Lie #1: President Obama wants to euthanize your grandma.
Get serious. Barack Obama doesn't even know your grandma. And if he did, we bet he'd love her. He'd probably give her a cupcake. What's the truth behind this little bit of verbal ridiculosity? Reform legislation includes a provision, supported by the AARP, to offer senior citizens access to a professional medical counselor who will provide them with information on preparing a living will, as well as aid them in tackling other tough issues facing older Americans. If you paid more attention to the older Americans in your life, you would realize they are facing many. Some people, (who smells Palin?) have referred to this service as a "death panel." Nope. That's not a thing.
To be fair, she's not much of a "reader."
Lie #2: Democrats are going to outlaw private insurance and force you into a government plan.
One more time, the goal behind health care reform is to give the people of these United States MORE choices. You currently have very few, because the market is cornered by private insurance. A government plan will be the competition these big companies need to get in check. Competition drives down costs and empowers the consumer. It's called capitalism. The consumer? You. We've said it once, and we'll say it again - you betta shop around. And with a public plan, now you can. You like your current insurance? La ti da - keep it! Don't like it? Or, don't have any? Boom - now you do. A government funded public option: that is a CHOICE. "Option" and "choice" are, in fact, synonyms.
Like Smokey's mama said, you betta shop around.
Lie #3: President Obama wants to implement Soviet-style rationing.
Did you just say Soviet-style? Come ON. Ever heard of a pre-existing condition? What about an astronomically high deductible? What about just straight up being denied coverage for care you received (see "flammable skin")? Chances are, you have, because big insurance loves to throw those things in your face. All the time. The choke hold that private insurance has on health care, THAT is rationing. And it's super gross. That's why we need to curb vile practices like that with a universal plan. U⋅ni⋅ver⋅sal coverage. Well now, that's pretty much the opposite of rationing.
We tire of your silly, outdated references to the Soviet bloc.
Lie #4: Obama is secretly plotting to cut senior citizens' Medicare benefits.
This obsession you have with painting Obama as some soulless young whippersnapper hell-bent on ridding the world of our beloved and respected septuagenarian population is very unbecoming. Let it go. Obama's plan includes measures to free up billions in Medicare dollars that are currently being doled out in overpayments to...any guesses?...private insurance companies.
Old is awesome.
Lie #5: Obama's health care plan will bankrupt America.
First, you picked a really cute time to get all up in arms about practices you feel might threaten the financial stability of these United States. Is that a joke? Well, a little more research will show you that this country is sinking absurd amounts of dollars into this decrepit health care system you insist on preserving. It is unsustainable. We spend more money on health care in a day than AIG spends on private jets for a year (That statistic was entirely fabricated for effect.) Health care reform is an investment in this country's future, and while we're all a little wary of the "i-word" these days, this, folks, is a good one. Put the money down now to save tons of monies - and lives - later. It's called "planning ahead," and it's a pretty good idea.
Our current system, only without that cutie young Tom Hanks.
Go to MoveOn.org to check out the super fancy facts and statistics behind all of this. And then forward this along to all your friends. We need real reform. Real bad. Right now. Let's get it done.
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