Interesting article in Salon by Joan Walsh, “Throw Grassley From The Train,” says that recent comments by Iowa’s Republican Senator Chuck Grassley proves that a bipartisan approach to health care reform is impossible. Walsh says that Grassley’s trash talk about euthanasia, as part of health care reform, even “went beyond Sarah Palin’s ignorant rant.”
Walsh says that Grassley comments are astounding because Grassley is “one GOP senator who’s been held up as a paragon of reason and bipartisanship, one of three Republicans negotiating with three Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee.”
Grassley at a town hall meeting said, “There is some fear because in the House bill, there is counseling for end-of-life. And from that standpoint, you have every right to fear … We should not have a government program that determines if you’re going to pull the plug on grandma.”
“If he (President Obama) compromises with the likes of Chuck Grassley after Grassley betrayed him,” Walsh writes, “he can give up the rest of his agenda — and maybe even a second term. But I trust Obama to know that he’s been punked by Grassley, and to act accordingly.”
Walsh writes: “ ‘You have every right to fear.’ What a statesman! Where to start? … To me the silver lining here is that maybe Obama and Democratic leaders will wake up and realize they have no partners in the GOP on healthcare reform. (Well, that may be too precipitous — Olympia Snowe? Susan Collins? Please?) Unbelievably, roughly 24 hours before Grassley — call him Judas — sold out Obama for 30 pieces of silver from his insurance industry backers, the president named Grassley as one of the reason he continues to negotiate with Republicans, at yesterday’s town hall.”
Walsh writes, “I admire Obama’s desire for conversation, consultation and, if possible, bipartisan support for his agenda. But it’s been clear since early in his term that the GOP marching orders are to thwart him whenever possible. … I think it’s time for Obama to use his political capital to whip the Democrats, including the nippy, yippy selfish and untested Blue Dogs, into shape.”
I being a seinor citizen and not will do not wish ot be counselled as to how to committ suicide and know one I know my age or younger in there right minds wishes to have this counselling either .
Trash talk? The guy is telling the truth. This government run health care is another social security, medicare, postal service, etc. The government should not be in the business of health care, financial or manufacturing sectors or anything else. Things look rosy for them now. Just watch these firms that have been taken over file for bankruptcy in the next few years.