Your Daily Dose of Health Care Reform Stupidity

Yup.  Cons are still stupid.  And still being an enormous bunch of hypocrites:

Just two weeks ago, Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Fla.) generated widespread Republican outrage with a speech on the House floor about health care reform. "It's a very simple plan," Grayson said about the GOP agenda. "Don't get sick. That's what the Republicans have in mind. And if you get sick America, the Republican health care plan is this: die quickly."

GOP lawmakers were incensed. Rep. Jimmy Duncan (R-Tenn.) called Grayson's comments "about the most mean-spirited partisan statement that I've ever heard made on this floor." Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.) immediately began work on a resolution condemning Grayson for his remarks.

Maybe Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) missed the story?

Speaking on the House floor last night, Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) became the latest Republican lawmaker to play the "death card," suggesting that reform advocates would allow seniors to "die off more quickly":

"I was talking to a senior that I consider a very wise individual, and this weekend she said, 'You know what concerns me about the 500 billion in cuts to Medicare? Maybe not, but I can't help but think they know that as seniors we've been through World War II, we've seen the evils that lurk in this world, we have gained great wisdom from our years, and they're willing to let us die off more quickly so that we're not around to try to get our wisdom across to the young people of what is at risk by this government takeover.'"

IOKIYAR strikes again.

At least John Boehner can no longer say he hasn't heard from public option supporters.  Heh.

Alas, we're going to turn away from Con stupidity for a bit and bash on Dem stupidity instead.  Here we have Al From, centrist Dem dumbshit extraordinaire, arguing that Dems should drop the public option so the Party of No will have less to say no to.  Apparently, he hasn't been listening to the Cons who've said over and over that there's no Dem reform plan they'll say yes to, even one virtually written by Cons.

And no, Queen Snowe doesn't count, even though the White House appears to be fawning on her.  Harry Reid doesn't appear to quite share the bipartisan fetish, considering he hasn't invited her to the negotiating table.  Maybe he's trying not to give the progressive groups ready to spank him over his wimpy leadership any more ammunition.  Maybe he's just sick of letting one fucking Con rule reform.  Either way's fine with me.

Sen. Tom Harkin asks a very good question:

"The vast majority of the Democratic caucus is for the public option that is in the HELP bill," he said. "Should the 52 [in favor] give in to the five, or should the five come along with the majority?"

I think we all know the answer to that one.  Too bad so many lawmakers don't.  

I don't know if this will comfort you or make you laugh yourself into a hernia, but Joe Lieberman thinks he's "inclined" to oppose a GOP filibuster.  I'll believe it when I see it.

If you're one of Blanche Lincoln's unfortunate constituents and have wished to hit her with a clue-by-four, you have your chance this Sunday.  Hit hard.

Here's today's motivation to fight for a strong public option that'll help keep rapacious insurance companies in line: a woman who's not only fighting for her life against brain tumors, but fighting CIGNA to cover her treatment.  I thought this bit was particularly classy: "After paying out-of-pocket for care in one instance, CIGNA nearly doubled her premiums anyway."  So, it appears, they want her to pay more for insurance that they won't let her use.  Awesome.

And, finally, your ray of hope: Pelosi and her allies are still fighting hard to bring you a strong public option.  Never give up, never give in.