Boy, the Democrats had better start marketing this health care thing soon ...

[Kablooie]

or the Republicans will turn it around to a big win for themselves.

The majority of the articles I find on the internet talk about how awful it is and will destroy the country.

Ridiculous, of course, but there are relatively few articles supporting or clarifying it.

Here are some samples from Google news:

Republicans mobilize healthcare opposition
New healthcare bill pros and cons: It expands benefits now, cuts them later
Attorneys general in 11 states poised to challenge healthcare bill
Pro-abortion groups outraged by Stupak and healthcare bill
‎GOP Senators Prepare Delaying Tactics for Remaining Healthcare Bill
‎How the healthcare bill will implicate Mass.
‎The buy now, pay later healthcare bill
‎Petition drive challenging health care bill launched in South Bend

With a few, very few, explanatory or positive articles interspersed.

If I were average middle of the road Joe reading these articles, I would turn against all the congress-folk that voted for it. It sounds like an unmitigated disaster.

If the Dems don't jump on the publicity wagon soon and jump hard, it's not going to be pretty.
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[Mari333]

1. the mandates.

that is going to knock them down in no time flat.

its already started at RW websites.


bad idea.

[tabatha]

2. Rachel just said there are no mandates anymore.

[HughMoran]

4. This mandate?

Starting in 2014, most Americans will be required to buy health insurance or pay a penalty.

* The penalty will be phased in, starting at 1 percent of income in 2014, and rising to the maximum of $2,085 for a family in 2016.
* American Indians don’t have to buy insurance. Those with religious objections or a financial hardship can also avoid the requirement. And if you would pay more than 8 percent of your income for the cheapest available plan, you will not be penalized for failing to buy coverage.
* Those who are exempt, or under 30, can buy a policy that only pays for catastrophic medical costs. It must allow for three primary care visits a year as well.

Hardly immediate or draconian if you ask me.

[sandnsea]

3. Obama is going to Iowa on Thursday

That's where he first announced his health care plan.
http://obama-mamas.com/blog/?p=1496

I'm glad he's going because boy I was really getting worried that he wouldn't be able to keep pounding the shit out of them like he has for the last year.

Does DU need a henny-penny therapist or something?

[BlueIris]

5. But, but...this is such an important "first step"!

It's a landmark! A crowning achievement! How could it possible wind up a win for the other side?

[RKP5637]

6. IMO because their base is so delusional they will believe anything R's, RW AM and

Fox News tells them. Their base does not think, they just react.

[Joe the Revelator]

7. Once the changes take effect, it won't need marketing...as Biden said:

The proof of the pudding is in the eating.

[sendero]

8. Unfortunately....

... these changes are well after the next presidential election, much less the midterms.

I agree with the OP. Whether fair or not it is pretty easy to malign this bill.

[Joe the Revelator]

9. Most of these are not

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/22/health-reform-bill-summary_n_508315.html

[depakid]

15. What's more, Republicans are going to point to every premium increase and insurance abuse and say

See: we told you so.

And that will actually be a fair thing to say, as Democrats have in fact aligned themselves with health insurers and PhARMA (pot.kettle.black notwithstanding).

[Poiuyt]

10. The Republicans have always been better at spin than the Democrats

They have the benefit of consistent "talking points" and a conservative media. But Pres Obama is such a good orator he should be able to take the case to the people and force things our way. You're right that we need to get on top of this fast.

[NavyDavy]

11. the sky is falling the sky is falling

[Kablooie]

17. Not falling yet but the GOP will keep pulling on it until it does. Hope it falls on them.

[cynatnite]

12. It's been less than 24 hours since the vote...I see why you're worried n/t

[county worker]

13. The headlines are there to sell advertising not to inform.

I think people will realize pretty soon that this is a plus in their lives.

[leftstreet]

14. Why didn't they market it before they passed it?

:shrug:

[depakid]

16. They tried to- except they kept cutiing out the popular and marketable provisions!

[GreenTea]

18. Amazing how much money the insurance corporations spent to defeat this bill - Yet they were....

successful in killing off any competition to themselves, by way of destroying a Public Option from the bill....Money does indeed talk.

To be able to fuck up so many peoples minds with the help of their corporate brothers, the media...These are the rich, the republicans the corporations the powerful who own most everything and stick together like glue because if one falls....