GOP Rep Hands Out ‘Inflammatory’ Flier Saying Health Reform ‘Might Encourage’ Seniors To ‘Give Up’
GOP Rep Hands Out ‘Inflammatory’ Flier Saying Health Reform ‘Might Encourage’ Seniors To ‘Give Up’
Speaking after a panel discussion at the Naperville Chamber of Commerce panel yesterday, Rep. Judy Biggert (R-IL) denounced the disruptions at congressional town halls over the August recess. “What bothers me the most about this is we do have some people that out there want to make political games out of this or make a circus and destroy some of these meetings,” said Biggert. Watch it:
But Biggert engaged in her own “political games” at the meeting, handing out an info sheet warning that benign end-of-life counseling provisions in the House health care plan “might encourage” seniors “to give up when facing a serious illness“:
But on Wednesday she also handed out an information sheet that warned President Barack Obama’s government-run insurance plan “requires end-of-life counseling for seniors that might encourage them to give up when facing a serious illness.”
Asked about the accuracy of suggesting the plan could require older Americans to be counseled against lifesaving care, Biggert conceded the statement was “a little inflammatory.” “I probably wrote it when I was mad,” she said.
Claiming that she was “not talking that there is euthanasia or anything,” Biggert claimed that she worried seniors would be told to go off and die:
Biggert said that while her flier was a bit over the top, she understands why seniors are scared.
“To me I thought that was inflamatory,” the 71-year-old said of the provision. “I picture myself going out into the forest and sitting there like the tribes used to do or getting on an iceberg and floating away.”
Biggert continued, “I think that is something that is between me and whoever … whether it is my doctor or my conscience or whatever.”
On the defensive over the false claims in the flier, Biggert claimed that she was “not trying to upset” seniors and assured a reporter from the Chicago Daily Herald that she did not hand out the fliers at the senior centers she recently visited.
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damn! i thought you guys said posting will be light!
go go go!
all that inspiration is a boon!
August 13th, 2009 at 6:24 pmThese Republicans have two heads… ones says one thing and the other says the opposite.
August 13th, 2009 at 6:30 pmAnd having their health insurance and basis of their pension taken away (as suggested in earlier news item about Katy Abram) will cause the joy to swell up in them so that they won’t give up ?
August 13th, 2009 at 6:32 pmand, it’s Naperville.
this woman’s coyness is total bullshit…
this meme has some particularly nefarious objections…
it’s such a stupid lie, i can’t figure the motive…
August 13th, 2009 at 6:32 pmI’d be very happy to ration this evil beeyotch’s toilet paper.
August 13th, 2009 at 6:33 pmNo, congresswoman, it’s called a lie. I believe it falls into the following category:
Bold-faced lie
August 13th, 2009 at 6:34 pmA bold-faced (often also referred to as bare-faced or bald-faced, although all three have slightly different meanings) lie is one which is told when it is obvious to all concerned that it is a lie. For example, a child who has chocolate all around his mouth and denies that he has eaten any chocolate has told a bold-faced lie.
I will never give up but at lease I read the Health Care Plan which I notice the Media/Press/Law Makers haven’t. We have Medicaid and Vets Coverage which seems to be just fine with even the Law Makers and their Family members who are qualify for the benefits. Many of the Protesters are using both benefits while being paid to stop other Americans from getting help. Not every Senior is stupid in most ways we’re smarter then the young Law Makers who are lying. Try putting one senior against Boner Boy, Sarah Palin and Michelle Bachmann on the TV Show ” Are you Smarter then a 5th Grader”. You got it the Senior would be a clear winner. The Bush tricks don’t work anymore.
August 13th, 2009 at 6:36 pmI think my ability to accept her explanation at face value is kinda offset by all the hysterical wharrgarble coming out of the right over the last few weeks. You know, “if a public option is enacted, the government will turn your grandma into Soylent Green” kind of rhetoric. There are people out there who seriously believe this. I shudder to think what the barber shop crowd is talking about.
August 13th, 2009 at 6:36 pm“The Hinsdale Republican said she didn’t know her staff was going to place the flier on the chairs of scores of attendees at a Naperville Chamber of Commerce…”
Having been to Naperville a few times I don’t think many residents there have too much trouble with paying for health care or have to pay for it at all now. They already got “theirs”.
August 13th, 2009 at 6:36 pmThank God I don’t live in her district anymore.
