YOUR COMMENTS

Wow "Jim, Raymond NH" you sounded so wise , educated and articulate until I got to this part of your letter. ....

"We can do this the easy way through reasonable debate and discussion or we can do it the hard way and legislate you into compliance. I’d prefer to have a reasonable discussion but we can’t do that if you won’t beam back down to the land of reality"

Very revealing my friend .

So you do want to force this down our throats if we like it or not.

Sounds like democracy to me. Is this the country you envision?
- Max, Manchester

Dear Carol,

As I am stuck over here in Kabul (or as we call it lately, Kaboom) I am so happy to know you are representing me in NH.

Unfortunately, I would rather be over here with insurance, then back in New Hampshire where I would not be able to get any individual health insurance because of my age and a pre-existing condition.

I would like to ask every one commenting on this article--if you lose your insurance through your employer, or if the Republicans succeed in shutting Medicare down (which is really what they want) WHAT IS YOUR PERSONAL PLAN FOR HEALTH CARE?

Let me assure you, there are plenty of jobs over here.

All the best,
Mary Heslin
Kabul, Afghanistan
- Mary Heslin, Manchester

Hey Jim from Raymond.

I happened to have lived in Toronto for a while. You do notice people with limps and various maladies walking around because of the queue. Meaning they have to wait for treatment. Also, they do come to the States, that is the people with money for the best care for things that most take for granted here.

Either you are ill informed or are ill informing on purpose. Which is it.
- Bob, Salem

I still don't think the liberal idiots are quite grasping the fact that the medical manufacturers will STOP making the lifesaving devices if they cannot make a profit.

GE will stop making imaging stuff. Stents? Gone. Tyco will knock off the health divisions and stay with other consumer goods. Millions out of work, and no medical devices.

Do you understand this, liberals? You cannot make companies produce products at a loss. They will STOP.
- Mike R., Bedford

Tom, Campton

Have you read beyond the preamble? The Constitution is on the net.

You should read Article 1, Section 8 of the United States Constitution.

Congress has the power

to "provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States"

Because the United States Constitution does not have a definition for general Welfare, Congress gets to decide what that means because Congress has the power

"To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department of Officer thereof"
- Ken Stremsky, Manchester, NH

Susie,
You keep making these wildish claims but the facts do not fit your case. We already have all the things you have been complaining about but you refuse to see it. Ask anyone in France, Canada, the UK, Germany, and India and you will see that they wouldn’t trade their system for ours in a million years. I work in hospitals and health clinics and I have yet to meet one person from another country “flocking” here to get better health care and we are living in a border state. Oh yea and guess who else has universal health care IRAQ yup and we’re paying for it, so why is it good enough for even the lowest Iraqi and not for any American?

Not one person in these countries has gone bankrupt in any of these countries due to medical bills NOT ONE. 47,000 people die in America each year due to lack of health insurance and a good many of those actually paid for the insurance and were dropped at their hour of need. 47,000 American citizens that’s almost ten times the lives lost on 9/11 and you’re not outraged? That’s roughly 904 people per week and 129 per day and you’re not concerned? I thought you Republicans were all about patriotism and saving American lives? I guess you’ll only care about an American when they have money in their pockets to extort.

Get it through your heads Susie, Spike, Deb and the rest of you the American working class has had enough and we’re not sacrificing one more inch to line your pockets. We can do this the easy way through reasonable debate and discussion or we can do it the hard way and legislate you into compliance. I’d prefer to have a reasonable discussion but we can’t do that if you won’t beam back down to the land of reality.

One more thing Mrs. King can’t afford her medication because of Bush’s Medicare prescription drug program that forbids Medicare from collective bargaining, one more scam we can thank the Republicans for. Other countries pay far lower rates for their medications so when they become too expensive I guess collective bargaining will be forced wont it? Don’t you think that would be a good idea especially since it’s our tax dollars funding the research that creates these medications? You do want lower taxes don’t you? Or do you just want to use our tax dollars to fund your take it from both ends schemes?
- Jim, Raymond NH

To Jim from Raymond

Obamaloney
- Bob, Salem

I wonder if any of our fine representatives will take the time to read and understand this bill. I wonder if they will just follow blindly what the party leaders dictate. I bet I know.
The blind leading the blind. Please no offense to the vision impaired.
- Mike, Auburn

"We will be delivering great service at great value to the American people," claims Shea-Porter. That's a lie. This never happens with government-run health-care programs that promise health coverage for everyone. The numbers are always too many and the systems are always over-utilized. And they all go broke. Case-in-point, Maine, Mass., and Tenn; Canada, France, and the U.K.

