Hell No, You Can't: Obama and Boehner Duet at Last

This is so on target! Thanks for including this video this morning.

I’m a republican, 50+ year old, white, male, small business owner.

Boehner does not speak for me (even though he might think he does)! There are a lot more people like me than Boehner happens to realize.

Yes We Can!

Film Class 101: even though the original film was shot months before Boehner’s shout, the singers in that film seem to be reacting to him. This technique works, and it’s dangerous.

Yes, we can.

After Palin’s speech at the Republican convention I made my first ever donation to a political campaign–Obama’s. After watching this clown, I guess I’ll have to max out my donation in 2012,

I did not see this video in its earlier form, but this is extraordinary and can have, I suspect, a similar effect to the effect that Thomas Nash’s political cartoons had on Tammany Hall politicians over a century and a half ago – graphically displaying reality as no words alone can.

While I strongly agree with the Dems’ position on this issue, at the same time this video is about as disingenuous as most right wing attacks. It’s one 4 syllable clip taken out of context and played over and over again. It’s appealing if you already agree with the position argued (that Republicans have only one thing to say), but certainly not persuasive if you’re trying to convince anyone else. I love the idea, but imho a truly worthwhile video would integrate many clips of different right-wing leaders arguing the same exact point over and over. Otherwise, it’s the same as taking a photo of Obama at a bad angle and running it under a headline announcing “Obama Defeated?” Compelling, but ultimately a cheap gimmick to grab the attention of the faithful.

I only say this as one of those faithful, who’d like to see more persuasive arguments from his side after all.

Taken out of context? Actually it may be spot on, have to check that…

as you said, there are lot more of us than he realizes.

I am another,
Independent, 50 year old, white, male, small business owner.

He doesn’t speak for me either.

Yes We Can!

Hate and lies only gets you so far. Truth and optimism triumphs over “Hell No You Can’t”. Yes We Can and Yes We Did with Health Care Reform! Thank you Mr President!

Brilliant! A political statement that is a piece of art. Like David’s “Death of Marat”, it speaks to the heart.

Just because it is a four syllable sound bite does not mean it is out of context. The republics have made a policy of saying no to anything from the Democrats, regardless of how beneficial it will be to the country or even if they had supported it earlier. Having a motto of “Yes We Can” is miles away from a motto of “Hell no you can’t!” It is our job to frame their words as they have been framing ours for years. We have finally caught up!

This video does a beautiful job of juxtaposing the forces of hope against those of fear, but it also casts that struggle unfairly as a generational conflict. Every entertainer in the video lending their celebrity in the cause of progress is considerably younger than their muse, the president. The forces of NO, represented by the mummified Boehner, are presumed to be the older generation who just won’t get out of the way after screwing up so badly.

Barack Obama is the first US president younger than I am. But my age has nothing to do with my attitude about change—bring it on!—or my faith in the basic goodness of people. Yes we can make this a better world for all.

Thanks to Frank Rich of the NY Times for linking to this video in his Sunday op-ed column.

Approaching my 70th year I must humbly disagree with the view that this video depicts a generational gap.

The calm sweet tone of Yes We Can juxtaposed with the outraged shouts of Mr Boehner is exactly what we need to see. The voice of fear trying to shout down the voices of hope.

I am neither Democrat nor Republican. I am a fiscal conservative and a social liberal. I find the philosophies fit well together.

I did expect to see the left praise this video. I did not expect to see avowed Republicans speak the same language. Without a more moderate Congress this nation is in deep trouble. You who have commented here must make the moderate voice heard loud and clear.

I’m 65, white, male (last time I checked anyway), regular at church. I worked full-time for Obama and will work full full-time for Congressmember Mary Jo Kilroy (Ohio 15) & other Dems this year. Note to “rongoodman”: congrats and thanks. But we need donations this year too and also volunteers .

Yes We Can! Yes We Did! And; Yes We Will Again! But we won’t if we don’t have max help from people like you, “rongoodman” and all of the others (of whatever race, age, gender etc.) who are saying, “Yes We Can!” on this page.

Angry white men on Viagra: the Republican base.

