Republicans are outraged by Harry Reid's recent comments regarding health care and slavery. On the Senate floor, Reid compared opposition to health care reform to those who opposed outlawing slavery.
The GOP was quick to pounce all over Reid. Based on their reaction, you would not think anyone on the right ever used the word slavery (or something similar) to get a point across. You would be wrong. The GOP either has a short memory or chooses to ignore recent history.
They also know, despite continuous denigration of the "mainstream media," that their pseudo-outrage gets a lot of media attention.
Minnesota's Michelle Bachmann compared paying taxes to slavery at the end of August. "It's nothing more than slavery," she stated.
Ron Paul has also made the comparison between paying taxes and slavery. Specifically, he called the income tax "a form of involuntary servitude."
Mike Huckabee said that abortion is like slavery earlier this year. "What are we saying to the generation coming after us when we tell them that it is perfectly OK for one person to own another human being? I thought we dealt with that 150 years ago when the issue of slavery was finally settled in this country, and we decided that it no longer was a political issue, it wasn't an issue of geography, it was an issue of morality."
Right-wing darling Glenn Beck noted that in his humble opinion the economic stimulus plan is akin to slavery. "We call them progressives now, but back in Samuel Adams’ day, they used to call them tyrants,” said Beck. “A little later, I think they were also called slave owners."
Undoubtedly someone could spend all day finding similar examples. The point is, the GOP isn't legitimately outraged by what Reid said. Mock outrage is something they are quite good at. They know it will get plenty of attention, which it already has. It also distracts people from the real issue, health care reform.
Comments
I am a self-employed person (and Examiner writer) who cannot afford $400+ a month for mediocre health insurance. Yet our Senators and Congressman get free and excellent health care for life, paid for by my taxes! All Americans deserve equal health care. It is shameful that some Americans die of curable diseases simply because they cannot afford health insurance. Yes, I do feel like a slave who is exploited by the very representatives I elected to look out for my best interests!
So, which is more akin to slavery? Is it paying taxes, or is it allowing people freedom in their choices about healthcare? Reid's comparison is not offensive, it's just stupid and inaccurate.
Obamacare = socialism/Marxism and socialism/Marxism = SLAVERY.
It’s Obama, Pelosi, Reid and the rest of their comrades who not only favor SLAVERY but are trying to FORCE SLAVERY on us through lies, manipulation, intimidation, coercion, and criminal SCAMS like Obamacare and cap and trade.
The Democrats wanted to continue slavery years ago and now they are trying to force slavery on us!
I like Ron Paul.
"All Americans deserve equal health care" - Eve
First of all...You are able to get Medicare/Medicaid at your income level, you should enroll until you get into a better economic position.
Second, your comment is not factual. Perhaps you FEEL that all Americans deserve equal healthcare but in reality medical services aren't covered by the Constitution. However, let me help you understand that up until Wilson and FDR took us off of the "Gold Standard" few people died of treatable diseases. Why? Because cash money was as valuable as bartered services. Before the progressive movement Americans, even poor Americans were able to get by. Now it's more difficult. We can reform healthcare without putting the government in charge and we can cover all LEGAL citizens that need coverage without a Public Option. think outside your box.
And FYI: It's convenient that Harry Reid and the liberals ignore that the stumbling blocks to minority equality were Democrats. The KKK was started by White Southern Democrats and was a political right of passage. The opposition to the Civil Rights movement came from DEMOCRATS not Republicans. Oh and by the way Abraham Lincoln and most of the northern abolitionists were Republicans.
Lame article!
Go Ron Paul.
Eve,
How about $9-a-year healtchcare that covers everything without any deductibles. It also guarantees a 100-year old life-span with perfect health until then.
Fyi: the man who finally put an end to slavery was A. Lincoln...a republican! any more questions ????
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