Dem Health Care Plan A "Faustian Web Of Bureaucracy," Say GOP'ers

By Laura Woodhead - Talk Radio News Service

The Democratic health care plan will hurt the nation's economy as well as its health care system said House GOP leaders Wednesday. The Republicans spoke at a press conference during which they unveiled their visual representation of the Democrats' reform bill.

House Minority Leader Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio) said that the Democrats' plan would worsen the current recession by destroying jobs as well as restricting Americans' options on health care.

"What this is going to do is ration care, limit the choices that patients and doctors have and really decrease the quality of the health care system." Boehner said. "If this isn't bad enough think about the giant increase in taxes that comes as a result of this, killing more jobs in America."

The Republicans also released a chart designed to make Americans skeptical of the Democrats' plan. The chart depicted thirty one new federal programs, agencies, commissions and mandates that would be created by the Democrats' plan. Such added bureaucracy would "get in between the patient and their health care provider," argued Rep. Kevin Brady (R- Texas.).



"The American people are asking how will all this will work, and today they get the first peek at how a government take over of health care would affect them." Brady said. "Why would any patient be forced to hand over control of their health care decisions over to this Faustian web of Washington Bureaucracy?"

Boehner asserted that the economy would suffer greatly if the bill is rushed through, arguing that the American public should view the plan for at least 72 hours so that they will know what's "in store for them."

"It's clear who is paying for this plan, and it is the small business men and women" Boehner said.

"It might make for a lovely board game but it makes for horrible health care system" said Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R- Mich.). "I would hope that [the Democrats] reconsider, focus on the economy, stop the insanity and start creating jobs."

House Republicans demand vote from Pelosi at RNC

House Republicans held a press conference today calling for Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to allow a vote on comprehensive energy reform. Speakers said the Republican strategy would solve America's energy crisis by developing renewable and alternative fuels, using clean coal and nuclear energy, and increasing the levels of American-produced oil and gas.

Rep. Thad McCotter (R-Mich.) attacked the "do-nothing, don't-care" Congress via phone, saying Pelosi has allowed Congress to stay on vacation while the energy crisis remains unsolved.
House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) outlined the Republican standpoint on energy, saying that "energy security is in effect national security." Boehner also said that revenues gained by the US government from increased oil exploration would be used to fund renewable sources of energy. He concluded his statement, asking Pelosi to "give [Congress] a chance to show the American people we can produce what they want."

Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) said that by 2030, America's energy needs will have increased by 30 to 40 percent. He adds that Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has discussed the need to increase the US' nuclear energy supplies by 50% by that time, which the Arizona Senator believes would create 750,000 new jobs. "We cannot stay at home with [this] job undone," Upton said.

The GOP talking storm: It's still thundering

The tourists continue to pour onto the House Floor while Republicans continue their week-long talking tangent.

Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-Mich.) explained his perspective on the history of the "Greatest Generation" of World War II. Other subjects he covered were Communist Russia, industrialization, and the Civil Rights Movement. He said the test of this generation is the energy challenge.

Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) said "people are calling [the Republican's talkathon] historic." Last Friday, it may have been a stunt, but now it is serious, he said. He told the crowd that they are first-hand witnesses and so they should spread the word. Jokingly, he told the younger people to instant message people about it.

One man sitting in the front row raised his hand for a comment or question, but McCotter ignored him, and the man walked out shortly.

McCotter said Congress needs to develop "common sense" solutions to the oil crisis.

"In the Midwest, if you don't use common sense, you freeze to death," McCotter said.

McCotter compared House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to someone walking into a job interview. If someone walks into a job interview and tells the prospective boss about a secret solution to a major problem, then the boss will think they have better ideas than other prospects and hire that person. A year later, the problem gets bigger, the person gives up, and takes a 5-week paid vacation, McCotter said.

Many Republicans and Democrats agree on bringing Congress back in session to address the oil crisis, but Pelosi will not do anything about it, McCotter said.