Matlock to seniors - Healthcare reform is good

[SmokeyRamone]

the word propaganda comes to mind:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100730/ap_ ... y_griffith

WASHINGTON – Actor Andy Griffith has a new role: pitching President Barack Obama's health care law to seniors in a cable television ad paid for by Medicare.

The TV star — whose role as sheriff of Mayberry made him an enduring symbol of small-town American values — tells seniors that "good things are coming" under the health care overhaul, including free preventive checkups and lower-cost prescriptions for Medicare recipients.

Polls show that seniors are more skeptical of the health care law than are younger people because Medicare cuts provide much of the financing to expand coverage for the uninsured. That could be a problem for Democrats in the fall congressional elections, because seniors vote in large numbers.

Medicare says the national ad is not political, but part of its outreach to educate seniors about new benefits available next year. The ad is slated to run on channels seniors watch, such as the Weather Channel, CNN, Hallmark and Lifetime, at an initial cost of $700,000. Griffith is 84.
________________

so they want to cut medicare and medicaid, and raise taxes on pretty much all Americans, and then decide it's a good idea to spend what will end up being millions of dollars to get Matlock to reassure old people that health care reform isn't going to fuck them over? Yeah, that makes a lot of fiscal sense. If I were in this demographic, I'd be offended at how patronizing this ad campaign is. Does the government think old people are so stupid as to be swayed by what Matlock has to say in a TV commercial. Not to mention the fact that their tax dollars are paying for the ads in the first place. Sometimes I think the government isn't going to be happy until it's fucked every single person in this country at least twice.

[Nevermind]

the word propaganda comes to mind:

.

The TV star — whose role as sheriff of Mayberry made him an enduring symbol of small-town American values — tells seniors that "good things are coming" under the health care overhaul, including free preventive checkups and lower-cost prescriptions for Medicare recipients.

[SmokeyRamone]

are the republicans using tax dollars to air their commercials? I have no problem with either side pushing whatever propaganda they want as long as they pay for it themselves, but in this case, it's being funded with tax dollars, of course medicare and medicaid lost a combined 80 billion dollars in 2008 to fraud, waste and questionable payments so I can see why they wouldn't worry about another couple million, it's not their money and they sure don't have to worry about being fiscally responsible

[tin00can]

Awesome, you don't care about propaganda as long as you don't have to pay for it.

Did you know Obama is going to come to your house, take away your guns and ammo, and euthanize grandma and grandpa? It's true!

[SmokeyRamone]

the way I see it, if an organization wants to pay for an ad, that's their right, but I have a real problem when government organizations that are funded by tax dollars pay for actors to air TV commercials. 's not a partisan issue, it's a fiscal one. Hell, all commercials are considered propaganda, in fact I regret using the word in my first post because that's not what makes me angry about the ads, it's the fact that they're wasting tax dollars on airing TV commercials

[SmokeyRamone]

The ad is slated to run on channels seniors watch, such as the Weather Channel, CNN, Hallmark and Lifetime, at an initial cost of $700,000

I may be wrong but 'initial cost' denotes hiring Matlock and making the commercial, it may or may not include the airtime they're buying, so that's at least 700 grand that medicare could have used for something useful

[MasterOfMeatPuppets]

The ad is slated to run on channels seniors watch, such as the Weather Channel, CNN, Hallmark and Lifetime, at an initial cost of $700,000

I may be wrong but 'initial cost' denotes hiring Matlock and making the commercial, it may or may not include the airtime they're buying, so that's at least 700 grand that medicare could have used for something useful

Did you know the Army/Navy/Air Force/Marines spend hundreds of millions on commercials instead of stuff actually useful to the troops?

[Hames Jetfield]

The ad is slated to run on channels seniors watch, such as the Weather Channel, CNN, Hallmark and Lifetime, at an initial cost of $700,000

I may be wrong but 'initial cost' denotes hiring Matlock and making the commercial, it may or may not include the airtime they're buying, so that's at least 700 grand that medicare could have used for something useful

Did you know the Army/Navy/Air Force/Marines spend hundreds of millions on commercials instead of stuff actually useful to the troops?

Exactly what I was thinking.

