2009.11.14
Things are getting hot for Rep. Tom Perriello
Rep. Tom Perriello, D-Charlottesville
A bunch of Tea Partyers are having a little rally in Danville tonight. Everyone who shows should leave their Xanax at home, so as to better facilitate mouth-foaming anger.
They're going to burn Rep. Tom Perriello in effigy, because of his vote in favor of health-insurance reform. You want to be worked up for something like that, you know?
The Chatham Star-Tribune has the story:
Danville TEA Party Chairman Nigel Coleman said, "We were outraged to find that Tom Perriello had voted in favor of this bill. I was with dozens of 5th District voters in his office two days before the vote and we pleaded with him to stand with us against the Pelosi plan.
"At this point we feel we have no representation in Congress."
The Danville Tea Party Web site takes it a bit further, though. Nancy Pelosi is "a treasonous witch." (They plan to burn her in effigy, too). Support for health-insurance reform "is treason against the United States."
So we burn them in effigy.
I don't get it. What is wrong with these people?
Don't they realize this is precisely what crowds of angry Islamic extremists do -- to President Bush, for instance -- to send a message that he and the United States are the epitome of evil?
Let's emulate the terrorists!
Can't they comprehend how much they're marginalizing themselves?
Don't they get it that the whole country is going to shaking their heads and tittering about about that gang of dumb-as-a-doornail rednecks in Virginia who burned THEIR OWN leaders in effigy, rather than, say, Osama bin Laden?
Jeez. It kind of makes you wonder where it's going to end.
That won't accomplish much.
Comment by Ed S. — November 14, 2009 @ 4:09 pm
I hope it ends in the defeat of this health Bill..Do you really think most people in his district are for this bill...I bet in his district its 60/40 against..I tell you what else..Pelosi said the other day she had no problem putting people in jail for not purchasing insurance.I dont have health ins...so why in the world would I be for a bill that would imprison me..I say "Hang um in effigy high"....
Comment by Tony — November 14, 2009 @ 4:17 pm
"Let's emulate the terrorists!
No, Dan. Terrorists actually kill people they don't like. Tea partiers are peaceably assembling and making their voices heard, just the way it should be done.
Periello voted against the wishes of his district. He will have to answer for that next election.
Comment by Suzie — November 14, 2009 @ 9:32 pm
I hate to be the one to tell you this, Tony, but under the proposed health reform bill, you'll be able to GET some kind of health insurance, affordable to you or free altogether. The idea is to make sure everybody is covered. The only people who will be penalized will be the wingnuts who can afford insurance but refuse to purchase it. Why in the world would you be against a bill like that?
Comment by AF — November 14, 2009 @ 9:39 pm
It's the same thing the Haters did to Virgil Goode.
Comment by Henry — November 14, 2009 @ 10:12 pm
Henry, please give us the date, time and place "the haters" burned Virgil Goode in effigy.
Comment by Dan Casey — November 14, 2009 @ 10:14 pm
Dan,
Why must you equate those in protest to terrorists? How is this any different than those comparing Obama to Hitler. Bush and Clinton alike were the subject of protests and childish acts. Besides should you not be using terms other than terrorist or terrorism? Those are not politically correct now. We do not want to offend those abroad.
This is why I along with many other are sick of the government. Republicans and Democrats alike spend our tax money with reckless disregard and believe they know what is best for us regardless of the wishes of those they are elected to represent.
Then when the other side does not get their way they complain and cry like little children.
This goes for the red and the blue.
Comment by Big Momma — November 14, 2009 @ 11:47 pm
AF,
I like your "Some Kind" of insurance that will be affordable or free. First off, affordable is a relative term and free is an illusion. There is never a free lunch.
And this wonderful plan still leaves many who will not be insured and the plan relies heavily on the fines paid by those not being insured to finance the plan. If it is so great do you not think everyone would want to join in and not pay the fines?
Truth is for many employers the fines will be cheaper than providing insurance for their employees so in effect the health benefits currently provided by employers will likely decrease.
Also very nice use of a "wingnut" who can afford insurance but chooses not to.
I purchase my own insurance since I recently changed jobs and COBRA was very expensive. I believe it is personally irresponsible not to have health insurance to atleast cover catastrophic events. (Dont check my spelling) However I do not believe the government should force insurance on you. I know most states require car insurance but this is not apples to apples. Driving and owning a car is a choice. Being born was not my choice, therefore I do not believe I should be forced to provide insurance on myself. Is is wise not to? Not at all. But it should be my choice.
Comment by Big Momma — November 14, 2009 @ 11:59 pm
Periello voted against the wishes of his district.
No, he didn't. It never ceases to amaze me how folks without insurance are hell-bent against getting it.
