Obama makes a troubling health care appointment.

[AztecWilliam]

Remember how the Left and the "mainstream" press all laughed when Sarah Palin talked about "death panels"? Remember how those who opposed ObamaCare were ridiculed and called all sorts of names? How any claim that the proposed law would inevitably lead to bureaucrat-run rationing was met with derision?

Well, the truth is coming out. Take a look at this appointment that Obama has just made. . . and without there being any chance for Congress to question the appointee.

www.nationalreview.com/critical-condition/230799/obama-appoints-his-rationer-chief/grace-marie-turner

AzWm

[aztecwin]

I hope this quote will be as disturbing to most of you as it is to me.

“Dr. Berwick is a self professed supporter of rationing health care, and he won’t even have to explain his views to the American people in a hearing. Once again, President Obama has made a mockery of his pledge to be accountable and transparent.”

With just about anyone who is not brain dead is in Obama's grill about a multitude of things he makes this move which pretty much proves that rationing is on our doorstep.

[AztecWilliam]

I'm going to offer a link to a piece defending Berwick. You should definitely read it. But, please . . . please! . . . read the comments that follow, as well. I will cite several of those comments which I found particularly telling.

So, we find out after Jake Tapper from ABC expends a little shoe leather that the White House LIED about the GOP obstructing Berwick's nomination. No GOP Senator put a hold on his nomination. In fact, they looked forward to the hearings and the exposition of Berwick's radical philosophy. Turns out that with the mid terms fast approaching, the Dems did not want to relitigate Obamacare. . . . . . . .

Posted by: sladenyv1 | July 7, 2010 3:29 PM | Report abuse
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The British pay about 40 percent of what we do and get comparable results.

Unless you compare cancer survival rates, then there is no comparison. If you get cancer you are MUCH more likely to die under their system.

Isn't it great how someone like Klein can bury a (false) key assumption in the middle of a column and use it to make the rest of column (seem to) make sense.

Hey, Ezra!
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The fundamental point that Leftists like Ezra CANNOT grasp is that our govt (i.e. the civil service/technocrats) is literally unable to execute any program with anything close to an acceptable level of effectiveness or cost efficiency. The Executive/Legislative branch can write the most beautiful legislation immaginable...the govt will NEVER be able to execute it. This has been proven over and over since the 1960s. So....go ahead an make whatever "wunnerful" utopian plans you want. At the end of the day we'll be taxed to oblivion and stuck with rube goldberg govt programs that DO...NOT...WORK.

Posted by: JohnR22 | July 7, 2010 6:01 PM
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So "conservatives" have nothing to fear from Berwick? Well, what do Democrats and the President have to fear from him? They are willing to circumvent the political process so no one concentrates on how this guy thinks. Why is that? Where is the Washington Post on this? How is it possible that Obama can do a recess appointment on someone who hasn't been filibustered, whose name was submitted in April and was still in the vetting process and who no hearings were scheduled for, all processes of the Democrats in Congress?

Once again, our "free press" fails to do it's job. We have people dying in wars to protect news organizations and our free press and they squander their responsibilities like this. You should all be ashamed of yourselves.

Posted by: bflat879 | July 7, 2010 11:22 PM

voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2010/07/berwick_and_the_nhs.html

AzWm

[AztecWilliam]

I'd really like to know why Obama keeps associating himself with people so far out of the mainstream. Berwick is just one of many. I can imagine that almost any President is going to appoint a few people here or there that you, I, or almost anyone would object to. After all, the President must pick . . . how many? Ultimately, thousands.

But Obama seems to go out of his way to pick people with extremely radical ideas. Were a GOP Prez to pick people similarly out of the mainstream in the other direction, there would be firestorms on a daily basis from the national media.

And then there are the people who are just plain unqualified for their jobs, such as a former governor with no law enforcement qualifications to be the head of Homeland Security. Really!

I just don't get it. Is Obama as radical as many believe? Is he heavily influenced by a few radical aides and advisers? You would think that a really cagey pol would make sure that his team NOT be filled with obvious wingnuts. I just don't see how picking people such as Berwick helps Obama politically. What's he afraid of, a serious 2012 challenge by Dennis Kucinich?

