Live remarks from Facebook users during Obama's Health Care Summit

Earlier today I wanted to watch the Health Care Summit hosted by President Obama which included Republicans and Democrats.  I turned to cable news channel CNN but  soon felt frustration as they interrupted the live summit to air advertisements followed by their own political analysts disseminating what was being said, I preferred to watch the live event uninterrupted and without outside interpretation.

I quickly looked to the internet and found that the entire summit was being shown live on Facebook where Facebook users could comment on what was being said at the summit as well as to each other live as the Summit took place.  Watching the event live on Facebook, I could choose to read other participants remarks or ignore them.

For the most part, most of the participants were civil and the vast majority of Facebook users participating seemed genuinely shocked at how out of touch with the average American most of the Republican speakers were who spoke at the Health Care Summit.  Many of the participants were angry that the Republicans attending the Summit seemed without compassion and without a willingness to participate in an honest and genuine attempt to resolve the health care crisis that faces the United States.

As important and interesting as the Health Care Summit was today, Facebook users comments posted to the forum while watching the Summit live were fascinating.  Below are direct quotes from Facebook users who were watching the Health Care Summit Live.  I have removed users names and left out remarks that were racist or had offensive language in them.  I also left out an ongoing conversation about Walmart as it didn't seem relevant to the Health Care Summit.  The following comments begin at 3:54 P.M. and end at  4:14 P.M.  Following the Facebook forum comments, you can watch the entire White House Health Care Summit and draw your own conclusions.  You can also read the entire transcript of the health care summit here. 

3:54pm
they will not pass Health Care Reform, perhaps they will provide coffins.
3:54pm
CBO.
3:54pm
Paying for health care IS a budget item.
3:54pm
we are not by of and for the people, havent been for quite awhile.
3:54pm
Oh no! No John!
3:54pm
Get it done with 51!
3:55pm
Budget neutral good for Dingle.
3:54pm
Do you suppose people like Sean Hannity, Keith Olbermann, Glenn Beck, Rachel Maddow and Chris Mathews hang out in here under pseudonyms.
3:54pm
"After all, including legal fees, insurance costs, and payouts, the cost of the suits comes to less than one-half of 1 percent of health-care spending." http://www.slate.com/id/2145400/.
3:55pm
USA only 1st world nation without national healthcare. Shame on you politicians. We should vote you all out.
3:55pm
Long Live Nancy Pelosi!!!
3:55pm
RECONCILIATE.
3:55pm
Give em Hell Nancy.
3:55pm
Argh, I can't stand Pelosi. She needs to get off her high horse.
3:55pm
"Get it done with 51!" I like that!
3:55pm
President Obama exhibited leadership that we can be proud of.
3:55pm
Lets just get the 51 votes!!
 health care is not a right.
Good bumpersticker: Get 'er done with 51!
OH NO!! The head clown leader!
3:55pm
Pelosi bashing is childish and foxlike.
3:56pm
Xxxxxx! Great! Now everyone who wants the public option...Use your voice. Call your Senators, Reps etc.
3:56pm
Nancy Pelosi is awesome. The GOP and teabaggers are terrified of her.
3:55pm
 People hate Pelosi but she gets the job done.
3:55pm
Go Nancy!!!
3:55pm
We need a march in Washington in support for public option!
3:56pm
51 51 51 51 51 51 51 51 51!
3:56pm
FIFTY ONE, GET IT DONE -- FIFTY ONE, GET IT DONE -- FIFTY ONE, GET IT DONE -- FIFTY ONE, GET IT DONE -- FIFTY ONE, GET IT DONE -- FIFTY ONE, GET IT DONE !!
3:56pm
PUBLIC OPTION!
3:55pm
Goverment run Health Carewould be like seeing your Doctor at the MVA or the Post Office.
3:55pm
I find it rather urksome when somebody with a pre-exsiting condition cannot be cover by Health Care! This has got to change. And those who develope illiness durling hospital stay should not be liabiable nor penliazed, they she not have to cover the cost of developing an infectous diease during their stay.
3:56pm
Indeed.. "Get it done with 51!"
3:56pm
 51.
3:56pm
 yes publick option talk.
3:56pm
"This Bill will pass no matter what!" Nancy Pelosi.
3:56pm
Think for yourselves.
3:56pm
Nancy rocks.
3:56pm
51 votes real health care reform.
3:56pm
 Nancy, the public wants the public option, to Hell with the Insurance Companies.
3:56pm
Pelosi. Yech!
3:56pm
and ill say it again 51.
3:56pm
Some people sure have trouble with a powerful woman.
3:56pm
Pelosi! We love the Public Option!!!!
3:56pm
More than 2 million went to Washington Dc for the inauguration. We could do it again!
