# Does Obama care to explain the fear of ACA? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [October 16, 2013, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-obama-care-to-explain-the-fear-of-aca/671445 "2013-10-16T23:26:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2013, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-obama-care-to-explain-the-fear-of-aca/671445/61 "2013-10-17T17:03:58Z")
> [@Kobal2](#): > > I have no blessed idea. But then, I’m not supporting it. I’m not even American, why should I read your dry-ass legislation ? Figuring out the French healthcare system was work enough, thankyouverymuch. > > I’m just saying, if _you_ want to know “what’s in it” and how it will work for the average voting taxpayer, the full text of the law is available to you on the interwebs, as are more digestible explanations. If you can’t be arsed to look those up but still violently oppose it… I might use another litote. I might pull out an epizeuxis. I might even have some bathos locked and loaded, you don’t even know ! Hahahaha. Thanks for adding your 2 centime worth of no information about ACA/Obamacare. I think it’s apparent that most people in this country don’t know what to expect when ACA/Obamacare finally goes into effect. Many aren’t even aware that ACA and Obamacare are the same thing??? That seems like a major hurdle. A major hurdle that the Obama nation of administrators and supporters should be trying to overcome. Or not. If you were selling Bugatti’s or Moulinex appliances, I suspect that you would make sure that your potential customers understood exactly what it was they were recieving for their Euros. That simple rule doesn’t seem to apply to ACA/Obamacare. Pass the bill so you’ll know what’s in it??? Spend years writing and rewriting the regulations while expecting the taxpaying voters to continue to simply believe that ACA/Obamacare is good for them? And it should/might/maybe be cheaper too! Verbally attacking anyone who questions your failure to provide information about what a Bugatti, Moulinex, or ACA/Obamacare will actually cost or what it specifically does, isn’t going to make you many sales. ---
**Author:** ![Airbeck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/airbeck/32/6574_2.png) [@Airbeck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airbeck)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2013, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-obama-care-to-explain-the-fear-of-aca/671445/62 "2013-10-17T17:15:50Z")
How can you hate something so much that you evidently know virtually nothing about. Especially when the entire thing has been available to the public for reading for years. Its almost like you don’t actually want to know the reality of what it does. Maybe ignorance makes it easier to stay angry, I don’t know. I thought ignorance was bliss, but not when it comes to the ACA I guess. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2013, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-obama-care-to-explain-the-fear-of-aca/671445/63 "2013-10-17T17:18:00Z")
Let’s keep the questioning of others motives/personalities to a minimum, please. No warning issued. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2013, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-obama-care-to-explain-the-fear-of-aca/671445/64 "2013-10-17T17:27:58Z")
Well, you’ve asked for it. Don’t say you weren’t warned. I don’t have to tell you how silly your line of argument from dogged, willful ignorance is. Oh yes, that’s right. Proslepsis, dawg. I went there. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2013, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-obama-care-to-explain-the-fear-of-aca/671445/65 "2013-10-17T17:30:00Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > I suspect that you would make sure that your potential customers understood exactly what it was they were recieving for their Euros. One side has made it fairly clear. The other side spreads all kinds of false and malicious information. Which side has the burden to ensure that everyone properly understands it? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2013, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-obama-care-to-explain-the-fear-of-aca/671445/66 "2013-10-17T17:30:08Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > …It is complicated. The law is complicated. The US Healthcare system is complicated. If you are unable or unwilling to do the work to understand it, blame yourself, not the law. I blame the people who created ACA/Obamacare and who have failed to provide adequate explaination of the who, what, why, and wherefores of this very complicated system for the failure of people to understand what they are being asked to support. When a politician says, “Trust me”, that’s a pretty good time to ask a whole lot of questions. Unless you object to people asking questions. Maybe when the signup system eventually(?) works, people will have a better understanding what they are getting and what it will cost. Vague generalities about why ACA/Obamacare is good for you isn’t very convincing except to the choir. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2013, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-obama-care-to-explain-the-fear-of-aca/671445/67 "2013-10-17T17:37:12Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > I think it’s apparent that most people in this country don’t know what to expect when ACA/Obamacare finally goes into effect. […] > > Verbally attacking anyone who questions your failure to provide information […] > > I blame the people who created ACA/Obamacare and who have failed to provide adequate explaination of the who, what, why, and wherefores of this very complicated system […] To repeat my earlier query back in post #48, which you don’t seem to have addressed: > [@Kimstu](#): > > What specific information are you looking for that is not provided in the document linked by **Wesley Clark** back in post #8? > > Can you tell us what information in that document comes closest to the specific information you’re looking for, and what the remaining issues are for which you want to find out more details? > > If you’re just going to go on grousing that you don’t have enough information and ignoring links that other posters supply to help you find that information, you shouldn’t be surprised that you’re not getting very far in your quest for knowledge. And by the way, just to put this in perspective: What’s your opinion on homebuyers during the subprime mortgage boom of the previous decade who took out mortgages on houses they couldn’t really afford? Was their predicament the fault of the Bush Administration government for not making sure they had full information about subprime mortgage risks and lending practices? Or was it their own responsibility to put in some effort to find out the necessary information that pertained to their case? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2013, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-obama-care-to-explain-the-fear-of-aca/671445/68 "2013-10-17T17:37:34Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > I think it’s apparent that most people in this country don’t know what to expect when ACA/Obamacare finally goes into effect. It’s becoming clear to me that in this case the problem here is not that the administration is being secretive or uncommunicative; it’s that you haven’t attempted to find out what is going on. The law is already in effect. Different provisions have been going into effect since the law was signed in 2010. What you’re thinking of is the individual mandate, which goes into effect January 1. > [@](#): > > Many aren’t even aware that ACA and Obamacare are the same thing??? Take it up with the people who decided they wanted to call it Obamacare. > [@](#): > > A major hurdle that the Obama nation of administrators and supporters should be trying to overcome. Or not. Are you ever going to acknowledge that people opposed to the law have spent years misleading people about what the law says and have told a lot of ridiculous lies about it? Somehow you’re putting that entirely on Obama. Or maybe you think like Homer Simpson: > [@](#): > > It takes two to lie, Marge. One to lie and one to listen. > [@doorhinge](#): > > Pass the bill so you’ll know what’s in it??? I already explained what this means. If you want to complain and complain without dealing with the facts, please have the decency to say so. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2013, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-obama-care-to-explain-the-fear-of-aca/671445/69 "2013-10-17T17:38:22Z")
> [@Airbeck](#): > > How can you hate something so much that you evidently know virtually nothing about. Especially when the entire thing has been available to the public for reading for years. Its almost like you don’t actually want to know the reality of what it does. Maybe ignorance makes it easier to stay angry, I don’t know. I thought ignorance was bliss, but not when it comes to the ACA I guess. If you actually “know the reality of what it does” is, then you should have no problems explaining the specifics to the masses. Many people still seem to be confused about what it is, what it does, and what it costs. On the other hand, if you don’t know the specifics, why are you attacking people for simply asking questions? If more people understood ACA/Obamacare as well as you do, there could be little opposition to it. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2013, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-obama-care-to-explain-the-fear-of-aca/671445/70 "2013-10-17T17:40:13Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > I blame the people who created ACA/Obamacare and who have failed to provide adequate explaination of the who, what, why, and wherefores of this very complicated system for the failure of people to understand what they are being asked to support. When a politician says, “Trust me”, that’s a pretty good time to ask a whole lot of questions. Unless you object to people asking questions. As I said above, no one is saying trust me. When people had incredibly specific and complicated questions on the radio, they got answers. Now, I agree that it would all be a lot easier if we had a simple single payer plan, where every American would be able to go to the doctor, show a card, get treated, and not have to worry any more. If you are for such a plan then we agree. The mess we have comes in large part from not trying to change our broken system too much and uselessly trying to compromise with Republicans. > [@](#): > > Maybe when the signup system eventually(?) works, people will have a better understanding what they are getting and what it will cost. Vague generalities about why ACA/Obamacare is good for you isn’t very convincing except to the choir. Get this through your head. The signup system is working fine in California and New York, at least. The parts of the federal system the state systems have to connect with are working fine also. People can - and plenty have - gone on the system to see what their options are. You refusing to believe this does not make it untrue, so cut the crap already. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2013, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-obama-care-to-explain-the-fear-of-aca/671445/71 "2013-10-17T17:40:16Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > If you actually “know the reality of what it does” is, then you should have no problems explaining the specifics to the masses. Many people still seem to be confused about what it is, what it does, and what it costs. Is there anything _you_ are confused about, or are you just blaming Obama for the fact that Republicans did a very effective job of lying to people about the law? [You can read plenty about the law’s key provisions here.](http://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/facts/timeline/) ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2013, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-obama-care-to-explain-the-fear-of-aca/671445/72 "2013-10-17T17:41:27Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > As for the problem with disincentive to hire full-time employees, that is unfortunate. We will have to see what the effect is as measured by peer reviewed economics studies. This really only affects large employers as I recall. Running a large business involves wrangling a lot of interrelated variables. Staffing is just one. Variables related to staffing, are morale, engagement, compensation package (further reduced to salary, retirement options, stock options, and health benefits), availability of qualified candidates in the labor pool, etc. In short, if one employer thinks taking measures to skirt providing medical insurance is a grand idea, a competetor will leap on that and offer medical insurance in order to compete for the best employees. Happy & healthy employees do better work, and that comes back to the business owner. A business that can’t grasp the fact it lives or dies at the whim of its employees deserves to fail. But that doesn’t break down into a soundbyte very well. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2013, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-obama-care-to-explain-the-fear-of-aca/671445/73 "2013-10-17T17:42:02Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > …And by the way, just to put this in perspective: What’s your opinion on homebuyers during the subprime mortgage boom of the previous decade who took out mortgages on houses they couldn’t really afford? Was their predicament the fault of the Bush Administration government for not making sure they had full information about subprime mortgage risks and lending practices? Or was it their own responsibility to put in some effort to find out the necessary information that pertained to their case? Should I assume you have grown tired of discussing the questions raised in the OP about ACA/Obamacare? ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2013, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-obama-care-to-explain-the-fear-of-aca/671445/74 "2013-10-17T17:42:12Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > If you actually “know the reality of what it does” is, then you should have no problems explaining the specifics to the masses. Many people still seem to be confused about what it is, what it does, and what it costs. > > On the other hand, if you don’t know the specifics, why are you attacking people for simply asking questions? If more people understood ACA/Obamacare as well as you do, there could be little opposition to it. If you actually have questions, why not look up one of the many people trained to answer the questions. I bet there are lots of things you don’t know - that does not mean no one knows the answer to these questions. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2013, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-obama-care-to-explain-the-fear-of-aca/671445/75 "2013-10-17T17:42:31Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Many people still seem to be confused about what it is, what it does, and what it costs. Okay, my repeated references to exactly the sort of information you claim to be seeking appear to be going over your head. Falling back on words of one syllable, magnified for easy reading comprehension: READ [THIS LINK](http://kaiserfamilyfoundation.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/8061-021.pdf). Then feel free to come back and ask for more information on specific details that you feel were not adequately addressed therein. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2013, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-obama-care-to-explain-the-fear-of-aca/671445/76 "2013-10-17T17:45:08Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Should I assume you have grown tired of discussing the questions raised in the OP about ACA/Obamacare? Not in the least. Should I assume that you are maintaining a hypocritical double standard in which you whine about the government not doing enough to inform consumers about Democratic-administration policies but expect consumers to take responsibility for informing themselves about Republican-administration policies? ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2013, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-obama-care-to-explain-the-fear-of-aca/671445/77 "2013-10-17T17:45:25Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > …Get this through your head. The signup system is working fine in California and New York, at least. The parts of the federal system the state systems have to connect with are working fine also. People can - and plenty have - gone on the system to see what their options are. You refusing to believe this does not make it untrue, so cut the crap already. According to whom? You? Perhaps if you provided a reliable cite to back up your assertion it might carry some weight. Or not. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2013, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-obama-care-to-explain-the-fear-of-aca/671445/78 "2013-10-17T17:47:17Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Should I assume you have grown tired of discussing the questions raised in the OP about ACA/Obamacare? If the OP has questions, he can ask them himself. People are trying to deal with those. You, on the other hand, haven’t raised any questions. I won’t speak for **Kimstu** but I’m certainly getting tired of it. You keep saying things like “they won’t tell anybody what’s in the law!” and “nobody knows what’s in the law!” and that’s just not true. I think it’s time you put your cards on the table. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2013, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-obama-care-to-explain-the-fear-of-aca/671445/79 "2013-10-17T17:48:08Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > Not in the least. Should I assume that you are maintaining a hypocritical double standard in which you whine about the government not doing enough to inform consumers about Democratic-administration policies but expect consumers to take responsibility for informing themselves about Republican-administration policies? I wouldn’t assume that if I were you. But I’m not you so you can assume anything you want, whether it off-topic of not. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2013, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-obama-care-to-explain-the-fear-of-aca/671445/80 "2013-10-17T17:48:39Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Perhaps if you provided a reliable cite to back up your assertion it might carry some weight. Why should he bother? It’s becoming very clear that even when people **do** provide cites to answer your questions, you don’t bother reading them. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-obama-care-to-explain-the-fear-of-aca/671445.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-obama-care-to-explain-the-fear-of-aca/671445.md?page=5)