Obama’s Big Fat Conundrum
The truth is out there, but if you dare mention it you will raise the ire of someone.
As I was scrolling I came upon a couple of posts of outrage over a sentence Obama uttered in the last debate.
If you Google the sentence you will find the outrage.” If we could go back to the obesity rates of 1980 we could save the Medicare system a trillion dollars.”
For some reason this seems to have proven to some that Obama wants to place heavier people in some type of concentration camp, oppressing them more and objectifying them, taking away their humanity.
A rather hysterical, illogical stretch, don’t you think?
I’ve placed it in it’s immediate context for you to peruse. The sentence by itself is a tad more incendiary, which is likely why it was not placed in context in any of the condemnatory posts I read.
Hillary touched the points about medicare. It’s cost. It’s not new benefits, it’s cost. And the whole idea there is the combination of the $10 Billion we’re overpaying HMOs a year, the combination of prescription drug costs being able to be negotiated for the federal government, and the combination of modernizing the system so you deal with chronic diseases, it’s estimated we could save over $100 Billion a year in medicare. So it is within our capability to do it. The question is
you’ve got to act. And this is all about action. And I think we’re totally within our capacity to do both of those things.I’m going to let senator Obama and Governor Richardson answer, 30 seconds, please.
Well, just to emphasize just how important prevention and cost savings can be in the medicare system. If we went back to the obesity rates that existed in 1980, that would save the Medicare system a trillion dollars. So many of the reforms I’ve suggested in my health care plan will reduce costs not just for the overall system, but also for Medicare. One thing I have to say, we are not going to make some of these changes unless we change how business is done in Washington. The reason we can’t negotiate prescription drugs under the Medicare prescription drug plan is because the drug companies specifically sought and obtained a provision in that Bill that prevented us from doing it.
Thank you.
And unless we change that politics, we’re going to continue to see the waste we’re seeing in the entitlement programs.
Governor?
I believe universal health care is a right for every American. And one-third of all of our health care budget, $2.2 trillion, one-third of that goes to administration and bureaucracy, failure to have electronic records. That has to shift to direct care. But prevention is going to be the key. You mentioned Medicare. 33% of Medicare costs are, today, related to diabetes.
We’ve got to have elimination, as I did in New Mexico, of junk food in schools. We need to have mandatory ’tis ed. We have to be a country that does more research on stem cell
research, on autism, on heart disease, on chronic diseases, on cancer. We spend $6 Billion on cancer this year. That’s two weeks of the Iraq war.
The only difference here is Obama used the word obese. Richardson did not.
The fact is preventative care might prevent some obesity. Richardson notes, thirty three percent of Medicare costs are related to diabetes, and we know obesity increaseS the risk for type 2 diabetes significantly. There is some evidence that cancer rates are higher among the obese. Richardson mentioned junk food, he just didn’t happen to mention that junk food is a large part of the reason the kids in this country are so overweight; he talks about mandatory phys-ed, yet you don’t see anyone getting all up in arms over it despite it being a subliminal way of saying the same thing.
Really, Obama spoke the truth, if you don’t like the truth go vote for someone who lies,
Oh right, been there done that.
Fact is
63% of Americans are overweight with a Body Mass Index (BMI) in excess of 25.0.
– 31% are obese with a BMI in excess of 30.0
child obesity has tripled in the last two decades
Obesity raises our risk for heart disease, diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, cancer and other chronic diseases.
Obesity is the most common nutritional disorder in the developed world,” emphasizes Dr. Zebrack, “and the second most preventable cause of death after smoking.” Health and
wellness risks include, but are not limited to, the following:
* High blood pressure and high blood cholesterol
* Coronary heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure
* Type 2 diabetes
* Osteoarthritis
* Gallstones
* Low back pain
* Heartburn
* Gout
* Obstructive sleep apnea and other respiratory problems
* Some types of cancer, including endometrial, breast, prostate and colon
* Complications of pregnancy
* Poor female reproductive health such as menstrual irregularities, infertility
* Bladder control problems (e.g., stress incontinence)
* Psychological disorders including depression, eating disorders, distorted body image and low self esteem
“Even a modest weight loss of 5-10% of body weight decreases blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugars,”
There is progressive, and there is just puerile.
After all, it’s not like he called anyone short.
I see your point. It doesn’t make sense to pick apart something someone said unless you put it in context. A thirty second spot, not time enough to explain the preventative care plans, the education plans, or the plans to stop pushing corn on us by subsidizing corn farmers. A quick and simple way to say it in thirty seconds or less.
Love the “short people”.
