Former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin has won the dubious honour of telling the biggest political lie of the year.
A panel of experts ruled her claim the Obama administration was planning to introduce “death panels” was chosen as the most misleading statement of 2009.
Palin, 45, made the claim on her Facebook page at the height of the debate over President Obama’s plans to reform the US health care system.
She wrote: “My parents or my baby with Down syndrome will have to stand in front of Obama’s ‘death panel’ so his bureaucrats can decide whether they are worthy of health care.”
But the website PolitiFact.com found that there were never any plans to introduce so called “death panels” to decide who should live or die.
According to the website Palin’s statement on her Facebook page generated a huge controversy and was mentioned almost 6,000 times over the next two months.
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Ordinarily this type of comment could be dismissed as standard politician hyperbole … except her acolytes are so damn obnoxious in their anti-Obama venom and their shameless portrayal of Palin as the second coming of Evita Peron that she does deserve to be raked over the coals for such a historically sensitive exaggeration. This is the change the left is supposed to fear?
Re: #1 — Disagree. Sarah was not exaggerating. She kept it simple but the truth is I lost a mother, a father and a child to what she complained about. In each case it was infection that set in and “they” could have done something but they didn’t because of cost.
You can take it to the bank and she is exactly right. She used two short words which describe Canadian health care perfectly. They drew attention as they should have and I won’t listen to anyone who tries to put her down.
As a side note: Sarah speaks truth to power and while “Happy Harry” got his vote TO END DEBATE he must still get through his Christmas Eve vote to move the bill forward.
If I have it right lynch mobs are forming in the streets to stop it as I write. I cannot accept for one minute that US Senators are willing to vote on a bill they have never been permitted to read.
Obama and crowd have gone a mile to far and like “Copenhopen” they are going to fall flat on their faces.
Frankly, it looks good on them.
And on a clear day I can see Russia, or is that Canada?
This is what Palin wrote on her Facebook page (I did a Bing on Sarah Palin death panels):
The provision that President Obama refers to is Section 1233 of HR 3200, entitled “Advance Care Planning Consultation.” [2] With all due respect, it’s misleading for the President to describe this section as an entirely voluntary provision that simply increases the information offered to Medicare recipients. The issue is the context in which that information is provided and the coercive effect these consultations will have in that context.
Section 1233 authorizes advanced care planning consultations for senior citizens on Medicare every five years, and more often “if there is a significant change in the health condition of the individual … or upon admission to a skilled nursing facility, a long-term care facility… or a hospice program.” [3] During those consultations, practitioners must explain “the continuum of end-of-life services and supports available, including palliative care and hospice,” and the government benefits available to pay for such services. [4]
Now put this in context. These consultations are authorized whenever a Medicare recipient’s health changes significantly or when they enter a nursing home, and they are part of a bill whose stated purpose is “to reduce the growth in health care spending.” [5] Is it any wonder that senior citizens might view such consultations as attempts to convince them to help reduce health care costs by accepting minimal end-of-life care? As Charles Lane notes in the Washington Post, Section 1233 “addresses compassionate goals in disconcerting proximity to fiscal ones…. If it’s all about obviating suffering, emotional or physical, what’s it doing in a measure to “bend the curve” on health-care costs?” [6]
As Lane also points out:
Though not mandatory, as some on the right have claimed, the consultations envisioned in Section 1233 aren’t quite “purely voluntary,” as Rep. Sander M. Levin (D-Mich.) asserts. To me, “purely voluntary” means “not unless the patient requests one.” Section 1233, however, lets doctors initiate the chat and gives them an incentive — money — to do so. Indeed, that’s an incentive to insist.
Patients may refuse without penalty, but many will bow to white-coated authority. Once they’re in the meeting, the bill does permit “formulation” of a plug-pulling order right then and there. So when Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) denies that Section 1233 would “place senior citizens in situations where they feel pressured to sign end-of-life directives that they would not otherwise sign,” I don’t think he’s being realistic. [7]
Looks as if there was some “dispute” on Death Panels.
When the Senator/Congressman shouted our “liar” during the President’s address, the WH/Congress quickly change a provision in the bill so that illegals wouldn’t qualify for ObamaCare. Looks to me like words don’t matter until someone quotes them.
Thats true WCT and heres another quote from Sarah’s father who says she left Hawaii (after one semester ) because she was uncomfortable around Asians and Pacific Islanders.
“They were a minority type ” he father said “and it wasnt glamerous, so she came home”
Wonder if she has any more skeletons in the closet?
http://www.thedailybeast.com/cheat-sheet/item/did-asians-scare-palin-out-of-hawaii/palintology/?cid=hp:mainpromo1
I think US politicians of all stripes are deathly afraid of Sarah. I have no idea why.
After all — she’s only a woman.
Could it be because she intends to fire them all?
‘Heh”…
Re: #5 — “UV”, sometimes you give me indigestion and I head for the “Tums”.
The truth is you are nowhere as dumb as you appear to be here. I’ve met people like you. People who like to start fights because they’re bored.
Back off.
You aren’t helping yourself.
