Open Letter to MMJ (Health Care Reform)

[Dudley]

This is the exact reason i will only check for tour dates on this website.. Jim has lost so much of my respect.. He is simply a musician.. He should act like one.. Get your messages accross via music.. We don't follow your band because you're a liberal.. We do because you make good tunes.. And it's got me wondering.. Instead of making albums you 5 sit around reading 1000 page bills? Maybe you're in the wrong profession.. Because even most of the Senators and Representatives have admitted to not reading the entire bill.. So that must take some determination.. Hope you really do know what you're supporting.. Because i honestly believe you don't..

You act like Pharma is throwing Jim and the gang crazy amounts of money to post that little blip on MMJ.com. It's very plain to see that they believe that EVERYONE deserves decent health care ( Th
ey do, BTW), and not some political stunt. Oh Dear! My Morning Jacket actually give a shit about people!  Fuck them!  ::) Besides, without a single payer system this whole "reform" is fucking useless anyways. Chill out.

How does no choice between insurance companies help me? So when they turn down a transplant..I have who to go to? O yeah some other country like all people already in a single payer system.. You really trust your government that much? If so move to China and let them make your decisions.. Too many people died so this wouldn't happen.. Which btw.. It won't..Why can't Obama do the smart thing and put stricter regulations on the already existing insurance companies? Why does the government need to control everything? What happened to free enterprise? Has our country gone crazy? Is your freedom hurting you that bad? Because i'm not rich by any means and i feel i'm doing ok.. And no i don't feel that somone is paying them to speak.. I know it's coming from jim's heart.. But as with a lot of americans these days.. I feel he is confused.. Look at history and tell me one socialist country that atually helps the people.. Just one.. And yes i do feel if you can't survive in this country.. Then fuck off go somewhere else... I feel a government shouldn't have to take you in.. Because when people have something to fall back on.. They WILL.. We will be another country filled with poverty and shortcomers.. That's a fact.. My post stated that i feel they have no idea what they are supporting.. Which they don't.. Based on the fact they haven't read the bill.. And if they have maybe they should become bureaucrats and raise money that way.. Because i'm sick of my money supporting things I don't agree with.. It's not fair to their fans to hop into politics and finacially support their beliefs.. So sorry guys.. I've fallen off the bandwagon.. I'm gonna miss that old feeling i once had for the boys.. But they honestly fucking sicken me now..

[mjkoehler]

Because i'm sick of my money supporting things I don't agree with

Now you know how the rest of have felt, oh the last few years with this godforesaken, bullshit war that has exhausted us all emotional and damn near bankrupt this country. I sure as fuck dind't support it and didn't want my money going to that lost cause. Yeah, that piece of shit really helped us out as a nation.

If you change your view on a bands music because they happen to support something you do not agree with, lame. Sorry.

[BH]

Wow, Dudley!  You are going to be one BUSY man, checking into the background politics of every person you give your money to.   And your definitely going to have to give away at least 90% of of your CD's and DVD's.  PM me and I'll let you know where to send them.

[Penny Lane]

This is the exact reason i will only check for tour dates on this website.. Jim has lost so much of my respect.. He is simply a musician.. He should act like one.. Get your messages accross via music.. We don't follow your band because you're a liberal.. We do because you make good tunes.. And it's got me wondering.. Instead of making albums you 5 sit around reading 1000 page bills? Maybe you're in the wrong profession.. Because even most of the Senators and Representatives have admitted to not reading the entire bill.. So that must take some determination.. Hope you really do know what you're supporting.. Because i honestly believe you don't..

You act like Pharma is throwing Jim and the gang crazy amounts of money to post that little blip on MMJ.com. It's very plain to see that they believe that EVERYONE deserves decent health care ( Th
ey do, BTW), and not some political stunt. Oh Dear! My Morning Jacket actually give a shit about people!  Fuck them!  ::) Besides, without a single payer system this whole "reform" is fucking useless anyways. Chill out.

