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For most of her life, Anna Kroyman ignored politics - it was just too boring.
"I never voted, I never paid attention, I never cared," says Kroyman. But all that has changed. This year Kroyman, 60, organized a Tea Party group in her town of Monticello, Ind., establishing a group that now has more than 200 members.
The event that awakened her political awareness - and she remembers it clearly because it came as a shock - was the Senate impeachment hearings of former President Bill Clinton. She heard two words emanate from the living room -- oral sex -- dropped the dishes in the sink and went into the living room where her boyfriend, Jack Van Vulkenburg, 65, was watching TV.
"It was like, are you kidding me? This is what's happening in our White House... (Bill Clinton) was like Ferris Bueller in the White House.... I thought it was hysterical," says Kroyman, who runs a telephone sales business out of her home.
She became a political junkie, following the hearings, watching the news, watching C-SPAN and memorizing the legislators' names. For the first time in her life, at age 50, she voted and exercised her conservative leanings.
After the last election she decided to step it up a notch, because she believes the country is "going down a dangerous path."
"We're heading into a socialistic system here," says Kroyman. "What we are experiencing now is the fall of democracy."
She says the catalyst that led her to found the Tea Party group was the rant by CNBC's Rick Santelli in February 2009 expressing outrage over an Obama administration policy to help distressed homeowners, even if they had bought more house than they could actually afford. The rant went viral on the Internet, where it was embraced by conservatives and derided by liberals as political theater.
At Van Valkenburg's suggestion Kroyman started a Website named "C-Corn.com"( http://c-corn.com/) -- as in ACORN for conservatives - not anticipating how fervently she would pursue the idea.
"I hike the ball, and she runs with it," says Van Valkenburg, a retired Chicago policeman who describes himself as a lifelong "anti-liberal."
She convened the first meeting of White County Tea Party Patriots at the local USA Family Restaurant in January with just eight people. Now the group has 232 members, Kroyman says.
The group regularly hosts political candidates to quiz them on their positions. They don't endorse candidates - like many other Tea Party groups the group is registered as a 527 educational nonprofits and thus prohibited from doing so. They do press for core values - limited government, fiscal responsibility and free markets - that she believes have been undermined by Congress and the president.
At a White County Tea Party event on Friday, held in a meeting room at the local utility company, Kroyman and Van Valkenburg passed the microphone among the 100 or so people who came to question Dan Coats, the Republican candidate for Senate. He fielded questions on immigration, value-added-tax and the health care package while his wife gave what was billed as an "impromptu" talk about her family's conservative values.
The group has hosted many of the candidates who will be on the ballot here, including Rep. Brad Ellsworth, a Democrat. Kroyman says she has repeatedly invited Democratic Rep. Joe Donnelly, but he hasn't accepted.
"Donnelly is telling us who he is by not coming," she says angrily.
Kroyman did not have time to attend a statewide anti-"Obamacare" rally held in Indianapolis over the weekend because she had other local Tea Party events to run in coming days before elections.
"Now I realize the seriousness of the matter," says Kroyman. "Now I'm looking for (candidates) who want to preserve the Constitution, who love this country, and save it from people who don't."
Click here to read why msnbc.com is publishing this project.
Click here to see and read all the "Faces of the Tea Party" posts.
Leave a Comment:
White Country Tea Party-seems appropriate, doesn't it?
I'm betting that this family gets basic cable T.V. that includes FOX.
This "news junkie" doesn't get CNN or MSNBC.
OMG. People are having oral sex. Stop the press.
Your comments just show how much bigotry the democrats or liberals have instilled in them. Of course the only real news comes from NBC (Never Barrack Critics) or CNN (Clinton News Network). Just proves the point that liberals think they know it all and expect the government to take care of them. And yes, the president having oral sex without his wife, that seemed to be press stopping at the time. But in a liberal culture I guess cheating on a spouse is excepted behavior.
It's almost as appropriate as "Lawnboy" for a handle, given your statement.
Well...when was the last time you had sex (oh sorry...oral copulation) in your office? The fact that someone even would think of such an act and then lie about it (sure...mince words and call it "factually correct") is just another indication that this person was morally bankrupt. Go ahead and sleep well at night knowing that he didn't "have sex", but those with common sense and a half decent moral compass knows different.
JK..Oh, please get over it. When you cheat do you go right home and shut "Hey, honey, I just had oral sex". Do not play the good Christian, we all sin.
LOL @ JOE
Stereotype much!!! Get a clue.
After living in Indiana, I know for a fact that there are many KKK members. Funny that this women was never interested in politics until a black President was voted into office. Where was she when President Bush was sending our brave military men and women to fight an unnecessary war?
