A Washington-based campaign finance group has named U.S. Sen. Richard Burr, a Winston-Salem Republican, an "insurance puppet" for the political contributions he has taken from insurance companies.
The Public Campaign Action Fund has an ad on the website fivethirtyeight.com depicting the North Carolina Republican on puppet strings, reports Lynn Bonner. The group connects Burr's opposition to the federal health insurance legislation to the insurance donations.
The Public Campaign Action Fund describes itself as a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that promotes public financing of campaigns.
Comments
Re: Group calls Burr an "insurance puppet"
December 9, 2009 - 3:44pm — southernrockSaintPinehurst - great research - can you please bill Mr. Krummy reporter your time since he did not execute his duty as an objective journalist.
And apparently there are still some Kool-Aid drinkers that read Under the Dome (the post below this one).
For all of the liberals - Is it fair to consider Hagan a puppet for the Democratic party instead of a voice for North Carolinians since she accepted money from DSCC and Chuckie Schumer to the tune of $21 million dollars...
Re: Group calls Burr an "insurance puppet"
December 7, 2009 - 9:35am — MalleusMaleficarumBurr is a puppet - and insurance puppet, a corporate puppet, a lobbyist puppet, in fact, Burr never saw a rich puppeteer he didn't like.
Re: Group calls Burr an "insurance puppet"
December 6, 2009 - 11:11am — SaintPinehurstRoro -
According to OpenSecrets.org, Burr has taken (accepted?) $572,000 from the "Health Sector" in the current cycle (2005-2010). My math puts that at $115,000 per year. Hagan $170,000. I'll be generous and divide Hagan's take over two years - for $85,000 per year. Are you saying Hagan is just on her WAY to being biased?
If you break down the Burr numbers at OpenSecrets.org, you find some interesting things:
$262,000 from pharmaceutical manufacturers - and they SUPPORT the Reid bill.
$173,000 from health professionals - the AMA also SUPPORTS the Reid bill.
$132,000 from insurance (according to the site, that includes life, property and car insurance companies, agents and brokers, as well as health insurers) - I gather, with the exception of AARP, they OPPOSE the bill.
$87,000 from hospitals and nursing homes - and I think the hospital lobby SUPPORTS the Reid bill.
On the other hand, Chuck Schumer has taken $452,000 from the "Health Sector" in the same time frame... Harry Reid has taken $1,000,000 from the "Health Sector". Might be fun to look at Chris Dodd ($746,000) and Max Baucus ($2,000,000!), too.
I wonder if the take for senior Democrats in the Senate explains all the deals they've been cutting with the "Health Sector" to get them to back the Reid bill.
Re: Group calls Burr an "insurance puppet"
December 6, 2009 - 9:52am — RoroCAPoliticalZoon,
Kay Hagan may have taken 170k but Burr took in at least 10 times that amount. I want to say 1.7 million.
Given that, who do you think is going to be less biased.
All these politicians are in bed with special interest. Their job should be to do what is best for Americans, a concept long ago forgotten.
Re: Group calls Burr an "insurance puppet"
December 6, 2009 - 9:23am — rapidtransitThese puppets remind me of the puppets who supported NAFTA. After the vote it was learned that many of them never read that bill either. Are those for Obamacare puppets? or are they boot lickers? Does Obama's escalation of the Afghan War make him a puppet of the military complex? Is there a national standard as to what makes you a puppet?
Re: Group calls Burr an "insurance puppet"
December 6, 2009 - 12:14am — politicalzooncI think it would be fair to point out that Kay Hagan has taken $170k (50k from insurance companies, 50k from hospitals, 70k from "health professionals") and she has been in office less than a year. Since it was not mentioned in the article I thought I would mention it.
Re: Group calls Burr an "insurance puppet"
December 5, 2009 - 10:12pm — SaintPinehurstA liberal group places an ad on a liberal website, and it rates as "news" to the N&O? Will the N&O give equal time when conservative third party groups place ads against Marshall/Lewis/Cunningham on conservative websites?
Is there a difference between paid media and earned media anymore when it comes to liberals, or is just "media" now?
