A Message to Republicans Who Voted Against the Children's Health Bill
My name is Paul Simon.
I earn my living by writing and singing songs. It's a very old and low-tech profession that feels increasingly age-appropriate. I am honored to have the opportunity to express my opinions concerning SCHIP.
I am the father of four healthy children, knock on wood, but if they get sick or need medical attention I don't knock on wood; I take them to a doctor whose care and attention I am, fortunately, able to afford. Millions of American children do not receive the same medical care. They are uninsured.
Twenty years ago, I co-founded The Children's Health Fund with Dr. Irwin Redlener. Our organization provides mobile medical units with doctors and staff to serve the pediatric needs of poor communities across the United States. In the twenty years since we began, we have grown incrementally, but as of last year we had recorded over 1.2 million doctor/patient visits.
In 1992, Hurricane Andrew devastated a large portion of Southern Florida. Our medical units were there to help. When Hurricane Katrina lashed the Gulf Coast with an almost Biblical force, The Children's Health Fund had units working in those communities within a week. There was very little outside help -- no FEMA, no Red Cross.
But there were scores of mini-vans and trailers loaded with food and supplies from hundreds of churches around the country. I watched with wonder and admiration as the church people opened their hearts and got to work helping people on the Gulf Coast whose lives has been destroyed. They did not debate whether they could find a compromise or alternative way of helping. They opened their hearts and started to repair a dire emergency.
The president's veto of the re-authorization of SCHIP was a heartless act.
Thanks to groups like Families USA and the Children's Health Fund, Congress is getting closer and closer to overriding the President's veto -- and children of hard working American families are getting closer to receiving affordable health care through SCHIP.
I am asking those of you who supported the veto to reexamine your conscience, to find compassion in your heart for our most vulnerable and sweetest citizens -- our children. I am asking you to change your vote. If you do, I believe it will be one of the proudest days of your life.
Thank you,
Paul Simon
To learn more about this issue and to take action, please visit www.familiesusa.org
Loading comments…
Want to reply to a comment? Hint: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly underneath the comment you replied to
My God, if only all of you could see beyond Republicans vs Democrats, if only you could understand that you NEED more than two "identical" Party(s) in your lives, if only you could see beyond Black or White then you'd be able to see that between black and white there are MILLIONS of colors and that between Republicans and Democrats there's LIFE.
Contrary to what you hear on different media outlets SOCIAL programs are actually good when run by competent people, in humane societies. But hey, they need to scare you so their bank account can get fatter by the minute. The sad thing is that most people need to be told what to think. Just SAD.
Todaline
Someone needs to clue in the Decider, he has decided that SCHIP is for poor children. Hey Bu$h, this is for middle class children. Children of those folks who cannot afford health insurance. Poor children have access to medicad. But then again I think Bu$h would rather stick to his dumb reasons and ignore the wishes of the general publlic on this issure. This is just business as usual for this WH.
Well, since it is for the children, I feel I must sacrifice and start smoking. Because if a bunch of us don't start smoking, where will the money come from to pay for this? I don't want the kids to have to smoke. And yet if higher cigarette prices cause smokers to quit, children health will be in danger. I hope you can see my logic. I'll do my patriotic duty but how do I get others to go along--"For the children".
Dandjus The REASON the funding was tied to a tax on Cigarettes is that the damn Republicans will NEVER vote for a Tax Increase on Incomes or Unearned Income (Capital Gains) or even on Inhertiance Taxes ( which decimated the Walton Family Fortune )
They prefer to continue to borrow to pay our bills most especially the WAR .
Our Grand Wiser, the Shrub is right with his idea to end the death tax. Cant you see the harm it does to Paris Hilton and her friends. THese people cant contiue to support the ill and infirm. Especially snot-nose sick kids. They have life styles to maintgin.
This bill is not going to encourage smoking. Nowhere has this been decided on. The smoking tax was a republican idea. People who smoke are addicted, and very unlikely to quit because of a 61 cent increas. I am a smoker, and would gladly pay a little more, to help insure our nation's FUTURE!!!
What heart, Paul? The same one that would remove young soldiers from being target practice in Iraq in an endless war? Or the one that would spare a whole generation of Iraqis from slaughter? Is that the particular stone you're referring to that you hope would care about the health of children? The one that does not beat in the chest of GWB and a bunch of cruel, inhuman Rethuglicans??
Doubt it, my man...