How does no choice between insurance companies help me? So when they turn down a transplant..I have who to go to? O yeah some other country like all people already in a single payer system.. You really trust your government that much? If so move to China and let them make your decisions.. Too many people died so this wouldn't happen.. Which btw.. It won't..Why can't Obama do the smart thing and put stricter regulations on the already existing insurance companies? Why does the government need to control everything? What happened to free enterprise? Has our country gone crazy? Is your freedom hurting you that bad? Because i'm not rich by any means and i feel i'm doing ok.. And no i don't feel that somone is paying them to speak.. I know it's coming from jim's heart.. But as with a lot of americans these days.. I feel he is confused.. Look at history and tell me one socialist country that atually helps the people.. Just one.. And yes i do feel if you can't survive in this country.. Then fuck off go somewhere else... I feel a government shouldn't have to take you in.. Because when people have something to fall back on.. They WILL.. We will be another country filled with poverty and shortcomers.. That's a fact.. My post stated that i feel they have no idea what they are supporting.. Which they don't.. Based on the fact they haven't read the bill.. And if they have maybe they should become bureaucrats and raise money that way.. Because i'm sick of my money supporting things I don't agree with.. It's not fair to their fans to hop into politics and finacially support their beliefs.. So sorry guys.. I've fallen off the bandwagon.. I'm gonna miss that old feeling i once had for the boys.. But they honestly fucking sicken me now..

Every president from FDR to GWB (excluding Reagan) championed health care reform or further socialization (actually reagan first coined the term socialized medicine i think---he actually ran ads against it as gov--he was the only one, though) this is not a new concept? I don't agree w/every part of the bill/bills, but you can still champion free enterprise and realize that healthcare is pretty much falling to sh*t around us. ESPECIALLY since the ones w/out insurance are the working poor, not the POOR.

1935 - Depression made country realize the danger of no safety net
Roosevelt was successful in getting Social Security Act of 1935 passed
He dropped national health insurance to get it passed

1945 - Truman asks Congress for a National Health Insurance program

Idea gets no traction although Humphrey introduces bill in 1950's

1955 - Eisenhower--Federal Reinsurance service - encourage private insurance organizations to offer broader benefits and coverage to more people

1961 - Kennedy - expand SS to include health insurance for elderly

1960's Ronald Reagan - speaks out about national healthcare as "socialized medicine"

1964 - Great Society - Johnson -Tipping point for the health care reform for seniors

1965 - Medicare/Medicaid established

1974 - Nixon - proposes Comprehensive Health Insurance Program (CIP)--Employer mandate - wanted universal access

1970's - Ford - requests national health care program

1970's – 1980's Carter - campaigned for universal coverage;
Planned to regulate hospital revenues & capital expenditures

1980-s - 1990's - Managed Care - contracting w/insurance;
People complained about reduction of choice;
lobbied government to regulate interference  of health care companies

1990's - Clinton - derailed by lobbyists; insurance company

2001-2008 - George W. Bush - supported expansion of Federal Health centers for those who do  not have adequate coverage; Supported Medicare Part D

[size=14]WOW!! OBAMA and JIM ARE obviously CRAZY!!  [/size]you're right. i mean i guess jim should  just go back to being a musician. hmmmmm
     
     

[AMightyCaporal]

This is the exact reason i will only check for tour dates on this website.. Jim has lost so much of my respect.. He is simply a musician.. He should act like one.. Get your messages accross via music.. We don't follow your band because you're a liberal.. We do because you make good tunes.. And it's got me wondering.. Instead of making albums you 5 sit around reading 1000 page bills? Maybe you're in the wrong profession.. Because even most of the Senators and Representatives have admitted to not reading the entire bill.. So that must take some determination.. Hope you really do know what you're supporting.. Because i honestly believe you don't..

You act like Pharma is throwing Jim and the gang crazy amounts of money to post that little blip on MMJ.com. It's very plain to see that they believe that EVERYONE deserves decent health care ( Th
ey do, BTW), and not some political stunt. Oh Dear! My Morning Jacket actually give a shit about people!  Fuck them!  ::) Besides, without a single payer system this whole "reform" is fucking useless anyways. Chill out.

How does no choice between insurance companies help me? So when they turn down a transplant..I have who to go to? O yeah some other country like all people already in a single payer system.. You really trust your government that much? If so move to China and let them make your decisions.. Too many people died so this wouldn't happen.. Which btw.. It won't..Why can't Obama do the smart thing and put stricter regulations on the already existing insurance companies? Why does the government need to control everything? What happened to free enterprise? Has our country gone crazy? Is your freedom hurting you that bad? Because i'm not rich by any means and i feel i'm doing ok.. And no i don't feel that somone is paying them to speak.. I know it's coming from jim's heart.. But as with a lot of americans these days.. I feel he is confused.. Look at history and tell me one socialist country that atually helps the people.. Just one.. And yes i do feel if you can't survive in this country.. Then fuck off go somewhere else... I feel a government shouldn't have to take you in.. Because when people have something to fall back on.. They WILL.. We will be another country filled with poverty and shortcomers.. That's a fact.. My post stated that i feel they have no idea what they are supporting.. Which they don't.. Based on the fact they haven't read the bill.. And if they have maybe they should become bureaucrats and raise money that way.. Because i'm sick of my money supporting things I don't agree with.. It's not fair to their fans to hop into politics and finacially support their beliefs.. So sorry guys.. I've fallen off the bandwagon.. I'm gonna miss that old feeling i once had for the boys.. But they honestly fucking sicken me now..

reality check- we are already a country filled with poverty and short comers.

