CNN

[...] Speaker Nancy Pelosi said yesterday she would be willing to lower the amount of a new surtax on wealthy Americans to pay for health care legislation if more savings from proposed reforms can [...]

Dems will not be happy until and/or unless every American has a zero networth. A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have!

To all you liberal freeloaders praising your democratic leaders: Please wake up, stop expecting big Government to keep breastfeeding you and start taking some PERSONAL responsibility. You sound like a bunch of wimps wanting so much to take from those that have succeeded in our Nation.

The money has to come from somewhere, it definitely cannot come from the poor, the country will only go down if we don't make any extra sacrifices during this period of extreme hardship. We have inherited this mess, so why don't we work together instead of against each other... for our families and our country? We do need a new health insurance plan if we want to be competent globally...look at our auto industry for example: the high cost of health insurance for the workersmakes it impossible for our cars to be cheaper therefore more marketable than foreign cars. If the auto industry has to spend so much in health insurance, they have to cut somewhere like quality of the product and so on...

If there is so much savings why haven't they already put them into place? And, why would you the Dems raise taxes if they really don't need them.

This whole Omaba/Democrat Health Care program is a joke and is going to turn our health care system, with all its flaws, into shambles – all for the sake of BIG GOVERNMENT.

I guess I should thank Congress for convincing me to retire at the age of 52. Bush tax cuts will expire (I agree with that) but a 5.4% tax from the House, a 5% surtax coming from the Senate, raising business taxes, medicare taxes, raising the ceiling on social security, and the disastrous Cap & Trade bill from Rep Waxman (I thought California was issuing IOUs and they are writing legislation for the rest of the states?) Hope and Pocket Change should be the new slogan because that is what we are going to be left with.

Steve in Denver:
Closeing GTMO: Not yet, apparently he thought everyone would bow to him (Obama) and take terrorists.
Tax cut for the middle class: a stepping block to raising taxes for everyone when this socialist medical plan is started. Someone will have to pay for it when they realize it isn't as cheap as expected.
End torture: Torture is a word like terrorist. One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter. I believe their should be limits on interrogation, depending on who you are talking too.
Environmental legislation: A bunch of hot trash. Again, he thought other world leaders would bow to the "nice guy". Apparently they told him to pack sand! No one is signing on to that.
Restore diplomacy: Again, no other world leaders are bowing to Obama, as a matter of fact he is bowing to other world leaders, as well as getting punked by socialists dictators like Chavez and Ortega.
And don't forget cap and trade, if that passes, expect the unemployment rate to go up.
We will see how long it takes before he realizes he is a one-termer. God knows what he will try to push through when that happens.

Who is going to pay for the welfare state and free handouts once you tax all the money earners to capacity? The middle class had extremely low tax rates under Bush by the way. Stop getting all your information from MSNBC you idiots. The silent majority is still strong, believe me, and you loudmouthed, angry liberals will be shell shocked Howard Dean style in 2012.

Pelosi will ruin this country by not letting the Democrats move to the center on any thing. I fear that thedemocrats are sealing their fate for 2010. I look for the republicans to win big. The Republicans are setting the ambush today.

Before it's over it won't be only the rich that will be paying for this fiasco.Congress will be taxing the working class to the hilt so poor little so and so who has lived off the government their whole life can have health care.Hell they have it now!!!!!

To Seebofubar?????I'm Canadian and our government has never become involved in any citizens' health care decisions; a decision for surgery is between the doctor and the patient. Our government-funded public plan doesn't cover all health-care costs. We are covered for visits to a g.p. or visits to a specialist, emergency room visits, surgeries, etc.

We also pay for private health care insurance to cover health-related expenses that aren't covered under the public plan (like optometry and dental care, medication, physio-therapy, private hospital rooms,etc.); if we don't have a private health plan then we pay ...not the government. You might want to do a little research and get your facts before you make such a foolish comment.

Our system may not be perfect, but at least in Canada health-care is considered a right for all Canadian citizens and not a privilege.

By the way, did you get your information from O'Reilly and the Fox News Network?

I do not feel sorry for the super rich for they have gathered money like if was falling off the trees the last eight years.

Many of the super, especially the Gates, the Buffets, the Walton's, Steve Jobs, and the founders of Google, Yahoo, E-Bay, and many others who have millions of shares in the company have raked in 246 thousand dollars for every million dollars of taxable income they receive from DIVIDENDS ALONG, plus an additional 5000 dollars from the lowered capital gains tax to 15%, and that is above the 46 thousand they got from the lowered tax rate for the richest from the 39.6 percent to 35 percent.

They have stuffed their bank accounts while the those in the 15 percent tax bracket got a massive 6 hundred dollars cut in their taxes, almost enough to replace the exhaust system on my 8 year old car.

Again the DIMWITCRATS along with Heil Pelosi and Barump Obumma have no freaking idea. While already pushing through with the inept Spendulus Bill and a possible second one coming, which will put my grandkids in debt, they are now thinking about taxing the very people who create the jobs in this country to pay for health care??? Obumma said the Spendulus Bill was going to create jobs. Haven't seen that yet. Now the DIMWITCRATS want to tax the very people who are making jobs?????

SILLY LIBERALS!! PAYCHECKS AND BENEFITS ARE FOR WORKERS!!

Wake up America !! Why is it that they want this passed and signed before the end of next month?? If this is such a great plan then why are the senators and represenitives exempting themselves?? It reminds me of the desperate used car salesman who wants you to sign the deal NOW!!!!! Can we trust our future medical needs to the same people who promised us that their stimulus package would create 4 million new jobs??? I dont think so

Im a small buisness , my gross is what they will tax . I gross $300,000 and pay out $205,000 then I pay taxes, With this crap I endup at $32,000 with a family of 4. Thanks Qsama

I really hope that Congress will find some other way to "finance" the healthcare overhaul. I believe that taxing the rich, will only be a decision that will come back to haunt them! Originally, when running for President, Mr. Obama committed himself to find ways to pay for it without tax increases. To do so now, I believe, is going to make him open for much criticism. And in my opinion, his hard work so far shouldn't be compromised by such a decision.

