My Grandfather, Who Has Hated President Obama, Just Called...

[PennsylvaniaMatt]

He asked if I was watching the President speak on television today....

I said "I am, and I am agreeing with him 100% (I like to rib him a little bit )

He said, "Wait, let me finish...I can't believe I'm going to say this, but I am agreeing with him too....these Republicans who won't raise the debt ceiling are assholes!"

He then went on to say how he found out today that under Obamacare, he and my grandmother are going to save $63 a month on their premiums!

We may be at a turning point here!

[BluegrassStateBlues]

1. They are falling apart

and dragging us down with them.

Glad folks like your grandparents recognize that.

[doc03]

2. Aren't they Medicare age? If so is their suppliment premium going down? n/t

[PennsylvaniaMatt]

5. They are on Medicare...and I believe it was their supplement premium....

...from Empire Blue Cross that he said was going down.

[doc03]

11. I am on Medicare and my union negotiates with the insurance companies for our suplimental insurance

they haven't anounced their rates for next year yet. Hopefuly ours goes down.

[The Last Dem.]

62. Me too.

I'm in the same boat, I think we'll be ok in end.

[Worried senior]

22. As far as I know

our Medicare supplement isn't as far as I know. Ours changes in June.

Our Part D is going to cost us a whole lot more. Trying to find something cheaper but the Medicare.gov site makes mention that due to the government shut down might not be up to date. This gets to be a nightmare. I don't know how someone a lot older and more feeble manage figuring out these plans unless they have some great help.

[jaysunb]

30. That's strange....

I was already told that two of my most expensive drugs were going down and also got a check for overcharges on another.
Guess this thing is still a work in progress.

[appleannie1]

45. Our part D went up $2.00 a month but our co-pay went down. It evened out.

[Mojorabbit]

57. I was just there yesterday wading through part d plans

and I could not make heads or tails of it. I clicked on the live link and got the message it is closed down. My part d under united quit paying for just about all my meds and requiring prior auth on everything and they denying so I have to go through appeal everytime I turn around. I too cannot fathom how some of the more elderly can figure any of it out.

[KayJay503]

36. Just goes to show ya...

SOME health care insurance companies, including those that provide Medicare supplemental insurance, were still ripping off their customers before the 80% law in the ACA took effect.

For my part, my choice for Medicare supplemental insurance apparently was a little more honest and patient/client oriented. I got a letter from them last year informing me that their standards for % of premiums paid being applied to health care exceeded the standards required under the new health care law, thus they were happy to point out that they didn't have to reimburse me.

And that's a GOOD thing.

[elleng]

3. Several DUers have reported similarly.

[DevonRex]

4. That's great!

That's a lot of savings that they can put toward something else. Hell, maybe go to a movie and have some fun. Or pay for prescriptions. But I vote for a movie and some takeout afterwards.

[PennsylvaniaMatt]

7. I agree!

Now if I was a selfish Young Republican, I would say that they should put that toward their grandson's college fund that they have set up

Knowing my grandmother, she'll start packing for the casino as soon as possible!

[DevonRex]

10. Hey, she might win. My aunt actually had to

pay income tax on her winnings every year after they built casinos in the small town my family lives in.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

47. You just tapped into something I think isn't discussed enough.

The "gambling" nature of so many Americans. They want extra money to play the lottery, or on-line poker (where there is a huge business) as well as gambling with their healthcare as my younger sister does with her husband and son. No health insurance. I don't even know if they'll look into the ACA. I should drop an email her way. I'm waiting for a few more kinks to be ironed out.

[BumRushDaShow]

6. Do they both live here in PA?

If so, that might be a good canary in the PA coal mine regarding 2014 in PA - getting Corbett out and picking up some Congressional seats.

[PennsylvaniaMatt]

8. They don't...They live in deep blue New York

But as for us here in PA, I am very optimistic about our chances of getting Corbett out as Governor and picking up some seats, especially here in Western PA in the 12th district currently held by Tea Party right-winger to the max, Keith Rothfus. I've heard that Republicans in Westmoreland County (a big GOP county) are not happy with him regarding federal funding for flood damaged areas.

[BumRushDaShow]

12. Okay. Ya'll out West need to work on Turzai

His smarmy self needs to be thrown out.

And we in the SE need to work on Meehan & Fitzpatrick and get some Democratic seats back in Congress.

[PennsylvaniaMatt]

14. Oh Turzai...ugh!

Mr. "Whoops, I just admitted out loud why we want Voter ID"....I can't stand him!

Who are you leaning toward for Governor? I'm liking all of the candidates, but I'm torn between Rob McCord and Allyson Schwartz. I'm going to have a hard time picking one next spring in the primary!

[BumRushDaShow]

33. I actually wanted Mark Singel to run

since he is known state-wide and had once been Lt. Governor.... but would probably go with Schwartz mainly because there's a possibility that Bill Clinton might throw his weight behind her like he did Kathleen Kane. He has an ability to talk to a certain demographic that's needed to put someone like Schwartz over the top - especially in a time when alot of the Central PA GOP voters hate Corbett because of the Sandusky mess. Also the person running for Schwartz's seat is Chelsea's mother-in-law...

