Mr. Obama is a charming man. However, I will not be voting for him.
There are many issues with his candidacy, including his rise to power in the wretchedly corrupt Cook County political system (his first election was won through pure chicanery, where he used technical loopholes to disallow the candidacies of every single opponent, thus running unopposed).
Despite the eloquence and good looks, make no mistake about it: The man is a very, very savvy politician. And with his reversal on the critical FISA amendment (granting immunity to telcom companies, despite an earlier stated promise to filibuster such an act), he is proven to be, simply, like all the rest.
His agenda is clearly socialist -- simply go to his website and read for yourself. There's also some indication (not completely founded, but worthy of some research) that he found inspiration in the revolutionary writings of French psychiatrist Frantz Falon, where there are some parallels to Falon's work in Obama's book, Dreams of My Father (feel free to Google this).
There's also the other issue of his unabashed support of mental health policies.
* Background Data *
The "New Freedom Commission on Mental Health"
The New Freedom Commission on Mental Health is a 93-page report put together by the psychiatric/pharmaceutical industry in 2003 as a recommendation to the President for mental health plans in the US.
The only words to describe the recommendations of this report are "Orwellian" and horrifying.
This plan lays out detailed programs to screen all Americans for mental "disorders" and includes recommended drug treatment plans. It includes specific mental health screening programs for the elderly, all military personnel, all U.S. school children, drug addicts (and redefining drug addiction as a mental "disease") the poor, screening all pregnant women and infants, (the Mothers Act and another bill detailed below) specific drug treatment "flow charts," mental health "parity" (equal coverage for mental illness as that granted for real physical illness/disease) and more.
This plan lays out detailed programs to screen all Americans for mental "disorders" and includes recommended drug treatment plans. It includes specific mental health screening programs for the elderly, all military personnel, all U.S. school children, drug addicts (and redefining drug addiction as a mental "disease") the poor, screening all pregnant women and infants, (the Mothers Act and another bill detailed below) specific drug treatment "flow charts," mental health "parity" (equal coverage for mental illness as that granted for real physical illness/disease) and more.
It also includes a comprehensive drug plan, which is basically a flow chart of psychiatric drugs -- essentially "try this drug; if it fails, try this other drug; if that fails, combine drugs; if that fails? down to electroshock."
Please keep this in mind when reading the following data.
More on the New Freedom Commission (from Wikipedia):
Please keep this in mind when reading the following data.
More on the New Freedom Commission (from Wikipedia):
The Mothers Act:
This is a bill that calls for mental health screening and "treatment" of all pregnant women and those who have recently given birth.
This is a bill that calls for mental health screening and "treatment" of all pregnant women and those who have recently given birth.
Obama is one of 10 co-sponsors.
McCain is not.
More information on the Mothers Act:
http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/803007275.html
* Obama: "Mental health screenings for all troops" *
In remarks prepared for delivery on Sunday, the Illinois Democrat proposed changes to recruitment and deployment of military mental health providers.
He called for the Pentagon to recruit more professionals to help identify and treat problems. And he seeks mandatory mental health screenings of all troops.
According to Obama's plan, the military would require face-to-face mental health screenings for all service members. By making it mandatory, Obama said the military could reduce the stigma associated with mental health screening and treatment.
The plan also would institute early mental health screenings so future psychological injuries could be more easily diagnosed and treated.
http://www.thenewhampshireprimary.com/news/2007_05_28_news_1.html
McCain opposes this bill.
http://tinyurl.com/6a9deq
Obama on McCain: "I have great respect for John McCain's service to this country and I know he loves it dearly and honors those who serve. But he is one of the few Senators of either party who oppose this bill."
http://tinyurl.com/5t7zbr
* Mental Health "Parity" *
Obama: "I am a longtime supporter of mental health parity. I helped pass the Illinois mental health parity law. And my national public health plan will include coverage of all essential medical services, including preventive, maternity and mental health care. I strongly support mental health fairness and parity of mental health coverage in all federal health programs. I cosponsored the Mental Health Parity Act of 2007 and I am a supporter of the bipartisan Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of 2007.