@Steve in Denver – What makes you think that the Dems will cut spending after spending more in six months than in the history of the US? That is really closed minded. I don't like the Republicans or the Democrats. THE CBO SAID TODAY THAT TAXES WILL GO UP 44% TO BALANCE THE BUDGET IN 2020. That is just to balance the budget.............WHAT ABOUT THE $14 TRILLION DEFICIT. WAKE UP PEOPLE.

if we cannot tax the rich for the money to pay for healthcare we will tax them and put the money towards the national deficit – how is that going to induce anyone to go out and start a business?
*
- you don't realize how expensive health care can be until you get it for "free"

It's amazing to listen to most of you boneheads on here. By the caliber of your comments I'm guessing none of this tax stuff will affect your minimum wage jobs. If this was such an amazing health care system, why are so many people without health care? Make all employers provide health care and there wouldn't be anything to blather about now would there. Just like if all of you Right wing anti-abortion fanatics would adopt all of the unwanted children we wouldn't need to have that discussion either.

Maybe what Messiah Obama meant was Change (in 2012).

Why is she still in politics. She along with Kennedy's, Kerrys and Richardson is the reason I'm not after 51 Years a Democrat anymore.

Nancy and her liberal Congress has taken the American budget deficit from 100 billion in 2006 to 1 trillion and counting by June in 2009. Progressive CHANGE you can believe in..

The Dems on this board are making me laugh harder than I have in a long time.
YES, tax those evil rich people. BUSH is too blame for all of this.
THANK YOU Queen Nancy.
When these looney bins get what they wish for, I want to be there to see the idiotic look on their faces.
Capitalism and Freedom are the only way. Work hard and succeed instead of waiting for a hand to feed you. You are not equal unless you make yourself equal. You losers on the left have only recently won. The damage you've done in a very short period of time and the stupid things you say and believe in will bring the Republicans, Liberitarians, Independents, and Blue Dog Dems together for overwhelming defeat of liberalism and socialism in the upcoming elections. Please keep hating and spouting your leftist rants. Let's hope and pray it's not too late when we take this country back!

Why is pelosi willing to make changes to accomodate the 'blue dog dems.' Couldn't she threaten them enough?

living in canada half my life and the last half in the united states, i am 58 years old trust me people you have the best health care in the world my father died because he did not see a doctor while he was in the hospital for about 2 weeks before he was seen again, my relatives tell me they have to wait at least 2 months to see a doctor i had cancer 14 years ago and so far i have had no recurence because of the excellent care i recieved by american doctors in canada i would have to wait at least 3 months to be treated and would have died listen people i know the difference in both systems and all i can say is god bless america and its wonderfull doctors if pelosi and her gang like the new health care lets see congress have the same health care as the rest of us,

How about taxing goldman sachs for the money they made on manipulating the oil markets. You know pelosi one of the companies you have stock in. They didn't pay any tax last year plus they stole millions of our tax dollars. How about all the stock pelosi owns in companies who will come on line if crap & tax passes. Major investments being made in how those credits can be traded.

Let all of congress try this plan for 3 or 4 years just to see how it works. If it works well then we can all go on it. Wonder if it would cover pelosi's botox? We all know they get to keep their own special insurance – so there is no way taxpayers want this crap! obama can even run this country without a teleprompter so why would we want him and his czars in charge of our health care. Notice cnn did mention the$700,000 the bankrupt social security spent on partying and dance lessons. SHAME ON YOU!!

Time to fire a few more employees.

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I don't make anywhere near the surtax threshold, but I believe the rich pay enough already. Maybe the bottom 50% should kick something in for the services and handouts they get. Everybody should pay an income tax (in 95% of the cases) even if it's 2 or 3 percent. It seems the bottom 1/2 gets the free ride in this country.

What rubbish. Where do some of you bloggers get your information? Trickle down wealthy-oriented tax breaks have ruined the country or haven't you been paying attention. The Bush tax cuts have been in place for the last 8 years, and are still in place today, and look at the job losses that are continuing to mount. And you want to give them more cuts? The wealthy few in this country have choked the life out of the middle class. Lazy dems that don't want to pay taxes? The wealthy have had the benefit of large tax breaks ever since the Reagan years and revved up after Bush pushed through his tax cuts, and where is that money going? Are they providing jobs? NO. Is the economy stable? NO. There has been a massive transfer of wealth from the middle class to the top 5%. Kowtowing to the likes of Boehner and the Blue Dogs won't restore it either. Pelosi is not tough enough.

Why making health care so complicated. It's getting confusing. Why thet don't make it free for everyone, rich and poor. If some countries can do it, why not us.

Nancy Pelosi is a liar!!! plain and simple and until the Democrats decide to take and USE thier own health plan that they are craming down our throats,Why would we... ?????
Wake up!!!
Boy... this is some "change"Obama!!!

Ross is right its ridiculous to have people that have worked hard for their money pay for others healthcare by taxing them. What happens when the so called wealthy can't afford insurance by paying for everyone else's what will happen then. The Dems. are such idiots.

Obama keeps referring to "patients taking personal responsibility for their health care" What part of personal responsibility is "let's make someone else pay for it?" This should be funded by a drastic increase in taxes on tobacco. It's your fault if you get cancer from smoking. Everyone knows it causes cancer. So you should pay for it, in advance. It's not some "rich person's fault" – it's yours. Take personal responsibility.

Work hard, become educated, do well and make some money and this cow and her cohorts in congree want to punish you. Please. Go with a flat sales tax on everything and tax will be distributed more fairly.

As soon as congress and the president agree to be covered by the government option i will be for it. As long as it is good enough for all of us but not them, I can tell them where to put it.

The best way to get a good health plan is to get one that the politicians and other government workers are the first to join and be required to enroll at thhe same out of pocket price that the rest of the country has to pay. GOOD LUCK ON A HEALTH BILL THIS YEAR.

Let's just give the "rich" another reason to move out of this country and take the jobs and tax revenue they provide with them. Yeah, that sounds like a great idea. There comes a point where enough is enough. All you jealous losers think you have a right to money you didn't do a thing to earn.