[MasterOfMeatPuppets]

Propaganda is in the eye of the beholder. I'm sure all the antiwar activists consider recruitment ads propaganda while SmokeyRamone finds them acceptable. Many government agencies purchase ads to provide information and even promote their missions.

[SmokeyRamone]

like I said, I shouldn't have used the word propaganda, the whole propaganda aspect of it bothers me a hell of a lot less than the fact that medicare is spending at least 700 grand of tax money to buy commercial time. How many prescriptions could that money buy? How many doctor visits?

obviously it's not just medicare that's at fault here. The census bureau was given a $100 million plus advertising budget, the military spends hundereds of millions of dollars a year on advertising, the Bush administration paid a guy named Armstrong Williams 250 grand to push their education agenda. the National Transportation and Safety board has been a sponsor of the Conan O'Brien and Howard Stern shows in the past.

this shit is nothing new, but it all sucks. the government is always looking for ways to raise taxes, they can never seem to take in enough money, and as far as I'm concerned, its' just fucking wrong for any government agency to have an advertising budget

[MasterOfMeatPuppets]

They have to get the word out somehow. Would you rather the media (TV, radio, etc.) were forced to give the gov't time or print space as a public service?

[SmokeyRamone]

get the word out for what exactly? What is going to be accomplished by Matlock telling seniors that the changes to medicare are good? Are they all going to magically believe him?

Commercials for are for companies who have a product or a service to push, government run agencies shouldn't be worried about pushing anything on anyone, they can all do their jobs just fine without an advertising budget

[lerxstcat]

get the word out for what exactly? What is going to be accomplished by Matlock telling seniors that the changes to medicare are good? Are they all going to magically believe him?

Commercials for are for companies who have a product or a service to push, government run agencies shouldn't be worried about pushing anything on anyone, they can all do their jobs just fine without an advertising budget

Actually, to most seniors it's Sheriff Andy Taylor, not Matlock, telling them it's good for them. It is reassuring to old folks who don't like change and are scared of losing benefits when they're on fixed incomes and don't have other options. So the peace of mind imparted might prevent as many strokes or heart attacks as a scrip of blood pressure or heart meds.

$700,000 in a country of 300 million is literally chicken feed. It's going to good use and is not materially depriving anyone. If it did, they'll hit you up for more, don't worry!

[MasterOfMeatPuppets]

get the word out for what exactly? What is going to be accomplished by Matlock telling seniors that the changes to medicare are good? Are they all going to magically believe him?

Commercials for are for companies who have a product or a service to push, government run agencies shouldn't be worried about pushing anything on anyone, they can all do their jobs just fine without an advertising budget

Actually, to most seniors it's Sheriff Andy Taylor, not Matlock, telling them it's good for them. It is reassuring to old folks who don't like change and are scared of losing benefits when they're on fixed incomes and don't have other options. So the peace of mind imparted might prevent as many strokes or heart attacks as a scrip of blood pressure or heart meds.

$700,000 in a country of 300 million is literally chicken feed. It's going to good use and is not materially depriving anyone. If it did, they'll hit you up for more, don't worry!

As good an answer as I could provide, Smokey. Probably better.

[SmokeyRamone]

yep, the government's mantra seems to be tax and spend, no matter if what they're doing is worthwhile or not, forget about the 13 trillion dollar debt, just keep spending money, as long as they keep it under a few million, most people won't care, just keep spending that money. Who cares how many prescriptions or doctor visits they could have provided with 700 grand, it's better that they use that money to tell seniors that they know what's best for them. who cares about fiscal responsibility, just keep spending because most people really don't give a fuck

[tin00can]

I'm glad you have your eyes on the prize, man. I also appreciate your steadfast-ness.

[SmokeyRamone]

what can I say, this kind of shit pisses me off, always has. If the government has this much money to throw around, then how about a permanent tax freeze? Better yet, a gradual rollback. If they can afford shit like this, then they must have enough, if not more than enough money.

[bane]

Actually, to most seniors it's Sheriff Andy Taylor, not Matlock, telling them it's good for them. It is reassuring to old folks who don't like change and are scared of losing benefits when they're on fixed incomes and don't have other options. So the peace of mind imparted might prevent as many strokes or heart attacks as a scrip of blood pressure or heart meds.