Comment by Art Hill — November 15, 2009 @ 12:04 am
Shouldn't Rep. Perriello do the will of the people, of the vast majority that voted him in office instead of what he feel is right.
Regardless of which side you're on politicians have always seem to do what favors them instead of representing the people.
As it is said some of the best lessons are hard learn.
Comment by Static Lines — November 15, 2009 @ 12:27 am
AF..
I wont be able to get it.Ill be forced to get it..
And what does "affordable mean" $200..$300..$400.5,6,7..Anyone got a figure on that?..Let me hear it!
In addition its unconstitutional for the Federal government to force you to buy anything..and remember the car ins. was done by individual states,not the Feds.
Do you realize that under this bill youll never be "allowed"to actually pay for a health service again..? And since when is someone who wants to pay for their own a wingnut..
Only in the Socialist world of Obama!
The Tea party folks are doing us a favor by fighting this bill to the bitter end..to save the free market,to save health care and to save America...
Comment by Tony — November 15, 2009 @ 7:12 am
I think the tea party crowd is going to (further) marginalize their organization with this sort of tomfoolery. Calling a vote on legislation before Congress "treason" is just silly and cheapens anything else this group says or does. The 5th district is conservative on social issues, but not nearly as much on economic issues. For instance, Goode was a big opponent of NAFTA as were many of his constituents. The tea-party crowd would be better off pointing out real facts that would give people pause. Politico is reporting that Obama has spent more money on new programs in nine months than Bill Clinton did in eight years. Pointing out that running trillion + dollar deficits each year is going to weaken our country and that we cannot afford this legislation is a better (and more honest) argument.
Comment by wilbert — November 15, 2009 @ 8:29 am
Perhaps Tom did vote the will of the people? The fact he was elected and beat Virgil suggests the wishes of the people in this district have changed over the years.
Comment by ernie — November 15, 2009 @ 9:24 am
Big Momma. I agree purchasing health care insurance should be your choice. But only if providing you health care, no matter the circumstances, would only be provided if you have insurance or proof of the ability to pay. The medical facilities, emergency rooms, etc should not be obligated to give anyone a service they cannot show the ability to pay for. Grocery stores don't let you push a cart of groceries out of the store for free just because you are starving. I believe today you will get your care and everyone in this district will pay for it through higher insurance premiums and higher medical care costs. That is one of the problems.
Comment by ernie — November 15, 2009 @ 9:50 am
Periello won because of big bucks and a flatfooted Goode..One thing about poliics..enough money can do wonders..
Comment by Tony — November 15, 2009 @ 10:00 am
Perriello won on Obama's coattails. Obama pulled to the polls many people who don't normally vote, including many African Americans who had good reason to vote against Goode.
Comment by Dan Casey — November 15, 2009 @ 10:11 am
Ernie,
I agree with you except medical care is a little different than groceries. I see your point though.
I agree with you about the premiums. Sure the insurance companies will cover those with pre-existing conditions and the elderly and women without a difference in premiums. So who will pay for this? Everyone else. The requirement for everyone to purchase insurance is so the young and healthy will subsidize the coverage of the elderly and those in poor health.
When there comes a time because of this forced coverage that the insurance companies will be unable to profit, then the government option will be the only option left. A bad option in my opinion.
Comment by Big Momma — November 15, 2009 @ 10:50 am
Perriello coming from New York with big bucks behind him seems like a "set up" candidate to me.An incredible amount of TV ads for a complete unknown..Is what got him elected..without that no coattails would have got him elected
Comment by Tony — November 15, 2009 @ 2:53 pm
I don't have a dog in the Rep. Perriello fight. However, I do have an interest n health care issues. Medical care providers, for the most part, provide services despite ones ability to pay. If you have ever been to the ER you have run into folks with & without health insurance. Many of those without pay their bills, but most never do. The provider rights off that debt usually. Not always. The rest of us pay for them through higher medical costs. That prinicipal works all the way through the system.
Some object to govt involvement in health care because they don't want the gov't telling them which doctor to use, medicines they can buy, etc. If you have health insurance your provider does that too. They do that through preferred provider networks. You can use a doctor outside the network, but you pay more. The insurance provider also tells you the reimbursement available for the medicines you use. They choose who they will cover through restrictions on those with prior existing conditions or chronic conditions requiring ongoing care. To me its a matter of who you want telling you what health care is available to you.
Let's talk about salaries for a moment. In 2008 the CEO of Wellpoint, one of the largest health insurance providers, was given total compensation in excess of $40 million. I'm a reasonably well paid professional, but it is hard for me to see how anyone is worth $40 million per year. On average, in 2009, Wellpoint increased its premium charges an average of 12 percent. For those of you who have health insurance, how much did your premiums increase last year?
