the official blog of the evergreen freedom foundation

Health Care Watch for Tuesday, November 10 - Pelosi and The Piper

Posted by Scott "The Piper" St. Clair - November 10, 2009

After a tour of Seattle’s Swedish Hospital yesterday, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi attended what was billed as a “press conference” to discuss the health care bill passed by the House of Representatives late Saturday night. Accompanied by Cong. Jim McDermott, D-Seattle, and Cong. Jay Inslee, D-Bainbridge Island, it turned out to be more a Pelosi-plan love fest.


Outside Swedish’s main entrance were 40 demonstrators protesting a government takeover of health care. With the wind whipping enough to make audio recording impossible, chilly temperatures, and occasional pelting showers, the protesters stood vigil. Efforts by some to talk their way into the press conference were unsuccessful.
 
One protester who identified himself only as Undertaker Bill, said, “I don’t want to go to jail for not buying health care.” He was referring to a provision in the bill that criminalizes an individual’s refusal to buy health insurance.
 
Matthew Wenger, who became an Evergreen Freedom Foundation member as a result of its recent Glenn Beck event, said he was there to “show support for the movement against socialized medicine.”
 
The small room in which the event was held had more suits than a Macy’s clearance sale. Many sported purple SEIU buttons or were worn by AARP honchos. Given what’s in it for them, is there any wonder that the Pelosi plan is expensive?
 
Opening remarks by Swedish CEO, Dr. Rodney Hochman, in which he professed his delight at the passage of a government-option health care plan, were followed by his introduction of Cong. McDermott (he ignored Inslee), who was wearing an SEIU-purple dress shirt. Coincidence?
 
McDermott praised the efforts of the SEIU, AARP, and an organization called Health Care for America Now, a lobbyist-created special-interest pressure group that masquerades as a grass-roots citizens’ organization. He said their support was instrumental in the bill’s passage.
 
He then introduced Cong. Inslee who said that the number one benefit of the Pelosi plan will be increased wages for health care workers in the Pacific Northwest. Who knew? No more, he said, would they lag behind those paid in other parts of the country – everybody gets a raise!
 
Then McDermott introduced Speaker Pelosi and praised her for her leadership and for laying the wood to those who opposed “progress." She returned the favor by lavishing praise on McDermott, Inslee, and Cong. Norm Dicks, D-Gig Harbor, who had the good sense not to show up at the event.
 
Calling Swedish Hospital a model for others, she said she was pleased to make it the site of her first public appearance since the passage of her bill. And she expressed her deep appreciation for the work done in support of the bill by those who attended the event.
 
Wait! Wasn’t this supposed to be a press conference, not a campaign appearance?
 
Her responses to the few question that were asked were Johnny-one-note. Whether on the pro-life Stupak Amendment to the bill, a hard question on whether American citizens will be imprisoned for not buying insurance (props to the KOMO 1000 reporter who called her on her refusal to answer), an odd question about cuts to the Washington state basic health plan, to my question, she spouted stump-speech rhetoric.  
 
A video of my question and her response is below. Apologies in advance for the shaky quality – I was in the back of the room, and I had to hold my Flip Cam high above my head. After 12 minutes in the air, some wavering is to be expected. And the sound quality is the best it could do. So, while I come across loud and clear, which is never a problem for me, you do have to strain to hear Madam Speaker.
 
A summary of her remarks would be: blah, blah, blah, health care for all, blah, blah, blah, Pres. Obama promised it to us, blah, blah, blah, it will lower costs and reduce the deficit, blah, blah, blah, it’s all the fault of “the previous administration,” blah, blah, blah.
 
Henry Clay, Joe Cannon, Champ Clark, Nicholas Longworth, John Nance Garner, Sam Rayburn, Tip O’Neil…and Nancy Pelosi? They don't make Speakers like they used to.
 
The Piper
 
 
 

Thoughts?   Add Comment -

john Weaver said on Nov 11 2009 at 4:23pm
the third party system is still intact
there is no Tort reform or tax reform
there is no mention of limitation of state mandates
demand will exceed supply
the Government ( with tax money)is in way too deep( with regulations)
Costs will explode
rationing will happen
quality will decrease
our economy will be weak or worse



Nicole from CA said on Nov 11 2009 at 4:27pm
Doesn't really matter if we can't hear her...she is just rambling her usual rhetoric and tellnig lies. Thank you for posting this and your hard for to preserve our Freedom. We are living history right now and it could go either way...we will either lose America as we know it or we ill come out better and stronger. But like many of you, I am gonna fight the good fight.

Winnie from Florida said on Nov 11 2009 at 5:59pm
It doesn't matter what comes out of her mouth, it is all lies. You can't believe a word she says. I know she won't be voted out of her House seat but I hope they get rid of the rest of the liberal majorities in the House and Senate so she ends up powerless. Sweet revenge!

Kay B said on Nov 12 2009 at 12:04am
I love the look the 2 guys in front of you exchange when you identify yourself as from EFF! Quite a stacked room.

And I love your paraphrase of her comments.

Travis Maas said on Nov 14 2009 at 12:19pm
How does energy reform affect the Health Care Plan again?

I am tired of the current administration so concerned about the previous administration.

When is this administration going to stop the campaigning and actually work to resolve issues and fight for the good of the people and NOT the good of special intrests and thier own pockets.