So you've done the piece on how PCAF describes itself... when will you do the story on what it really is?
Re: Group calls Burr an "insurance puppet"
December 5, 2009 - 11:57am — ishleyhttp://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200909/health-care
This article' about six pages long. It explains, more clearly than any other article I've ever read, how and why our health care system is so expensive and ineffective. The bottom line? Health insurance should be like every other insurance: for catastrophic emergencies rather than routine costs. You don't use your car insurance for an oil change, and you don't use your homeowner's insurance to repaint your house.
Our natural free-market power to act as consumers, which in almost every other industry generates improvement in quality and decrease in cost, is taken away by the over-reliance on insurance. Insurance by nature creates moral hazard and completely rearranges our economic incentives for healthy living. The lack of growth in middle-income wages is largely attributable to soaring health care costs, as is lots of our national budget deficit. And administrative costs of insurance run at over $500 per person per year.
The current health care reform does not address the fundamental flaws with our "insurance-for-every-expense" system of health care.
Re: Group calls Burr an "insurance puppet"
December 5, 2009 - 11:17am — SouthsideJohnnyName one member of Congress who is not a puppet of at least one special interest group. The real power is in the hands of the lobbyists.
Re: Group calls Burr an "insurance puppet"
December 5, 2009 - 8:51am — captainjackI would like to thank all the Democrats in public office for not taking campaign donations from insurance companies. I'm sure this political action group is as pure as the driven snow and their only intent is to shed light on a darkened world.
Re: Group calls Burr an "insurance puppet"
December 5, 2009 - 6:07am — tjfooseMr Krueger,
You might want to ask your alma mater for a refund. Judging from your work, you were shortchanged by the journalistic education they provided you.
Re: Group calls Burr an "insurance puppet"
December 5, 2009 - 6:01am — tjfoosebnartist - think before you comment.
Southernrock obviously did read the article. He was merely asking the reporter to do his job, not serve as a mouthpiece for the Public Campaign Action Fund (PCAF).
We don't care what they call themselves, we want to know what they are, what they support, and from where/who they get their funding. Those facts are critical to put their claims in perspective. This article is not journalism, it is a PSA for PCAF.
Re: Group calls Burr an "insurance puppet"
December 5, 2009 - 5:49am — tjfoosegranddaddy123 - Please send me your address so I can bill you for my medical insurance.
Nothing that requires the labor of others is a right.
Re: Group calls Burr an "insurance puppet"
December 4, 2009 - 9:16pm — captainjack"The Public Campaign Action Fund describes itself as a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that promotes public financing of campaigns."
I describe myself one way yet others see me another way? When I describe myself am I biased? Help me, Dome.
Re: Dear Bill Krueger
December 4, 2009 - 8:42pm — bnartistRead before attacking:
Re: Group calls Burr an "insurance puppet"
December 4, 2009 - 7:38pm — granddaddy123Who is surprised that a Republican is a puppet of the insurance companies? The surprise would be if those who think it is ok for people in this country to be deprived of health care could look in the eyes of suffering children and tell them they are not worth being given health care. This is not a republican or democratic issue; it is a mankind issue. Currently we are failing, and the insurance company moguls want to keep it that way. How sad for all of us.
Dear Bill Krueger
December 4, 2009 - 4:32pm — southernrockYour assertion "The Public Campaign Action Fund describes itself as a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that promotes public financing of campaigns" is nothing short of a lie. Do some research...you are a paid reporter.
Here is what I found in five minutes of research for free...
The top two contributors to the group are:
$185,000 Pat Stryker Philanthropist Ft. Collins CO 10/02/08
$122,000 Colorado First Colorado First Project Denver CO 10/01/08
Pat Stryker actually has given millions to 'Colorado First"..
Pat Stryker is well-known as being extremely progressive and happens to be a multi-billionaire willing to spend his money for his liberal ideas. Ask the citizens of Colorado and Michigan the back door role he plays in politics.