I think this is the first message board I’ve seen in months on which people are not yelling at each other and/or using absolutely ridiculous slurs! Make no mistake, civility is a legitimate achievement these days…

Yes we can.

http://www.binscorner.com/pages/d/death-threats-against-bush-at-protests-i.html

don’t forget, don’t forget

More deception and subversion by the left. Whoever made this video is warped. Boehners statement taken out of context to be manipulated like this is absurd, as well as obscene. The fact the those on the left accept such corrupt and immoral activities as this kind of subterfuge and deception is telling. Any behavior, regardless of how immoral or corrupt, is acceptable as long as they win. This is foul play, and a good example to honest Americans what the left is really all about. Twisting, lying, deceiving, subverting, manipulating, ridiculing, villifying, marginalizing, cheating, distorting, goading, are simply tactics in their playbook, as this is so clearly an example of. This is more of an exposure of their immoral nature and corruption than anything else. Thanks for putting this up so all can see what you’re really all about.

The ignorant amonst minorities and name calling, corrupt, and immoral individuals: The democratic base

Yeah, looks like you need to check that… the rest of us know. We watched the full Boehner speach prior to seeing this ridiculous bit of tomfoolerly.

I am yet another 50 year old small business owner for whom the tea party is a scary group, reminiscent of the hate mongers of earlier, disgraceful times in our country’s history–all that is missing from some of them are the white hoods. They make no sense and yet they purport to speak for the rest of us. We can’t sit back and assume it is okay to be a silent majority. We have to make sure our elected officials know that we approve of what they did in passing Health Reform and keep telling them that yes, we can.

The comment above calls it twisting and lying to post the video showing Boehner’s comment in that context. Well, what context is the correct one? If the majority of our elected officials cannot pass a bill they believe in, and one which unbiased polls show Americans want, what is the context of his insisting the Democrats can’t act? The Republicans took away civil liberties when they had the power. The Dems are trying to enact social remedies. It shouldn’t be an “us” against “them” mentality but the Republicans refuse to budge and refuse to negotiate. And they refuse to tell the truth even now about this bill.

Voices of sanity are in the majority here. We are all aware of the context from which John Boehners “Hell no you can’t” was taken.

I am sure that we are all aware that the extreme left is as guilty as the extreme right in committing acts of insanity from the temper of Boehner’s speech to threats agtainst others.

What is not needed is someone from either of the extremes commenting here. Get a grip and understand that you are in the minority here.

The video is entertaining in one respect but in another displays the lack of decorum that we expect in those we elect. The words of Boehner are the words of a man who either cannot or will not compromise.

If you think that I believe that this is exclusively a Republican trait you are dead wrong. What this nation needs is to hear the voices of the majority like those here who can speak with civility from the middle..

“What this nation needs is to hear the voices of the majority like those here who can speak with civility from the middle..”

Agreed.

“Hell no you can’t” has become the Republican mantra this past year. Even when some of their own ideas were added to the health insurance reform bill the Republicans refused to negociate in good faith. And there are nearly 200 bills sitting in the Senate, which already passed the House-many with bipartisan support. Senate Republicans are refusing to allow any of these bills to come up for debate. Boehner and his followers are saying “Hell no” to do any work.

Sadly, the Democrats have been guilty of the same unsavory tactics in the past. Being in the House or Senate has become more about doing whatever is necessary to stymy the opposition, especially for the party not in power, then it is about doing what is right for the country.

According to the polls run in Canada by Quinnipiac U. these rabid republican droolers represent maybe 13% of the population. So why, I ask the media, are you covering them like they represent 80% of the population? Of all the women who are doing wonderful progressive things in politics and actually getting something done, why do I keep hearing about Sarah Palin like she has something to contribute? PLEASE GIVE ME SOME REAL FACTS. The same goes for the John Boehner nut jobs. Please, media, cover something worth covering?

Here’s the context:

“And look at how this bill was written. Can you say it was done openly, with transparency and accountability? Without backroom deals, and struck behind closed doors, hidden from the people? Hell no, you can’t!”

Anyone care to disagree with him? If so, read more.

