U.S. House of Representatives
When John Douglas and I began researching our latest book, Law & Disorder, we were searching for common themes that tied together our examination of factors that contribute to the miscarriage or non-process of justice. It turned out there were a number of factors at work, but one common thread was attitude toward evidence. If evidence was respected, the chances of police, prosecutors or juries making a serious mistake and going after the wrong person were substantially reduced. We came to realize that the perception of evidence is at the basis for almost everything in life.
And now that the shenanigans of those sorry misfits on Capitol Hill have made them – according to the latest polls – even less popular than hemorrhoids, perhaps the lesson can apply to them as well.
Maybe Obamacare is good for the nation and maybe it’s not, but there’s really only one way to find out for sure, and that’s the evidence of practice. There is plenty of precedent for changing, amending or even repealing laws that don’t work, so if the Ted Cruz-led Tea Party conservatives were serious about believing what they said and convincing the public, wouldn’t it make more sense for them to let it actually happen and then ride the public wave of dissatisfaction they are sure would follow?
In terms of evidence-based strategy, this recalls the 1981 strike by PATCO, the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization, that led to the defeat of the strikers and dissolution of the union when President Ronald Reagan used his legal authority under the Taft-Hartley Act and ordered them back to work. They refused and Reagan stood firm.
Now, here’s the interesting part of that drama: What PATCO was protesting was extremely stressful working conditions, too long hours for such intense work and various attendant benefits. But if instead of striking, the controllers had worked to rules, they could have crippled the air traffic system with delays and safety considerations and gotten virtually the entire American public on their side.
In other words, all they really had to do to win their point was show America the evidence.
Which leads one to question today’s anti-Obamacare Republican radicals. If they really believe what they’re saying, why don’t they present Americans with the evidence, and work from there? Based on the website fiasco thus far, they’d actually be ahead of the game at this point rather than behind the eight ball.
Is it possible, like in so many bad prosecutions, they really don’t believe their own case and are actually afraid the evidence would sway people in the other direction?
It can’t be much worse than being less popular than hemorrhoids, which are, in fact, covered by Obamacare.
The Constitution very much supports representing all law abiding citizens of this country, including Christians. It is not for the llegal aliens, the laws of their countries should not be allowed in our courts, and they should not have voting rights, but the Obama Administration has all but labeled the patriots and Christians of this country as the ones who are dangerous while aiding the real terrorist.
I used to wonder how Adolph Hitlter was able to convince so many people to murder innocent people, and how so many innocent people would go so willingly to their death with little or no resistance, but seeing American’s under Obama, the answer is clear, but for the life of me I don’t see what people see in Obama, except that he promises them free stuff. That’s only going to last until he becomes the Dictator he wants to be, then nobody is going to get anything. He is a tyrant and has committed more crimes than the mafia, but he’s still president? Where is our Military? Obama has fired them and is creating his military, and only wants those who are willing to fire upon American’s to serve.
Wonder how things would be if Obama were held to the same standards as a white president? On second thought I don’t really have to ask. Nixon chose to resign before he was impeached for less when his dishonesty was made public. And no, I don’t think Obama should be impeached. I think he and those he has appointed to office, should be arrested and charged with treason.
As for those who don’t believe like me, that’s between them and God. You can read Chapter 1 of the Book of Romans, verses 16-32, to get an idea about some of what I believe.
Rather than believe what the Heritage Foundation, an ultraconservative organization, publishes about the healthcare rates, why not go straight to the source?
https://www.healthcare.gov/
or get another perspective at Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/10/13/the-cost-of-obamacare-varies-wildly-by-state/
But mostly, remember that this healthcare can’t be cancelled because you have a long chronic or terminal disease nor can you be rejected for preexisting conditions, so it’s a better product. It’s not higher across the board. It varies widely. It isn’t apples to apples.
I prefer those sources not owned by George Soros or the government. I can’t image what the cost of health insurance for a person with a pre-exiting condition is going to cost.
What I know is I don’t like the extra tags in Obamacare that have nothing to do healthcare, and I’m not buying into a government run program that funds things that I don’t believe in such as, RFID chips, death panels and Abortions, including Live Birth Abortions aka Cold Bloodied Murder in my opinion.
