SCHIP Charade

IBD ^ | September 26, 2007

[Kaslin]

Health Care: "What about the children?" Whenever Democrats drag out that perennial question, you know Republicans are about to get rolled. That's the case with the children's health care bill the House just passed.

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The bill that would more than double current spending on children's health care to $60 billion over the next five years passed by a surprising 265 to 159 vote late Tuesday, with 45 GOP representatives in favor. Just a month ago, the bill could only muster support from a lonely five Republicans.

What happened? Did the GOP suddenly realize the merit of the bill, and have a change of heart? Hardly. They just feared being baited in next year's elections by Democratic challengers taunting them for being "anti-children."

As Democrat Charles Rangel of New York noted, when lawmakers go back to their districts, "the question is, were you with the kids or were you not?" Some Republicans won't have an answer.

Too bad. The only hope now is that President Bush will follow through on his threat to veto it. Because 290 votes would be needed to override a veto, it looks like he might succeed.

[businessprofessor]

Just another day with another Dim terrible bill. Although Bush has been criticized about signing spending increases, it looks like he will stop this nonsense.

[sure_fine]

hope it gets the axe

[Harrius Magnus]

I got a call from the AARP today (I’m 39 years old). They wanted to know if I would support their effort to pass comprehensive healthcare coverage for children. I asked the caller, how and in what way does his member’s dues support him calling random citizens to advocate for socialized medicine to support “the chillren.”
He sputtered, and sputtered...

Can you believe this $hit, working both ends of the age spectrum, to support “universal” coverage? It makes me puke.

[buccaneer81]

The “back door” to Universal Health Care. God help us all.

[sure_fine]

this might be the one I heard him say he would veto

[ChildOfThe60s]

They just feared being baited in next year's elections by Democratic challengers taunting them for being "anti-children."

IOW, Dems can coerce Pubbies into voting the way they want them to by threatening to call them names. Uh, someone tell me again why it is we even have Republicans in the legislature?

So much for risking anything for principles. Since very few Republicans even have principles I guess abandoning them comes pretty easily.

Is there anything the Dems can't get through by whining "it's for the children"?

[jwparkerjr]

I only know about this bill what I’ve heard from Rush and Laura et al, but the one thing I’ve taken from their discussions is that it would use taxpayer money to help families who make $80,000 a year and in some cases even more.

The Founding Fathers must be turning over in their graves at the prospect of tax money going to pay for anything for a family with that kind of income.

[earlyapex]

Not to mention the fact that it would double or triple the price of a cigar..

[WOSG]

BUSH BETTER STOP IT... THIS SCHIP WELFARE-STATE SPENDING INCREASE IS HUGE!

[Intolerant in NJ]

Ironically, a Republican-controlled Congress created SCHIP in 1997 to help the poor — those up to 200% of the poverty level...seems like the perfect comeback to those demagogues who would criticize 'pubs for being against children - they started the program and aimed it at the most needy and vulnerable - if only Republicans would grow backbones.....

[ventanax5]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=o_LutWBunb4

This explains it all