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July 30, 2010
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Liberal filmmaker Michael Moore is threatening to organize a boycott of Connecticut in response to Sen. Joseph Lieberman's opposition to key parts of federal health care legislation.
Moore told The Associated Press he will launch the boycott if Lieberman continues to block the bill and residents fail to pressure him to change his mind. He called for residents to hold rallies and flood Lieberman's office with phone calls and e-mails.
"I and millions of others across this country want to see Connecticut rise up against their representative who is not representing them," Moore said.
Otherwise, Moore says he will organize millions to boycott Connecticut businesses that gave campaign contributions to Lieberman or tried to block health care overhaul.
Moore, who called Lieberman the "senator from insurance," said he is compiling a list "to cause pain to the corporate structure of Connecticut" and would urge fellow filmmakers not to shoot movies in Connecticut.
"I want Connecticut to be known as the state that stopped true universal health care because of one out-of-control senator and the people of that state were too busy going to holiday parties to think about doing anything to stop him, to convince him to behave," Moore said.
But he said residents shouldn't be punished if they rally to pressure Lieberman to change his mind. He said he'll wait to see how the situation plays out in the coming days.
Supporters of health care reform rallied outside Lieberman's Connecticut office Tuesday say they're disappointed in the senator and accused him of blocking the Democrats' health care legislation. It was the latest in a series of protests at the senator's home and office, urging him to support a public option in the health care overhaul bill.
Lieberman, an independent, has threatened to join Republicans in blocking health care overhaul over government-run insurance and an expansion of Medicare. Democrats need Lieberman, who forced supporters of the bill to remove a proposed Medicare expansion, to overcome a Republican filibuster.
Moore's documentary "Sicko" extolled government-run health care.
Telephone messages were left Thursday with a Lieberman spokeswoman. Lieberman has said publicly funded insurance would increase taxes and the deficit, arguments Moore said "ring hollow" because of Lieberman's support for the Iraq war.
Lieberman earlier this week blamed Democrats for trying to cram too much -- namely, any kind of government health insurance -- into the overhaul.
"What happens then is you run the risk of losing everything," Lieberman told reporters Tuesday.
U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., said Wednesday she thought Lieberman should be recalled, but acknowledged that may not be an option under state law.
Lieberman was Democratic presidential candidate Al Gore's running mate in 2000 but lost his party's primary in 2006 in part because of his pro-Iraq war votes. He won re-election as an independent. (AP)
I don't think anybody would disagree that the current system is not perfect however the approach that the current administration and congress are taking is akin to bulldozing a house that really only needs a new roof and a kitchen renovation.
How ironic that one of the (if not THE) most liberal figures in politics and entertainment wishes to harm the most liberal state.
Politics bring out peoples' ugly sides. In Mr. Moore's case we're getting a 3D close-up. TMI.
If "Washington" had to use the same health care system as the rest of us, it would have been fixed years ago.
I am surprised at the response, since when is Ct against the Health reform, that is news to me, I am tired of not having health insurance and being snubbed because i do not have it nor can I afford. Joe has gone too far this time and he should be recalled, all of the people commenting above, do you have a job? Have you ever been out of work? Are you from a wealthy family?? I do not agree with Mr Moore on a boycott of CT either, he will only hurt the working people, not the well to do of Southern CT.
Thank GOD we live in this country to let a two bit movie maker make such comments. Only in America! How about focusing your attention on Chris Dud (Dodd) - I would not be so sick if it was not for my 401k, stock, housing, checking account, high taxes, Wall Street and Banking bailouts, and no bonus - because of no job environment. Hey maybe I can get into movies -heck if Mickey can make movies, why cant I. Mike - your 15 minutes are up, I suggest you smoke more of your prescription weed, before it gets axed by the new revisions in health care. One toke over the line!
Well Said Bob. We need to take action to give Senator Lieberman support in his fight against socialized healthcare and fight thugs like Moore. You can send an email by going to: http://www.metalworkingadvocate.org/action.asp
No matter what you think of Lieberman's stance on healthcare, what Michael Moore is doing is unconscionable. What he is doing will ultimately hurt the working people of Connecticut who may or may not be Lieberman supporters.
How about we all boycott seeing this idiots movies? This slob clearly thinks we're all so stupid that we need him to tell us how to think and further we should follow his lead in threatening our state to support his liberal bull. Loser, stick to what you do poorly at best (making movies) and leave us to form our own opinion of our state and it's representatives.
These assertions that Joe is not representing his constituents are being loudly made by the left-wing extremists that backed the losing campaign of Ned Lamont and are not grounded in fact. (Not left-wing extremists, you say? And now, Michael Moore is their spokesperson??) Every day, more and more people are realizing that the present course of health care reform will bankrupt our nation leaving future generations to wonder what life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness in a free and indepenednet country was really like. Hang in there, Joe. You are doing the right thing.
I'd be curious to know what health benefits workers receive while employed for or associated with the production of his movies.
Michael Moore - Who the hell are you to threaten CT business? Senator Lieberman is finally doing what most people in CT and the rest of our country want him to do. A public option is simply the worst possible program for health insurance in our country. Democrats are now trying to shove irresponsible legislation down our throats. This is the farthest thing from democratic lawmaking. It's forcing the people of the US to grow government, increase taxes and expenses and move farther and farther away from being a truly free nation.