King's problem now: she can't afford the meds. King's problem after ObamaCare: she can't even get the meds. And even if she had the money, she might not be able to get the medications she needs because the government would have the right to refuse providing them, should the meds prove too expensive. What will King do then? What will any of us do then? The government's power to deny citizens of life-saving treatments is precisely why the cancer survival rate in the U.S. is significantly higher than rates in countries with socialized medicine. Think, people, before you buy into a deal that looks too good to be true. It usually is.
- Susie, Horseshoe Bay, TX (NH native)

Oh and I do have to address this infuriating nonsense:

"Those -like Sue - who seek to undermine the role of legitimate government action with constant, extremist comparisons to socialism, marxism, Hitler, etc.. are doing a serious disservice to the people of America. They are critically limiting our ability to solve big problems, and keeping us rooted in the past for no other reason than raw, relentless partisanship."

You're damned RIGHT that I'm undermining a system that is totalitarian, a failure, and unconstitutional. Hmm. Partisanship? I don't care about parties. I've trashed them both when I saw fit. I just don't like your attitude because as someone else commented, it's the way of Hitler, Stalin, and Mao, not the American way.

When YOU want something you are doing it for the 'good' of everyone so it's just OK, but when I want something, it's 'partisan'.

Does anyone see the hypocrisy here? Once again I surely do each and every minute of every day of my life seek to undermine the role of this illegitimate government, a government that has been sadly illegitimate for a very long time...
- Sue, Manchester

It is funny to hear all this bleating about just who is being supported by Carol. No comment about who is opposing health care. You may not like what Carol does but compared to the horrible outrage performed by the greedy insurance corporations and the resulting death and maiming of the little guys that goes on all the time it makes me think you should decide upon whose side you are staking your future. Over and over in these debates we have heard stories about those losing coverage when they need it most. Health insurance executives never lose anything. They are covered with dollars - your dollars - as part of the monopoly they have bought with their control over your lives. Does Carol say no when you ask for an medical proceedure? Absolutely not. That's Humana or WellPoint or another of the health ghouls sucking your money and life.
- Bert, Deerfield

Somebody call a Waaaaaaaaambulance what a bunch of whiny people we have here today. This bill absolutely falls well within constitutional limits the “constitutional rights” argument is pure bunk. It really doesn’t matter what Porter does some people will just find a way to cry about it.

This bill will not increase cost it will stabilize them and the majority of Americans are in favor of this legislation. Single payer would have been better but this is a good step towards that goal.

Keep up the good work Carol and thank you for representing the people of NH.
- Jim, Ramond NH

Dave - and the Founders laid out the meaning of 'promote the general welfare' by specifically enumerating and limiting the powers of the federal government in the remainder of the document.

They were of the mind that the 'general welfare' was best promoted by limiting the scope of government.

Please read the remainder of the Constitution beyond the preamble.
- Tom, Campton

From the earlier posts regarding the preamble to the constitution:

"in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty"

Notice government's role is to "promote" the general welfare. This differs tremendously from the statement immediately preceding it which call for "providing for" the common defense. If it was meant to "provide for" the general welfare, that's what would have written.
- Wayne S, Manchester

I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore. This healthcare reform is against my constitutional rights. oh yea did I already lose those rights?
- Linda, Derry

Nice photo-op of Nancy and Carol. But where's Carol's collar and leach ? Didn't realize Carol was trained so well.
- Adam, Sandown, NH

There is so much controversy on this topic that I won't even begin. Believe me I could easily stand on the soap box.

Our nation is becoming so entrenched in social programs, we're becoming a Socialist Society.

Since when did our Federal Government decide it was time to control everything from Finance, Automobiles to Health Care. Heck the USPS in bleeding red right now!

