Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Money First, Health Later

Whoever wrote this for French President Nicolas Sarkozy should be given a gold star:

Welcome to the club of states who don't turn their back on the sick and the poor. In reference to the US healthcare hullabaloo.

And:

From the European perspective…when we look at the American debate on reforming health care, it's difficult to believe. The very fact that there should have been such a violent debate simply on the fact that the poorest of Americans should not be left out in the streets without a cent to look after them is something astonishing to us.

More importantly, Sarkozy said:

If you come to France and something happens to you, you won't be asked for your credit card before you're rushed to the hospital.

His words rang in my ears yesterday as I pre-registered for surgery at a local hospital. Almost at once, I was asked for $700. The amount was based on my healthcare insurance deductible and on a percentage of what the surgery will cost. When I informed the admitting clerk I did not have that kind of money, she rushed off to find a "financial counselor."

The issue was finally resolved, but not before the "financial counselor" made the rather cold side-remark of "you should be aware of your insurance and benefits before arranging surgery."

After she left, I turned to the admitting clerk and said: "Would it be easier if I went outside and fell down in front of the hospital in order to get treatment?"

She shook her head. "No. They'd probably just ship you to another hospital."

Nice.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

The State of Hell No

My summary of the GOP:
  • They do not accept Barack Obama as President even though he won the election in a landslide. However, in order to maintain "appearances" they publicly address him as "President."
  • They refuse to acknowledge the new law of the land as "healthcare reform," preferring to call it "Obama-care."
  • Rather than moving ahead to other issues, they are belching "repeal and replace" on healthcare even though they don't have a chance in hell of winning the argument. That's acceptable to them, apparently – they don't have to create their own solutions or work for the people who elected them.
  • They spread lies and misinformation in order to confuse and anger their constituencies instead of rationally giving them the truth.
  • They are prime-grade hypocrites: refusing to take stimulus money from the outset, only to perform a quick turnaround when it becomes obvious people in their states need the assistance. Assuredly they didn't eventually accept stimulus money out of concern for their constituents, but rather in fear of re-election failure.
  • They rant and rave about abortions being funded by the government (another misnomer) because they don't want the self-described immorality of it shoved down their throats. On the other hand, they don't mind shoving their beliefs down the throats of those who are pro-choice.
  • They incite the less-educated echelon of their constituencies into frenzies over President Obama's legitimacy as a US citizen or portray him as a Hitler-like caricature. In doing so, they reveal that their goal is to reach one of the mentally unsound fanatics in hopes they go off the deep end and actually take a shot at the President.
  • They offer-up Sarah Palin as their darling even though the woman is as dumb as a rock. If she's the best they have, their hate and denial mode is beyond repair. Just look at the crackpots who attend the "Tea Party" rallies – their glazed eyes and often unintelligible ravings tell the whole story better than anything or anyone else can.
  • Their new moniker, thanks to John Boehner: The Party of Hell No.
Although a tad unrelated, I'm at an age where I don't want escalating drama in my life. The other day a friend asked me if I would ever date a Republican or otherwise conservative man, and I responded with a resolute "No."

I am an informed voter, a political junkie if you will, and I keep abreast of an assortment of issues. With news coming in instant media these days, I cannot imagine anyone else's argument swaying me in either direction because I draw my own conclusions. In other words, I am not interested in a debate over right-wing and left-wing policies and credos because I do remain informed. High drama and screaming matches are a waste of time and accomplish absolutely nothing in my mind, and I have come to the point in my personal life where I will make room for neither. Just ask my three ex-husbands.

That being said, I cannot imagine anyone in their right mind abetting and condoning violence and hate rhetoric the way Republicans do. Blinded by greed and potential political advancement, human life and circumstance means nothing to them.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Eviction Notice

I truly hope Republicans keep on their chosen path:
From the article by Adam Nagourney via the New York Times:

[And] in a week when Democrats are celebrating the passage of a historic piece of legislation, Republicans find themselves again being portrayed as the party of no, associated with being on the losing side of an often acrid debate and failing to offer a persuasive alternative agenda.

Come November, it won't be Americans turning out in droves to validate GOP stance but rather to firmly evict them.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Bitter Ooze

This man's bitterness knows no bounds:
What's he repulsed by? That the insurance companies can no longer cut people off when they become seriously ill or deny them coverage if they have pre-existing conditions? That Democrats are giddy because they managed to sweep by the Party of No to get something accomplished that truly benefits the American people?

Or is he "repulsed" that voters showed him the door during the presidential election in 2008, thereby robbing him of the chance to shine when healthcare reform finally saw the light of day?

If I were John McCain, I'd worry more about the upcoming reelection campaign in Arizona. The fact that he voted against healthcare reform might not sit too well with his long-held constituents, who have also been long-suffering to say the least.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Dubious Blower

"Historian" Richard Shenkman claimed on MSNBC this morning that the healthcare bill does not compare in historical importance to the passage of Social Security and Medicare.

From under what rock did this moron crawl from?

Suggestion that his rhetoric has been questioned before:
Although I've never heard of Shenkman before today, I'll bet the lot he's another right-wing fanatic against anything President Obama has a hand in.

How does the historic overhaul of our pathetic healthcare system not rate up against Social Security and Medicare?

Saturday, March 20, 2010

True Colors

The collective mentality of tea baggers, birthers, right-wingers, et al, is finally and irrevocably revealed:
True colors will out.