Similarly, I believe in prohibiting group health plans from imposing treatment or financial limitations on mental health and substance related disorder benefits that are different from those applied to medical or surgical services. I am also committed to ensuring that Americans with disabilities or mental illness receive Medicaid and Medicare benefits in a low cost, effective and timely manner."
http://www.yourcandidatesyourhealth.org/profile.php?c_id=MjU1MjQx
McCain has voted against mental health parity and, in his health care plan on his website, makes no mention of mental health as an issue.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/9/6/02436/44844/247/588598
* Mental Health Screening of Low-Income Families *
"Barack Obama would expand the highly successful Nurse-Family Partnership to all low-income, first-time mothers. The Nurse-Family Partnership provides home visits by trained registered nurses to low-income expectant mothers and their families. The trained nurses use proven methods to help improve the mental and physical health of the family by providing counseling on substance abuse, creating and achieving personal goals, and effective methods of nurturing children."
http://www.nationalplatforms.com/candidates/barack_obama.html
More information on the Nurse-Family Partnership: "Early detection and treatment of mental disorders can result in a substantially shorter and less disabling course of illness. As the mental health field becomes increasingly able to identify the early antecedents of mental illnesses at any age, interventions must be implemented, provided in multiple settings, and connected to treatment and supports.
"Early interventions, such as the Nurse-Family Partnership, and educational efforts can help a greater number of parents, the public, and providers learn about the importance of the first years of a child's life and how to establish a foundation for healthy social and emotional development. Quality screening and early intervention should occur in readily accessible, low-stigma settings, such as primary health care facilities and schools, and in settings where a high level of risk for mental health problems exists, such as juvenile justice and child welfare."
http://www.mentalhealthcommission.gov/reports/FinalReport/FullReport-05.
htm
* Side-by-Side Comparison *
Obama's and McCain's Positions on Mental Health Care
http://tinyurl.com/5svtgk
The above is an excellent article comparing the two candidates. Here are some excerpts:
Barack Obama's position on mental health issues as stated in his health care
plan:
Obama specifically includes mental health care in his health care plan.
It states: Improve Mental Health Care. Mental illness affects approximately one in five American families. The National Alliance on Mental Illness estimates that untreated mental illnesses cost the U.S.
more than $100 billion per year. As president, Obama will support mental health parity so that coverage for serious mental illnesses are provided on the same terms and conditions as other illnesses and diseases.
John McCain's position on mental health issues as stated in his health care plan: McCain's health care plan does not mention mental health.
Obama and McCain on H.R. 1424/S558 "Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of 2007? Bill:
Obama co-sponsored, along with 56 others, the bipartisan Senate's S558 version of H.R. 1424 "Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of 2007? bill.
McCain did not sponsor the bill. The White House is opposed to it.
* In Their Own Words *
Barack Obama:
"As you may know, mental illness affects approximately one in five American families, and we must do more address this issue. The National Alliance on Mental Illness estimates that untreated mental illnesses cost the U.S. more than $100 billion per year. As a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, I worked to improve mental health services for people with serious problems who are going untreated and undiagnosed.
"It is important to end discrimination against those with mental illness, and that's why I support the bipartisan Paul Wellstone (D-MN) Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of 2007, an updated version of legislation that Senator Wellstone championed for over a decade in Congress. This bill works to end discrimination against people suffering from mental illness and addiction.
"I also support mental health parity. When suicide is responsible for more deaths in America than AIDS and homicides combined, we must act.
That's why I have championed efforts to improve awareness of mental illnesses and provide timely and appropriate treatment, and why I cosponsored the Mental Health Parity Act of 2007. Parity means that we don't allow group health plans to impose treatment or financial limitations on mental health benefits that are different from those applied to medical or surgical services. The bill closes the loopholes that allow discrimination in coverage that does not apply to other illnesses.
