Because they know they cannot win the argument honestly, Republicans are resorting to mendacity. Democrats must not let them get away with it."

...the overwhelming majority of American support health care reform. In fact, Dr. Luntz himself notes that voters trust Democrats over Republicans by a whopping 20 percent on health care . If health care reform were unpopular, Republicans would not resort to misleading rhetoric to mask their opposition.

The Republicans have three goals:
1. Co-opt our messaging
2. Confuse voters
3. Kill health care reform

When Republicans repeat the Luntz talking point about humanizing the argument, we should say: When I think of health care reform, I think of ____________________. She works hard and plays by the rules. But she could no longer afford health insurance after her hours were cut back and her pay was cut. Now her daughter has asthma and she can't afford an office visit for an inhaler - and the bills from the emergency room visits are piling up.

I also think of __________________. He has health insurance, thank goodness, but he's worried. Worried about rising premiums pricing him out of the market. Worried about rising co-pays and deductibles hollowing out his insurance. Worried that if, God forbid, a real medical emergency strikes, some corporate bureaucrat will say the fine print of his policy doesn't cover him or his family.

When Republicans repeat the Luntz talking point about pretending to acknowledge the health care crisis, we should say: Obviously, if you don't have health insurance or can't afford health care, it's a crisis. But most Americans also lack the peace of mind that comes from knowing they're not one illness or one accident away from bankruptcy. They need the peace of mind that comes from knowing costs won't be jacked up beyond their ability to pay, that even if times are tough, they will still have a guarantee of quality, affordable health care.

When Republicans repeat the Luntz talking point about delayed care, we should say: Everyone has a health insurance nightmare story. It's either happened to you or someone you know. The insurance company won't pay for something you need or makes you jump through hoops to get it. We fix the health care system, and not only will you be able to keep the insurance you have now if you like it, but it will be better. We'll have rules to stop them denying you care. And they'll have to charge you less because they'll be competing with a new public health insurance option. So if you get fed up, you've got somewhere to go.

When Republicans repeat the Luntz talking point about Washington bureaucrats and politicians controlling care, we should say: The Republicans want to put corporations in control; we want to put you in control. Right now, insurance companies boost their profits by saying no to what you need. When we fix the system, they'll be regulated so they have to charge reasonable prices and deliver quality service. You and your doctor will be more in control because you won't be arguing with insurance company bureaucrats all the time.

When Republicans repeat the Luntz talking point about Canada-care, we should say: We're America. We cured polio and invented the pacemaker. We're not Canada or Britain or anywhere else. Pres. Obama is committed to a uniquely American health care solution that builds on the best of what works now, but reduces cost and increases access. Our plan will also protect that classic American right: the right to choose. You will be able to choose your doctor and choose your plan.

When Republicans repeat the Luntz talking point that our plan will deny treatment and increase waiting, we should say: Every day, insurance companies deny people care. As health care costs keep rising, it will only get worse. And yet the Republicans are committed to a system that puts profits ahead of people. That's why they oppose Pres. Obama's reforms and why they have no reform plan of their own. Our plan reduces costs, increases access, and protects choice.

When Republicans repeat the Luntz talking point that our plan is "one size fits all" we should say: President Obama's health care plan gives you MORE choice than you have now. Right now, all most people have is the one or two plans offered through work -- and if you're out on your own in the private market, chances are you've got even less choice because health insurance is so expensive. When we create a new public health insurance option, you'll have one more choice. And you'll know that choice will be guaranteed to have the benefits you need, and you'll be able to afford it. So if you like what you have - great - you can choose to stay with it. But you'll also have an affordable alternative. And that's something most people don't have now.

As for the doctor-patient relationship: The doctor-patient relationship is under assault under the current system. Every time someone loses his/her health insurance, the doctor-patient relationship is interrupted. Every time someone can't afford to keep up with rising costs, rising premiums, rising co-pays, rising deductibles, the doctor-patient relationship is severed. By reducing costs, expanding access and ensuring quality we put the doctor-patient relationship at the heart of our health care reform.

When the Republicans repeat the Luntz talking point about waste, fraud and abuse, we should say: Obviously there is waste, fraud and abuse. But where's your plan to tackle them? Who do you think is going to crack down on waste, fraud and abuse: The entrenched interests making millions off of waste, fraud and abuse? Premiums have skyrocketed, CEO pay is through the roof, and insurance company profits are up, and we get less and less actual health care, while spending more and more money. It's time we had real reform and insurance companies had real rules to protect consumers.

When Republicans repeat the Luntz talking point about how government really should help those who can't afford health care, we should say: Pres. Obama is committed to health care reform. So am I. But the Republicans oppose reform. They have opposed every effort to reduce costs, every effort to make health care more affordable, every effort to expand coverage and to protect patients and their right to choose their doctor and their plan. They are the last defenders of the old, failed status quo. We are the reformers.

The Republican "plan" is really just the status quo on steroids. They want to keep pumping more money - your money - into the same broken system. If we fix the system, preserve the free market while we sensibly regulate insurance companies, and create a new public health insurance option, people will be able to afford good health care.

When Republicans repeat the Luntz talking point that they're really for reform, we should say: Their plan is the status quo. Their plan is rising costs. Their plan is corporate bureaucrats and HMOs getting between you and your doctor. Their plan is cherry-picking the healthy and the wealthy and dumping you if you commit the sin of getting sick or injured. Their plan is Washington entrenched interests and lobbyists getting rich while working Americans get soaked. That's why they oppose our plan for real reform.

Oh, you're so condescending
Your gall is never ending
We don't want nothin', not a thing from you

Your life is trite and jaded
Boring and confiscated
If that's your best, your best won't do

Oh, we're not gonna take it
No, we ain't gonna take it
Oh, we're not gonna take it anymore