No More Socialized Medicine for Congress
John Edwards probably doesn't stand a chance of getting elected. The rightwing smear machine will have a field day with his “pretty boy” image, and millions of gullible voters will fall for it.
But Edwards has made a campaign pledge: If Congress doesn’t pass his plan for universal health care, he’ll take away Congress’ health coverage. Ah heck, they won't mind. After all, it’s Socialized Medicine. You don’t even get to choose your own doctor. And why should taxpayers keep giving away their hard-earned money to these leeches anyway? Members of Congress will finally have a chance to get out there and hustle just like the rest of us.
Members of Congress have made periodic soundbites about receiving the same “socialized medicine” that nobody else should have. But as far as I know, this is the first time a presidential candidate has turned this issue into a campaign pledge.
Edwards said: “There's no excuse for politicians in Washington to have heathcare, but America doesn't have healthcare, and I think we have to shake this place up a little bit. What we would do is we would submit legislation saying if universal healthcare is not passed by this summer, that the Congress and members of the administration would lose their healthcare coverage.”
This same article has a video of Edwards’ speech and a PDF file that gives the details of his healthcare plan. Check it out.
cross-posted at Bring It On!
Labels: John Edwards, universal health care
posted by Tom Harper @ 10:16 AM
12 Comments:
Back when our Governor was in Congress, he refused the House healthcare plan. He actually spent $25000.00 a year of his own money to cover himself and his wife.
Ted Strickland was somebody you could respect when he talked about how unfair the healthcare system is in America, because he made sure he shared the pain personally.
It's not socialized if we do it. Just like spying on you isn't a totalitarian Soviet tactic.
- love, Congress.
Jolly Roger: He sounds like somebody you can respect; somebody who walks the walk. That's a rare quality among today's politicians.
Randal: Dear Congress -- fuck off.
I agree.
All these freakin' Republicans who cry about Social Security and Medicare should have their healthcare revoked and retirement taken from them. Isn't that welfare? No self respecting Republican would accept welfare, right?
I wish every member of congress and those elitists in the White House would lose their lavish healthcare plan.
They need to feel the same pain that over 47,000,000 feel everyday.
Don't former Congresspeople get a pretty awesome health package that pays for just about everything, no matter what it is or how much it costs? (Unlike the rest of us poor schmucks who have deductibles and lifetime coverage limits.) What a bunch of asswipes.
it's crazy that the citizens of this country are being denied the basic necessity of healthcare. that's why i'm working to support AARP who are working to get Congress to make Medicare available to the people who cannot afford it. you should check out their website at http://www.thisissoridiculous.com and sign their online petition and make your voice heard! you can also view videos, email Congress and make donations on the site!
~Jessica
PoliShifter: Absolutely. It would be poetic to hear all these politicians and VIPs crying over their lost welfare checks and handouts.
Larry: That's right. Politicians should learn first-hand how their decisions affect millions of people.
Miss Kitty: Yup, awesome is the word. Health care, pensions and all sort of other benefits await members of Congress when they retire from their "jobs." It's only "socialism" if regular non-VIPs get these benefits.
Jessica: Yup, it's crazy all right. Thanks for the link; I'll check it out.
His idea wouldn't stand a chance of passing, but it sure makes a nice statement about where he is coming from. He has a good idea of what fairness is. I have always thought that fairness had to do with people getting what they need, not just having what everyone else has. In the case of access to healthcare in America, I believe that is something everybody NEEDS.
But then again, John Edwards paid $400 for a haircut, and he looks like some blow-dried frat boy. And if he's into helping the poor like he says, why is he so stinking rich? From chasing ambulances? He's a LAWYER, for heaven's sake! Heck, I heard he even lives in a HOUSE, and that he even drives a CAR!!! And when Ann Coulter attacked him, HE didn't respond to her, his WIFE had to!!! He must not be very good, very smart, very nice, or very honest... because we sure don't hear much about him in the news. And he calls himself a candidate for POTUSA? Sheesh.
I just joined AARP, and I will check out Jessica's link too.
And of the Democratic frontrunners, I am beginning to think Edwards may be the only electable one, BTW.
Snave: I don't know whether Edwards could enforce his plan or not. Supposedly his plan is very detailed and thought out, including how to take away Congress' health coverage if they don't comply. Time will tell...
Even with his personal wealth and his blowdried fratboy image, this healthcare pledge might put him ahead of the others.
I love that Edwards said that!
Obama/Edwards or Edwards/Obama - that's my dream ticket.
Candace: I'm leaning towards Edwards right now, just on the basis of that campaign pledge. I don't know whether a president has the power to take away Congress' health coverage, but at least Edwards has raised the stakes by making this promise. This will put the health care issue front and center where it belongs.
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