Sally , Sally , Sally. When are you going to start typing something that holds any value in here? Seems to me that all you do is want to counter everything most of us type. I won't miss you while I'm on vacation and have no access to the internet. It will be nice not to have to bore myself with your so called ramblings and degrading people who just want to make their comments here. Oh and one more thing Sally, keep thinking of ways to warm the underside of the rock that you spend most of your time under..........Peace

When the industry (law and lawyers) donates more than any other industry in our country they are buying something...

More than 1 Billion dollars in the last 20 years, with 230 Million dollars spent during the last election cycle alone: http://www.opensecrets.org/industries/in...

2nd and 3rd place, health profession and education (for 2008 cycle).

darwin1: I am also puzzled by the comments regarding the need for tort reform in a national program. All but 10 states already have limits in place.

Funny how those who constantly blather on about smaller government support the federal power grab of tort reform. Currently, tort is vested in the states. Nice hypocrisy.

Yes, let's pass a law that protects incompetent doctors from being held accountable. Is this how Conservatives promote personal responsibility?

I will be listening to President Obama on Wednesday to see if he talks about tort reform. Highly unlikely.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opini...

Nice piece in the Tribune.

RAF-You have made some valid points about how the left contributes millions to the Dems. Its all about the lawyers. Obama wants to shelter them.

Changing topics.

Lets start a discussion as to why the current president is reluctant to include tort reform in any discussion for healthcare reform?

darwin isn't there a rock somewhere that needs warming up on the underside by you??

I'M GETTING DIZZY

The question was,"what powers does the President have to enforce the Constitution," not "what powers does the President have to enforce the Constitution WHEN IT WAS WRITTEN?" Whether by Congress, or by the Constitution, the Executive Branch is the one tasked with enforcing the laws. The Attorney General is the top law enforcement officer in this country, and has been since 1789, as you stated. He is appointed by, and answers to, the Executive Branch, the President.

Pharm reality is much different than what the dolt thinks and you have echoed here. The constitution has nothing about any of the agencies you cite nor does it state anything about enforcement by the executive branch. Laws later passed by congress, for example the Judiciary Act of 1789, helped create these and other agencies...none of which have powers vested by the constitution...by congress yes.

The Department of Justice, FBI, DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals, Department of Homeland Security, Immigration Service, Secret Service, Coast guard, Transportation Security Administration,FCC, SEC,etc., are all parts of the enforcement arm of the Executive Branch. That does not even include the National Guard, and all the Armed Services.

DIGriz, again not to be on the wrong side of the fence, it is not my interpretation, there are multiple web sites that enumerate the jobs of the Executive Branch, including government ones. They all say that among the responsibilities of the Executive Branch are "the implementing and enforcing of the laws of the U.S."

DizzyGirl, clearly has a reality issue. Yes, the FBI, Attorney General and Federal Prosecutors have no power. What reality do you live in? What country do you live in? In the 50's, President Eisenhower, a real Republican, deployed 101st Airborne division to ENFORCE desegregation, TO ENFORCE A SUPREME COURT RULING. For Christs sake man, come back to reality. With soldiers like you, who needs enemies.

sadly, girlydiz, they have to interpret the Constitution before they can decide if a law is Constitutional and then the Executive branch enforces the decisions of the courts. See Brown vs the Board of Education of Topeka Kansas. More non-facts from the ignorant.

I guess the house of cards is starting to fall now with the steppong down of that fool Van jones! Now if only a few will follow suit up in the czars house we could get something done. We need to keep Obama responsible for all these lunatics he has appointed! Thank you Glenn Beck and some of the other fair and balanced news people out there for bringing this to a head!!!!

DIGriz, I obviously don`t want to get on your bad side, but Government 101 states, "the primary purpose of the Executive Branch is to make sure the laws of the U.S. are followed." They, Pres., V/P., Cabinet, Fed. agencies are tasked with this.

dizzygirly, once again devoid of facts.

