Neither GOP or Dems are covered in glory
Tuesday, August 18th, 2009Via American Journalism Review:
Speaking of dead, the death panels canard is another one that refuses to disappear, helped along by the antics of cynically manipulative politicians. Somehow, the notion of having Medicare pay for voluntary end-of-life counseling sessions has morphed in the minds of opponents of health care legislation into evil cabals killing the elderly. It is, as Jackson says, a “complete misrepresentation.” He adds, “Hip replacements are covered by Medicare, but they aren’t mandatory.”
Of course, it’s not as if the right has a monopoly on misinformation. While Obama has said repeatedly that health care reform will pay for itself, that isn’t the case with versions of the bill drafted thus far. And Congress hasn’t helped with what Jackson calls the “untransparent” approach it has taken to putting the legislation together.
