OK t'day I am getting on my soap box. Some of you that read this will remember (and some won't) Mike Mansfield the great (AND I DO MEAN GREAT) Congressman (1943-1953) and Senator (1953-1977) from the GREAT STATE OF MONTANA. Before that he served in the Navy, the Army and the Marines---yes three branches of the service. After that he served 11 years as our ambassador to Japan. He also served as the Majority Leader of the Senate from 1953-1977. He is buried in Arlington in a remote corner with a stone that reads---Mike Mansfield PFC US Marines. You see he was humble too.
I remember once in a TV interview he was asked how the people of Montana wanted him to vote on an issue---he responded (and these aren't quotes just the way I remember them---you could probably google and get the exact wording): The people of Montana don't tell me how to vote---I vote my own concience every single time. I am a representative for America. If they or the party do not like my vote they can work to have me replaced in the next election. So this dude had a concience for America. I can't remember the issue but I distinctly remember him saying---THIS IS NOT A DEMOCRATIC PROBLEM---THIS IS NOT A REPUBLICAN PROBLEM---THIS IS AN AMERICAN PROBLEM AND WE HAD DAMN WELL BETTER GET TOGETHER AND SOLVE IT. (I think this was about inflation in the 70's but am not sure)
There have always been issues and public debate on lots of things but now there is ONLY particinship. And none of the elected officials care what the results are they only care about how it affects their re-election chances and the ammunition it gives them for their next campaign. I am to the point that I really wonder if Washington can solve a single problem---not pass a law but solve a problem. I don't think it is possible any more because I don't think enough of our elected officials are willing to SOLVE AMERICAS PROBLEMS---they are just happy to represent us and their party.
I, FOR ONE, MISS MIKE MANSFIELD---AND I MISS WHAT HE STOOD FOR. HE WAS ELECTED AS A DEMOCRAT BUT IN MY OPINION HE WAS A TRUE AMERICAN. THAT'S MY $0.02 FOR T'DAY!
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5 comments:
I, for one, am very happy that this bill passed. More and more I'm of the opinion that most conservatives are selfish people who don't give a damn about their fellow human beings (despite all their worshipping of Jesus and talk of being Christlike). You know who could have benefited from this bill years ago? My kids' maternal grandmother. She was too poor to go to the doctor to get checked out, so she died of cancer instead. She was a hard working woman, and her life could've been prolonged with proper health care.
Some politicians are doing what they think is right for America, despite party lines. They just don't happen to be Republicans. Harry Reid is up for re-election this year, and he knows that his support of this bill might be enough for the people of Nevada to vote him out. He did it anyway because he felt like it was the right thing to do. It was the right thing to do. Everybody knows that the system is broken. I'm tired of hearing people say we have the best health care in the world here in America. We don't. We barely crack the top 40. We're better than that, or at least we should be.
You don't think the government should run health care? You don't seem to have a problem with them handling your social security, or your paychecks for the last forty years or so. Is it really going to be that bad? Do you really think the insurance companies have your best interest in mind? They're run just like any other business, with their eye on the bottom line. Should I really keep putting off getting some growths on my neck tested for cancer because I can't afford to go to the doctor? Or finally trying to figure out what's been wrong with my kidneys for the past six years? I haven't done any of that, and won't until I find a job with benefits. Is it because I'm a lazy person who doesn't know how to work hard?
Where was your outrage about the loss of the American way when Bush and Cheney were trodding all over your civil liberties with the Patriot Act? That introduced big government into your life too you know.
I'm not against a government run health care. I just think this bill is not the answer. They are looking for a quick fix. If you really want to see how plans like that work - come to Europe. The people here don't like it. Plus, it takes WEEKS to get into a doctor or dentist - just for a simple thing like having a new crown. I do think there is an answer, and I think they need to go back to the drawing board and keep looking till they find it.
My boy---nice rant, however, health care as passed is not the answer---and my point is that the damned Republicans just stayed with party lines even for the vote on reconciliation---What the hell was that all about if not just partisanship---I think you need to re-read my post---Mike Mansfield is my hero and he, in fact, was a Democrat.
My point in the whole blog was that there is a fix but it isn't a demopcratic fix or a republican fix and if we stay that way it ain't a gonna happen even if it passes---still has to be funded to be put into play.
Ahhhhh politics!
With all the funding going to health care, you can say goodbye to funding going to your research... :) (just thought i'd stir the pot)
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