It would be nice if that's really why they were doing it instead of just trying to save a few democrat seats in November. Old people really like to vote.

[lerxstcat]

what can I say, this kind of shit pisses me off, always has. If the government has this much money to throw around, then how about a permanent tax freeze? Better yet, a gradual rollback. If they can afford shit like this, then they must have enough, if not more than enough money.

It's 0.00233333 CENTS per person, how 'bout I send you a nickel and you'll be flush again?

[lerxstcat]

Actually, to most seniors it's Sheriff Andy Taylor, not Matlock, telling them it's good for them. It is reassuring to old folks who don't like change and are scared of losing benefits when they're on fixed incomes and don't have other options. So the peace of mind imparted might prevent as many strokes or heart attacks as a scrip of blood pressure or heart meds.

It would be nice if that's really why they were doing it instead of just trying to save a few democrat seats in November. Old people really like to vote.

If it DOES give the old folks peace of mind, who cares why they did it? That's assuming your viewpoint is accurate, which is not a given.

[bane]

Actually, to most seniors it's Sheriff Andy Taylor, not Matlock, telling them it's good for them. It is reassuring to old folks who don't like change and are scared of losing benefits when they're on fixed incomes and don't have other options. So the peace of mind imparted might prevent as many strokes or heart attacks as a scrip of blood pressure or heart meds.

It would be nice if that's really why they were doing it instead of just trying to save a few democrat seats in November. Old people really like to vote.

If it DOES give the old folks peace of mind, who cares why they did it? That's assuming your viewpoint is accurate, which is not a given.

Oh come on Lerx. We both know that's the reason for it. I'm not up in arms about it. 700 grand is a drop in the bucket, but trying to paint what is so obviously election year propaganda as some sort of public service announcement is ridiculous.

[SmokeyRamone]

what can I say, this kind of shit pisses me off, always has. If the government has this much money to throw around, then how about a permanent tax freeze? Better yet, a gradual rollback. If they can afford shit like this, then they must have enough, if not more than enough money.

It's 0.00233333 CENTS per person, how 'bout I send you a nickel and you'll be flush again?

no argument that this case is small potatoes, but there are plenty of other things the government feels the need to advertise on TV and the radio, it's not even the money so much as the caviler treatment of it. I have a hard time believing the government is capable of any kind of meaningful change in the health care system when they acknowledge it's underfunded and they have to raise taxes for it, but have no problems buying TV time to push their agenda at the same time

[lerxstcat]

what can I say, this kind of shit pisses me off, always has. If the government has this much money to throw around, then how about a permanent tax freeze? Better yet, a gradual rollback. If they can afford shit like this, then they must have enough, if not more than enough money.

It's 0.00233333 CENTS per person, how 'bout I send you a nickel and you'll be flush again?

no argument that this case is small potatoes, but there are plenty of other things the government feels the need to advertise on TV and the radio, it's not even the money so much as the caviler treatment of it. I have a hard time believing the government is capable of any kind of meaningful change in the health care system when they acknowledge it's underfunded and they have to raise taxes for it, but have no problems buying TV time to push their agenda at the same time

By your logic businesses making commercials and having ads in the Yellow Pages is a waste of money. You have to advertise and that costs money.

The health care thing is gonna happen on a continuuim, gradually more encompassing. 50 years from now historians will wonder how anyone could have opposed it. A healthy society will be more productive. It's short-sighted in the extreme not to see that.

[SmokeyRamone]

business advertise to make a profit, big difference between that and using tax money to "raise awareness" especially when anyone who wants to be informed can do so without Andy Griffith being involved. Again, I'm not just talking about this case, but I think any government advertisements are a waste of money. They're not trying to make a profit, and constantly trying to find ways to raise taxes, I just don't see where advertising to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars a year accomplishes much more than pissing away money. This isn't a partisan issue, it's a government issue, a government that's famous for it's fiscal irresponsibility. There are plenty of other examples of how they love to piss away money, and this is just one of them. Fuck, maybe I am crazy, I don't always agree with you guys, but I respect your opinions, but I just can't see where whatever awareness they may raise is worth the money it costs in this, or any other case where the government feels the need to by airtime to make it's case

[bane]

The health care thing is gonna happen on a continuuim, gradually more encompassing. 50 years from now historians will wonder how anyone could have opposed it. A healthy society will be more productive. It's short-sighted in the extreme not to see that.

