GOP Offers Heath Care Reponse By Rep Who Took $1.2 Mil From Industry
The birther congressman selected to give the Republican response to President Obama’s health care address, Rep. Charles Boustany, has received monies totaling $1,256,056 from “health and insurance interests” since 2004, according to the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics.
“There is a conflict of interest when members of Congress stand before the public and recite the same talking points put forth by lobbyists and the heads of insurance and HMO giants opposing health care legislation,” commented David Donnelly, national campaigns director of Public Campaign Action Fund. “Rep. Boustany has taken more than $160,000 in campaign contributions from insurance and HMO interests alone. Do you think he’ll disclose that to his national audience tonight? It’s time to end the money chase and pass the Fair Elections Now Act.”
But of course, he will speak “for the good of the country”, not because of the $1,256,056.00 he received. Give me a break!
But the insurance companies and HMO’s don’t know that they overpaid. We all know that Republikkkans will lie for a WHOLE lot less. Sometimes for free!
September 9th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
This is certainly a conflict of interest.
I wonder if the GOP even has any people they can put in front who are not bought and sold by the insurance companies.
JaredfromTexas Reply:
September 9th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
I wonder if the DEMS even have any people they can put in front who are not bought and sold by the insurance companies.
Sarah Reply:
September 9th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
Sad, but unfortunately true, JaredfromTexas. The sanctioned bribery is rampant on both sides of the aisle. I daresay Repubs get more dough than the Dems, though, since they’re usually funded better by corporate interests than Democrats are.
September 9th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
The republikkkan response:
Dear America: BEND OVER!!! BEND OVER MORE!!!
pierre Reply:
September 9th, 2009 at 10:23 pm
and grab the ankles, as El limbo would say.
phillipd Reply:
September 9th, 2009 at 10:25 pm
Can’t they at LEAST kiss me first?
September 9th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
Jesus God! HE’S PART OF THE REASON HEALTHCARE IS SO EXPENSIVE!
That’s the ultimate slap in the face– WE’RE the ones who are ultimately paying this lobbyist, because when we’re SICK, we need CARE and we’re willing to pay for it, even if the industry paying him is willing to take our houses and cars!
John Galt Reply:
September 9th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
Jesus God! HE’S PART OF THE REASON HEALTHCARE IS SO EXPENSIVE!
Okay, so I googled “health insurance contributions to campaign”
The first entry: maplight.org has Boustany ranked 193rd. Anyone wanna guess who is listed as #1?
Sarah Reply:
September 9th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
If it’s a democrat, you’re too late. I already agreed with JaredfromTexas that both Democrats and Republicans indulge in sanctioned bribery from insurance and healthcare lobbyists.
John Galt Reply:
September 9th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
It’s not JUST a democrat. It is the most democrat of all democrats! President Obama himself.
Sarah Reply:
September 9th, 2009 at 9:48 pm
Coupla things:
1. About two-thirds of the 30 top sanctioned-bribery recipients were….Republican.
2. I’m sorry the Republican presidential candidate came in at No. 2, but frankly, even corporations want to back winning candidates. It’s Sarah Palin’s fault, really.
John Galt Reply:
September 9th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
Jesus God! HE’S PART OF THE REASON HEALTHCARE IS SO EXPENSIVE!
Sarah Reply:
September 9th, 2009 at 9:49 pm
My Republican representative doesn’t just take healthcare bribery, she used to be an insurance lobbyist.
What’s your point?
John Galt Reply:
September 9th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
My point? My point is in response to the subject of this post. For some reason, the 193rd ranked member of government is being held as an example of what is wrong with campaign donations and the #1 ranked member of the government is the President.
If it matters, it matters.
If it doesn’t, then, it doesn’t.
Sarah Reply:
September 9th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
Right, maybe they should’ve gotten John McCain.
Oops, he’s second.
No, Saxby Chambliss. Oops, he’s third.
Hey, no doubt politicians who want to get elected take campaign bribes. Are you outraged that most of them who get the biggest bribes are Republican? Guess not.
TDro319 Reply:
September 10th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
We’re all well aware of the fact that Max Baucus is a sellout. Come up with somebody new.
September 9th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
John, seriously, thanks for the link for maplight.org.
It’s been illuminating to see just how bribed our Republican leaders are by healthcare industry lobbies.
Under “Other Physician Specialists,” for example, 7 out of the top 10 sanctioned-bribery recipients are Republican…Including Boustany.
You’re really helping the Democratic cause, thanks.
Sarah Reply:
September 9th, 2009 at 10:34 pm
One last thing before I’m off to bed….Crest White strips might not be covered by insurance, but they’re remarkably affordable. Politicians who have to smile a lot might want to think about that.
Or not! Screw those movie-star smiles! Hold your yella own, Boustany! Keep it real and keep it coffee-stained! Be a rebel!
libpatriot Reply:
September 10th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
Heh-heh, Sarah….I thought the same thing when I saw Boustany’s smile.
September 9th, 2009 at 10:18 pm