bloodyminded Posted December 31, 2010 Report Posted December 31, 2010 (edited) Wendell Potter, former Head of Corporate Communications for CIGNA, explains how a lion's share of media discussion on Obama's health care bill--which is actually a pro-corporate idea from top to bottom--was generated specifically by himself and his Insurance Company colleagues. If you are among those who believe that the U.S. has the best healthcare system in the world--despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary-- its because my fellow spinmeisters and I succeeded brilliantly at what we were paid very well to do with your premium dollars. And if you were persuaded that the health care bill President Barack Obama signed into law in March 2010 was a government takeover of the health care system, my former colleagues and I earned every penny of our handsome salaries. .... Potter says once the talking points are written, they are distributed on Capitol Hill. The process is simple, but its done discreetly. You dont hand them to a member of Congress, but you develop very good relationships with staff members. Thats key. He says he also cultivated relationships with television producers and reporters, who, in turn, handed them to pundits and the talking heads on cable shows. As we now know, the lies worked brilliantly. Potter says he wrote Deadly Spin to show how a huge share of healthcare premiums bankroll relentless propaganda and lobbying efforts focused on protecting profits. The book is as much about public relations and spin as it is about healthcare. Without basic knowledge of PR tactics and the ability to distinguish between fact and distortion, Americans--and that includes journalists, both professional and citizen--are at the mercy of spin doctors and the public relations practitioners whose loyalty to their clients outweighs the publics right to the truth, he writes. One of the many incidents that pushed Potter to speak out happened shortly after the March 5, 2009 White House Health Care Summit at which Karen Ignagni, president of the insurance lobby Americas Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), told President Obmaa he could count on her and the insurance industry. We want to work with the members of Congress on a bipartisan basis here. You have our commitment. We hear the American people about whats not working. Weve taken that seriously, she said. You have our commitment to play, to contribute, and to help pass health care reform this year. Potter says it was one of her best performances to date. President Obama responded by saying, Good. Thank you, Karen. Thats good news. Thats Americas Health Insurance Plans. Potter said the President was played like a Stradivarius by one of the best lobbyists to ever hit Washington. http://www.commondreams.org/view/2010/12/31-5 Edited December 31, 2010 by bloodyminded Quote As scarce as truth is, the supply has always been in excess of the demand. --Josh Billings
Bonam Posted December 31, 2010 Report Posted December 31, 2010 Wendell Potter, former Head of Corporate Communications for CIGNA, explains how a lion's share of media discussion on Obama's health care bill--which is actually a pro-corporate idea from top to bottom--was generated specifically by himself and his Insurance Company colleagues. Any corporation that welcomes customers being forced to purchase its services at the end of a government-held gun (as this bill forces people to buy health insurance and takes away their rights if they do not) is not worthy of being called a corporation. They'd just be a bunch of thugs. That is really my main complaint about the bill: being required by law to buy health insurance, whether you want it or not. Whatever the spin, that remains true about the bill. That being said, of course insurance companies spend a lot of money on PR and propaganda. They also make a lot of profit. That's why, on average, if you buy insurance, you are paying more than you will ever take out. So, personally, I would much have preferred the option to self-insure. Quote
bloodyminded Posted December 31, 2010 Author Report Posted December 31, 2010 Any corporation that welcomes customers being forced to purchase its services at the end of a government-held gun (as this bill forces people to buy health insurance and takes away their rights if they do not) is not worthy of being called a corporation. They'd just be a bunch of thugs. That is really my main complaint about the bill: being required by law to buy health insurance, whether you want it or not. Whatever the spin, that remains true about the bill. That being said, of course insurance companies spend a lot of money on PR and propaganda. They also make a lot of profit. That's why, on average, if you buy insurance, you are paying more than you will ever take out. So, personally, I would much have preferred the option to self-insure. The point of this piece is that of corporate deception. Without the requirement that you don't like, the rest of it remains true and pertinent nonetheless. Quote As scarce as truth is, the supply has always been in excess of the demand. --Josh Billings
Bonam Posted December 31, 2010 Report Posted December 31, 2010 The point of this piece is that of corporate deception. Without the requirement that you don't like, the rest of it remains true and pertinent nonetheless. The whole political apparatus constantly deceives the public, whether on corporate behest or not. It's all part of the problem with our political system. Quote
dre Posted December 31, 2010 Report Posted December 31, 2010 The whole political apparatus constantly deceives the public, whether on corporate behest or not. It's all part of the problem with our political system. Corporate influence IS the biggest problem with the political system. Quote I question things because I am human. And call no one my father who's no closer than a stranger