Catydid,
did you actually read the article? She became interested in politics during the Clinton impeachment. Race was never mentioned. Pay better attention next time before you try to pull out that card.
slightly old,
It's not a matter of sinning. It's a matter of holding yourself to a higher standard then everyone else. When the President of the United States can't have enough respect to honor the integrity of the office and then hide behind semantics about the definition of "sex", then that shows his moral integrity, which is a reflection on his views. So tell me...if someone was an admitted sex offender would you have them babysit your children? Why not? What's the difference between the distinction of what you term as being a Christian/morally sound and what you term as "get over it..."?? Perhaps its you that should get over it as the majority of America is seeing the moral fiber of our country being ripped away by individuals that value themselves over the good of the country. In this day and age, there are still people who measure the worth of a person by their values and their beliefs.
Lawnboy730 said:
"White Country Tea Party-seems appropriate, doesn't it?"
Were you attempting to make a sarcastic joke with an undertone of racism ..... or can you simply not read?
Just curious.
What does Clinton have to do with any of this? It is in the past. What truly bothers me is how these tea party people have no social conscience what so ever. They are blatantly hateful to those who are less fortunate, and then claim to be Christians. What hippocrites.
Sorry to disappoint you, Slightly Old but not all of us cheat on our spouces. No one is claiming to be holier than thou but some of us happen believe in our vows, Christian or not.
Actually lawn boy... the word on the shirt is "county". Now... get back to cutting grass, since reading is not your forte.
Catydid,
I also live in Indiana and I have also heard of the KKK presence. However, I have also seen disgust and contempt from the overwhelming majority of my fellow Hoosiers when dealing with the KKK. At one point in time they may have held influence, but believe me when I tell you, they are no longer relevant. Just some old fashioned relics of the past. They will soon be all gone.
I'd like to know where you've seen the KKK members.
All this talk about voter apathy, what it is about is the race of OUR president. None of these people did anything until we got a black president. Then they came out from under the rocks from where they were hiding all along.
Joe-1787650, you're suspended for a day for violating #1 of the Code of Honor.
just substitute the word black for white and black Panther for KKK and Muslim for Christian and see how narrow minded you all sound. name calling and put downs only strenthen our resolve to put away endless spending and job killing by our present administration. I admire this couple and the sand they possess to be on a liberal site.
Why didn't they raise their voices while Bush and the republicans gave everything to the rich? The tea party was started by Dick Army and paid for by the Koch brothers. It's members are feed lies daily, they are the bullies that never grew up.
I agree with this lady. I had to explain oral sex to my daughter a few years back becasue of Bill Clinton. The entire trial and his stupidity about not calling it sex has helped to further desensify our country towards so things. Today I cannot allow my kids to watch most of the 8 pm comedy shows, except Disney, becasue of the sick sexual behavior displyed on these shows. I have a question for the Obama family. DO you allow your girls to watch such filth? If not then why are you so stuck on kids bodies eating right and not on their minds because junk in is junk out both physically and mentally!
Good it gave you an opportunity to talk with your daughter about sex and its ramifications. I think he said "I did not have sex with that woman". Which is factualy correct. I have no doubt the Obamas will have the appropriate conversation and the appropriate time with their children regarding sex. It is the rest of the USA that I wonder about. Maybe Sarah Palin should of had that conversation a bit sooner.
Why do you let your daughter watch the news if so much offends you?
Healthy families should not skirt the issue of sex discussions with their children otherwise they will learn it from kids on the street or in this case their Commander in Chief.
BUT when people make statements of the sick sexual behavior on the Prime Time shows in 2010, I have to ask if you are this up tight about sex did you have to go to wikipedia first and learn the definition of oral sex first?
No way! You had to explain oral sex to your daughter?
Sit down. I have shocking news for you: your daughter would have found out anyway. I knew what it was in 9th grade, and kids know things a lot sooner now. And before you start throwing slurs against my character, I've had sex with (including oral and otherwise) 2 men in my entire life.
How is oral sex "sick"? I agree it shouldn't be done during working hours, but as long as it's between two consenting adults, why do you care? I'm betting you think the government should be out of our lives as much as possible. Unless, of course, somebody's doing something of which you don't approve.
Justgetitright,
So I guess oral sex is not sex. If you are married, if you have oral sex with another person, your spouse would except that as "not sex". Liberals must believe that all lies are acceptable. Been watching too much Californication. Not everyone buys into the "do as you please" lifestyle.
Get off your soapbox. We now have the lovely GOP players of Foley in Florida, Larry Craig toe tapping and John Boehner having an affair.
I'm sure your daughter had a pretty good idea what it was. And even though I do not think that Clinton should have lied - what he should have said was it was none of anybody's damn business - BECAUSE IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH US as a country and how things were being handled; it was the Republicans led by Dick Armey who went ballistic with it.
No my wife would not go for that. You are correct. But if I did have oral sex with another woman I still would not have had sex with her. I would have had oral sex. Clinton saying "I did not have sex with that woman" again is factual correct. That is all I said. Let me ask you if someone has oral sex and only oral sex are they a virgin? The answer is yes. Why because they have not had sex. There is a difference.
technically you are correct, but is this the behavior you want from your president? Had he not been married, I would have said it was no one's business, but he was, that makes it wrong. Unless of course Hillary was there watching and approving.
