My J-S LTTE in Monday's Paper!

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

It's been a while since I'd written to them. Thought it was high time.

What should be a national discussion about the future of health care in our country has become a political mud-wrestling match.

Along with the mud, the partisans in this spectacle are also hurling plenty of half-truths and plain old lies. Among them is the canard that health care reform will provide services to illegal immigrants.

Let's get something straight right now.

Under H.R. 3200, the only health care reform proposal officially under review by Congress, illegal immigrants are specifically barred from receiving benefits.

Let me restate that:

Congress is not considering any proposal that would permit health care payments on behalf of persons in this country illegally.

Don't believe me? Read it:

"Nothing in this subtitle shall allow federal payments for affordability credits on behalf of individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States."

That's the language taken straight from H.R. 3200. No payments for illegal immigrants. None. Get it?

While we're all entitled to our own opinion, we're not all entitled to our own set of facts. The problem with this pseudo-debate is that we have two sides who would appear to inhabit their own, exclusive universes. As a card-carrying member of the reality-based community, I prefer to discuss facts, not debate some boogeyman.

I told Mrs. Jeff in Milwaukee to screen calls today and this evening. I always get a couple of "fucking communist" calls after they print my letter.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

1. UPDATE: I'm "out of touch with reality"

Mrs. Jeff got her first crank phone call at 8:30 this morning. The crazies must have had their caffeine!

[sybylla]

2. Wow. Is that a speed record?

I figured they'd have their noses glued to Faux Snooze at that hour.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

3. I think so...

It took until later in the day to get my first obscenity-laced message from some good Christian.

There were also two letters to the editor in today's paper calling me out by name. Their panties are really in a bunch over the idea that illegal aliens might get health care. What the Moran-American Community doesn't quite grasp is that, by law, hospitals must treat patients who present themselves at emergency rooms regardless of their status. So undocumented persons ALREADY get services.

The other dingbat brought up the Medicaid citizenship screening, the one that cost $8 million and caught only eight people. The Democrats (wisely) stripped this little boondoggle from HR 3200, but the nitwits insist on putting it back. $8 million to catch eight people? It would have been more cost-effective to put all eight through medical school and then them treat themselves!

[sybylla]

4. Ha! Moran-American community. I love it.

Keep up the good fight.

My father-in-law always said that being called (insert derogatory name here) wasn't so bad. At least he knew he now had their attention. Seems it's always necessary with the Moran-American community.

[RonKindDemocrat]

5. Good Work!

The JS is almost a worthless paper these days... all i read are the "no-quarter" articles which rightfully highlight our corrupt and idiot politicians

[Jimbo S]

6. If you're pissing them off

you're doing your job. :patriot: