McConnell: End Federal Gag Order on Medicare Cuts

[Kal'Stang]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6rY3rxb60k"]YouTube - McConnell: End Federal Gag Order on Medicare Cuts[/ame]

What are your thoughts on this?

 

[TacticalEvilDan]

This is precicely the same as every other instance of the Feds wielding funding and business arrangements like a hammer to pressure others to do as they wish without an act of law.

On the one hand, I don't like this kind of practice and I don't think it should be legal.

That said, the whole health care debate does need a hell of a lot less hysteria, and hysteria is pretty much what the companies ordered to remain silent were working to achieve.

 

[Kal'Stang]

This is precicely the same as every other instance of the Feds wielding funding and business arrangements like a hammer to pressure others to do as they wish without an act of law.

On the one hand, I don't like this kind of practice and I don't think it should be legal.

That said, the whole health care debate does need a hell of a lot less hysteria, and hysteria is pretty much what the companies ordered to remain silent were working to achieve.

So facts that can cause "hysteria" should be made to remain silent at a time when such views should be heard? IE before such legislation is made. When would it be an appropriate time to voice these facts?

 

[TacticalEvilDan]

So facts that can cause "hysteria" should be made to remain silent at a time when such views should be heard? IE before such legislation is made. When would it be an appropriate time to voice these facts?

Did you miss the part where I said the government shouldn't be able to do what it did?

Have you seen what these companies have been sending to their customers? I sure as hell haven't. Maybe they don't have any facts at all.

 

[Kal'Stang]

Did you miss the part where I said the government shouldn't be able to do what it did?

Nope I didn't miss it. I agree with what you said there. Which is why I didn't address it. I have a tendancy to not address things that I agree with.

Have you seen what these companies have been sending to their customers? I sure as hell haven't. Maybe they don't have any facts at all.

No I haven't. But then I'm not on any type of insurance, much less Medicare or Medicaid. From what I could tell it was only being sent to those that have it.

 

[TacticalEvilDan]

Okay, then I assume we can both agree that neither of us is capable of commenting on the substance of what those companies were mailing to their customers.

 

[Kal'Stang]

Okay, then I assume we can both agree that neither of us is capable of commenting on the substance of what those companies were mailing to their customers.

I'm not commenting on what was in those letters. When I state the word "facts" I'm using the same words as McConnell used. Unless we wish to call him a liar with no proof?

 

[TacticalEvilDan]

The choice of wording is irrelevant, and for a very simple reason.

If a health insurance company tells their customers about what will happen to them if the government cuts funding, they can be making entirely factual statements, and yet be doing nothing more than adding to the atmosphere of hysteria.

The whole "ZOMG WUT IF" tactic is both commonly used these days and destructive to any kind of an actual debate on the issue.