In view of the context (you say you’re aware of it), that Democrats couldn’t say they hadn’t had some opaque, shady deals to get the bill past, why should he compromise?

You want leaders to compromise on ethical conduct or to avoid transparency? Or is buying representatives’ votes with earmarks acceptable to you?

Yes we can what? Lie? Avoid transparency and accountability?

Context:
“And look at how this bill was written. Can you say it was done openly, with transparency and accountability? Without backroom deals, and struck behind closed doors, hidden from the people? Hell no, you can’t!”

Well, the Repubs tend to be the party of NO — that seem doubtless.

If only the healthcare bill weren’t designed to enrich insurance companies even more; it seems that its provisions are really designed to do just that.

I am afraid that the responsibility for electing Congressmen on both sides is the responsibility of we, the voters.

The majority here are moderates on both sides of the spectrum. It is necessary that our voices be heard.

I have gotten so tired of the emails that I receive containing lies and twisted truth that I have begun writing on Facebook. Over time I believe we can convince the misinformed on both sides that moderation is the only answer to political stalemate in Congress.

If any of you have a presence on the internet, use it to spread the message. If you do not have a presence please try to get one.

I see some here have the ability to present a well written case for moderation.

We must begin to elect Congressmen who can think and compromise instead of Congressmen with an agenda.

Yes, well when you got a lot of wood and nothin’ to build, you tend to get cranky … and since ya got a constant hammer in yr pants – so to speak- you start lookin’ for things to swing it at….

Your statement about civility today is profound, on target and sadly unfortunate

It comes down to fear of leadership from those who aren’t white males.

Anything you can do we can do better;

Obama can do anything better than you.

viral videos haha!

Right. Like saying that end-of-life counseling is going to lead to death camps?

“Yes we can.” WHAT?

Destroy the US Economy – YES, YOU HAVE!
Destroy the Country – YES, YOU HAVE!
Destroy Small Business – YES, YOU HAVE!
Destroy the Middle Class – YES, YOU HAVE!
Destroy Real Estate Values – YES, YOU HAVE!
and now
Destroy HealthCare – YES, YOU HAVE!

NICE WORK! RETARDS!
(in Bidens words: Nice F’n Work)

Read MUCH? You missed a few comments! Or do you just “ignore” (due to LIBERAL BIAS BLINDNESS)!

Oh, and as for your “civility” comment, PLEASE go explain that to PELOSI! (she has NO CLUE much less any SOUL/HEART)!

Yes they CAN:
SCREW the AMERICAN PEOPLE
PULL the WOOL over the DEMO-SHEEPS eyes!
LIE to the people

How come THEY (Congress/Senate/etc.) don’t have to BE IN “THEIR” HEALTHCARE PLAN????

How come THEY (Congress/Senate/etc.) don’t have to BE IN “THEIR” RETIREMENT PLAN (Social Security)????

How come THEY (Congress/Senate/etc.) GET MILLION $$$ RETIREMENT PLANS (after 1 (ONE) TERM)????

nwcboy…

all of that stuff started years ago!!

Jobs going over seas is what has destroyed the US economy. That started when Reagan was in office.

Lack of regulations is what destroyed small business and the middle class–bank deregulation started under Reagan!!

Real estate values had to come down, bubbles always burst, no matter which party is in power.

The health care industry as it has been for the past 100+ yrs. has been proven to be unsustainable. Ask any economist. And many of the provision Obama had included in the bill turned out to be ideas Republicans had previously supported. The sad fact is, all of these ideas are nothing more than pro-insurance ideas that will nothing but make more money for the insurance companies. Yes, there are some consumer protections, but I’m sure there are loopholes the attorneys will find and the insurance companies will use to their the great advantage for years before the Washington does anything to fix them.

If your upset about this video, wait until you see the one where Boehner tells Democrat colleague Dreihaus “Your A Dead Man!” Or the one where he’s removed off the floor in handcuffs for terrorist threats.

Well said. Sarah may be “Just darn cute enough to be President,” but where is the coverage of women actually doing something constructive? You could start with Brooksley Born. She saw the dangers of the unregulated banking industry and the coming collapse of ’07′ 08. But was told to back-off by Greenspan, Rubin, and Summers.

