This week, Senator Lindsey Graham made comments about Speaker Pelosi's efforts to galvanize support for health care reform, stating that she has Democratic Members "liquored up on sake" to make a "suicide run" to pass reform. Later he added, "I don't know whether it's sake or moonshine but no sober person would do this."
For the Senator to add "moonshiners" to an already unsavory sake and suicide statement, does a disservice to the underlying issue. Citing that "no sober person would do [healthcare reform]", because Americans "do not need to lose their choice in health care", I question who has, in fact - to use the Senator's words - "lost their political mind". This "lose of choice" is exactly what this bill prevents by putting the healthcare industry in its place and by returning control to the American people. If the Senator has problems with us capping premiums or covering preexisting conditions, then I suggest he come clean on his addiction to the habits of the healthcare industry.
As a Japanese American who was interned along with my family during World War II, I am personally disheartened that Senator Graham chose to use racially tinged rhetoric to express his opposition to health care reform. There is a way to engage in healthy debate without ostracizing the 16.2 million AAPIs in this country, who are an important part of this democracy and health care reform. Many face barriers to quality health care, such as the high cost of health care, racial and ethnic health disparities, cultural isolation, and language barriers, to name a few.
We must pass health care legislation now, and we must show respect for our fellow Americans as we do so. This bill is an important starting point for efforts to improve quality of health care, increase access to health care for more Americans, lower costs for working families, and protect small businesses. I am also proud that it includes provisions that begin to address the racial and ethnic disparities that so many vulnerable communities face.
This is no drunken "kamikaze" mission, but a thoughtful and essential one that will serve all working families in this country, and return control from the health insurance companies to the American people.
I join Speaker Pelosi and call upon my colleagues in the U.S. Congress to send this critical health care legislation to President Obama's desk this week.
Rep Mike Honda is Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.
I'd like to see if Graham can give an old-fashioned all night talkathon. This "Soft Filibuster" is ridiculous coming from the party that whined that the Democrats were obstructing a few partisan hacks and ideological extremists that Bush nominated to the Federal judiciary. It's easier to repeal a bad law than to impach a bad judge.
There's plenty to attack Graham on, but playing the race card over this is nothing but a cheap shot.
Health Care by the Mercy of Wall Street, about as merciful as cannibals.
or no health care at all!
I don't. Did those doctors care when the manuacturing wages dropped because of the drive to right size and the workers stil lost their jobs? No they didn't.. So let those who believe they are the victims go find another job and there will be one hundred applicants applying for the openings. Unfortunatley most of them will be from India and other countries where education is prized and students actually learn.
Go America and all new Americans.
http://evanmarkfilms.com/blog/filmography/withnoonetoprotectthem/
The New England Journal of Medicine survey of doctors had around 60% indicating this legislation would either force them out of the medical field or have them retire within the next four years.
The AMA does not speak for all doctor's. AARP will make millions of dollars 'selling' the government insurance.
Your turn.
. Bill O'rielly, Dennis Miller, and now Lindsey Graham calling Nancy Pelosi names and making jokes about her.
These guys should remember it was a female that gave them life, and maybe they are married to a female before they start talking about females.
Lets start blogging about their wife or mother and see what kind of response you get from O'rielly,Miller, and Graham.
Don't like the Bill, vote no. SIMPLE, NO REASON TO CALL NAMES.
One thing I hate about a repub is they make statements based on absolutely zero facts and past it off as the truth. Only the mindless fox viewers accept what you say without looking up the facts for themselves.
Brick