WHY is it when Politicians have NOTHING of substannce to offer, they want to discuss sex?
Get out of American bedrooms and find a way to fix our broken roads and bridges.
If this the Tea Party then they have been living under "the rock" for sometime now if this is news to them. Bubba just got setup, caught with his proverbial pants down........ for almost a year after the BJ. Hm mm, wonder who was behind that one. Haven't seen that dress on ebay yet but wait she's almost broke.
Clinton was the best President we have had in my life time and still all these prudes are hung up on his infidelity.
Clinton may have been an unfaithful husband, but W. screwed the whole nation!
You had to explain oral sex to your daughter because the Republicans spent $50million investigating Clinton and that was the only thing they could come up with. And your comment about the Obama's trying to make kids healthier says something about your capacity to think. I am sure you are right out there screaming about healthcare reform, but when they try to get people to eat healthier, THEREFORE CUTTING the national healthcare costs, you are criticizing it. And I am sure the Obama daughters don't watch trash TV. They are getting an education and will go on to college like their parents.
I want leaders that make good policy decisions. I don't care about the house of cards of "family values". (See Sue note about some of the Republican family values in action)I am a true fiscal conservative and social liberal. I don't care what you do at home and am big on freedom and liberty. I do care about debt but the problem is neither the reps or dems showing any abiltiy to slow spending. That is why independents like my self see the tparty as racist/scared white people. They sure did not care about spending under Reagan/Bush/Bush but now that we have a black president it is like revalation to them. See why this kinds of looks funny to some of us? Look if I am going to spend a trillion $ I would much rather spend it at home then on building some country half way around the world that does not like us. Oh did I mention W borrowed the money.
I personally would rather a President had oral sex, then start wars that have killed thousands of American soliders. Not to mention the Iraqi's whose life were ended. All the children that were not aborted but died anyway because of a conservative. No welfare wanted; no children wanted after birth. What a party of failures.
Well said Slightly Old!
Are you familiar with the "family values" whore-monger, Republican Senator David Vitter of Louisiana? A wife, and 3 DAUGHTERS, and he frequents prostitutes. Did you explain to your teenage daughter it's ok to be married, with 3 daughters, and use prostitution services. So, explaining to your daughter about oral sex and Bill Clinton, should also afford you the opportunity to explain to your teenage daughter the republican, "family values" guy.
For myself, I'm single, I LOVE women, and surely don't mind paying for their pleasures.
So we're rehashing the Clinton's affair. What a surprise, a politician having an extra martial affair? i'm sure it never happened before Bill Clinton. Give me a beak, if anything the Clinton's affair show the morally deprivation of the Republican party. Before clinton, a politician personal life was his own. They all did it and looked the other way when someone did it. It had nothing to do with governing. However the Republicans party in it's usual deprived manner brought it to a new low while at the same time committing the same indiscretions. (Hypocrisy 101). This lady and her boyfriend should worry more about the president's policies instead of his sex life. I think starting wars which kills hundred of thousands of people and cost a trillion dollars is more of a concern than a man's sex life.
Where was all this anger when we started an unnecessary war and the government handed out tax CUTS instead of raising taxes to pay for the damn war?
JustGetItRight,
So explain to us all, if its not sex then why is it called oral sex?
So if a grown man gets a blowjob from a minor, then it is not a sex crime? Of course it is. That is why it is called "oral sex". I agree--the GOP shouldn't have gone after Clinton, but he was stupid to lie like he did. He had plenty of other options. I would have gone with paying Jones or refusing to testify.
Don't libertarians believe in uninhibited liberties? As in, the freedom of individual thought and action? Apparently that only applies to how the government spend taxes. We're allowed to judge and dictate what individuals do in the bedroom.
Hey Just get it right, you really do not get it at all.
The oral sex is not the issue - most of us enjoy that. The issue is having it broadcast in the middle of the day on the national news. I remember the first time I heard about the incident - I was standing in our kitchen next to an 11 year old neighbor girl who was over watching our 3 year old so she could practice babysitting. More than a bit awkward as I quickly changed the channel. Now if we are not supposed to let our kids watch some cartoons like Powder Puff Girls until they are at least 7, I can't imagine this is appropriate TV for an 11 year old. I told my wife later what happened just in case she got an enraged call from the girl's mom about why she was coming home from our house asking about oral sex - luckly it never did. I could have been accused of exposing this girl to pornography - all thanks to our President and the national news media.
A picture is worth a thousand words. Just two will suffice though, White County. Man, thanks for the material MSNBC.
Aw come on, that was a story dialogue. You guys create them every day. I'll give you an account that you created a couple of days ago in this "Faces of the TEA Party."
It was called "TEA Party Potential..."
