Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Fla.) warned Americans that "Republicans want you to die quickly" during an after-hours House floor speech Tuesday night.
His remarks, which drew angry and immediate calls for an apology from Republicans, were highlighted by a sign reading "The Republican Health Care Plan: Die Quickly."
Veteran Tennessee Republican Jimmy Duncan abandoned customary reticence to chastise Grayson. "That is about the most mean-spirited partisan statement that I've ever heard made on this floor, and I, for one, don't appreciate it," Duncan said. "It's fully appropriate that the gentleman return to the floor and apologize," said Rep. Marsha Blackburn, another Tennessee Republican.
But none was forthcoming from Grayson — a freshman Democrat from a competitive district — who said the first part of the GOP approach to health care is: Don't get sick. "If you get sick, America, the Republican health care plan is this: Die quickly," he said.
Well, it's either that or beg, as Republican House Minority Whip Eric Cantor recently told a constituent with cancer who had no insurance.
Here's the full video:
The fact is he's right. The Republicans have not offered a plan. They know that there are tens of millions of Americans without health insurance and millions more who are underinsured. They know that 45,000 Americans die every year because of lack of health coverage. They know that premiums have risen 131% over the last 10 years. They know that U.S. businesses cannot remain globally competitive when health care spending consumes 17% of our economy (versus 10% for France, which the World Health Organization rated the best health care system in the world; we're #37, by the way). They know all these things. They just don't care.
Apologize for that? Hell no.
Posts
