Was it because he was looking out for his ‘constituents’?
Posted on 09/03/2011 4:15:57 PM PDT by Tempest
So what does a complete review of Perry's record reveal? As it turns out, he sent a letter during his tenure as Texas Agricultural Commissioner that praised Hillary Clinton's 1993 health care reform efforts. "I think your efforts in trying to reform the nation's health care system are most commendable," he wrote. "I would like to request that the task force give particular consideration to the needs of the nation's farmers... Rural populations have a high proportion of uninsured people, rising health care costs, and often experience lack of services." He concluded by noting, "your efforts are worthy, and I hope you will remember this constituency as the task force progresses. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of any assistance."
Dan Amira at New York magazine dismisses the story and mocks the Daily Caller for publishing it. "He didn't even say anything about the substance of Clinton's health-care reform plan," Amira writes, "just that it was 'commendable' to try to reform the system in some way, which is hardly controversial."
I disagree.
Clinton's efforts were widely criticized by Republicans at the time, and the substance of her reforms obviously constituted a substantial federal intervention into health care, the very thing Perry now claims is obviously unconstitutional and ruinous to liberty. (And yes, Clinton's plan did call for both an employer mandate to provide health care and an individual mandate to be covered.)
(Excerpt) Read more at theatlantic.com ...
Excellent observation. You seem to be quite right. The Secretary of Agriculture for the state of Texas, having seen that the federal government was looking into messing around with health care, attempted to influence the process to guard the state's constituent's in Texas. The letter is a typical official state letter to a federal official, reminding them that there are real people in real states that they might impact, and that they need to take that into consideration.
Now people are acting like Perry was the Governor of Texas in 1993, and set policy for the state, and that this letter was a campaign activity and not an official letter from a state official looking out for his constituents.
Fortunately, most people aren't buying the spin. So much so that opponents have to make up arguments for their opponents that are easier to knock down than the actual arguments.
We need to vet our own. And do it well so we have no October surprises. Bam and his team are gonna lie too. I saw a thread about Michelle Bachmann. A lefty blogger doctored a video and it went viral. The dirty tricks have just begun. God help us.......
There are parts of Perry's past that I do not agree with at all. Having said that, the idea that he is in any way a fan of a government takeover of healthcare is ridiculous and flies in the face of the way he has conducted himself in office where he has consistently opposed it every step of the way.
Only those on the far left, like the author of this article, and those on the right supporting another candidate (like the OP), even try to make such an absurd argument.
In 1993 as Texas Agricultural Commissioner, Perry was on all fours, all puckered up-----praising Hillary's health care reform efforts (then and now---derided by conservatives as the precursor to Obamacare).
Perry wrote Hillary: "I think your efforts in trying to reform the nation's health care system are most commendable," . "I would like to request that the task force give particular consideration to the needs of the nation's farmers...Rural populations have a high proportion of uninsured people (illegals), rising health care costs, and often experience lack of services."
Perry told Hillary, "your efforts are worthy, and I hope you will remember this constituency (illegals), as the WH task force progresses. NOTE: Hillary's task force was closed down by a federal judge for being too secretive.
Perry concluded by practically begging Hillary for a federal job........ "Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of any assistance," Perry begged.
It isn't easy...and it makes a kid tough to work from dawn to dusk day after day.
In retrospect, I liked it. It builds character.
I know guys like Rick Perry. Dirt farmers, boy scouts, hicks who have character. They are not perfect, but they have earned every inch of what they have achieved (unlike our affirmative action TOTUS).
Perry has character earned in the dirt. You can see it in his face.
That said, if the conservative part of this country decides to get behind Sarah...I am behind her too (100%). And so will be Rick Perry.
The question is, will Sarah's supporters get behind Rick if he is the champion?
Perry should have been on the front lines fighting Hillary, not kissing up to her.
Yep...but I think Sarah and Rick have been fully vetted. I think they will both be president but at different times. But then I am no fortune teller (yet I know good livestock when I see it).;-)
Given what we know about our debt, your grand kids.
Indeed. But, as you can see by reading this thread, that seems to be just fine with some.
Begging for a job? That is standard professional correspondence closing.
Where have you been...the mail room...or the docks?
Most Texas Conservatives have issues with Perry, but he's no bleeding heart liberal and understands and supports the US oil & gas industry, just like Sarah.
Seems some conservatives just aren't happy unless they are attacking other conservatives for not being conservatie enough for them.
Let the debates and primary play themselves out!
I hope you won't sit out when it's Palin & Perry in some way, shape or form.
According to Wikipedia, Joe Manchin was DGA Chair in 2009. Good job exposing the fraud. So he was on Al Gore's campaign team, supported Hillarycare and supported the bailout program?
On the bright side we DID win big in 2010. Better state wide across the country than nationally but it WAS big!
Have a great evening!
There has been a long tradition of beating up the RINO in any primary process. I’m honoring tradition, or as a Rick Perry supporter might say, tradicion.
So. . . . .this proves what?? My husband is a REFORMED liberal democrat. I converted him to conservatism!!! He’s more militantly conservative than most conservatives!!! Kind of like a former smoker who is anti-smoking.
The TARP letter is inexcusable. At some point lines have to be drawn as to what is and is not acceptable in a Republican candidate. Supporting that nonsense in 08, as well as all the other skeletons that have been springing out of Perry’s closet, crosses that line. I cannot in good conscious support him in the GOP primary.
I am feeling very hopeful. I think it will be either Sarah or Rick...or maybe both in combination.
Rick Perry supports Hillarycare and was on Al Gore's team. He supports the bailout and Obama's stimulus. So why should we support Hillarycare and the bailout program? Please let us know why you support it and attack anyone who opposes these government programs? Wait, don't tell me. I know why. It is because people like you love doles and look up to the government to give you freebies.
Well, in all due respect, you better support a candidate that can beat that destructive force in the WH.
This is not a time for fine lines and finicky preferences...this is an existential battle for the country.
I would vote for PeeWee Hermann (I confess I don't know his politics) over Obama because, in this case, the devil I don't know is better than the one I know.
Make no mistake about it. If Obama is not removed...our goose is cooked!
Was it because he was looking out for his ‘constituents’?
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