An Ad Script For Teddy Kennedy On Healthcare Reform
In the debate about healthcare reform, why are the loudest voices in the room the ones who seemingly are against all reform? Where are the champions of the progressive ideas? I've asked this question (at great length) before, and while President Obama has started to (half-heartedly) speak up for "the public option," so far nobody else seems to be defending the idea at all. To say this is a disappointment is an understatement. Part of the problem is that the senator all Democrats are deferring to on the issue is Teddy Kennedy. Who has his own problems with healthcare right now, which precludes his being a leading and forceful voice to the public on the issue.
Or does it?
That thought prompted me to write the following television ad script for Kennedy's staff to consider. Now, I fully admit that the language could be changed slightly to highlight different facets of the very complex problem healthcare reform presents, but I think the basic idea is a good one. See if you agree.
[Fade-in to Senator Edward Kennedy lying in a hospital bed. Various high-tech machines surround him, but are muted, with no "beep beep" noises to distract.]
KENNEDY: "Hello. I'm Senator Edward Kennedy, and I'd like to talk to you about an issue I've been championing for 40 years in Washington: healthcare reform."
[Camera switches angles to more close-up shot]
KENNEDY: "A lot of people are saying a lot of things right now about the different ideas for healthcare reform that are currently being discussed in Congress. Some of these, frankly, are just untrue -- which is why I felt it was necessary to speak to you today."
[Scene changes to show various newspaper headlines showing worst of critics' quotes about "government-run healthcare."]
KENNEDY: "The first principle we started with is that any American who likes the healthcare they have now will not have to change it. If you like your plan, you do nothing, and you keep your plan and your doctor. Don't believe anybody who tells you different."
[Scene shows some stock footage of overwhelmed emergency room -- either a series of still shots, or show in slow motion.]
KENNEDY: "But, sadly, not everyone in America is happy with their healthcare, and not everyone has access to affordable healthcare -- which leads many to do without it because they can't afford it."
[Still shot of a gavel and a judge's hand.]
KENNEDY: "And some who thought they had good health insurance have still wound up going bankrupt because they got sick -- after spending their life's savings on medical bills the insurance company bureaucrats wouldn't pay for."
[Back to Kennedy, medium-shot showing hospital bed again.]
KENNEDY: "We think that's wrong, and that's what President Obama and Democrats are trying to change. But everything we have suggested so far has been attacked by people who simply can't see that there even is a problem with our healthcare system. Most Americans don't need to be told that a problem exists -- because almost everyone has a family member or a friend with a horror story about how expensive healthcare has become."
[Scenes of angry Republican leadership faces, in still black-and-white shots.]
KENNEDY: "But still, some are trying to scare you by saying that Democrats want the government to radically 'take over' healthcare -- which is just not true. The federal government is already in the healthcare business, and serves millions through Medicare, Medicaid, and the Veterans Administration. None of these are perfect, but then private insurance isn't perfect either."
[Back to Kennedy's face, close-up.]
KENNEDY: "Which is why we want to offer Americans a public option to compete with the private health insurance industry. Nobody would be forced to try this, which is why it is called an 'option.' But we believe giving Americans this freedom to choose a public option is important. Republicans want to deny you this option. We think you're smart enough to decide for yourself whether it would work for you or not."
[Headlines from the 1960s and 1930s ripping into Medicare, Medicaid, etc.]
KENNEDY: "You know, every time healthcare reform is brought up, the naysayers always predict the death of the private insurance industry. They said this when Democrats passed Medicare, and they said it when Democrats passed Medicaid. But neither one killed private insurance, and the public option we are proposing now will not kill private health insurance either. The people who predicted doom for the insurance industry were wrong back then, and they are wrong now."
[Return to medium-shot of Kennedy.]
KENNEDY: "All we want to do is add some competition to bring the price of health insurance down for everyone. This competition will force insurance companies to rein in their out-of-control cost hikes. I'm not sure why Republicans are against the idea of the free marketplace, or why they're so scared of a government-run program out-competing the private industry, because they've been saying for years that nothing the government does is as efficient or as good as what private industry can do."
[Kennedy, close-up of face.]
KENNEDY: "What we want is not a 'takeover' of healthcare by the government, what we want is to give Americans the choice -- in the form of a public option -- of a different way of delivering healthcare. If you don't like that option, nobody is going to force you to sign up for it. If you try it and don't like it, nobody is going to force you to stay in it. If you like your healthcare as it is, you won't have to do anything. But some may think the public option makes sense for them. Which is all we're trying to do -- to give them that choice."
