Comments on: Gwen Ifill Book Latest Political Controversy

By: Samuel Brown

Samuel Brown — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:08:11 +0000

First, I would like to applaud President Obama for his bold initiatives and efforts toward a cost effective national health care policy with a public option. As a social worker, I am aware of thousands of people confronting high cost of medical insurance. I have witnessed first hand, seniors cutting back on food purchases while struggling to buy needed medications. For this reason, among others, I whole heartedly endorse a single-payer health care program for America. It would be good for our economy, as well as for all Americans. The current health care system may appear to be functioning well if you already have quality health insurance and can afford it, but for over 47 million Americans there is a firm need for affordable quality heath care services that is fair for all Americans. What does it say about a country that allow large numbers of its citizenry to suffer or die due to their inability to pay for the high cost of health insurance. Personally, I am in favor of comprehensive health care reform, that will insure all Americans. Health care must become more accessible, affordable, and promote prevention as the best cure. Based on my professional social work experience, reading and research, it appears that a national health care program would cost the same amount of money to manage that is spent on current health care costs, without increasing taxes or taxing employee benefits. Profit motive for pharmaceutical companies, HMO’s, and other big insurance companies from health care must be deleted from a quality health care policy. As long as profit take priority over quality health care, there will always be those less fortunate who can ill afford the rising cost of health care. A quality health care program should be affordable and accessible to every American. No one should have their quality of life denied because of an inability to pay, lack of access to medically necessary health care treatment, including hospitalization, inpatient and outpatient care, medications, vision care, dental care, as well as other required medical care to maintain good health and prevent chronic illnesses. I support the president’s proposal for national health care with a public option as an alternative to a single-payer program. I urge all members of congress and the senate to also endorse the president’s plan. If members of the House and Senate believes in the current health care system that provides their health coverage, why not support a national health care plan equal to their publicly financed health care? If medicaid and medicare is working, why not extend it to all Americans? Since our representatives’ salaries are received from taxpayers funds, they are in fact receiving free health care. If free health care works for them, why would they oppose the same health care for their constituents? If our representatives believe that in America, we should have the best of everything, why would any one of them reject a health proposal to provide quality health care for all Americans? Our representatives, who have the responsibility and an opportunity to pass a national health care program that is affordable and fair, must decide whether they are going to stand on the side of the big insurance companies (profit motive) or stand up for the American people.

By: Anna

Anna — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 03:19:46 +0000

I did not want to comment on this and seem biased. Gwen has been a political person for as long as I can remember. I do remember her on “Meet The Press” and do know that she has a PBS show. I love PBS. I think she was fair and did what I knew she would do. Her book being released on election day. No big deal to me. She was the Mc and did her job in a non favortism way. For me I would not want to see Elisabet Hasselback from “The View” MC(ing) a republican debate. Her questions would have been too careful and cheesy. “How much do you dis like Obama and his wife Michelle and by the way what did you cook for dinner. When I found out Gwen was going to be the Mc I had no problem with it. With age does come maturity and seperation with fairness.

By: tina

tina — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 21:09:42 +0000

I would be more concerned and want her replaced if she were moderating a debate between Obama and McCain. But in this case I don’t think it really matters. It wasn’t even an issue til McCain’s ratings in the polls started a freefall and conservatives started having second thoughts about Palin. It’s only an issue because McCain’s camp is trying its best to shield Palin from anything that could possibly give Tina Fey more material for the next SNL.

tinas last blog post..I’m Fine When I’m Asleep.

By: A. Grey

A. Grey — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 17:05:20 +0000

This coming to light really taints the objectivity of this event. Either way it’s a lose/lose situation because if Biden comes out looking good at the debate, then it will reflect that Gwen was looking out for her monetary interest (since her book on the Age of Obama is scheduled to be released on inauguration day). On the other hand, if Palin comes out looking good, maybe she’s trying too hard in the other direction.

The only decision that makes sense is to replace her with another moderator so there isn’t a misunderstanding about a conflict of interest. She’s a fantastic journalist, but this isn’t the event for her this time around.