The ONLY “good” thing about GOV-RUN HealthCare, is that guess what is “implied” or and end-result:

TORT REFORM – As a US Citizen, you can’t SUE the Fed Gov for it’s mistakes! So go ahead and make all the health care GOV controlled – it puts all the SCUMBAG LIBERAL LAWYERS OUT OF BUSINESS, along with the SUE-HAPPY LOSERS!

Poor erieangel, blaming Reagan, REALLY? You are really DUMB! He and his fight against Russia, CREATED 100,000s of jobs in military manufacturing industries (for YOUR UNION SCUM)!

And BARNEY FRANK (Dem) and his buddies KILLED the Mortgage/Business by NOT regulating it and letting ANY RETARD have a Mortgage, because they “deserve to be “GIVEN” the American Dream”!

Yes, but unfortunately the “bubble” burst on OBAMAs’ watch, so according to YOUR de-railed train of thought, it IS OBAMAS’ FAULT!

But why was there a “buble” in the first place – because ANY RETARD could buy a house and GET a mortgage (THX to BARNEY), whether they SHOULD have one or not, and whether they can AFFORD it or not!

MANDATING Health “INSURANCE” was NOT the answer, “Health ‘CARE’ for ALL”, WAS the GOAL, so WHY is INSURANCE even in this?

Just so happens I don’t belong to a union and wouldn’t join one if my life depended on it. Nobody I know belongs to a union unless they are unlucky enough to work in a “closed shop”.

You site military spending? The economy can not thrive indefinately on military spending. When are you Republicans going to get THAT!! And when are you Republicans going to get that just because another country doesn’t necessarily like us or have positive relations with us they are not out to destroy us? No other country is at the constant readiness for warthat the US has been since WWII. And no other country views itself as the police-state like the US. I recent having my tax dollars go for missiles and nukes that will most likely never be used when I would much rather see my daughter have affordable health care.

Inherent in conservative values is the desire to inhibit social and political change. This is because the current system benefits a certain group of people and changing it toward a path of less inequality (economic, socioeconomic, etc) is not desirable. So, then, if he doesn’t speak for you, why are you a Republican? These are the values Republicans hold dear and have held for a long time. The only thing I can think of is that you’re a religious man… Well, do you buy into all that “Democrat = Satan” nonsense? I’m a Christian democratic socialist and I can tell you, if you read the bible, it certainly doesn’t teach things like less service to the poor, increasing the income inequality gap, lowering taxes on the top 2%, lessening banking regulations, torture, no healthcare for people who can’t afford it, scapegoating of undocumented workers, the economic and social exploitation of children in foreign countries for their goods and services, the support a child slavery through money votes sent across the globe, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc. Start reading the bible and stop listening to politicians tell you which side “God is on”.

But thank goodness you can STILL put RANDOM words INTO CAPS LOCK.

Good to see another member of the Christian left supporting things for underprivileged folk. :) Keep fighting on, brother.

For those of you who believe that the Democrats have been responsible for the economic situation that we are now in, I would ask that you read a blog that I put together at: http://waggoner41.blogspot.com/2010/03/economics-part-i-impact-of-presidential.html.

Every presidential administration, except three, made gains in the debt to GDP ratio. The three who produced negative losses while in office were Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush. Even Bill Clinton made positive gains while the Republicans were the majority in Congress.

I am not a Democrat, I am a fiscal conservative and as such I research economics. The basis of the figures is taken from economic reports and the economic record speaks for itself.

While the figures are problematic in that the president proposes the budget, it actually originates in the House and is approved by the Senate. The fact is that the president ALWAYS has the option of vetoing the budget.

There are many other concerns that I have with pork barrell spending that is negotiated away to garner enough votes to pass other legislation.

Any argument that blames one side or the other is utter crap and is done with bias and without research or facts. All politicians are responsible for the waste in government.

Uh-oh. Another industry on the ropes. However I can’t think of anyone more deserving.