Miss Super Tax and Spend we cannot afford anymore taxes, we already pay more than enough. Why not have those who need the health care, pay for it, like premiums. Time for everyone to be responsible for themselves! Crazy idea, isn't it?

Andrew, Buffalo NY July 16th, 2009 5:56 pm ET

"Lastly, for all you ingnorant DEM's.
Under Bush, the middle and upper class had the lowest tax rates in 80 years…. But the US had the highest EVER tax revenues. But don't worry thats not something you'll see on MSNBC."

THAT'S ALSO WHY THE DEFECIT BALLOONED TO 8 TRILLION DOLLARS. THERE WAS NO MONEY TO PAY FOR GOVERNMENT SERVICES SO IT WAS BORROWED. DUH!!

WOW sounds like Johnnie is on crack!

I have an idea. Why don't all of you Rush-listening right-wingers who can't stand our new "socialist" (NOT) administration pack your bags and go live in Honduras?

In Honduras, if a democratically elected President starts to lean a little too far to the left, they send military stormtroopers to his house, pull him out of bed at gunpoint, and ship him off to another country.

Since this is exactly what many, if not all of you Rush-listening right-wingers would love to see happen to our own democratically elected President (NEVER GONNA HAPPEN), Honduras would be the perfect place for you all to go and live.

Any takers?

@JOE BLOGGS, actually trying to tax the rich only gets them to put more money into tax havens that the Government can't touch. I think your thinking is backwards on this. It is basic economics, lower taxes on the Rich has a better benefit in the long run. Go read the 2000 paper by Gruber and Saez, or even do some research about various Economists have said about it. You'll find your "Tax the Rich" statement may actually have the negative affect you want.

I pray you go down in flames with your "tax the rich" idea for financing more deficits and failed government troughs.

I am a Proud Democrat.

I dont agree with this position; the rich should not be taxed any more than anyone else, which in our system means 39% not the 36 W gave his buddies.

I do feel health care should be more than a priveledge, it should be a benefit we enjoy as Americans. I also believe there are better ways for paying for it, like reducing the defense budget, efficiencies in medicare, reduction of pork spending, termination of outdated government programs like farm subsidies to agribusiness, and efficiencies in medicare.

The point is there is more than one way to skin a cat– lets start thinking more openly and not just on polar ends of the discussion.

As far as I'm concerned, the right thing to eliminate is Nancy Pelosi, at least from her seat in Congress. This woman doesn't care who she steals from as long as it makes her enough money to buy her next re-election.

Why is it that republicans authorized bush to spend trillions on an illegal war, over 950 BILLION on Iraq health care (its a fact, look it up) and yet hate to spend a dime on American citizens????

@Matt, my thoughts exactly. Why is it that the members of Congress can opt of the plan. If it is good enough for the 26-40 million americans, why not them? It shows me they have no faith in their own bill.

Maybe the bosses of these companies that are going to get their taxes raised should go to the parking lot and fire those with Obama bumper stickers so they can get the "CHANGE" they wanted.

@Mike in MN Well said, I totally agree. I am always skeptical about these RUSH jobs were are seeing. Obama told us there would be transparency, and yet he on more than one occasion has posted a bill the night before the vote (1,000 pages in one night is a bit big) and then we vote.

WHAT HAPPENED TO PUBLIC COMMENT ANDS BEING ABLE TO CONTACT MY REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS TO VOICE MY OPINION.

Anyway, I usually feel the CBO does a great job of analysis, I have a few friends who work there. They churn the numbers, and don't put spin on it. If CBO says its not a good idea, its probably not.

They really don't have a clue what they're doing, do they? And Obama wants it all rushed through, before anyone figures that out...

I remember for the stimulus bill the Dems crying Wolf and saying it had to pass that day or there would be a huge collapse. So it was passed and only a small percentage has been distributed. Now....gotta do the Health Care – it is so Obama will have more control than he already has on the banks. He can tell them who to hire or fire and he does. Same is coming for the Insurance Companys. Obama is a power monger and we, the United States of America will be far worse off as a result of it. The USA that we knew will be gone for a very long time unless in the 2010 cycle, Republicans take over and Pelosi is no longer Speaker!!!! At that point, the real recovery will begin!

Fix health care first...then talk....if you want, surtax on rich...not on poor...use PAs (Physician Assistants), they are the best doctors...to cut costs...use NPs in practice...they see patients...these two are good doctors, to cut costs....let them practice independently in rural are practice setting...costs come down...ok...just tax on rich...fix health care it is needed and it is a must....in the nation...enough robbing...by doctors, hospitals, insurance, and pharmacy companies...ok...now a new group...called COB or some sort...how idiotic...

Pelosi equals Obama's TAX QUEEN and Congresses biggest LOSER

To Andrew, Buffalo NY: under Bush the US was running $400B annual deficits in GOOD economic times – and he did not even count the cost of the wars in that. Further, the top 1% of American wealthy actually pay lower taxes than the middle class as a percentage of income. Are you seriously defending that? Even Warren Buffet said that the rich like him need to pay more.

Pelosi is the worst of the worst. She was good when the Dem's were a minority and she is downright scary when they are the majority.

A business owner or somebody in the upper tax bracket that is going to be taxed will figure out away to hide their income in expenses. So that they don't show a higher income. Less income less tax but still the same money in their pockets it will just show up in a different area of the balance sheet.

seebofubar –
1st – 'Incentives' is with 'C'.
2nd – You are right about the long list or lines or whatever is the reason that SOME medical procedures are not 'fast to get' (so to speak) in Canada. That's basically their Achilles' Heel and they are working hard to have it. Those who cross the border because they can't wait become just more public/political pressure for the problem to be solved ASAP, because they are forced to cross the border and PAY what the American hospitals demand for such procedures.
In the meantime, many Americans cross the border and obtain (I don't know if legally or illegally) the help they need in Canadian hospital and clinics. Again, I don't know if what they do is legal or illegal, but they do it because they don't want to pay such bills in the US and even with all the bills of transport and accomodation in a foreign country, it's worth it.
3rd – 'We have the best health care in the world for a reason, we have the best hospitals and doctors'? Dude are you on prescribed drugs?
USA ranks in the very humble 37th position, not the 1st!
Get your facts straight!

