Talking about "compassion" undermines it.

[gulliver]

Take some poor kid, for example, who isn't getting decent nutrition. You could either argue that the kid should be fed properly out of "compassion" or you could argue that the kid should be fed so they won't become a criminal, will become a doctor, will support aging seniors by paying into Social Security, and so forth.

Which argument is better?

Say the real, logical, "here's what you get, audience" stuff first. Let the compassion go unstated. People's heartstrings are played out right now. Hell, Trump played on compassion. Dubya played on compassion. People bought it. They like buying their compassion lip service from those whose actual politics oppose it.

People are not angels, folks.

[leftstreet]

1. How did Trump play on compassion?

Not saying you're wrong, I'm just not following

[gulliver]

2. Everyone will get good health insurance at a fraction of the cost.

The new Republican health care will be better for everyone. That BS.

[leftstreet]

4. Not sure that's compassion, so much as self-interest

The Obamacare seemed more about compassion

[gulliver]

7. Self-interest is exactly what it is.

It's disguised as compassion. Trump is playing on compassion, even using the term "mean" to describe legislation he will probably sign soon after cosmetic modifications are made to it.

[leftstreet]

8. Ah

yes, the 'mean!' statement

I see what you're saying

[Wounded Bear]

3. Repub "compassion" is always directed inwards...

inwards to the proper group of people. You know people like them. People who look like them.

[leftstreet]

5. Yeah, I heard more like 'get those losers off Obamacare'

then WE can have good healthcare for OURSELVES

[DetlefK]

6. I'm changing the world by liking good causes on Facebook.

[SHRED]

9. I've been saying this about the AHCA also...

Do we really think people who have a decent employer based insurance, Medicare, VA, or Tricare give two shits about who's going to die? Really?

Some will care and that is true but why not focus on how this AHCA will affect the people who think they are immune.

People in our society are so desensitized to others dying or going broke that trying to appeal to their better nature is wasting your breath I believe.

We need to explain to them how they are affected. Only then will they care...maybe.

We will all pay higher premiums and lose services.
Risk will increase for all insurers, so we all pay more, even those with an employer plan.
Hospital and clinics will fold, so we will have fewer choices, or have to travel farther, especially in rural areas.
Care will be cut off when you reach a lifetime limit on care.
Preexisting condition discrimination will be left up to the states to impose which many will driving it unaffordable.

[gulliver]

10. I agree

Trump and the Republicans are playing this very well, and I expect it to work, unfortunately. Trump calls the House Plan he helped pass "mean." That makes it more attractive to conservatives and gives them cover with the Republican base who think the meaner the better.

Then the Senate plan will likely kick tens of millions of people off of health care by sabotaging Medicaid. People who are covered by employer based insurance, as you say, will be fine with it for the most part. They are short-sighted in addition to lacking compassion. They don't see it affects them too or their relatives.