Pawlenty called out on false claim that large numbers of undocumented immigrants are using public services.
Pawlenty called out on false claim that large numbers of undocumented immigrants are using public services.
Today on ABC’s This Week, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) defended Rep. Joe “You Lie!” Wilson’s (R-SC) concern that undocumented immigrants would be able to get federal health care benefits. Although Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius stated that President Obama and Congress have made it clear that undocumented immigrants shouldn’t “have access to the new health insurance exchange,” Pawlenty claimed that they will still will “show up” and “get the services” because no one checks their citizenship status. When Stephanopoulos called out his inaccurate claim, Pawlenty stumbled for a response:
PAWLENTY: Well, there’s a missing piece here, George. And even if you have language that says illegal immigrants will not be a part of this program — unless you have the enforcement mechanism in place, it doesn’t mean much. In Minnesota, we have laws that say illegal immigrants won’t get many services, but unless somebody actually checks, guess what, they show up and they get the services.
STEPHANOPOULOS: There’s been a study done by the House Oversight Committee that showed these Medicaid provisions, they spent about $8 million to enforce and they caught eight illegal immigrants.
PAWLENTY: Well, clearly, though, if you have a law that’s unenforced, it isn’t much of a law. So first of all, if the secretary is saying we’re going to have a provision in the bill that says illegal immigrants will not be covered, that’s progress, but we also need to make sure we can back that up with proper enforcement.
Watch it:
Over at the Wonk Room, Igor Volsky has more on Pawlenty’s inaccurate claim and points out that “documentation requirements may be weeding out more eligible applicants than illegals.”
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Pawlenty stumbled for a response:
PAWLENTY: Well, there’s a missing piece here, George
– - Yeah, and it’s that vacuum between your ears, Timmah!
September 13th, 2009 at 2:57 pmAt times, I feel that our era is analagous to the final days of the Weimar Republic, just before the establishment of the Third Reich in January 1933.
Just as the Nazi Party demonized Jews as “The Other” for many years prior to their ascension to full power in Germany, the right-wing in our nation has demonized illegals, with the rhetoric becoming more and more shrill with each passing year.
“The Other” in our own times is seen to bring crime, pollute society, undermine the American worker and manipulate government programs to their own advantage.
With the increasing hostility, the packing of weapons and the escalation of hateful rhetoric, I wonder how soon it will be before we witness the spectacle of armed right-wing white militias shooting people with whom they disagree, or with whom they have problems.
I hope that our government and our civil institutions will be strong enough and non-partisan enough to deal with this ominous threat to liberty.
September 13th, 2009 at 2:58 pmI wonder how soon it will be before we witness the spectacle of armed right-wing white militias shooting people with whom they disagree, or with whom they have problems.
– - We’ve been there. That’s pretty much what Tim McVeigh did.
September 13th, 2009 at 3:01 pmShorter Pawlenty: If you’re an illegal immigrant, you should bleed to death on the emergency floor as your punishment for coming here illegally! That’ll show you!!!!
Even shorter Pawlenty: The sentence for crossing the border illegally is death.
Still shorter Pawlenty (to illegal immigrants): DROP DEAD!!
September 13th, 2009 at 3:01 pmHere is a really good article that theorizes what the Republicans are doing by trying to tie health care reform to illegal immigration.
http://progressnotcongress.org/?p=2888
September 13th, 2009 at 3:02 pmLies…Lies…Lies.
Isn’t that the motto of the Rushpubs?
September 13th, 2009 at 3:03 pmI was going to say that Pawlenty just isn’t smart enough to be president, but GWB did set a precedent…
September 13th, 2009 at 3:03 pmTalking out your ass again Governor!???
September 13th, 2009 at 3:05 pmPawlenty has only a slightly better chance of being President than I do.
September 13th, 2009 at 3:08 pmpallenty of lies was allowed too much time for his bullshit…
September 13th, 2009 at 3:09 pmNot impressed with Sebeilius at all! She is not fighting any of the nonsense or misinformation. Just keeps droning on in a monosylabic tone all the same old talking points.
September 13th, 2009 at 3:11 pm” … they show up and they get the services.”
“when they should just suffer and die…”
onward christian soldiers…
September 13th, 2009 at 3:12 pmWould this be the same enforcement that is used on the Republicans that give low paying jobs to illegals, such as hiring maids, gardeners and nannies? The landscaping business is rife with illegals getting paid less than minimum wage.