3:56pm
Yes, i agree there must be march not only in Washington DC but throughout the united states in support of pulibc option.
3:57pm
You go girl!!!
People must have access to health care and it must be affordable. Some in congress are concerned with the cost, but think about those who have gone bankrupt from medical bills or those who have died because they didn't have health care coverage. That is the ultimate cost! You can't put a price on life. Everyone has a right to have life, health, happiness, peace.I want to have affordable health care(rather employed o.
3:57pm
Talibaggers are afraid of Nancy! Get it done with 51.
3:57pm
I didn't know that there were actually "people" who support Nancy and Harry. I can see that the 10% of the American people that actually approve of Congress are all here today. LOL.
3:57pm
go nancy!
3:57pm
Pelosi is right . . . the insurance companies should be ashamed sorry to say,they are not.
3:58pm
SNAP!!!
3:58pm
Call them out Nancy.
3:58pm
nancy thanks for correcting boehner and his distortions.
3:59pm
 Pelosi gives the smackdown.
4:00pm
 Here is the bill: http://www.whitehouse.gov/health-care-meeting/proposal.
4:00pm
THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT!
4:00pm
 I'm watching a live feed from the white House on facebook http://apps.facebook.com/whitehouselive/.
4:01pm
ALL market should be regulated.
4:01pm
Wow, I am impressed by how civil they were. Takes a great leader to bring them to debate; but it will take courage to get it done. Have courage people and get it done. Be brave. Do not let the bullies on the playground push you around or buy you out. Reform and pass this now.
4:01pm
The Insurance Industry SHOULD BE REGULATED.
4:01pm
We do have the best health care system in the world. The unfortunate reality is that 1/3 of us dont have true access to that great health care. Only the poor and the wealthy get the benefit of America's best health care. The rest of us working folks are at the mercy of the insurance industry...and we are losing the battle.
4:01pm
What was the resolution out of this health care summit? I mean what was the end game? because it seems as if we leave this thing in the same exact place that we started. No republicans who were against this and voted against reform are still against it!
4:02pm
Just like every other business, Insurance Co's should be regulated.
4:02pm
 The American People are educated and voted for health reform last january when we voted for Obama. The American people are ready to stop the party ploitics our health care is a serious stuff. Wake me up when someone is willing to pu their own lives on the line like the rest of uninsured Americans do every day they don't pass this bill.
4:02pm
 Hey Xxxxxx - were you here when Bush took the trillion dollar surplus to trillions in deficit?
4:02pm
I really don't understand why the GOP is so pro insurance company.
4:03pm
 quick poke McCain to see if he's still alive.
4:03pm
Fellow sane Americans, I'm going to Washington DC to march for the Public Option. The Repugnants are looking just a little too smug up there, having frightened their flocks of sheep into believing the lies they propagate on behalf of the private insurance industry. The Democrats have failed to counter them effectively, because many of them are also in the pocket of the insurance industry.
4:03pm
 Pres. has to bring it down to real simple terms for the repugs...
4:03pm
The Republicans need to obstruct this attemped government takeover of our health care.
4:03pm
XXXX we have money to give the richest of the rich tax cuts and fund two wars. We can fix health care. CBO say's this will reduce the deficit. Oh those pesky facts.
4:03pm
I really don't understand why the GOP is so pro insurance company. Are you kidding?
4:04pm
take their healthcare away until we all have the same healthcare they have.
4:04pm
Nancy Pelosi would you please let your fellow Dems know where to find a set of balls like yours? Thanks a million.
4:04pm
If the GOP is so concerned and responsible about spending, why do they still advocate aggressive (read: EXPENSIVE) foreign policy during a recession?
4:04pm
he's hatin' bein' Boehner today.
4:05pm
Are etch a sketches cheaper at Wal-Mart?
4:05pm
Xxxx, check out the Sunlight Foundation. They have a web site that keeps track of all GOP and DEMS political campaign donations. You'll be surprised. The insurance companies have bought and paid for most of our politicians..on both sides.
4:05pm
I love how this ended up being a slam session against the Republicans! Poor Guys.
4:05pm
Public option is socialism.
4:05pm
Pres Obama---the public is with you--CLOSE THE DEAL!
4:05pm
Can you imagine the previous President hosting a meeting like this? Running the meeting and speaking off the cuff, so well?
4:05pm
 I dont like any of you people so I dont want to help pay for your healthcare through higher taxes. Im not really sorry about how I feel.
4:05pm
 I am an American living abroad temporarily in Germany. The healthcare here is 10 times better than in the United States. Don't be fooled by the partisan rhetoric. As citizens of a so-called first world country... WE SHOULD ALL HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE.
4:05pm
 Obama shoots down Boehner's plan. Swatted like a fly!