And how do you KNOW that Jim hasn't read the bill?  I'm not saying he has either way, but the politicians who say they haven't read it because its too long are the ones you should be angry at.  its their job to read it, understand it, and make the best decision.  Those who say they haven't read it are using its length as an excuse to further their own agendas- to tell the people sitting on the fence "fuck that, its so long, I haven't even read the damn thing and neither should you!"

I think you are a little backwards- Jim isn't saying anything new, he isn't this new person, this is who he has always been- now he is just able to verbalize it.

I found a picture of you Dudley, its and oldy, but a goody

[AMightyCaporal]

Look at history and tell me one socialist country that atually helps the people.. Just one..

A. Sweden.

B. I thought you were leaving?

COOOOOLLDDDD BLOOODEDD  ;D

[Penny Lane]

it looks like nothing will be happening before the end of the year anyway. I love russ feingold


http://www.lakelandtimes.com/print.asp?SectionID=9&SubSectionID=9&ArticleID=10027

[MMJ_fanatic]

Is it really necessary to attack and mock when you disagree with someone?

[Taterbug]

 I agree with Fanatic. Let's not reduce this thread to a town hall meeting.

[NoVa_NoLa]

Is it really necessary to attack and mock when you disagree with someone?

I tried not to be mocking in tone, Fanatic, and hope that you will continue to stick around for this thread.  :)  I'm a left-leaning independent who doesn't let abortion or the dollar guide her vote.  That said, I enjoy hearing from the other side.  I hope that you find some of the feedback informative.

[Penny Lane]

I'm gonna miss that old feeling i once had for the boys.. But they honestly fucking sicken me now..

I am thinking if you go on the MMJ forum and say the band honestly fucking sickens you, you're probably going to get a few responses that may trend towards the unkind.  

Is that right? Who knows. It's an internet forum ergo that's what happens, isn't it?

because One Big Holiday sounded a lot more bad a** when you thought they agreed w/you about health care reform?

here's a tip that may save you some trouble in the future, most musicians are liberal. most are creative types that probably didn't/don't have health care a lot as they were/are struggling artists. most are adamant about free speech and probably consider themselves 'spiritual' but not religious. most probably support gay marriage and are against DOMA. most are free spirits and probably don't spend their time worrying that our country is stifling free enterprise. ([size=10]disclaimer--hate to stereotype, i know there are exceptions)[/size] so maybe you just wanna stick to your Ted Nugent, Donny Osmond, and Rush albums. i get why this bothers you, but i just don't know why it surprises you....you want the 'don't ask don't tell' policy on musicians' political stances?

[BH]

How did we even get to this point?   Doesn't the message just encourage health care reform, and to get involved and contact your representative?  Is there anyone in the US who thinks the current system is awesome, perfect, don't touch a thing?   Hell, there wasn't this much backlash when Jim was going to do the Obama Benefit for crying out loud.  

I must say, it does bug me sometimes when musicians get political on subjects that they have really no knowledge about whatsoever.  Like Green Day's last Anti-War Anti Bush album.  If anyone asked them about anything political in an interview they really didn't have anything intelligent to say.   But on the other hand musicians who fail to give their opinion on ANYTHING are probably just worried about offending 50% of their fan base and hurting their bottom line.  Do you want your musicians to just talk about bangin' chics and wah wah pedals in between bong hits?  That's fine, but I hope your tastes in music involve lots of Pop crap, and nothing that involves any type of intelligence, heart, compassion or change.  

[bear sin rug]

[mjkoehler]

Like Green Day's last Anti-War Anti Bush album.  If anyone asked them about anything political in an interview they really didn't have anything intelligent to say.  

That and the album pretty much sucked Big Foot's jimmyjunk...

[Nikkogino]

How did we even get to this point?   Doesn't the message just encourage health care reform, and to get involved and contact your representative?  Is there anyone in the US who thinks the current system is awesome, perfect, don't touch a thing?   Hell, there wasn't this much backlash when Jim was going to do the Obama Benefit for crying out loud.  

