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Bright addresses three hot topics
Published Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Congressman Bobby Bright made a stop at the Troy Rotary Club Tuesday to discuss three hot topic Washington issues — health care, climate control and the economy.
“Health care’s what’s hot on everybody’s mind,” Bright said.
With five bills floating through the House and Senate, Bright said he stands against all proposed health care reform policies.
“I have been firmly against all of them from day one,” Bright said.
“Until it is scaled down and focuses on health care cost containment, I don’t support it.”
“I don’t believe the government should involve themselves any more than necessary.”
But, Bright said he does believe some sort of intervention is needed and would be at the heart of saving the economy.
“We need to do something. We need to put the extremists out and have people from both sides work this thing out,” Bright said.
Bright also said another big issue in Congress is discussion over climate control, but it’s an issue he said he thinks will not come up for vote this year.
“The Senate will probably kill it or scale it down,” Bright said.
And, looming right along with these two issues is the economy.
“Whether you like or dislike our president, he’s trying to do what he thinks is right to save our economy from going into a great depression,” Bright said.
“I don’t want to live in a country during a great depression.”
“I voted against him on the stimulus.”
Even though Bright voted against the stimulus package, he said he would have been in favor of some other type of bailout.
Some Rotarians expressed concern over just how much the government is spending.
“It appears to me Congress is spending like a bunch of drunk sailors,” said Joe Faulk.
“I’m confused about the deficit and how it’s going to be paid back.”
Bright said while the country has spent more than it has in its bank account, he believes President Barack Obama was only doing what experts were telling him should be done.
“We were in a mess a few months ago, but experts, both Republicans and Democrats, told us you have to spend a lot to save the economy at this time,” Bright said.
“Even though we might want to criticize, something’s going on. Something’s stabilizing.
“What else would he do when all the experts were telling him he had to do this.”
“I would have done it differently, but let’s give it time and see what happens.”
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Posted by OldSchoolPike3Worker (anonymous) on August 26, 2009 at 10:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This story is the greatest illustration of someone talking from both sides of their mouth that I have ever seen. Bright is saying that he opposes these current bills, but thinks they should be scaled down and focus on cost containment. So if a bill was a lighter version of what's out there now but still had the "death panels" that are there to control spending on patients that are considered not worth it, would Bright support that bill? My problem with the answers that Bright gives for the heath care and stimulus plans, are that while he might vote against the legislation in their current form, he seems want to leave the door open to vote for lesser versions that we the voters may still not support.
Bright's answers to these questions indicate a complete misunderstanding of his voters concerns. Bright thinks that we, the voters of this district and a lot of people all over the country for that matter, are being vocal simply because of the content in the bills that we are reading. When I talk to people about this, they reject the concept and premise of the federal government proposing any legislation that would put such unprecedented limits on our freedoms that sadly many take for granted today. What the people are trying to communicate to our leaders is this: We elected you to serve us, the people of this nation, what we mean by serve is to make sure that the freedoms guaranteed to us by the Constitution are not tread upon. Every unfair lot in life can't be remedied by a bill or some committee hearing. We just want to live in a country where we can succeed or fail because of our own decisions. Not because of the decisions of politicians or the collective citizenry. Oh yeah, and if it's not too much to ask, how about letting my 2 kids be able to start out their life without the hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt that the prior generation thrust upon them. Congressman Bright, we are asking you do much more that vote yes or no on a bill, we are asking you to fulfill your obligation set forth by the Constitution. We are asking you to stop trying to prevent a depression today by spending our children into one tomorrow. Stop trying to convince us that a country with one of the world's highest life expectancies and topped ranked medical care, will be doomed unless some bill is passed that you, a former mayor of Montgomery, Alabama that barely served two terms, supports. If you want to serve us, how about trying to find ways that we the people can be less dependent on the federal government. You can't solve problems by creating more problems.
Posted by bamaslick (anonymous) on August 27, 2009 at 10:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"We just want to live in a country where we can succeed or fail because of our own decisions. Not because of the decisions of politicians or the collective citizenry."
This is the problem...We have failed because of our decisions. We cannot fix them. That is why the gov. is trying to fix them. The gov. doesn't have to control every situation in ever person life but like a child..a parent must monitor, oversee and guide when the time is right. The time is right now! We will return to being less dependent on the government when restraint and greed are subdued with a good ole fashioned spanking. When a child makes a mistake...do we expect him to punish himself but we spank them and let them learn from their mistakes. Spanking helps with remembering. I just hope Pres. Obama don't start reading emails or listening to phone conversations.
Posted by trojantrue (anonymous) on August 27, 2009 at 10:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
From another perspective, I agree and disagree. Certainly we as a society have gotten a little big for our britches but socialism isn't the answer. Every supporter of the healthcare legislation tells us the myths regarding losing our current healthcare provider and losing our current insurance are not true, we will in fact get to keep them if we are satisfied with them. What they are not telling us is that with this legislation, our doctor and our insurance company will not survive, they will be forced out of business by government doctors and government insurance. Take a good look at Medicare and Medicaid, both government subsidized entities and both constantly on the brink of going belly up because of poor management. Now, the government wants to blanket healthcare coverage for the entire nation, which will force our medical community as we know it out of business, but what they currently are in charge of is a mess. It just doesn't all add up. Take a look at another government healthcare entity in Tricare, the government funded health insurance program for our military. It is a BIG MESS! They, the contractors, determine if a service is necessary or not and you receive care based on their decision. The present healthcare reform legislation would mirror the Tricare system. Any way you look at it, it spells disaster for the working class folks who maintain private insurance and chose their healthcare provider. There is no way to revise this enough for it to work in any way. We should recognize this for what it is and insist the bill fails!
Posted by OldSchoolPike3Worker (anonymous) on August 27, 2009 at 11:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Bamaslick, your comparing the federal government to a parent is dangerous. It is that kind of thinking that has allowed the government to get as overbearing as it has. King George was thought of as a parent by those who opposed the revolutionary war. The second amendment was not added because we have a parent/child relationship with our government. Government has caused these problems, how can we expect them to be solved by more government.
Posted by bamaslick (anonymous) on August 27, 2009 at 12:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Trojantrue
You still will be able to choose your healtcare provider...Aren't we a capitalistic system where competition is allowed. Private bus. can & will compete with gov. healthcare. They can offer more incentives; lower prices; whatever it takes to keep their customers. If they fail then that is what Capitalism is all about. Where some fail, others will rise. All will not fail.
oldschoolpike3worker
The government did not cause these problems. We as individuals caused these problems. As insurance rates were rising and coverage was falling, we sat there and took it. Now that the gov. has proposed to put an end to private industry doing as it pleases it is a problem. They aren't taking away in rights. You have the right to accept coverage from any Insurance that you please. The insurance companies just need a reminder that they cannot do Americans however they see fit...and since we cannot fend for ourselves, then why not let the gov. do it. That is what they are there for...To keep Industries from taking away from our inalienable rights. This isn't the 1st time the gov. had to stop big business. "Anti-Trust Laws"!
*The Tricare was a big mess statement is a lie. I served in the military and you could receive any treatment that you needed. Decisions of your health procedures now are based on the doctor's decision and no you didn't have to see just one doctor.
Posted by grammarxpert (anonymous) on August 27, 2009 at 8:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
In Bright's telephone town hall meeting last night, while discussing his opposition to the current healthcare proposals the Congressman said, "I am a conservative blue dog Democrat at this present time." He did not elaborate if he was considering a party switch, would remain a conservative Democrat or buckle to the pressure of his national party and get on the Obamacare bandwagon. Interesting phrase...
Posted by OldSchoolPike3Worker (anonymous) on August 27, 2009 at 8:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Bamaslick, a large reason for rising insurance are torts. I don't see anybody mentioning tort reform in all of this. Let's say your are correct about insurance rates rising and coverage falling. How in the world will socializing medicine any better? All of the proponents of government run health care say that we have some moral obligation to insure the purported 47 million uninsured(a debatable figure.) Ok, so we do it. We quit paying for health insurance and then take on the cost of an additional 47 million people. There is just no mathematical way that cost will go down. Insurance premiums will be replaced by tax dollars. Currently people that pay most of the income tax in this country are a small minority when compared to the total population. Why are you so willing to hand over your liberties that so many have fought and died for you to have? By the way, our government is not there to "keep industries from taking away from our inalienable rights." I digress! If you served in the military, I thank you for your service. However, based on your statements here, it seems that you disagree the the Constitution that you took an oath to defend and agree with the philosophies of those that wish to destroy it.
Posted by OldSchoolPike3Worker (anonymous) on August 27, 2009 at 8:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
grammarxpert, that IS very interesting. The issues of the day are too large for Bright to be all things to all people. Sooner or later he will have to reveal his true colors in all of this. By the time 2010 gets here, we will should have a good idea of the real Bobby Bright. If I had to guess, he is more Democratic and less conservative.
Posted by OldSchoolPike3Worker (anonymous) on August 27, 2009 at 8:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If he survives the 2010 elections, he might pull a "Richard Shelby 1994" and change parties after realizing that all the committees are controlled by Republicans. 2010 will be 1994 all over again for the Republicans. I've gotta hand it to him, if you can convince the conservative voters of district 2 that your against everything the Democratic Party supports, and at the same time, make the liberals feel like your towing the party line, you really have talent. I just can see the day coming when you have to choose between being a conservative or being a Democrat.