I hear all the arguments alluding to "well in Europe they do this, and in Canada they do that"

I go to Canada frequently, and yes, they do have socialized medicine. Gas is twice what is here. Income taxes are 45%, a $10 food tab in any eatery costs $15 after TAXES. And is even worse in Europe

I for one don't want this financial burden in the interest of "free health care"

If we look at the tax and fees other countries pay, my current income tax and health insurance premium is a better deal.
- Harry, Atkinson

To Dave, Sandwich:

"That government is best which governs least".
- Tony, Londonderry

Having your picture taken with Pelosi could and should be a career breaker.
- Rich, Winchester

You can call Ms Shea Porter or Mr Hodesto tell them you are against government run healthcare by dialing 1-202-225-3121 and ask for their office. You better do it now while you can still voice your opinion.
- Bob H, Manchester

To Michael, Portsmouth who says ...

"So, Sue, I feel your use of the term "totalitarian" and accusations of some grand conspiracies cheapen your argument and makes one wonder if you're just another whacko TeaBagger who has an irrational level of hatred for people who, like you and me, are trying to do the best as they see it."

Lemme get this straight. You come here and you lecture us on civility and then you refer to people who disagree with your God as whacko TeaBaggers who have irrational levels of hatred.

You sound just like your Saviour, you know The One who constantly preaches open debate but attacks anyone who dares to disagree with His Holy Word.

Sue is right to be worried and anyone who doesn't see that we're in danger does not have their eyes open.

Nice try, pal. Your God would be proud of you.
- GUI, Manchester

Tom from Campton: actually, it's right there in the Preamble:

"in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty"

You may notice it's "promote general welfare", not "promote individual happiness".
- Dave, Sandwich

Michael,

Typical liberal double speak to Sue. With one hand you admonish her tone while the other throws out "whacko teabagger".

Your so predictable it's laughable.
- Chris, Hooksett

There are at least two healthcare manufacturers in NH that will have to shut down if this debacle passes. It won't be profitable for them to keep operating with the massive fees, they aren't big enough. So...thousands more jobs lost IN NH, some of the LAST "made in the USA" medical products gone...

Congratulations, Shea-Porter. Go read the script Pelosi gave you, it's all you're good for.
- Jason Entres, Hollis

Aww isn't that cute! Pelosi and Shea-Porter arm in arm in the picture! Would someone just cue the song "Two of a Kind!" Ugh she makes me sick!
- David Bernier, West Manchester, NH

Let's start with denying free care to immigrants. Yes both legal and illegal. We'll save a fortune! Don't let anyone in who can't stand on their own two feet. Deport them immediately if they can't. Let their countries worry about them, not the U.S. taxpayers!
- Steve, Raymond

"Governments role is to do what's best for US, not for ME. "

Incorrect.

Please read the US Constitution. You will not find the philosophy you espouse in it. You will find it in Hitler, Mao, and Stalin - and all tyrants who claimed to know what is best for us better than we know it ourselves.
- Tom, Campton

What a wonderful time in America. Nancy Pelosi is going to fix health care, Barney Frank is going to fix Wall Street, and the President is going to fix himself for his next liveshot on TV. And people thought it was bad out there now, just wait, its going to get better. I'm hoping the next three years goes real quick.
- Dale A., Manchester

This bill is an outrage of deception and coercion, will destroy jobs, increase our immoral debt even more, and ruin the availability and quality of health care.

Thankfully it will not pass.
- Tom, Campton

Chris, we agree on the issue but Sue is not wrong to see totalitarianism. If I need treatment that I and my insurance company can afford, and my government stands in the way because of a rulebook, "accepted practice," penalties against my doctor, or a goal of reducing a national total, that is exactly a Death Panel. And my insurance company won't last for long against the "optional public option"; this bill won't be the last, as Congress further changes the law to "save money" and bias us toward the government system that many openly say they want to be the only system. There is a reason why the Canadian hip-replacement center is Cleveland, Ohio. Where will they--and we--go when we ruin Cleveland?
- Spike, Brentwood NH

In our modern society, some problems become so large, so complex, and so costly that they cannot be managed or solved by individuals, or by markets. Individuals and markets are naturally governed by the principle of 'enlightened self interest'- in other words, what's best for ME- not what's best for US.

Problems like health care, systemic economic collapse, or global climate change fall into the category of problems that are too big - or simply too dangerous - for individuals or markets to solve alone. One could argue that these problems are in fact caused, or at least made worse, by an over-reliance on the capacity of people and markets to solve systemic issues.

It is the proper role of government - that is, the pooling of our resources, ideas and actions into a 'collective' - to address these kinds of problems. Governments role is to do what's best for US, not for ME.