A simple search in OpenSecrets produced the following results:
STRYKER, PAL
FORT COLLINS,CO 80524 KEN SALAZAR FOR COLORADO/STAFF 6/21/07 $2,300 Durbin, Dick (D)
STRYKER, PAT
FORT COLLINS,CO 80524 RETIRED/NONE 5/18/07 $28,500 DNC Services Corp (D)
STRYKER, PAT
FORT COLLINS,CO 80524 N/A/PHILANTHROPIST 7/31/06 $15,000 Democratic Congressional Campaign Cmte (D)
STRYKER, PAT
FORT COLLINS,CO 80524 SELF/PHILANTHROPIST 9/8/05 $10,000 Democratic Party of Colorado (D)
STRYKER, PAT
FORT COLLINS,CO 80524 SELF/PHILANTHROPIST 6/5/06 $10,000 Democratic Party of Colorado (D)
STRYKER, PAT
FORT COLLINS,CO 80524 N/A/PHILANTHROPIST 3/31/07 $10,000 Democratic Congressional Campaign Cmte (D)
STRYKER, PAT
FORT COLLINS,CO 80524 SELF/PHILANTHROPIST 4/30/09 $10,000 Democratic Party of Colorado (D)
STRYKER, PAT
FORT COLLINS,CO 80524 RETIRED/RETIRED 5/29/09 $10,000 DNC Services Corp (D)
STRYKER, PAT
FORT COLLINS,CO 80524 SELF EMPLOYED/PHILANTHROPIST 7/25/06 $9,000 Democratic Party of Arizona (D)
STRYKER, PAT
FORT COLLINS,CO 80524 SELF/PHILANTHROPIST 5/8/07 $7,500 Democratic Party of Colorado (D)
STRYKER, PAT
FORT COLLINS,CO 80524 SELF/PHILANTHROPIST 5/1/08 $7,500 Democratic Party of Colorado (D)
Stryker, Pat
Fort Collins,CO 80524 Retired/Retired 6/12/08 $5,000 DNC Services Corp (D)
STRYKER, PAT
FORT COLLINS,CO 80524 SELF/PHILANTHROPIST 2/26/07 $2,500 Democratic Party of Colorado (D)
STRYKER, PAT
FORT COLLINS,CO 80524 SELF/PHILANTHROPIST 2/26/08 $2,500 Democratic Party of Colorado (D)
STRYKER, PAT
FORT COLLINS,CO 80524 SELF/PHILANTHROPIST 3/17/09 $2,400 Bennet, Michael F (D)
STRYKER, PAT
FORT COLLINS,CO 80524 SELF EMPLOYED/PHILANTHROPIST 3/29/09 $2,400 Markey, Betsy (D)
STRYKER, PAT
FORT COLLINS,CO 80524 SELF/PHILANTHROPIST 5/1/09 $2,400 Perlmutter, Edwin G (D)
STRYKER, PAT
FORT COLLINS,CO 80524 BOHEMIAN COMPANIES/OWNER 7/6/07 $2,300 DeGette, Diana (D)
STRYKER, PAT
FORT COLLINS,CO 80524 SELF-EMPLOYED/PHILANTHROPIST 9/12/07 $2,300 Edwards, Donna (D)
STRYKER, PAT
FORT COLLINS,CO 80524 INFORMATION REQESTED 6/20/07 $2,300 Edwards, John (D)
STRYKER, PAT
FORT COLLINS,CO 80524 SELF-EMPLOYED/PHILANTHROPIST 4/28/08 $2,300 Fitz-Gerald, Joan (D)
STRYKER, PAT
FORT COLLINS,CO 80524 SELF-EMPLOYED/PHILANTHROPIST 6/25/08 $2,300 Fitz-Gerald, Joan (D)
STRYKER, PAT
FORT COLLINS,CO 80524 SELF-EMPLOYED/PHILANTHROPIST 9/17/07 $2,300 Fitz-Gerald, Joan (D)
STRYKER, PAT
FORT COLLINS,CO 80524 BOHEMIAN COMPANIES 12/1/08 $2,300 Franken, Al (D)
STRYKER, PAT