If a Democrat does get in in 2014, that would break a 50 year precedent here in PA where each governor since ~1961 has been elected to 2 terms (although not all served them out though).

[PennsylvaniaMatt]

44. Mark Singel! Yes! He is from my county - Cambria!

I am only familiar with the name and the fact he is from Johnstown, but I would have loved to see him run!

And you are right about Central PA voters. Like I said, I'm in Cambria, kind of the border between where Western PA ends and Central PA begins, and there is not a lot of love for Corbett, even in GOP areas. Because of both the Sandusky mess and his cuts to education which have hurt a lot of rural schools.

[BumRushDaShow]

49. Didn't realize that rural folks were pissed about the education cuts

Being in Philly, the schools are in horrible financial shape thanks to Corbett but if the rest of the state was tossed under the bus too and are complaining, then hopefully that will seal it... Hoping they sit home and let Democrats take back over!

[PennsylvaniaMatt]

74. You are right....

I'm thinking that even a lot of hard core Republicans are going to have a tough time supporting Corbett. His approval is usually in the 20s, so there is a big number of self described "conservatives" that don't approve of the job he is doing.

[LaydeeBug]

9. This is *awesome*. I *love* it when they flip...

It's like watching a kernel of popcorn pop fluffy.

[sakabatou]

13. Huzzuh

[stonecutter357]

15. K&R

[Hayduke Bomgarte]

16. We may be at a turning point here!

I think I'm seeing evidence of that too.Over the past week a teabag that works where I do has been catching on that that all he's heard about the ACA has been outright lies.Haven't heard him myself but he's been heard by others wondering out loud,if the GOP lied that much about the ACA what else might they be lying about.Now this freezing of the "death benefits" concerning the five Marines has the teabag cussing about the repub congress.That I did hear some of today.

If this guy is waking up,maybe there's hope after all.

[Neoma]

72. They've fucked up big time.

[Iliyah]

17. Hallelujah

Spoke with a long time friend who is pro-Republican and a sincerely religious person who dislikes Pres O. She admitted what the current GOPers are doing is not GOD's teachings and will be looking into Obamacare. In a round about way she said now she sees what I have been trying to tell her for sometime, and said thank you.

[Lex]

18. Precisely the sort of thing that the Repubs are terrified will happen

in families all over the country.

[Scurrilous]

19. K & R

[Wounded Bear]

20. Republicans greatest fear....

is that Obamacare will work. Once it does, it will cause another generational shift ala SS. Thanks for posting that.

[nadinbrzezinski]

21. From some of the anecdotes we have heard here

or in person, we might very well be at a turning point.

[gussmith]

23. Dear Grandpa

it's all about me, me, me. You can only see principle and the greater good when some bucks are in it for you.

[Mariana]

24. That's excellent.

Most Teabaggers/Republicans/Faux Addicts refuse to listen to the President at all. I figure it's because they're so invested in their hate, they can't allow themselves to agree with anything he says, ever, under any circumstances. So, they make sure they never actually hear him say anything.

Glad your grandfather isn't like that.

[hue]

25. This is a perfect example of what Re/Teapukes were so fearful of!! Hope it spreads!!!

[Tarheel_Dem]

26. This is why the Orange man is desperate for the President to help him back in off that ledge.

And as much as I want to see the POTUS stick it to them so they don't dare do this shit again, at some point I know they'll have to sit down and give up something to avert disaster.

[Gothmog]

27. The GOP's greatest fear is that the Affordable Care Act will work

The GOP is not concerned about the Affordable Care Act being a failure but are scared that it will be a success

[nolabear]

28. Every one of these stories should be posted on Facebook. That's the one place the average RWers are

THere is SO much crap spread around, horror stories about the ACA that are most surely planted. The real, human experiences need to be shared and shared again.

[Ilsa]

29. my guess is that the gop will be afraid of its

success even if the individual mandate is delayed.

[JI7]

31. sometimes people have to personally experience it, when the death panels don't come true

and people start seeing they will save money and get other benefits.

[JI7]

32. This is why republicans want to stop Obamacare , once people realize the benefits

they will not want to give it up.

[George II]

34. A BIG turning point for Obamacare Occurred on October 1...

...when people actually began getting serious about the details when they go to sign up. I'm sure many people, even those who swallowed the repubican negative spin, are learning that it's not all that bad - in fact VERY good!

[flamingdem]

35. congrats!

You helped pave the way for a conversion, let's hope there are many more happening right now.

[CoffeeCat]

37. Your grandfather's $63 savings is why the Republicans are extorting Obama...

Obamacare will give people access to great healthcare, and in many cases, they will save money.

The sky won't fall.

The country won't implode.

The United States won't crumble into the ocean.

America will love it. Just like Massachusetts loves Romneycare. The latest poll shows that 85 percent of Mass citizens LOVE Romneycare.

