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CNN's Roberts holds Bachmann's feet to the fire on "socialized medicine," census claims

November 05, 2009 10:10 am ET

From the November 5 edition of CNN's American Morning:

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    • Author by epkklk851 (November 05, 2009 10:24 am ET)
      6  
      She's ignoring the Elastic Clause-"The Congress shall have Power - To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.." Article One, Section 8, Clause 8. She wants to argue for strict construction, Jefferson and Hamilton had this argument under George Washington, and Jefferson lost back in 1791. It's a good thing, too, I don't think the U.S. would have survived with strict construction. And I'm not too crazy about original intent, either. Times have changed, and the Constitution can and has changed with them, it is the thing that makes it and our nation so strong!
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    • Author by The_Cat (November 05, 2009 10:31 am ET)
      13  
      But, Ms. Bachmann, the anti-health reform people you are referring to are lobbyists. They are funded from the top down by people like Dick Armey and Rick Berman through various front organizations paid for by big Pharma and health insurance companies, tour buses are provided for their transportation, they are being squired around D.C. by a Congressperson (that would be you, by the way), and they're trying to affect legislation. Sounds like the definition of a lobbying junket to me.

      The lessons of the town halls from this summer are that no matter how hard a tiny minority tries to shout down debate, the majority of Americans still want meaningful health reform including a strong public option. You tried. You failed. It was epic. So epic that you counted 70,000 people in the U.S. capital thirty times each to try and puff your movement up and make it seem far larger and more important than it actually is.

      It is not going to turn America into a socialized country. The Public Option will not equate to a government takeover of the health care industry.

      Do not quote the Lewin Group, unless you're trying to prove you are just a paid shill. They are bought and paid for by the insurance industry.

      Private insurance will not 'expire'. Rather, after a certain date, insurance policies must be purchased through the federal insurance exchange. The 'boards' you opined about are designed to craft minimum requirements that all insurance policies so issued must meet. You know, like not being able to be dropped or denied except for pre-existing conditions, things like that. They will not be identical to each other, but they will all meet certain minimum requirements. It's clear you still don't know what you're talking about, and your handlers have given up to the point that you just keep hitting the same talking points over and over like some kind of wind-up parrot.

      Keep using the word 'conformity'. It's not nearly as scary as what you're proposing, which is 'death'.

      You're arguing for being able to deduct premiums, and that's okay, but it's also a tax cut. How will you raise the revenue that you're proposing giving up? Have you even though that far ahead?

      Oh, the census. Well, here's hoping your constituents follow your advice, and the seat in Congress you currently warm with your well-fed backside ends up disappearing. These census questions are just the same as they were 10 years ago, and there was no outcry. Congrats on being a tool. The census hasn't noticeably changed for quite a while now. You trying to tie it to 'big government' is pointless and silly.
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      • Author by aBeck in 10-O-C (November 05, 2009 11:26 am ET)
        6  
        OUTSTANDING WORK, Cat. I was initially impressed that Roberts had done some homework. YOU, however, filled in ALL the blanks with exceptional factual accuracy.

        BTW, Bachmann pulled this "page 92" crap on Hannity the other night. Today she ascribed even more distorted claims than one "bogus" page could cover.

        I can confirm and endorse every word of your post.
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      • Author by fishgirl26 (November 05, 2009 12:14 pm ET)
        1  
        Um, we can already deduct that stuff she was referring to. You can deduct premiums that YOU pay for YOUR family as well as out of pocket expenses.Why should I be able to deduct what my company pays for MY health insurance?? You can't double dip Michelle.
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    • Author by marcusnj (November 05, 2009 10:31 am ET)
      7  
      I can't beleive he let her off the hook on this. Politifact also gave her a "pants on fire" about healthcare choises expiring after 2013 - link below...

      http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2009/nov/03/michele-bachmann/michele-bachmann-claims-page-92-prohibits-private-/
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    • Author by the red terror (November 05, 2009 10:41 am ET)
      5  
      That's not CNN's (John) King, that's J.D. Roberts.
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    • Author by blueline99 (November 05, 2009 10:43 am ET)
      4  
      Michelle Bachman is stupid...

      Her response to the question about "protecting the insurance companies" did nothing to answer the question, if anything it furthered the point that she is in bed with the insurance companies and will do anything and say anything to prevent this insurance reform from happening.
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    • Author by Bill Wilson (November 05, 2009 10:50 am ET)
      3  
      You heard it here first folks. She said that she is not going to complete the form. She also said that the form is required to be completed "under penalty of law." Now I'm not sure if that is true, but she believes it is. And yet she is not going to comply. So she just stated on national television that she is going to break the law. I thought the Republican Party is the party which continuously cites that we're a "nation of laws" that we need to be "tough on crime," etc.

      I guess Ms. Bachmann somehow thinks the laws don't apply to her.

      Whoever keeps voting her into office needs to seriously rethink things.
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    • Author by Conchobhar (November 05, 2009 10:51 am ET)
      2  
      Has anyone else noticed this? That's not "CNN's King," it' "CNN's
      Roberts."
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    • Author by SLRTX (November 05, 2009 10:52 am ET)
      6  
      We continue to allow ourselves to be suckered by self-serving politicians with their own hidden agenda. And we aren't part of that agenda.

