Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), the top Republican on the health-care-immersed Senate Finance Committee, has been working as actively with Democrats on health care as any other Republican on Capitol Hill--and that's just what the conservative American Future Fund doesn't like about him.
The organization, an Iowa-based conservative/free-market advocacy group, is pressuring Grassley to oppose Democrat-led health reform efforts as Congress's August recess nears, asking its supporters to call or e-mail Grassley's office.
"Senator Grassley, we know that government-run health care is not the
answer. We only need look overseas and to the north, at our neighbors,
to see the shambles of their systems. America is the last, best and
greatest hope for the world. Don't steal that away from future
generations just to score some political points," the group's e-mail alert
reads. It was sent as a response to Grassley's comment, quoted in the
Quad City Times, that "If we don't do something on health care reform,
the voters are more apt to blame Republicans than Democrats."
Grassley is at the center of congressional health care negotiations as
reform backers wait on the Senate Finance Committee to finalize its
plans for how to fund health reform. Grassley has been participating in
bipartisan negotiations with committee members Olympia Snowe (R-ME),
Mike Enzi (R-WY), Kent Conrad (D-ND), and Jeff Bingaman (D-NM).
It's questionable how much weight Grassley would give to any calls and
e-mails that might come from AFF's national constituency outside his home state, but this is mostly a preview of
the conservative pressure moderate legislators, Republican and Democrat
alike, will face in their home states and districts during August recess and beyond as health care gets closer to a vote.
I admire Grassley for keeping his word. He made a point of standing up at the workshop that O had early this year and promised to help him get healthcare for everyone.
I heard him say what matters for him is what the people in his district sent him to do and what they think, not what "national conservatives" think. natra clean
This highlights what is pissing me off about Republicans/"conservatives". I don't mind disagreeing with the current health care "reform" legislation in the House, but instead of just saying "oppose this legislation", why can't conservative groups come up with a response? That is why I admire Grassley, despite the fact that I believe he is engaged in negotiations with an idea that has broken down. The only other Republicans I have heard ideas from (off the top of my head) are McCain, from his campaign, and Jindal earlier this week in the WSJ, with whom I mostly agreed.
They do have a plan. That criticism rings really hollow. Here are a few thoughts.
Democrats said that Abortion will not be funded under their plan, but rejected an amendment to specify it in the bill
Democrats said that nobody would give guidelines to my doctor in terms of what course of treatment should be prescribed, but rejected an amendment to specify it in the bill.
The bill specifies that beginning at age 65 seniors will be required to attend a counseling session addressing end of life issues!
Democrats said they wanted a bipartisan bill. They have rejected hundreds of amendments based on the plan developed by the Republicans; The Patients Choice Act of 2009. In fact, at one point they submitted the whole act (400 pages) as an amendment after trying to work with the Democrats.
We have seen weeks of criticism of the present versions of the Democratic plans, a lot of it very valid.
The media is supposed to inform and educate the public. Why aren’t they asking the CBO to score the Republican plan so we can have a real debate on the merits of the ideas in the plans? Why can’t NBC or FOX offer to host a town meeting with Sen. Coburn, Sen. Burr, Rep. Ryan and Rep. Nunes to present their plan and answer questions? I am sure NBC or FOX could use the same criteria as ABC to avoid the equal time requirement.
I have been an independent all my life, and I am tired of party politics. We need real solutions.