On Saturday, a hyper-partisan Barack Obama went into full Saul Alinsky mode in his weekly address, falsely claiming that "extremist" Republicans in Congress are set to hurt the economy just because they don't like Obamacare.
"Hi, everybody. This Tuesday is an important day for families, businesses, and our economy," he began. "It’s the day a big part of the Affordable Care Act kicks in, and tens of millions of Americans will finally have the same chance to buy quality, affordable health care as everyone else."
"It’s also the day that a group of far-right Republicans in Congress might choose to shut down the government and potentially damage the economy just because they don’t like this law," he added.
Obama went on to make a number of questionable claims about Obamacare while touting "benefits" like "free mammograms and contraceptive care with no copay, and discounts on prescription medicine for seniors."
"You’ve already got new protections in place too, like no more lifetime limits on your care, no more discriminating against children with preexisting conditions like asthma, or being able to stay on your parents’ plan until you turn 26," he added.
But a post at the Gateway Pundit called these "masking issues" -- things that are somewhat popular intended to mask the negative aspects of the bill, like "honey masking the taste of nasty medicine."
One of the issues, for example, is the provision that allows "home health visits" for families in certain “high-risk” categories, like veterans and members of the armed forces who have had multiple deployments outside the United States.
Despite all the issues and problems with the law, Obama said that "it is going to work."
"That’s also one of the reasons it’s so disturbing that Republicans in Congress are threatening to shut down the government – or worse – if I don’t agree to gut this law," he said.
But Republicans aren't threatening to shut down the government, and have passed a continuing resolution to keep the government running -- minus funding for Obamacare.
On Friday, Senate Democrats reinserted funding language after 26 Republicans enabled Harry Reid by voting for cloture.
Obama claimed Saturday he would work with anyone who wants to have a serious conversation "about our economic future" but thumbed his nose at Republicans.
"But I will not negotiate over Congress’ responsibility to pay the bills it has already racked up," he said.
While Obama is unwilling to speak with Republicans about the economy, he has expressed a desire to negotiate with Iran and has negotiated with the Taliban.
Obama concluded his partisan rant by calling Republicans who want to keep the nation solvent "extremists" who want to create an economic crisis and promised to continue fighting them.
Congress has only a few days to pass something to keep the government running beyond Sept. 30.
Related:
- Lindsey Graham called a liar after tweet saying he voted to defund Obamacare
- Conservative groups slam 'Obama Republicans' for Obamacare funding vote
- Obama throws tantrum over Obamacare defunding, says military may not get paid (Video)
- GOP Senate bosses set to own Obamacare, refuse to speak with constituents
- A list of the ‘Obama Republican’ weasels whose votes ensured Obamacare funding
- Obamacare board game shows no one but IRS wins with health care law
- Sebelius: Obamacare to favor gays over straight people
- John Conyers: Obamacare "platform" to socialized health care
- Michele Bachmann: Obamacare 'crown jewel of socialism'
- 'Yes We Can' board game teaches impact of Obama's economic doctrine
- Report: Obamacare provision will allow 'forced' home inspections by gov't agents
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you like this article, you can follow Joe on Twitter @jnewby1956, visit and like his Facebook page, or subscribe to receive email updates when a new article is published.
For hard-hitting conservative commentary, please visit Joe's blog, the Conservative Firing Line. You can also find Joe's articles at Right News Now, Tea Party Tribune, Liberty Unyielding and PolitiCollision.
Be sure to listen to "Grit and Grace" every Thursday from 6-8 p.m. Pacific Time on Blog Talk Radio, where you can hear Joe discuss current events.