Argus Posted January 3, 2011 Report Posted January 3, 2011 If ever there was an industry whose nationalization would improve society, the insurance industry is that industry. Ideally, the state could provide insurance, and all the insurance companies; health, auto, residential and the like, would be eliminated. Not only would there be enormous savings to the nation but the system would be much more efficient and effective. And while we're at it, let's nationalize the pharmaceutical industry too. Another wasted bunch of slithering, snake-like bloodsuckers. Quote "A liberal is someone who claims to be open to all points of view — and then is surprised and offended to find there are other points of view.” William F Buckley
Argus Posted January 3, 2011 Report Posted January 3, 2011 Corporate influence IS the biggest problem with the political system. Not just corporate. Big money influence is what Obama should have addressed first, rather than producing his abortion of a health bill. Quote "A liberal is someone who claims to be open to all points of view — and then is surprised and offended to find there are other points of view.” William F Buckley
Guest TrueMetis Posted January 3, 2011 Report Posted January 3, 2011 If ever there was an industry whose nationalization would improve society, the insurance industry is that industry. Ideally, the state could provide insurance, and all the insurance companies; health, auto, residential and the like, would be eliminated. Not only would there be enormous savings to the nation but the system would be much more efficient and effective. And while we're at it, let's nationalize the pharmaceutical industry too. Another wasted bunch of slithering, snake-like bloodsuckers. I'm I reading this wrong? Did Argus just say that? Quote
dre Posted January 3, 2011 Report Posted January 3, 2011 Not just corporate. Big money influence is what Obama should have addressed first, rather than producing his abortion of a health bill. Why the hell would he do that? Hes one of the guys GETTING the "big money". The corporate welfare bill formerly known as "health care reform" was him rewarding those very same insurance companies for all the money they gave him. I was a supporter of Obamas during the election, but the guy is one of the worst c**k-suckers Iv ever seen. Quote I question things because I am human. And call no one my father who's no closer than a stranger
bush_cheney2004 Posted January 3, 2011 Report Posted January 3, 2011 ....I was a supporter of Obamas during the election, but the guy is one of the worst c**k-suckers Iv ever seen. How did you support Candidate Obama from Canada? Quote Economics trumps Virtue.
dre Posted January 3, 2011 Report Posted January 3, 2011 How did you support Candidate Obama from Canada? Same way a sports fan supports their team nimrod. I cheered him on... I also talked a few people at work into voting for him. Quote I question things because I am human. And call no one my father who's no closer than a stranger
bush_cheney2004 Posted January 3, 2011 Report Posted January 3, 2011 (edited) Same way a sports fan supports their team nimrod. I cheered him on... I also talked a few people at work into voting for him. Yay! I'm sure he noticed. Just another American wannabe? Edited January 3, 2011 by bush_cheney2004 Quote Economics trumps Virtue.
dre Posted January 3, 2011 Report Posted January 3, 2011 Yay! I'm sure he noticed. You think he notices your average American voter (unless they donate cash)? Please. Just another American wannabe? No. As a Canadian I dont spend 8 hours a day on a forum about US politics. Only a moron would do that. Oh wait... Quote I question things because I am human. And call no one my father who's no closer than a stranger
bush_cheney2004 Posted January 3, 2011 Report Posted January 3, 2011 You think he notices your average American voter (unless they donate cash)? Please. Yes... I have a thank you note from President Bush. No. As a Canadian I dont spend 8 hours a day on a forum about US politics. Only a moron would do that. Oh wait... Beats spending four years worrying about who will be president of another nation. Quote Economics trumps Virtue.
dre Posted January 3, 2011 Report Posted January 3, 2011 Yes... I have a thank you note from President Bush. Beats spending four years worrying about who will be president of another nation. Who did that? Rufus the stunt bum? Or your uncle pete? Quote I question things because I am human. And call no one my father who's no closer than a stranger
bush_cheney2004 Posted January 3, 2011 Report Posted January 3, 2011 Who did that? Rufus the stunt bum? Or your uncle pete? Election 2012 is just around the corner....who will you "support"? LOL! As for the Health Insurance dust-up here, Obama and Biden told Americans exactly what he was going to do with/for insurance companies, because any kind of expanded single payer option was dead on arrival. Quote Economics trumps Virtue.
dre Posted January 3, 2011 Report Posted January 3, 2011 Election 2012 is just around the corner....who will you "support"? LOL! As for the Health Insurance dust-up here, Obama and Biden told Americans exactly what he was going to do with/for insurance companies, because any kind of expanded single payer option was dead on arrival. No he campaigned on a public option (a lie) so that he could help insurance companies steal money from Americans to pay them back for campaign contributions. He also campaigned AGAINST a mandate. Quote I question things because I am human. And call no one my father who's no closer than a stranger
bush_cheney2004 Posted January 3, 2011 Report Posted January 3, 2011 No he campaigned on a public option (a lie) so that he could help insurance companies steal money from Americans to pay them back for campaign contributions. He also campaigned AGAINST a mandate. Only sucker wannabes like you believed any of that. And of course you don't know what happened to the Clintons when they tried to take on the insurance companies. Kids! Quote Economics trumps Virtue.
