What to do when your political adversaries push a health care plan you feel they wouldn’t accept themselves? Offer up a resolution stating that anyone who votes for public option health care reform must sign up for it themselves. That’s the tack taken by U.S. Rep. John Fleming of Minden. The resolution, HR 615, may be DOA in the Democratic-led House, but that hasn’t stopped it from becoming a rallying cry for conservatives and all the rage on right-wing blog sites and talk radio programs. The Minden Republican and family physician has been on Fox News promoting the idea and has been featured in several national news articles on the health care debate. His resolution now has 60 cosponsors, all Republicans, including La. Reps Charles Boustany, Rodney Alexander and Steve Scalise. It’s worked so well that in the Senate, Republican leaders John McCain and Tom Coburn are now putting together similar good-for-the-gander amendments.
This is a good example of how some Republicans care much more about political sniping than purported philosophies like fiscal conservatism. Proposing a law that would force people to sign onto a government program. Let's see, take away freedom AND dole out taxpayer dollars. Sounds like a bunch of communists to me!
... written by Susanna Holt , July 27, 2009 - 07:50 pm
I KNOW ALL ABOUT NATIONAL HEALTHCARE! – IT’S A JOY!!!! And as a wealthy individual, I can vouch that it did not take away from our way of life in UK. Au contraire, it gave us freedom from fear, always! The government never decided whether or not we required a heart transplant, believe me, it was the doctor! We carried catastrophic insurance for serious injury, minimal expense, but for countless doctor visits such as cuts, stitches, accidents, mammograms, blood checks etc… it was superb. Not perfect, but isn’t occasional human failing inevitable as humans. And believe me, care was just as good if not better. Conversely, living in the States, always holding comprehensive insurance, at great cost, with high deductibles, I end up paying for every health check in addition. What kind of service is that? I’m slim and healthy. However, one hour in emergency with a simple back spasm from hiking cost me $2500. Placed on every conceivable machine in the ER, presumably to bring up hospital shortfalls to compensate for my friends without insurance! Bless their hearts and livers. What kind of justice is that! – America, please do yourselves a favor? Place a cap on lawsuits – if the doctor cuts off your pinky instead of your toe, you deserve compensation, but not multi millions. Save that money to see youngsters through medical school – we will have more good doctors. Another pitfall, if America insists on eating fast food, then lets encourage fast food chains that offer health-building alternatives. America, you deserve freedom!
... written by Common Sense , July 27, 2009 - 09:11 pm
JP: Dr. Flemming is not trying to force everyone onto government health care. He's simply saying that any Congressman who votes for it should have no problem opting into the program. Practice what you preach.
Susanna: Glad you enjoyed nationalized health care in another country. Since it's a wonderful idea, then any Congressman who votes for it should have no problem enrolling themselves and their family.
... written by northsidian , July 27, 2009 - 11:38 pm
i want the same coverage and retiree benefits that dr. flemming has!! since taxpayers pay his salary and benefits why can't i get the same benefits. this is something that has always upset me and no one even dares to talk about!!! does anyone have ****s?
... written by Bwana Devil , July 28, 2009 - 02:38 am
I want free everything now. I want free cable. I want free food delivered to my door. I want a free home. I want a free car. I want free clothes. I want . . . please stand by for future updates.
... written by Susanna Holt , July 31, 2009 - 06:14 pm
I detect a whole host of anger that spills over into abuse towards government - The American people are generous and fun people by and large and I love them... I would love to see my uninsured friend given care if she goes down with a horrendous disease. I would also prefer that I did not have to carry the rest of the uninsured in society through my own insurance premium contributions! My brother is an executive in the health care industry, so I know a little bit about it..... don't imagine that we are not already having to pick up the shortfall! Start with the food chain? It is too much and too rich.... As for Government ..it is made up of men and women like you and I, they go to great extent to be elected to office, a thankless task, and they want to 'make a difference' Lets support all of their efforts, not trash our leaders - in general, its more productive to have discourse about these problems than to deplore democracy. As for cancer...there are many less destructive ways to both avoid and treat cancer which with any luck will be more available. Personal experience. Prevention is better than cure, and cure cannot be achieved with a simple pill from any doctor or government.. lets be cooperative, open the dialogue for a better way, no taking of sides, just all Americans? And by the way..I did say that I held insurance for catastrophic insurance in addition in UK!! This is the key for Congressman and others used to high service to have the best of both worlds!
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There will soon be a whole lot of shakin’ going on at Benny’s Sportshack Supplement Depot, a new concept by Opelousas native Benny Nele. Located at 2002 Johnston St., the supplement shop, smoothie bar and café, featuring hot off the press paninis and wraps, plans to open in late May.
Philip deMahy Sr., a once respected New Iberia ad exec, was sentenced May 2 to spend the next two years (he faced up to 100 years) in a state penitentiary after state and federal investigators found dozens of images depicting children engaged in lewd sexual acts on his personal computer.
This year’s Cool Town issue is all about people who are not native to South Louisiana but made a conscious decision to be here, to be among us, to participate in our culture and contribute to it.
A shelved ordinance transferring $200,000 from a northside drainage project to a south Lafayette development may not break any laws, but it stinks to high heaven.
An effort to restore a shuttered dancehall and document other vacant or razed honky-tonks could serve as a model for saving an endangered species of entertainment.
Lafayette’s gene pool has been host to a long line of eccentric characters who have blurred the lines between crazy, genius, disturbed and curiously entertaining.
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