Health Care Town Hall! Now, With No Added Sidearms!
Aug. 19, 2009 |
By Patt Morrison
In a reprise. or maybe a preview, of what Congress is up to -- without some of the goofy, irrelevant dramatics of past town halls -- we'll get some back-and-forth from Republican congressman John Campbell, of Orange County, and Democrat Xavier Becerra, of Los Angeles, on the merits and particulars of health care legislation. Just the facts, ma'am -- please!
We covered a lot of ground in the last program, from those legendary ''numbered Swiss accounts,'' some of whose days are numbered because they didn't report their riches to the taxman, to Bill Patzert of JPL explaining why this summer has been cooler [good] but the winters drier [bad] than in many years past. It bodes a perilous fire season, and it is of a piece with a global patchwork of weird weather that accompanies global warming.
But I was most engrossed by the subject of women in combat. Legally, women can't join up with combat units, but the fluid nature of the nation's two current wars, with undefined front lines, have meant that women have been warriors for years. Our guests -- an Army sergeant who served in Iraq, a West Point graduate and the author of a book on women in the military -- concur that women have more than proven their mettle as comrades in arms. It remains only for Congress to change the law, but it seems too timid to do so.
And the military, in spite of the heroic performance of women under fire and commanding officers' acknowledgement of it, isn't going to step forward and demand changes any time soon -- not so long as the military gets the de facto benefit of women warriors without having to change the playbook.
That's both a shame and a pity, because the military's ''brass ceiling,'' as we heard, really limits the top jobs to those with official combat experience, and as long as some jobs, and some military honors, remain legally off-limits to women, they can't achieve full status in This Woman's Army.
Comments disabled after 14 days
Sponsor
Sponsor
Hettie Lynne Hurtes | Food | Pasadena
Ever decide not to go to a movie on a first date? There's usually not much opportunity to socialize -- except while you’re in line buying tickets or when getting to and from the theater? Well, you don’t have to eliminate a movie from your social plans for that reason any longer. Gold Class Cinemas has arrived in the Southland – specifically Pasadena’s Old Town. More...
Sponsor
Day In A Page Radio/Story Archive
5 months, 3 weeks ago
On the health care give and take, I hope you're successful! It would be great to get some light rather than heat and smoke... maybe Edison's comment should be applied here, i.e., we haven't failed to accomplish health care reform, we've just learned 9999 ways it doesn't work. And that's good, because this reform is one we all need and that we can't afford to get wrong! Nevertheless, kudos to the President and Congressional leadership in both parties for pushing toward a responsible decision.
My questions are, in order of importance to me: (i) What (if any) is the projected net increase (ballpark) in the number of Federal employees that will be required to administer the "public option" if it is adopted? (ii) As the joint Dem-Rep poll reported by MSNBC Tuesday 8/18 said that there is no majority in favor of the "public option", what is the basis for John Dean's comments this week (and other Democratic Senators on NPR) that "a majority" the people are in favor of the "public option"?
Thanks, keep up the good work.
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Patt, why don't you take the Republican congressman to task on his statement that cancer and heart disease survivability are 50% or so less in Canada. I'd like to see the real numbers on that. It sounds like a cannard to me.
Steve Lampert
5 months, 3 weeks ago
BOO-YA! John Campbell just admitted it -- Republicans look at health care like they view "restaurants" and "furniture".
Capitalism is a fun game we all play, but shouldn't just a couple things remain outside the market system? Go back to supporting the Birther movement, John.
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Dear Patti,
WE need a health care option. I attended the Town Hall meeting in Alhambra last week led by congressman Adam Schiff. Over a thousand people attended. Those opposed to reform are hysterical and irrational! I know because I talked to them and asked questions. They are like a pack of yapping dogs, all bark. President Obama must not cave to this presssure. The republicans only care about the wealthy and big business. Health insurance compaines are not about health care, but about the bottom line, PROFIT! Like the guy said, "Don't let the government take away my Medicare!" DUH. You idiot. Irrational and Hysterical.The president must take the gloves off and courageously get this done without bi partisanship....because, there isn't any!
Paul