"I'm proud of my record on this issue. I helped pass mental a health [sic] parity bill as an Illinois state senator that requires coverage for serious mental illnesses to be provided on the same terms and conditions as are applicable to other illnesses and diseases."
http://psychcentral.com/lib/2008/obama-on-mental-health-care/
John McCain:
"The next President will face a great challenge due to the rising cost of health care of all types. America has the finest doctors and medical science, and the treatment of mental health has shared in these advances. However, as with other aspects of our health care system, spending on mental and behavioral health treatments is rising rapidly.
The challenge is to ensure high quality care, establish incentives to control the growth of costs, and thereby permit greater affordable choices.
?
"A sensible goal is to design reimbursement for taking care of the whole patient, whatever ails them, and recognize the essential role mental health treatment plays in the overall health of the patient and the reduction in physical health needs.
"I have stressed the central role of personal responsibility in leading to lower health care costs. Personal fitness and better lifestyles, especially reduction in addictions of all types - food, narcotics, or cigarettes - can yield dramatic improvements in the cost of chronic illness and high?cost medical care. We can do a better job of treating addictions, but we also have an obligation to do a better job of teaching our children the benefits of good lifestyles and the perils of addictive activities."
http://psychcentral.com/lib/2008/mccain-on-mental-health-care/
The VPs
Joe Biden: Redefining Drug Abuse and Alcohol Abuse as a Mental Illness and Changing the Names of Government Organizations to Reflect This
A bill introduced by Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE) that would define addiction as a brain disease is moving in the Senate. Treatment professionals, mainstream scientists, and recovery advocates see it as a good thing.
There are some skeptics, though. The bill, the Recognizing Addiction as a Disease Act of 2007 (S. 1011), would also change the name of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to the National Institute on Diseases of Addiction, and change the name of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism to the National Institute on Alcohol Disorders and Health. "Addiction is a neurobiological disease -- not a lifestyle choice -- and it's about time we start treating it as such,"
said Sen. Biden in a statement when he introduced this bill this spring.
"We must lead by example and change the names of our federal research institutes to accurately reflect this reality. By changing the way we talk about addiction, we change the way people think about addiction, both of which are critical steps in getting past the social stigma too often associated with the disease."
http://www.november.org/stayinfo/breaking07/BrainDisease.html
Gov. Sarah Palin has no national record on introducing legislation on mental health issues.
http://tinyurl.com/57dma8
Conclusion: Who Do Psychs Pick?
From PsychCentral.com:
"Based upon our findings, we'd have to say the stronger mental health and psychology candidate is Obama. Whereas McCain tends to support mental health causes when in the majority, he doesn't appear to go out on a limb for anything in the areas of mental health or psychological sciences funding.
Obama, on the other hand, has co-sponsored a major piece of Senate legislation in mental health (mental health parity) and shows he understands the stigma still associated with mental health issues in his co-sponsorship of the Mothers Act."
http://tinyurl.com/6orx35
From AnxietyPanicHealth.com:
"McCain does not mention mental health care in his health care plan, and his approach to it is not clear. His response to the National Alliance on Mental Illness questionnaire seems to combine mental and physical health together in a more holistic approach. He states that he would, 'where possible provide incentives to treat physical and behavioral health together.' This implies that he would favor the first line care of mental health issues to be handled by family physicians or primary care doctors rather than by mental health professionals."
http://tinyurl.com/5svtgk
From "Psychiatrists for Obama":
"We are a group of psychiatrists who support Obama and his positions on ensuring effective mental health care for the disenfranchised. Adequate access to treatment for mental illness and addiction is our main concern in this regard."
http://my.barackobama.com/page/group/PsychiatristsforObama
From DailyKos.com:
"Obama co-sponsored and voted for mental health parity bill that requires coverage for serious mental illnesses to be provided on the same terms and conditions as are applicable to other illnesses and diseases. McCain has voted against mental health parity and, in his health care 'plan' on his website makes no mention of mental health as an issue.
"The choice is very clear if one cares about this issue."
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/9/6/02436/44844/247/588598
* Obama: "Mental health screenings for all troops" *
In remarks prepared for delivery on Sunday, the Illinois Democrat proposed changes to recruitment and deployment of military mental health providers.
He called for the Pentagon to recruit more professionals to help identify and treat problems. And he seeks mandatory mental health screenings of all troops.
