Health Care in America
The media is full of dire stories about uninsured Americans, or people who are dying because their existing insurance won’t cover the treatment they need. But now there’s some GOOD NEWS.
There’s a benefit plan which provides complete health coverage. This plan also includes a $25,000-a-year retirement pension and a 401(k) account.
AND this plan is fully funded by taxpayers.
Now, the bad news is: This plan is only for members of Congress. Sorry, the rest of you peons will just have to pull yourselves up by your bootstraps and start taking some personal responsibility.
Hmmm, does Congress have any openings? Talk about a nice cushy job. Sit around all day talking about individual responsibility and railing against the evils of Socialized Medicine, while your own health insurance and retirement pension are paid for by those lowly taxpayers.
Is it just me, or is there just a tad of irony here?
posted by Tom Harper @ 9:15 AM
15 Comments:
"Irony"? I feel more comfortable using the word "hypocrisy" instead. I'm no huge fan of socialized medicine, but as long as the private healthcare sector is allowed to co-exist with it, I do not really see the harm in it. Congress has also used this same tactic with social security - it's not okay for us to have an OPTION to invest a small percentage of our social security taxes into the private markets but it is okay for Congress to do it. They are so much "smarter" than the rest of us I guess.
Their houses of cards will come tumbling down. There is a new media in town and their stone castles with moats are quickly turning into glass houses with all roads leading there.
Stay on 'em, Tom! Blog ON, bro...
Gun-Toting Liberal: Yeah, I'd say hypocrisy is the right word. We subsidize their health care and retirement pensions while they lecture us about personal responsibility. Nice work if you can get it.
We'll all stay on 'em and keep their feet to the fire. Blog on...
I'd have to go with hypocrisy, too, Tom. In fact, I think I did. Ah, well, we'll fix it. It'll take time, but we'll fix it.
Stephanie: Yes, I hope we can fix it.
I have a word for it, but you'd have to wash my mouth out with Borax for saying it.
A question about why this is okay for them and not for We the People that voted them into office, should be on the lips of every reporter during discusions of U.S. Healthcare.
tom, i don't know what you're all in a tizzy about. just get a "healthcare savings account" and everyone's healthcare problems will be fixed.
that's what george says, anyway, and who are we to contradict him? he's the decider, dammit...
Frstlymil: That question certainly should be asked by every reporter. They trounce every possible plan for health coverage, and yet they themselves have taxpayer-funded health benefits. It's insane.
Spaceneedl: Ah yes, those healthcare savings accounts. That, plus a bumpersticker I once saw that said "America's healthcare plan: Don't get sick." Between the 2 I think we've got it covered.
Universal Health Care, But Only For Congress! Now THAT would sure make a nice bumper sticker, eh.
A lot of those congresspeople who get those great benefits probably believe people shouldn't get benefits from social programs, because such benefits have to be "earned", through hard work... if we just give great benefits like that to someone, it doesn't demonstrate good "moral values".
If more of them actually worked hard enough to earn their benefits, I wouldn't mind... but if it's good enough for them, it's good enough for all Americans. Or, they should have to have the same coverage most of the rest of us have.
I hear their retirement packages can be pretty good, too!
Snave: Yeah, I think health coverage should be one standard, whatever that standard is. If our freemarket congressmen want to spout off about self-reliance while they're paying for their own health and retirement benefits, more power to 'em. But if they want taxpayers (us) to cover their benefits, then our own benefits should be covered too.
Gee, where was your outrage when we had a Democrat Congress under Tip O'Neill which had the same benefit?
Yes, Peter, I was outraged about this during Tip O'Neill's reign too. Also, this post didn't differentiate between Democrats and Republicans. They're both hypocrites for letting us pay for their health care while we have to fend for ourselves.
that's wonderful (sarcasm).. so in order to get any sort of health coverage paid for by our own tax dollars, you either must be poor and know how to use the system or a member of congress. greaaaat.
Kristina Q: Yup, those are pretty much the choices. Either be poor or be a member of Congress.
Robert Stevens: Yeah, lower prices for generic drugs would be nice.
Our national health care policy: Don't get sick.
Snave: Yup, that's it in a nutshell. We had a neighbor (in California where I used to live) who had that exact phrase on a bumpersticker.
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