@democrati ignorati

The middle class need the money, the rich don't. Don't you Republicans have ANY conscience at all?

Socio-ecomonic Discrimination is what this is. We are penalizing a class of people because of the income they are able to achieve and consider this to be fair?. We are at a stage where everyone in this country has the ability to succeed. There are millions of people who choose not to become educated and better themselves. There are those that view maintaining their status as uneducated and unemployed as "keeping it real". Why should someone who works hard, puts in the time at school and their job to get promoted and earn more, be asked to fund these programs at a higher rate than the rest of us. Those who make more already pay higher % of taxes. If Obama said we were all going to be taxed another 3%, we would all be outraged, but as long as it is not us we are ok with it? I have news for you; when you increase taxes on businesses and the wealthy, you will see it in higher priced goods, services, lower wages, unemployement, etc. Obama will bankrupt this country if that is what it takes to get his Socialist agenda passed.

I hope they don't lower it or eliminate it. If you don't like making enough money to pay the surtax, I'm sure plenty of people would be happy to switch places with you!

To everyone saying the rich pay too much in taxes and they earned it...you do realize 1) If they're paying too much, why are they still rich? Obviously what they're paying now isn't a burden on them and 2) They're only rich because they provide some service the rest of society wanted. If it wasn't for the little guy, they wouldn't have their money. They owe society something in return, and $1 million more in taxes on someone who makes $10 million/year is still $9 million more than I have. I have no pitty for the rich who are finally being forced to do their duty and pay back society from which they're making their millions! Way to go Obama; finally taking the leadership role we've lacked for 8 years!!

For anyone who thinks this government can administer healthcare is either very gullible or just plain ignorant.

I am in absolute disbelief at this idea of universal healthcare. I must have read the wrong Declaration of Independence. I didn't realize it said we have the right to life, liberty, HEALTHCARE and the pursuit of happiness. There is nothing more fundamentally UN-American than pooling money together from people who make a lot of money to pay for things for people that don't make a lot of money. That's called socialism.

Andrew, Buffalo NY – And look were Bush economic policies took US...

Can we lower or eliminate Pelosi?

Just a quick thought – Lets see what you all have to say and do in the fall of 2012. As for me I plan on doing research and then vote. No more sayings like "change" and more actions are required.

This so called health care bill should be DOA period. This country is broke; people when are you going to realize that? This bill says everyone is required to have a health care plan; that's communism anyway you look at it when a gov. offical tells you that you have to have a health care plan. By the way all you libs who say the wealthy shouldn't have tax cuts and are still blaming Bush to cover Obama's butt I have one question for you. How many poor people have you seen than can create jobs??? I'm waiting For your answer!!! Without jobs your family cannot be taken care of.

Matthew Detroit....France does not have the same health care system as Canada and the UK – France's system, while universal, is handled entirely through private insurers. Some facts – infant mortality: France, Canada and UK have considerably lower rates than we do. Life expectancy – yep, the French, Brits and Canadians live longer than we do too. Not to mention that we spend a lot more than they do on health care too.

The democrats, Nancy Pelosi included will not take the extra money and pay down the deficit, they will find more social wefare programs and pork to spend it on. Next when there is not enough the middle class wil have a surtax added to pay for this since every American diserves a new body transplant.

The really sad thing is the implied view that "the rich" are simply burning their "extra" money in the fireplace and that they won't miss it. The increased tax comes from somewhere....and it won't be from my retirement account contributions nor will it be from my contributions to my kid's education accounts (can you say FULL tuition). No, the money will come from the money we spend helping others – charities, churches, good will to others, etc. What a shame for these organizations....they are the one's who are really footing this bill. I came from a lower middle class family. I paid my own way through school, repaid my loans and worked my tail off to succeed in my company. I'm where I am because I work harder at my job than most and because I continue to improve my skills to do that job. I resent uninformed, jealous talk about "the rich". If you don't like your lot in life, do something about it. Enough with the handouts.

America's rich were given 8 years of anything they possibly wanted under the republicans, including huge tax cuts, and they ran the U.S. strait into the ground.

Now they, the very rich, the same people people, can pay our collective way out of it. These tax increases can then be scaled back for the next generation's rich once the world economy is back on track but these ones can reap what they've fricken sown.

It seems any time Speaker Pelosi speaks anymore it is some kind of a Public Relations stunt. That's all this is. Jump on board whichever way the wind is blowing today.

California will break the back of any Federal health care reform.
California has been importing poverty for the last 30 years and there are just too many people without insurance.
It is not fair to the rest of the country to carry California on its back

Some of you saying you do not want to "pay for others" should look beyond that narrow little limbaugh lemming nose. Who in the he!! do you think is paying for those "others" today? You are you morons, and you are paying at the highest possible rate, the emergency room rates!

Now for those same little weak minded lemmings that do not want healthcare "rationing", what do you think it is when the insurance company will pay for you PPO doctor but no other one. What do you call it when some insurance admin clerk making $9 dollars an hour denies you services because the insurance company and it's "experts" decide you do not need the procedure YOUR doctor prescribed?

Some of you are too stupid to understand an explanation of reality

If the Democrats allow the Republicans to succeed in derailing health care reform, then I believe that every American should rise up with one voice and demand that EVERY member of Congress give up their government health care plan, go out into the private market, and pay for their own health insurance OUT OF THEIR OWN POCKET like the Republicans want us all to do.

If we can't have universal healthcare, then neither should they.

Is anyone on board with me?

I never claimed to be a mathmetician, but even I can figure out that 1% of 350,000 is $3500.00. When you make over 300K a year, will $3,500 less really make a huge difference in your life? I mean, many of us are cutting out internet service, going out to dinner, trips, fueling the econonmy......but $3500 dollars for the rich is chump change........or......one less political contribution to a moraless, unethical, politician from the Party of NO!

Raise the taxes on the rich! And those jobs they provide? Yeah, they went overseas and YOU are unemployed!

Real reform will NEVER come out of washington. Both sides have their agendas and PACS and corporations hedge their bets by having enoungh from both sides in their pockets.