With soldiers like you, who needs enemies?

Pete: The banker bailout occurred during Bush's watch. Granted, both Obama and McCain supported the plan, but Bush is the one who rushed it through by courting politicians and also going on television at least twice to tell the nation that this action needed to be taken immediately.

I second that Pete.

brwe and RetiredAirForce: I don't know if the public option would make for improvement. I do know, however, that my work with government-run Medicare and Medicaid programs is much more progressive from an RN viewpoint. I can't even remember ever having to call for preadmission approval on either program's patients. Everybody thinks that government-run programs means more red tape, etc., but I have not seen it that way. I've also not seen government programs leading to unnecessary care being given by care providers such as hospitals or treatment centers. Of course, I rarely see that with insurance-funded patients but made note of it here because so many people fear cost overruns on government-funded coverage.

dizzygirly is wrong again. The executive branch enforces, the judicial branch interprets, congress legislates. Get your facts straight before you get them wrong.

Originally, originally, originally we were a colony. Yes, we originally were one thing and then we changed and enfranchised more and more people. Sadly, you are too ignorant to realize you wouldn't have been allowed to vote in your own Republic because you would never have passed the poll test. You are the epitome of traditional elitism and arrogance.

Sarah please explain how you expect preauthorizations to be any better with a public option.

SarahB1--I can pretty much agree with your assessment of the insurance companies, but the only ones caring even less are the liberal politicians/bureaucrats that want to take their places.

vatoloco: Yes, I do support Obama's plan and am disheartened to realize that there is a good chance that it will not include a public option. There is absolutely no way I can back any plan that keeps insurance companies as the lone keyholder. I and a good share of my RN peers know firsthand how it's a constant battle to get preauthorization (and continued authorization) for treatment for my patients. I've had to make those calls to insurance companies at all hours of the day and night to deal with insurance representatives who sometimes act like they don't know a foot from a brain. Their only goal seems to be to earn money for the company and to heck with what their "members" need to save their lives. In fact, I know several people who left these insurance companies after realizing the companies couldn't give a hoot about the "members".

obama doesn't have a clue on how to run a counrty,just look at the czars he has helping him .... nough said.

No, dizzygirl the courts decide how the actual Constitution is interpreted - not you. Sadly, I have never seen someone blather on so endlessly while providing so few facts. You don't have an "advanced degree" because you actually have to earn one.

Could the house of cards be imploding??

DiGriz......Wow you sure do know how to talk to Sally!! LMAO.........I love it!!

One more thing SarahB1. You say you support Obama's healtcare plan yet you probably have no idea what most of it entails. I find it ridiculous that this man is trying to get this done this year without having major discussions on how to reform healthcare. One thing at a time. It's all about legacy for Obama. This will make him or break him. I go with the last one. When you are a newcomer into a new arena you cannot start changing things (too soon) on how you ideally want to see them. You have to start slow and work yourself in. Sometimes it's better to go with the flow on how things work or you risk your reputation. Obama at times shows he can work with others but he gets sidelined by all the extreme leftists like Pelosi and Reid. I feel Obama would be better off if he abandoned his party and worked as an independent. He would be much more effective. His own party will be one of his biggest challenges.

"It's both more enlightening and truthful"
The truth will set you free Sarah.

"I support President Obama's health care plan"

So SarahB1, you like the government to guide you, correct?

brwe: Someone who uses the polls to form an opinion about anything is someone who will never be an independent thinker. I am not saying you are this type of person; I just think most political polls are a waste of time. And, andre, tell us what is fact out of what hannah posted here. (That's not meant to be a slap at you, hanna. Most Americans are taking what they hear from others at face value and not doing any independent research on an issue.)

darwin1--Just caught the latest poll from CBS (NOT FOXNEWS), showing 40% of Americans supporting Obama's handling of health care & 47% disapproving. How does even a rabid, tunnel-vision liberal spin that into, "a majority still supports him & health care."?