Why would MSNBC lie and plaster a couple's face (the Williams) on the "Faces of the TEA Party" and they are black and yet they are not part of the TEA Party. You lied just to prove the TEA party is not all white. That's HYPOCRITICAL. You could have just as easily posted a story about a black family that was TEA but I doubt you would find a family because they are individuals and it would serve better to show at least a couple. Like I said, HYPOCRITES.
Don't delete my comment while you keep the lie posted of a black couple as the "Face of the TEA Party."
amen to that - I was thinking the same thing
Louis
I think the Williams have been pulled from the site. Now the Tparty is back to all white.
Bingo! LouisJ You nailed it!
I am a white veteran. I was born in the deep south where the roots of modern-day racism run deep, very deep. Actually, I was born to be a racist, and suspicious of blacks from day one. I heard my mother and father use the 'N' word as I grew up. Until I was nine or ten years old, I never had a personal experience, or even a conversation with a black person, other than our maid, leaving me with a 'baseless' reason to believe black people are somehow different and likely substandard people. Besides, our maid was black and she was treated more like family. It was a confusing set of standards to be sure.
Later as a 19 year-old going through boot camp in south Texas in July, I was exposed to more black people and I learned over a short period of time that my black brothers in arms were just like me, and sometimes better. It took a few years before I was exposed again to racism up close on a return visit to the deep south. It was then I realized my parents imprinted racism in my head. I dearly loved my parents, but I had to finally admit, they were racists.
Now, I'm 56 years old. I know racism. I know what it is. I have seen it up close. I don't need to anybody else's opinion on the matter - I KNOW.
I have seen countless photographs, youtube videos and written interviews with tea party people for the past two years, and I can assure you it is at least 75-80% bigots and racists. If you remove those people from the tea party you'd have nothing much left.
I was born in the South and was born and raised NOT to be a racist. I am thankful for that. In my opinion, rascism is totally illogical and basically is the need of "not very intelligent" people to feel superior to someone. The few (and I intend to keep it that way) Tea Partiers I know are incapable of thinking sensibly. They are radical and unpleasant to be around. A good example of what I am saying is the woman who heard the words "oral sex"and suddenly became interested in politics after "not caring" for all those years. One just never knows what it might take to suddenly spark an interest in something!
You all beat me to it! Lawnboy & Louis
Good job Lawnboy, I just KNEW one of you ultralibtards would use "White County" to try to play the well-worn out RACE CARD. What would you and yours do without it, actually consider ideas and apply rational thought? NEVER!
I think its funny that every poster so far (including you GetReal...) has gotten the inital commenters name wrong. In an unintentionally funny and yet interesting way...
For the record the posters name is NOT 'Lawnboy' its Lawnoy. no 'b'.
LMAO at you!!! Your 'id' is showing.
uh yeah???? looks like lawnboy730 to me???
Me too. I see lawnboy730 as well.
Amazing how catch words and phrases are used by the intellectual "elites" who accuse others of ignorance, bigotry, racism yet continue with their own hypocrisy: Tea Baggers, reactionary right, brown shirts, token blacks, homophobic, tea baggery, the list is legion. The Emperor has no clothes! The Left has been seen for what it really is and what it truly wants. Two years ago the GOP and conservatives were forever dead, never to rise from the ashes. Not since Lazarus has there been such a resurrection!
But is it not true - someone on the Dem side points out something and you guys flip out - ya can dish it - but ya cant take any back
Okay, curiousity is getting the better of me. I hear and see conservatives using the term "intellectual elite" all the time, yet I'm curious as to what you (since you used it) think it actually means. Hint: Just saying it's a term used to identify a liberal is incomplete.
Mark...I think you just offended Jesus.
Thats actually pretty funny slightly old.
Anna wants to preserve the constitution. I doubt she has read it. That socialistic government she fears would be the one that is probably paying her "boyfriend" Jack's Social Security checks so she can run around and organize against big government. And who exactly are these people who she claims do not love their country? This kind of hyperbole and ignorance is frightening. Apparently to be a "community organizer" in Tea Party-land, you don't need facts, you just need to stand up and shout garbage and FOX and Friends will "report" it.
How about you, jaq24? Have you read it? Really read the whole thing? And thought about what it says and means? Or do you just believe what Chris Matthews and Rachel Maddow TELL you it means? It's not that long, much, much shorter than any of the UNCONSTITUTIONAL bills which our wonderful congress have passed without reading...
And Jacq24, make sure you read the amendments also. Those are the ones that protect our rights as citizens. But then again as GetReal has said, you probably only have CNN and MSNBC on, and everyone knows that Keith Oberman and Chris Matthews care about the people. Just like Obama and the democrats only care about the redistribution of wealth. Maybe MSN should post the constitution online for you to read.
I totally agree with you jacq24. Most of these posters are complete simpletons.
I resent Kroyman saying that people who do not believe like them don't love our country. I am a liberal who was raised to love my country, and my views (which are liberal) are just as ingrained in the American tradition as those folks who are conservative. In this country, traditionally, neither conservatives nor liberals "win." It is a constant negotiation that goes on between the two sides that decides our fate, with neither side ever being completely happy with the result. The framers designed it that way.