September 13th, 2009 at 3:18 pmWell, we all know how it is – Shrub and his gang o’thugs thought that emergency room services constitute health care for the proles, and ‘Paw’ Lently, wanting to emulate the great moment in presidential ethics when that policy was pronounced wants to insure that such services are never extended to people who might be citizens of some other place.
My recommendation is that every wingnut politician who spouts this sort of nonsense should be required to do eight to ten hours of emergency service every week in a major hospital emergency room until he (or she) figures out that hospitals and medical service folks have ethical obligations that prevent them from denying critical services from people who are seriously ill or injured or who will die without intervention.
Maybe they’ll figure out that emergency room services don’t constitute health care, too. It’s far too much to expect that they’ll figure out that fearmongering is a seriously destructive practice when applied to major policy initiatives. I hope they get plenty of blowback on their recent tactics.
September 13th, 2009 at 3:18 pmConservatives should back off their opposition to immigration whether it’s legal or not.
For one, it’s a politically lame position. More importantly, we need to expand our tax base due to the high numbers of people retiring. The low birth rate of our ‘natives’ won’t be enough to fund future entitlements. We’ll need immigrants to bolster our tax base.
We should embrace those who want to come to our country that are willing to work and pay taxes.
September 13th, 2009 at 3:22 pmHaving anyone go about without health care is a hazard to everyone who comes in contact with them.
September 13th, 2009 at 3:26 pmTim’s in a tough spot. He might not make the nomination cut for 2012 if he can’t bring the crazy lie like Michelle B. and Sarah P. can.
September 13th, 2009 at 3:27 pmPawlenty is worried about illegals getting health care while it is unsafe to drink tap water because the clean water laws are not being enforced.
September 13th, 2009 at 3:27 pmShorter Pawlenty: “GOVERNMENT CAN’T DO ANYTHING RIGHT!!! Except catch illegals.”
September 13th, 2009 at 3:28 pmHealth care is a right.
September 13th, 2009 at 3:28 pmThat’s nice. The government spent one million per illegal immigrant they caught.
September 13th, 2009 at 3:33 pmI wish I were in the mood to respond to DumbPlenty. Thing is — I’ve got a good overnite Cabernet buzz going and I’d hate to ruin it by trying to point out the obvious and the truth to an A$$klown like Timbo. Pouring another glass . . . .
Just saying . . .
September 13th, 2009 at 3:33 pmThat should be “one million dollars per immigrant”.
September 13th, 2009 at 3:34 pmb-kup,
It doesn’t much matter what the GOP does until they return to telling the truth. Since that would entail admitting past mistakes and failures? I just don’t think they’ve got it in them.
September 13th, 2009 at 3:38 pmI look at Pawlenty (grudgingly) and wonder, does this country really need Mitt Romney lite? Go study archaeology Timmy. Your career lies in ruins.
September 13th, 2009 at 3:41 pmHow come the Dems don’t just come out and call these people what they are, liars. To me the whole repub party can be considered as the fringe element.
September 13th, 2009 at 3:55 pmThis is a wonderfully opportune time to scapegoat illegals since we can’t openly call Obama a you-know-what. When Obama wins on health care and gets to immigration reform, he’ll win on that too and we’ll move to making a full-fledged scapegoat of the next underrepresented group, disabled people. I don’t know why we’ve been considered a national party all this time – we’re probably more suited as the National Bullying Association.
September 13th, 2009 at 3:58 pmIt’s always the illegals fault! The GOPs final Swan Song. The fastest growong demographic is constantly under siege by the Repugs aren’t they? Gay bashing isn’t working that much anymore. The fear card has been played too many times. The religious issues have taken a back seat. So illegal bashing is all they got left. What a bunch of idiots. In a couple of decades the GOP will be dust.
September 13th, 2009 at 4:02 pmMany like to forget that Obama became a Senator in 2005 while Rep. Wilson signed a the bill below:
However, in 2003, Wilson voted to provide federal funds for illegal immigrants’ healthcare. The vote came on the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003, which contained Sec. 1011 authorizing $250,000 annually between 2003 and 2008 for government reimbursements to hospitals who provide treatment for uninsured illegal immigrants. The program has been extended through 2009 and there is currently a bipartisan bill in Congress to make it permanent.