According to Obama's plan, the military would require face-to-face mental health screenings for all service members. By making it mandatory, Obama said the military could reduce the stigma associated with mental health screening and treatment.
The plan also would institute early mental health screenings so future psychological injuries could be more easily diagnosed and treated.
http://www.thenewhampshireprimary.com/news/2007_05_28_news_1.html
McCain opposes this bill.
http://tinyurl.com/6a9deq
Obama on McCain: "I have great respect for John McCain's service to this country and I know he loves it dearly and honors those who serve. But he is one of the few Senators of either party who oppose this bill."
http://tinyurl.com/5t7zbr
* Mental Health "Parity" *
Obama: "I am a longtime supporter of mental health parity. I helped pass the Illinois mental health parity law. And my national public health plan will include coverage of all essential medical services, including preventive, maternity and mental health care. I strongly support mental health fairness and parity of mental health coverage in all federal health programs. I cosponsored the Mental Health Parity Act of 2007 and I am a supporter of the bipartisan Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of 2007.
Similarly, I believe in prohibiting group health plans from imposing treatment or financial limitations on mental health and substance related disorder benefits that are different from those applied to medical or surgical services. I am also committed to ensuring that Americans with disabilities or mental illness receive Medicaid and Medicare benefits in a low cost, effective and timely manner."
http://www.yourcandidatesyourhealth.org/profile.php?c_id=MjU1MjQx
McCain has voted against mental health parity and, in his health care plan on his website, makes no mention of mental health as an issue.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/9/6/02436/44844/247/588598
* Mental Health Screening of Low-Income Families *
"Barack Obama would expand the highly successful Nurse-Family Partnership to all low-income, first-time mothers. The Nurse-Family Partnership provides home visits by trained registered nurses to low-income expectant mothers and their families. The trained nurses use proven methods to help improve the mental and physical health of the family by providing counseling on substance abuse, creating and achieving personal goals, and effective methods of nurturing children."
http://www.nationalplatforms.com/candidates/barack_obama.html
More information on the Nurse-Family Partnership: "Early detection and treatment of mental disorders can result in a substantially shorter and less disabling course of illness. As the mental health field becomes increasingly able to identify the early antecedents of mental illnesses at any age, interventions must be implemented, provided in multiple settings, and connected to treatment and supports.
"Early interventions, such as the Nurse-Family Partnership, and educational efforts can help a greater number of parents, the public, and providers learn about the importance of the first years of a child's life and how to establish a foundation for healthy social and emotional development. Quality screening and early intervention should occur in readily accessible, low-stigma settings, such as primary health care facilities and schools, and in settings where a high level of risk for mental health problems exists, such as juvenile justice and child welfare."
http://www.mentalhealthcommission.gov/reports/FinalReport/FullReport-05.
htm
* Side-by-Side Comparison *
Obama's and McCain's Positions on Mental Health Care
http://tinyurl.com/5svtgk
The above is an excellent article comparing the two candidates. Here are some excerpts:
Barack Obama's position on mental health issues as stated in his health care
plan:
Obama specifically includes mental health care in his health care plan.
It states: Improve Mental Health Care. Mental illness affects approximately one in five American families. The National Alliance on Mental Illness estimates that untreated mental illnesses cost the U.S.
more than $100 billion per year. As president, Obama will support mental health parity so that coverage for serious mental illnesses are provided on the same terms and conditions as other illnesses and diseases.
John McCain's position on mental health issues as stated in his health care plan: McCain's health care plan does not mention mental health.
Obama and McCain on H.R. 1424/S558 "Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of 2007? Bill:
Obama co-sponsored, along with 56 others, the bipartisan Senate's S558 version of H.R. 1424 "Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of 2007? bill.
McCain did not sponsor the bill. The White House is opposed to it.
* In Their Own Words *
Barack Obama:
"As you may know, mental illness affects approximately one in five American families, and we must do more address this issue. The National Alliance on Mental Illness estimates that untreated mental illnesses cost the U.S. more than $100 billion per year. As a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, I worked to improve mental health services for people with serious problems who are going untreated and undiagnosed.