Those -like Sue - who seek to undermine the role of legitimate government action with constant, extremist comparisons to socialism, marxism, Hitler, etc.. are doing a serious disservice to the people of America. They are critically limiting our ability to solve big problems, and keeping us rooted in the past for no other reason than raw, relentless partisanship.
- Dave, Sandwich

I know more than one democrat who does not want government involved in health care and are now questioning voting in their own party members.

Why doesn't Miss Porter set up some more town hall meetings so she can look us in the eye and repeat Speaker Pelosi's comment how this will not cost the tax payer one dime? Or is she smart enough to know no one believes the lie?

Remember these are the same people like John Kerry who claimed the big dig would cost seven to nine billion dollars when selling it to the people and here Massachusetts is fifteen billion dollars later and growing and it’s still not complete and plagued with problems that now means it needs a full time crew to keep it from turning into the new Boston Aquarium.
- Deb, Derry

I suppose this legislation will be with in the proposed budgets juat as all of the other entitlement programs have been! Tounge in cheek of course! Anyone that puts their stock in what the "non partisan" CBO says needs to have their head examined. It was not long ago that the director of the CBO was invited to the white house for a face to face with the chosen one himself. Does that sound non partisan??
- Jesse, Orford

Shea-Porter knows her job is on the line next year she's stated so. She should also know that with the exception of a handful of constituents that no one she supposedly represents wants this socialized medicine package as a healthcare bill. The Republicans don't have a voice in either house of congress yet they can't get socialized medicine passed because of infighting amongst Democrats over it. Why is that? Because socialized medicine in every country that has it is so bad it's obvious it doesn't work. Shea-Porter just doesn't get it. Shea-Porter cares nothing for what her constituents do or do not want. Shea-Porter has to go in 2010.
- Don Diamant, Milton, NH

Whoever runs against Paul Hodes should get the video footage of him walking out of the house when there was a bill put forth to investigate congress member of wrongful behavior for the likes of Mr. Tax Cheat Charlie Rangel (D-NY). Play it in a loop over and over again.
Whoever runs against CSP should get the sound bite of her PBS interview where she said she used to go to Town Hall Meetings and with respectful spirit discuss issues in a polite manner – not like the Teabaggers she sees today, and then get the actual footage of her ranting and raving like an idiot.
For Sen. Shaheen, I am sure there will be a sound bite where BHO says "Jeanne Shaheen was with me from the beginning!"
They are just awful and too funny (in an embarrassing way) in their actions!

Sleep well Sue and watch the commercials!
- Marty, Portsmouth

It's interesting that Rep. Shea-Porter got to be there for the unveiling. Since the era of openness has begun under Speaker Pelosi, our reps have run for the hills instead of listening to their constituents, negotiated this bill behind closed doors, and to cap it all off you needed to be invited by Speaker Pelosi to attend the "public" unveiling of this monstrosity. Yes, this picture will be replayed over and over for next year's election.
- Wayne S, Manchester

The continued support of this horrible legislation by NH's Democratic Socialist caucus is obscene. The US government is not competent to run a program like this. The cost estimate of 1 Trillion dollars is a gross underestimate. Worst of all, we don't want it.
- Mike, Dunbarton

I appreciate how the UL played this story kind of straight, other than throwing a little elbow with the picture and the "lined up next to Pelosi" line. Don't worry. You may not like Nancy Pelosi, but voters will realize it's a good thing that Carol Shea-Porter is working with her on their behalf.

What you and some commenters missed in this story is that Carol Shea-Porter was standing there and was featured in this announcement because she worked so hard to get the provision that closes the donut hole! That's the news, that she has ensured that the bane of seniors', the lousy drug program Bush enacted, will be dramatically improved under the new health reform bill. (Max: not only did she read the bill, she wrote it!)

That's why voters are going to put Carol Shea-Porter back in that seat next year. She does real things for real people. She was at the White House for the signing of the defense authorization bill because she got major provisions into it protecting the troops and civilian defense employees.

This is the real stuff that people see. If she's standing next to Nancy Pelosi a lot, it's because she's getting big stuff done.
- Bill, New Castle

Nice picture of Shea Pelosi standing next to her mentor and boss Nancy Pelosi. It illustrates who CSP truly represents. It is sad to see Mrs King allow herself to be a "useful stooge" for this monstrosity of a bill. When Mrs King needs a procedure in the future that won't be covered because of medicare cuts and a Rationing Board (a.k.a Death panel) Carol Shea Porter and Nancy Pelosi won't be there standing with her, she will be all alone.

