Austrian liberals, admittedly much different from us, used to say that "we can wait, knowledge liberates" well ladies and gents, the President has laid it out on the line. The knowledge has been presented. But you and I know that this President can not do this alone. The time to wait is no more.
We waited and heard this:
Some of people's concerns have grown out of bogus claims spread by those whose only agenda is to kill reform at any cost. The best example is the claim, made not just by radio and cable talk show hosts, but prominent politicians, that we plan to set up panels of bureaucrats with the power to kill off senior citizens. Such a charge would be laughable if it weren't so cynical and irresponsible. It is a lie, plain and simple.
Knowledge liberates.
We sat in wait and heard this:
There are also those who claim that our reform effort will insure illegal immigrants. This, too, is false - the reforms I'm proposing would not apply to those who are here illegally. And one more misunderstanding I want to clear up - under our plan, no federal dollars will be used to fund abortions, and federal conscience laws will remain in place.
But knowledge liberates.
So let me set the record straight. My guiding principle is, and always has been, that consumers do better when there is choice and competition. Unfortunately, in 34 states, 75% of the insurance market is controlled by five or fewer companies. In Alabama, almost 90% is controlled by just one company. Without competition, the price of insurance goes up and the quality goes down. And it makes it easier for insurance companies to treat their customers badly - by cherry-picking the healthiest individuals and trying to drop the sickest; by overcharging small businesses who have no leverage; and by jacking up rates.
The record has been set straight. Those progressives in the 1870s fought for completely different ideals that we are today. They won. But they didn't win until there was a critical turning point. The point in time where waiting was no longer an option. Ladies and gentlenmen, I believe we have arrived at such a time circa 8:15 central time.
Knowledge Liberates.
When a silly man from South Carolina stood up and proved just how ignorant he was, America was wide-eyed. These are the fools that have been hoodwinking those who aren't as engaged as we are. We have the opportunity. The market has been flooded with political capital from a simple speech.
Let's get out and do this damn thing. I'll be on the phones tomorrow. Our President needs us just as much as we need him.
Ready to go.