Posted on 07/30/2017 11:10:11 AM PDT by John Semmens
Just days after receiving brain surgery to remove a malignant tumor, Sen. John McCain (R-Az) returned to the senate in time to cast his vote killing the so-called "skinny" repeal of Obamacare. McCain joined fellow Republicans Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Susan Collins (Maine) to vote with all 48 Democrats for a 51-49 margin against the bill.
The Senator cited "bipartisanship" as his primary motivation. "The original Obamacare legislation was enacted without a single Republican vote,: he pointed out. "For us to repeal any part of it without a single Democratic vote would only continue to spur rancor between the aisles of congress." McCain said he was "confident that my reach across the aisle on this day will inspire both sides to work together for the good of the American people."
McCain acknowledged that the "skinny" repeal "would have offered some relief to those suffering from the high premiums and high deductibles Obamacare has inflicted on them, but it wouldn't have solved all of the ACA's deficiencies. Worse, it would have sent us back toward a system where individuals would be left free to choose not to buy insurance or to buy plans that do not require the coverage of essential services like gender reassignment surgery. The imprudent may think they don't need this option, but if we allow them to bypass paying for this coverage they'll be left holding the bag if the itch to switch ever strikes them."
"We all know that Obamacare has its faults," McCain continued. "Fortunately, essential personnel working in government are exempt and have been awarded superior coverage by President Obama's executive order. This puts members of congress in a position to exercise judgment without the pressures and biases that would accompany any decision that had a direct effect on our own health. It is my hope that a leisurely and dispassionate discussion between Republicans and Democrats will produce a comprehensive reform."
A teary-eyed Senate Minority Leader praised McCain's vote. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) called it "the most courageous act I have ever personally witnessed. He has sacrificed his political future to rescue former President Obama's signature legacy. His stand for bipartisanship will forever protect the Affordable Care Act from repeal or adulteration as long as Democrats remain solidly against every GOP attempt to alter it."
Deputy Chairman of the Democratic Nation Committee Rep. Keith Ellison (Minn) vowed to be one of those Democrats and "stand strong against Republican efforts to derail the progress President Obama has bestowed upon America. We need a truly comprehensive health care system like they've had in Cuba for the last 50 years. And I won't rest until we do."
Meanwhile, former House Speaker John Behner (R-Ohio) and former Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va) admitted that "all the votes to repeal Obamacare while Obama was president were just for show. We knew he would veto whatever we passed. The Democrats in the senate cooperated by refraining from filibustering the repeal. We placated our base. The Democrats got to portray us as cold-hearted bastards. It was a win-win for both Parties."
In related news, the death of 11-month-old Charlie Gard after the UK's National Health Service went to court to prevent his parents from seeking medical treatment outside the country presented a preview of what a fully functioning single-payer health insurance system might deliver to the United States. The gist of the NHS' objection to Gard's parents spending their own money to treat him was that "scarce resources must be allocated by society, not individuals. The notion that his parents owned the resources they raised and could use them to selfishly benefit their own child is the evil that socialism must continually oppose."
if you missed any of this week's other semi-news/semi-satire posts you can find them at...
http://www.gopbriefingroom.com/index.php/topic,273828.0.html
That deserves a bump.
5.56mm
McCain Kills GOP
Time for him to leave
I have more respect for Caligula’s horse!
“Kill Bill”? McCain? Bill Clinton?
McCain Kills Bill - Hillary you’re next.
McCain has been a horse’s ass obstructionist for a long time. Hopefully that will be stopping soon.
Requirements to be a U.S. Senator are established in Article I, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution.
In addition, the post-Civil War Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibits any person who has taken any federal or state oath swearing to support the Constitution, but later took part in a rebellion or otherwise aided any enemy of the U.S. from serving in the House or Senate.
https://www.thoughtco.com/requirements-to-be-a-senator-3322307
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