The Ledge's Monthly Approval of President Obama-Do You Approve??? August 2009

[Musicman408]

I thought this would be an interesting thing for us to do every month. According to national polls, Obama's popularity has declined since taking office, down to about 54 percent according to Gallup. So, every month, we'll have an updated approval rating to see how our numbers stack up against the rest of America, and how our numbers change over time.

So, to start off, I'd like to say that at the moment I DO approve of Obama. I saw him at a town hall meeting in New England (on TV) and he dispelled every rumor and untrue thing said about the Healthcare bill. So yes, at the moment I do still approve of the job that he's doing!!

What do you think??

[FMlex]

I guess I'll be the first to say it: I disapprove.

I just don't believe he's going in the right direction on health care.

All in all, I think Obama is taking on way too much right now. (Health care reform, this green movement/cap and trade, the economy, Middle East politics, etc.) There's so much stuff coming at the American people each day that it's impossible to absorb it all. I don't think it's a good idea to rush any sort of bill right now.

Again, all in my opinion.

[BombaySapphire3]

Originally Posted by FMlex

I guess I'll be the first to say it: I disapprove.

I just don't believe he's going in the right direction on health care.

All in all, I think Obama is taking on way too much right now. (Health care reform, this green movement/cap and trade, the economy, Middle East politics, etc.) There's so much stuff coming at the American people each day that it's impossible to absorb it all. I don't think it's a good idea to rush any sort of bill right now.

Again, all in my opinion.

And what would your preferred direction for health care reform be?It has long been the shame of this nation that we are the only large industrialized country without any kind of universal health care.Obama had as much on his plate when he took the oath of office perhaps anyone since FDR took over from Hoover.I commend him for his hard work even as he learns as he progresses.The American people need try a bit harder to "absorb " sometimes IMO.If we had absorbed a bit better in 2003 then maybe so many would not have been bamboozled into going along with the Iraqi invasion.

[mylittledemon]

I think there should be some form of health-care available to everyone, but I believe it is not the government's business to run it. Perhaps they should run a basic care plan outline that all doctor's within America can adapt to, and accept, and the uninsured can get basic care for "X" amount of dollars up front and "X" amount per prescription.

Take England and the UK for example... They have a "****" system...a government run system called the NHS, where everybody and anybody gets free healthcare, from minor prescriptions to major surgery. Its disliked on the whole though, as you have to sometimes wait a couple of months to get your free £25,000 surgery, or have to wait 2 hours to see a doctor to get your free prescription.

The people that are pro-NHS (ignorant basically) because they don't seem to realise that their taxes seldom cover the costs of their lifetimes NHS treatment. Ironically those among the populace that DO fund it, usually have private health-care, so wont use the NHS as much as most people anyway.

In the UK, many people are calling for people to pay a small fee of £20 when seeing their doctors, and introducing a system whereby if you dont have medical insurance, you only get very basic care. All the humans rights "ilk" dont think thats fair though.

I wish there were a compromise, but with 65 million people on a tiny island, and increasing numbers of people who dont pay their way, its the only way to go I think.

PS... To answer the poll, I have to vote "NO" thus far. Give the man another year and we'll see though.

[carrie721]

Originally Posted by mylittledemon

I think there should be some form of health-care available to everyone, but I believe it is not the government's business to run it. Perhaps they should run a basic care plan outline that all doctor's within America can adapt to, and accept, and the uninsured can get basic care for "X" amount of dollars up front and "X" amount per prescription.

i agree that gov't should not be concerning itself with providing health care, but i don't see how what you are proposing is all that different. the cost of the basic care you're talking about is going to be subsidized somehow, and that money is either going to come from the tax base or from price hikes enacted on those who don't qualify for the low-income plans. either way, it's bound to be messy.

Take England and the UK for example... They have a "****" system...a government run system called the NHS, where everybody and anybody gets free healthcare, from minor prescriptions to major surgery. Its disliked on the whole though, as you have to sometimes wait a couple of months to get your free £25,000 surgery, or have to wait 2 hours to see a doctor to get your free prescription.