Paul,I am also an alum of Parsosns JHS,(I havn't thought about that place for a long,long time until I read a comment here)and I was also in a third grade class in Queens that was taught by your mom back in '58 or '59. I remember one day that she had a surprise for the class. A very young Tom and Jerry played live for us. Although I can't remember the songs, I will never forget that day. Thanks for all you have given the world, and thanks for reminding us that our country deserves better. Peace
Why is it that it's okay for the President, Congress, and thousands of federal employees with pretty high incomes to have have health insurance benefits paid for at public expense and not the children of working families? Are the Congressional representatives voting against SCHIP to save money also offering to give up their own benefits to save money? I think Americans are going to figure out the duplicity of the Republican argument on SCHIP and health care in general and hopefully throw all those in high office who don't get it yet out.
kmkm, excellent post. here is a link for all those, "compassionate conservati
http://www
Bush wants to expand the program to include more poor children that need the help. The Democrats think that people who have children are also children if they are 25 or younger. If that were the case, my neice would have been covered along with her first two children.
What Democrats conveniently leave out is that they want to have the children pay even more once they become adults because by then, the program will cover millions more and be at least three or four times more expensive. Those who support government health care will never remind people that the VA hospitals are also government health care and we know how bad they are.
I don't know where you get your information. pResident Bush's latest budget actually reduces SCHIP coverage.
http://www
You know how bad they are? Are you a vet? Doubtful. I happen to be a disabled vet who uses the VA system quite frequently and am constantly befuddled by non-vets who assume far too often.
You should try actually asking a vet (if you know any) what they think of the VA health system. I think you'll be shocked by your convenient lack of knowledge. Then you can ask a senior who badly they hate their Medicare.
Good luck.
Another lying neo-con. Why am I not surprized?
I am a vet, and I have been using the VA Healthcare system for years. It may not be fancy, or have satin sheets on their beds, but they provide the needed care, consistently. Are you a vet? Ever had treatment at a VA hospital? If not, then you are not qualified to make that judgement.
crossja,
You are doing a wonderful job pushing the Libertarian stance on health care. I am sure Ron Paul will be proud of you. Don't be disappointed if he won't be the next president.
As your fellow alum of Parsons JHS and of Mr. Blumenkranz's music class, I thank you for your efforts in this endeavor and, of course, for your music!
Thank you, Paul. You're not only one of the best singer-songwriters of our time, but one of America's finest citizens.
Some of our Republican friends who are concerned about where their tax money is going ought to think about this: Only a few weeks' worth of the funding for Bush's fiasco in Iraq could have insured 10 million children who have no health care coverage. Only few months' worth of it could have built a new house for every family displaced by Hurricane Katrina. A year's worth of it could have made Social Security and Medicare solvent until long after the last of us Baby Boomers is laid to rest.
Where are our priorities, folks? Please think about it.
It's good to see a position presented in a way that has the civilized feel of someone politely knocking on someone else's door. What may ultimately prove necessary in order to be more effective, however, may be a slightly more creative and militant application of the same tone, perhaps a Paul Simon literally knocking on a Republican Congressman's door, video camera present as well.
Mr. Simon,
The Republicans whom you address with such care and respect will surely dismiss your concerns because they come from a so called, "liberal". They won't bother to see the caring person you are. Instead, they will label as you as a member of the enemy camp and leave it at that.
Still, you deserve respect for trying. I am glad to learn of your efforts to improve access to health care. You are one of the great musical artists of all time. People will marvel at your genius a century from now. It's good to know that your compassion has found many outlets. All the best to you.
Good luck Paul. Their consciences were all sold long ago.
and your brain never existed
Horrible. Does the government ever do anything for the people? No child left behind my ass.
Gemma
National Parks
Interstate Freeway System
National Institute of Health
Center for Disease Control
Federal Aviation Administration
and entities that benefit from a close association, like:
National Science Foundation
National Endowment for the Arts
just to name a few....
THats a very good list of things the Repukes have opposed. Lets FDA,FFA,TVA until stolen by Frist,FBI the list is long but sometimes corrupted.
Why do people keep popping out kids they cannot afford?
Because Mr. Bush and the religious right will not allow proper sex education and will fight to the death for the fertilized egg of some poor woman and leave her high and dry when it comes to prenatal care, education for herself and her children or health care for the same. Better a dead two year old than an aborted egg.
Precisely.
Well said! I would add that the rightists, the pro-forced birthers REALLY want to punish women as much as possible. That is why they are pro-forced birth, because women should NOT have sex unless they want children, regardless of the situation.
Do you blame the kids for their parents mistake?
You must be logged in to comment. Log in or connect with