We just spent eight years under GOP rule, two of those with a Democratic congress. I would argue that Bush with his TARP and two wars and tax cuts without spending cuts did us in. Ms. Kroyman would likely disagree. And that is America. The constant struggle between different kinds of people, most of whom love our country as much or even more than Ms. Kroyman does.
rwilliams1961,
To a point, you are correct about the way politics goes. The negotiations between the left and the right usually end up in the middle. Neither side wins, but there is compromise that usually makes a majority of the people happy or content.
Although, Bush did lead us into war, I don't blame him for everything, especially the TARP, considering that the Democrats had control of both houses and could have stopped it. But they wanted it as bad as anyone. Besides, once the Democrats controlled both houses in 2006, they could have stopped the wars had they really wanted to. They do appropriate the money for the government.
But since that time, our left wing friends have decided to spend 1.5 trillion dollars that our children will have to pay for. Not a lot of compromise the past 18 months. Just law after law rammed down our throats.
The Democrats did not stop TARP because it was one of the few things Bush did right.
BigBear62 apparently doesn't know that TARP was GW all the way. Congress couldn't have passed it without GW's signature. Oh......maybe he was drinking or snorting that day and it wasn't his fault. GW was a punk that destroyed our rights, drained our treasure and the people on the right want to blame it all on Obama. America is full of uneducated fools.
And it never would have gotten to GW's desk had Congress not passed it. What exactly is your point, Jenna?
Also, please explain what rights GW "destroyed."
People like you want to blame everything on GW, which displays your foolishness (just as the right's desire to blame everything on Obama displays theirs, as you say).
These comments are crazy.
One - I will never defend Clinton for what he did and that he lied...never. BUT...the reason this issue was on TV and was in Congress was because of politics...Republican politics that spent $$ millions on the Whitewater investivation and only got the blow job issue. That is the DEMOCRACY that this woman is talking about that she wants restored?
Like others who have commented here...I hope these people have read the Constitution and read all of it (as yes...I have). And does she know what Socialism is? I doubt it? And as others have said here....her boyfriend is probably the recipient (as she will be) of socialist aspects of the US system. My question remains about the Tea Party....what is at the heart of all this anger? It is probably and ugly answer.
We spent more money and time on the Bill Clinton situation than we did on the decision to go invade Iraq. But thats OK. And of course now every Republican who has gotten caught with their pants down is given a pass by hypocrites like this woman.
Apparently she thinks a blow job in the White House happened only once - just like kids think their parents only had sex once. She is a simpleton.
Sue-2291277
Your point is a very sad one. A lie about a trist got more attention than a decision to invade a country. Rest in peace to our fallen comrades, this country should have been more diligent before spending your life.
Isn't it pathetic? The so called moral majority cared more about one families' personal business than they did about thousands of dead soldiers and their families. Peace.
Rabble rabble rabble! People who disagree with my views are ignorant idiots! Democracy should only apply to reasonable like minded groups. No compromise!!!
Nice summary of the liberal mantra
yep -
One opinion under God (Yours – the only true God) – with liberty for gun owners and justice for Republicans and Corporations that drive this country – yeah drove it right into the ground and now you guys think your coming back to finish the job.
IF she is so conservative in her views, why isn't she married to her boyfriend?
because that could mess up his Govt. Checks and medicare
I'll take Bill Clinton and "oral sex" any day over the screw that we all got by Bush.
Well if you enjoyed that then you're having a complete orgie with this idiot who is in office now our "enemy-within". Don't you find it interesting that for the first time in history people in this country have risen up to stop a Presidential Administration?? They certainly didn't just wake up one day and think, "ya' know, I think I'll start a Tea Party". These people instinctively knew that their country was being treatened by the likes of Obama and his co-horts and they did something about it.
These people were threatened the minute that they saw that there was a difference coming. You woke up the day after the election, saw a new face and lost your collective minds. Before the man even won at 11 pm on Election night everything was blamed on him.
FIRST TIME IN HISTORY? I take it you never took part in an anti Iraq war march or protesting the RNC? Bush and Cheney couldn't even show up at their parties' convention because of the feelings of the bulk of the American people.
And how are we threatened? is it....SOCIALISM? Is it OMG we have to have rules in place so Wall Street doesn't destroy us all, have decent health care, women get paid the same amount as men and the right to choose? Well sign me up ANN for Socialism and you can take your backwards hypocisy ridden full of crap party right back to Wasilla.
You mean the idiot who can pronounce nuclear and graduated from Harvard Law. Personaly I liked the idiot who said "fool me once same on you fool me twice don't get fooled again". Or was that a who song?
annirich: Stop with the enemy within krap. Obama was elected by a landslide - unlike George Bush who got in because of markers owed to DADDY.
JustGetItRight. You haven't yet.