Looks like the lies of Obama, Reid, and Pelosi might not be working as well as they once did.

Let's get something straight.

The rich do not pay more in taxes if you begin talking about portion of each take home dollar given to uncle sam. When you include the tax write offs, they pay less per earned dollar then others. So when you conveniently ignore "Tax Shelters'....then your propoganda becomes true. But when you include ALL factors, the rich pay less per dollar then the poor. And that, is not right.

And as a person that's not rich, but (barely) takes a 6 figure income, I am all for EQUALITY. Tax all the same, per dollar take home. And don't be a sick little cop out that wants the less fortunate to cover the portions of your dollar that you are too unamerican, too greedy and too dishonest to pony up yourself!

Nancy, you are a liar. You think that money is falling from the sky. We work hard and we earn our daily bread. You do not know anything about hard work. Imagine even our new senator from NC voted in favor of this Health bill. I will make sure that she is not re-elected form our state. She wants to support Barack Obama's radical agenda. Get a life.

Now that we know how Pelosi fired back and somehow made Cheney and the CIA responsible for her lying, when is she going to tell us about her investigation of the tax cheating Charlie Rangel. I can hardly wait to hear how that was Bush/Cheney fault. What a piece of worthless garbage this woman is.

Can't stand her! And another idiot from San Francisco wants to be Governor of California - fat chance! We are gearing up to put Meg Whitman in Sacramento in 2010...

G. Bridges July 16th, 2009 5:18 pm ET

Typical complaints from the rich. God forbid they would have to give a little back to help out the country that gave them the opportunity to become rich in the first place. Let me get my violin.
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Yes, by all means let's punish the people that have made something of themselves and create the jobs.

I have a better idea, don't spread my wealth. Spread my work ethic.

it is not the distribution of wealth as some republican saying about the proposal of taxing the high income families or tax payer for subsiding the universal health care, the quality of life which the rich benefited are directly related to the low incomes family life.

How about we expect that everyone in the plan participate by "paying" for their portion? Since when did we give Congress the right to 'rob from the rich and give to the poor'? That teaches people who won't support themselves to always depend on others. Health care reform to me means that people who have been getting a free ride from government tax money stop getting that help forever. There has to be a time limit on welfare for people who never worked. And no, I'm not confusing or combining that with the healthcare benefits that working people have earned when they reach retirement and neither should our government leaders.

Youlost me Wolf, as you often do. Paul Mccartney was never a Beatle.
Never! He was a feather on a stupid wing. A FreeLoader.John Lennon was a Beatle. Ringo! was also a Beatle. McCartny was none-beatle.
You think I don't k now my own history. The cavern in Liverpool is not the Beatles. :Learn your history CNN, then maybe you wont elect another barack Obam..

The large tax cuts to the rich and corporations coupled with two wars that were funded off of the budget (which is unpredented in american history) caused the current deficits, which were inherited by Mr Obama.

In order to level the playing field so that the budget can be brought back into some semblance of control. The wealthy must pay a bit more and the wars have to stop.

The sheer incompetence and irresponsiblity brought by the Bush years have to be reversed.

Our government should offer all Americans the same health care that they get or they should get the same health care that they want to force us to have. Idiots

The Bush tax cuts were irresponsible, and its a moral obligation to make our tax code FAIR again for working people.

Right now, the Rich pay less percentage than most of us, and at the same time they get more representation.

Its not about raising taxes for those millionaires, its about making taxes FAIR for all of us.

We all pay our fair share and the rich should pay just as much as the rest of us.

Get ready all yea who have a job and work for a living,your Taxes are going up to pay for all those who live to vote,while you work to live.

I thought the Democrats and especially Obama were against all forms of discrimination. How is that that as a country we are so willing to blatantly discriminate against a person based on their economic status. Shouldn't they have the same rights as everyone. I am sick of hearing people say the rich should pay their share. THEY DO ALREADY!!! The wealthiest pay 35% of their income in taxes. That's $350,000 for every $1million in income. I would consider that more than their fair share. Now we are asking them to fund our entire national healthcare system! When we give out tax breaks, of course they get the biggest, as they pay the most. It is pretty hard to give a tax break to someone who does not pay taxes....oh wait a minute, Obama wants to give them a tax credit. Wake up America...the wealthy work hard and earn their income and profits and those profits and income fund business growth and jobs and spending. Take it away and this crappy economy is only the tip of the iceburg. Obama wants to bankrupt this country so he force his Socialist Government. Wake up before it is too late. Tell your Senator and Congressman to stop the insanity in pushing Obama's agenda!!!

The problem of people they just listen to MSNBC instea of READING what's in that bill.

1. Members of Congress, Senate and WHITEHOUSE are EXEMPTED from this Obamacare. This is ONLY for the American people which will be taxed and fined if they do not get this healthcare offered by Obamacare.

2. This is RATIONED HEALTHCARE.

3. It is ILLEGAL to have PRIVATE Medical insurance if OBAMACARE is passed.

4. That tax they're talking about right now, will INCREASE if the need is GREATER than what it can provide. They'll tax the so called rich people who are paying high taxes, then middle class and YOU at the bottom.

5. THIS IS BAD MEDICINE.

Shameless theft by the American aristocracy. Tell me again why we don't have term limits...

There is a saying leave well enough alone and if it is not broken do not try to fix it.

I for one am not among the wealthy that the Dems want to Tax but if I were I would sure resent it. Just because someone is successful doesn't mean they didn't work hard to get where they are, why should they be responsible for paying for other peoples health care. Pelosi needs her head examined. I also wonder why we are told that every person in America will be covered EXCEPT those in congress, why don't they want the same coverage???

Mike in MN, The bill you speak of came out of a committee in the senate that doesn't control Medicare and Medicaid. That's the finance committee. You should see, if finance does their job, the costs go down when they get done with it. That's what I heard Olympia Snowe say this morning.

Lastly, for all you ingnorant DEM's.
Under Bush, the middle and upper class had the lowest tax rates in 80 years.... But the US had the highest EVER tax revenues. But don't worry thats not something you'll see on MSNBC.

