American Morning
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June 25th, 2009
04:01 PM ET
We Listen! Your comments – 6/25/09
Editor's Note: With President Obama’s prime time health care address on Wednesday evening, American Morning’s Thursday audience intently scrutinized the health care segments. Bill Bennett was ardently rejected as an appropriate spokesman on the topic, as his statistics and credibility were called into question. Others remarked that conservatives were against health care because they can afford coverage.
- Ralph: I could care less what those ignorant rednecks on the right "think". These fools are the same ones who want to deny me access to health care. That makes it a personal attack on me as far as I'm concerned. To hell with them.
- Bernadette: Where in the world does Bill Bennett get his statistics and 'facts'? Certainly it is not what the majority of the American public wants! 80 percent indeed. He is living in a delusional world and hopes that we are too stupid to challenge his skewed figures. Insurance companies must be pressuring him and others in his party to come on air on tout their praises. He should realize that those days are over.
- Shag: I don't understand how your are giving a fair hearing to the healthcare issue when you've got Bill Bennett and the former head of the American Red Cross on, back-to-back. I have Aetna, and the cost of my premiums and deductible eats about half of one of my paychecks. Most of my co-workers are unhappy with the insurance we've had for years. I listen to your host and they deliver softballs to the people they interview. You need to give this issue a fair hearing. We have "the best healthcare in world," for the wealthy who can afford it. Lastly, how does a man who was found to have gambled 1 million dollars quarterly, get to be an arbiter of "values."
How do you feel about Mr. Bennett’s comment regarding health care? Do you believe that health care quality will suffer under the universal plan being proposed by the Obama Administration?
- Nancy: Health Care - the wrong question is asked or it is misinterpreted. The "quality" of health care in the US is superb. The medical services are not in question. It is the "cost" of the health care that troubles most people. Insurance companies' administrative costs are higher than the medical services provided. The double digit yearly increases in coverage is the problem.
- Marti: Fix healthcare now. My doctor gets paid less than half for his billable services. He has 10 minutes to talk with me (his own words). I have coverage but am finding the co-pays combined with my reoccurring monthly medications more than my budget to handle.
- Edna: Good morning. I am watching on CNN what some people are saying about the President's proposed plan to help people without healthcare. I don't think people that have private health plans will lose them. Here in Puerto Rico, former Governor Dr. Rossello instituted a health reform that offers indigent people healthcare plans contracted with the same companies that offer private plans to companies. Another idea can be public hospitals for indigent people. It's appalling to hear the selfishness of those who are not in need. I think the Republicans are misleading the American people. God bless President Obama who cares for the needy!
- Brian: Although we have universal health coverage in Canada, it does not cover everything, and monthly fees vary from province to province. Private companies like Blue Cross provide extended coverage for both medical and dental for those who can afford it and employee plans. Private insurers are part of the equation.
What are your biggest concerns about health care in general, and about universal health care, in particular?
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I am sorry that Michael jackson is dead and his family is in a greiving period now, but it not worthy of 24 TV coverage – I have turned the news off because he seems to be the central theme and has gotten old that turns peopleoff to be saturated 24 hours a day by him and all the speculations – lets get back to news and let the tabloids continue with the gossip.
it sad for Micheal to die we going to miss him
it soooo sad how he die he was about to go on tour but he had an coma
i was so sad when that happen Micheal Jackson we will miss u
I have been watching all of the press coverage of Michael Jackson's death, and find it interesting that some are saying that the young people of the world are so moved by his death and will remember him always. I was fortunate enough to see the fabulous Jackson Five in Las Vegas in 1974 when they first appeared there (Janet was introduced and brought on stage, just 8 years old, I believe). I took my son to see Michael Jackson in 1988 at the Los Angeles Sports Arena for one of the best concerts I have ever attended. I will continue to listen to his albums (yes, the vinyls), cassettes and CDs over and over again. His musical influence was so great and varied and will forever be felt, not just by the young, but by all of us. I am 64 years old and am greatly saddened by his death. I have the same feeling of emptiness in the pit of my being as I did when Elvis died.
it sad that he died he was the king of pop now he has left the building
we will miss u Micheal Jackson
A great icon of the art world has fallen...Micheal Jackson, the King of pop has left me as well as many others in great shock! Micheal! Micheal! Micheal! i wish you had stick around a little bit longer, i wish you had hold on just a little bit longer, but who are we to question the almighty God. May you find peace and harmony whereever you are Micheal. I love you...n remember you will always be the one and only Micheal Jackson that ever lived.