Just trying to help Sarah, Jack. I’m sure theres lots more to come. Stay tuned as shes probably the best thing the Democrats have going for them.
I laugh at this, UV. Everytime Sarah “fluffs” there are reporters sniffing up her butt.
They remind me of dogs in heat.
Why is that?
Is she truly that dangerous?
I’m laughing too, Jack. Especially when you call somebody out and they feign surprise and say….. Who? Me? LOL.
I have to say this and I mean it. The media keep after Sarah because she is so dangerous to Democrat plans they are absolutely beside themselves.
She has not yet made up her mind about whether she wants to run or not and there’s no hurry. Let them wonder is my view.
BUT — if she decides to run she will destroy Obama and the Democrats not for a year or two — for decades. More to the point she will destroy the American “Joe Clark’s” just like Harper is doing in Canada.
That’s the reason she is supporting tea parties right now and “no”…I do not believe she wants to start a new party because that would be foolish (it will split the vote). What she wants to do is have tea parties take over the GOP from within and when the GOP is ready she will decide whether she wants to be the first female president of the US or not.
Right now a lot of American politicians (the Joe Clark’s) are crapping in their pants because they can see where this is all going.
Nebraska won a huge reward early today as a politician betrayed his country. Free Medicare forever for a state because of one vote.
That will end under Sarah and that is why I support her.
“Yah but you’re Canadian. Why do you care?”
“Because when the elephant rolls over it affects me. Canada does not need another Trudeau south of our border.”
RE: # 3 “ And on a clear day I can see Russia, or is that Canada? “: Wasn’t this quote from the SNL sketch and not a direct quote of what Sarah Palin actually said ???
It may have been a good parody of something else she said that amounted to the same thing but it resonated so well because Tina Fey did such a great job looking and sounding line Sarah Palin that some people are confusing her with what is perceived as her LOL. ( So is Sarah Palin ” DUMB ” or is it the Tina Fey ( Or liberal ) version of Sarah Palin ” DUMB ” but very funny I must admit ).
Short note: Tina Fey is an idiot along the lines of Nancy Pelosi. I can’t believe American Marines buy into this bullshit and they need to do something about it (all of them– serving and retired).
Prediction: Palin will disappear off the media radar well before the next US presidential election – she blew it during the last cycle and I cannot see the GoP being forgiving enough of her issues to give her another kick at the can. She may end up as a small footnote in the grand scheme of American history, but I doubt it.
RE: # 13, Just curious Jack about the American Marines reference and link relevance ?
I’m assuming that Tina Fay may have gone on one of those ” entertain the troop ” trips and the marines seemed to like her ? ( Just guessing here at your meaning as I obviously am missing some information ).
Oh, and Tina Fay is probably just your usual actor with the usual politically correct ideas of what is good and virtuous i.e. another koolaid drinker who may be a nice person but never questioned the basis of her opinions ? I’m sure one can find some intelligent liberals who care for facts and evidence and balance their idealistic ideas with some plain common sense: But then such a person might be more a ” Classical Liberal ” and just a Conservative by another name LOL.
Maybe I’m actually being insulting to liberals by trying to be fair by calling a smart liberal as being little different from a conservative/libertarian ??? It’s hard being ” NICE ” LOL.
she blew it during the last cycle and I cannot see the GoP being forgiving enough of her issues to give her another kick at the can
LOL. By 2012 the GOP will be asking for forgiveness not offering it. Sarah and the Tea Party movement are going to plant all the old washed up and corrupt Washington ‘scratch my back I’ll scratch yours’ thinking has beens 6 ft under (literally speaking of course). That’s what the establishment, both sides, are scared shitless will happen. They can see it coming. Sarah blew absolutely nothing. There is change coming not only to the GOP but also to America. Big change. You can smell it in the air, like an approaching summer thunder storm.
@beentheredonethat: More is the great pity that we don’t live close enough together to bet a tall cold one on that — do you ever make it to Ottawa
RE: #14 Maybe so but I’m sure it would be your biggest nightmare if she actually has the ” Royal Jelly ” and gravitas to become a sea change president, as opposed to what seems like the fizzle instead of sizzle of Obama, whose biggest skills are reading a telepronpter and having good stage presence with a great orator’s voice i.e looks and sounds substantial but has no special insight, skills, training or intelligence when it comes to running the most powerful ( still powerful so far ) country in the World.
Oh, edited/added: Maybe I shouldn’t address this to Stageleft so much as liberals in general as I’m not to sure I remember what is his opinion of Obama and I may be assuming too much about his opinions about many things in general ?
The “can see Russia” quote is from Palin who said there are places in Alaska from which you can see Russia and this statement is true. SNL changed Palin’s words to say “from my house I can see Russia”.This statement is not true and Palin never made that false statement.
Were I an American I doubt that I would vote for Palin. That being said I believe that what she said about Obama’s “death panels” to be in essence true.
Rarely stageleft, but sharing (why wait for you to pay your debt) a tall cool one or more would be a ‘hoot’ for sure.
