Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Romney pushes back on Obamacare comparisons
Hours beofre Obama's event to endorse Obamacare, former opposing candidate, Mitt Romney, and a few other Republicans once again bashed Obamacare. Romney compares Obamacare to the Massachusetts health care law he put in place, and other Republican figures relate it to coverage on other issues, such as the Vietnam War.
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As with our class discussion about the differences between the GOP and the Democratic Party, I think this fits nicely with how the two parties feel about the size and the scope of government. Obama has promoted Obamacare to increase the size of the federal government, but Romney is supporting state-specific health care, like how republicans prefer to decrease the size of the federal government. And I agree with Romney in that each state is different and should be able to have their own legislation and healthcare specific to itself.However I wouldn't go as far to say that Obamacare is communist, like what Ben Carson said.
ReplyDeleteIt seems a little hypocritical of Romney to put down a healthcare system so like the one that Massachusetts implemented while he was governor there. This highlights a major difference of the two parties as Kevin pointed out that Democrats tend to prefer an increased national government while Republicans prefer that the states should have more power. If people in one state have a system for affordable healthcare I don't see why citizens in other states should not have that same privilege.
ReplyDeleteI think the arguments for why the Affordable Care Act shouldn't have passed and should be defunded are getting very old. The time being spent arguing over why Obamacare should be defunded is time that would be better used discussing either specific qualities of Obamacare that could improve it, or focusing on immigration reform, the budget, or gun-control laws. It is a waste of time dwelling a law that has already been enacted. It is well over time to move on.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Christina that all of the arguments against the Affordable Care Act are getting extremely old. People need to accept that this new policy is here to stay. Obviously there are problems with the website, but these problems,not the legitimacy of the law, should be the focus of the discussion, . If Romney were to stop criticizing Obamacare he would be a real asset in helping to work out the quirks, considering he has been through the process in Massachusetts.
ReplyDeleteObama is smart to compare his affordable care act with Romney's bill in MA that was successful. I agree with Michaela, Romney could be an asset and he would be viewed in great regard for being helpful. I think these minute differences are ridiculous, there are so many similarities and politics are about helping the people, not holding grudges or being stubborn. The Affordable Care Act is a great idea and people need to get over it, they don't have to sign up, but it is providing an opportunity if people want it.
ReplyDeleteThis issue goes back to previous articles that we've had about how the political parties are too worried about the next election and how they are perceived rather than doing their job. Their job is to help the American people, and they need to put aside their differences and do that. There are obviously problems with the Affordable Care Act, so both sides should take the time to try and fix them. If the constant fighting over it continues on there will be no progress in the near future.
ReplyDeleteIt is no surprise that Mitt Romney would show his opposition to the Affordable Care Act. He has very different views from Obama and is not afraid to show it. People with different political affiliations are going to have conflicting viewpoints. There is nothing we can do but choose who we agree with. Some of Romney's views in this article are questionable in my viewpoint, but he probably said many things that were very intelligent.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Christina and Michaela, this issue is beyond done! Obamacare has been declared constitutional by the Supreme Court, we need to move onto one of the many other (relevant) issues facing the government and the country.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Michaela and Christina. The time that is being spent arguing about an act that is now legal and running, is a waste. Politicians and the media should be focusing on more pressing issues. I'm so tried of hearing Republicans compare Obamacare to slavery, socialism, the Vietnam war, etc. Obamacare is a step in the right direction, and even if it does not work, then at least the door will be opened to another possibility for an affordable, national health care service.
ReplyDeleteIt definitely makes sense that Obama and Romney would have differing views concerning Obamacare as they are members of two different parties. I'm sure that both could make good arguments supporting their point of views but that discussion would be irrelevant and pointless since Obamacare has already been enacted into law. I think it would be more efficient for the two to talk about how to make Obamacare as effective as possible.
ReplyDeleteThis was sort of hard to read for me. I think it is really interesting how Romney supported state-run health care. I'm reminded of civil right's issues in the 60's. States, I think at least, should have more power than the federal government, but they do SUCH a bad job! Millions of people still don't have health care in the now former system, so obviously something has to be done! I think Romney isn't being pragmatic enough.
ReplyDeleteMr. Romney certainly raises valid points speaking from his own experience. The argument that the campaign against the Affordable Care Act is "so old," is completely ridiculous. Arguments don't have an expiration date, age does not detract from the validity of a position.
ReplyDeleteWhile I can agree with the general statement that "age does not detract from the validity of a position, I have to make the point that holding on to a failing argument
Deleteis not very pragmatic in this case. If politicians are truest interested in the betterment of society as a whole, then our government shouldn't have had to shut down, earlier this year. I recognize that the tea party is a small percent of Americans and politicians, but I still think it can teach everyone a lesson in pragmatism. Is it really worth pursuing a failing position, when there are more important things to do? Philosophically, one could answer yes, but when you are working for our government, an institution designed to promote a functioning society, I sure hope you take the practical outlook instead.
Failing or not, if the argument is one that stands to remove a potentially harmful system, it deserves to remain in action. I also believe that the GOP should explore other options in preparation of failure, but I don't think the argument should be allowed to die on the grounds that it has so far been unsuccessful.
DeleteI apologize for being blunt, but Romney is a hypocrite. His healthcare plan in Massachusetts was similar to Obamacare, but he decides to bash Obamacare just to gain respect from his party. I completely agree that arguments against the Affordable Care Act are getting old. I disagree with Max; arguments can get old especially when Obamacare has already been enacted into a law.
ReplyDeleteI think that Mr. Romney brings up a valid point in that the federal government can learn from state governments. Mitt Romney did implement a similar program in Massachusetts. The federal government should have taken away a couple lessons from Massachusetts' health care reform.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Lydia in her statement that Romney has made himself seem like a complete hypocrite in his offensive stance against Obamacare. With avid support of the nearly identical Massachusetts Health Plan; it's hard to see why in fact he can still stand on the same grounds of argument that have been around for quite some time in the world of politics.
ReplyDelete