August 13th, 2009 at 6:38 pmWhen I was in college the first time, I put out fliers offering discounts to seniors for housekeeping. A lot of the clients I worked for were very elderly women who were preparing to die. Some were in better health than others, but they were all well into their eighties. Their wills were made and they were in charge of their lives. They sat in their beds sorting papers while I cleaned their houses. I thought I’d like to live my life in such a way that I could calmly sort through the last relics of my existence as I prepared for my death, while a young person got my house squeaky clean.
Of course, an elderly person who hasn’t made their will and advanced directive won’t have so much control over their lives, and may end up causing a lot of trouble they could have prevented had they simply been responsible. What is so hard about that? Senior citizens have had plenty of time to learn responsibility. Why is the GOP treating them like children?
August 13th, 2009 at 6:38 pmAnother installment of Rethuglizan Theatre. Brought to you by fascism.
August 13th, 2009 at 6:40 pmGOP Rep Hands Out ‘Inflammatory’ Flier Saying Health Reform ‘Might Encourage’ Seniors To ‘Give Up’
– - To all you seniors:
“Deteriorata”
You are a fluke of the universe. You have no right to be here.
Go placidly amid the noise and waste,
And remember what comfort there may be in owning a piece thereof.
Avoid quiet and passive persons, unless you are in need of sleep.
Rotate your tires.
Speak glowingly of those greater than yourself,
And heed well their advice, even though they be turkeys.
Know what to kiss, and when.
Consider that two wrongs never make a right, but that three do.
Wherever possible, put people on hold.
Be comforted that in the face of all aridity and disillusionment,
and despite the changing fortunes of time,
There is always a big future in computer maintenance.
Remember The Pueblo.
Strive at all times to bend, fold, spindle, and mutilate.
Know yourself. If you need help, call the FBI.
Exercise caution in your daily affairs,
Especially with those persons closest to you -
That lemon on your left, for instance.
Be assured that a walk through the ocean of most souls
Would scarcely get your feet wet.
Fall not in love therefore. It will stick to your face.
Gracefully surrender the things of youth: birds, clean air, tuna, Taiwan.
And let not the sands of time get in your lunch.
Hire people with hooks.
For a good time, call 606-4311. Ask for Ken.
Take heart in the bedeepening gloom
That your dog is finally getting enough cheese.
And reflect that whatever fortune may be your lot,
It could only be worse in Milwaukee.
You are a fluke of the universe.
You have no right to be here.
And whether you can hear it or not,
The universe is laughing behind your back.
Therefore, make peace with your god,
August 13th, 2009 at 6:40 pmWhatever you perceive him to be – hairy thunderer, or cosmic muffin.
With all its hopes, dreams, promises, and urban renewal,
The world continues to deteriorate.
Give up!
The idea of death panels is a farce, of course, but so is the idea that a person or a persons family does not take into consideration the costs, time and pain involved in treatment. If a doctor were to tell me that a 10 million dollar treatment might prolong my life 6 months, or 12 months, I would not take it. I would make my peace, and attempt to impart any wisdom I might have to those I left behind. That wisdom, of course, would be that Palin and her ilk are morons.
August 13th, 2009 at 6:40 pmThese folks have a doom and gloom attitude. Where do they get the idea that a counselor would tell people to be like a dog and go die in the woods?
Do counselors for drug addicts tell their clients “Just go do more drugs and hope you overdose and die”
Do dieticians tell their clients “Eat to you weigh 400 lbs and bless the world with your fatal heart attack”
Do psychologists tell their patients “There is nothing wrong with being crazy and running around the streets naked, maybe you will get hit by a car and be killed”
Really, such Orwellian BS these politicians, who are supposed to listen to peoples opinions instead of forming peoples opinions to fit a view they have been paid to spread.
August 13th, 2009 at 6:48 pmI would ask…and demand a (straight up or down) answer from her:
DO YOU HAVE AN Advanced Directive?
DO YOU HAVE A Power of Attorney?
Are you willing to help, gratis, Seniors and others get these set up?
Now tell us why I (when on Medicare) could not talk with my doctor (that I love) about these issues (so that he knows) and how I take care of them.
It would seem that the Rushpublicans DO NOT want your “loose ends” taken care of…Hmmm, they must think that someone can make a fast buck if you are not prepared.
August 13th, 2009 at 6:48 pmI’m still on the sunny side of 70, but only barely. Ten years ago I had brain surgery, and the physical remnants still haunt, though I’m still in tolerably good health. But for how long?
