Down, But Not Out

John Kerry will be issuing the following statement today (via Atrios) :

And we must fight not only against George Bush’s extreme policies — we must also uphold our own values. This is why on the first day Congress is in session next year, I will introduce a bill to provide every child in America with health insurance. And, with your help, that legislation will be accompanied by the support of hundreds of thousands of Americans.

There are more than eight million uninsured children in our nation.

That’s eight million reasons for us to stay together and fight for a new direction. It is a disgrace that in the wealthiest nation on earth, eight million children go without health insurance.

Normally, a member of the senate will first approach other senators and ask them to co-sponsor a bill before it is introduced — instead, I am turning to you. Imagine the power of a bill co-sponsored by hundreds of thousands of Americans being presented on the floor of the United States senate. You can make it happen. Sign our “Every Child Protected” pledge today and forward it to your family, friends, and neighbors…

It’s about goddamn time the Democrats started coming up with some wedge issues. I can’t wait to see the President try to explain why poor children don’t deserve healthcare.


posted by greg on November 19, 2004 @ 9:46 am

9 comments

  1. I’d love to see a situation where a child is able to ask Tom Delay, or anyone who stands against this bill, “Why don’t I deserve healthcare.” And then have a commercial run against the Republicans that features children from all over (accents) and of all races asking the camera: “Why don’t I deserve to be healthy?” “Why don’t I matter to you?” etc.

    Comment by ABL — November 19, 2004 @ 10:30 am

  2. I’d love to see a situation where a child is able to ask Tom Delay, or anyone who stands against this bill, “Why don’t I deserve healthcare.”

    Sounds like a perfect mission for Michael Moore.

    Comment by greg — November 19, 2004 @ 10:40 am

  3. Win Like Dean

    It looks like John Kerry is growing some Senatorial testicles: Normally, a member of the Senate will first approach other senators and ask them to co-sponsor a bill before it is introduced — instead, I am turning to you. Imagine…

    Trackback by Bulldog Blue — November 19, 2004 @ 11:01 am

  4. Old Bushie has a different idea of what our children may need.

    Bush has placed into his `Labor, HHS, and Education appropriations Bill of 2005′ (HR 5006) a proviso for the federal government to begin spending $20 million as an incentive for the states to screen all schoolchildren for `mental illnesses’ and place them on `treatment.’

    Children discovered to have a “mental illness,” which prevents them from learning “normally”. This “chemical imbalance” in their brains is corrected by psychoactive drugs.

    Agggghhh…. sweet, sweet psychoactive drugs.

    Who needs health insurance? Mental hygiene for all!

    Comment by debraz — November 19, 2004 @ 11:08 am

  5. I love this, and even more so as a put-up-or-shut-up to all those cynical “pro-lifers” out there who want babies born, but don’t want to be bothered with caring for them.

    Comment by Diane — November 19, 2004 @ 11:13 am

  6. And when the republicans start whining about how we are going to pay for it I hope they are reminded that “Reagan proved deficits don’t matter”. Republicans had no problem going in the red for tax cuts. Fiscal responsibility and ethics are now quaint but outdated republican issues and the Dems need to remind Americans every chance they get.

    Comment by Becky — November 19, 2004 @ 12:27 pm

  7. It seems whenever the administration wants THEIR agenda passed they turn on their Positive-Optimistic mindset and rally us with a High Expectations Battlecry. Yet whenever Reform or Relief is truly needed they give us the Lowered expectations Supra-Realistic mindset
    and then use disinformation and distraction to change or halt the subject.
    So it wouldn’t suprise me if they just outright say something like children dont need healthcare so the are motivated to get it for themselves.

    Comment by Justin — November 19, 2004 @ 12:44 pm

  8. if we could lower the age of enlistment to, say, ten or twelve, could you imagine how many more kids would then be covered by the military’s health care plan? this is going to be a fun four years, i tell ya.

    Comment by josh — November 20, 2004 @ 4:59 pm

  9. Why do kids need healthcare? What have they ever done for us?

    Comment by Joe — November 22, 2004 @ 9:34 pm

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