If you are happy with the insurance that you have you are not forced to change. Illegal immigrants are not covered and families with children have the opportunity to obtain medical insurance with assistance from the government. If you believe this last to be socialized medicine you have no compassion for those children. Imperfect as it is the healthcare legislation is a step in the right direction and to label it as socialized medicine is incorrect. Like any other legislation it will require further work. It will NOT break this nation.

If you believe the emails that are being circulated or Rush Limbaugh and think anything above is untrue you have not bothered to research what is in the bill and probably will continue to live in the dark.

From what I understand the new legislation does contain language to limit frivolous medical lawsuits. That in itself will drive down the cost of medical care

In 1980 my mother died as a result of errors by doctors, it happens, and my family never sued yet I have a brother who is apolitical and would sue anyone if he thought he could gain anything.

There are some who think that they have never erred in the performance of their work and that doctors are super-humans who sit at the right hand of God and their work should necessarily be flawless.

There is a part of the American citizenry that doesn’t bother to think.

Waggoner, I know all about errors by doctors. For as long as I can remember, my mother has carried a few extra pounds. Then about 15 yrs. ago she started having some health problems and in the process began to drop weight. She’s now a shadow of her former self. And for all those years, numerous doctors did little more than treat her symptoms until about a month ago when she landed herself in the emergency room for the second time in less than three months. A smart trama doctor decided to do an abdominal CATscan. Ten days later, that was followed by a biopsy at UPMC Medical Center, about 2 hrs from where we live. She has stage 4 pancreatic cancer. And from what the doctors have been telling us, all those symptoms, her weight loss, everything, was because of the cancer. Stupid doctors all those years didn’t bother to look at why she was sick, just treated the symptoms. And now the cancer has already grown on her liver as well. The Cancer Center there is little hope of anything beyond chemo extending her life expectency, but they won’t say how long that might be.

Interesting link which beg the myth that Reagan and both Bushes were three of the best presidents ever. Trickle down economics and deregulation don’t work for the same reason that communism doesn’t work–none of these philosophies take into account man’s inate greed.

In the video both “Yes We Can” and “Hell No You Can’t” are taken out of context. One is an affirmation and the other is an angry rant. It would be best if our political conversations had more affirmation and less angry rant.

Political discussions work best when those having the discussion talk about what they want to do, not what they want to prevent. The best way to prevent an action is to replace it with a better action. Just stopping an action creates a vacuum and goodness knows what can come in to fill a vacuum.

I reside in Costa Rica as an ex patriot who loves his country.

My wife was diagnosed with breast cance on January 15, 2009. We did not yet have our residency extablished and thanks to a compassionate employee of the Migracion department we were able to push her thrugh in 3 1/2 months. It took another month to get her into the medical system and then another 2 week wait for a bed in the hospital. She had surgery last June and has been diagnosed as cancer free but had to go through 33 treatments of radiation therapy as a follow up.

In Costa Rica we have a national healthcare system. Socialized healthcare. The healthcare system has been in place for 61 years and is still evolving for the better.

I have read the overview of the healthcare legislation and it is a good start. Like every piece of legislation it is initially imperfect. Like Costa RIca the U.S. will make changes to this legislation as the need is seen. There are two things that are needed in the States right now. Patience and the knowledge that no president wants to go down in history as the only president that mismanaged his responsibilities worse than George Bush.
After the tech stock debacle many investors put their money into the mortgage lendng market. The Bush administrations hands off policies regarding business allowed the lenders to get creative in their loan packages. Stated Income loans, variable rate loans that were affordable at the time but doomed to foreclosure in the future and many other tactics to make a buck were dreamed up. The beginning of the recession was assured when the investment and banking industries bought packages of these bad loans without knowing the time bomb that they contained.
Now we have Obama and pray that he is able to guide the political process in such a way that this comes to an end without much further damage.
The healthcare bill, and I have read an overview, is a good one that will end up paying for itself. Costly to set up, costly in the short term but in the end will lower healthcare and health insurance premiums. Read the overview here:
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/30942294/House-Passes-Health-Care-System/

Vacuum, yes. Health insurance industry sucking the life savings out of people who need health care. The only true and logical solution to this vacuum is to nationalize health care.