Rep. Wilson had no problem as he followed President Bush and his fellow Republicans. Now Wilson knows Bush needed and got Latino votes by speaking Spanish and of course using his brother’s Family as proof. Now Wilson knows he signed the Bill but with the pay out he got from the Insurance Company for his performance he can’t recall what he did. Wilson and his fellow Republicans might wish this wasn’t headlines when it comes to election day.
September 13th, 2009 at 4:03 pmAll Republicans can do now is LIE and manipulate the minds of their mentally vulnerable base. They want to demonize undocumented immigrants and turn us all against each other.
Pawlenty is a pathetic liar and if he thinks the majority of Americans will elect him as POTUS he’s delusional too!
September 13th, 2009 at 4:08 pmPAWLENTY: Well, clearly, though, if you have a law that’s unenforced, it isn’t much of a law.
September 13th, 2009 at 4:18 pmPresumably, this desire to enforce the law only applies to illegal immigrants. Otherwise we can anticipate tomorrow’s headlines:
PAWLENTY SUPPORTS ENFORCEMENT OF LAWS AGAINST TORTURE AND WAR CRIMES
There’s been a study done by the House Oversight Committee that showed these Medicaid provisions, they spent about $8 million to enforce and they caught eight illegal immigrants.
I assume the GOP has plans to outsource this enforcement task to HalliburtonBlackwaterKBR. $1million per person, sounds right to me.
September 13th, 2009 at 4:38 pmWell, clearly, though, if you have a law that’s unenforced, it isn’t much of a law.
You’re right , so why are all you repubs against enforcing laws against torture
September 13th, 2009 at 4:43 pmPawlenty of flat out lies. Just think, this guy wanted to be President of the United States. Shudder!
September 13th, 2009 at 4:58 pmSo, is the MSM still trying to find the fine balance between right wing radicals and democratic moderates? They should give that game up now.
September 13th, 2009 at 5:03 pmevangenital says:
Just as the Nazi Party demonized Jews as “The Other” for many years prior to their ascension to full power in Germany, the right-wing in our nation has demonized illegals, with the rhetoric becoming more and more shrill with each passing year.
The only thing is, they’ve always been this shrill about immigrants, legal or not. Xenophobia is nothing new. Currently the xenophobes have less sway over public discourse than they have at many instances in the past. It’s alarming certainly, and of course the end-result of any major victory for them would be the establishment of fascism in America, but I still feel the “Germany 30’s” thing is somewhat over the top.
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evangenital says:
I wonder how soon it will be before we witness the spectacle of armed right-wing white militias shooting people with whom they disagree, or with whom they have problems.
I give it about three years. They’re going to have to rebuild their terror support networks, since the militia/neo-Nazi movement has been in some decline over the last eight. Tim McVeigh was only the tip of the iceberg. I remember in the 90’s just about every other week there was a news item about some swastika-tattooed idiot shooting cops, robbing banks or pipe-bombing clinics.
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Virtual Pebble says:
My recommendation is that every wingnut politician who spouts this sort of nonsense should be required to do eight to ten hours of emergency service every week in a major hospital emergency room until he (or she) figures out that hospitals and medical service folks have ethical obligations that prevent them from denying critical services from people who are seriously ill or injured or who will die without intervention.
They’re about this close to coming out and saying that doctors should stand there and watch Mexicans bleed to death in front of them. The day they step all the way over that line is the day they lose their grip on the Christian / “pro-life” / “culture of life” vote.
September 13th, 2009 at 5:03 pmWhere is the proof? where are the statistics that make mathematical sense? Where is the humanity and moral judgement of these people? Oh yes, I forgot once again, they are repuglicans, they have no proof, they make up the numbers and they have no humanity let alone morals.
September 13th, 2009 at 5:09 pmBut if illegals are afraid to get healthcare (as they would be identified as illegals):
they will defer getting care until it is an emergency. Then the hospitals will have to treat them using the extremely expensive emergency room route.
they will not get treatment while it is easy (and inexpensive) to treat. Thus driving up healthcare costs.
they will not get treatment for infectious diseases, possibly becoming a source for spreading an infection.
In short, even though I can see the point against using tax dollars for health treatment for illegal immigrants, the practical effect will be that we drive up our own costs.
