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Sarah Palin continues to advocate the death panel myth. AP Photo Al Grillo
In case you were wondering if Sarah Palin still believes in the death panel myth the answer is a resounding "You betcha!" In yet another Facebook post Sarah Palin continues with her death panel advocacy.
Sarah Palin death panel myth began simply enough when she posted a one paragraph post on her Facebook page saying her son would have to literally go before a death panel that would decide his life under reform. Then after being seriously rebuked by a number of sources Palin tried to defend her claim with another post full of much more support in the form of footnotes. Still Palin's sources were shown to be wrong and her myth continued to be debunked by even conservative sources.
Showing more commitment to her own stubborn nature than the truth Palin has come back with yet another defense. In her most recent post Palin argues that her death panel claims have actually been "vindicated." I would like to ask Palin what sources have "vindicated" her claims. Here is a list of the sources which have actually debunked her claim.
(1) FactCheck.org (non-partisan)
(2) Politifact.com (non-partisan)
(3) Fox News (partisan to the right)
(4) Jon Stewart in an interview with Besy McCaughey (Stewart humiliates the originator of the myth)
(5) CNN and others
It is really not worth refuting Palin's newest defense of the death panel claim as she simply repeats what she has said in the past. I however, can not resist so let me give it one more try. Palin again now claims a sort of "symbolic" death panel but she forgets a few things. First, her original claim was a real death panel what has caused to change her story? The truth maybe? Second Palin forgets to mention the death panels that currently exist in private insurance. Third under Palin's ever expansive definition of death panels could in "essence" be a death panel as she says. Palin herself would qualify as a death panel under her own definition since she signed a law advocating living wills.
Finally Palin argues that a remote Presidential adviser named Ezekial Emanuel would somehow bring about these death panels. Once again Palin ignores the following facts: (1) Emanuel does not believe in euthanasia or anything like it (2) Emanuel will not be setting policy on advanced care consultations under the bill and (3) if we really are to assume the worst about the past statements of those we surround ourselves with than Palin must be a secessionist.
If anyone really thinks Palin is credible source on such matters I would encourage you to watch the following clip in which Palin displays her intellectual prowess.
Comments
The real death panel are the Republican and Blue Dog Democrats who are obstructing health care reform.
They are responsible for the suffering and thousands of deaths each year when uninsured Americans die because of lack of health care.
If a government-run health care bill is passed there will be "death panels". There will be a limited source of funds. A government bureaucracy will decide how those funds are spent. Some people will necessarily be denied potentially life-saving treament. This is simply a fact. Of course they won't be called "death panels". Of course no specific language will be added to any bill that would call for the denial of treatment, but it would be unaviodable without an unlimited budget that would guarantee everyone received the specific treatment they required without limitation. I know from reading your "articles" that the idea of facts is foriegn to you. This is one that can't be side-stepped no matter how much you would like to make "death panels" appear to be right-wing fantasy.
Beyond the obvious counterarguments (the government already controls healthcare for those over 65), the thing I don't understand about the deathers is the apparent selective mistrust of the government.
They claim that if we give the government control of our healthcare (an option which isn't even on the table, but I digress), they'll start putting us to death whenever we outlive our usefulness. But... they DO realize that the government already has all the guns and bombs, right? If the government wanted us dead, wouldn't it be pretty easy to make that happen? Shouldn't the deathers be terrified that the government will use every new fighter jet to bomb its own citizens?
I'd be interested to hear the rationale as to why we should fear one outcome of government control and not the other.
All one can say to M/s Palin is "Ignorance is bliss".
Agreed, all government control should be feared and minimized, and no, not all evidence is to the contrary (ie Obama's "take a pill" comment to Strum.) It boils down to further encroachment, once government writes the policy and pays the tab, government owns the system... Medicare is due to be bankrupt by 2017. If someone gets coverage for free that means it is being taken from somewhere else.
I agree, both Repubs and Dems are responsible for people not having medical coverage (not the same as insurance btw) because of interference with bailouts and stimulus packages...
Sarah Palin is the resonate and respected voice of the common people who are making a stand against the thundering juggernaut of government control. She is right on the issues, right for America.
Billkidd says: They are responsible for the suffering and thousands of deaths.
WRONG!!! The only person responsible for your health IS YOURSELF you person who used to be a woman.
For those who truly believe there will be 'death panels,' please re-read the definition of 'sustaining' (as in 'life sustaining efforts'). Betsy McCaughey's misunderstanding of the definition of 'sustaining' and people's blind belief of what she's saying set off all of this 'death panel' male-bovine-excrement. Ask questions, research, know the source of what you are blindly espousing.
People need to wake up and do research on the policy and subjects instead of taking some word of politicians. Just think about it. The public option and government control programs are in effect in Canada, and in Eroupe. It is not working there so what do you think will happen here. besides the same people that is over the housing market and medicare and medicaid is trying to ram this down our throats. none of them has been business owners and everyone here in the US has the same opportunity. Just because have a company and they work hard for what they do. we can do the same thing. People keep saying making the rich richer . thats not true, they have done what other people want do and that is work. Nothing is for free. So how are the Democrats plan on paying for the health care and what programs are going to be cut. you have to give something away to have something. Like are freedom is not free. People paid a price for us.I dont see anyone voluntaring themselves, except critizing .
say what you want. But Palin tells it like it is and so be it if you disagree. How cant you say you dont like her or that she is not smart. You dont know her. all people do is hear what themedia and everyone else says. If the truth be known, its because she does not agree with what Some democrats do are trying to pull over your eyes. at least she has the balls and the guts to stand up for what she believes in, what is wrong with that. I believe they fear her, because they know she is telling the truth and will say and do anything to stop her. even ruining someones reputation. nothing better to do. I do not want the Government telling me or my Dr. how i need to be treated. Or tell me how to raise my kids. We do have health care for people that are along some line. It is called sooner care, medicare, medicaid, welfare. People can go to the hospital and not be turned down, that is a law. I believe it is the resposibility of the person to control and All mighty God.
Lou - I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss advocates of a public option as anti-business. I have a friend who owns and operates a very successful small business. Unfortunately, he and his wife have some health problems. In order to get coverage *at all*, they have to pay nearly $2000 per month, and with the practice of recission, who knows how well that coverage would hold up if/when they would require serious medical attention. For my friend, who is an avowed conservative, the prospect of a serious medical issue is much scarier than the prospect of some dark government conspiracy to take over people's lives.
A public option would provider cheaper medicine in the same way that large corporations can. It gives you superior bargaining position. I work for a Fortune 500 company, and the amount I am charged for medical services is far lower than my friend is charged for the exact same thing. The reason is barganing power.
Debating the "real" elements in the bill is invlauble, it's the 'death panel' side-show that makes it a circus. We can get this done.
Robert Moon is spamming The Activity Pit again: twi.cc/lAlq
Will someone please shut this Biggest liar of the year 2009 and Wild Alaskan Dingbat up. She is, as Mccain aides put it, Unstable.
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