Hey, I thought I voted for a DEMOCRAT!

Wait a minute. I thought for sure that I voted for a Democrat. I mean, when I voted for Scott Murphy in the special Congressional election up in New York state last March, the one to fill Kirsten Gillibrand's seat, I really thought I had voted for a Democrat. I was enthused about my choice, and even though I was out of town for the vote, I made sure to get my absentee ballot in on time.

But after Murphy voted to nix the health care reform bill Saturday night, I'm starting to realize that I might have made a big mistake. I mean, Murphy can't really be a Democrat, can he?

I am sitting here asking myself what differentiates him from the two Republican weasels who occupied that Congressional seat before Gillibrand. For those of you who live up there, you know the weasels I mean:

First, and foremost (and for such a godawful long time), there was Gerry Solomon.

And then, John Sweeney. He lost to Kirsten Gillibrand after news emerged that he had roughed up his wife. Ayayayay.

For most of the two plus decades that I've lived in Columbia County, New York, outside of Albany, I would cringe when I thought about the Congressmen who represented (or should I say, misrepresented) me in Washington.

Then along came Kirsten Gillibrand, a moderate Democrat and a decided improvement.

When Hillary Clinton's Senate seat went vacant after last November's election, Governor Patterson selected Kirsten to fill Clinton's seat. Gillibrand became the junior senator from New York.

That left Kirsten's seat open, and that led to the special election. And that led to Murphy's election and that leads me right back to where I started.

I really thought Murphy would act like a Democrat, in the true sense of the word. I thought for sure I could count on him to support a health care reform bill that anyone with a brain and half an ounce of guts realizes that we desperately need in this country. The number of uninsured, and underinsured, Americans just keeps growing. The number of bankruptcies due to massive health care costs, just keeps rising.

So why didn't Murphy vote yes on health care last Saturday night? Was it some ideological principle he was advocating?

Or was he just worried about being re-elected in November 2010?

Well, so, he should worry about being re-elected.

Because in my opinion, his no vote on health care is enormous. To me it suggests he is either 1) gutless or 2) in the pocket of big or small business. It also shows me that he doesn't stand up for what a majority of Americans -- as well as the President of the United States AND the Democratic leadership -- believe is long overdue in this country: health insurance reform.

It's been like 90 years that we as a nation have been trying to pass a universal health care plan. The plan passed by the House on Saturday has its problems, and it doesn't go nearly far enough to be called a universal health care plan, but it is a darn good start.

And for that reason alone, I would have expected Murphy to support it.

Shame on you Mr. Murphy.

P.S. My cousin, who lives in Chatham, New York, lost her job with the state last year, and with it, she lost her health insurance. What galls her is that as a taxpayer, she is paying for YOUR health insurance. How unfair that you wouldn't see fit to vote in favor of a program that would give her access to the kind of care that you are assured.

 

Follow Claudia Ricci on Twitter: www.twitter.com/RicciCJ

Comments

[dctracy73]

I agree 100%. I know we live in a primarily conservative area, so I was so excited when both Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Scott Murphy were elected. There has never been a bill in congress of this magnitude that did not contain things that are hard to stomach for either side. Unfortunately, the way the system is set up there is pork in every bill. There are things we don't need put in by people on the right committees. This is how it works, not just this time, but every time. Reforming the system is a whole different conversation that will take more than a blog on the Huffington Post. The point here is that this bill offered progress. Change comes in excrutiatingly small steps most of the time. We are still fighting for civil rights for homosexuals and African Americans. Women have the right to vote, but still cannot be on a submarine. Nothing is perfect, least of all our government. What Congressman Murphy did was try to extinguish the hope for my friends and neighbors to get healthcare. Change comes slow, but when you vote with the Republicans, it doesn't come at all.

[Dickinson]

Rep. Murphy issued a statement about his Nay vote. Ricci should have come to grips with it.
It's available on his official web site, which I think is www.scottmurphy.house.gov

BTW, another Nay-voter was DENNIS KUCINICH.

Dickinson

[wonketteRAWKS]

With all due respect, this so-called "healthcare reform bill" has little reform and favors the insurance industry and Big Pharma. You mentioning "ideological principle" says where you are headed?

Thank you Scott Murphy for being a true democrat and for putting what is best for the American people before your party allegiance.

[Wordman22]

Congratulations, Mr. Murphy, on being the only New York Democrat from an Obama-friendly district to vote no on the health care bill. Your press release today is an insult. Big business first?

I'll be working very hard to see that you are removed from office come election day and stop any further damage to the Democratic party and NY-20.

[JaneyBundy]

I'm glad to see that I am not alone in my disappointment. I put up signs for Mr. Murphy, walked door to door handing out literature, made phone calls, and attended his rallies and meetings. I feel like a fool. His excuse for his vote was that he needed to support the businesses in his district. Maybe he should have thought about the workers in those businesses who are more often than not paying high premiums for health insurance that covers far less every year--if, indeed, they can afford to take the insurance at all. Hmmm... Business owner equals one vote. Employees equal many votes. Mr. Murphy may get his comeuppance in his next election.