Posted by bamaslick (anonymous) on August 27, 2009 at 10:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
oldschoolpike3worker
The president said that 2/3 of the cost of health care reform is already being paid for by us now. The other1/3 will come mostly from family in a higher tax bracket. (families that gross 1million dollars and above) We are not paying for the 47 million of uninsured Americans. We have a choice to accept gov. insurance or blue cross blue shield, etc...They are not making us take government healthcare but they are trying to cause the larger insurance to lower costs and amplify coverage. If you loose your job and cannot afford health insurance, you should still be able to see a doctor for any medical condition you may suffer without being turned down. You should have the right to medical treatment no matter the situation that you are in. It seems to me that we are so self loathing now that we hate to do anything now that helps more than one's self. Do we fear and hate each other that bad that we cannot endure a little to help the next man in need. I know everyone works hard for their own, stuff but not everyone is out have someone else take care of them. The Constitution is For the People...and those 47 million uninsured Americans are the people. I will fight for them no matter the how they feel about me or the "field" I am fighting in. I fought and had friends that fought and died for people that have very little bearing in my life, in small desert land, so they can have Democracy. It cost the nation money and lives but the public outcry was very minimal. I wonder why?!
Posted by OldSchoolPike3Worker (anonymous) on August 28, 2009 at 11:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You guys totally miss the point that I'm making. Why is the federal government even discussing payment of our health care? GEEZ!
Posted by trojantrue (anonymous) on August 28, 2009 at 1:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Come on Fox... If you believe that our healthcare system is has no noticable increase in quality of care your head is in the sand. FoX you advocate for "the government should provide". What else should be free and due to the all of the people all of the time? Poverty is unfortunate but it is not an entitlement. I don't believe many Americans are against helping anyone who is down but to give and give and give makes one dependent on receiving and therefore creates a society of dependents, excuse me FoX how would you state that "Constitutionally Entitled Citizens". Look around buddy. Do you think the unemployment rate counts those who chose not to work, who chose to depend on those of us who do work to provide for them and their family? I do not mind helping anyone in need, but I do not want to help him to the point where he expects me to help him. That is what is wrong here, that is where the breakdown is. Healthcare reform will not rectify this, no where close. So yeah buddy, I've read the proposed bills and, I an educated productive member of society, DISAGREE with anything that PROVIDES something to someone who is not willing to do one darn thing to earn it. Those who are disabled are just that disabled and deserve to be covered and guess what they are! Those who are the least of us, our children and our elderly, deserve to be covered and guess what they too have access to coverage and to healthcare. Check out Federally Qualified Health Centers who accept patients regardless of their ability to pay based on their income or the absence of. Check out Medicaid, Medicare, SSI, CHIPS, All-Kids etc...before you go shooting off about how we owe somebody something. The ones we owe already receive!
Posted by trojantrue (anonymous) on August 28, 2009 at 3:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Bamaslick...obviously Tricare wasn't your primary coverage. If it had been then you would know that as active duty military you received Tricare Prime, but as retired military you were asked to pay for Tricare Prime. Retired military who could not afford Tricare Prime were given Tricare Standard which placed them with only military physicians, which meant they waited all day or more than one day for treatment. To see an off base doctor they had to receive a referral and that didn't happen much. To be granted permission for a procedure, pre-certification was required just as it is with private insurances, but their criteria for certifiying the procedures was much more strict thus leading to a higher rate of denials. Thanks for serving our country!
Posted by bamaslick (anonymous) on August 28, 2009 at 3:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Trojantrue
The unemployment rate is usually around 6-9% for our nation. People without healthcare insurance is 15%. Out of that 6-9%, what percentage would you guess choose not to work? Poverty is unfortunate, but we do live with it. I am going to hate it when public education is taken away.So many great minds and ideas taken away so that we can be a truly Capitalistic society and save a $100 of income tax. As for Medicaid & Medicare for elderly and kids, go visit my grandma and use Medicaid to buy medicine or visit someone with young kids that need insurance and see which pediatrition accepts Medicare. Every taxpaying American is paying for someone's insurance right now but when you call it reform, its a problem. WoW!!!
Posted by trojantrue (anonymous) on August 31, 2009 at 9:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
FoX you are pretty quick with your research, unfortunately you missed the mark by a mile. You are savvy with quoting statistics and impressive with quoting internet sites regarding the quality of healthcare in other countries and your spill on TRICARE is almost right. Obviously you were an excellent debater in high school, but it ended there. Sit down and talk with a veteran regarding the hardships that have been imposed upon them related to TRICARE. I'm sure veterans aren't your favorite people, since they FOUGHT for your right and my right to be able to enjoy this forum. I am far from selfish, but nearer a realist than you could ever imagine. Luck to you, we'll meet again I'm sure!
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