Hmmm…I’m not short, but I weigh more than I should and have been looking at photos of when I was younger lately because I’m sorting famiy photos. I need to go to the gym. But I’m not obese and I won’t be one of anyone’s worries about soaking the health care system. Right now, they’re busy soaking me with my monthly premiums. What a racket. So I guess the solution is to get obese individuals to purchase health care. That will boost the economy. Sorry. I’m in a crass mood.
The key word is obese, and obese is not healthy. Overweight is not the same thing and is pretty subjective.
He used the word obese and he was right to use it. I can see where it could get some people in a progressive uproar. I can see this post could irk some people too.
Keeping it real cooper
People are getting heavy in all parts of the world now, or so they say. I’ve been traveling non stop for several months, and from what I have observed, except for the places where an almost singularly corn based diet is the norm we top the list, still.
This is exactly why I’ve started going to the gym four times a week again.
I’m exercising for all of your sins.
This is the most brilliant line I’ve read in a long while:
” if you don’t like the truth go vote for someone who lies.”
My theme song! Sure you can call me Shorty.
It was almost two years ago now that the story made the rounds about obesity in France - blamed on fast food and the breakdown of the French rite of mealtime. The latter dimension struck me as particularly valid, then and now. If food actually meant something besides stuffing your face at the clown factory’s drive-in window, we might eat less of it and enjoy it more.
Of course, the animal behaviorist sees in human obesity the same thing visible in other species. See food, eat food. It’s adaptive. Eat, drink and be merry, for you never know, tomorrow you may starve. Like if anything were to happen to our technological culture of competence. Makes me wonder about Obama’s position on science research funding - and if he can afford to have one given all the other, louder, nastier, more vote-grabbing calls on his speeches.
Hey! Me like the new “edit comment” utility!
It’s a fair point but would Duran Duran have to come back?
As someone who is technically obese (reality, overweight . . . BMI doesn’t take muscle mass into consideration) I am all for a canidate who is willing to recognize the health care issues that both lead to and stem from obesity. And who is willing to actually stand up and use us as an example.
There is progressive, and there is just puerile.
The truest thing I’ve read this week.
In this country truth is only good if it is convenient, sugar coated and isn’t talking about me. ;)
Great post.
But for some strange reason, it made me very hungry.
Continually astute for someone you age.
You are getting older, I must to remember that. What I’ve always liked about you is you aren’t likely to agree with people who seem on the surface to have the same political leanings as you do, you look at the whole picture. You’re getting better at it too.
This was right on. I read some of the dialogue on this and it borders on the ridiculous, given the context.
Thanks for Randy Newman.
Love Short People.
I pay an astronomical amount of money each month for health insurance not because I’m high risk but because I’m self employed and live in Manhattan–the same plan is $200 a month cheaper in the other boroughs–$400 a month cheaper in Suffolk and Westchester but only $200 cheaper in Nassau. It’s still way too much anywhere here
I chose to do this because I wanted the best possible plan that covered the most–but I can afford it
It is one of the reasons I’m moving
Obama only had 30 seconds so he couldn’t put it in context and expected people to understand that in 1980 we weren’t quite a fast food country–that most people didn’t eat or take out every night–portions were smaller etc
I have learned from blogging never ever to expect people to understand things–a better example would have been 1960 as in 1980 we were well on the way–but I got what he means
And agree with Jacob about you :)
G: Glad you liked it but by the time I write this and I’m glad that by the time this get posted you could be pulling in to the state.
kellypea: I guess the solution is preventative health care for all and overweight is often subjective, obese is not.
joe: You are right, that is the key word and it wasn’t used in any way but factually.
mojo: Thank You.
inde: You better start reading more blogs. ;)
OC: You would be the one to notice. As much as I mess of my comments at other blogs I thought I’d put one here. It was a matter of finding one that didn’t destroy the blog.
Australia seems to be following as well, on the matter of obesity that is.
Doug: Of course not.
Duran who? ;)
Coyotemike: Common sense.
casey: Ain’t that the truth.
Dedd: I’m baking these days, you’re in luck.
jacob: lad to see you back around and your welcome for Randy Newman.
pia: What people can do to distort one line onto something so much larger and different then the intent of the line is beyond me.
This is another reason why I’m voting for this man…the truth is supposed to slap you in the face…BECAUSE IT IS THE TRUTH!!! It hurts, it is supposed to spur you into action, it is supposed to motivate you into change…
Wow, Coop…I like your style, girl!
Who was it that sang: “sex and drugs and obesity… let’s go blay aim hillary…”?
I have to admit that when we journey to New England, we pit-stop at the clown factory drive-thru. Fast food and their over-abundance of transfatties in the supersize meals play a big part in the growth of America’s girth. But those fast food places are also a big part in the country’s economy. What to do, what to do.