Finally! Some of the smarter democrats are beginning to wise up and see these marauding imbeciles called the Obama Administration for the rank amateurs that they really are.

Once again the correct answer to Obama is NO. NO to his degradation of the best health care system in the world. NO to his Cap & Trade ponzi scheme and NO to his 2nd round of political payback stimulus payouts.

If this healthcare is so good and right for the American, WHY is it people in Congress all the way to the Whitehouse ARE EXEMPTED

annie s said......"Don't make too many concessions Madame Speaker – we can't water it down to appease a few conservatives like we did the Recovery Act. Access to affordable health care should be a right for every American, and only comprehensive, serious reform with a public health option can deliver it. However we pay for it, the cost of NOT passing an overhaul of the current system will end up being much higher."

-------------------–

Geez, where do I begin....

First on the Spendulus Bill, it was hardly watered down. Obama gave concessions on some very small points that were throw-aways at best. In the end, the bill got rammed down our collective throats, and we are sporting a flashy $1 trillion deficit to show for it. And before you respond, that is Obama's deficit. We got that deficit in 9 months. Go read the articles.

Second, how typical of a liberal to say, "However we pay for it.....". Spend the money for the projects we want, and we will tax someone until they die in order to pay for it.

Hey America.....are you happy with the "change" yet?
Liar in chief really wants to control our health care badly.

Tax the rich, tax the rich!! This "rich" already pay more in taxes than anyone. They are also the creator of jobs that keeps our butts working. Peluso proposes and additional 5% on a family making over a million, do that math, and that is additional to what is already paid. I do not expect a rich man to pay my way. He earned that money, he should have the freedom to with it as he pleases!!!

The bill doesn't do enough where it needs it and too much where it shouldn't. The fact that the bill makes private medical insurance illegal for individuals, does nothing for tort reform to curb one of the highest expenses in the health care industry, doesn't open options for competition, and spends too much makes it overall a bad bill.

I'm for getting health insurance for every American, but we need to do it better, and we can do it better. This bill is horrible for Americans.

Yes its going to be fun taking money from the rich,especially Big Ds.hahaha

Nancy Pelosi is an idiot, she should be recalled. She is the poorest excuse for a leader this country has ever had. Common sense would dictate that you do not spend money you don't have, most certainly you do not borrow it from China. What happens if they foreclose??? Should we learn to speak Chinese. They and India and Mexico have most of our manufacturing jobs now. If we had those back would we have the unemployment problem that we do?

all politicians are rich (pelosi is one of the richest) but they ALREADY HAVE THEIR MONEY stashed away, so it's no skin off their back to raise the taxes on the yearly INCOMES of those individuals and small businesses that are actually working......

it's amazing that pelosi and her band of idiots can keep a straight face when they say government run health care will actually save money and maybe all the money they get from increased taxes will be used to pay down the deficit......a deficit that has passed ELEVEN TRILLION dolllars.......i'd laugh at their moronic platitudes but they are taking us down a dangerous path........raising taxes on the last remaining americans that are working to finance a rushed and bloated governmental pipe dream of crap and tax, obamacare, and pork-filled stimulus is a recipe for disaster.........anyyone who MIGHT spend money in this crippled economy are shutting it down in anticipation of higher taxes, more lost jobs, a weakened dollar with higher interest rates, which cripples the economy further.......

the economy is heading down, the worst is yet to come and our brilliant leaders are spending us into a hole we may never get out of and the day of reckoning is approaching........have a nice day

LOL. Oh Nancy!

I love how the Democrats act like innocent bystanders all the time.

The stimulus is a failure.

The deficit is spiraling out of control, far higher than it was under Bush.

Iran, Russia, China, and North Korea have all mocked this administration. Already. He's given the green light for Iran to build a bomb, palls around with Hugo Chavez, and slams Israel.

The cap and trade nightmare is fortunately dead.

Socialized medicine in this form is going nowhere.

Our policy on Gitmo, Iraq, and Afghanistan is pretty much the same exact thing now as it would have been under Bush.

Remember the plan to take toxic assets off bank balance sheets? The government foreclosure rescue plans? Me neither.

Other than this, Barry's doing a great job.

You go, girl! You are threatening the very basic core of the Repugnant party – ie tax breaks for the wealthy! Every single thing the Repugnants 'stand for' can be boiled down in essence to rewarding the wealthy. The rest (pro-life, gun rights, morality, conservatism) are simply covers for the true agenda. Watch the party of greed begin to raise its ugly head as the reality of the rich paying their fair share begins to sink in! Let the fun and games begin!

To GI Joe that said....."Stop the Bush/Cheney wars. That will provide $12 billion a month, $144 billion a year, $1.4 trillion over 10 years."

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Iraq war is coming to an end. Take a look at the past articles about troop pullout, etc. The only war going on is Afghanistan, which Obama keeps spending money in order to build up our troops there. Did you happen to see the article about sending MORE troops to the region??

Tax for sure. Now you explore. Who is this girl? She is pelosi: the Old School mam.
Who thinks your the old Delusionary of the Old-School scam.....

Marilyn,
Canadians cross the border to come to the USA to get advanced medical treatment. If they wait for their government to approve their treatment, they die. We have the best health care in the world for a reason, we have the best hospitals and doctors.Guess what, a Rolls Royce costs more than a Hyundai for a reason, it's the best car in the world..

It's funny seeing all the ingnorant liberal Comments on here. Like Bush is to blame for the cost of this health care and Pelosi is a great women.

People do some reading, the CBO (a non partisan group) says that ObamaCare will NOT, I REPEAT NOT, lower the cost for private insurance plans. Meanwhile, it will raise taxes on the middle class.

This and Tax and Trade are a joke, like the DEM's. Now only if the Republicans could come up with some ideas.

To help support health care – How about a 1% surtax (or surcharge) on all the money sent from the United States to Mexico and other countries

To T McKinley who said..."One of the big reasons why we are in the financial mess we are in right now is because of George W. Bush's tax cuts to millionares and billionares. These people should do the right thing and give all the money back so we can pay down the deficit."