      Look at what Politifact says about Michele Bachmann's claim about page 92 of the latest health care bill. If she lies about this, what else does she lie about?

      Always double-check any claim. Be a real patriotic American - seek the truth.

      http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2009/nov/03/michele-bachmann/michele-bachmann-claims-page-92-prohibits-private-/
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    • Author by bintx (November 05, 2009 11:09 am ET)
      11  
      This woman is mentally ill. As the "anonymous" Republican congressman stated yesterday when asked about Bachmann's chief of staff resigning: "When the captain's crazy, you find another ship."
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      • Author by aBeck in 10-O-C (November 05, 2009 11:36 am ET)
        2  
        Bintx! You are killing me today. I thought you were a conservative?
        Have you not been drinking the kool-aid? LOL!!
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      • Author by goesto11 (November 05, 2009 11:38 am ET)
        5  
        I honestly believe she is mentally ill. Not just in the "golly, what a wacko nut job" sense, but certifiably mentally ill.

        That has to be the case, because simple stupidity doesn't explain all of the things she says.

        Seriously.
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        • Author by twseattle (November 05, 2009 12:30 pm ET)
          2  
          One of my facebook freinds became a fan of Michele Bachman, now a little Bachman is on My page at random times. Kind of cute, I think She'll be My little pet republican. Everybody should have one!
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          • Author by goesto11 (November 05, 2009 12:32 pm ET)
            4  
            Be careful with your Pet Republican.

            They start out so cute, but don't forget: they're still wild animals, and they'll eventually attack you!
            Report Abuse
            • Author by jediknight65 (November 05, 2009 1:19 pm ET)
              2  
              i think there is a reference here that would be more apt. cute pets turning into something very dangerous.....oh what movie am i thinking of?
              Report Abuse
    • Author by newzhound (November 05, 2009 11:23 am ET)
      3  
      Mrs. Bachmann opposes Federal health care "National Boards." Yet the right wing gasbags want insurance companies to be able to cross state lines to peddle their products.

      How can we have interstate health insurance companies without Federal regulation?

      She doesn't understand the Constitution, or the responsibilities of members of Congress or citizens. She isn't the Supreme Court. It isn't up to her to say a law passed by Congress is unconstitutional.

      Finally - I don't think Mrs. Bachmann blinks her eyes enough.
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      • Author by aBeck in 10-O-C (November 05, 2009 11:58 am ET)
        2  
        How can we have interstate health insurance companies without Federal regulation?


        Exactly! Buying across state lines bypasses state and local insurance regulations. The idea only sounds good. This is the Republican deception that would allow the Health Insurance companies to game the system. Also, big insurance companies could move to states with the least regulation and sell policies in states where regulations would give them a competetive advantage. Does that not sound like a mess? It begs the question of which states these are and which Congressional members represent them.
        I hate it that I have to think that if the Republicans are for something then it can't be good for the citizenry.
        Am I wrong to think that?
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    • Author by IRONY 101 (November 05, 2009 11:23 am ET)
      2  
      I want to see more of Michelle Bachmann...front and center. Let this dummy keep talking. Great interview...
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    • Author by Bluemask (November 05, 2009 11:33 am ET)
      2  
      Anyone else notice that she refers to herself as not being a member of Congress?
      Report Abuse
    • Author by antihannity2009 (November 05, 2009 11:45 am ET)
      5  
      Where was this hype about the constitution over the past 8 years where people's privacy and rights were trampled on for the sake of national security??

      Who wants to have a tea party in front of Bahmann's house next week?
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    • Author by Bill Wilson (November 05, 2009 12:03 pm ET)
      3  
      Yes, Ms. Bachmann, there should be rules that insurance companies have to follow. That's what it means to have to "conform" to the guidelines/requirements.

      Kinda like the rule that all companies who want to sell to US consumers have to follow: like ALL toy companies have to agree not to put poisonous lead paints in our children's toys. ALL automakers must meet certain crash test safety ratings. ALL companies must monitor and control their pollutant emissions. ALL wireless phone companies have to allow consumers to port their numbers to a different carrier. (By the way, ALL those laws are right now protecting you and your family. Right now.)

      It's kinda the price you pay if you want to do business in our country.

      So, again, what exactly is your problem with the insurance companies having to play by the rules?
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    • Author by liberalXtian (November 05, 2009 12:12 pm ET)
      3  
      After the purging of anyone sane and moderate from the Republican Party, all they will have left will be a bunch of powerless crazies who will be worth nothing but they're entertainment value.

      If Hofman had won in NY-23, I was hoping that he could at least have been enjoyed as looney tool of the right. If anyone saw the Daily Show last night, Jon Stewart's description of him as someone who "chugged a bottle of cough syrup, was spun around three times and told to say what he remembered of last nights Glenn Beck Show" was priceless! I
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    • Author by jbrantow (November 05, 2009 3:02 pm ET)
      1  
      Bachman gets a "liar pants on fire" from politifact.com on her insurance "facts" as well.

      Bachman is the private insurance whore. She has a "the end justifies the means" mentality. She's a greedy, lying opportunist.

      http://www.politifact.org/truth-o-meter/personalities/michele-bachmann/
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    • Author by toombsie (November 05, 2009 9:11 pm ET)
      1  
      Wow every single thing she said was a complete lie.
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