out of the debates? 'He brings no money, don't let him in'?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Triana Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jan-04-08 10:52 AM
Response to Reply #20
21. Most likely - same w/ Edwards and others...
...probably. And those contributors expect PAYBACK too. They pick and support the candidates most likely (in their opinion) to maintain the corprat status-quo. And the expect them to do just that if/when elected. Well, IMO anyway.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
gorbal Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jan-04-08 12:31 PM
Response to Reply #7
25. Health professionals I don't mind
All the health professionals I know want what is best for their patients, so I don't mind so much his taking money from them. I don't understand, however, with all the money Barack Obama has at his disposal, why he has to take the 600,000 some odd dollars from pharmcceuticals and insurance companies; that isn't even worth the effect on you campaign that a high profile comment by Michael Moore will have.

I don't even think the 4 million he is getting from securities and investment should be worth it to him; we live in a new age where money isn't going to necessarily buy an election. I hope he rises to the occasion and give himself a clean record so the public can truly trust him.

I really like Barack Obama and I think he can win, I just don't want him to win on the payroll of interests that do not have the welfare of the american people at the top of their priorities.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
midnight Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jan-04-08 10:14 AM
Response to Original message
9. This is a gentle reminder to all of us about playing nice with the
people who say that money trumps peace.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Doctor_J Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jan-04-08 10:26 AM
Response to Original message
13. If Obama were to embrace Edwards' populist message, he might
take 56% or more in the GE, and lengthen his coattails. His New Democrat message is going to cause some to stay home.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Donnachaidh Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jan-04-08 10:47 AM
Response to Reply #13
18. he'd have to give up that great big pile of corporate cash he has
He'd have to PROVE he was the *candidate for Change* by giving up the *change*. I don't see that happening soon. :shrug:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
gorbal Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jan-04-08 11:37 AM
Response to Original message
23. I like Obama but this makes me think.
Edited on Fri Jan-04-08 11:41 AM by gorbal
So he is second with "Health Professionals" and 5th with insurance companies. Forgive me if that confuses me a tad, because most "Health Professionals" that I work with (I work in a hospital) really care about their patients.

I don't like that he takes money from insurance comapanies, thanks for telling us Mike.

(I was just thnking though, my mom works for an insurance company and gave money to left wing candidates, hmmmmm. I wonder if they count people like her, who only work in records.)
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
DU AdBot (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view 
this author's profile Click to add 
this author to your buddy list Click to add 
this author to your Ignore list Thu Oct 31st 2024, 06:43 PM
Response to Original message
Advertisements [?]
 Top

Home » Discuss » Editorials & Other Articles Donate to DU

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators


Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.

Home  |  Discussion Forums  |  Journals |  Store  |  Donate

About DU  |  Contact Us  |  Privacy Policy

Got a message for Democratic Underground? Click here to send us a message.

© 2001 - 2011 Democratic Underground, LLC