More than half (53 percent) of U.S. voters oppose President
Obama's health-care "reform" plan versus just 42 percent who favor it,
according to a poll published Tuesday by Rasmussen Reports. And that support
is trending down, falling "five points from two weeks ago and down eight
points from six weeks ago," while opposition is up "nine points since late
June."
Feelings regarding Obama's health-care plan run more
passionately among opponents, with 44 percent strongly opposing, versus just
26 percent strongly in favor. While support breaks down along party lines
with more Democrats in support and more Republicans in opposition, nearly
two-thirds (62 percent) of unaffiliated voters "oppose the health-care plan,
and 51 percent are strongly opposed."
The heat is turning up on the proposal. It's August and hot --
especially in the South, where consecutive 90-degree days provide a steamy
reminder of why the South might have been characterized as lazy prior to the
invention of air conditioning. Let's just say the heat can make one
lethargic, cranky and in need of an ice-cold Coca-Cola.
But instead of enjoying a relaxing summer break, our
representatives and senators are returning home from Washington to find
raucous town hall meetings held by constituents who are concerned about the
proposed health-care changes. Their concerns have been growing, as support
has been waning. Possibly this delay in opposition is due to the length of
the proposals in the legislative bodies. Slogging through the 1,017 pages of
H.R. 3200 took me the better part of a long day.
President Obama had a great point in his town hall meeting in
Portsmouth, N.H., where he said Tuesday, "Where we do disagree let's
disagree over things that are real."
So, what is real?
The House version introduced by Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., is
titled "American's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009." It would create a
multitude of government agencies, task forces, inspectors and trust funds.