I just love the way the eternally naive (i.e. liberals) pronounce the issue of "death panels" debunked, because...the Great One said so! And, if you need a second "proof", that exact terminology isn't used even once in that 1100 page doorstop! How much more evidence can reasonable people demand?

I just wondered why anyone is surprised at the politics coming from the POTUS. He is from Chicago.

dizzygirl, could you be more wrong. The Original Constitution doesn't matter because we no longer live in that time - slaves taking care of Madison, Jefferson and Washington; women not having any rights. If you wanted that Constitution, then you should have the right to have a musket and not an assault rifle. Medicine was a lot different back then, you do understand this? There are no property protections in our actual Constitution. Yet the government is required to "...promote the general welfare..." which is actually in the real Constitution. That general welfare has always led to better living standards and longer, more prosperous lives. I understand that you and the rest of the Dark Agers would like to go back to throwing your sewages in the streets because it was free - no one else does.

hannah: You need to turn off Fox News or wherever else you are getting your information from regarding the health care proposal. None of what you've written in your comment to me is true.

DiGriz: That's OK regarding the address for the boys. Maybe I can locate the address that takes letters, etc., from the public and hands them out to the troops. It's just that these brothers, ages 7 and 10, were so excited with their "art creations" that carried the theme, "Why I love my USA!" and wanted to send them to a local soldier along with their photographs. Thanks anyway, DiGriz. Keep up the good work and come home soon.

hannah, your "death panel" scenario has already been debunked. You're about a week behind the current anti-reform talking points.

Are you aware that INSURANCE companies currently decide what treatments they will pay for, assuming you still have insurance after losing your job or being saddled with that pesky pre-existing condition?

DiGriz: Can you give us your address over there? My friend's young children want to send you a homemade present. Thanks.

angry_again: I support President Obama's health care plan. There you go, angry_again, now you know one of us on the other side of the aisle.

Darwin, I don't know where you get off saying the majority still support him and govt. health care. Really? I dont know anybody who even considers Obama care a good idea. Not one.
We all know We cant afford it! Were gonna be a bankrupt nation!
If President Obama wants to make heath care "reform" as they like to keep putting it, How about some price freezes on procedures, and medications, and how about more monitoring of the bills sent to Medicare. They constantly get ripped off. Just like our 10,000$ for a toilet seat that costs 5$ at Menards.
Get Real.
Time and time again we have to keep reminding ourselves why our fore fathers created this nation the way they did. And why it has worked, and why ours has historicly been the best nation on the planet.
Untill LOTS of New non govt. jobs are created, and money fills the treasury back up, we cant afford trillions of more debt. The coffers are beyond empty friends.

hannah, while his polls are down, a majority still supports him and health care. You "hear" about his lies but provide none. This is dogma: you already believe something to be true and try to find evidence to support your belief. You don't care about the truth - just yourself.

vatoloco --- typical right-wing fool.

Here we go again Darwin:

1. Your debate is to appeal to the emotions of uneducated and illogical persons-Put simply, you are just so much smarter than everyone else and you think a collective approach against an individual approach moved forward by a bunch of smart intellectual lawyers and professors is what's best for everyone else. As a consequence, you make yourself believe that you care much more than anyone else. Puke.
2. You can't think as an individual because you feel all solutions are collective. You blame everything on an individual. You hate individualism becasue you are obssessed with centralized control of all human activity.
3 Barbra Streisand and Alec Baldwin made threats to leave America for foreign countries should Bush win a second term. Well, they're still here! All talk - typical liberal idiots

Obama will never ascend to a "great president status" Never. His so called "off the charts" IQ will never serve him any good. Street smarts he has none. What he has is just an ability to talk and to raise money in a community. That's it. And America voted for this guy? Fools and blindmen they are.

obama just told bigger and better lies when running for POTUS, that is why he is falling faster then most that have been in office .... all tells lies but he's got the gift for gab over any .... how do you like CHANGE now?

hannah, your inarticulate disagreement with the president is a symptom of your ignorance and not the reason for it. Why do you disagree with the president? Do you have some facts? Do you have some details? If you think he is violating the Constitution, then what part of it?