What does that have to do with whether or not publicly funded propaganda advertisment is right? It's the right thing to do as long as you agree with the issue? Smokey hasn't argued the healthcare issue. He's arguing using taxpayer money to try and sway public opinion. It would be the same argument if it had been Bush hiring Toby Keith to drum up war support.

[bane]

Dude, you're only calling it a public service announcement because you agree with the policy. Like I said earlier. Old people like to vote. Old people that are worried about how this law will affect them directly will hurt democrats in November. It doesn't take a rocket surgeon to figure that out. Dress it up however you want, but anybody capable of looking at this from a remotely objective view point can see this for what it is. As to the rest of your argument, I'm not here to debate the merits of the law. It has no bearing on this discussion. How I feel about Obamacare is irrelevent to the discussion.

[lerxstcat]

Dude, you're only calling it a public service announcement because you agree with the policy. Like I said earlier. Old people like to vote. Old people that are worried about how this law will affect them directly will hurt democrats in November. It doesn't take a rocket surgeon to figure that out. Dress it up however you want, but anybody capable of looking at this from a remotely objective view point can see this for what it is. As to the rest of your argument, I'm not here to debate the merits of the law. It has no bearing on this discussion. How I feel about Obamacare is irrelevent to the discussion.

It's a PSA because they are DOING IT, not talking about it. If it were a proposal you'd have a point, but this is a done deal that they are informing the public about. That's the very definition of a public service announcement. You'd LIKE the old folks to think it will hurt them, so as to not vote Democrat, I'm sure - whether it's good for them or not.

You're spinning it as propaganda because you don't agree with the policy. But it's not a question, or a plea. It's information for the people who are affected. Sorry if that irks you Bane, but it's simple fact.

[bane]

Dude, you're only calling it a public service announcement because you agree with the policy. Like I said earlier. Old people like to vote. Old people that are worried about how this law will affect them directly will hurt democrats in November. It doesn't take a rocket surgeon to figure that out. Dress it up however you want, but anybody capable of looking at this from a remotely objective view point can see this for what it is. As to the rest of your argument, I'm not here to debate the merits of the law. It has no bearing on this discussion. How I feel about Obamacare is irrelevent to the discussion.

It's a PSA because they are DOING IT, not talking about it. If it were a proposal you'd have a point, but this is a done deal that they are informing the public about. That's the very definition of a public service announcement. You'd LIKE the old folks to think it will hurt them, so as to not vote Democrat, I'm sure - whether it's good for them or not.

You're spinning it as propaganda because you don't agree with the policy. But it's not a question, or a plea. It's information for the people who are affected. Sorry if that irks you Bane, but it's simple fact.

Why do you keep assuming that you know what I want? I haven't made a single comment as to how I feel about this legislation. You have made about 5 of them. Who's the one with an agenda here? To tell you the truth, I applaud the fact that they've cut medicare. If they could clean up all the fraud and waste, I'd be a happy camper. None of that changes the fact that this is propaganda. It has nothing to do with informing the people that are affected other than trying to sway any adverse opinion come November. Go ahead and keep telling yourself that it's there as some touchy feely help the old folks message because our government really cares about their well being if it makes you feel better, but you're still just as wrong.

[MasterOfMeatPuppets]

Why is this so bad? What is wrong with them promoting this program? Is propaganda inherently wrong?

[SmokeyRamone]

if the government can afford to buy TV time to push their agenda, then they should be able to fund health care without any tax increases. If they can't, then they don't have their priorities straight. Like I already said in this post, if the government can afford to piss away hundreds of millions of dollars on TV and radio ads, taxes should be capped at the level they're currently at, and gradually rolled back. Spending millions to advertise when you're not trying to make a profit is just dumb, doing it with tax dollars shows how fucked up and out of touch these bureaucrats really are. Maybe if we didn't have a 13 trillion dollar deficit, and the government wasn't going to raise taxes to fund health care and schools were properly funded and there wasn't a single pothole anywhere in the country and the middle class weren't being slowly pushed into a 50%+ tax bracket, maybe then a few TV or radio spots wouldn't hurt, until that happens, they're just pissing away tax money