The questions about health care are flooding in through the contact page. First, thanks! Second, below are some additional political thoughts on health care since I’ve already made my policy position clear.
This past Wednesday, the Cincinnati Enquirer held their group endorsement interview. There was much of interest at the meeting, but immediately relevant was that I was the only candidate who when asked if we would vote for health care, on the spot,, said that I would vote. One candidate essentially said no. The other just talked about the process and when pressed said he would call the Enquirer tomorrow with his answer after the CBO released their assessment. You’ll be happy to know that I pointed out that we already had CBO assessments on the different bills and they would all aid the deficit.
We don’t need politicians– we need leaders who are willing to make the hard calls. That’s what the 2nd District is looking for. Just yesterday at the Clermont County Donkey Dinner, I met another couple who lives under the threat of our health care crisis. They’ve both worked all their lives, but due to the current economic conditions she is looking for work, and he, though employed, lacks health care. They’ve lived responsibly and have saved for years to build a nest egg which allows them to get by. However, they’re just one health emergency from being completely wiped out. The leading cause of bankruptcies in America isn’t just a statistic. It’s a very real, incredibly destructive reality for millions of American families.
I’m the only candidate to have been on the record for comprehensive health reform since November:
Statement 1: Why we need Health Care reform
Statement 2: I attempt to explain what’s good in the guts of the current bill
Statment 3: A graphical look at the current dysfunction of our system (financially and results)
Statement 4: Way back in November, when I first announced, I was asked by Congressional Quarterly about heath care. In something rare for someone running for office– you’ll find consistency:
He said the health care bill the House passed last weekend was “better than what we have now,” but didn’t include enough consumer choice or “tort reform” to curb lawsuit abuse. He prefers a health bill promoted by Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon and Republican Sen. Robert F. Bennett of Utah.
It’s been about five months since that interview and my statements haven’t altered much at all. The polling has changed, but to me, that’s irrelevant. The right thing to do is simply the right thing to do.
I firmly believe as details of the bill (I’ve actually read much of it) are better understood, it will be viewed in a very different, more positive light. Other candidates sense this and are already scrambling to change their positions and get behind the bill. That’s great. I welcome the company. It’s been lonely over here.
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