It doesn't matter compared to the other presidents.

He's still in office...they're not.

Sprout doesn't like no education because he doesn't have an education - clearly.

hannah, what exactly did Obama say that lead you to believe he thinks he is immortal. I have yet to see any actual quotes from the delusional Republicans. Let me guess, you don't have an education either.

Thank you sprout for making my point: more cliches. Do you actually know any facts or details? You probably don't even have a high school education but you know everything.

Oh, not this columnist again! I'm heading back to the comics page. It's both more enlightening and truthful.

thank you sprout.....

well darwin1.....I see you still are typing a lot of hot air.

Mr Kraut is a cliche like most of the Conservative hypocrites here. And like most cliches he says a lot but provides few facts and makes absurd comparisons. By his own logic Obama must be doing great because his poll numbers are not the same as the idiot Bush's at the same point in his Presidency: he is a cause in search of a correlation. It is quite intellectually convenient to pull meaningless poll numbers out of the air in a democracy that votes. See you next election.

Also, if all of these Conservatives know so much about the Constitution then why aren't they Constitutional lawyers and judges? Oh yes, because those professions have standards and Republicans don't.

ok I'm dumb........what is POTUS? and DiGriz I didn't know you were serving....THANK YOU!! and Pastafarian....Please tell your sons THANK YOU!! also. RAF you too!! All vets no matter where or how you served. another THANK YOU!! you all give so much and we will not forget those who gave all for us. God bless and god speed.

Sorry that's ;they are "not"serving "with" like minded people.
I have reservations about our troops thinking POTUS is attempting an over-throw of our gov. I guess, to each his own. Stay safe DiGriz. We do need you back. RAmen

Say RAF both my sons are in uniform. I was hoping they are serving like minded people.

Wow thanx sprout.

Pastafarian, why don't you put on your uniform and go to Afghanistan to relieve him? Either that or hide behind your keyboard and try to say sensible statements.

Say DiGriz, are you stating that you believe that your "Commander in Chief" is not "defending"or "upholding" the US constitution?
+
Why do you stay where you are?
+
The statement of
DiGriz
Sep 4, 2009 at 8:04 a.m. is troubling, in that this is a tax payer educated man. Me thinks you should be taken off your tin-foil hat till you get home. RAmen

confuzzeled yet?

**Yet faced with protests from a real grass-roots movement, his party and his supporters called it a mob—misinformed, misled, irrational, angry, unhinged, bordering on racist. All this while the administration was cutting backroom deals with every manner of special interest—from drug companies to auto unions to doctors—in which favors worth billions were quietly and opaquely exchanged.

Well I'm glad that I'm part of an angry mob. standing up for what is right. we all have questions that they don't want to answer....so that makes us an angry mob.

Misinformed? nope, just using common sense.

Misled? ....I don't think so unless I'm misled by him and his supporters of idiots. (I'm not)

Irrational? nope not when it comes down to believing in MY country.

Angry? Yep very much so.

Unhinged? nope all my screws are in place and the hinges are well oiled for protests in a peaceful way.

Bordering on racist? Why is this even an issue? I could care less if someone was purple green or what ever color. Why is it when things don't go their way they have to play the racist card? Well if HE says so then I guess I am one. OMG I have been branded!!!

What a joke this has all become but a lot of "us" are not laughing. Wake up America before it is too late.

You go Chuck!!!!!
DiGriz is correct - wheather you are left or right there HAS to be Term Limits, and just for sake of it lets get "what's good for 1 is good for all" & require ALL of Washington is contributing to Social Security & have the same insurance available to them as we all have - no matter what "plan" it ends up being & lets throw in TORT reform while we're at it.

Are you referring to the SELF-proclaimed communist or the one who ONLY believes in forced abortions?