Sue
Spare us all the doom and gloom totalitarian stuff. Obama doesn't employ "shock troops" who will pull you out of your house in the middle of the night.
This bill that was introduced doesn't have the votes yet to pass the House never mind the Senate. Remember LBJ's Democrats lost 47 seats in the House in 1966 after his liberal agenda was rammed through Congress. Obama and the Democrats will suffer a similar fate next year.
- Chris, Merrimack

Calling someone a "teabagger" who is full of hate is not exactly what I call civil. We need people to become more passionate about the future of this country. You can sleep all you want, but your freedoms and money are all being swept away by those we mistakenly call leaders.

Of course she doesn't know what's in the bill. It doesn't matter as long as Carol can stand up there with Pelosi and be her loyal lapdog, it does not matter what her constituents think.
- Aaron, New Boston

Well the CBO stated at least 1 trillion and that is a low figure, many dems will not vote for this bill that way it stands. But what really makes me laugh is seeing Ms. Shea-Porter actfing like a little girl girl at a Madonna concert, smiling and clapping merrily when we all know that this will be the closest she gets to reading/seeing/understanding this bill. I wonder what she'll say when doctors leave, waits extend and gov't akes over ourl ives.
- Paul, Candia

If you heard part of Pelosi's speech, she said this would cover 96% of Americans. If that doesn't sound like Nationalized/socialized Healthcare what does? I am sure that our 2 current Reps and Shaheen will mark step w/the Dems and vote for this over reaching/debt ridden bill. I saw Mrs King last night and I sympathize w/her plight. But we/I don't know all the facts about her claim & it is just that a claim. We can only "Hope for Change" in 2010 (I do believe Shea Porter will be out) and the more people see this President we have kick him out in 2012.
- Michael King, Epping

I wonder if Carol Shea Porter has actually read all 1999 pages of this bill before backing it ?

We may as well erase that "Live free.." part of our state motto.
- Max, Manchester

Sue,
Try to get more sleep.

I wasn't a fan of George Bush, and I'm not a fan of international corporations which have no allegiance to the American consumer. I don't particularly like telecom companies, or independent contractors who don't do what they promise.

But I do remember that George Bush once hoped for more civility in policy debates in this country, as did his father, much the same as Obama. Disagreement is healthy, debate about health care and military campaigns and Red Sox versus Yankees makes this nation the best on earth, the greatest in history.

So, Sue, I feel your use of the term "totalitarian" and accusations of some grand conspiracies cheapen your argument and makes one wonder if you're just another whacko TeaBagger who has an irrational level of hatred for people who, like you and me, are trying to do the best as they see it.

Call em' stupid. Label them crazy for their efforts to solve Big Problems. But don't compare their actions to foreign regimes that actually kill dissidents and smother democracy - it's just not the best way, IMHO, of getting your anger heard and respected.

While I share a lot of your concerns, I don't take it personal, and as a result, slept well because I live in the greatest country on the planet.
- Michael, Portsmouth

This bill will increase medical costs, increase taxes for everyone, increase insurance costs and chase away doctors who are in a shortage.

Is there anything else that the Democrats want to foul up. A majority of Shea Porter's constituents did not want this bill but she does not care.

It is now at the point where I believe that the Democrats should change their name to the Democrat Socialist Party.
- Bob, Salem

Carol Shea-Porter and Paul Hodes continue to vote for legislation that their constituents are clearly against IN THE MAJORITY. They as well as Jeanne Shaheen would not divulge the way their mail was leaning, because of this fact. Paul Hodes tried to do a tele-town hall after his 'survey' confirmed this majority sentiment.

These people are helping Barack Hussein Obama bring down a totalitarian managed society upon the free people of America on behalf of his elitist handlers...

Where are the people who would protect us and our Constitution from these dangerous vile (and possibly violent) Mao-ists??????? They believe they are so right they will do anything to get their agenda done.

They are grabbing our right to energy, health care, property, the press, the airwaves and even ART WORK. It is just sick and people better wake up!

I can't sleep at night worrying about what they are going to do to us.
- Sue, Manchester