AzWm

[aztecron]

Here is a different take on him from Ezra Klein in the Washington Post. An interesting read.

voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2010/07/the_conservative_case_for_don.html

"But conservatives are making a serious mistake by forcing the administration to rely on a recess appointment for Berwick. Ultimately, what weakens Berwick weakens them, as Berwick, whether they know it or not, is one of the best friends they could have in the administration. That's because insofar as Berwick is a radical, he's a radical in favor of a patient-centered health-care system -- a position that has traditionally been associated with conservatives, not liberals."

And more if you care to read.

[aztecwin]

Jul 8, 2010 8:59:43 GMT -8 aztecron said:

Here is a different take on him from Ezra Klein in the Washington Post. An interesting read.

voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2010/07/the_conservative_case_for_don.html

"But conservatives are making a serious mistake by forcing the administration to rely on a recess appointment for Berwick. Ultimately, what weakens Berwick weakens them, as Berwick, whether they know it or not, is one of the best friends they could have in the administration. That's because insofar as Berwick is a radical, he's a radical in favor of a patient-centered health-care system -- a position that has traditionally been associated with conservatives, not liberals."

And more if you care to read.

I read it and am not convinced. What is left unsaid like his belief that we must redistribute weath as part of a healthcare system is more than troubling.

www.redstate.com/ben_domenech/2010/07/07/donald-berwick-exemplifies-the-obama-agenda/

“Any health care funding plan that is just, equitable, civilized, and humane must, must redistribute wealth from the richer among us to the poorer and the less fortunate. Excellent health care is by definition redistributional."

There is much more if you can find time to read it. There must be more behind this recess appointment since Republicans can not block him. There must be much more damamging information around and Obama does not want him to be questioned.

[AztecWilliam]

Let's not forget that the claim that the Republicans were holding up this nomination is completely false. They practically got down on their hands and knees begging for hearings. It was the President's own party that held things up, not the GOP.

AzWm

[aztecwin]

Jul 8, 2010 21:36:50 GMT -8 AztecWilliam said:

Let's not forget that the claim that the Republicans were holding up this nomination is completely false. They practically got down on their hands and knees begging for hearings. It was the President's own party that held things up, not the GOP.

AzWm

On top of that, this recess is just over the 4th holidays and some Democrats are even questioning why this was done.

[Deleted]

Jul 8, 2010 8:59:43 GMT -8 aztecron said:

Here is a different take on him from Ezra Klein in the Washington Post. An interesting read.

voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2010/07/the_conservative_case_for_don.html

"But conservatives are making a serious mistake by forcing the administration to rely on a recess appointment for Berwick. Ultimately, what weakens Berwick weakens them, as Berwick, whether they know it or not, is one of the best friends they could have in the administration. That's because insofar as Berwick is a radical, he's a radical in favor of a patient-centered health-care system -- a position that has traditionally been associated with conservatives, not liberals."

And more if you care to read.

Uhhhhh...yeah. This guy sounds just like a Republican. If it's in the paper it must be true




Good thing Barry didn't appoint a Socialist or anything.

[aztecron]

Jul 9, 2010 20:25:13 GMT -8 afan said:

Jul 8, 2010 8:59:43 GMT -8 aztecron said:

Here is a different take on him from Ezra Klein in the Washington Post. An interesting read.

voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2010/07/the_conservative_case_for_don.html

"But conservatives are making a serious mistake by forcing the administration to rely on a recess appointment for Berwick. Ultimately, what weakens Berwick weakens them, as Berwick, whether they know it or not, is one of the best friends they could have in the administration. That's because insofar as Berwick is a radical, he's a radical in favor of a patient-centered health-care system -- a position that has traditionally been associated with conservatives, not liberals."

And more if you care to read.

Uhhhhh...yeah. This guy sounds just like a Republican. If it's in the paper it must be true




Good thing Barry didn't appoint a Socialist or anything.

Uh, do you have a reading or comprehension problem? Can you show me where I made a statement of fact or opinion? I said here is a different take. Are you that afraid to read other opinions? Do they scare you and the way you look at the world that much that you will not read an opinion that differs from yours?

You are a complete and utter moron. No where did I say it was "truth" or anything of that matter. Go back to reading you're talking points as I wouldn't expect you to try and think things through to make your own decisions instead of following your pundits blindly.

You are so afraid of anybody that differs from your view. So sad. So sad.