Jenna,
It's amazing that you can spout that garbage post after post... "George Bush who got in because of markers owed to DADDY"?? Really?? It you really do believe that, than you are more whacked than I could have imagined. I bet you were one of the ones that claimed "hanging chad!" Please, give us a break...
Frightening group of tea baggin' hypocrites w/their fake "moral outrage". If they were who...or what, they claimed to be...then they would have found their voices when Dubya and the gang led us into an illegal war,to distract us, while they robbed us blind. Where was your righteous indignation then??? You nutjobs get waaay too much attention. Go back into your caves,where you were silent for 8 years...and shut the hell up! Again!!
I looked at the WHITE COUNTY TEA PARTY web site...(facts complements of Boehner)
and found the " 10 Facts Every American Should Know About Speaker Pelosi’s 1,990-Page Gov’t Takeover of Health Care."
No surprise...one by one...the "facts" are all either wrong, or half truths or misleading .
Here is just ONE:
Boehner Misrepresents FactCheck.org’s Findings
November 2, 2009
Last week House Republican Leader John Boehner’s office issued a "Leader Alert" titled "10 Facts Every American Should Know About Speaker Pelosi’s 1,990-Page Gov’t Takeover of Health Care."
It’s a partisan document containing misleading characterizations of the bill. But the bullet point that bothers us most is #2, which reads:
We never have said that seniors would suffer "massive cuts to Medicare benefits" under the pending House or Senate overhaul bills, and in fact have done our best to debunk claims to that effect. The only seniors who might see cuts are those enrolled in Medicare Advantage, about 22 percent of the Medicare population. Currently, many of those seniors receive a bit more in benefits than regular Medicare fee-for-service patients – perhaps a gym membership, a pair of eyeglasses, a reduced premium. But, as we’ve written, Medicare pays the private companies that administer Medicare Advantage about 14 percent more per beneficiary than it does for the rest of Medicare beneficiaries, who wind up subsidizing the program, according to government analysts.
If current law didn’t change, the value of the additional benefits given under Medicare Advantage would amount to about $85 per senior per month in 2019, according to the Congressional Budget Office. If the Senate bill passed (and the House bill is similar on this point), that would be reduced to about $42 per month. But under no circumstances would any senior receive less in benefits than the other 78 percent of the Medicare population.
We’re sure seniors who see benefit cuts of any kind won’t be happy about it. But to characterize these as "massive cuts," and our article (as well as CBO’s analysis) as a "grave warning" is simply rubbish.
We asked Boehner’s office to take our name out of the document, but spokesman Michael Steel said: "I’m not inclined to do so," and invited us to send an e-mail further making our case. We are doing so.
First time at age 50 votes?.... give me a break... after 32 years she now decides to vote?.... that's a travisty... you want to bitch... show up... I'm 64 and I have never missed an election.....
Thank you! Me neither. Matter of fact, all my time spots have been at 6:00 on the am. Except for 2008, I was there at 5:00 and still in the back of the parking lot. And it was cooold! Whew, that was an amazing experience. Man if only the turn out could be this big again.
So, let's see... She gets all fired up over Clinton's blow job, then, what, goes into hibernation during the cataclysmic Bush years? And now she's all fired up again because she's swallowed all this teabagger crap?
Chuck
As far as I can tell two things get her going oral sex and black guys.
I agree with you Kevin.
Chuck, I'm thinking the same thing. Anne wants us to believe that she never had any interest in politics, never voted never "cared" until Bill Clinton admitted to having oral sex with a woman other then his wife, this being the "event that awakened her social awareness", OH COME ON, and then, apparently having some sort of epiphany, became a political junkie who could not get enough of the news...and NOW, with our current administration, she feels the need to "step it up a notch?" So, whenever anyone suggests that maybe, just maybe, the tea baggers are motivated by, dare I say it? The R word, all hell breaks loose. Accusations of playing the race card begin and get nastier and nastier, and the name calling starts...and what could be a civil conversation turns ugly. But I have to say it. Even prior to the election I have seen people who never had any strong political leanings whatsoever become absolutly rabid with hatred for the President. It's too over the top, too disproportionate, for me to believe that there is a significant element of bigotry involved.
They sure look friendly and open minded !
And that's based on what Frog?? Please explain?
annirich: You just don't stop with your krap, do you? You are very misinformed. I am sure that doesn't matter to you, though. You belong to the party that trashes education and is trying to get rid of public schools. You couldn't be more dense.
The Tea Party is living proof that we REALLY need to consider Palin's idea on death panals under healthcare reform.
There are in fact Death Panels and it comes in the form of MANDATORY every 5-year re-evaluation of end-of-life counseling from a bureaucrat no less. Decisions that used to be made between doctor and family. And the really scary part is that Odummo appointed Donald Berwick as head of Medicare. Google that guy's name and read his writings; one scary dude. So if the eldery need any kind of medical procedure to extend life...well you can pretty well kiss them goodbye 'cause they ain't gonna get it!
annirich: You are such a genius. The end of life counseling is about doctors being able to bill for a consultation about end of life decisions - you know, like living wills and do not resuscitate orders. How could you possibly counsel anyone on this issue when you clearly are clueless about this and many other things. Try rising up out of your pettiness and read a book or 2.
