Will Congress take the health care pledge?
We already know from President Obama’s recent infomercial on health care that he wouldn’t dare subject himself or his family to the government health care “option” he is pushing. But, what about Congress?
All versions of the health care legislation currently floating around Capitol Hill specifically exempt members of Congress from any requirement to participate. Any sane person (looking at solely at those facts), should wonder why. After all, we are told that the government option will provide health care as good, or better than what the President and Congress currently receive.
So, Sen. Tom Coburn (R. Ok.) proposed an amendment to the bill in the Senate Finance Committee that would require all members of Congress to participate in the government option. The amendment passed, but don’t celebrate yet. All Democrats, except three, voted against the amendment. (I’ll explain at least 2 of those 3 in a moment.) But first, let’s look at some of the Democrats who “wouldn’t be caught dead” in the government plan.
… Sherrod Brown and Sheldon Whitehouse won’t themselves join a plan that “will offer benefits that are as good as those available through private insurance plans — or better,” as the Ohio and Rhode Island liberals put it in a recent op-ed. And even a self-described socialist like Vermont’s Bernie Sanders, who supports a government-only system, wouldn’t sign himself up.
Something seems wrong here. Senators Brown and Whitehouse write an op-ed piece they hope all Americans will read, extolling the virtues of a government health plan, but they refuse to be forced into joining it? And, Sen. Sanders who wants only a government system, refuses to participate in that system? Gee, why would that be?
Well, lets look at the Democrats who voted to join the government plan. Two of the three Democrats who voted to subject themselves to it were Sen. Dodd (D. Ct.), and Sen. Kennedy (D. Ma.). Senator Dodd is chairman of the Senate Finance Committee where the amendment was introduced. Call me cynical, but, I strongly suspect that the requirement that Congress participate in the plan will “magically” disappear in the final bill, much like, under Sen. Dodd’s leadership, the AIG bonuses “magically” appeared in the Stimulus Bill. When questioned about the disappearance, Sen. Dodd will look as shocked and amazed, as he did when questioned about the appearance of AIG bonuses. But, for the moment, I suspect, in the Senator’s mind, it is a great public relations move.
One Republican refused to be compelled to join the government health care plan, Sen. Gregg (R. N.H.). When asked why, he said the public option,
will be so bad that I don’t think anyone should be forced to join.
If Obamacare passes, what is now labeled the “public option” will, within ten years, become the “public mandate“. It will be bad health care, but, unlike Congress, you will have no “option”. You will be forced to join.
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It is a shame that some Americans are so gullible, to the outlandish propaganda and lies spat in the newspapers, television and radio about Obama’s health care agenda. They have demonized the British, Canadian and other worthy plans. Hidden under a disguise cover, these radical entities are determined to keep the special interest organizations in absolute power. Comprising of the money-draining profitable insurance companies and their rich stockholders. They don't want any changes to the broken system of medical care, because it will hurt the status quo. I was born in England, in the county of Sussex and until the inception of the European Union and the European Parliament dictating to Britain. That they must accept millions of foreign workers, the nations medical system was exemplary. I never had to wonder if I would have to file bankruptcy, to pay my medical bills, or listen to the incessant ring of debt collectors on the phone.
On several occasions I ended up in the cottage hospital and their was never a cost applied to it, never a ream of paperwork. Incidentally, I choose my own doctor where I Lived. The longest I waited for surgery was three months, as it was not an emergency. No doctor, no hospital or specialist asking me for my Social Security number, drivers license or if I was covered by a predatory for-profit insurer. No premiums, no-cops and pre-existing condition clauses. Yes! Didn't have a private room, but who cares? Today the British Isles is being submerged under a barrage of legal and illegal immigrants, who have never paid into the system, have caused some rationing. Prior to the importation of foreign labor my trips to doctor, to hospital, the eye or a dentist was paid from my taxation. Unless we pass a national health care agenda, Americans will never know what it's like to breeze through their lives, without worrying about paying for health care? Tell your Senators and Congressman you want an alternative to the–GET RICH– insurance companies, before a Universal health care is killed. 202-224-312 REMEMBER THE INVESTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS DON'T WANT THEIR PIECE OF THE $$$TRILLION$$$ DOLLAR PIE DISTURBED. EVEN SOME POLITICIANS HAVE THEIR DIRTY FINGERS IN THE PIE?
AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE PRIVATE HEALTH CARE, A GOVERNMENT SINGLE PAYER SYSTEM WILL ASSIST IN REVITALIZING THE WILTING US ECONOMY.
Wow, Brittanicus, you only had to wait three months for non-emergency surgery. You've certainly changed my mind about Obamacare. I(and,I suspect all Americans) have grown increasingly tired of having to wait a week or so for non-emergency surgery. Thanks for sharing your experiences with us. We couldn't have asked for a better endorsement.
I had to wait for 6 months in a wheelchair to get non-emergency surgery right here in HARTFORD.
Wow, I beat you out Brittanicus, I only waited 7 weeks for my non-emergency surgery and I had that in Hartford also!
@Ann- Good for you! Your experience did not invalidate mine.
I think the SoundOffSister is talking about freedom, fairness and equality. Why can politicians opt out, but we can't? I guess they're more free than we are.