My question is, what the hell’s wrong with me ‘giving up’ when I feel the time is right? What’s it to ya, or to anyone else?
“I picture myself going out into the forest and sitting there like the tribes used to do or getting on an iceberg and floating away.”
So do I. Where the hell’s the problem?
Just askin’.
August 13th, 2009 at 6:48 pmSomething just hit me (sometimes slow on the uptake, but haven’t seen this suggested anywhere): Why make this solely an “elderly” issue? Why can’t whatever is passed encompass all “adult” ages when their end-of-life is concerned and/or looms (children medical issues are always decided by their parents/guardians). Hell, I’m only 51 and in good health, but my family and children don’t know what my wishes are, nor do I know what theirs are and none of us are on Medicare/Medicaid. Heavenly Being forbid, someone in my family gets gravely injured in some kind of accident or is hit with some sudden horribily debilitating illness. Do they want to hang on with tubes, or to be gently let go? This doesn’t just concern folks on Medicaid/Medicare. Everyone should have a medical directive/DNR, whatever you want to call it. Yes, we should all have it documented somewhere, but there’s always the Shiavo Factor to consider when someone in the family disagrees.
Just a thought. Continue…
August 13th, 2009 at 6:49 pmFried Your Tomato. Your Welcome.
August 13th, 2009 at 6:50 pmToo bad there isn’t a special ice flow set aside for lying, underhanded, money grubbing scumbags.
August 13th, 2009 at 6:51 pm“I probably wrote it when I was mad,” she said.
You disgust me, Rep Biggert. You’re the type who would shove this flyer into your aging mama’s hand and say, “Don’t piss me off, old gal.”
I’d demand your resignation, but you haven’t the integrity to follow through.
August 13th, 2009 at 6:56 pmWhy make this solely an “elderly” issue?
I suppose its to get AARP and other groups that wield quite a bit of influence excited enough to vote against the bill. I also spose that many young people are not concerned with dying at this time.
August 13th, 2009 at 7:00 pmSeriously, this Biggert doesnt recall what their emotional state was when the wrote this?
August 13th, 2009 at 7:01 pmDon’t waste your time ranting about Biggert. She is in an extremely Republican district and county. It is next to impossible to get a Dem elected there.
August 13th, 2009 at 7:03 pmWTF? Oh please…don’t try to compare yourself to a native American, Representative Bigot…and please, please go out into the forest or get on a friggin’ iceberg and float away–if you’re getting on that iceberg, don’t forget to take ‘you betcha’ Palin with you…
Liars, hypocrites and thieves all of ‘em…
August 13th, 2009 at 7:03 pmWith our present health care system, 20,000 to 40,000 (Nader’s number) annually will continue to meet their demise or in other words forced to give up.
Why aren’t these mob thugs talking about that?
August 13th, 2009 at 7:03 pmDid it have a picture of old peoples bodies being tossed on a burning pile?
Or maybe a picture of an old fart with a shotgun in his mouth?
There is no limit to the lies an (R) will go to in their propaganda.
August 13th, 2009 at 7:06 pm“I probably wrote it when I was mad,” she said.
Well Ms. Biggert, we do expect that our Congressional Representatives exhibit some control and not employ the “drink and dial” nor “drink and blog” method.
August 13th, 2009 at 7:07 pmFrugalChariot that reminds me that recently my neighbors, who considers himself conservative, wifes father who decided to do just that. He had basically given up. He and his family decided not to resuscitate him.
So I agree, if someone decides they want to go thats their decision but I also dont think a counselor should, or would for that matter, hasten the process by influencing people to jump in front of speeding trains to save money.
August 13th, 2009 at 7:08 pmLet the old cow give up her own government-sponsored health care.
She advocates things for others that she herself has no intention of doing.
I am so glad that Howard Dean is speaking out forcefully against these a-holes.
Where are the other Dems?
The congressional repiggies have no intention of voting for any bill sponsored by the Dems, no matter how many concessions the Dems make.
Screw the repiggies. Let’s hope this thing gets done.
August 13th, 2009 at 7:08 pmCounselors dont make money by telling their clients to die they make money by keeping them around.
August 13th, 2009 at 7:11 pmIn a world where food and resources are not scarce, and young people can be gainfully employed caring for the elderly, the ice-floe story is cheezy pathos. What a load of self-pity.