September 13th, 2009 at 5:27 pmZooey says:
I was going to say that Pawlenty just isn’t smart enough to be president, but GWB did set a precedent…
Bush screwed up the US economy. Bush screwed up the world economy. Bush got almost everyone in the world to hate him. Bush got almost everyone in the US to hate him. By my reckoning that is the Grand Slam of Incompetence.
September 13th, 2009 at 5:35 pmEver since this moron heard the words “VP Pawlenty”, he’s been running at full-bore wing-nut.
As a Minnesotan, he embarrasses me. Literally turns my stomach to see what he’s done to this state.
Willing to slash budgets for education and health care, but charges blindly ahead with his pet-project of a nearly billion dollar baseball park.
Heck of a job, Timmy.
September 13th, 2009 at 5:44 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
41 – Big money Republicans would never allow that.
Who do you think you’re fooling?
Those illegals make too many Conservative Republican Businessmen rich.
That’s why the R’s have been secretly funding healthcare for them.
That’s why Ronald Reagan gave so many of them amnesty.
Get with the program kid – you’re slow.
September 13th, 2009 at 6:11 pmconservative guy. why not make them legal and tax them instead?
September 13th, 2009 at 6:12 pmIllegal immigrants for Mexico are only guilty of wanting either a better life in America or the chance to earn a living and illegally crossing the border to get it.
I understand the security risks from an insecure border, but for the illegal immigrants that are already here, we should have amnesty.
Illegals broke the law when they came into this country, but that crime is more like speeding than it is like stealing.
Make them pay a reasonable fine and let them get back to work.
Then focus your efforts on securing the border and improving and expanding legal immigration from Mexico.
I’m a Ben Franklin fan, but he was as wrong about German immigration as many on the right are about Mexican immigration.
http://www.dialoginternational.com/dialog_international/2008/02/ben-franklin-on.html
September 13th, 2009 at 6:23 pmHi conservative guy.
September 13th, 2009 at 6:35 pmHow about some smoked salmon on baby greens with an asian vinegrette. I also just did some baked scallops with the left overs that didn’t end up in the curried scallops. What do you say? Why don’t you pull up a chair and share your thoughts while we nosh….
Perfectly said, backup.
Historically, recent immigrants to America (legal or not) work a lot harder than natural-born citizens, and know more about what citizenship involves as well. They’re exactly the kind of people we need more of in this country.
Lazy xenophobes are exactly what we could use less of.
September 13th, 2009 at 6:49 pmThere’s no accountability? For Pete’s sake I need a SSN card, birth certificate, and proof of residence just to renew my driver’s license where I’ve already shown them those IDs when I first got the damn thing!
Somehow I seriously doubt if we get health care it’s gonna get overrun by illegal immigrants – even if they DO have fake IDs.
September 13th, 2009 at 6:50 pmElBruce. Immigration needs to be seen not as a liability, but lifeblood for a country that would otherwise face an unhealthy population decline.
September 13th, 2009 at 6:54 pmElBruce. also meant to through in a ‘right on’ in that last post.
September 13th, 2009 at 6:54 pmPsst, backup – you *do* realize that a big part of the conservative hatred against illegals has to do with their brown skins, don’t you…?
September 13th, 2009 at 7:01 pmIn the same vane, immigrants as a group have demonstrated what other groups have not. They have demonstrated an earnest desire to be in this country and the motivation to endure hardships to get here.
Motivation and desire to be here. We should support that.
September 13th, 2009 at 7:07 pmLeftside. I do see the racial component of the immigration debate.
September 13th, 2009 at 7:08 pmThe companies that back the Republican party want the illegal immigrants for cheap labor. On the other hand, the Republicans want to stop all the illegal immigration and send them all back.
September 13th, 2009 at 7:14 pmWouldn’t that be considered schizophrenic?
Pawlenty just proved that you can smack a Republican in the face with facts and they will never ever know it.
The waste of 8 million dollar proves it’s almost impossible for an illegal alien to get medicare or health care with out a fricking Social Security number.
They wasted 8 million to find 8 people.
September 13th, 2009 at 8:11 pmLangx says:
They wasted 8 million to find 8 people.
I recall it being pointed out somewhere that even without an explicit enforcement program, the mere fact that filling out false information to get federal services is a felony pretty much stops almost everybody from trying.
