Michael Moore's Latest Target: Your HMO

[hagams]

Being that I have Tri-care, and I'm in the Military, I can't judge on the Health care in the Nation. However, Michael Moore is no better than any other conman. But, what everyone seems to be forgetting is that he's making a movie about this, not taking it to court, not challenging anyone directly which tells me he's out to make a couple bucks doing this. Take it with a grain of salt. If our Health Care is that jacked up, this isn't the way to fix it.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by hagams

Being that I have Tri-care, and I'm in the Military, I can't judge on the Health care in the Nation. However, Michael Moore is no better than any other conman. But, what everyone seems to be forgetting is that he's making a movie about this, not taking it to court, not challenging anyone directly which tells me he's out to make a couple bucks doing this. Take it with a grain of salt. If our Health Care is that jacked up, this isn't the way to fix it.

Well, making movies is what he does, he's not an attorney.

I really disagree that no change can come from a movie. Look at what 'Supersize Me' did to McDonald's. That movie put a lot of heat on McDonald's (even though they don't acknowledge it). Soon after that movie they cut the supersized meals from their menu and introduced healthier offerings. While I don't think that movie was soley responsible for the changes, it certainly had an impact.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Well, making movies is what he does, he's not an attorney.

I really disagree that no change can come from a movie. Look at what 'Supersize Me' did to McDonald's. That movie put a lot of heat on McDonald's (even though they don't acknowledge it). Soon after that movie they cut the supersized meals from their menu and introduced healthier offerings. While I don't think that movie was soley responsible for the changes, it certainly had an impact.

I have to disagree. I guarantee you McDonalds performed a business plan analysis on the healthier menu items, and projected out a pro forma financial projection, and it showed a positive bottom line. They made that move for one reason: money. They thought that adding those items would result in incremental revenue and profits to the firm. Adding apples and milk to the menu didn't cut into revenues from burgers, fries, and shakes. It added onto the existing cash flow.

Now, they may have spun the move as taking an active interest in the obesity epidemic in America, but as always, the real motivation was money.

Business is business. Michael Moore can shine all the light on things that he wants, but in the end, companies are going to do what's in the best interests of their shareholders.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

I have to disagree. I guarantee you McDonalds performed a business plan analysis on the healthier menu items, and projected out a pro forma financial projection, and it showed a positive bottom line. They made that move for one reason: money. They thought that adding those items would result in incremental revenue and profits to the firm. Adding apples and milk to the menu didn't cut into revenues from burgers, fries, and shakes. It added onto the existing cash flow.

Now, they may have spun the move as taking an active interest in the obesity epidemic in America, but as always, the real motivation was money.

Business is business. Michael Moore can shine all the light on things that he wants, but in the end, companies are going to do what's in the best interests of their shareholders.

The timing of them pulling the supersize menu items is curious. Perhaps it had nothing to do with the movie, but I really doubt it. McDonald's obviously took notice of the movie and it's success, issuing press releases denouncing the film and they went as far as taking out full page newspaper ads and placing 30 second ad spots in the opening movie trailer section of the movie.

You're right about the money, the movie threatened to hit them where it hurts, the wallet, and they acted accordingly.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

The timing of them pulling the supersize menu items is curious. Perhaps it had nothing to do with the movie, but I really doubt it. McDonald's obviously took notice of the movie and it's success, issuing press releases denouncing the film and they went as far as taking out full page newspaper ads and placing 30 second ad spots in the opening movie trailer section of the movie.

You're right about the money, the movie threatened to hit them where it hurts, the wallet, and they acted accordingly.

That's true about pulling the supersize items. They saw ridiculous class action suits on the horizon, and rather than fight them, they eliminated the supersize items, thereby eliminating that income stream. But they compensated by offering the healthy items (milk, fruit) to add incremental revenue streams. Net effect of the moves as a whole was positive to the bottom line.

Good movie. But don't you find it curious that since that move by McDonald's, Burger King has pounced, adding more and more unhealthy choices to the menu? The BK Stacker, which came out recently, (oh my God that thing is so good) is advertised as simply MEAT AND CHEESE. It's a friggin heart attack on a bun. And yet Burger King is somehow getting off scott free for being so unhealthy for consumers.

That film was good, but seeing people go after McDonald's for it was completely unfair. McDonalds certainly felt it was unfair, but rather than fight the tide, they went with it and summoned the ingenuity to maintain their revenue stream in other ways. Meanwhile, Burger King is capitalizing on the opportunity to capture market share amongst consumers who want to eat a buttload of fries, regardless of how bad it is for you. You can't blame Burger King, they're not caught in the crosshairs of this movie, and there's an opportunity in front of them to make money. The real root problem? Americans simply have unhealthy eating habits. You shouldn't blame McDonald's, it's not their fault that people like to eat a buttload of french fries. The demand for unhealthy food is the problem, not the supply.

[Sammy Baugh Fan]

[MTK]

Originally Posted by Sammy Baugh Fan

Nice, rather than debating the issues let's just cut to the lowest common denominator. Classy.

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

JoeRedskin,

We're on the same page about Moore. I don't hold Michael Moore to a higher standard than that which I subject guys like Rush Limbaugh to. I think a lot of people who disdain Limbaugh for his political views harp on his dishonest protrayal of various issues, yet adore Michael Moore because they love his politics even though he is equally dishonest. I disdain both Rush Limbaugh and Michael Moore for their political views and their dishonesty.