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And what about the Bush tax cuts to the middle class? What about the restructuring of the tax code for the lower end of HH income, that made a larger group of people that pay no tax? Should all of them also give back the money?

OPEN LETTER TO NANCY PELOSI

Survival rate for a male patient with Prostate Cancer in the US. 91%
Survival rate for a male patient with Prostate Cancer in France. 72%
Survival rate for a male patient with Prostate Cancer in the UK. 51%.

Look it up folks. Social health care is SOCIALISM pure and simple.
It does not work.
Our health care is not perfect but it sure is not the worst in the world.
I would argue that our system is in fact the best.
It is not perfect. But it is still better than any other country.
Wake up.

Didn't the CBO say that the proposal would increase costs? Now stone face says more savings can be found? The absurdity of this is mind boggling.

Rush has been busy telling his wealthy listeners how to hide their money from being taxed.He says the rich should use tools like,"sub chapter S",offshore accts. and other hiding places.Isnt he a great American?

I am disgusted that Dems are pushing such a huge bill thru without a closer look at its impact. Fix the problems with the Medicare system first, why add a new government run program when Medicare is broken. Second, dumping this on the "rich" is also wrong. I served as an NCO for 12 yrs, started a small business and now that I am successful I am going to be punished? instead of hiring new employees I am holding off to see if I can afford to in the long run. long time DNC contributor no more!

Just say no: We need to work towards balancing our budget, instead of the fiscal insanity that Bush foisted upon us. We need to pay our bills as we go, whether that means raising taxes, cutting spending (which kills jobs just as much as raising taxes), or some combination. I've never heard Republicans talk about pay as you go rules, in fact that was the first thing they eliminated under Bush. The deficit is bad now, but I believe Obama will reduce it when the economy turns around. If it were Bush or McCain, they'd simply give out more tax cuts that no one can afford.

You may have to fire an employee (if you are really in a position to do so), but much more of the wreckless spending and deregulation that the Republicans treated us to will make the deficit so high you'll have to close shop. Just a few more years of Republican fiscal policy would turn us into a third world country.

Republicans don't like Democrats. Democrats don't like Republicans. And everyone's so busy calling each other names that no one bothers to talk PRO's and CON's. Can no one argue a point anymore? Why can't people debate things on merit?

I am not a Democrat, I am not a Republican.

I am Middle Class

these thieves will rob each americans of our money to pay off there big shot speical interest groups.... pelosi and her band of theives are killing this country.....

Has the entire leadership of our country gone mad? I know Thomas Jefferson would be telling us our present Government is worse than the King of England and we revolted against England.
Come on people do you want to live enslaved to a Government that just can not stop spending?

Do you idiots know that sucessul pepole are the ones that give you jobs? They are the ones who took risks and built this nation. If you take away their insentive to make money, you take away their insentive to grow their companies, you only hurt yourselvs and your children. Don't be envious of those who have more, they earned it. Educate your self and work hard to better your self, take responsibility for your own life. ENVY ONE OF THE GREAT DEADLY SINS.

I was a life long Democrat up until 1 year ago but Pelosi, Reid, and Kennedy and THEIR agenda made me an Independent. If this doesn't help I will next be a foreigner but NEVER a Republican.

Taxes have to be proportionate to the benefits received, not the amount possible. Graduated taxation makes sense insofar as the wealthy have more for the government to protect than the poor does. But the augmentation of this graduation for equitable benefits is unfair, socialist, and will present a pressure for these benefits to become unequitable.

Are we to give the rich better healthcare than the poor? According to this type of a tax, they're paying more for it, so surely they deserve it. But I doubt the left can support that, despite how magically they can support a disproportional increase in taxation.

Good for Pelosi! That's exactly how it should be. The rich have gotten a free pass on paying their fair share of taxes FOR TOO LONG – thanks to their crony W!!

Adam: Close Gitmo – well under way. Get us out of Iraq – well under way. Tax cut for the middle class – check. End torture – check. Restore diplomacy to our foreign policy – check. Health care reform – in the works. Environmental legislation – check.

Hmmm. As frustrating as the process can be sometimes, this President has done more in his first six months than many presidents accomplish in their whole term.

Me in big D: You hate too much! I've worked all my life, paid taxes all my life, as most of the people I run into in Democratic political activities. Obama's big spending? Where were you when Bush turned a 250 billion surplus into a $450 deficit in a very few short years? I don't like Obama's huge deficits, but most economists say it is necessary. One big difference, when the economy recovers, I believe Obama and the Democratic congress will reign in spending and make a serious dent on the deficit. If it were Bush still in office or McCain, they'd cut taxes to give away more money to the rich.

Bush was handed a record surplus and turned it into a record deficit. I believe that Obama's record will be much more like Clinton's – positive fiscal policy instead of the train wreck that Bush inflicted upon us.

i agree i am tired of paying for rich people....

The bigger issue here is not the tax. It's once we have guvment run co-op, that individuals can buy into, private insurance will have to lower premiums, cut cost, and deliver insurance to all. So if the free market is to work, no one would buy guvment insurance and the need for the tax would go away.
.

Canadians pay about $56 a month. That is more reasonable health insurance. Please talk to Canadians. Taiwan managed to get single payer up and running a couple of years ago. Aren't we smart enough to do the same.

GI Joe – why should the rich give their money back? They earned it. If you are so much for this waste of a plan you pay the extra amount. I have lot's of harding working people become rich by their hard work and now the gov't wants kill that sprit.

The time has come to give (NANCY PELOSI) some respect, she is a (WARRIOR) and very intelligent, and a (LADY) with style and class. The (GOP) has been very ugly with (THE SPEAKER OF HOUSE) because she has exposed their (GREED)and their (LIES) and is a Woman, that does not take their (BULL) and will stand toe to toe , with the (PARTY THAT GOT US INTHIS MESS). I give her praise for being tough with those (HATERS). Women are rising to power, like they should be, the President embraces (NANCY PELOSI) because she has earned her stripes and badge of honor. My mother was a minister and suffered , alot from boneheaded men,who thought she not qualified to preach, (NANCY PELOSI) has been a target of the (gop) and she will not be swayed from doing her job. I was taught to respect a woman, i respect my wife, and i respect (NANCY PELOSI) may God bless you always , keep up the fight for America, Am a BIG FAN OF ( THE SPEAKER OF HOUSE) MY SHE – HERO) ........

