Dare them to say it out loud

[babylonsister]

http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/5/7/1659808/-Dare-them-to-say-it-out-loud?detail=facebook


Dare them to say it out loud
By cany
Sunday May 07, 2017 · 11:56 AM EST


I live in a small community with a diverse political makeup. The local store owner was a Trump supporter. Several in the morning coffee klatch were as well. I’ve lived here for over 40 years, 30+ in the same little house.

I just completely lost it this week after the house vote to repeal Obamacare and put in its place a plan that will, essentially, kill people I know. People I love. People with cancer and kidney disease. People with serious immune system disease.

So as someone in the coffee klatch uttered… “But Obamacare is failing … “ I just LOST IT. I looked that person straight in the face from about three feet away and said something like this, the anger in my face quite apparent:

You remember “Bob”, my ex. The one that played music for every community fundraising event for three decades for free. And when he wasn’t playing, he was at the mixing board or setting up/tearing down the equipment. Or he was hauling stuff to the fair for fundraising. You remember him, right? Well he will die because of this vote. I want YOU to look ME in the eye right now and tell me that is okay. Do it! Look me in the eye and tell me that yeah, Bob has to die because instead of fixing the problems with Obamacare, these scumbags just ejected him from the plan. He’s on dialysis and a kidney donation list. Go ahead. Look me in the eye. Say it! Say he deserves to die and that you don’t care if he does. And while you’re at it, tell me that “Betty”, “Fran”, “Mary” and “Debbie” deserve it, too. Every one of them you’ve known for at least 25 years. They are all our friends. They have contributed enormously to this community. And ALL of them are cancer patients. So go ahead. Say it out loud. Let everyone know you don’t give one shit about any of them. Say it!

I am normally not this confrontational but known to have strong opinions. But I just lost it. And you know what happened? No one could say it. Not one could address the reality of what just happened.

They know this is wrong. They KNOW it. But no one will confront them about the people they know and love and make it real personal. And until they are almost forced to address it on a personal level involving people they know, they will never address the wrong. The death. The avoidability.

So confront them. Do it. Dare them to say it. They will either be shown to be a horrible human being or they will cower under their sheep coat. This will work with people you know and share friends in common. It won’t work with people you don’t. This is a case where familiarity doesn’t breed contempt.

Confront them. Dare them to say it out loud.

[MineralMan]

1. They won't say it out loud. Instead,

they'll say something like, "Well, that's different." They don't realize what it is they're saying, really. They think that their special case and the special cases of those they know are "different" somehow. That's the most difficult battle we have to fight.

[Metro135]

22. That's the way conservatives think

They don't give a damn unless it affects them personally. I don't know how many accounts I've read where Trump voters get agitated when they realize that someone they've known and liked in their community for years might be deported. Well, they didn't think it would affect Manuel, or Rosa, or Mustafa. Why, "we've known them for years." Suddenly, that isn't right.

And it's the same with the more conspicuous Republicans who are or were in the media spotlight. Cheney is for gay marriage because his daughter is gay. Otherwise, would we even hear from him on this topic? Nancy Reagan was in favor of stem cell research because Ronnie was afflicted with Alzheimer's.

They all make me sick.

[winetourdriver01]

2. ACA

How many people think these yahoos would have been ok with the ACA if it had been restricted to just white snowflakes?

[VWolf]

4. Hell, they would have been ok with it

if it was merely proposed by a white snowflake.

But Pres Obama was ........ not a white snowflake.

[DownriverDem]

17. It was

The Heritage Foundation wrote it. Romney put it into place in MA. Obama used it for the ACA.

[mountain grammy]

3. I agree, confront them!

Whether they listen or not, I no longer give a shit. I refuse to silently listen to bullshit. Guess I've become a bit of an asshole, but, like I said, I no longer give a shit.

[Moostache]

9. Just as facts have a liberal bias, truth these days has an asshole bias...

We have been forced to be the bad guy by those who would stick their head in the sand and pretend rather than examine facts in the cold harsh light of day.

Fuck them all. If they cannot handle honesty, then they need to get out of policy setting and politics altogether.

[TNNurse]

5. You are a brave woman.

Sally Yates and many others would be proud.

Please let us know if you get any delayed feedback from them.

[TexasProgresive]

6. Thank you and I will follow your lead, righteous sister!

[LaydeeBug]

7. They need to be *TOLD*. They *LIKE* that. Seriously. nt

[JudyM]

8. This is great! Also we need to directly confront that false assertion that ACA is failing. Because

that's what folks think this new bill is a "solution" for.

Dems need, as much as anything, stronger, stickier memes.

[Scarsdale]

13. IF the ACA is failing

then why are so many people angry about losing their coverage? So many, that the cowardly politicians are afraid to face them.. It WORKS, that is why people are fighting for it. We need coverage for EVERYONE. If the Trumpcare is so great, why are the politicians signing for their very own bill? Tell them to scrap their taxpayer subsidized health plan, and get tRumpcare, too!!