I thought I was going to meet him one day but its clear that dream will not happen. I'm a H-U-G-E huge huge huge fan & I loved/love Michael Jackson. We'll meet in a better place Mike. Much Love from Orange New Jersey..
I will always remember him and i hope that he will never be forgoten
I believe that Michael Jackson is not dead because he still lives in all of us and i want people to know that they should not feel bad because he is in a better place.
With the baby-boom generation here, and they being the largest of our population for the first time very soon, they should all be screeming at Congress to get this done and done correcctly. I'm over 70 and finding more and more doctors not willing to take us as patients. Why should they? The amount that medicare sets as payment is ridiculous and they set the amount that your secondary insurance can pay which is precious little. Some of my doctor friends have quit the business...can't afford to continue. I have the best insurance, it being medicare and another government insurance, and I pay for both every month. Let Congress, which will have insurance AS LONG AS THEY LIVE, have to pay for private or no insurance from now on and see what they would do to rectify this situation. And, they never look at Germany's health insurance which everyone that can pay, does so on a sliding scale. If we don't do this now, we are doomed to regret it. We need a good house cleaning in Congress, on both sides of the aisle.
Here's the deal in a nutshell. The only people against national healthcare are those who are fortunate enough to have healthcare. Keep your Doctors, your high end specialists, whatever. But throw a bone to the working poor of this country. And if you're really against "socialized medicine" then stand up for your convictions and refuse Medicare when it's your time. I didn't think so.
Michael Jackson was forced to become an adult while he was still a child; so it's so sad but not unexpected that he would become a child only after becoming an adult. Michael Jackson's behavior in recent years made it seem harder to imagine him oneday as a senior citizen. I, along with Gordon Keith, Steeltown Records, of Gary Indiana, the man and company who discovered and first recorded the Jackson Five, were preparing to rerelease the original Jackson Five masters and we now just wish to now offer condolences and best wishes for the family in this most difficult time and the difficult times to come!!
Greatest of entertainer of all time – I think that is obvious. He changed the face of music like no other. I'm saddened that we will never see someone like him ever again. He was around for a long time and no one could measure up or, even come close. It's a tough day for the world because music will never be the same. Artists now aren't original when it comes to music, tracks, and dance. Everything was MJ inspired. There will be a big change.
Most importantly, lets not just remember him as MJ the artist. He did a lot of humanitarian work and should be remembered for that too. People have been talking about the importance of his funeral and comparing it to Princess Diana's. It will be larger than her's. He touched lives ALL over the world in ways no one else has. So yes, he should be treated like the world's only royal.
I am deeply sadden over the death of our great legend, Michael Jackson. He was many things to many people. We grew up together, I'm 53 and have always admired the entire Jackson family. He has left a mark of joy in my heart. Everyone please remember the good and positive things Michael has done for ALL PEOPLE Michael R.I.P. I love you.
Judith
Michael Jackson has been a part of my life since I was a teenager and I am now in my fifties. I have always loved the Jackson 5 and I continued to love Michael and his music. He was a phenomenal entertainer, blessed with so much talent. There will not be another like him in our lifetime. May God soothe your spirit Michael – we will never forget you and will always love you.
Michael Jackson "never can say goodbye..."
"Man In The Mirror"... Always Made Me Cry As A Kid...
Me and My Boy, Jamaal Simmons would fight every year in elementary school over who was gonna be Michael Jackson for Black History Month...
I'm All Tore Up Cuz... All Tore Up
R.I.P. MJ... nixx that Rest In Love King
A number of organizations have been protesting for a public option the past few days, I attended a few. More are scheduled for Friday and Saturday.
You covered the hand full of people protesting Letterman, why are you not covering the majority of the American people? Why are you not reporting the news?
the whole we have been digging will not magically fill in reform must be done i am not saying jump on the E.U. boat however if we just sit back and nick pick like the gop wants us to do the problem will never be solved!!!!!!!