"It is important to end discrimination against those with mental illness, and that's why I support the bipartisan Paul Wellstone (D-MN) Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of 2007, an updated version of legislation that Senator Wellstone championed for over a decade in Congress. This bill works to end discrimination against people suffering from mental illness and addiction.
"I also support mental health parity. When suicide is responsible for more deaths in America than AIDS and homicides combined, we must act.
That's why I have championed efforts to improve awareness of mental illnesses and provide timely and appropriate treatment, and why I cosponsored the Mental Health Parity Act of 2007. Parity means that we don't allow group health plans to impose treatment or financial limitations on mental health benefits that are different from those applied to medical or surgical services. The bill closes the loopholes that allow discrimination in coverage that does not apply to other illnesses.
"I'm proud of my record on this issue. I helped pass mental a health [sic] parity bill as an Illinois state senator that requires coverage for serious mental illnesses to be provided on the same terms and conditions as are applicable to other illnesses and diseases."
http://psychcentral.com/lib/2008/obama-on-mental-health-care/
John McCain:
"The next President will face a great challenge due to the rising cost of health care of all types. America has the finest doctors and medical science, and the treatment of mental health has shared in these advances. However, as with other aspects of our health care system, spending on mental and behavioral health treatments is rising rapidly.
The challenge is to ensure high quality care, establish incentives to control the growth of costs, and thereby permit greater affordable choices.
?
"A sensible goal is to design reimbursement for taking care of the whole patient, whatever ails them, and recognize the essential role mental health treatment plays in the overall health of the patient and the reduction in physical health needs.
"I have stressed the central role of personal responsibility in leading to lower health care costs. Personal fitness and better lifestyles, especially reduction in addictions of all types - food, narcotics, or cigarettes - can yield dramatic improvements in the cost of chronic illness and high?cost medical care. We can do a better job of treating addictions, but we also have an obligation to do a better job of teaching our children the benefits of good lifestyles and the perils of addictive activities."
http://psychcentral.com/lib/2008/mccain-on-mental-health-care/
The VPs
Joe Biden: Redefining Drug Abuse and Alcohol Abuse as a Mental Illness and Changing the Names of Government Organizations to Reflect This
A bill introduced by Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE) that would define addiction as a brain disease is moving in the Senate. Treatment professionals, mainstream scientists, and recovery advocates see it as a good thing.
There are some skeptics, though. The bill, the Recognizing Addiction as a Disease Act of 2007 (S. 1011), would also change the name of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to the National Institute on Diseases of Addiction, and change the name of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism to the National Institute on Alcohol Disorders and Health. "Addiction is a neurobiological disease -- not a lifestyle choice -- and it's about time we start treating it as such,"
said Sen. Biden in a statement when he introduced this bill this spring.
"We must lead by example and change the names of our federal research institutes to accurately reflect this reality. By changing the way we talk about addiction, we change the way people think about addiction, both of which are critical steps in getting past the social stigma too often associated with the disease."
http://www.november.org/stayinfo/breaking07/BrainDisease.html
Gov. Sarah Palin has no national record on introducing legislation on mental health issues.
http://tinyurl.com/57dma8
Conclusion: Who Do Psychs Pick?
From PsychCentral.com:
"Based upon our findings, we'd have to say the stronger mental health and psychology candidate is Obama. Whereas McCain tends to support mental health causes when in the majority, he doesn't appear to go out on a limb for anything in the areas of mental health or psychological sciences funding.
Obama, on the other hand, has co-sponsored a major piece of Senate legislation in mental health (mental health parity) and shows he understands the stigma still associated with mental health issues in his co-sponsorship of the Mothers Act."
http://tinyurl.com/6orx35
From AnxietyPanicHealth.com:
"McCain does not mention mental health care in his health care plan, and his approach to it is not clear. His response to the National Alliance on Mental Illness questionnaire seems to combine mental and physical health together in a more holistic approach. He states that he would, 'where possible provide incentives to treat physical and behavioral health together.' This implies that he would favor the first line care of mental health issues to be handled by family physicians or primary care doctors rather than by mental health professionals."