August 13th, 2009 at 7:21 pmi kinda like that, badmoodman…
simpatico…
August 13th, 2009 at 7:21 pmXisithrus says:
… Where do they get the idea that a counselor would tell people to be like a dog and go die in the woods?
limpballs… i heard it earlier, some clips, on ed shultz radio…?
August 13th, 2009 at 7:25 pmBadmoodman says:
I remember “Deteriorata” from when I was a kid well over 30 years ago, and in another country. Thanks, I just saved it to my PC. It;s as relevant (and funny) now as it was then.
Thanks again!
August 13th, 2009 at 7:26 pmThe irony is, Americans don’t have that choice anyway. The
August 13th, 2009 at 7:33 pmpeople who are terminal and in constant pain must either go to
someplace like the Netherlands, or hope their doctor slips
them a little extra morphine.
5th Estate says:
I remember “Deteriorata” from when I was a kid well over 30 years ago
– - Enjoy the video and audio:
August 13th, 2009 at 7:34 pmhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1NAwlepnSs
remember yesterday i posted about the caller who opined that one of the reasons ‘they’ were against this (actual, advance directive) is because of the loss of revenue due to fewer left to the state…?
well, Naperville would be a jockpot…
but THOSE people know about wills and financial planning…
… oh now, that’s stereotyping… sorry…
August 13th, 2009 at 7:35 pmsoapbox @16 – i should credit your post for reminding me…
August 13th, 2009 at 7:36 pmWhen I worked in healthcare, I worked for a short time at a nursing home. One of my least favorite tasks was to feed an elderly woman. She was bed ridden, and could not speak. She did not respond to any conversation, and it was unclear if she was even mentally active enough to be considered alive.
That was 20 years ago. I hope for her sake she has died by now. We really need mercy killing, if not for the terminally ill, then we need it for stupid Republicans.
August 13th, 2009 at 7:39 pmRep. Judy Biggert (R-IL)first rings the bell of old people “giving up” then she tries to unring it.
Doesn’t work that way. I’ve noticed that this is typical of the Repug tactics, say something the wingnuts will eat up, then say they didn’t mean it like that.
Can you say “Hypocrites“
August 13th, 2009 at 7:41 pmMy mother is 80 and my mother-in-law is 90.They both think medicare does a good job for them. How dare the conservatives scare them.The biggest crock of all is the family values that the Republicans have thrown out the window because of health care.The new Republican theme “hate thy neighbor”.Where are the so called evangelicals on health care. In our state of Minnesota,our evangelical governor kicked 35000 people out of the state health care program. This was after he said the President should look to plans like Minnesota’s in an editorial. This I guess is the conservatives lack of compassion coming to the forefront.We don’t need people like Tim Pawlenty to look out for the well off but not for the disenfranchised.
August 13th, 2009 at 7:55 pmskyler – time to do it… especially since you have a family…
i brought it up a few days ago, that this should not be specific to seniors… ALL adults should have a healthcare and death directive…
definitely a will… no matter how meager your “estate”.
i thought of a handy hint to add last night also…
August 13th, 2009 at 7:55 pmI’m a senior, & frankly, any senior who “gives up” because health care is being improved for them under Obama is a total idiot who only listens to Fox & Beck. Fox & Beck are liars & distorters. They want to line their own pockets so Beck & other Fox idiots can continue their 10 million dollar salaries. Why the hell should I care about the Fox freeloaders/millionaires when I need good health care & Obama is willing to provide it for me? Beck, O’Reilly & all those other Fox liars who make $10 million plus a year can go f**k themselves, which I expect they do.
August 13th, 2009 at 8:05 pmjeez, keith… ha! he actually said it:
“… USING STUPID PEOPLE TO SCARE OTHER STUPID PEOPLE…”
while showing a clip of mobs…
…
gaa -
he is also reporting that this emendment is being pulled…
the fear mongers killed it…
August 13th, 2009 at 8:05 pmThe cycle follows thusly:
1. Obama administration proposes real reform (single payer or at least a strong public option).
2. Congress delays just long enough to go into recess, forcing the use of open-to-the-public proceedings for members of Congress.
3. The private health care/pharma/insurance industry, along with right-wing activist groups, encourage their fringe to disrupt proceedings of those politicians they don’t agree with.
4. After “grassroots” inflammatory showdowns, actual politicians start using fringe language (RE: Grassley and Rep. Foxx), further solidifying the misinformation in the minds of the more stupid and active citizens.