But IMO, that 8 million was well spent: now we know exactly the scope of the problem. Since it costs so much ($1M per instance) we can be sure that the “illegal” problem really is that small.
September 13th, 2009 at 8:19 pm$8m should go a long way to investigate fraud and abuse
September 13th, 2009 at 8:39 pmby doctors and clinics and centers… etc…
easy pickins’ there, doncha think…?
just guessing…
Nothing but another GOPig fear strawman to feed the morons.
We are talking about PROVIDING ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE INSURANCE to some 46 MILLION AMERICANS.
Get it through you damn troglodyte skulls, GOPigs. It is HEALTH CARE INSURANCE NOT A FREE SERVICE.
In a similar situation with drivers licenses, NOTICE I AM SAYING A SIMILAR situation, any capable driver should be able to get a driver’s license, picture and finger prints taken (see the benefit, here?), to be able to BUY CAR INSURANCE. Instead of leaving them no choice but to drive without a license and no car insurance.
So, YES, even illegals should be allowed to BUY AND PAY into the system. So the health authorities have a better map, statistics and record of vaccines, ailments by gender, age, and ethnic background, cultural practices that are not safe health-wise, measures for prevention, and means of communicating health warnings.
It is a knee jerk reaction from the GOPigs and wingnutz to piss and shake in their diapers at the mere mention of the word “illegal” and every stupid fk wants to be a bigger “defender” than the one before.
When the Chimperor was in office and the discussion of “immigration reform” came up, the estimates started around 12 million. One week later, fugging wingnut morons were throwing around figures of 40 million with their usual paranoia of “invasions” and “the end of (gasp) America”
Oh, wait. I forgot GOPigs and paranoid wingnutz don’t want BIG GOVERNMENT to have access to your personal information.
September 13th, 2009 at 8:53 pmThey rather TRUST the INSURANCE COMPANIES that share YOUR RECORDS, YOU MORONS, and then deny you MORONS coverage.
Jeffy Bovine, you are too stupid to understand a basic concept like prevention.
You know that and WE know that since the time the doctor prescribed you with antibiotics used on horses. For your sore throat and ear infection.
You may now go back to the other thread and embarrass yourself again, and again, and again.
September 13th, 2009 at 9:29 pm58.Says Who says:
——————————————————————————–
(MSNBC) Administration concedes hospitals would be compensated with public funds for the care of undocumented immigrants …
Try again, I googled your exact wording:
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/09/11/2065287.aspx
The part about reimbursement to hospitals for undocumented workers? Here:
59.Says Who says:
——————————————————————————–
Debunking Says Who is soooo easy!
There, I fixed your comment for you.
September 13th, 2009 at 9:49 pmSays Who says:
——————————————————————————–
Bottom line…insurance for illegals costs billions of dollars!
Seriously, billions for insurance on a plan they’re not even allowed on? Gimme a break. Only if the government listens to people like you and wastes it looking for a non-existent problem.
BTW, if you were talking about NET TOTAL costs for illegal immigration you *might* have a better point. But not much.
http://www.factcheck.org/2009/04/cost-of-illegal-immigrants/
September 13th, 2009 at 10:59 pmWhy was Tim Pawlenty on this show? Is the governorship of Minnesota that easy of an elected position? He seems to be gone all of the time.Who is paying for him to be in Washington and Virginia this week? Did I pay taxes for him to be there? Is his opinion the state of Minnesota’s opinion? How long have “Illegals” been coming to Minnesota? What has Tim’s record been before this trip to Washington? Did he tell George How he cut 3
September 13th, 2009 at 11:01 pm5000 of the neediest Minnesotans from Minnesota Care? He unalloted them through an executive decision.This guy wants to cozy up to the heavy hitters and do their bidding. Tim,please go away.
Says Who is a liar. This is very simple, so I want you to listen carefully Says Who. Obama said that his program would not pay for the care of undocumented aliens. That is a true statement. Now, the government does reimburse public hospitals for care given to some indigent US citizens and undocumented aliens under an existing provision of law put forth by Republicans and signed into law by Ronald Regan.
Now, I demand that you admit that you are nothing more than scum bent on destroying the United States. Frankly, you are an enemy of democracy. I pray to almighty God that you be struck down and die a slow, painful death as a reward for your traitorous actions against the United States.