[Kennedy, long shot showing whole hospital bed and equipment.]
KENNEDY: "Don't deny Americans this choice, that is all we are asking. Even if you decide it's not for you, don't deny your neighbor the choice -- which may mean the difference between no healthcare and having healthcare. I ask you to write or call your representatives in Congress, and ask them to support the public option for real healthcare reform.
"Thank you."
OK, it's a bit long, even for a 60-second ad. It could be tightened up. Or perhaps spit into a few different ads which address different angles. And, yes, it is manipulative to show Kennedy in a hospital bed. And perhaps the word "Republican" could be changed to "reform opponents" or something, in a more bipartisan spirit.
But sometimes you have to play the hand you're dealt. And Kennedy, if he weren't in the midst of his own battle against illness right now, would assumably be all over the place speaking in a loud voice about what the Democrats were for. Nobody has stepped into the void Kennedy's health problems have caused (Senator Chris Dodd seems to be trying, but hasn't really been vocal enough yet). And, like Obama, Kennedy enjoys both name recognition and high approval ratings all over the country.
So, what do you think? If you think the idea has merit, let Kennedy's staff know. Personally, I think it's time for a strong voice for the public option, even if it comes from a hospital bed.
Cross-posted at The Huffington Post
-- Chris Weigant
Chris, this is a brilliant idea and one that I hope is acted upon.
Frankly, I'm getting sick and tired of all the Canada-bashing when it comes to our "horrible" healthcare system.
Just kidding!...about the Canada-bashing, I mean.
Great Idea for an ad campaign. The Dems need to get the message out that competion in the form of a public option is good for America and Americans. It is the only way the insurance companies will be forced to lower their costs. They can kick and scream all they want but this is what the country needs. And the image of Sen. Kennedy in his hospital bed is perfect, because we have all heard so much about what great health coverage is available to Congress.
...Stan
It's a perfect length for You-Tube, Chris.
In the debate about healthcare reform, why are the loudest voices in the room the ones who seemingly are against all reform?
I can answer that...
Because it is becoming obvious to all that this current government seems to believe that "reform" means "take control of"..
Everything that the government has wanted to "reform", they ended up simply just taking over control..
Banks.... Wall Street.... Auto Companies....
Now healthcare....
I'll ask again.
1. Does ANYONE think that the US Government having control of all these PRIVATE industries is a GOOD thing??
2. What would the Left had said if it was the Bush Administration who had taken these actions??
Granted, that last question is rhetorical as we all know what the reaction from the Left would be.
MAJOR BALLISTIC FEAR-MONGERING HYSTERIA...
Michale.....
Michale,
You're SUCH an extremist...heh heh.
Michale
You're getting really tiresome with your false equivalencies. "Taking over" banks, Wall Street, and Auto Companies...Who screwed themselves with their greed and short-sightedness. If you had a decent healthcare system, this wouldn't matter; but you sure as hell don't. As I understand it, Obama doesn't want to take over the system, he just wants to make sure EVERYONE can afford to have fair coverage. Yeesh.
All the scare-tactic predictions about health care reform are already happening right now under the private system. Insurance companies already do rationing. Indeed, it has been my experience that insurance companies are projecting their own evils on the government.
alternate ad proposal:
scene of a l.a. laker dunking a basketball. freeze frame mid-dunk, with a voice-over, "the lakers should not be allowed to play basketball. after all, they could take over the league, and then all the other teams would fail."
scene of a pittsburgh penguin moving toward the goal with the puck. freeze frame, with a voice-over, "the penguins should not be allowed to play hockey. after all, they could take over the league, and then all the other teams would fail."
scene of ted kennedy lying in his hospital bed. he says, "do the past two scenarios seem kind-of silly? well that's exactly what the insurance companies and their allies in congress are telling you about a public option for health care.
maybe they think you don't deserve the choice..."
cut to the hockey player who fakes a shot and passes to a teammate, who then scores.
cut to the basketball player who unfreezes and completes his dunk.
cut back to ted kennedy, close-up, "...or maybe they just can't handle the competition."
You're getting really tiresome with your false equivalencies.
In what way are the equivalencies false??
Who screwed themselves with their greed and short-sightedness.
No argument from me on that..
But is the government any better? And regardless of THAT, what part of the US Constitution gives the executive branch the right to take over banks and auto companies? To dictate to the private sector things like pay and bonuses and such.
Let's call a spade a spade.
Nationalization.
If you had a decent healthcare system, this wouldn't matter; but you sure as hell don't.
And the government can do better??
As I understand it, Obama doesn't want to take over the system, he just wants to make sure EVERYONE can afford to have fair coverage.
Yea and the government just wanted the Auto Companies to be "better". The government just wanted the banks to do a better job.
What happened? After the government threw BILLIONS of dollars at them to get "better", the government took them over.
Please point to ANY evidence that would indicate that the current administration can do a better job at healthcare.
I have posted several articles about the healthcare issue in the previous commentary.
This is simply the latest example in a string of examples of the government trying to exert control in the private sector arena.
Michale.....
@Liz
You're SUCH an extremist…heh heh.
hehehehehe :D
Nope.. Just one of those (apparently) rare individuals who doesn't believe that the answer to every problem is another bloated bureaucracy...
Call me silly...
Michale......
@kevinem2
You're getting really tiresome with your false equivalencies. "Taking over" banks, Wall Street, and Auto Companies…
""If we do not fix our healthcare system, America may go the way of GM; paying more, getting less, and going broke"
-President Obama
You were saying something about "false" equivalencies???
Michale.....
Michale
2. What would the Left had said if it was the Bush Administration who had taken these actions??
Granted, that last question is rhetorical as we all know what the reaction from the Left would be.
MAJOR BALLISTIC FEAR-MONGERING HYSTERIA…
THAT is a false equivalency. In reality, the world would stop spinning on its axis, hard-core republican heads would explode, and Democrats would scratch their heads and think, "the Republicans are doing the right thing NOW? Couldn't they have foreseen the present implosion?"
Unless I've missed something, the government hasn't "taken over" the banks and Wall Street. Ditto the auto companies. They have been forced to step in and bail out the incompetence, greed and stupidity of the infallible leaders of the private sector.
If you had a decent healthcare system, this wouldn't matter; but you sure as hell don't.
And the government can do better??
Yes, they can. Most of the industrialized world have government-run healthcare, and no leader in their right mind would think of moving to your American system. When I was an adolescent 40 years ago I became aware of how an illness could financially destroy an American family; and though I've had a life-long respect for the U.S. and almost all of the Americans I've met and gotten to know, wild horses couldn't drag me to live in a country where such a cosmic roll of the dice could shatter a life/lives.
I realize you immensely enjoy being a contrarian, but have you noticed that on this site, with its thoughtful and intelligent fans, 95% of the time you're barking your mantra solo? Is it possible, gasp, that you may be WRONG?
You do have many interesting slants, and I'd enjoy meeting you, having a few beers and thrashing out our differences face to face. I'm actually semi-articulate in person. :)
@kevinem2
THAT is a false equivalency. In reality, the world would stop spinning on its axis, hard-core republican heads would explode, and Democrats would scratch their heads and think, "the Republicans are doing the right thing NOW? Couldn't they have foreseen the present implosion?"
Ahhhh My mistake.. I thought you meant the comparison between all the other interferences in the private sector by the government.
As for your claim that Democrats would concede that Republicans would have been doing the right thing (no pun intended) I beg to differ. If Bush had nationalized banks and auto companies etc etc, the hysterical Left would have gone completely into orbit.. And the "normal" Left probably would have been right behind them..
Unless I've missed something, the government hasn't "taken over" the banks and Wall Street. Ditto the auto companies.
You have definitely missed something..
The government is the majority shareholder and Obama is de-facto CEO of AIG and GM.
http://www.clipsandcomment.com/2009/03/16/no-one-at-white-house-realizes-president-is-de-facto-ceo-of-aig/
drbseconomicblog.blogspot.com/2009/06/obama-administration-and-gm.html
Plus the Administration has de-facto control over many other smaller lending institutions.
They have been forced to step in and bail out the incompetence, greed and stupidity of the infallible leaders of the private sector.
And where is it in the US Constitution that states the President must take over control of failing businesses and re-write the bankruptcy laws on the fly to serve political contributors?
I have read the US Constitution a LOT and I don't recall ANYTHING in that document that says the government can take over failing businesses with taxpayer's money.
Perhaps you can point that out to me where it says that..
I realize you immensely enjoy being a contrarian, but have you noticed that on this site, with its thoughtful and intelligent fans, 95% of the time you're barking your mantra solo? Is it possible, gasp, that you may be WRONG?
Oh of course.. There is the slight (VERY :D) possibility that I am wrong.. But I see no evidence to support such a claim. How many trillions of dollars will be borrowed and spent before the LOGICAL and RATIONAL thought occurs??
"Hmmmm... Maybe we should STOP DIGGING!???"
I am shocked (REALLY SHOCKED) to see that no one here has a problem with such gross, arbitrary and continuing with such blatant government intervention in every aspect of Americans and their lives..
We're well on the way to nationalized banks and nationalized auto companies. Next up is nationalized healthcare.
At what point in time would YOU start worrying about all this?
And, consider this...
If Democrats continue all this wild spending and get absolutely NOTHING to show for it but more debt and less productivity, you KNOW that the American people will vote them out and re-install the GOP, probably with a super-majority..
Do you REALLY want the government running the banks and the auto companies and the health care if that government is DOMINATED by Republicans??
Because that is exactly where we are headed...
You do have many interesting slants, and I'd enjoy meeting you, having a few beers and thrashing out our differences face to face. I'm actually semi-articulate in person. :)
That would be fun... :D
Michale....
Michale
I disagree with all your "points", but I give up. You seem totally set in your ways and beliefs. I did notice you didn't attempt to rebut my case on healthcare...perhaps you've reconsidered?
I kind of hope you're right about your nationalization fixation...your country would be so much better if it emulated Sweden. (And yes, I've been there and it is simply great).
I kind of hope you're right about your nationalization fixation…your country would be so much better if it emulated Sweden. (And yes, I've been there and it is simply great).
So, you would be happy with a completely socialist and nationalized country with REPUBLICANS in control??
WOW.. Who woulda thunked that!?? :D
Time will tell who is right and who is not on these issues..
I just marvel at how the Left screamed and cried about government control when it was the GOP...
But now that it's Democrats, everyone around seems to be pleased as punch..
Which indicates to me that ya'all really don't give a rip about a government in total control of their lives.. As long as it's a government that is ideological approved of..
Me?? I think that minimum government control is infinitely preferable..
Michale.....
Michale
Um, when did I ever suggest Republicans should be in control? They've already governed you into the sewer, so why do you hate America? Democrats want freedom of choice, Rethugs freedom to choose their brand of "freedom". If you think the government is in total control of your life, you just aren't living properly.
According to Management Guru Jim Collings, there are 5 stages that businesses, organizations and/or individuals go thru. From the "I/WE'RE ON TOP OF THE WORLD" all the way thru "OH WOULD SOMEONE PLEASE JUST SHOOT ME/US AND GET IT OVER WITH"...
1. Hubris born of success
2. Undisciplined pursuit of more
3. Denial of risk and peril
4. Grasping for salvation with a quick, big solution
5. Capitulation to irrelevance or death
Right now, the GOP is at stage 4. And, considering recent reports about the conservative ideology, it's entirely likely that they (the GOP) won't enter stage 5, but rather rebound to stage 1.
The Democrats are clearly at stage 3. Warning signs within the administration are prevalent, but there are enough positive signs that can be cheery picked and enough ambiguous signs that can be spun positive to give the appearance that things are good and getting better. A perfect example of this is Obama’s completely unsupportable claim that his stimulus spending has “saved or created†150,000 jobs and that additional stimulus spending will save or create 450,000 more jobs in his second 100 days in office. All Economists worth their salt (IE not having a political agenda) agree that there is simply no way to prove this assertion.
My point??
Simple...
The Democrats are well on their way to stage 4. In other words, barring any major upheaval that favors the Democrats (First Contact?? :D ), it's entirely likely that we will see a complete roll-reversal in Congress after the mid-term elections.
And THAT is the nightmare (yet all to real a possibility) scenario I was painting for you above. A government that is so enmeshed and has so much control over the private sector and said government with Republicans in control.
In short, acquiring all that centralized power is NEVER a good idea.. Because while it is all fine and dandy and roses and whine when one's political friends are in power, there will come a day when that power must be acquiesced. And, if it is acquiesced to one's political enemies, the minority party finds themselves in a world of hurt.
The Republicans learned this lesson already.
Soon it will be school daze for the Democrats.
Remember, you heard it here first...
Michale.....