I love how politicians distract people from the real issues. What starts out as a debate over the Children’s Health Insurance Program(S-chip) turns into a debate over a family’s assets.
It all began when the Democrats enlisted 12 year old Graeme Frost to respond to President Bush’s radio address. Graeme was in a car crash that left him with severe brain injuries and he relies on the program for his treatment. They did this partly because it’s an example of someone benefiting from the program. They likely did it mostly because a sick kid equals public sympathy. That is completely beside the point, it’s not like politicians haven’t been doing it already for years.
The Republicans, never one to miss out on an opportunity, accuse the Democrats of exploiting the boy. Then they decide that the boy can’t be the poster boy for the Democrats, damn it, he’s going to be their new poster boy. At this point, I imagine maniacal laughter. None of the politicians really want to get their hands dirty, so they have one of their minions do the work for them. Soon there are reports swirling everywhere that the family could afford their own insurance and are examples of what is wrong with the program. They have successfully not only made the boy their poster child, but turned the issue into what assets and income the family has instead of child health care.
The best part of it all is the explanation they came up with of why they attacked. It boils down to this; the family opened itself up to scrutiny by allowing their son to speak. Someone even sent the mother an e-mail that said, “Lie down with dogs, and expect to get fleas.” Wow, I didn’t know expressing an opinion automatically opens you up to financial scrutiny. Half the shit that the conservatives claimed wasn’t even close to right, yet they still stand behind their statements. All I can say is typical.
The government caused the problem with health care in America by over socializing medicine to the extent it is not completive, and we want to exacerbate the problem? Kids have health care. The needy already have health care. The U.S. is not a socialist state ( see http://tinyurl.com/2znnvl ). No one is entitled to be given a house, car, food or health care, etc. If we want these things, we have to earn them. The government does not earn money. Perhaps some of us should take a civics class and learn about America. We all have to labor for what we want. For those who need help there are the charities and state programs. We need to fix the health care issue but we cannot fix it unless we know how it is broken. For the answer, please see http://www.InteliOrg.com/
The really horrible thing about this is that only the most hardcore, party-line, power to the partisan members of the Republican party are doing this, but they spawn resentment for the entire party, many members of whom support helping kids who need help. Because, you know, it's a good thing.
Good, clear summary and a point to make. I like it.
--Samus
(if you're not outraged, you're not paying attention)
I disagree. It's not really fair to blame these problems on one party or another; they are both at fault for putting this child in the middle of a political battle that has been going on for some time.
I have to agree with you in that many politicians do not deal with the real issues. Both sides clearly used this child and his family, and it was inappropriate and manipulative.
http://www.progressiveu.org/125456-party-lines