@ Asian4Hillary

You sound like a puppet for the GOP. Where you come from you OUSTED your dictator. Well this is a democracy and there is no dictator, unless you are referring to the last 8 years. A Coup de' tat will not take place in America so get the thought out of your mind. Get a clue and stop acting like you are upset with democrats when you have probably never been one in the first place. You sound like Boss Limbaugh asian sister.

Ok.....Pelosi's picture makes me sick too.

While she's not nearly as bad as most of the republican party, and certainly better then the worst of their party, she is still one of the low points for democrats.

All those Men who hate Pelosi, are Jealous, because they can't see a Woman in Power, and a Women superior and successful to them.

I am a Man too. But I like Pelosi because she is a Woman of Principals.

She is not a Dumb Ass like Dick Cheney, who cannot even hunt a Quail.

Really folks at CNN... Who much cares 6 months into a new President's Administration regradless of whom or what party what the 2012 outlook is. There is enough news w/o this digging.

Maybe CNN can spend another 2 weeks full time on Michael Jackson's untimely death and not tlet the family have one second of peace. CNN is getting as bad as any Tabloid ever has been. Can you folks get back to journalism ( AARON BROWN) and away from news d' jour.

So many talkers on here think others should just pay more in taxes. Its okay for someone else too but of course not you. Raise my taxes and know what I will do, just fire an employee.

Keep working it out guys. I know you can do it.

I am absolutely disgusted that the Democrats want to RUSH this bill through. It's clearly a matter of "we won, so let's get it done before we lose again." They could care less about presenting a workable, equitable solution to America's health care problems! They just want it while they're termporarily in power.

Furthermore, we all know that any costs they cite now will just grow and grow and grow as things move along. That's the way with ALL government programs.

That's right– tax the rich! In fact, let's just take it all!! After all, what do they need with their money? Let's redistribute all the wealth so that everyone is equal. Of course there will be no reason for anyone to try and better their situation because we'll all be equal but that's the goal of socialism is a redistribution of wealth.

I say the first thing we do is tax the politicians who get FAR more than their fair share of free perks.

These idiots could not run a lemonade stand and make a profit. All obumba, uselosi and greedy reidy want to do is rush this thing through as a grandstand show, with the working class paying for it as usual so that the lazy can have more give away programs. I forgot to add gin tub teddy as well.

Put some lipstick on that PIG and sell it NANCY.

Shouldn't government health care be the exact same plan that the members in congress get? If they are successful in passing this how will it look when members of Congress get an amazing health care plan and everybody else gets the lesser one? Will I be able to the same doctor Ted Kennedy gets? Can I get botox from Pelosi's doctor? Will you pay for mine like you did hers?

It will be interesting to see the spin once the MSM gets off their butts and realizes the hipocracy. What makes them think they are so much better than you or me?

Don't make too many concessions Madame Speaker – we can't water it down to appease a few conservatives like we did the Recovery Act. Access to affordable health care should be a right for every American, and only comprehensive, serious reform with a public health option can deliver it. However we pay for it, the cost of NOT passing an overhaul of the current system will end up being much higher.

I have a bad feeling that we are going to get a watered down bill that will do nothing to reform our system.

If the blue dogs screw this up they will be in the dog house come 2010!

Name one campaign promise that wasn't a FLAT OUT LIE! These Democrats can't be trusted! Their lies are indefensible!

This bill has much bigger issues than how much to tax the rich.
Earlier today the CBO said it will not lower costs it will increase them.
The American people want reform that lowers costs and makes health care available to everyone. A bill that does just one or the other is not a good bill. I believe the CBO has also said that the current proposed bill fails to cover everyone, leaving something like 20 million of the current 46 million still not covered.
What Americans need is for Congress to take the necessary time to craft a bill that works to lower costs and covers everyone.
But Obama is rushing Congress to pass any old bill by August. What is the rush? Priority should be to get it right. Why must it be done by August? Is it because his approval ratings are dropping by the day and he thinks passage will prop them up?
The majority of Americans want reform that reduces costs and makes health insurance available to everyone. They will support however long it takes to craft a bill that does that. A rushed bill that fails to do that will result in a further erosion of Obama's approval rating.

Don't you get the feeling that on most days Pelosi doesn't know what planet she's on?

Welcome to the class wars. HAhahahahah our turn.

All you lazy dems that have you hands out and don't pay taxes and expect other to pay your way, you are going to bankrupt this country! It will be nothing compared to your supposed complaints with the republican party. The democRATS with their big spending agenda and all Obummer's special interests will break this country's back!

Typical complaints from the rich. God forbid they would have to give a little back to help out the country that gave them the opportunity to become rich in the first place. Let me get my violin.

Stop the Bush/Cheney wars. That will provide $12 billion a month, $144 billion a year, $1.4 trillion over 10 years.

One of the big reasons why we are in the financial mess we are in right now is because of George W. Bush's tax cuts to millionares and billionares.

These people should do the right thing and give all the money back so we can pay down the deficit.

I've seen so many CORRUPT POLITICIANS like Pelosi, Reid, Dodd, Barney Frank and other corrupt Democrats where I came from. They don't come by cars, they come by the truckloads like we are seeing now in this country. I always thought the Democratic Party is a righteous party, doesn't believe in corruption, doesn't believe in usurping the will of the people, I WAS WRONG. The Democrats are DICTATORS. Where I came from we OUSTED the dictator.

America, what ya gonna do about it? Are you just gonna sit down there and let these corrupt people ruining this beautiful country? This current administration and ALL democrats in both houses have SURPASSED third world countries in GRAFT and CORRUPTION. While third world country are fighting to the death to end graft and corruption in their country, USA is promoting it.

Well, if the Democrats would stop funneling our money to their special interest groups... then they wouldn't be Democrats, but the country would be a lot better off.

When a lifelong Democrat and a minority like cannot stand the Democratic Party anymore; it says one thing – DEMORACTIC PARTY IS CORRUPT!