Ray LaHood: Why Republicans should support health care reform (!!!)

[tpsbmam]

Chicago Tribune Op-Ed!

(snips)

I've been a Republican all my life, when I served in the Illinois legislature, when I worked for members of Congress and when I served in Congress. During the 2008 presidential election, I supported Republican Sen. John McCain. I have always been — and still am — a fiscal conservative, an advocate for a smart, but restrained, government.

For those reasons and others, most people wouldn't expect me to be an advocate for comprehensive health care reform. But the truth is, I believe there is no bigger issue to solve and no better chance to solve it than now.

If I were still a member of Congress, I would proudly vote for the bill that President Barack Obama is championing and I would urge my colleagues to do the same, not because I don't believe in fiscal discipline, but because I do.

We do not need to look that far down the road to see the pain that failure to pass health care reform will cause. Americans of every background, class, race and political persuasion are suffering. We have the best health care system in the world, yet more than 40 million Americans lack access to it, a reality that is morally reprehensible. Health care is an essential, as important as food, water and shelter. Those who don't have it are left without the tools to survive.

More at the Chicago Tribune: http://www.chicagotribune.com/health/ct-perspec-0314-lahood-20100314,0,3364029.story

[Faygo Kid]

1. He's considered a RINO, but thanks for posting.

I believe the Dems HAVE to do this, and if they do, they will do well in November.

[tpsbmam]

5. Interesting, I've never considered him a RINO....

He had some good votes on environmental issues (e.g., Alaskan oil) but for the most part, he was pretty standard Republican as far as I could see. For example, on the Democratic paycheck fairness bill (equal pay for women), all Democrats voted for it and 14 Republicans did. He wasn't one of the 14. He's vociferously anti-choice. He was one of the Republicans that wanted a Constitutional amendment against gay marriage. I consider him a Republican through and through. He may not be as crazy right wing as some of the Repub legislators today, but I consider him a true Republican.

[Faygo Kid]

8. You can't deviate one iota and not be a RINO.

They all take their marching orders from Rush and Fox News. There is never any disagreement allowed. Ever. Check out the votes in the House and (especially) the Senate on any issue.

[Ian David]

2. Isn't Ray LaHood unemployed now? n/t

[FLAprogressive]

4. try secretary of transportation....

[Ian David]

7. Why do we have a Republican as Secty of Transportation? I thought we WON in 2008. n/t

[endless october]

3. because it helps corporations and not people?

shit, repubs should love this piece of shit bill.

[quiet.american]

6. Excellent. nt