I wouldn’t take this insurance if I qualified and could get it for free, which I probably could considering I have very little income. It is Unconstitutional.
Right. You’re just boycotting it because the government doesn’t share your exact same set of beliefs, which it can’t since it’s an entity representing all the people not just the people who believe like you. The Constitution very much supports representing all of its people, not just pandering to ones of a certain religion.
Well, I for one am glad that I may have the option of affordable medical care since I have been paying extra on all manner of taxes for decades to provide healthcare, education, and welfare to everyone with children while I have little healthcare myself. My gripe is that the entire system as it has existed is skewed to provide for people with kids while anyone without qualifies for nothing, leaving many middle aged and older adults without recourse; and yet, these are the very people who have paid full taxes because they have no dependent write-offs. We, in essence, are paying for other people’s kids. And while I want the whole world to be a better place, children included, I think the system needs to be adjusted to stop incentivizing people to have more children they can’t afford, which is exactly what all our social programs do and to make people more responsible for their own decisions.
I have hopes that the national healthcare system, over time, will close that gap. But as it stands at its onset in 2013, the plan is weak in structure due to recalcitrant Republicans who tore at the plan like vultures on roadkill while posturing behind a mask of piety in order to bleed their blind and bleating flock for support so they could fund their bigger agendas.
The cost of insurance has increased in most all states since Obamacare.
The link below shows a state by state comparison of insurance cost before and after Obamacare. If you couldn’t afford insurance before, you won’t be able to afford it now.
http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2013/10/enrollment-in-obamacare-exchanges-how-will-your-health-insurance-fare
We get it!
Obamacare is not about health, it’s about government control and it’s Unconstitutional. And some of us don’t like funding a program hat violates our Christian faith.
You don’t give the devil an inch or he will take a mile.
Obama and his family and the member of Congress and their families are exempt from Obamacare as are illegal Muslim immigrants in this country.
I for one have no intention of buying into Obamacare, with it’s death panels and eventually the chip implants.
Obamacare is going to work like Charity hospitals and clinics work for those who could not afford quality care only it will be like that for people who used to could afford quality medical care, but now only a select few will be able to receive it.
http://www.libertyfederation.com/nbc_predicts_all_americans_will_receive_a_microchip_implant_in_2017_per_obamacare_videos
Mr. Olshaker,
Where I live in Texas, there has been continuing litigation over redistricting attempts. It’s hard for me to see where the prevailing Republicans are getting their votes here in Dallas, but one feature of Texans is they tend toward blind loyalty in both sports and politics and support both without much thought of the true cost.
I am not American, but I just hope that Americans go past “politician games” to concentrate on what really matters for the future of the nation (rather than a few individuals’ electoral future, though the two are hopefully tied).
The United States are more heavily indebted than Greece or Spain. The situation is dire, and though the US is (still) a major world power, it is not impossible that it may stumble over the edge and lose a lot of what it has – international power and credibility, but also internal economic and social welfare and stability. I am not sure there are ‘easy solutions’ and I would not be able to give any solution, but I am convinced that any credible solution passes by sitting down together, and forgetting about even whether or not you like Obamacare or whatever else, but wondering: how are we saving a nation engulfed in debt at all levels, from the federal level to cities like Detroit that have to go bankrupt?
I am not American, but I happen to care about America because its people matter, and because I deeply believe that what is good for a nation – any nation, from Papua New Guinea to the United States – is also positive for the entire world. I hope American politicians understand that and have the right inspiration to save the nation…
So called ‘true believers’…need not evidence, nor reason….They seem to be motivated by ’emotion alone’…prejudice, ignorance, arrogance.
Unless they change the law about campaign contributions, there’s little hope that anyone except sponsors and special interests will ever be represented. It takes loads of sponsorship to even run, so it’s not as simple as electing someone new. You pretty much have to either be independently wealthy or be on the take to even run. Besides it’s the party, not the people, who decide who to back. It’s really just pretty much out of our control at this point, I think. Media would be the only hope (columns such as this one), but mainstream media only worsens the problems and parrots back the propaganda on both sides.
I very much agree, Cornerstone. Also, when you actually look at the maps of the Gerrymandered Congressional districts, you realize that the candidates are choosing the voters rather than the other way around.