We're Taking George Bush to Court

On October 2, 2007, President Bush put ideology over the children of this country by vetoing an extension to the children's health care program known as SCHIP. SCHIP funds basic health care for over 6 million of America's children in all 50 states -- mostly children from poor families with little or no access to other health services.

Here's what our President -- tone-deaf on health care, as on so many other issues -- had to say about health care back in July:

"I mean, people have access to health care in America. After all, you just go to an emergency room."

Unbelievable. What would George W. Bush - son of a President, grandson of a Senator - know about trying to get basic health care through an emergency room?

What would he know about the overtaxed, under-funded hospital that serves low-income neighborhoods in America's cities? Has he ever waited all day to see the traveling doctor who visits a rural community one afternoon a week? Sat in a crowded hospital triage room for four hours? Waited six weeks for an appointment at a public clinic?

Can he even imagine the desperation a parent of a sick child feels when they are turned away from medical services because they can't afford to pay?

Of course not. Instead he suggests we spend another $50 billion on the war in Iraq. How many children could be covered with even a fraction of the money we've spent on this disastrous war?

As a Governor, I'm used to getting things done. Not just talking about solutions, not just railing against injustices, but instead taking action, building consensus, and solving problems. In New Mexico, we're poised to expand the SCHIP-funded New Mexikids program (which brings immunizations, regular checkups, and other health services to 19,000 children) to cover 11,000 more kids.

Now, I'm not going to just sit by and let President Bush endanger that progress and the health of our children. We're going to do something about it.

I'm joining the Governors of states from California, New York, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, Washington, Arizona, and New Hampshire -- and we're taking President Bush to court.

Basic health services, like immunizations and regular checkups, are one of the most cost-effective ways of giving children a leg up in life. But our short-sighted President would rather turn his back on America's children, and waste more time and treasure on his failed war. We can't stand by and let this continue any longer.

Our nation's children do not deserve to be subject to an ideological inflexibility. We must not let this happen.

Help us take President Bush to court - contact your Governor now and ask them to join the lawsuit, or sign our petition in support: http://action.richardsonforpresident.com/page/s/schip

Comments

[billglenn]

I will stand behind the bill IF the reduce the qualification down to under $40,000 a year income from $80,000 a year income. It pissed me off when they put an TV ad out of a very well dress kid in a high end private school complaining of no health insurance. Hello, their parent made a choice - education over health. It wont surprise me that they are living in a $400,000 house.

If you are making above $40,000(in most Non-high inflated cities, thats a good pay), Your company that does not offer insurance(you should find another job soon) and you cant pay for your kid's insurance then you have a budget problem. I pay for mine and get a lot of it back in tax refund with deduction. Its not Ask what country can do for you , it Ask what you can do for your country.

[KenFr]

While you have in court, can you charge him with warcrimes? please? Dick too. and the rest of the chickenhawks.

[LoriB]

Thank you, Governor Richardson.

[thedirtman]

Governor, we should think small. We could limit our ambitions with a small effort in Congress where we really don't have the numbers for a veto override. It might take years to accomplish anything when we can just sit on our hands. Keeping this out of the news will leave more time for us to grapple over the Presidential horse race, which is very fun. We really don't want this to be much of an issue, and it would damage our Republican friends who are a critical component in weaving together the fabric of America.

NOT!!!!

[paixa3]

The resident evil in the white shit house is an absolute disgrace to America...the world?

[Dansden]

You couldn't expect any different response from Lil Georgie:
his mother said, "Katrina worked out pretty well for those folks that ended up in the coliseum."
his dad was amazed that grocery stores had 'those counter thingys' to add up your grocery bill.

Poor Lil Georgie, he can't help it, he was born
with a silver bar up his butt and just thought his sh&% was worth more than anyone elses's....