September 13th, 2009 at 11:15 pmSays Who says:
(MSNBC) Administration concedes hospitals would be compensated with public funds for the care of undocumented immigrants …
Actually, they just pointed out that hospitals already are compensated with public funds for the care of undocumented immigrants. The proposal under consideration doesn’t affect that.
.
Says Who says:
Debunking far lefties is soooo easy!
Really? I’d be interested to see you do it sometime.
September 13th, 2009 at 11:48 pmSays Who says:
——————————————————————————–
There’s one of those ‘fun loving’ progressives we all know and love! Wishing death to anyone who disagrees! Shocker!
Riiight. ‘Cuz we all know that’s a trait held exclusively by the progressives.
And funny how you want discourse so badly, yet fail to rebut *our* rebuttals. You choose instead the red herrings to throw off the discussion.
September 13th, 2009 at 11:50 pmAw damn, my “rolls eyes” comment didn’t get put in after my sarcastic first line in my last post. Shoot. :\
September 13th, 2009 at 11:51 pmPawlenty says, “Well, clearly, though, if you have a law that’s unenforced, it isn’t much of a law.”
Did George Bush Jr. break the law when he lied to the world about WMDs in Iraq which resulted so far in the death of over 200,000 defenseless Iraqi men, women, and children?
Did George Bush Sr. break the law when he had the daughter of Kuwait’s Ambassador to the United States lie to Congress that Iraqi soldiers were bayonneting babies in their incubators in Kuwaiti hospitals? Over 1 million defensless men, women, and children died over a 10 year period thanks to Bush Sr.’s lies.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4270014,00.html
September 14th, 2009 at 12:02 amThere’s Pawlenty of lies to come.
September 14th, 2009 at 12:34 amThe entire immigration problem would be solved if we started arresting & fining the EMPLOYERS of illegals instead of arresting the illegals. If there are no jobs available, illegals will stop coming across the border. And, BTW, Rethuglicans had 8 years to do something about illegals, and did nothing. Why would they kill the goose that laid the Golden Egg–cheap labor for rich Conservative businessmen (and probably some Dems, too). Now, all of a sudden the Rethugs are outraged that there are so many living here? Reagan gave them amnesty in the 80s—he knew his constituents LOVED a cheap labor force. And, of course, Rethugs don’t want to give them healthcare…..they don’t care if they die–that means fewer strains on the entitlement budget, dontcha know.
September 14th, 2009 at 12:48 amSays Who says:
——————————————————————————–
Wishing death to someone is now a “red herring?” I’ll have to remember that one…..
No, you choosing that as our new topic of conversation is, since that’s what we’re not talking about instead of how undocumented immigrants would (NOT) be able to get federal health care benefits.
So tell me, how *is* that debunking of our responses to your bogus claims that “Obama lied” concerning illegals getting qualifying for healthcare under his plan? Not so good? Somehow, I’m not surprised. Hence why you’re resorting to all your red herrings.
September 14th, 2009 at 12:57 amKahtleen Sibelius is lovely and surely quite competant, but in this political climate, Howard Dean is the one who should have been Health and Human Services Secretary. He’s an MD, tough, articulate, committed and can play hardball with the Repubs.
September 14th, 2009 at 1:21 amSays Who: Keeping talking. You are only going to die a slow death for offending God with your lies. You have failed to repent so no get ready to meet you maker – Oh sorry, that was Satan.
Says Who: Wilson set the standard. If he can wrongly accuse the President of lies, then I can call you out as the low life animal that you are. I at least stand on the truth. Death to conservative liars. Now go to hell where you belong. I have no respect or regard for you scum. You are a traitor to this country. You are a liar. You are filthy.
Remember, this is the kind of civility that you have supported. I am just feeling free to make sure that you appreciate the kind of discourse that you approve of.
September 14th, 2009 at 2:29 amThe Congress is back in session and doing the dirty work for the Medical Industrial Complex.
mcconnell $3.3M, hatch $2.9M, baucus $2.8M, grassley $2.7M, lieberman $2.6M, burr $2.4M, ensign $2.4M, cornyn $2.2M, kyl $2.1M, conrad $2.1M, cantor $1.8M boehner $1.7M, coburn $1.2M, j wilson 800K were paid by the Medical Industrial Complex to kill Health Care Reform.