[pandr32]

20. The GOP is hogtying the ACA

...they have been busy crippling it or not implementing it at all in whatever way and states they can. THEY are trying to make sure it fails at the same time they have been bleating in unison talking point that it is.

[not fooled]

24. And the puke voters

have been told by faux spews, flush, etc. that the ACA is a disaster, from day one. The corporate media never adequately countered that misinformation and propaganda. And, sadly, I don't think President Obama did, either, as effectively as was needed.

So, after 7+ years of being lied to, many puke voters have been brainwashed into believing that the ACA is bad, failing, etc. because Obama.

Pointing out to them that they have been the victims of a massive, well-funded propaganda campaign is just acknowledging reality.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

10. Huzzah.......

When an ignorant person is confronted with the reality of an action, they cower in shame of their ignorance. It is much like realizing that they are naked in front of everyone.

People will die if the Senate goes along with House Republicans and Trump signs this Bill. Those relying on Medicaid will see people literally thrown out of Nursing Homes and homes for the Disabled to no money. Families will likely face bankruptcy in having to care for aging parents or severely sick children. What this will do the economy is disturbing in and of itself.

Those in Congress who cite their Christianity as guides as to how they govern, are HYPOCRITES for this vote. Not only will they have this vote on their record, they will have to answer to the very Christ they profess to follow when He asks them, "Why did you take away health care from my people when they needed it most? Did you not hear me when I said, 'the LEAST you did onto my people, you did onto ME?'"

Dare ask your friends and member of Congress be they Republican that question. Watch how they try to spin that.

[calimary]

12. Yep! GOOD one! Matthew 25:35-45 can really punch their lights out.

That IS the one you quoted - the "least of My brethren" one. That's one Scripture passage you are GUARANTEED - NEVER to hear quoted in the press by any of these so-called "Christians" and other assorted holier-than-thous (I'm talking about YOU, Paul Ryan!).

I found an EXCELLENT rebuttal to the main arguments against the Affordable Care Act - in the comments section of a Washington Post editorial by E.J. Dionne:

UrbanProgressive
5/8/2017 7:05 AM PDT
DOps post is wrong on every count.
(1) The ACA is not imploding despite Republican's efforts to sabotage the program.
(2) Pre-existing conditions will once again become central issue for people shopping for health insurance if the AHCA or anything like it is passed.
(3) Premiums were rising by double-digit rates every year for the decade before the ACA was passed. There have been increases since, but even at their worse, they demonstrate that the ACA has mitigated the increases by significant amounts.

Though there is much room for improvement, the ACA has increased efficiencies and effectiveness in America’s healthcare system. It made it possible for people with chronic conditions to get healthcare services in a doctors office instead of the hospital emergency room. It has also significantly reduced the number of bankruptcies due to healthcare bills, and has allowed millions of people to have a measure of dignity in their lives.

Since the points DOps expounds are routine talking points in the rightwing media, perhaps DOps relies too much on them for his information. He (or she) and every American ought to understand that these sources are propaganda, are not fact-based, and do not reflect reality. These outlets are purposed to promote ideological and special interests. They are designed to obfuscate and misinform, and not to illuminate the issues.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/yes-house-republicans-the-heartless-health-care-vote-will-define-you/2017/05/05/86994c02-31cc-11e7-9534-00e4656c22aa_story.html?hpid=hp_no-name_opinion-card-a%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&utm_term=.9f7c6bd48b58#comments

--------

Turning everything back over to the "sanctity of the free market" will only knock us back, by years, to the time before we had the Affordable Care Act. The Affordable Care Act came into being BECAUSE of the so-called almighty hallowed and sacrosanct free market. The fucking free market was what GOT US to the Affordable Care Act. The fucking free market was what NECESSITATED taking steps like the Affordable Care Act. TO RECTIFY how badly the precious fucking free market fucked people over. Premiums went up then, and are going up now, but they're going up now by FAR LESS OF AN INCREASE than would have been true if there'd been no Affordable Care Act.

And BTW - I'm NOT calling it "Obamacare." That's nothing but a smack. An insult. A sneaky little smack below the belt where a lot of people don't notice. It's a deliberate attempt to dirty up the good name of President Obama by laminating it repeatedly to something the CONS portrayed as bad, and icky, and deserving to be done away with. Because that's what they wanted for him. And it was a shrewd and sneaky way to tarnish his name while tarnishing one of his key achievements as President. I won't use their words. I won't use their phrases. It only reinforces them and cements them into place in the back of everybody's minds. I refuse to be in collusion with their devious messaging. They think they're being deviously clever and scathingly brilliant by pulling this shit. And they certainly have fooled quite a few of 'em out there. I WILL NOT BE FOOLED.