FORT COLLINS,CO 80524 SELF EMPLOYED/PHILANTHROPIST 4/29/08 $2,300 Markey, Betsy (D)
STRYKER, PAT
FORT COLLINS,CO 80524 SELF/PHILANTHROPIST 11/12/07 $2,300 Markey, Betsy (D)
STRYKER, PAT
FORT COLLINS,CO 80524 BOHEMIAN/CHAIRMAN 3/31/07 $2,300 Obama, Barack (D)
STRYKER, PAT
FORT COLLINS,CO 80524 BOHEMIAN/CHAIRMAN 6/16/08 $2,300 Obama, Barack (D)
STRYKER, PAT
FORT COLLINS,CO 80524 BOHEMIAN/CHAIRMAN 6/16/08 $2,300 Obama, Barack (D)
STRYKER, PAT
FORT COLLINS,CO 80524 N/A/RETIRED 4/7/08 $2,300 Perlmutter, Edwin G (D)
STRYKER, PAT
FORT COLLINS,CO 80524 N/A/RETIRED 2/27/07 $2,300 Perlmutter, Edwin G (D)
STRYKER, PAT
FORT COLLINS,CO 80524 SELF/PHILANTHROPIST 9/26/08 $2,300 Polis, Jared (D)
STRYKER, PAT
FORT COLLINS,CO 80524 RETIRED/RETIRED 6/15/07 $2,300 Richardson, Bill (D)
STRYKER, PAT
FORT COLLINS,CO 80524 BOHEMIAN COMPANIES/OWNER 7/17/07 $2,300 Salazar, John (D)
STRYKER, PAT
FORT COLLINS,CO 80524 SELF-EMPLOYED/INVESTOR 3/30/06 $2,100 Winter, Bill (D)
STRYKER, PAT
FORT COLLINS,CO 80524 SELF-EMPLOYED/INVESTOR 3/30/06 $2,100 Winter, Bill (D)
STRYKER, PAT
FORT COLLINS,CO 80524 SELF/PHILANTHROPIST 7/1/05 $2,100 Paccione, Angie (D)
STRYKER, PAT
FORT COLLINS,CO 80524 N/A/RETIRED 8/22/06 $2,100 Perlmutter, Edwin G (D)
STRYKER, PAT
FORT COLLINS,CO 80524 N/A/RETIRED 8/22/06 $2,100 Perlmutter, Edwin G (D)
STRYKER, PAT
FORT COLLINS,CO 80524 RETIRED/RETIRED 11/28/05 $2,100 Udall, Mark (D)
STRYKER, PAT
FORT COLLINS,CO 80524 SELF/PHILANTHROPIST 1/20/06 $2,100 Paccione, Angie (D)
STRYKER, PAT
FORT COLLINS,CO 80524 BOHEMIAN COMPANIES/OWNER 5/20/05 $2,100 Salazar, John (D)
STRYKER, PAT
FORT COLLINS,CO 80524 BOHEMIAN COMPANIES/OWNER 5/20/05 $2,100 Salazar, John (D)
STRYKER, PAT
FORT COLLINS,CO 80524 BOHEMIAN COMPANIES/CHAIRMAN 6/18/09 $2,000 Democracy for America
STRYKER, PAT
FORT COLLINS,CO 80524 SELF/INVESTMENTS 3/9/07 $1,300 Salazar, Ken (D)
STRYKER, PAT
FORT COLLINS,CO 80524 SELF/INVESTMENTS 3/9/07 $1,000 Salazar, Ken (D)
STRYKER, PAT
FORT COLLINS,CO 80524 BOHEMIAN COMPANIES/OWNER 9/13/05 $1,000 Stabenow, Debbie (D)
STRYKER, PAT
FORT COLLINS,CO 80524 INVESTMENTS 3/7/05 $1,000 Salazar, Ken (D)
STRYKER, PAT
FORT COLLINS,CO 80524 SELF EMPLOYED/PHILANTHROPIST 4/28/06 $1,000 Democratic Party of Arizona (D)
STRYKER, PAT
FORT COLLINS,CO 80524 BOHEMIAN/CHAIRMAN 6/16/08 $-2,300 Obama, Barack (D)
In conclusion, the Public Campaign Action Fund is nothing short another progressive liberal organization funded by a super wealthy individual. Similar to MoveOn.org...
Be smarter than your average reporter!