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Rep John Fleming (R, LA-04): So, you want a Government-run health care plan, Democrats?

Fine. Sign yourselves up for it.

Fine. Sign yourselves up for it.

Freshman GOP Rep John Fleming of Louisiana recently called for the Democrat-ruled Congress to live by the rules that they want to saddle on the rest of us:

Over the past few weeks, members of Congress and the American people have come to know the details of the Administration’s proposed health care plan. Call it whatever you like, this proposal is nothing more than government-run health care. As a physician, I am amazed at the number of bureaucrats in this House who are quick to claim a government-run health care plan is the reform this country needs. In response to this, I have offered a resolution that will offer members of Congress an opportunity to put their money where their mouth is, and urge their colleagues who vote for legislation creating a government-run health care plan to lead by example and enroll themselves in the same public plan.

Under the current draft of the Democrat healthcare legislation, members of Congress are curiously exempt from the government-run health care option, keeping their existing health plans and services on Capitol Hill. If Members of Congress believe so strongly that government-run health care is the best solution for hard working American families, I think it only fitting that Americans see them lead the way. Public servants should always be accountable and responsible for what they are advocating, and I challenge the American people to demand this from their representatives.

See also this video:

You can tell that Rep Fleming is a freshman: he’s still able to believe that Congressional Democrats can be motivated by shame. Fortunately, they can be motivated by fear; so by all means, send a letter to your representative.

Moe Lane

Crossposted to Moe Lane.

COMMENTS

  • http://www.fredsnews.com Fred Maidment

    …to protest, telling us what a wonderful job they do and that Congressman Fleming should be censured for making derogatory statements about their fine organization.

    /snark

  • wolfgang

    …but not for thee” is the Democrats mantra.
    “Putting their money where their mouth is” is not!

  • Next93

    How about if we demand that all special tax loopholes for congresscritters be eliminated, and that the members of Congress get the same pension plan that executive branch employees get. Oh, and tell members of congress that the Duremburger rule (can’t get paid for writing articles/books) applies to them as well as executive branch employees.

  • The_Stranger

    I can mail a letter anywhere in the US, and reasonably expect it to get there in a timely fashion, all for a mere 40 something cents. Really, is there a better “bang for the buck” in our experience today?

    I sell some on amazon. The stuff gets there quickly and in good shape, for an unbelievably low price. I don’t see how anybody else can or is doing it better.

    Actually, much of the US Mail is moved efficiently by private contractors. That seems to me to be exactly what we small government conservatives have been championing since at least the 60s.

    The USPS makes money from moving “junk mail.” That is their bread and butter now: people willing to pay for advertisements and solicitations without complaining about it.

    They also now make some money from processing passport apps…ever since new regulations following 9/11. Unfortunately, that HAS caused some inefficiency and customer service problems at the individual locations where personnel are pulled away from the windows to dedicate time to the applicants.

    Legislators who use their bully pulpit to complain about the USPS most likely do not have any day to day interaction with the USPS. Not like us real people. Plus…THEY GET THEIR MAILINGS FOR FREE. (Talk about biting the hand that feeds them.)

    The USPS doesn’t come anywhere near charging what they should for First Class mail.

  • mom2oneson
  • Achance

    I ordered a new switch for my windlass from an outfit in Seattle online on Thursday. It came Priority Mail yesterday for $4.95. UPS 2nd Day Air would have been $19.95 and is routinely four or five days to Southeast Alaska. When my kid was in Afghanistan, I could get an $8.95 Priority Mail Flat Rate package to him in a week or ten days.

  • mom2oneson

    a really long time ago about this innocent man that went to prison. He was an accountant and he ended up doing work for the person in charge. I remember there was a really good line in there about everything you can with the US mail. Don’t take that out of context I’m not saying we should run a scam but if you ever ever been unable to get things done in person like not having car you *really* appreciate the service they have. :-)
    I don’t see what the drama is about junk mail I love coupons and promotions and it’s more revenue for the post office.

  • mom2oneson
  • mbauer

    What would put a congressman in my hall of fame, would be for s/he to promote all congressmen being required to join whatever health care plan is passed, not just those voting for it. If our caucus could do that, the Dems would have no outs and necessarily have to follow along.

  • $peciallist

    EVERY SINGLE ONE!!!

    I know…I’m dreamin

  • nessa

    Sir,

    I would like to take this time to urge you to vote for HR 615. This resolution will remove your (and your peers in Congress) exemption from the Government run Health Care that your Party is attempting to force on the American People. If you truly believe socalized medicine is what this country needs and the plan is good enough for us it is only fitting that you and your family lead by example and enroll in the same high quality plan.

    I look forward to sharing your vote on HR 615 with our neighbors in the 8th District.

  • avgamerican

    They don’t belong to Social Security pension program either, but by law Americans and employers pay it. California in a 26 billion dollar deficit, but representatives haven’t taken a pay cut. My question remains. How can one vote democrat unless they are mentally ill? Or so vastly misinformed they are unable to comprehend what is going on in this country.

  • louisiana

    3 Louisiana reps on this resolution. I plan on sending a thank you to
    the other representatives–everyone likes a pat on the back. It might
    also encourage other conservatives to follow suit.

  • johnt

    more to the IRS then legally required,[ the government needs the money], then maybe we can hope they will jump into the health care mess they are preparing for the rest of us.

    They desire to create pain for us, we deserve it for some reason or other, being superior they exempt themselves. The fun is in watching us squirm, not in participating.

    It’s a good PR ploy that Fleming is employing, let’s hope it’s expanded. Needless to say it won’t cause Democrats a seconds shame but may increase pressure on this bunch of collected trash.

  • http://applescorneroftheorchard.blogspot.com/ Pomme

    I recall an old black-and-white with that story line, but I can’t find any reference to it and can’t remember its name.

    This will most likely keep me up all night.

  • http://applescorneroftheorchard.blogspot.com/ Pomme

    We should all be promoting the Dems and other Congresscritters live by the laws they want to inflict on us.

    Maybe if they had to deal with the same every day life we do, they would see the error in their ways.

    Yeah, I know, dreaming.

  • http://www.fredsnews.com Fred Maidment

    …it was “The Shawshank Redemption.”

    As for the supposed reliability of the US Mail, few organizations have caused me more struggles, more failures and more problems than USPS. From failing to provide basic postal services to losing certified mail entirely to destroying packages, I have had few less inviting experiences.

    I’ve had problems with FedEx and UPS in the past, but USPS just gets my bood boiling.