After I read Sarah Palin's Facebook page response to the president's speech on health care reform, I had to walk away and count to ten -- in Russian. You may say, why bother? She's not relevant. She's the pin-up girl for crazies.
Last night, a man with a gun attempted entry into the Capitol. Rep. Joe Wilson yells, "You Lie", and teabaggers think it's porn. The radical right, which celebrates the assassination of Dr. Tiller and protests their children hearing the encouraging words of a black president, love Palin. She does nothing to denounce their idiocy; she revels in it. I write about her now because of who she represents -- very dangerous people.
Here is her statement with my response.
SP: After all the rhetoric is put aside, one principle ran through President Obama's speech tonight: that increased government involvement in health care can solve its problems.
SM: Nope, not what he said. So, to borrow a line from one of your fans, "You Lie!" Many suspect you did not write your Facebook response, but for argument's sake, I will assume you did.
SP: Many Americans fundamentally disagree with this idea. We know from long experience that the creation of a massive new bureaucracy will not provide us with "more stability and security," but just the opposite. It's hard to believe the President when he says that this time he and his team of bureaucrats have finally figured out how to do things right if only we'll take them at their word.
SM: Hmmm, reminds me of Homeland Security and cavity searches to get on a plane. Or illegally wiretapping Americans. Or, yellow cake uranium and WMD. Or, maybe you're just projecting.
SP: Our objections to the Democrats' health care proposals are not mere "bickering" or "games." They are not an attempt to "score short term political points." And it's hard to listen to the president lecture us not to use "scare tactics" when in the next breath he says that "more will die" if his proposals do not pass.
SM: It is a sad fact that 14,000 people lose their health insurance every day in this country. Less coverage means less treatment means more people die. It's simple math. In fact, an estimated 18,000 Americans die every year because they are uninsured. Scare tactics? That's rich. I am a survivor of the Alaska Pageant circuit and if "scaring the be-Jesus out of old people" were a talent, you would've worn the crown. The president (remember, he won the election) basically called you a liar last night.
SP: In his speech the President directly responded to concerns I've raised about unelected bureaucrats being given power to make decisions affecting life or death health care matters. He called these concerns "bogus," "irresponsible," and "a lie" -- so much for civility. After all the name-calling, though, what he did not do is respond to the arguments we've made, arguments even some of his own supporters have agreed have merit.
SM: First off, who's "we"? Do you have a monkey in your pocket or are you referring to your ghostwriter? I'm quite sure President Obama didn't respond simply because of you. Name calling? Like when you said, Obama was "Pallin' around with terrorists"? Or, "he's not like us"? You are an irresponsible liar and fear monger-President Obama was right. If you're going to take credit for changing the conversation, then own the labels that you so richly deserve.
SP: In fact, after promising to "make sure that no government bureaucrat ... gets between you and the health care you need," the President repeated his call for an Independent Medicare Advisory Council -- an unelected, largely unaccountable group of bureaucrats charged with containing Medicare costs. He did not disavow his own statement that such a group, working outside of "normal political channels," should guide decisions regarding that "huge driver of cost ... the chronically ill and those toward the end of their lives...." He did not disavow the statements of his health care advisor, Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, and continuing to pay his salary with taxpayer dollars proves a commitment to his beliefs. The President can keep making unsupported assertions, but until he directly responds to the arguments I've made, I'm going to call him out too.
SM: "Unelected, largely unaccountable group of bureaucrats" - like your ethics board? You, Madam, came between adequate care to Alaskans and their doctors with your negligence to those citizens who needed medical care. On your watch, Alaskans died. If you want to call the President out on his policies, expect you will be called out as well. Why the hell should he "respond to the arguments" you've made? You've become a simple shill for the wealth-care industry.
SP: It was heartening to hear the president finally recognize that tort reform is an important part of any solution. But this concession shouldn't lead us to take our eye off the ball: the Democrats' proposals will not reduce costs, and they will not deliver better health care. It's this kind of "healthy skepticism of government" that truly reflects a "concern and regard for the plight of others." We can't wait to hear the details on that; we look forward to working with you on tort reform.
SM: You haven't come up with one idea on how to help people. As governor, you signed a bill that allowed the state to monitor and record every pharmaceutical taken by Alaskans. You, Madam, grew big government and invaded the public's privacy. On my radio show, I begged you to veto that bill. Your party is paid well to grease the wheels for industry. There's a word for that-the merging of government and corporate interests -- it's called fascism. I know your supporters won't understand the word, hell, at least one of them misspelled it on a t-shirt. Google it.
SP: Finally, President Obama delivered an offhand applause line tonight about the cost of the War on Terror. As we approach the anniversary of the September 11th attacks and honor those who died that day and those who have died since in the War on Terror, in order to secure our freedoms, we need to remember their sacrifices and not demonize them as having had too high a price tag.
SM: You have embarrassed Alaskans long enough. Stop it. My pop was moose hunting on 9/11. He didn't even know it had happened for several weeks -- but he knows Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11. Even G.W. Bush admitted as much. Where were all the teabaggers on the Iraq War? Shame on you. How dare you. I don't know what the daily worry of another terrorist attack is for Americans, but there is another terror that keeps at least 40 million minds busy. The terror that they, or one of their loved ones will become sick and they won't have the money or insurance to have adequate treatment. You, Madam, don't live in this state of fear, but it is real. Health care reform is another war; a war against the corporations who make a profit from denying services.
SP: Remember, Mr. President, elected officials work for the people. Forcing a conclusion in order to claim a "victory" is not healthy for our country. We hear you say government isn't always the answer; now hear us -- that's what we've been saying all along.
SM: Remember, Mrs. Palin, you were an elected official. You quit! You've been saying the government isn't always the answer. Well, you certainly weren't the answer. You proved that the wrong person at the helm is dangerous for the American people as well as the planet. "Forcing a conclusion in order to claim a 'victory' is not healthy for our country." No kidding - does the banner "mission accomplished" ring any bells?
SP: Sarah Palin
SM: Thank you for not signing Governor. Really, I mean it, thanks.