Can someone explain this to me? A commentator on the radio

[hedgehog]

was making this argument:

1. A government health care system would be terrible; just look at communist Russia.

2. If people were offered the option of public health insurance, no private insurance company would be able to compete.


It would seem to me that if statement 1 is true, people would avoid public health insurance, wouldn't they? After all, people are willing to pay more for quality provided they have the money.

Better yet, please explain to me why interviewers allow spokesman to get away with mutually contradictory statements like this!

[kestrel91316]

1. Why would you expect the RW corporate whores to use logic???

[liberal N proud]

2. It's all propaganda

Take everything you hear on the radio or TV with a grain of sand. The sand is worth much more.

[Mz Pip]

3. Trying to have it both ways

and hope that no one notices.

The GOP talking heads can't seem to make up their mind which attack to use. "Government run health care would suck!" gets some people on board. "Private health insurance could never compete with a government program!" gets others on board.

USPS has not put UPS out of business, so why anyone would think that a public option would put private insurance out of business doesn't make much sense to me. It's just another choice.

And you're right; no one seems to be willing to point out the fallacy of these dueling opinions.

[TomCADem]

4. The Poltical Upside Of The Public Option Is It Makes RW Opponents Look Foolish

How can they simultaneously denounce "socialized" medice while claiming that private insurers would get their teeth kicked in?

[truth2power]

5. I think this was on Talk of the Nation today. Caller talking about how

he was in Russia awhile back. Was skateboarding, on the ice, I think he said :eyes:

He fell and cracked his teeth and injured his wrist. He went to a hospital, which he described as being in despicable condition i.e. dripping water, peeling paint etc. Said the treatment was inadequate. Found out later he had a broken wrist. He was using this as an argument against universal helath care. x(

I don't know. I don't get it either.

I can't remember what the host said in reply. There's probably a transcript.

[Still Sensible]

6. Their side doesn't need logic, only Kool Aid !!!! n/t

[rvablue]

7. If you hear this again, just ask them how FedEx and UPS are two thriving private companies

when we have a government run postal system that provides all of the same services that they do?

[tabasco]

8. I know somebody from Russia who told me the health care in Russia was pretty good

and it was free, but that insurance companies were trying to fuck it up.

I'll believe my friend rather than some douchebag on the radio.

[quantass]

9. The media wants DRAMA. Its contradictory but it makes for Good Ratings and endless repitition.

Thankfully i was born in a country that DOES care about its people and have universal coverage and i can tell you that these politicans and lobbyists are lying to you BIG TIME. Total BULLSHIT. And this is coming froma person who has never taken advantage of his birth right of free health coverage since i have never needed it but i'd fight tooth and nail to keep it and pay higher taxes to keep it....sure others in need of this health coverage need it more than i and in ways i am paying for them since i dont need it but i think it is the best and most efificent thing one can do. And besides who knows what tomorrow may hold..maybe i will need it.

Eventually American will get universal coverage but for that to happen baby steps will be needed....No chance for single payer for the time being...public option is the BEST choice for America and i am all for it, but ultimately it will lead to single-payer and health for everyone