Red state governors a cruel, heartless lot

Job One for any governor is to provide for the health and welfare of his constituents, regardless of their economic status. To GOP governors in 24 states that refuse the Affordable Care Act's Medicaid expansion which would insure 5,500,000 low income people, Job One is returning Republicans to the White House by demonizing the Affordable Care Act. That m...eans they turn down free Medicaid expansion for three years and pay only 10% of its cost thereafter. Illinois signed up for Medicaid expansion to the relief of hundreds of thousands of poor Illinoisans. Current Illinois GOP gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner opposed Illinois expansion but his opposition is now moot and merely crass political posturing to his conservative, anti Obama base. Indiana Governor Mike Pence was another strong opponent until his 2016 presidential aspirations made him recalibrate his opposition. Pence is negotiating with the Obama administration for a waiver on the ACA Medicaid requirements based on Pence expanding health coverage for low income folks through an Indiana health program. While not as strong as ACA relief, If granted, hundreds of thousands of Hoosiers will enjoy the benefits of the ACA while Pence can claim he's doing it outside of the hated ACA.

The other 23 GOP governors still haven't got the conscience or political need to bring their millions of poor into benefits of a universal health insurance first promoted by former Republican Teddy Roosevelt in 1912. They still adhere to the mainstream Republican health care plan for the poor: DON'T GET SICK; BUT IF YOU DO GET SICK, DIE AND DIE QUICKLY. That is no exaggeration. A recent study by the Annual of Internal Medicine estimates about 6,000 annually will needlessly die through the heartless and cruel governance of the men sworn into office to insure that doesn't happen.

Marco Rubio for President...of Waterworld

Florida Senator Mark Rubio popped up on a Sunday talk show to declare he's ready to be President and then immediately made a fool of himself, claiming he doesn't believe in man made climate change. He says he doesn't believe the 97% of scientists, who not only believe in man made global warming, but are running around with their hair on fire clamoring we take steps to save the planet. We get this nonsense from a senator who sits on the Senate Science Committee. It's likely Rubio is smarter than he appears when denying the undeniable, knowing he has little chance securing the Republican presidential nomination unless he appeals to the know-nothings who will select the candidate in the GOP primaries. This forces all potential GOP candidates in a race to the bottom to avoid early rejection by them for the brass ring. When 90% of Tea Partiers deny global warming (compared to just 25% of the entire population) it is not unusual for every candidate in GOP candidate debate to deny it as well. 

Maybe Rubio should check a map to see how close his Miami residence is to the ocean. Even as he doubles down on his transparently fake denial of global warming, he might start making plans to relocate further inland in Florida. Once the world's temperature rises sufficiently from man's folly, Miami might be ground zero in the tide of disappearing waterside real estate. Unless he moves, Rubio may only be positioned to run for President of Waterworld.

Roskam should withdraw from House GOP Benghazi stunt

My Illinois Sixth District Congressman Peter Roskam should withdraw from the House GOP committee to hold another hearing, the 14th so far, to investigate the Benghazi terrorist attack of September, 2012. The GOP's transparent use of the tragedy that killed four Americans was evident as the political stunt it is by virtue of immediate GOP efforts to fundraise off the Benghazi issue. After spending five years voting against and spreading lies and scare tactics to derail the Affordable Care Act, and two years promoting a false campaign to demonize the IRS, the GOP is left with endless and meaningless Benghazi nonsense to slander the Obama administration and their likely 2016 candidate. Concerned Sixth District voters want Congressman Roskam to support administration job creation programs rebuilding American infrastructure, developing renewable energy and re-vitalizing education. They want Roskam to support extension of unemployment benefits for the long term unemployed, to both cushion the devastating effects of the 2008 recession and inject billions of dollars into the economy. They want the Congressman to support a raise in the minimum wage to the millions of folks working longer hours than most congressmen, not for a fabulous salary and benefits package, but for poverty wages. They want Roskam to stop supporting military adventurism in far away places like Afghanistan, Ukraine, Africa, Iran, and any other place that meets the war party's fancy.  

The People want Roskam to do their work, not the Party's work. The upcoming Benghazi hearings will be a sham and a disgrace. They will not burnish the Congressman's image for good governance. They will simply be another excuse to avoid moving the district and the nation's critical agenda forward. They may be Roskam's ticket to move up from No. 4 in the GOP House leadership to No. 3, but sadly, at his constituents' expense.

Roskam should withdraw from House GOP Benghazi stunt

My Illinois Sixth District Congressman Peter Roskam should withdraw from the House GOP committee to hold another hearing, the 14th so far, to investigate the Benghazi terrorist attack of September, 2012. The GOP's transparent use of the tragedy that killed four Americans was evident as the political stunt it is by virtue of immediate GOP efforts to fundraise off the Benghazi issue. After spending five years voting against and spreading lies and scare tactics to derail the Affordable Care Act, and two years promoting a false campaign to demonize the IRS, the GOP is left with endless and meaningless Benghazi nonsense to slander the Obama administration and their likely 2016 candidate. Concerned Sixth District voters want Congressman Roskam to support administration job creation programs rebuilding American infrastructure, developing renewable energy and re-vitalizing education. They want Roskam to support extension of unemployment benefits for the long term unemployed, to both cushion the devastating effects of the 2008 recession and inject billions of dollars into the economy. They want the Congressman to support a raise in the minimum wage to the millions of folks working longer hours than most congressmen, not for a fabulous salary and benefits package, but for poverty wages. They want Roskam to stop supporting military adventurism in far away places like Afghanistan, Ukraine, Africa, Iran, and any other place that meets the war party's fancy.  

The People want Roskam to do their work, not the Party's work. The upcoming Benghazi hearings will be a sham and a disgrace. They will not burnish the Congressman's image for good governance. They will simply be another excuse to avoid moving the district and the nation's critical agenda forward. They may be Roskam's ticket to move up from No. 4 in the GOP House leadership to No. 3, but sadly, at his constituents' expense.