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What an incredible week!

New polling data demonstrates that the majority of Americans do not want the liberal Democrat version of healthcare reform.  According to Rasmussen, while 53% of voters oppose the entire “ObamaCare” package, 57% oppose any reform that includes a single payer system.  In another poll, 52% of Americans believe that the “town hall protesters” are expressing authentic outrage against the Senators and Representatives who turn a deaf ear toward their constituents.

Yet, in spite of this data, Democratic leaders continue to belittle and marginalize the growing opposition to their leftist agenda.  Democrat Nancy Pelosi – majority leader in the House – attacked opponents of healthcare reform, falsely claiming that they carried “swastikas” into town hall forums.  Harry Reid – majority leader in the Senate – called opponents “evil-mongers.”  And Robert Gibbs – President Obama’s Press Secretary -called them K-street lobbyists.

After a town hall meeting in Pennsylvania, Democratic Senator Arlen Specter stated that the attendees who overwhelmingly oppose healthcare reform do not represent the majority opinion.  Contradicting the above polling data, Specter said, “I think they’re vocal.  I don’t think they’re representative.“

Although frustrating, for many of us this disconnect with reality is no surprise.  For months now, we have been calling our legislators in Washington.  We have sent them emails, postcards and letters.  And we have attended “tea parties” and town halls across the United States.  Our message has been clear and consistent.  Regardless of who the current President is, we oppose increased government spending.  We oppose tax increases of all kinds. And we oppose increased government regulation that empowers unions and government bureaucrats.   But instead of listening, our Leaders and Representatives passed the $787 billion stimulus, nationalized two U.S. auto manufacturers, passed “Cap and Trade” (in the U.S. House), and are now considering Government managed health care (3 out of 3 committees have passed current legislation in the House, and 1 out of 2 committees have passed current legislation in the Senate).

The good news is that the House and the Senate were not able to bring the healthcare bill up for a final vote before the August recess.  And now, our leaders are forced to face well-informed and frustrated attendees at town hall meetings all over the country.

Three terrific guests join me on the program this week to discuss these events.  Tim Hayes-of Tim Hayes Consulting-analyzes two recent speeches on health care reform to illustrate the importance of substance over style in political discourse.  Tim points out that the well articulated and carefully delivered messages that we have grown to expect from President Obama may sound good, but they lack important details.  As a result, Americans have become increasingly skeptical of Obama’s agenda.

Jerry Bowyer, economist, syndicated columnist, and CNBC contributor discusses what he believes are the underlying causes of the frustration surrounding the town hall meetings.  He also articulates the devastation that Obama’s healthcare reform will bring to our economy and healthcare system if it becomes law.

Finally, Dr. Patrick Forrest, an Anesthesiologist who practices in Tennessee discusses the failure of two government run programs – Medicare and “TennCare” – to limit costs and provide quality care.  The bottom line is that whether it is Canada, Great Britain, or the United States, government run healthcare always produces the same results, increased costs and decreased care.

We must continue to hold our legislators accountable and to tell them to vote “NO” on H.R. 3200.