I think the reason behind most of the irrational thought process involving senior citizens and so-called "death panels" is that too many folks are just plain afraid of death. How many have heard in their youth "You're going to go to hell..." for doing this, or saying that, or thinking something else? They carry guilt around with them and, as they get older, will submit to horrible pain and suffering just to defy that death penalty that might be sitting behind the doors---spending eternity in hell where they'll suffer for....well....eternity.

They don't want to talk about end-of-life decisions with anyone, let alone a doctor who can give unbiased advise. They would rather talk to a clergyman who tells them "God will decide when your time is up" hinting that, perhaps, god will also absolve the transgressor of his/her sins and throw open the Gates of Heaven.

So, even though we know there will be no such things as death panels; even though we know people of a certain age won't have to line up and submit themselves to planned elimination; even though we know that the disabled won't be killed off to save money in healthcare costs; they turn a blind eye to the facts because it hits too close to home. It reminds them of death and causes them to worry about what happens after death---if, in fact, anything at all happens after death, of course.

I guess I should feel sorry for them--especially since I'm "of an age" myself. But, darn it, I'm mad as hell that they may succeed in killing health care reform and working against their own - and MY - best interests!

Are they going to pair him with a giant cockroach?

After reading this, I immediately went to Senator Bingaman's website telling him, as a constituent, that he needs to follow his pledge (as currently being shown on his website) to support healthcare reform WITH the public option.

...not only for the Kennedy family, but for all of us. Let's hope they pass health care reform as a tribute to all he's done in his career on the issue.

The fact is, even in his recent statement, that Ridge said there WAS an effort among some in the White House to raise the terror level. Even if the final consensus was not to do it, what difference does it make given that some of them urged it be done for political rather than safety reasons? It's just as bad, isn't it? And, of course, we don't have to know the names of those who pushed for it. But we can pretty well guess, don't we?

That effort was only part of a larger plan to steal another election--which they succeeded in doing.

Folks can't learn about proposed changes in health care if they're doing nothing but watching survivor shows, sports and soap operas instead of tuning into political discussion shows. They can't be educated when all they read is People Magazine and Sports Illustrated-type publications. They won't learn about these important issues affecting all of our lives while they spend time on the internet only checking out Facebook.

People taking surveys need to make some preliminary inquiries first about how those being questioned obtain news, the frequency of time spent educatng themselves, their involvement in the process itself, and so on. So, survey results like this one are basically useless, in my opinion.

I've had calls where my answers were more complex than the simple ones asked by those taking the surveys. However, I'm regularly asked to keep my responses to A, B, C, D. As far as trying to ascertain my abilities and knowledge of the issues, that's not happening. The only general questions are about age, income, sometimes marital status, sometimes education level (which doesn't mean a thing with regard to being well-informed) and, depending on the survey, what political party I support.

Perhaps a final question should be asked of those being surveyed when they say they're not well informed: Whose fault is it that you're not well informed?

...your article, Joan, to know we're on the same wavelength because when I received an e-mail today from the Obama people asking for a donation to help pass healthcare reform, I responded by saying I'll give my money to groups that actually ARE working for healthcare reform. Tonight my husband and I are attending a pro-health care vigil here in southern New Mexico. These rallies are being held all over the country and I hope your readers check with MoveOn and other groups which are REALLY WORKING to find out where other rallies are being held around the country.

Come to think of it, every e-mail I receive from the administration - except the one about Ted Kennedy's passing - asks for money. And that's what I see that campaign as--nothing more than an ongoing fundraising effort! When is this administration going to stop campaigning and start governing??????????????????

Wednesday's speech would be a good time for the president to mention the need to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine. Before writers jump all over me on this, let me point out that a major reason the republicans have been able to gain such power in the past is because we haven't had an "equal time" provision. If we truly want to educate Americans on all sides of an issue, we have to have in place the laws that make it happen. Too many young people today have no idea of what I'm talking about, but you older folks surely do remember that period in our lifetime when the populace wasn't dumbed down by one-sided viewpoints and outright lies thanks to the fairness doctrine.

Now, as to Wednesday's speech, I would much prefer the president NOT make another speech and, instead, spend the time making deals with members of his own party to ensure that health-care reform with a public option happens!