5. Obama administration concedes and removes the “controversial” part for the benefit of the corporations and right-wing politicians, saying it’s too much of a headache to fight back on it.
6. Politicians and corporations see weakness, and repeat steps 3 through 5 on any part of the health care proposals until even the progressives won’t vote on it anymore.
THIS is the formula through which the stupid and the greedy have manhandled the national dialogue on health care reform. But no Democrat or progressive in a position of power has addressed this communicational hijacking. It’s not enough to give the crazies and the corrupt more air-time, hoping the rest of America will realize that the “screamers” don’t stand for anything. In fact, as today’s AP poll showed, the opposite has occurred.
These people, from the town hall screamers to Sarah Palin to Rush to Chuck Grassley to Dick Armey… they uphold outright lies as fact, then reply with a self-righteous response and a $%&#-eating smirk when their lies are refuted.
If no one else is willing to say it, I will: These people are political TERRORISTS, putting blind ideology and corporate greed above the literal well-being of Americans. Some will bring guns to events, will wave around “kill our president!” signs and receive a slap on the wrist or cable-news airtime for their efforts. They hope the progressives will quiet down if they keep making veiled threats and raucous interruptions. This is not free speech, it is TERRORISM painted up like a cheap whore to look like “right-wing activism”.
Obama needs to show these detractors the back of his hand, not with extreme force, as Cheney would have done, but with an adamant procession to real reform. If he will not do it (and continue to make deals with groups like big pharma), true progressives must pick up his slack and work to save this country from widening the class gap and turning into a glorified pre-Revolution France.
August 13th, 2009 at 9:52 pmDemocrats would be smart if they made the republicans put there money where their mouth is. Goto town halls and demand that if the working middle class cannot get socialized medicine, then medicare, medicaid, VA, and the Federal Employee Health Insurance Program must be abolished.
August 13th, 2009 at 9:53 pmRep. Judy Biggert (R-IL),
Do you have any principles at all? Your “hand out” scared the elderly in your community and for what purpose? Your ridiculous excuse underscores your complete lack of knowledge of the health care issue.
The sole Republican goal is to maintain the status quo and hand a defeat to the black guy in the Whitehouse.
August 13th, 2009 at 10:34 pmIf you live in Judy Biggert’s district, please remember that Scott Harper is running against her in 2010. He came closest to ousting Biggert in 2008 than anyone else has in the past decade. With a little more support from the community (as well as the DCCC), we ought to be able to make 2010 even more competitive. Remember the name: Scott Harper!
On a related note, Ms. Biggert left a voicemail for me today, wishing me “a great 4th of July.” Today, August 13. Between this and the “accidental” passing out of the incendiary flier, it’s clear that either she or her staff is incompetent.
August 13th, 2009 at 11:26 pmAfrica’s Secret: GABON 30 August election tragically under threat. After embezzling dictator of 41 yrs Bongo dies, ruling party tries to force dynastic successor, his son Ali. http://tiny.cc/01Ddg. Candidate http://www.Moubamba.com calls for democracy and end to brutal poverty in oil rich Gabon. Support change in Africa
August 13th, 2009 at 11:40 pmI’m a senior and I gave up on the Republicans a long time ago. I think the only seniors Democrats want to kill are old Republicans.
August 14th, 2009 at 2:40 amhttp://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20090813/FREE/908139986#
Remember to thank a Republican when your health insurance rates rise…and take a look at what they want to do to the seniors that are enrolled….a 31% rate increase.
http://www.freep.com/article/20090813/BUSINESS06/90813048/1002/BUSINESS/Regulators-OK-Blue-Cross-rate-hike
You won’t hear this on Rush or Beck.
August 14th, 2009 at 8:43 amWhen Biggert says “mad” does she mean angry or insane?
August 14th, 2009 at 9:44 amJudy Biggert is an interesting character. Recently, she took credit for a transit bill that she voted against.
How do we know Judy is lying? We hear sounds coming from her mouth.
http://progressillinois.com/2009/7/28/biggert-touts-bill-voted-against
August 14th, 2009 at 9:59 amAs a senior I have given up on one thing, Republicans. (At one time I was so registered, even a precinct committeeman, but they got the idea that the Party of Lincoln meant owning a luxury automobile.)
The Democrats are on a tether. I prefer Independents, but couldn’t survive New England Winter.
Oh, well.
August 14th, 2009 at 1:00 pm