Matty,

I tend to agree with you that films can have a powerful impact on society and "documentaries" are no exception to that rule. If anything, I believe that documentaries can have a more powerful impact on people and society than mainstream feature films. BUT, that is what scares me. Instead of debating issues civilly and honestly, Americans politics (including Moore's films or Limbaugh's talk radio) are becoming highly partisan and devolving into mudslinging and intellectually dishonest monologues. Guys like Moore and Limbaugh polarize people and turn complex issues into very simple ones at the expense of full disclosure and honest examinations of important issues.

[MTK]

Ahhh I feel complete now.

[dmek25]

time for a big mac?

[Oakland Red]

The answer to the health care crisis: single payer healthcare.

Single-Payer: Answers and Facts about Health Care for All

The animated version is a good overview.

Only political candidate to support if you want everyone covered fairly and efficiently, and believe that health care is a right for everyone?

Dennis Kucinich!

Kucinich for President 2008

Universal Health Care | Kucinich for President 2008

Dennis Kucinich is the only Presidential Candidate with a plan for a Universal Single Payer, NOT FOR PROFIT Healthcare system.

MEDICARE FOR ALL

The plan in embodied in HR 676 the Conyers-Kucinich bill, written by Dennis Kucinich & John Conyers

The plan covers all healthcare needs, including dental care, mental care, vision care, prescription drugs, and long-term care - at NO extra cost!

Kucinich's plan, HR 676, is supported by 78 Members of Congress, 250 Union Locals, and 14,000 physicians and is endorsed by the New Hampshire Democratic Party.

"Health care is an essential safeguard of human life and dignity and there is an obligation for society to ensure that every person be able to realize this right."
Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, Chicago Archdiocese

[70Chip]

Originally Posted by Oakland Red

The answer to the health care crisis: single payer healthcare.

Single-Payer: Answers and Facts about Health Care for All

The animated version is a good overview.

Only political candidate to support if you want everyone covered fairly and efficiently, and believe that health care is a right for everyone?

Dennis Kucinich!

Kucinich for President 2008

Universal Health Care | Kucinich for President 2008

Dennis Kucinich is the only Presidential Candidate with a plan for a Universal Single Payer, NOT FOR PROFIT Healthcare system.

MEDICARE FOR ALL


The plan in embodied in HR 676 the Conyers-Kucinich bill, written by Dennis Kucinich & John Conyers


The plan covers all healthcare needs, including dental care, mental care, vision care, prescription drugs, and long-term care - at NO extra cost!


Kucinich's plan, HR 676, is supported by 78 Members of Congress, 250 Union Locals, and 14,000 physicians and is endorsed by the New Hampshire Democratic Party.

"Health care is an essential safeguard of human life and dignity and there is an obligation for society to ensure that every person be able to realize this right."

Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, Chicago Archdiocese

I love the line "At no extra cost!" And, its endorsed by the New Hampshire Democratic Party! Sweet Fancy Moses.

[70Chip]

I take back all the bad things I ever said about Britain's National Health:

Bloomberg.com: U.K.

[Oakland Red]

A Letter from Michael Moore: 'Sicko' is Socko in Cannes!

May 23rd, 2007

Friends,

Well, as you may have read by now, our premiere of "Sicko" at the Cannes Film Festival has been an overwhelming success. The 2,000 people inside the Lumiere Theater were alternately in tears and laughing during the two-hour film -- and when it was over, they gave it a standing ovation that seemed to go on for nearly 15 minutes! Many came up to me and said (and critics seem to agree) that this is my best film yet. I don't know about that, and it seems weird to compare any of these movies in the first place. But I do feel safe in saying that I am very, very happy with this film and I can't wait to show it to you when it opens on June 29th.

Cannes is a crazy place. There are film lovers here from nearly every country in the world. And then there are the people in "show business." These dark forces have virtually ruined this art form (invented by the French and nurtured to brilliance by the country I call home). There are so many bad, awful films now and less and less people are going to the movies. Many who run Hollywood believe that the American people are too stupid to enjoy a film that respects their intelligence.

At the press screening for "Sicko," the Wall Street Journal reported that hardened reporters and critics wept. Even those who have been harsh to me in the past, or who have not agreed with my politics, were moved. Aside from my stated desire that "Sicko" ignite a fire for free, universal health care (and a larger wish that we, as Americans, do a better job of treating each other with a true sense of solidarity and respect), I continue to hope that I can make a contribution to the art of cinema and give people a good reason to get out of the house for a few hours.

At my festival press conference, the only negative word came from the Canadians. Two critics didn't like all the nice things I said about their health care system. Yes, Canadian health care has its flaws, but when I asked the two critics if they would exchange their health care cards for mine, they said "No!" Of course they wouldn't. Canadians live longer than we do and their infant mortality is not as high as ours. Their system is underfunded because their leaders have been trying to push for more American-style health care.

The rest of the week has been good and I am now on my way back to the U.S. The New York Post reported Sunday that the Bush administration, in addition to going after me for filming scenes in or near Cuba, may now go after the 9/11 rescue workers I took with me to get the medical care they were denied by our own government. I couldn't make up irony like this if I wanted to, and I will do whatever is necessary to defend the human right of these true American heroes to receive the medical attention they deserve.......

......I will soon have a special section of my website devoted to "Sicko." Until then, we'll move forward toward our June 29th release date. Hope to see you all there that weekend!

Yours,
Michael Moore

MichaelMoore.com

[Oakland Red]

FOX News on Michael Moore's "Sicko": "brilliant and uplifting"

FOXNews.com - 'Sicko' Shows Michael Moore's Maturity as a Filmmaker - Celebrity Gossip | Entertainment News | Arts And Entertainment


Wall Street Journal on "Sicko":

MichaelMoore.com : Michael Moore's 'SiCKO' Receives Healthy Response at Premiere