ABC News almost did their job last night. I say almost because they actually ran a story on World News Tonight about the 100% tax payer funded health care coverage Members of Congress enjoy, but left out the most important part. They failed to ask one Member of Congress why the American people don't deserve the same tax payer funded coverage they give themselves. It's a simple question that has to jump right out at anyone even remotely concerned with health care reform. It wouldn't be all that hard just to ask why do you deserve it but no one else.
Alas, at least ABC News made somewhat of an effort to do a story on a topic that no one, especially Republicans, wants to talk about: A government run health care program for Congress.
For a small fee, Members of Congress can "opt out" of their quasi-private but still tax payer funded plans to partake in an entirely government-run program that covers everything without co-pays or ever filing claim forms. Must be nice. What's more is that even the Members of Congress that don't "opt out" still get, now get this, FREE health care through this government-run program. It happens every single day.
I actually have experience with this wonderful government program. One time while riding the Metro into the District, I got the worst headache ever. By the time I got off at Capitol Hill, I was spinning and nauseous. One of my friends noticed I was not feeling too well and walked me right to the clinic. Seemed like a nice enough place and they gave me Imitrex and something else for the spins. Within a few hours I was better. By the next day I was as good as new. I didn't pay anything. But I did miss out on my meetings that afternoon.
What's surprisingly so simple about this whole debate is that this is normal every day stuff for Congress. They raise their entire families off of government-run programs but want to spread fear and lies about granting such programs to anyone else. What would it hurt to ask the question, why do you deserve tax payer funded health care but no one else?
The Fold Blog welcomes all comments as a means of engaging the political debate. Comments from new visitors may take a moment to appear on the site. Some may go through a moderator as well. Please be patient. Click here to read our comment policy.