rssGOP Rep Laughs at Uninsured Constituent
Tuesday, September 01, 2009 at 10:59 am
- 7 Comments
Rep. Lynn Jenkins (R-Kans.), fresh off the “Great White Hope” controversy of last week, can be seen in this video talking down a woman named Elizabeth Smith who, according to The Associated Press, couldn’t afford insurance for her son. At 1:47, Jenkins takes her question and, sort of jarringly, laughs at it.
SMITH: I want an option that I can pay for. I work. I pay my bills. I’m not a burden on the state. I pay my taxes. So why can’t I get an affordable option. Why are you against that?
JENKINS: A government run program is going to subsidize not only yours but everybody in this room. So I’m not sure what we’re talking about.
Later she quiets the crowd and tells Smith that “people should be given the opportunity to take care of themselves with a refund, or an advanceable tax credit, to go be a grown-up and go buy the insurance.” Hat tip: Mike Nellis.
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7 Comments
Comment posted September 1, 2009 @ 4:45 pm
I'm sorry, but these murderous Republicans will be the death of so many.
Comment posted September 1, 2009 @ 5:15 pm
“people should be given the opportunity to take care of themselves with a refund, or an advanceable tax credit, to go be a grown-up and go buy the insurance.”
I never hear these folks address what is supposed to happen to a person that earns too little to have a tax liability against which a refund may be given. (Except for “earn more money.”)
Comment posted September 1, 2009 @ 6:11 pm
I loved the ahole that yelled out “why should I pay for your healthcare'? They don't even realize that they do already pay for someone not covered by healthcare everytime that person goes to the hospital emergency room. The new plan will be paid for by taxes on the wealthy, not the middle class. They can afford it, we can't .
You ARE your brother's keeper.
Comment posted September 1, 2009 @ 6:57 pm
Ohhhhh, NOW I get it! Elizabeth Smith doesn't have health insurance because she's not grown up enough to realize she needs to buy some! It's SO simple!
Comment posted September 1, 2009 @ 7:12 pm
Unfortunately, these town halls have exposed the cold, selfish side of our nation's psyche. I just find it laughable that many of these people are the same ones who simultaneously declare that America supports a “culture of life.”
Comment posted September 2, 2009 @ 12:28 am
Here we have a conservative member of Congress condescingly telling a constituent with a serious question about private insurance affordability to “be a grown-up.” And yet it's conservatives who have the gall to claim that liberals are “elitists.”
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