4:06pm
Do you simpletons want the governement running your lives? If they give you everything and you don't expect there's strings attached, you're stupid. Think about that for a moment.
4:06pm
 My state and local taxes pay for emergency room visits by Walmart employees that can't afford preventative care costs with MDs.
4:06pm
 if we give healthcare to those who are on welfare we that can not get welfare should be able to get the same insurances they do but at a rate we already pay for it out of our taxes (for welfare healthcare) so why not just allow us all to get HEALTHCARE!!!!!!!! this is BS WA state had it right with there Basichealth.
4:06pm
Conservatives crack me up! Is public education socialism?
4:06pm
Obama's example, credit card regulation, is right on target.
4:06pm
GOP looks like they hate Obama having last word- but he is right.
4:07pm
Don't pay taxes that pay politican's salaries until they get the public option approved.
4:07pm
What's wrong with all of us subsidizing all of our health care? What's wrong with spreading the wealth at least in terms of health care?
4:07pm
the status quo has been destroying american families for decades un checked.
4:07pm
I have noticed CNN is leaning to the right. MSNBC Keith Olbermann and Rachel Madow report more info on what is going on. Like the Repubs who voted against the STiM. Yet they showed up for the money like Cantor.
4:07pm
THis is a Republic. We stand by the Constitution! If we caant live by this standard maybe be need to relocte to all the fabulous countries that have public health.
4:07pm
 NO TELEPROMPTER - What WILL Faux Spews that tard Palin complain about? LMAO!
4:07pm
 uk health care works fine.
4:07pm
 love obama's wit: he is just shocked the gop didn't pass health care reform when they controlled the white house and congress.
4:08pm
Xxxxxx: "Can you imagine the previous President hosting a meeting like this? Running the meeting and speaking off the cuff, so well?" LMAO uh...uh...uh...no, I I I, uh can't.... LOL Someone's in love...LOL.
4:08pm
 I can't follow your math translates into You are a Liar.
4:08pm
 Dingell, they don't care, their kids and wives and husbands and twits are all enjoying the healthcare they are denying the res of us.
4:08pm
There's nothing in our Constitution that says Americans have to be made bankrupt by the private insurance industry. Hello! And I as an American will not take it anymore.
4:08pm
Socialism is one of the worst forms of government.
4:08pm
 most people just use the word socialism for everything negative about the president and don't have a clue to it's real meaning.
4:08pm
 Best president ever and taking over the worse mess ever and doing the best job ever.
4:08pm
I have one question for you Pres. Obama, Senator Reid and Speaker. Will each of you now kick the GOOD OLD PARTY under the bus and MOVE ON and PASS this HEALTH CARE BILL and every other BILL in the future to help us the American people; after today?
4:08pm
You want to live with the fixed Constitution not with the real deal, but only when the Democrats are in power, because Bush did not respect the Constitution and you guys did not beep.
4:08pm
 Fix the system so I can get help.
4:08pm
 Is it against the law to travel to a neighboring state to purchase cigarettes? But i can buy health insurance?
4:09pm
 all Americans should have access to health care.
4:09pm
The "R's" look like they lost the day but who cares about the politicians. It's the public that we care about. Americans need to be the winners.
4:09pm
 Lets work together.
4:09pm
 It's nice to have a pres again who can string words together and speak extemporaneously. Ah... intelligent.
4:09pm
 There is nothing in the constitution that says you have to buy insrance. But if the democrats have there way, you will be forced to buy health insurance.
4:09pm
 I think this was a great idea, but the REpublicans are all assholes, they aren't going to do a damn thing to help pass healthcare reform! Vote them out!
4:09pm
the gloves are off.
4:09pm
 stop their healthcare.
4:09pm
 As I predicted, teh President is throwing them the bone of Tort Reform. Thats a good idea.
4:09pm
All Americans DO have access to health care!
4:10pm
 Definition of socialism by dictionary.com: a theory or system of social organization that advocates the vesting of the ownership and control of the means of productionand distribution, of capital, land, etc., in the community as a whole.
4:10pm
 let the market drive regulation by offering the public option.
4:10pm
Yeah, Xxxx. If we weren't being bankrupted by our private insurance industry, we could afford to pay more in taxes for better education for everyone.
4:10pm
 obama rocks!
4:10pm
 Why would free market capitalism, a system singularly devoted to making money, EVER end up choosing people's health over their profit margin? It would be bad business!
4:10pm
clapping and cheering a historic Summit. I hope some of the GOP come to their sense's and listen to the american people. Check out the Horror stories of the past 65 years when this was first bought to the attention of the american people.
4:10pm
Xxx: That's the Republicans who don't have a plan. It's the Democrats that are trying to fix things.