Citizens for Tax Justice pointed this out. The tax legislation enacted under President George W. Bush from 2001 through 2006 will cost $2.48 trillion over the 2001-2010 period. This includes the revenue loss of $2.11 trillion that results directly from the Bush tax cuts as well as the $379 billion in additional interest payments on the national debt that we must make since the tax cuts were deficit-financed. Over the upcoming decade (2010-2019), the costs of the health care proposals approved by three committees in the U.S. House of Representatives are projected to be around $1 trillion and deficit neutral(that means they’re paid for). In 2010, when all the Bush tax cuts are finally phased in, a staggering 52.5 percent of the benefits will go to the richest 5 percent of taxpayers. The Bush tax cuts were deficit-financed, which increased the national debt and resulted in greater interest payments on that debt. They never even tried to pay for their tax-cuts. So, for the price of bush’s tax-cuts for the wealthiest 5%, we could have had Health Care for every American. Instead Americans got bupkus and cheney/bush’s republican buddies got filthy rich off of the Blood Money from No-Bid, Cost-Plus Federal Contracts.
12 Million Americans were denied Health Care Coverage by the Medical Industrial Complex because they had a Pre-Existing Medical Condition. 12K Americans lose Insurance Coverage everyday. Over 18K Americans die each day because they lack health insurance. (Source: WaPo Article 05′ by Harvard Prof. E. Warren)
Follow the Money: Link
Call Congress and demand, Single-Payer Health Care for All!
Sign Single-Payer Petition: Link
Don’t let the Medical Industrial Complex steal your Health Care from you and your family by donating huge sums of money to Crooked Politicians in order to maintain the Status Quo. Keep up the good fight.
SEMPER FI!
September 14th, 2009 at 3:42 amHere’s my experience with illegals scamming the system from Houston:
Our company requires a Social Security Card and/or passport for legal verification. We hired a guy to do general labor for us. Good hard-working guy. Six month into working here, we were informed that his SSN belonged to someone else. His card was a forgery. We let him go, as required.
For six month he paid in, we matched, he got fired.
Bet that happens a lot more often than illegals collecting anything.
September 14th, 2009 at 9:39 amThe missing link is that undocumented people pay taxes, including income taxes, just like anyone else, and anything they pay into social security they will never see. Certainly the healthcare system is not the place you want to use to start policing people out of the system as any person in the community who is sick can possibly put the whole community at greater risk.
September 14th, 2009 at 11:29 amSays Who says:
GOD you are stupid. You couldnt debunk ANYTHING. You are so stupid it hurts my eyes to read your posts. How would enforcement be any different than it is NOW MORON. Just STFU. You are too stupid to do anything but make a fool out of yourself
September 14th, 2009 at 12:19 pmSays Who says:
Bottom line you are a LIAR and a stupid worthless punkass troll. Just go kill yourself
September 14th, 2009 at 12:20 pmI find amazing that last month the right wing was complaining that the bill was over 1000 pages because of all the regulation. Now they are complaining that they want more words and regulations to spell out things that make them happy in the bill. Last month all those words on end of life decisions spelled out death panels now stating that no undocumented aliens will get health insurance is not enough. We have to have put in the ways we are going to enforce it. WHAT HYPOCRITES!
September 14th, 2009 at 1:30 pmI think we’re setting ourselves up for failure here when we keep insisting that illegal immigrants will not be covered. Not that I believe something that’s so clearly spelled out in the bill, but because if we’re talking about saving money by covering millions of Americans who use the emergency rooms instead of preventive care as they are not covered, then we’re still going to have to address the illegal immigrants that show up at those same emergency rooms. We still will be paying a premium for services that could have been handled for a greatly reduced cost through preventative care.
Are we, as a country, going to change the policy that hospitals must treat people in emergency rooms regardless of their ability to pay? I’m sure many on the right would be perfectly happy doing that, but as a compassionate human being I can’t fathom that happening.
So, we’re left with a choice. Either we do continue to provide emergency room coverage, and keep wasting taxpayer money or we’re going to include undocumented aliens in the national health plan. I know Republicans hate minorities, but I think they love money more so this should appeal to them.
September 14th, 2009 at 3:52 pmThank you for your sharing.!
September 16th, 2009 at 11:38 pm