That's what the Republicans are afraid of. They know that Obamacare will succeed. They know that people like your grandfather will save money.

The Republican party will be revealed as chicken-little liars and fear mongers, and they'll also be the party who tried to rob people ofa access to quality, affordable healthcare--if Obamacare is fully implemented.

They can't have that. This is why all of these Boehner tantrums are happening.

[Bay Boy]

38. So all it took for him to come around

was a little 'bribe'?

[PennsylvaniaMatt]

42. He's an old Italian guy from the Bronx!

So, in other words, yes!

Aside from the decrease in their premium, I was shocked when he sided with the President and us Democrats on this issue of the debt ceiling.

[Warpy]

39. It took 4 years of Stupid in office to wake my dad up

He hadn't voted for a Democrat since Adlai Stevenson. When he told me he was voting for Kerry, I was speechless. That doesn't happen very often.

[rightsideout]

40. Like

eom

[freshwest]

41. Called my insane bagger sister in Glennbeckistan. After listening to her insanity for years...

Last edited Wed Oct 9, 2013, 02:20 AM - Edit history (1)

She is ecstatic about Obamacare! And she sounds like a new person altogether. Amazing!

This is a little of what I've posted on her in the last year or so:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021449535#post15

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251267190#post17

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021762185#post11

Your grandfather and my sister prove why the GOP feels they must destroy Obamacare...

[sheshe2]

59. Oh, that is great news about your sister!

Congrats, freshwest!

[Tarheel_Dem]

65. +1

[Sky Masterson]

43. Awesome!!

[redstatebluegirl]

46. That is why they fight it so hard.

They know that once people are on the new Healthcare Plans they are going to love it. Once they even call and get quotes they are going to see that they have been lied to and will wonder what else they have been lied to about by these people.

[Cha]

48. Sooo Good to hear, Matt!

About the Obamacare savings, too!

[Uncle Joe]

50. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, PennsylvaniaMatt.

[ejbr]

51. Youre grandfather is missing the point: Obama's black

[Southside]

52. It's touching your grandpa calls you like that

I'm jealous and happy for your both. I will be happier for Obama if more people see that he is trying to make things better. Even if ObamaCare needs tinkering, it is a start. I have no clue about the program, but emergency rooms are not the answer.

I'm speaking to the choir, it is great to read people are doubting the Tea party on this shutdown and debt ceiling Showdown.

[LaPera]

53. "The debt ceiling so the U.S. can pay the bills that CONGRESS has already incurred"

[veness]

54. Grandpa,"I can't believe I'm going to say this, but..." LOLOL! n/t

[mehrrh]

55. truth will finally win

Your grandfather has seen the light. I am glad for him and your grandmother. Maybe now they won't be so quick to believe the rightwingers who lie to them.

[gopiscrap]

56. OMG that's great

[alfredo]

58. When it comes down to it, it is pocket book issues.

[sheshe2]

60. Congratulation Matt!

Wonderful news~

[ProSense]

69. Your OP is at the top of the rec list at Daily Kos

Grandfather Hated Obama Till He Learned The Truth

I was just perusing the Democratic Underground site’s most rec’d and came across a gem. Turns out this poster’s grandfather hated Obama. It is evident that he drank the Right Wing Cool Aid for some time.

- more -

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/10/08/1245438/-Grandfather-Hated-Obama-Till-He-Learned-The-Truth

Congrats on a wonderful turnaround.

[PennsylvaniaMatt]

70. That is AWESOME!!!

Thanks for letting me know!!

[sheshe2]

76. Matt!

You are famous!

[VPStoltz]

61. Ain't it sad that it's always $$$ that changes people's minds.

The Montgomery bus boycott didn't end because the white bus owners started liking Black folks, they folded because they were losing money.
As you can well see, they NEVER got around to liking Black folks.

[Coyotl]

63. Look out 2014! The Rs are going to get burned big time.

I can't wait!

[tallahasseedem]

64. Thank you for telling us!

I just love reading all of these posts about family, friends, etc who are coming around!

We need to fight like hell in 2014!

[JohnnyRingo]

66. My sons' six kids call me "grandpa".

...and I feel the same as yours.

They all know this and have been coached not to get grandpa's fucking blood pressure up. I can be quite cantakerous, and I swear.

[malaise]

67. Just wait for the senior citizens to discover that ReTHUGs

have been lying to them about Obamacare. Just wait.

[Conium]

68. SCOTUS needs to make a ruling.

When Congress voted to spend the money, this is when it was authorized. Any subsequent votes to raise an arbitrary debt ceiling is unnecessary.

[freshwest]

71. I'd like that, just don't know the method to bring it to them.

[Berlum]

73. I'm seeing people flip as well. The Repubbies are shitting on America, and...

Americans do not like it one bit.

[madrchsod]

75. your post was just posted on my facebook page

the post went to a friend who is a well respected liberal newspaper writer now blogger in a very conservative rockford il.