Great example of political correctness gone awry. Rest assured that some one, some group, will find a way to be offended, always, over something. No matter that the reference is so far out of context as to be in the next zip code, any potential insult will suffice.
Thought I already commented. This is spot on. Let’s take one sentence and start bashing . For the truth yet?
There are many truths, people find the one that offends them the most and make it an issue, even if it’s in a thirty second sound bite answer and taken from the surrounding context. Most people do not to look at the big picture once they take sides.
There is progressive, and there is just puerile
gotta love the p girl.
Geez, people are oversensitive. It’s strange that in America we actually really believe that we have a right to be free of insult.
Personally, I don’t care what anyone says provided that they don’t abridge my freedom. The moment that I’m told what I can and can’t eat then I’ve got a problem.
But this is the problem with any socialized system of any type, eventually people can do precisely that, abridge certain sensible liberties. But no one ever really talks about that in discussions. And it’s a fair question to ask, because even though it may not explicitly be said in any discussion, eventually some one will tell you what is and is not permissible. I don’t need to draw a long list of items. They’re readily available by google search.
At six feet tall, and female, I’m just happy the song is about short people. ;)
I know I get touchy at times when people mention my height, so I understand how an initial reaction might occur. This does border on the ridiculous.
Hugs and Kisses and Happy Holidays Cooper
Cooper I know you’re interested in obtaining a career within politics therefore I understand your passion for it and I hate to sound so repetitive, and cynical however I have to be honest I really don’t see anything changing in our Government no matter who wins or what they say. I do like Ron Paul , but I doubt he’ll even make it passed the primaries.
No politician is ever going to make any changes because none of them care about anything but soaking up tax payer money.
No one really cares about anything unless it directly effects them, or unless they have something to gain.
News, politics, it’s all jumbled non-sense designed to do 1 thing; get you all frustrated about things that you can do nothing about because the people in power don’t care about anything but themselves or their own family…
Randy Newmon …yes..those were the lovely 80s before the existence of midget porn.
As for obese people I can understand because it’s actually quite difficult to obtain healthy food in this country that doesn’t contain toxic crap in it..whether it’s the junk in the fertilizer, or the ridiculous chemical additives our Gov considers safe for public consumption….ah…sorry..You should know I get aggravated like this every year at this time… It’s the dammed Christmas crap…
Happy New Year…soon I hope…
Actually Bennet I have no desire for a political career what so ever. I may do work and or research in a variety of fields - involving international affairs - from a non governmental humanitarian venue, nationally or internationally. I might get a Doctorate in cultural anthropology or I might also just decide to go tour the world and surf, snowboard and make love to every tom dick and harry out there.
I am not saying it doesn’t often seem hopeless but what have we become when we call every issue too difficult to deal with, impossible to change?
kait: The same to you tall friend.
Fact is it is attitudes like yours which get us nowhere, as the attitude is prevalent of course see a dismal future for this country.
Marvalus: And you know I like yours.
Dave: Absolutely. I find this thing a real hazard among those who call themselves progressive.
Jon: Anything in it’s purest form is probably dangerous.
none of them care about anything but soaking up tax payer money.
Sorry, Bennet, but I disagree. The pols care about soaking up votes - so they can keep their jobs (which actually pay peanuts, perks included, compared with the people who are paying the lobbyists to tell them what to do).
Why this works, I argue, is that the lobbyists have the best read on what We the People really want. Maximum bennies for minimum labor. Get me my stuff, and tax / extort someone else for it.
Ron Paul won’t make it to the Pres, and would make a terrible one if he did make it, because he has no party. Where are all the legislators who will support Paul’s policies? If We the People want what Paul has to offer (and he frankly scares me), we’d better identify those running for the House and Senate who are of like mind, and vote them in too. Otherwise Paul = gridlock. Look up the “Know Nothings” on Wikipedia for an example in US history of how this worked.
Time just voted a “strong leader” who reflects the will of the People “Person of the Year”. Vladimir Putin. Who is giving the Russians peace and prosperity after years of clamor and destitution. Taking political worries out of the hands of the citizens. Just like Time’s Man [sic] of the Year in 1938. A puny Austrian named Adolph …
OC: Putin the criminal.
Ron Paul scares me too, no one looks past the sound bite to see the mad man.
o ceallaigh:
No problem, we are free to disagree, so do I with you.
Ron Paul terrible, scary? To do away with income tax, large Gov, end spreading hatred world wide, and end the war, scary? ….disagree or not, he is the only candidate who is not mutli-faced. He doesn’t have a party because both parties continue to fail at any true change. Anybody should know that.