In a remarkable case of “Do as I say, not as I do,” Congress will be exempt from whatever ObamaCare plan they foist on the rest of the American people. And one congressman has had the guts to call them on their hypocrisy.
Republican Congressman John Fleming of Louisiana thinks the people who vote for ObamaCare should give up their perk-laden congressional healthcare plan and live under the same plan they foist upon the rest of us:
“Under the current draft of the Democrat healthcare legislation, members of Congress are curiously exempt from the government-run health care option, keeping their existing health plans and services on Capitol Hill. If Members of Congress believe so strongly that government-run health care is the best solution for hard working American families, I think it only fitting that Americans see them lead the way. Public servants should always be accountable and responsible for what they are advocating, and I challenge the American people to demand this from their representatives.”
Fleming is also a physician, so he might just know what he’s talking about.
If you agree with Congressman Fleming, you can sign a letter of support at his website.
If you disagree with Congressman Fleming, we hope that psychiatric care is included in ObamaCare. Because you definitely need it.
Source: Fleming.house.gov
This post was last modified on January 26, 2021
View Comments (11)
Sounds good but Congress has never passed a law which it would also be subject to, and it aint going to happen with Obamacare.
There are still some sensible voices still in Government. Most of them are speaking out AGAINST the nonsense of Big Government, the sick circus it has turned into, and are standing against theses Psycho Runaway Hard Left Democrats.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G44NCvNDLfc
Better then putting the Dems on Obamacare as a consolation prize- just make sure that Obamacare never passes!
It's difficult to understand what Jim means by "the 8 years that [Republicans] controlled everything" since they only really controlled "everything" for around 6 years during the Clinton administration; but to answer his question "Where were [they]...?", during the last 2 years of the Bush administration (2006 - 2008) they were right where they are now: In a Democrat controlled Congress (both houses), albeit with a "Republican" President, who nevertheless signed every single bill they sent him. So the question becomes: What were the _Democrats_ doing about healthcare costs for the 2 years before Obama came along and lit a fire under their butts? I think we are all aware of the answer to that.
But that's OK Jim, you just keep on parroting Obama and the left-wing bloggers about what a mess he inherited from Bush, and while you and they are busy doing that, when 2010 rolls around, and then 2012, maybe Americans will finally get the real "Change" we were told Obama was going to bring us.
However, let's not get off topic here. What's "purely political" about holding members of Congress to the same standards they subject us to? I say it's about time they learned they are _not_ denizens of an ivory tower in DC; they are _representatives_ of the people who put them there, who currently number somewhere around 6 to 4 _against_ the monstrous abomination they're plotting to ram down our throats. I agree that a "resolution" is nothing but theater; but in principle, what's wrong with taking away members of Congress's golden lifeboats and holding them responsible for and liable to some of the junk they churn out? One good way to start sending them the message would be if some _real_ representatives of the people were elected to replace them. I can't wait for the 2010 midterm elections!
This is purely political on Flemmings part. Where were the Republicans during the 8 years that they controlled everything and did NOTHING about health care costs? I'll tell you! They were sitting on their butts and ignoring the fact that Bush and Cheney were borrowing and spending us into a near depression and now, all of a sudden, they're pretending that they are concerned about spending and the debt because they're not running the show anymore. What a bunch of sore losers and hypocrites.
Right on Jim S. It took 8 years of bush and his cronies to put this Country in the sad shape it's in, yet they expect Obama to repair it in less than a year. The only reason the republicans don't want the Health Care Bill passed is because it will make the Democrates look good, in other words to Hell with the people with out health insurance and the rising cost. By the way, I'll bet some of you have your hands out for Social Security and Medicare!! How does that work for you??
There’s that tired old lament again: “Poor miserable little Barack Obama inherited this huge mess from Bush and the Republicans, so give the poor guy a break. He’s doing the best he can under the circumstances. blah blah blah” (Very presidential, isn’t it.)
In fact, for the last two years of Bush’s administration Democrats controlled Congress; and I don’t remember any healthcare proposals from the Democrats during the previous 6 either, or after around the second year of the Clinton administration, for that matter.
As for the implications about Social Security, I won’t be getting any, although I and several of my former employers have helped pay for it. That aside, maybe I don’t fully understand the SS system, but I don’t see how it can be considered a “handout”.
As for Medicare, that was a _bipartisan_ bill that was adopted after much debate and discussion in both houses, not rammed through by whichever party happened to have a simple majority. And it was supposed to have accomplished–in 1965–what Abomicare is redoing all over again:
“Prior to the adoption of Medicare and Medicaid, health insurance in the United States was primarily an employee benefit. In the late 1950s, however, Congress observed that two groups were left out of the employment-focused model: the retired elderly and the unemployed poor….”
Lo and behold, the Medicare bill promised:
“Nothing in this title shall be construed to authorize any Federal officer or employee to exercise any supervision or control over the practice of medicine or the manner in which medical services are provided … or to exercise any supervision or control over the administration or operation of any such [health-care] institution, agency, or person.”
But (I’m afraid this may be deja vu all over again) that limitation on federal meddling has been eroded over the years and,
“More recently, … Medicare has become less voluntary for the vast majority of providers, the payment rates are significantly less generous, and the federal government exercises great influence over the delivery of health care services.”
Yup, 45 years later it appears Obama and the Democrats are finally going to get rid of that pesky anti-socialism clause.
(quoted source: answers.com/topic/medicare-act-1965)
read it?????????? name one member of congress who's read it!
Congressman Fleming has a good idea in principle; but I believe the resolution idea is just a clever sound-bite gesture that lacks either real significance or teeth: They can "urge" all they wish, but we all know the nature of Congressmen well enough to know that none of them will be willing to give up his cushy elite plan to join that of the masses. [I'm thinking George Orwell's _Animal_Farm_ a lot these days.] If Fleming et al. truly want to accomplish anything beyond a big childish raspberry--and put their own "money where their mouth is" while they are at it--I suggest that they work towards adding a proviso to whatever government master health care plan finally emerges that would eliminate the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.
Such a rider might just be enough to open a few Congressional eyes to what they are doing (presuming they actually read the bill before signing it).
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A government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take from you everything you have. -- Gerald R. Ford
It's way past time to pull the plug on these chuckleheads in Congress! They have bankrupted our country. Obama won't be satisfied until he and all these unelected czars he has appointed have complete control of every aspect of our lives. We can't afford another 3-1/2 years of this administration! Under Obama's plan hard working Americans will pay to provide healthcare for the 12 million immigrants who broke our laws to enter this country illegally, and the 10 million Americans who have decided they don't need healthcare and don't want to buy it for themselves. I say "NO WAY JOSE!" I'll take care of myself & my family. I want no part of Obamacare!!!
I think all Washington politicians including Obama & Michelle and the children..& biden & his silly wife.... should all TRY the Healthcare plan first then let us know how well it works.
NO THANKS..I LIKE MY MY DOCTOR...I don't need your help Washington!!!
These disgusting people will never agree to that.
They make me sick....