[sandpiper]

As a former editor of New Mexico's finest newspaper (in Taos), I was once a devotee of the state's unique version of politics and an unabashed fan of Gov. Jerry Apodaca and his administration. Surprisingly, 35 years later, Gov. Richardson, you are beginning to show America the kind of political cojones that give me new reason to applaud my former home state. You almost make me want to return.

But I see that Gov. Gregoire here in Washington state is also a party to the proposed suit, so -- although your joint goal may be admirable -- I can only chip in these thoughts:

Unfortunately, like the impeachment process at this point, your proposed lawsuit against Bush would simply take more time than the pathetic fool has remaining in office.

As a result, the idea of taking Bush to court sounds about as practical as an effort to excommunicate the pope.

Let's keep this battle in Congress, where it belongs, and devote all our energies and political skills, including those of the statehouse moguls, to winning it there. The veto should get the override it richly deserves in the House.

[darker]

For Bush-Cheney there's no PROFIT in insuring children, helping Katrina victims or anybody else.

There's profit in their FOR PROFIT IRAQ INVASION. They want to empty the USTreasury and your Taxpayer dollars into pockets of rich corporate welfare queen pals, corrupt contractors, Big Oil, and their greedy families.

They've proven they'll do everything to screw you and make money for themselves & pals.

[researcher]

he should be taken to court for war crimes but the demos lack the courage to do it.

at least george jr has proved one thing the demos are spineless.

america still in love with the two party system?

guess who told you it is the best in the world.

2008 is the year for a third party. wake up americans.

[transendentilist]

While it's hard to disagree about our failing 2 party system, I have a few questions;
Who is running on a third party ticket? What's the name of this third party? Do you really think, by 2008, that you would have a viable candidate?
There are far too many immediate dangers to our nation, so why would you vote for anybody other than the democratic nominee?
That third party, independent, vote is a big reason why we are cursed with the present dictator. Didn't you learn anything from the Nader experience???
Don't waste your vote on someone who has no chance of winning.
Karl Rove would love for dems to start voting recklessly. This is no time to be tilting at windmills.

[esquire07]

The Bush administration is above the law.

And by threatning to take "The Decider" to court you are helping the terrorists sir.

If kids want health care they can join the Army, and kill Arabs and Persians so that the Oil and Arms dealers can make a buck. Win-Win solution !!!

[definitelyNOTmisterRIGHT]

HA!

[transendentilist]

How is suing bush going to allow the 'terrorists,' to win.
Win what? What terrorists? The sunni insurgents? The Shia militias? The Kurds?

Stop letting fear make your choices for you. Be an American, strong and brave. Don't be a cowering little gerbil, that buys into the doom and gloom propaganda from the right.

[dotmafia]

A noble but ultimately useless effort.
_

[Collielady]

You're taking George Bush to court? With all due respect, Gov. Richardson, you aren't going to do any such thing. In case you haven't noticed, the President and his staff ignore subpeonas. He refuses to acknowledge Congress as a co-equal branch of government, so he certainly won't take the governors seriously. Good luck with that.

[liberty4me]

Dear Collielady,
With all due respect to you, you, and others like you, are blind. George Bush is not the first Imperial president, nor will he be the last. He is the latest in a long line of chief executives who have stretched the limits of the powers of their office.

Not only is the executive branch out of control, neither the courts no Congress recognize any limits on their powers (see U.S. Constitution).

Democrats and other socialists seem to suffer from a disease that makes them think that oppressive government works only when they are in control. When will you all realize that the problem is government, not just who is running it. If only you were against meddling domestically as fervently as you are against meddling overseas. Inconsistency is the mark of a flawed ideology.

[Jonahson]

Go for it man sue his pants off!

[GenXLiberal]

Taking Bush to court will do nothing. Make the people who put this terrorist in office. They put party over country. They should be held responsible. Especially the 1% who call the shots! The phony capitalists and white collar crooks need to go. Restore democracy, free us from the grip of the powerful and corrupt.

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

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Kids in health crisis,
Emergency room chatter:
Impeach da bum, STAT!
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