http://tinyurl.com/5svtgk
From "Psychiatrists for Obama":
"We are a group of psychiatrists who support Obama and his positions on ensuring effective mental health care for the disenfranchised. Adequate access to treatment for mental illness and addiction is our main concern in this regard."
http://my.barackobama.com/page/group/PsychiatristsforObama
From DailyKos.com:
"Obama co-sponsored and voted for mental health parity bill that requires coverage for serious mental illnesses to be provided on the same terms and conditions as are applicable to other illnesses and diseases. McCain has voted against mental health parity and, in his health care 'plan' on his website makes no mention of mental health as an issue.
"The choice is very clear if one cares about this issue."
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/9/6/02436/44844/247/588598
---
Later - Monty
7 comments:
John McCain made 32 ANTI-AMERICAN propaganda videos for the North Viet Nam Government where he admitted that the US targeted civilian areas, hospitals, schools. John McCain admits he was injured in the plane crash not while held captive as a POW. John McCain voted to keep a bill from leaving his Senate comittee, that passed in the House 401-0, this bill would have declassified his war records and shown the public he collaborated with the enemyo make 32 ANTI- AMERICAN propaganda videos. McCain's code name while he was a POW was "SONGBIRD". His NVC captors nicknamed him this because of the frequency and his willingness to be interviewed for better treatment and conditions.
John shame on you I was there and I will never forget What kind of Hero, a CHICKEN with all the trimmings
Thanks Milton and if you were there then I do respect you, if you are a 30 year old guy who is fat and sitting at home then I do not.
I would have to disagree that his videos are exactly what you say as I would say that they were made under duress as I have had the privelege to speak to some men that were in that situation and I have been told that you do what is asked or demanded or you die - There was not a comfy third option.
To be totally honest I am not a McCain lover but I cannot respect Obama as I TOTALLY disagee with his views on Mental Health.
Since I work in this field (Drug addiction) I see on a daily basis the fact that the current and respected medical authority of mental health has no actual solutions for the problems they encounter other than harmful drugs and.... wait that's all they do nowadays...
Got to my radio show at www.prescriptionaddictionradio.com and listen to our shows and let me know.
Thanks again for your comment.
Thanks for posting this data.
For me, choosing a candidate is aways a "lesser of two evils". Knowing where they stand on such an important issue as mental health is very helpful.
Also your input on the fall-out, that you see every day in your job, from the current mental health industry and their drugs is good to know.
Personally I can't support someone like Obama who is in favor of controlling the population through drugs and the mental health industry.
Not that I think McCain is a great candidate either. As I said, it's always a matter of "the lesser of two evils."
Wouldn't it be great to have a candidate that you really thought was worth voting for?
I appreciate your investment of time. I have friends telling me that Obama's co-sponsored bill includes MANDATORY mental screening of new mothers and pregnant women. I read the bill myself (as it was passed in the House), and it actually does not say mandatory. It says :
(C) SCREENING AND REFERRAL- A State that receives a grant or contract under subsection (a)(1) shall ensure that new mothers, during visits to a physician, certified nurse midwife, certified midwife, nurse, or licensed healthcare professional who is licensed or certified by the State, within the first year after the birth of their child, are offered screenings for postpartum conditions by using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), or other appropriate tests. If the results of such screening provide warning signs for postpartum conditions, the new mother shall be referred to an appropriate mental healthcare provider.
It says "offered". I still think it STINKS, but I wonder if you could offer your thoughts on McCain's voting record with regfard to drugs / Big Pharma.
thanks,
I am sorry that I did not read this before I commented on Stan's blog about Obama's health care.
I am sorry that I did not read this post before responding to Stan's post about Obama Healthcare.
This is to Thaddeus - Have you ever heard of something called Teen Screen?
Please look this up as its very similar except its directed at children and i have seen on many occasions children being drugged without parental consent or parents being pushed by teacher and other school staff to get the kids onto medication.
I also think that the word offered when looked up in a good dictionary can be spun quite a few ways.
I know that might sound outrageous but it's the foul truth.
Post a Comment