Do I have an answer to this challenge? Not totally. I don't totally agree with the bill approved by the House of Repr., but I strongly believe reform is needed. First, I would open health insurance plans across state lines. Second, I would consider opening the health insurance plan offered to federal employees to any individual or company in the U. S. Third, I would prevent insurance companies from denying coverage to those who have pre-existing conditions or chronic conditions. Those are three suggestions I have. I'm open to suggestions of others. Finally, I believe that the debate on this issue and many others has become so hateful that it is difficult for reasonable folks to work together to find common ground. The folks on the extremes of left and right need to step back and let the rest of us fashion a reasonable alternative.
Comment by Ron — November 15, 2009 @ 7:00 pm
Tony, Perriello is a lifelong resident of Ivy, a small unincorporated community west of Charlottesville. You could honestly say he came back FROM New York or West Africa or the Middle East where he has worked extensively on many issues, but he is a Virginian and I am proud to claim him. Are you under the delusion that Virgil Goode's money only came from his district?
Comment by Sandi Saunders — November 15, 2009 @ 7:54 pm
Someone remind me again why I should be, under threat of jail time, be forced to buy a service such as health care?
Comment by Ed — November 16, 2009 @ 6:57 am
For the same reason you are "under threat of jail time" and forced to pay taxes and obey the laws of our society. We have the right to determine the path of our society and once in a while we get to be on the side of people instead of robber barons, is this a great country or what?
Comment by Sandi Saunders — November 16, 2009 @ 9:12 am
Hey Ed -- we are all "forced" to buy car insurance in order to obtain a legal drivers license. So are you driving illegally without insurance right now?
Comment by AF — November 16, 2009 @ 9:19 am
AF has a good point.
The Health Insurance companies are just not as honest as the car insurance companies. At least the car insurance companies admit that they are charging you x dollars a month to offset the expenses of un- and under- insured motorists.
Health insurance companies just don't bother to break it down and show us the reality that we are already paying for those millions of Americans without insurance.
Comment by VVarlock — November 16, 2009 @ 9:42 am
Ed-By refusing to insure yourself, you are increasing my taxes, and costing me more in insurance premiums. You are also hindering the availability of care.
Basically the rest of us are stuck insuring you whether you like it or not and we want our money back.
You see Ed, we the the people decided along time ago that we would treat anyone that shows up in an emergency room regardless of their ability to pay. That means you too. SO until we start pushing people out the hospital doors to die in the streets in front of emergency rooms we are stuck paying for you as well.
Example: Your eating in the city market when all of a sudden you suffer a (stroke, heart attack, allergic reaction, whatever). You have no insurance and $20 in your wallet. How do you prove that you have the money to pay for help? The ambulance shows up and asks you how you plan to pay for the services? So the life saving measures stalled while you fumble for your last account statement to prove that you have the $100K in the bank to start your trip to the hospital? If you don't do they just walk away and leave you dead in the city market for your family(assuming you have one) to pick up later?
So unless you have the cash to self insure start paying up cause the rest of are sick of covering your butt.
Comment by Brendan — November 16, 2009 @ 10:13 am
Ed,
They are STATISTS...thats why.
-------
AF,
Where do I get my license to live? The car insurance argument is weak.
Comment by T Witten — November 16, 2009 @ 10:13 am
I don't own a car, so I haven't paid a penny in car insurance in a long time.
I own a home, and accept the notion of buying homeowner's insurance as part of my mortgage agreement.
But being forced to buy health insurance? I'm being forced to buy something because I am simply breathing. Where does the government get off on forcing me to do that?
Comment by Ed — November 16, 2009 @ 1:25 pm
I just explained it Ed.
Here it is again in the simplest terms possible...you and other uninsured people are stealing from the rest of us.
If you need that statement explained please refer to #25.
Comment by Brendan — November 16, 2009 @ 1:45 pm
Same as "forcing" you to wear your seat belt, obey traffic laws or any other action that the government enacts. I think we can all name a law we do not like, or one that is particularly silly or meddlesome, but once they are enacted we obey them or pay the penalty.
Seat belts save lives. Health insurance gives you the peace of mind in case you have more than a yearly check up (accident, illness) and it helps to lower the costs of insurance for all because of the whole "pool" system. Costs spread and shared are a benefit to all. It may well not be the most fair law, but in the long run it benefits society and you if you ever need it (and you will). Perhaps the uninsured numbers should have looked more closely at who could have afforded insurance but was refusing to get it before we assumed people were not that irresponsible and reckless and simply could not afford it. I cannot fathom that mentality but then again, I have used medical services and insurance has saved my home and possessions more than once.
Comment by Sandi Saunders — November 16, 2009 @ 2:21 pm
Read elsewhere that the person who was hosting the teabaggers told them he couldn't allow them to burn effigies on his property. Good for him.
Comment by gdad — November 16, 2009 @ 5:40 pm