#TheResistance

[llmart]

29. I agree with you on not referring to it as Obamacare...

even though President Obama even embraced it after awhile.

I'm a person who thinks words and semantics and language are very, very important. This is akin to when they starting to refer to our party as the Democrat party instead of Democratic. It may sound like a very small thing, but it isn't. Words matter.

It is the Affordable Care Act and that's what I have always called it. I work with a woman who's an avowed Republican and she always gets a sneer on her face when she says "Obamacare" and I retort with using the Affordable Care Act in my response.

[Akamai]

11. They also don't know that Republicans are the reason for Obamacare's difficulties. Marco Rubio

inserted legislation two years ago which eliminated the Cost Corridors provisions (which would have stabilized the costs to insurance companies). The Republican house has been chopping away at Obamacare and refusing to take common sense steps to improve it.

The freaking Republicans are not acting in good faith and are blaming the Dems for the inability to get things done.

[Ohioboy]

19. Yep

They have done everything to hinder the ACA instead of working to make it better. They have not done their jobs and should be voted out.

[niyad]

14. thank you for your courage. yes, MAKE THEM SAY IT OUT LOUD.

[HughBeaumont]

15. Like I said before . . . Admitting error is a Cardinal Sin in ConservaTopia.

Lee Atwater and Karl Rove hard-wired that feature into ALL GOPers from here on in. They'd plunge steadfastly into the shockwave and radiation poisoning screaming "Make America GREAT Agaaaaaaaaaaa . . . " if it means never EVER admitting they were wrong.

[MLAA]

16. Excellent strategy for the rest of us to use

Thank you for your courage and wisdom. Excellent approach.

[Hekate]

18. Kick

[qwlauren35]

21. I admire you.

I am glad you knew what to say and how to say it.

Not surprised at all. I always expect great things from you.

[Mountain Mule]

23. Right on! K&R

I am disabled and covered by medicaid - for the moment. If my medicaid gets taken away, I will die - that simple. I normally dislike talking very much about my own situation, but what is going on makes me feel both scared and angry. If anyone I know starts crowing about killing the ACA in my presence, I'm going to ask them what it is I did to them that they would be so pleased about my impending early death, as well as those of other members of our community who are fighting cancer, require kidney dialysis, etc. We need to hold those who celebrate the loss of medical care accountable.

[tiredtoo]

25. The failing of "Obamacare" is a result of insurance companies

And Republican antics.
Just read a story about Aetna pulling out as a revenge because they were not allowed to merge with Humana. The CEOs are making Millions if not Billions. They are not losing money, they are just greedy.

[llmart]

27. Absolutely.

I blame the insurance companies and the lack of regulation of them and their lobbyists.

My daughter works for one of the largest (in commications) and she just got a whopping bonus. She couldn't believe it when her boss told her that. It's supposed to be a non-profit and the director of the department said it was because they "had a good year". WTF? Now, I'm glad for her because she is my daughter, but even she thought it was odd to give out bonuses on her level.

[samnsara]

26. good for you!!!! I cant get this confrontational....

..I once yelled at someone and called them a Futher Mucker.

So I just lie in wait and quietly resist, unfriend them from FB, steer clear of the a-holes and bumper sticker UP my car. I also made little red resist cards with hash tags to some of the twitter sites ( I leave them laying around in public places)..and I wear all my resist clothing.

[mac56]

28. yup

[Honeycombe8]

30. I have come to the sad realization that ultimately most people care only about themselves.

I've gradually realized this over the last 10 years. Before then, I was naive, I guess.

[riversedge]

31. k for visibility

[2naSalit]

32. I agree except...

And until they are almost forced to address it on a personal level involving people they know

I would argue that there's no almost, they will have to suffer the pain of their convictions to get it no matter how smart they are otherwise.

Good on you and thanks for sharing.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

33. Whoever this person is,

I LOVE her!!!!

[NNadir]

34. Wow!!! Very powerful!! I admire you. n/t.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

35. I am so fucking tired of

"Obamacare is failing". Failing how??? Please give specifics.

The reality is, that while Obamacare (the ACA) is not perfect, it's incredibly good. And what needs to be done is to fix the places where people actually are less well off under it.

I'm one of those annoyingly healthy people. I barely need any coverage at all, so for someone like me it could be easy to think not much coverage is needed. But I've had one or two instances in my live that make me understand. Everyone should pay as little as I do. Even if they have many major and serious health issues.

I got into a fight a couple of weeks ago with my neighbor and his boyfriend, who were declaring piously that they shouldn't have to pay for the healthcare of someone who is overweight or otherwise doesn't take care of himself. I pointed out to the boyfriend that he smokes, and so he is wishes that exact same lack of care on himself.

I don't think they got it.

I hate people like that.