Another delusional teabagger who either lacks the intellect or the integrity to educate themselves before they state their LIES as facts.
ALL the Healthcare reform says Medicare will pay for end of life counciling and living wills between a patient and their medical practitioner or Doctor, so it is not out of pocket. IT is not mandatory, but everyone should have a living will.
http://www.factcheck.org/2009/08/palin-vs-obama-death-panels/
The Dems and the Progressives are denying that death panels exist. Typical of them. It has been the
same in every communist country and it begins with a govt bureaucrat deciding which or what to be
done with the elderly. The Dems or the Progressives can't fool me. But wait. When it happens to their
elderly you will hear the screaming and the gnashing of teeth from these same people who are
advocating these death panels. Don't worry Dems we'll hear from you soon enough. I know that
the Dems and Oblaba will begin with the disabled and incapacitated and those who can produce or
be a burden on the state. If the Dems don't want to extend medical help to the elderly, how do you
think they will treat those who can't produce and thus is a burden to the state? Wait and see. If the
Dems don't want to give expensive medical help to the elderly, do you think that they will give it to
the disabled and incapacitated and those who are sick? Who do they think they are fooling? Every
communist and socialist country practiced the same thing and they failed or ended up building
concentration camps and the slaughter of millions. The socialist extremist regime of Hitler did the
same thing and started out the same way with the same system.
Annirich - you have no idea what you are talking about. What it says about end of life counselling is that it is a covered benefit. A benefit recipient can ELECT to get the end of life counselling as a paid benefit every five years if they so CHOOSE. In case you didn't follow that let me say it another way. IF someone gets end of life counselling they don't have to pay for it as long as they don't use the benefit more than once every five years. IT IS NOT MANDATORY.
Please state the part of the reform bill that shows this is a required counselling for anyone. You will not be able to do it.
You are just pitiful.
Everyone denies death panels exist, but you delusional teabaggers.
Get back on your medication.
Ann as someone who lost their father in law to the hell disease known as Lou Gehrig's I can tell you that an end of life consultation with the doctor is NOT a death panel. It is your decision to make your final choices for what YOU WANT. And to do it with dignity.
And I can also tell you that you are so full of hatred, venom and misinformation that it is people like you who will get the rest of us out to vote because there is no way we are taking our country backwards to this America you seem to keep having wet dreams about that never existed to begin with.
It is apparent that these folks are ones that would benefit most from Democrats than Republicans because of their age.
Neither side instills much confidence but the Right has it all wrong, particularly with their rediculous social agenda.
And the leftist elitist liberals have everything correct with all programs and policies being totally socialistic? Am I understanding you correctly? The so-called Progressives (which we use to call Communist) huge government, intrusive into every aspect of your life? Those lefties???
Really annirich? Progressives used to be called Communists? One of the most notable early Progressives was...............TEDDY ROOSEVELT.
Hooray for the Tea Party. The hard core Dems think that they own the country and the political
system. They are fighting mad that the Tea Party is now gonna take back the country. Whilst you
Dems and Progressives was lambasting Palin and the others we were quietly taking the country
back. Your progressive and extremist laws and ideas are a thing of the past. You Dems are so
that whilst you have been yapping about Palin day in, night out, week in , month out, year in , year
out , you missed the what she has been doing and saying and what she really meant. You took
Santelli for granted and now the Juggernaut is rolling over America and the first to go will be those
communist czars you Oblaba has foisted on the American people. He lied from day one. He lied
about the shovel ready projects and made us fork over our hard earned cash and left us with a
hammer in the right hand and a sickle in the left. Oblaba the BIG O. Nada, nothring , zilch, non, zero.l
annirich, there you go, throwing out that scary word, Communist. What you "used to call'' Progressives? I guess you've been paying extra special attention watching Mr Beck. Really, what else have you got? Socialist? Becoming kind of cliche, isn' t it?
Carolyn-
In case of these poor souls annirich and juven above you just can't fix stupid!
I just hope they don't breed.
Dear Ann: Please forward all your Social Security checks and medicare benefits to the local women's shelter as you do not want to participate in these socialist programs.
Perhaps if YOU watched the real news you would have seen the interview with First Lady Michele Obama in which she states their beautiful daughters are not allowed to watch ANY television on week nights, and they're so busy on the weekends, they seldom have time for it. On weeknights, they eat together and do homework together. YOU'RE the parent - if you don't like what's on TV, TURN IT OFF.
I enjoy spending time with my daughters. I don't have a problem watching what they like. The Obama's are the template for a true family. Kings and Queens and Princes and Princesses. More than conquerors.
I would tell the lady who was tired of defending him that some of us are not tired. Matter of fact we are revived.
Ms. Cox, I'm confused. Are you saying that the liberal agenda of big government for all is right or the conservative agenda of personal responsibility is?