The people that are pro-NHS (ignorant basically) because they don't seem to realise that their taxes seldom cover the costs of their lifetimes NHS treatment. Ironically those among the populace that DO fund it, usually have private health-care, so wont use the NHS as much as most people anyway.

FWIW, although i haven't done an extensive survey of UK citizens, almost all of the brits i've spoken to are very much for the NHS.

In the UK, many people are calling for people to pay a small fee of £20 when seeing their doctors, and introducing a system whereby if you dont have medical insurance, you only get very basic care. All the humans rights "ilk" dont think thats fair though.

I wish there were a compromise, but with 65 million people on a tiny island, and increasing numbers of people who dont pay their way, its the only way to go I think.

i think it sounds great to say that everyone is entitled to health care. but is it feasible? i'm not sure. the bottom line is that medical care is a limited resource. rationing is going to have to take place, whether it's a matter of money or central planning. and i think history has taught us that central planning is, at best, inefficient.

PS... To answer the poll, I have to vote "NO" thus far. Give the man another year and we'll see though.

i was never big on obama, but now i'm totally over him. which is one big reason i'm now a registered libertarian.

[mylittledemon]

Originally Posted by carrie721

FWIW, although i haven't done an extensive survey of UK citizens, almost all of the brits i've spoken to are very much for the NHS.

These are the people with minimal health issues then.

[carrie721]

Originally Posted by mylittledemon

These are the people with minimal health issues then.

could be. i don't know. i really don't know much about the NHS aside from what i saw on michael moore's sicko, and for the record, that movie made me want to puke.

[Gypsy-Rhiannon]

Originally Posted by mylittledemon

I think there should be some form of health-care available to everyone, but I believe it is not the government's business to run it. Perhaps they should run a basic care plan outline that all doctor's within America can adapt to, and accept, and the uninsured can get basic care for "X" amount of dollars up front and "X" amount per prescription.

Take England and the UK for example... They have a "****" system...a government run system called the NHS, where everybody and anybody gets free healthcare, from minor prescriptions to major surgery. Its disliked on the whole though, as you have to sometimes wait a couple of months to get your free £25,000 surgery, or have to wait 2 hours to see a doctor to get your free prescription.

The people that are pro-NHS (ignorant basically) because they don't seem to realise that their taxes seldom cover the costs of their lifetimes NHS treatment. Ironically those among the populace that DO fund it, usually have private health-care, so wont use the NHS as much as most people anyway.

In the UK, many people are calling for people to pay a small fee of £20 when seeing their doctors, and introducing a system whereby if you dont have medical insurance, you only get very basic care. All the humans rights "ilk" dont think thats fair though.

I wish there were a compromise, but with 65 million people on a tiny island, and increasing numbers of people who dont pay their way, its the only way to go I think.

PS... To answer the poll, I have to vote "NO" thus far. Give the man another year and we'll see though.

Prescriptions are NOT free in the UK unless you are a child, a pensioner or on certain benefits and I've never had to wait 2 hours to see my doctor. You make quite a sweeping statement there.

[Gypsy-Rhiannon]

Originally Posted by mylittledemon

I think there should be some form of health-care available to everyone, but I believe it is not the government's business to run it. Perhaps they should run a basic care plan outline that all doctor's within America can adapt to, and accept, and the uninsured can get basic care for "X" amount of dollars up front and "X" amount per prescription.

Take England and the UK for example... They have a "****" system...a government run system called the NHS, where everybody and anybody gets free healthcare, from minor prescriptions to major surgery. Its disliked on the whole though, as you have to sometimes wait a couple of months to get your free £25,000 surgery, or have to wait 2 hours to see a doctor to get your free prescription.

The people that are pro-NHS (ignorant basically) because they don't seem to realise that their taxes seldom cover the costs of their lifetimes NHS treatment. Ironically those among the populace that DO fund it, usually have private health-care, so wont use the NHS as much as most people anyway.

In the UK, many people are calling for people to pay a small fee of £20 when seeing their doctors, and introducing a system whereby if you dont have medical insurance, you only get very basic care. All the humans rights "ilk" dont think thats fair though.

I wish there were a compromise, but with 65 million people on a tiny island, and increasing numbers of people who dont pay their way, its the only way to go I think.

PS... To answer the poll, I have to vote "NO" thus far. Give the man another year and we'll see though.

BTW... I wouldn't say I'm pro-NHS.. yes there are areas where it's failing. But I'm not against it..I've had good services from it when needed. And that doesn't make me ignorant

[markolas]

I'm not in love with all of his policies, but overall - I'm not stressed out and embarrassed by his every move, as I was with his predecessor. It's nice to have a president I can respect for probably the first time in my entire life, and that means a lot.

I hope he manages to push thru a working universal health care system - it's long been needed.

I'm skeptical about cash for clunkers and the stimulus package, I disagree with him about abortion, and think he's being an ass on LGBT issues. I'm not in love with Sonia Sotomayor, but I'll take any of his Supreme Court picks over any of McCain's.

[Gypsy-Rhiannon]

Originally Posted by mylittledemon

In the UK, many people are calling for people to pay a small fee of £20 when seeing their doctors, and introducing a system whereby if you dont have medical insurance, you only get very basic care. All the humans rights "ilk" dont think thats fair though.

I missed this earlier... what??! I haven't heard anything about what you are suggesting here. Where do you get your info as living in the UK means i'm clearly missing something!

Also... not sure what you mean by human rights 'ilk' but I wouldn't agree to paying £20 to see a Dr. And £20 certainly isn't a small fee! As a single parent I couldn't afford private medical insurance ... so I should only be entitled to very basic care? Despite paying my taxes all my life?

[jenniferuk]

Originally Posted by Gypsy-Rhiannon

I missed this earlier... what??! I haven't heard anything about what you are suggesting here. Where do you get your info as living in the UK means i'm clearly missing something!

Also... not sure what you mean by human rights 'ilk' but I wouldn't agree to paying £20 to see a Dr. And £20 certainly isn't a small fee! As a single parent I couldn't afford private medical insurance ... so I should only be entitled to very basic care? Despite paying my taxes all my life?

The fee has been suggested to help with the cost/burdened system. I think that the Government and Doctors are both opposed. Here's a quick mention on bbc

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8156279.stm

I remember this was mentioned a few years ago as a way to deter people from making too many visits to the GP. It was quickly dropped.

[Gypsy-Rhiannon]

Originally Posted by trackaghost

Well, all I remember about that is there wasn't "many people" there was a small group of doctors who wanted to charge a £20 fee to see each patient and there was outrage at the suggestion, so it never went any further. That was a couple of years back but I never heard anything other than that.

SO it wasn't a case of 'many people' calling for it then... didn't think so!

[Gypsy-Rhiannon]

Originally Posted by jenniferuk

The fee has been suggested to help with the cost/burdened system. I think that the Government and Doctors are both opposed. Here's a quick mention on bbc

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8156279.stm

I remember this was mentioned a few years ago as a way to deter people from making too many visits to the GP. It was quickly dropped.

Thanks! Not sure how I missed that.

[jannieC]

I think there is a lot of misinformation out there regarding NHS. One of my closest friends is a Canadian and she and I have had long discussions about this. She has never had to wait for an appointment, and she actually has had some significant health issues over the years. Prescriptions are not free; prescription coverage is offered as "benefits" by employers. My friend has always said that while their system may not be perfect, she would never want to be in our shoes in terms of health care. She views health/medical care as a right, not a privilege.

I'm not sure how I feel about NHS, but I will say that what we have now is atrocious. I have $500/MONTH in meds that I cannot afford to fill. I am at the mercy of my doctor to sample me out until the first of the year when I can switch to more traditional insurance (I have a high deductable plan right now).

Something has got to give in this country. As a non disabled adult, you can not qualify for Medicaid unless you a) have children AND b) are living way below the poverty level. So there are a whole bunch of us who are working full-time, paying taxes, and ruining our health by not taking care of things because we can't afford to.

I wish I were smart enough to figure it all out.

To answer the question of the poll, I have no idea whether I "approve" of Obama or not. I'm cautiously optimistic and waiting to see what happens.