dre Posted January 3, 2011 Report Posted January 3, 2011 Only sucker wannabes like you believed any of that. And of course you don't know what happened to the Clintons when they tried to take on the insurance companies. Kids! Only sucker wannabes like you believed any of that And people that watch the news. Youre flat out lying about Obamas position on healthcare, which was anti-mandate, and pro public option. Now we we know that Obama was working with insurance companies on trying to spin this stuff up the whole time. Maybe if you didnt spend all your time obsessing about Canada you would actually know some stuff about your own country! Quote I question things because I am human. And call no one my father who's no closer than a stranger
bush_cheney2004 Posted January 3, 2011 Report Posted January 3, 2011 (edited) And people that watch the news. Youre flat out lying about Obamas position on healthcare, which was anti-mandate, and pro public option. No I'm not...he tossed a bone to the socialists knowing damn well the public option was ballast to be jettisoned immediately. Now we we know that Obama was working with insurance companies on trying to spin this stuff up the whole time. This is not news...the negotiatins with insurance companies and Big Pharma were well publicized in American media. Ooops...you don't live there! Here's an example...suckers! http://swampland.blogs.time.com/2009/08/06/obamas-secret-deal-with-the-drugmakers/ Maybe if you didnt spend all your time obsessing about Canada you would actually know some stuff about your own country! It's more fun watching you watching me and worrying about an American president. Gee, should I worry so much about your prime minister? What's his name again? Edited January 3, 2011 by bush_cheney2004 Quote Economics trumps Virtue.
dre Posted January 3, 2011 Report Posted January 3, 2011 No I'm not...he tossed a bone to the socialists knowing damn well the public option was ballast to be jettisoned immediately. This is not news...the negotiatins with insurance companies and Big Pharma were well publicized in American media. Ooops...you don't live there! Here's an example...suckers! http://swampland.blogs.time.com/2009/08/06/obamas-secret-deal-with-the-drugmakers/ It's more fun watching you watching me and worrying about an American president. Gee, should I worry so much about your prime minister? What's his name again? Im not watching you clown boy, Im laughing at you like everyone else here. Youve embraced the role of community laughing stock for reasons of your own that I cant even imagine. And yes master of the obvious... I hear about your elections on the news just like you hear about ours, and Ill normally develope an opinion based on their stated platforms... just like I do when theres an election in the UK or anywhere else that gets talked about in the western media. But I dont share the same bizzaro fascination with the US as you have with Canada. Quote I question things because I am human. And call no one my father who's no closer than a stranger
bush_cheney2004 Posted January 3, 2011 Report Posted January 3, 2011 Im not watching you clown boy, Im laughing at you like everyone else here. Youve embraced the role of community laughing stock for reasons of your own that I cant even imagine. Correct...you don't have much of an imagination. No wonder you gaze at America all the time. And yes master of the obvious... I hear about your elections on the news just like you hear about ours, and Ill normally develope an opinion based on their stated platforms... just like I do when theres an election in the UK or anywhere else that gets talked about in the western media. Bullcrap....you fell for Obamamania just like all the other socialist rubes. Suckers! But I dont share the same bizzaro fascination with the US as you have with Canada. Oh really.....I don't know what's on CBC tonight...but you always know what is on Fox! LOL! Quote Economics trumps Virtue.
dre Posted January 3, 2011 Report Posted January 3, 2011 Correct...you don't have much of an imagination. No wonder you gaze at America all the time. Bullcrap....you fell for Obamamania just like all the other socialist rubes. Suckers! Oh really.....I don't know what's on CBC tonight...but you always know what is on Fox! LOL! I dont have cable TV and if I did I dont even think Faux is available. Bullcrap....you fell for Obamamania just like all the other socialist rubes. Suckers! Because the resident canada obsessed laughing stock says so. Yeah... Quote I question things because I am human. And call no one my father who's no closer than a stranger
bush_cheney2004 Posted January 3, 2011 Report Posted January 3, 2011 I dont have cable TV and if I did I dont even think Faux is available. Because the resident canada obsessed laughing stock says so. Yeah... It's all good....including rubes obsessed with the American "Heath" insurance bogeyman. Quote Economics trumps Virtue.
nicky10013 Posted January 5, 2011 Report Posted January 5, 2011 How did you support Candidate Obama from Canada? I ran absentee voter registration drives in downtown. Sarcasm is a bitch, eh? Quote
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