"beautiful"?? Nice how you make them sound so peachy. Nice that they are busy on the weekends traveling the world at the taxpayers expense. I'm sure any number of children that are receiving substandard education in nearly condemned school buildings are excited about the travels of the Obama children...
Likely Anna and Jack have NOT read the Constitution or the Declaration of Independence – or at least don't have a clue as to what these documents mean. In fact, the Declaration of Independence is the founding document that cites the freedoms teapartiers attribute to the Constitution. The Constitution was designed by the Founding Fathers to protect Americans from conservatives. In essence, it is based on the premise that mankind is unable to govern himself and provides protections for those who would otherwise be forced to worship specific religions (like the Church of England). Anna and Jack are, simplistically, manifestations of the "Me" generation. "I want what is good for me and screw everyone else, including America." These people are NOT true Americans and make me sick! It's time to shut them up to strengthen America and American values.
I think its funny that every poster so far who is railing against the initial posters comment regarding the name on the t-shirts has gotten the inital commenters name wrong. In an unintentionally funny and yet interesting way...
For the record the posters name is NOT 'Lawnboy' its Lawnoy. no 'b'.
LMAO at you!!! Your 'id's' are showing.
Notice how she goes from Clinton's BJ to Santelli's 2009 rant and completely skips the W years in her complaints. Where was the teabaggers spending outrage when W was running up the biggest deficit in history?
John,
Sorry, you say you agree with a lady who wants to respect the Constitution but then you effectively criticize the President for not being forceful enough in reigning in the 1st Amendment?
Why is the Right always so concerned about sex on TV but have no problem with guns and violence?
Weird no one complained about Sarah Palin using the Spanish slang for "balls" in a speech as "inappropriate talk". Want to explain to your daughter why a woman governor has to have a man's genitals to be good at her job?
Because Reality TV took over and they ignored the true reality of what was going on around us until President Barack HUSSEIN Obama destroyed their way of life by simply looking different and wanting to change things.
Notice how Tea Baggers are outraged only when Democrats fail to uphold the Constitution? They never mention how outraged they were when George W. Bush & Dick Cheney started illegal wiretapping programs, lied to Congress and the people to start an illegal war of aggression against Iraq, created a secret energy commission to formulate energy policy behind closed doors, instituted an illegal torture program to extract little-to-no useful information out of suspected terrorists, denied due process to American citizens by keeping them locked up in Guantanamo Bay (or other secret prisons around the world) without access to lawyers, etc, etc, ETC.
The point is, MSNBC, that you are giving a disproportionate amount of coverage to a political movement whose most glaring character trait is its blatant (and incredibly obnoxious) hypocrisy. Well, I have some news for you, mainstream media morons: I AM PISSED OFF, TOO! And I am not alone: there are hundreds of thousands of pissed off liberals like myself who obviously can't stand Republicans, but who also don't care much more for the spineless Democrats, either. Where is your photo-blog about us, MSNBC? Oh, that's right - you cover only political "movements" whose members complain the loudest and act the stupidest - and whose preferred candidates are clearly the most insane. Way to go, media nitwits. Your habitual overindulgence of the angry right legitimizes its perpetually illegitimate anger (first it was oral sex, now it's alleged socialism - whatever). In other words, MSNBC, you are part of the problem - and a HUGE part at that - not the solution.
And you will continue to be a huge part of the problem until you either stop giving valuable informational airtime to the promotion of a group of people who claim to want to preserve the Constitution even though most of them have almost no idea what's in the Constitution or start giving equal airtime to the pissed-off and more politically (and historically) aware left. Until then, good riddance, mainstream media morons.
It's interesting that the term "main stream media" is mentioned as liberal/progressive,socialist,communist,.....whatever. Take a look at who owns the media, they're corporate Republicans all the way. Rupert Murdoch isn't even an American. Where is the outrage!! Talk about taking back our country. Republicans can't stand the "We the People" part. Fox is a "family values" network???? Have you seen the "cartoons" lately. We took back the country 2 years ago, and we are not giving it back without a fight, or Diebold program to ensure a Fascist take over.
The attitude of the Tea Partiers reminds me of the Ku Klux Klan. They were real big on "we'll take care of our own kind and we don't want any of them "uppity blacks" (or any other group) to take what rightfully belongs to us. The bleached blonde fat lady is certainly the Poster Child of all the hate and ignorance that good Americans have been working so hard to be rid of. Politics was foreign to her until she heard "oral sex" on TV. What a dimwit!
Typical hypocrites without a life and understanding of main street problems and solutions... sigh
Indeed. And, notice these hypocrites are still not married, all these years since the Clinton incident. Perhaps someone does not want to lose their government bennies, eh?
You are exactly right! These two are double dipping as millions of Americans do, taking government money yet demanding that samee government stop giving money to anyone else. Tea baggers, every bit as hypocritical as they were when they called themselves Republicans for the past 10 years.
I thought I was the only one who saw this as strange: