A newly-elected GOP Rep. announced that he is refusing the congressional health insurance plan in a show of solidarity with the American people.
Rep-elect Joe Walsh (R-IL) told the New York Times that he will stick to his Tea Party roots and decline the government health care provided to members of congress.
“I don’t think congressmen should get pensions or cushy health care plans,” he said. But it‘s a decision that’s not being welcomed by everyone in his family. Walsh’s wife has a pre-existing medical condition, and she’ll now be charged with the difficult task of finding a plan on the open market.
Walsh joins two other Republicans in declining the government’s health plan. So far, incoming Reps. Bobby Schilling (IL) and Mike Kelly (PA) have made similar decisions.
But Walsh’s decision is in lockstep with some of his other positions. He’s a staunch fiscal conservative who wants serious entitlement reform, is hoping to repeal Obamacare, and is even against the recent tax-rate deal.
“We cut taxes, raised spending and contributed to the deficit,” he said of the deal. “Republicans should have held out for something better.”
That, along with the rejection of health care, may be politically incorrect. But Walsh doesn’t care.
Wow!!! Some tea partiers talk the talk AND walk the walk.
The tea party is not the “God party.” If that’s passing judgement, then so be it. When fundamentalists try to combine their religion and everyone’s politics I feel compelled to speak out against such Constitutionally prohibited nonsense.
By the way, Walsh just hired a Wall Street Lobbyist as his Chief of Staff, and he’s not hurting for cash. Schilling is wealthy insurance man and buisness owner. Kelly is a wealthy car dealership owner. They are no different than most other politicians, excepting their fundamentalist positions. You claim they “walk the walk” only because you share their political and religious views. If they needed insurance from their employer they’d be on it,
I never have claimed that God belonged to any political party or political organization. You are responding to your own imagination. Religion and politics are both integral parts of life and, as such, are part of the world in which we live. As for the congressman you have described, God has indeed blessed them with financial success and they have chosen to use their available talents to serve as leaders. I pray that they will persevere in their desire to serve and that God will continue to grant them financial success.
If as you say, God has blessed them, than God has also “blessed” children with cancer, taken the lives of new born babes, and committed other unspeakable acts. It’s so utterly transparent how you only give credit to God for things you see as good, or positive. God hasn’t blessed these men with anything. He simply gave them the tools. Or, in this case they were more than likely born into money.
Do you believe that God creates evil, pain and suffering?
Do you believe He doesn’t?
Y E S !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How naive can you be?
How self-absorbed can you be?
Funny, I remember you recently claiming the Tanakh was part of your Bible. Would you care to explain the hundreds of incidents in which God instructs men to put others to death for relatively minor offenses? It’s obvious “God creates evil, pain and suffering.” You just don’t have an explanation for His actions that fits neatly into your black and white view of your Bible.
I don’t have to explain God’s actions…..He is God. Who are you to demand explanations of God? He does not create evil. God demands faithfulness and justice. Man sinned against God and evil was born of that sin.
I think you need to re-read the Tanakh, and perhaps learn something from Abraham.
All politicians are created equal, just ask God. My guess is these politicians are wealthy enough to absorb the additional cost of private health insurance without enduring any financial hardship, and they’re pandering.
It is remarkable how cynical and hypocritical you are. You are quick to declare that no one should judge another, but you leap at the opportunity to judge. All politicians are created equal. They are all human beings. But their behavior and decisions on our behalf as our representatives can, and should be, examined and evaluated. These representatives have made a decision to honor their convictions. I will not judge their motives or intent. I will only applaud their courage and action.