Orrin Hatch believes health care reform is a plot to get Americans to vote Democratic

[ProSense]

Why Hatch Is Really Blocking Health Reform: Americans Will Love The New System And Vote Democratic

In a new interview with CNS News, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) repeated his concern that requiring Americans to purchase health insurance is unconstitutional. Hatch offered typical run-of-the-mill conservative arguments about “socialized medicine.” But at one point, he let it slip that the real reason he is trying to stop health care reform is that the American public might really like it and therefore vote for Democrats:

HATCH: That’s their goal. Move people into government that way. Do it in increments. They’ve actually said it. They’ve said it out loud.

Q: This is a step-by-step approach —

HATCH: A step-by-step approach to socialized medicine. And if they get there, of course, you’re going to have a very rough time having a two-party system in this country, because almost everybody’s going to say, “All we ever were, all we ever are, all we ever hope to be depends on the Democratic Party.”

Q: They’ll have reduced the American people to dependency on the federal government.

HATCH: Yeah, you got that right. That’s their goal. That’s what keeps Democrats in power.

Watch it (at approx. 19:50):

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UPDATE Atrios sums up what Hatch is saying: "Orrin Hatch says we can't have health care reform because it will be awesome and everyone will love it and they'll be so grateful that they will vote for Democrats for all eternity."

UPDATE Steve Benen also notes that Hatch isn't just against "socialized medicine," since he has "suggested he'd oppose health care reform whether the provision (public option) is in the bill or not."

[Arkana]

1. It's exactly what they're afraid of, so therefore it must be the truth.

[timeforpeace]

14. Gotta admit, it certainly won't hurt! Give it up Orrin, handouts are in.

[Mojambo]

2. This is a common and longstanding sentiment among regressive Republicans

It goes back to Social Security.

And he's right to be afraid. SS won Democratic majorities for over a generation.

[Laelth]

5. Brilliant sig. line. n/t

:dem:

-Laelth

[boppers]

16. It's from John Rogers... instant internet classic.

http://www.blogger.com/profile/12551450586119958881
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Rogers_(writer)
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0736966/

[mediaman007]

3. Well, Republicans can help the process along and Americans can vote

for them too!

[rockymountaindem]

4. Well, maybe the Republicans should come up with policy programs people support and like

That way, they'd have something that could compete against potential Democratic victories on health care reform. Also, that way they'd be more worthy of being part of the political process. Sitting there and saying "people need this, but since we won't give it to them, we can't let anybody do it or else we're screwed" isn't a good platform for a political party. I may not have my PhD yet, but there's some free advice, Republicans.

[Kali]

6. meh

chicken or egg, Orrin?

[ej510]

7. A strong Public Option with cheap affordable health care would've

been a detriment to the repuke party, but corporate democrats came to their rescue.

[undeterred]

8. Maybe he learned something from Teddy after all.

[baldguy]

9. People vote for the party that governs the way the people wish.

Maybe the GOP should try it.

[sellitman]

10. They all know the gig is up.

It's just a matter of time.

Progress on Health Care will be credited to Democrats and the Repiggies are scared shitless.

[Jack Rabbit]

11. Proving that the GOP is still spooked by the ghost of FDR

So, support the dman thing, too, you stupid twits.

[Canuckistanian]

12. OMG, what a nightmare

A political party that presents such popular programs that people vote for them for a long time?

The Horror! The Horror!

[Proud Liberal Dem]

21. ...........

:spray: :rofl:

[Hippo_Tron]

13. Conservatives are in power in Canada and France and will soon be in the UK as well

It doesn't mean the end of the two party system it means that the far right party has to become center right on some issues if it wants to win.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

15. The little people actually getting something they like - we can't have that

It might become a habit.

[Zoeisright]

17. Oh NOES!! You mean, Americans will, will, vote for ...

the party that HELPS THEM LIVE THEIR LIVES????

What a tragedy!!!

:sarcasm:

[denem]

18. HATCH is a RINO. The TOTAL WAR base is turfing him out.

Nothing to worry about.

[Vinca]

19. Somehow it eludes the brilliant Republican mind that if the bill

was passed with a big partisan vote, the Party of No would also benefit from a nation filled with healthy, happy people who aren't being screwed over on a regular basis by insurance companies.

[old mark]

20. Actually, Republican stupid assholishness is a plot to get Americans

to vote Democratic.


mark

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

22. Ding...Ding...Ding

We have a winner! Thanks for playing, Senator Hatch. You have correctly summed up the reason behind the Republican opposition to health care.

Let me put that another way, though: Republicans would rather that Americans DIE than give up what's left of their power in this country. If 40,000 Americans have to DIE next year so that Orrin Hatch can keep his Senate seat, well then, that's just a price he's willing to pay.

They're monsters. Every last one of them.