http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/07/29/politics/main5196340.shtml

Polls are complex depending on what's asked, and yes a majority feels that reform may not help them specifically, but (from the CBS Poll above):

"Americans continue to think the health care system needs an overhaul.

Eight in 10 say major reform -- at a minimum -- is in order. Forty-nine percent think the system needs fundamental changes, and another 33 percent think there are so many things wrong with the U.S. health care system that it needs to be completely rebuilt."

CBS Poll from one week ago:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/07/29/politics/main5196340.shtml

Polls are complex depending on what's asked, and yes a majority feels that reform may not help them specifically, but (from the CBS Poll above):

"Americans continue to think the health care system needs an overhaul.

Eight in 10 say major reform -- at a minimum -- is in order. Forty-nine percent think the system needs fundamental changes, and another 33 percent think there are so many things wrong with the U.S. health care system that it needs to be completely rebuilt."

Eight in ten.

You don't get a free pass on this one.

You need to answer paulpsd7's questions. Do you (god-fearing member of the conservative base) think there are Obama Death Panels in the health bill? And do you think it's good for Sarah and base to be passing this off as fact?

Not in 25 paragraphs of maneuverings - just yes or no.

one of your best ever. Thank you for connecting the dots and leading (or, in some cases, shaming) important groups into going public with responses.

The only way to deal with this is by one condemnation after another - a chorus - until there are too many for the MSM to ignore.

Once healthcare is passed, there will be a conspicuous void of flash points around which the corporate concerns and free-floating wackos can organize. Many will see that compassionate progress can be made and their heads don't explode (if they haven't already).

But for this circus right now, immediate action and public disavowals are what's needed. Thanks so much.

Just a reminder - 45 years ago Republicans fought Medicare with the same arguments of socialism and exploding worlds. Before it was passed, 40% of seniors had NO health insurance. They were just dying. The world didn't end, and now no senior would give up their Medicare.

There are stakes, and there are results.

for doing such a great job recently getting healthcare substance out there - Mike Madden's article on 5 Lies About Healthcare, and Joan, Alex and Glen tying the Town Hells and race-baiting to the larger issue of GOP/insurance lies about the actual Bill. Robert Reich is writing almost daily about the real pros and cons of the proposals on the table. That's the way to do it.

I'm 100% with a previous poster suggesting that Salon can take the lead here, by hitting back with reality, like the Pearlstein piece - using the ugliness of disinformed and/or paid mobs as a fulcrum to keep the healthcare facts coming. If it's so important to the GOP, than it's even more important for us. Cut the fear out of the equation.

I've posted this a couple of times, but my 80-year Mother remembers vividly the GOP fighting Medicare 45 years ago with the same mix of hysteria and lies - cries of socialism and the "horror" of government interfering with your health choices.

Before Medicare, 40% of seniors had NO healthcare. Some were eating dog food to be able to afford their medication. If they got sick and couldn't afford care, they died. Now no senior would ever give up Medicare, including, I'll wager, every single Republican who has it.

Same fight, same stakes, same difference we can make.

good for her for speaking directly - no spin. Nice.

Ms. Clinton is doing a terrific job. She's got gravitas, and I gotta say - she looks at ease in the job too. Keep on rockin in the free world.

Fight fire with facts. We've got close to a monopoly on those right now.

to pass healthcare - 60 YEARS AND COUNTING - is to keep people like you, Camille, from fragging the effort with half-facts and half-assed comparisons.

Writing:

"The president is promoting the most colossal, brazen bait-and-switch operation since the Bush administration snookered the country into invading Iraq with apocalyptic visions of mushroom clouds over American cities..."

is THE most glib, inchoate and supremely unbalanced comparison I've read yet in your years of glib inchoateness. Shame on you - SHAME ON YOU - for shooting your vile spitballs at a president who's working against incredible odds - you included - to get something of value for us. Not killing millions, or invading a country for its oil, but striving to ease the plight of millions of your fellow citizens.

You shameless, awful person. With friends like you.........you fill in the damn blank. You are absolutely unconscionable.

And how about global warming, Camille? No denial recently? Overwhelming facts, not to mention hard-won action, getting too close to your bubble?

Salon, you have erred deeply in giving your podium to this unhinged fool. Your writers are working hard to keep healthcare information in front of readers, and this spinning head is spewing prime, 100% junk.

you're going to get thousands of letters on this one - the Drudge squad and Salon's own paid naysayers will swarm on Paglia's irresponsible and dishonest assessments of the healthcare fight. This article will be linked all over the place - just watch.

Not one of those clicks will be worth it. Not one. You are dismantling your own principles.

Such mindless damage this woman does, and for nothing - just to hear her own empty, airless voice.