Isnt that what Tiger recently said before disappearing “‘a tall cool one or more would would be a ‘hoot.”‘
RE: #20 beentheredonethat and stageleft, I think it’s a very good thing that people here can at times disagree, but not be disagreeable, and have respectful discussions here. :^D
In my opinion, I think Sarah Palin will “control” the Tea Party people through a political endorsement process, one that almost worked in NY District 23. She will endorse and the Tea Party will fund/donate loads of cash to the named candidate. They will offer their time and energy too in getting their candidate elected. Those candidates will be either Republican or Independent – could be Democrats if they are strong pro-life/less government etc.
The Tea Party movement such as it is, is now out polling both parties in “which party would you vote for” polls. She will be a force. A not so subtle behind the scenes type of politics – Facebook rules!
You mentioned American marines in #13, Jack. Well, off topic but here’s a little story about a U.S. Marine, let’s hope it’s true.
Why does God protect the soldiers for one side of a battle and not the other?
And that almost certainly didn’t happen. Nice heart-warmer though of course…
Sheez Cynapse! God protects us and not them because he’s on our side. Duh.
LOL
@stageleft, are you visiting the nation’s capital? I thought you were on the left coast. I don’t drink beer but I’m usually up for a decent cup of coffee…
We had “death panels” in Ontario in the late ’60s for sure and I don’t know how much longer than that. I worked in a hospital at that time.I was told by one of the professional staff that one of the hardest things he had to do was sit on the panel to decide who got kidney dialysis and who didn’t, dialysis being a very limited and new resource at that time.
Where treatment is limited by funding costs, as it inevitably will be, someone will have to decide who gets live saving procedures and who doesn’t.
The same professional that told me the above also pointed out to me that most of the hospital’s resources were spent keeping the elderly living a few months longer. Nobody wants to pull the plug on Auntie Mildred.
@Mac: I live in Ottawa Mac, moved here from the Arctic 6 or 7 years ago…. and I’m also a coffee fan.
@beentheredonethat: That’s the type of inbox mythical story that someone makes up to try and pump up patriotism and the wonder of [their] god — both concepts are OK in small doses however (as we have all seen) in larger doses they become mind numbing stumbling blocks to rational thought, and in extreme cases they are both dangerous.
Sarah Palin speaks truth to power, she brings hope to America. President Loser’s truthiness leaves a lot to be desired – and ‘death panels’ would be in His ‘health care’ Bill if it wasn’t for real leaders like Sarah Palin.
Obama’s proposal is no more a death panel than the current system which says you have to pay to play. Some of you are upset because you would no longer be able to flash money and jump to the front of the line (just like the privileged tea party people who have enough time to organize these settler love-ins).
And that’s not even true any more – the public option is officially dead.
Sarah Palin doesn’t speak anything except the opposite of what Obama says + a few platitudes. She has offered NO alternative solution to the health care crisis, which will persist long after the tea party secures its right to jump the queue.
“current system which says you have to pay to play”
Now it’s going to be free?
But I do agree the GOP on health has been like the PCs on the HST .. totally against it, not FOR anything. The GOP needs a leader. Palin ain’t it. Although she’s a useful catalyst for change of the rotten establishment within the GOP.
No. You’ll still be left for dead if you don’t have a spare $100k for basic operations. Frrrrreeeedom is safe for now!
Without the public option, Obama’s merely setting up a perpetual bailout for insurance companies.
Palin is no more of a politician than Biden is which doesnt say much about american politics.
Wheres Colin Powell when you need him? Now theres a great American hero.
Good question UV. Once conservatives had no more need of Colin Powell, they rightly flagged him as a token, belittled his skill set (not so rightly) and sidelined him for supporting Obama over Sarah Palin.
If there is a third party not related to these tea party types, Powell should definitely run. I’d vote for a McCain/Powell ticket over Obama, Palin and just about any other politician.
Jack:
Re #7, what are YOU afraid of? Sarah Palin’s rallies look like the set of gone with the wind minus the slave labour. It’s pretty obvious she’s only appealing to one core demographic in terms of income/politics/ethnicity/etc and that may very well be due to her own personal views. Just as you feel the 1960′s left-wing activities of anyone who ever shook hands with Obama is fair game, so should your idol’s own conduct.
Re: #13, #14, etc. (Palin) Recall that The Great One ‘visited 57 states during the past election a year ago – only had a couple left to go to visit them all’? (Not quite a quote but close enough!) Oh you forgot?
Yeah – thought so…
It’s highly debatable whether a misspeak (47 probably being what he meant to say) compares to claiming to see Russian from your yard or intentionally scaring people with “death panels” to get a few votes.
For someone that is only appealing to “one core demographic in terms of income/politics/ethnicity/etc and that may very well be due to her own personal views.”, she’s sure polling higher than that.
I’m not sure that she isn’t the person to reform the US. Stranger things have been done in the Land of the Midnight Sun.
Much of her support is short term swing and more indicative of dissatisfaction with the existing political players. This is no different than the support that extremist parties like the BNP and UKIP briefly enjoyed in Britain. It’s a wakeup call to the old players. No movement based entirely on reducing its own power upon election is going to last in the long run. Sarah Palin has too many people that openly hate her to get elected easily (think: Hillary) and if she is elected her term will be rockier than Obama’s.