After Grayson’s Attack: In Search of…A GOP Health Plan

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.inthesetimes.com/working/entry/4987/after_graysons_dont_get_sick_attack_in_search_of...a_gop_health_plan/

Monday October 5 7:28 am

Republicans reacted wtih outrage last week after Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Fl.) offered a blistering attack on the nearly-invisible Republican healthcare proposals: "The Republican health care plan is this: Don't get sick, and if you do get sick, die quickly."

But SEIU's Andy Stern and other progressive leaders have noted that Grayson, despite his hyperbolic rhetoric about "die quickly" and a "Holocaust," was correct about the impact of inaction on health reform: 44,000 people die each year because they lack health insurance. Indeed, Stern said at an Atlantic Magazine-sponsored conference last week:

" have no healthcare plan and they are letting people continue to suffer," he said. "That is an issue and they should be held accountable."

Yet during the President's healthcare speech before Congerss last month, many Republicans were shown holding up copies of their 37 House bills to counter the well-deserved notion that they're the "Party of No," dedicated to obstructionism.

But even some Republican proponents of their own legislation quietly concede that the Republican leadership hasn't seriously pushed their own alternative healthcare plan. One Republican staffer, when asked about the Republican over-emphasis on attacking Democratic plans, told In These Times, "I don't disagree...There hasn't been enough attention to the ideas in plan."

So what's the real story about Republican health plans?

FULL story at link.

[KharmaTrain]

1. Grayson's The GOOP's Worst Nightmare...

Yep...a Democrat with a spine and not going to take their shit. He definitely has their attention in a big way cause he's becoming a real threat. Instead of cowering and backing down, Democrats have stood up and appluded...no condemnation...praise and money has flowed instead.

The rushpublicans desperately need more boogie men and Grayson is their best hope. He's from a relatively red area thus they feel is vulnerable. If they paint him as some radical they hope it increases chances of Grayson losing next year. Methinks they've underestimated.

They also need a "Bachmann of the left". Surely party leaders see how effective Democrats have been in painting many rushpugnicans as whackos and their hopes is Grayson can counteract that impression. Thus they're already making him one of their cartoon characters...just like Michael Moore, Ted Kennedy, Howard Dean...hoping to turn him into a new whipping boy. Methinks Cong. Grayson relishes that fight.

Remember, Poutrage is one of the few weapons the GOOP has. They desperate need it to keep their horde from looking inwards and continue to rip that inept party apart. Grayson is also fundraising gold. Thus they'll try to demonize him anytime he says anything. The good thing is that Grayson will ram it back...a lesson for other Democrats. It's time to shut down the lies and distortions with a loud voice and Grayson is providing it.

[applegrove]

4. I hope he relishes the fight. You have to have a lot of strength to fight of the neocons.

They are relentless. Fight the good fight Grayson.

[niyad]

2. how could sufficient attention be paid to something that does not exist?

if the repukes HAD a plan, you can bet that their tame pets in the media would be touting it everywhere.

[Historic NY]

3. To sum it all up "they still got nothing"...."not one damn thing that helps the little guy".