Tag: GOP

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GOP congressman keeps his gov’t healthcare because “it’s free”

Rep. Rob Woodall (R-GA) faced criticism this week when video was released of him telling a constituent that she should sponsor her own health care instead of using the government’s Medicare program.

The Georgia Democratic Party released more video Wednesday from that same town hall event where Woodall explained why he wouldn’t give up his own government-funded health care program.

“You take government-subsidized health care, but you are not obligated to take that if you don’t want to,” Democratic activist Ilene Johnson told Woodall. “Why aren’t you going out on the free market in the state where you are a resident and buy your own health care?”

“It’s because it’s free,” Woodall replied. “It’s because it’s free. The same reason I went out to Walgreens and bought Activon when I don’t have any arthritis pain. Because it’s free. Folks, if you give people things for free, don’t blame them for taking them.”

So he wants to know why private citizens expect to take part in Medicare when they’ve PAID into it all their lives, but he keeps HIS government healthcare because “it’s free.”

OHHHHH. Now I get it.

(vis crooksandliars.com)

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House votes down honoring soldiers who got bin Laden

House Republicans say they have no plans to follow the Senate in passing a resolution honoring the military mission that killed Osama bin Laden.

The decision by GOP leaders follows new rules they enacted in January scrapping the tradition of congratulatory measures, which they complained clogged up the House floor.

The Democrat-led Senate on Tuesday passed a resolution, 97-0, commending “the men and women of the United States Armed Forces and the United States intelligence community for the tremendous commitment, perseverance, professionalism and sacrifice they displayed in bringing Osama bin Laden to justice.”

Read more here at The Hill

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Republicans set to re-invent Medicare

Republicans will present a budget plan for 2012 that will attempt to reduce spending by $4 trillion dollars over the next decade. The plan would dramatically reshape Medicare and the entire budget landscape.

From The Wall Street Journal: The plan would essentially end Medicare, which now pays most of the health-care bills for 48 million elderly and disabled Americans, as a program that directly pays health-care costs. Mr. Ryan and other conservatives say this is necessary because of the program’s soaring costs. Medicare cost $396.5 billion in 2010 and is projected to rise to $502.8 billion in 2016. At that pace, spending on the program would have doubled between 2002 and 2016.

Mr. Ryan’s proposal would convert Medicare into a “premium support” system for those now under the age of 55. Participants from that group would choose from an array of private insurance plans when they reach 65 and become eligible, and the government would pay about the first $15,000 in premiums. Those who are poorer or less healthy would receive bigger payments than others.

Democrats say the GOP plan will leave millions exposed to multiple risks. The Medicare premium subsidies would increase more slowly than health costs, they say, so seniors would end up with less coverage over time.

Republicans say the plan would introduce more competition and thus, reduce costs.

Good luck with that one, kids. I’ve never known a business to say ‘hey, let’s lower costs – we’re making too much money.’

I personally think changes do need to be made, but not sure I trust the Republicans – who are always looking out for their own wallet – to protect the average citizens of the country. The wealthy, yes. But that word “protect” can be a tricky thing, don’t you know, when we’re talking about average Americans.

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Montana GOP lawmaker defends drunk driving

Montana GOP Rep. and bar owner Alan Hale stands up to denounce DUI laws. All of them.

Said Hale: “These DUI laws are not doing our small businesses in our state any good at all. They are destroying them. They are destroying a way of life that has been in Montana for years and years. These taverns and bars in these smaller communities connect people together. They are the center of the communities. I’ll guarantee you there’s only two ways to get there: either you hitchhike, or you drive, and I promise you they’re not going to hitchhike.”

Just in case you weren’t absolutely sure that GOP lawmakers were about clearing the way for their wealthy friends (and themselves) to make money, even at the risk of people being hurt, injured or killed, well, there you go…

And I’m not EVEN going to comment on what he’s wearing.

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Gingrich to announce run for White House

According to ABC News,  former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich plans to announce sometime this week that he will run for the Republican Presidential nomination for 2012.

Advisers close to Gingrich say he plans to form a presidential exploratory committee, which is a strong sign he will run.

During his time in office, Gingrich faced ethics allegations and took heat for the confrontation with President Clinton that culminated in the government shutdown of 1995 and 1996.

He’s also been married three times and acknowledged problems in his personal life. As a serial adulterer, he served divorce papers to his first wife while she lay in a hospital bed fighting cancer, and eventually married his mistress of the time. He then left his second wife for another mistress who would become his third wife. During this time, Gingrich has fought against marriage equality on – wait for it – “moral grounds.”

Recent polls show Gingrich finishing behind other possible nominees Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney.

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GOP House Leaders work on plan to defend DOMA

In response to President Obama and the Justice Department’s decision to stop defending the unconstitutional Defense of Marriage Act in court, House Republicans are now saying they are looking to have a plan in place by late this week to defend the law themselves.

House Speaker John Boehner said in an interview Monday that the GOP led House may appoint a special counsel to defend the law in the Justice Department’s absence.

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor said “Again I do believe that this is a case that is distinguishable on its merits and to have the administration take the position, the president take the position, that he’s not defending the law of the land, is something very troubling I think to most members of the House.”

In a case of irony and double-speak, Rep. Boehner’s original response last week was to question the President for addressing the anti-gay law instead of focusing on job creation: “While Americans want Washington to focus on creating jobs and cutting spending, the President will have to explain why he thinks now is the appropriate time to stir up a controversial issue that sharply divides the nation.”

Now however, Mr. Boehner and Mr. Cantor seem to have decided that they will put their focus on anti-gay policy instead of the ongoing economic issues facing the country.

During the last election, Republicans stated over and over again that job creation would be their driving focus and goal. However, since taking over the majority of the House, it seems the Republicans have done everything BUT focus on jobs. They have tried to repeal health care reform, change abortion laws and roll back regulations on the safety of food in the US – just about everything BUT job creation.

Mr. Boehner. Mr. Cantor – why are you addressing everything but job creation?