4:10pm
Get some of them alone in a room with Obama, and get them to change their vote. GOP actually has some of their issues included already.
4:11pm
 51% of U.S. Citizens should be running America not 51 people.
4:11pm
 Stopping torture = stopping future enemies = stopping Haliburton profit. Hmmm...
4:11pm
 Hey Obama are your ACORN, SEIU and China thugs gona pay for this health care?
4:11pm
Why do the republicans want to drive us into the ground?
4:11pm
 Republicans, not a single idea.
4:11pm
 learn to read 2700 pages of health reform and then you might understand that it is the worst healthcare bill of any country.
4:11pm
 All of you are paying for my Veteran coverage you should get the same. That is socialism.
4:11pm
Mr President, the "R's" look like they're upset that they did so bad or is it that just want to go home to watch Olympic Curling?
4:11pm
 Pelosi: did u really just peddle falsehood that abortion isnt funded in hc bill?
4:12pm
 Abortion is a medical procedure and should therefore be covered.
4:12pm
 Americans want Health Reform.
4:11pm
 Obama is right... the big companies are not hiring full time anymore.. they are going to MANPOWER TEMP labor. SO they dont have to pay INSURANCE on the cheap labor.
4:12pm
 PRESIDENT OBAMA SLAM DUNK THIS HEALTH REFORM BILL TODAY WITH THE MAJORITY 51 ... IN MEMORY OF TEDDY KENNEDY & TO HELL WITH THESE OVA 30 YEAR PLUS LOSERS ... IF THEY EVER CARED THEY WOULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING BEFORE NOW ... PEOPLE ARE SICK, DYING UNJUSTLY VERY EARLY & NOT GETTING THE JUSTICE THEY DESERVE AFTER WORKING FOR THIS GREAT USA - REPUBLICIANS CAN EAT ROCKS FOR ALL I CARE - IF U ARE REPUBLICAN U ALL ARE QUILTY
4:12pm
 the dems already have a plan, the repugs plan is to stall.
4:12pm
Don't you see you need to have the American public healthy you will need us to pay for your two unfunded wars and tax cuts for the rich for years to come.
4:12pm
That abortion issue confounds me, whose insurance covers that, I know mine doesn't.
4:12pm
SOCIALISM DIDN'T CAUSE THE RECESSION, OR THE WRECKLESS GREED OF THE BANKS AND WALL STREET, OR THE TREMENDOUS LOSS OF JOBS IN AMERICA, OR THE DRASTIC INCREASES IN HEALTH CARE COSTS. NO IS WASN'T SOCIALISM THAT BROUGHT US TO WHERE WE ARE, IT WAS THE FREE UNREGULATED MARKETPLACE, A.K.A. A CAPITALISM. SO GUYS, POINT THE FINGER IN THE "RIGHT" DIRECTION. LET'S NOT FORGET, OUR CURRENT WOES WERE BROUGHT TO US BY THE RIGH.
4:12pm
 war cost money i want health care not war if we must fight war well we must have health care.
4:13pm
Could anyone here please point out how gov't is planning to not just control (regulate), but take over (ownership) of HC? I'm trying to find it, but haven't read an explicit explanation yet.
4:13pm
Do you not realize that Agri-business is the largest recipient of Welfare benefits, along with the rural poor? But I bet agri-business somehow has great insurance, even though they're on Welfare. As for that other majority of Welfare recipients - the rural poor - they have Medicaid. Listen to the President! It we, the working class who can't afford insurance and don't qualify for Medicaid.
4:13pm
Pelosi you rock, you rock, you rock. Speak the truth. The people have to sue the liars. Cut them off. Take their healthcare away. Watch their kids and spouses squirm for while. 51 votes, 51 votes, 51 votes!!! Sue the McCains, Cantors, Bainers etc. We must not fund aobrtions for their wives or daughters.
4:13pm
Get it Done With 51 !
And I think they should remove coverage for viagra since they did remove coverage for abortion, fair is fair.
4:13pm
I am so glad the hypocrisy was exposed on this summit. Socialism is not going to go down!
4:13pm
We might be able to save a lot of money by not providing lifetime care for retired legislators.
4:14pm
Rep. Anthony Weiner: "[Republicans] are a wholly owned subsidiary of the insurance industry".
4:14pm
Wish the people in the COngress were as intelligent and reasonable as Obama and the country would solve many problems...
4:14pm
Name just ONE good idea from the Repubs for the last 30 years. ONE. That benefits ALL of the country.
4:14pm
BUSINESS IS HIRING TEMP LABOR >> HALF THE PRICE AND NO INSURANCE PAID OUT.
4:14pm
Mr. President, the Public wants a Public Option, live with it.
4:14pm
very good conversation.