The other day WVNN talk show host and AL.com blogger Dale Jackson wrote an editorial that is a classic illustration of how conservative attempts to "spin" a story actually become blatant lies or carefully concocted half-truths. Mr. Jackson isn't interested in telling the whole story and just wants to manufacture controversy.

The problem is that rather than having an informed conversation that explores diverse views, many think that being the loudest and most insulting is the prime indicator of who "won" the debate. If that doesn't work, switch to making comments like, "You may be an idiot." It's loud and arguably entertaining, but not very useful or productive.

Nothing can ruin chunky, red meat spin and propaganda faster than some pesky facts!

So, Mr. Jackson points out the hyper-partisan falsehood that Congress voted itself exempt from the healthcare law. He got that part correct; they didn't. But then, he falsely claims that Obama is going to do it anyway by executive order. Of course, then he ignores facts by saying that prices are going to skyrocket.

First, the Federal Health Employees Benefits program is not a free porky perk for government employees. They purchase health insurance just like the rest of us from private insurers. However, they will be required to purchase the insurance through an exchange, which, so far, has had the inconvenient effect of lowering insurance premiums in every market where they have been implemented.

Secondly, there are other provisions in the Affordable Care Act that prevent insurers from abusively raising rates because their executives need a down payment on their new beach house. The 80/20 rule means that 80 percent of what a person spends on their premium actually has to be used for healthcare instead of administrative overhead. Otherwise, the insurance company has to refund that money to the consumer.

Mr. Jackson seems to be whining and complaining, instead of looking at things, as he so eloquently put it, with an intelligent eye. Perhaps, the real solution would be for people to open up both eyes rather than closing one to facts or diverse perspectives.

As far as the claim that implementation is, somehow, "murky" also only tells half the story. Implementation plans are fairly clear, but special interests and insurance companies have thrown sand in the gears every chance they could get, as they did with the Mental Health Parity Act of 2008. They are doing this because of an ideology that erroneously equates a national healthcare solution with socialism and because they believe more in maintaining corporate profits than in universal and affordable healthcare.

The conservative radical opposition on this issue is akin to those who would keep digging a hole when they've hit rock bottom. They have no alternative or viable solution to the Affordable Care Act except to keep a status quo that leaves millions uninsured or at the mercy of insurance company profit margins. Maybe, they just like paying $7 for a Tylenol in the emergency room. Maybe, they think we should just ditch the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act of 1986. So, if we get hit by a truck then we could get denied emergency room care because we can't prove our citizenship or ability to pay immediately.

Gov. Bentley's rigid opposition to expanding Medicaid is costing our state millions of dollars and thousands of lives. Gov. Bentley, Dale Jackson and other right wing ideologues are simply peddling fear and only telling half the story. Next time, Mr. Jackson, try using both eyes.