I must say, it does bug me sometimes when musicians get political on subjects that they have really no knowledge about whatsoever.  Like Green Day's last Anti-War Anti Bush album.  If anyone asked them about anything political in an interview they really didn't have anything intelligent to say.   But on the other hand musicians who fail to give their opinion on ANYTHING are probably just worried about offending 50% of their fan base and hurting their bottom line.  Do you want your musicians to just talk about bangin' chics and wah wah pedals in between bong hits?  That's fine, but I hope your tastes in music involve lots of Pop crap, and nothing that involves any type of intelligence, heart, compassion or change.  

Click the link....it is the Obama brand of health care reform.  It in no way encourages you to think freely.

"Fight Back Against the Right" is on the first freaking page.  

[weeniebeenie]

I haven't read this whole thread, but I would like to say that we have a pretty good medicare system in Australia (I am really greatful for it)and I feel that people in all countries should have the right to better healthcare.

2 cents.

[el_chode]

This is the exact reason i will only check for tour dates on this website.. Jim has lost so much of my respect.. He is simply a musician.. He should act like one..

Our legislators and judges, a/k/a law-making political people, have been pro athletes, actors, song writers, composers, criminals, bankers, doctors, day laborers, adulterers, con men, murderers, pastors, ministers, philosophers, drug addicts, and pro wrestlers...to name a few.

Who is to say what gives a person the ability to have a political opinion?

I say its virtue of knowledge, and althogh I don't necessarily agree with the politics of Yim Yames or MMJ or Jim James or anyone, there is a stark difference between emotionally yelling "George Bush hates Black People" and an informed opinion spoken passionately.

There are those who get political when they seek attention, and there are those who act by virtue of their knowledge and get political when they see a political moment that should be addressed.

The only ignorance is the presumption that because someone is _______, they can't have a valid opinion.

A valid opinion can only be determined after it is heard. Prima facie denial of information by means of an accusal of ignorance is ignorant in and of itself.

Point-in-case - Airing the speech from the Great Dictator during NYE was perhaps one of the most awesome experiences I've had in years. And I don't care if this was chosen for me by a teabagger or a musician or Chaplin himself.

[MMJ_fanatic]

Click the link....it is the Obama brand of health care reform.  It in no way encourages you to think freely.

"Fight Back Against the Right" is on the first freaking page.  

Yeah you're absolutely right.  Makes the site seem more like a "bash conservatism" movement than a movement to "improve access to healthcare".  How totally lame and transparent.  They blatantly try to marginalize the vocal opposition at townhalls as "right wingers".  Well sorrrry you "twist the picture to fit your agenda" people--there are overwhelming numbers who identify ON CAMERA their democrat affiliation!

[AMightyCaporal]

Click the link....it is the Obama brand of health care reform.  It in no way encourages you to think freely.

"Fight Back Against the Right" is on the first freaking page.  

Yeah you're absolutely right.  Makes the site seem more like a "bash conservatism" movement than a movement to "improve access to healthcare".  How totally lame and transparent.  They blatantly try to marginalize the vocal opposition at townhalls as "right wingers".  Well sorrrry you "twist the picture to fit your agenda" people--there are overwhelming numbers who identify ON CAMERA their democrat affiliation!

I hate the political games on both sides- I wish that it wasn't about which party did what.  instead make it "look at what these elected officials were able to come together and do!"

[NoVa_NoLa]

Click the link....it is the Obama brand of health care reform.  It in no way encourages you to think freely.

"Fight Back Against the Right" is on the first freaking page.  

Yeah you're absolutely right.  Makes the site seem more like a "bash conservatism" movement than a movement to "improve access to healthcare".  How totally lame and transparent.  They blatantly try to marginalize the vocal opposition at townhalls as "right wingers".  Well sorrrry you "twist the picture to fit your agenda" people--there are overwhelming numbers who identify ON CAMERA their democrat affiliation!

The link goes to an .org site that is pro-health care reform.  

What message do you get from clicking on any of the .com or .org sites that are anti-health care?  

It's not a big secret that the right wing has been finding any and every way to get their people out and on camera.  Dick Armey was just on Meet the Press a couple of weeks ago and was forced to acknowldege his groups part in the "grass-roots" efforts to disrupt the town-hall meetings.  If you didn't see that show, certainly you've seen some portion of the shows by the jokers on fox.  

Generally, I think the folks shouting and yelling are crazed and have been motivated by fear and misinformation to behave poorly on camera.  Just my $.02.  YMMV.  I can only hope that they have real questions that they allow their own questions/assertions to be answered.  My hope is not they they somehow turn around and support the reform -- only that they let their decision be guided by fact and fact only.