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Bill O’Reilly And Anthony Weiner Spar: Health Care, IRS, & “The Truth”

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» 11 comments

This is how its done. Bill O’Reilly had on NY Congressman Anthony Weiner to discuss federal health care last night, and “the Obama administration trying to expand federal power” (which is how O’Reilly presented the discussion.) The crux of their debate centered on O’Reilly’s assertion that “the IRS will have to enforce ObamaCare.” Weiner repeatedly tried to disabuse O’Reilly’s notion of criminalizing health care, as well as the hosts comments that congressmen claimed to be O’Reilly’s untrue assertions.

While the debate was spirited, and featured a comedic fit of pouting by Weiner, the discourse stayed on topic, remained respectful, and never lowered to name calling nor ad hominem attacks. The only literal short-coming was the five-minute length of the segment. This is the sort of debate and discussion that could go on for an hour, and might actually be a healthy excursion for what some call bitterly divided nation.

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  • roxsteady

    Who listen’s to this vile pervert? Loofah manufactrurers perhaps? He should be in jail for Dr. Tiller’s death.

  • MichelleF

    Bill tried to get him to give a very short 2 word answer on what agency was responsible for enforcement of the HC fines and he couldn’t or wouldn’t do it.

    And Rox, who was to blame when a pro-lifer was killed outside a school? Rackel Maddow?

  • cappi

    Weiner is a weiner! He so clearly avoided answering a simple question that it became painful to watch. I wonder about this also.

    If the bill doesn’t criminalize non compliance, then why have a fine? And if there is a fine, what is the offence? If the offence isn’t a criminal one, on what grounds can anyone impose the fine? Is there some so fare unnamed, faceless and hidden arm of the government that will knock on doors and demand payment? Will some agency have the power to garnish your wages to collect the fine? If so, that REQUIRES that a law has been broken and THAT is criminalizing non compliance.

    Come on people…it is very elementary reason and logic.

    In either case, whether it is “criminalized” or not, WHO comes after you to collect the fine? WHO? If it isn’t the IRS (and we all know it IS the IRS) the WHO? The DMV? The SS Administration? SEIU? WHO???????????????????????

  • StewartIII

    Hot Air — Ryan: CBO score uses double-counting, funds “15,000 IRS agents”
    http://hotair.com/archives/2010/03/19/ryan-cbo-score-uses-double-counting-funds-15000-irs-agents/

  • StewartIII

    Hot Air — Exclusive: Steny Hoyer explains taxing Americans for lack of health insurance
    http://hotair.com/archives/2010/03/25/exclusive-steny-hoyer-explains-taxing-americans-for-lack-of-health-insurance/

  • guy

    I saw this segment and also felt it much too short. I realize that’s not how The Factor “rolls”. But, there was good “back-n-forth”. In a 20 minute segment, I think each of these guys might actually have been able to make their respective points without interruption and with each speaking at the same volume level. It’s a shame deeper discussion of some issues falls victim to the “The Factor” format. Bill and Anthony each deserve to get into this a little deeper in order to keep from coming across as two guys talking “AT” each other. Perhaps Bill should air a monthly “Factor” program in which he gives some issues, himself, and his guests more time to convey their respective points in a much less, rabid, frenzied manner. Too often “Factor” segments seem more about getting on to the next segment than adequately working through the present.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Yt-Truly/100000414616536 Yt Truly

    It seemed to me he answered it in the first few minutes when he said “there’s a tax credit for buying health insurance and if you don’t buy it you don’t get the credit.” In other words, whatever you might have saved on your taxes is, essentially, the “tax” or “fine,” or whatever you want to call it, for not getting health insurance. I think what this talking point is trying to do is conjure images of a Bunko Squad of thugs that chase you down and pry off your fingernails if you don’t pay the fine, like the dreaded Library Policeman in the Stephen King story. It seems to be working too on the easily led.

  • HanzoSword

    Clear illustration why there’s no point in “debating” with Bill or anyone on FOX: All of his questions and statements are based on false assumptions that he absolutely refuses to shake. He cannot do an interview if you don’t listen and build on the response of the person you are questioning.

    This is why there’s no point in debating with fundamentalist wingnuts of any sort, such as the current Republican party.

  • StewartIII

    Hot Air — Video: Who’s on first, Congressional-style
    http://hotair.com/archives/2010/03/25/video-whos-on-first-congressional-style/

  • Peebo

    Oh, it’s a tax credit. So O’Reilly was right. It is the IRS that will be keeping tabs and investigating. If you claim the tax credit, but you don’t have insurance, the IRS bogeyman will be investigating/auditing you. Why didn’t Wienie just say that??

  • HALO101st

    If you liberal left-wing losers were anymore ridiculous there would be a bounty on your heads for stupidity.

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