Unhinged Repugs Alert: Richard Shelby says US health care is the best in the history of the world

[marmar]

via AlterNet's PEEK:



Are You Serious? GOP Senator Says U.S. Health Care Best in 'World History'

Posted by Steve Benen, Washington Monthly at 8:54 AM on June 8, 2009.

If there's one thing most Americans agree on in this debate, it's that the current system is a mess.




There's a script Republicans lawmakers are supposed to stick to on health care. They're encouraged to engage in anti-government demagoguery, but they're also not supposed to defend the status quo. After all, if there's one thing most Americans agree on in this debate, it's that the current system is a mess.

It's why I found Sen. Richard Shelby's (R-Ala.) remarks on Fox News yesterday pretty interesting.

"One, we don't know how much going to cost and who's going to pay for it," he said. "Secondly, it will be the first steps in destroying the best health care system the world has ever known."

Really? The current U.S. health care system is the best, not only in the world, but in the history of the world?

I haven't seen this quote generate much in the way of attention, but Shelby's remarks yesterday strike me as a possible opportunity for Democrats. Here we have a prominent Republican senator defending the status quo as the best system "the world has ever known." Do the tens of millions of Americans with no coverage agree with that? How about the Americans who've had to declare bankruptcy because they couldn't afford their health care bills? Or the workers who've seen their premiums quadruple? Or the families who wait in long lines for care? Or the businesses who struggle to compete because of health care costs?

It seems like a fairly difficult position to defend -- Republicans think the dysfunctional status quo, which costs too much and covers too few, is "the best care system the world has ever known."

Seems like a loser for the GOP, should Dems try to capitalize on this one.


http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/140511/are_you_serious_gop_senator_says_u.s._health_care_best_in_%27world_history%27/

[Captain Hilts]

1. Wow. I sure wish someone would be willing to insure me. nt

[DJ13]

2. For the chosen few, it IS the best

Its the old (getting really old) Republican/DINO "I've got mine" attitude.

[Aristus]

3. Our mental health care, on the other hand...

:eyes:

[Taverner]

4. Only if you're rich. If you're not, then you're fucked

[Ezlivin]

5. If you're a U.S. Senator it damned sure is the "best health care system"

Too bad the rest of us proletariats don't qualify for such an excellent system.

What about it, Senator Shelby? Are you willing to live like the rest of us?

[Uncle Joe]

6. I believe the Senators have some of that Socialism kind of health coverage.

I always thought Shelby was actually a commie in disguise, now I know it.

[ConcernedCanuk]

7. Ask us simple Canuks how many would trade systems . .

.
.
.

But then we are just "simple"

whaddaweknow

:shrug:

[Puzzler]

8. Is he talking about health care or health insurance?

I don't think anyone is denying that the US has some great hospitals and doctors. Geez, Beverly Hills has some of the finest mansions around, but most people can't afford them.