When I saw ObamaCare architect Jonathan Gruber’s comments about how the “stupidity of the American voter” helped grease the wheels of his healthcare legislation, I had to scream at my television. He admitted that advocates had counted on Americans’ “lack of financial understanding” to hide the costs of the bill.
For me, that confession really stung.
As an anchor at CNBC, I questioned the president’s claim that adding millions of people to the health insurance rolls would be free. How was that mathematically possible?If people with pre-existing conditions didn’t pay more, someone else would have to bear that cost. Healthcare isn’t free. The math didn’t add up.
One day, after raising these questions on air, I was called into my manager’s office and told to stop. When I pushed back, my manager explained that my questions were “disrespecting the office of the president.” The rebuke was surprising, but this incident wasn’t the only time I was called up and reined in.
Last week, as Gruber’s comments played on air, I brought my experience at CNBC to light.The response from viewers was overwhelming. Apparently, you all have a lot of pent up frustration on the topic.
The response from CNBC, though, was glib and condescending. In a comment to the New York Post, a CNBC flack made a reference to their prime-time programming and said they are “always on the lookout for high quality comedy writers and actresses.”
So for anyone deciding which financial news channel to watch, know that CNBC is on the lookout for comedy writers and actresses. For their business channel.Here at Fox Business, we are looking out for your money.
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