Rep. Harry Mitchell (D-AZ) released a statement at midnight last night reaffirming his vote for the health bill. Mitchell, who voted Yes in November and has been the target of outrageous anti-reform ads, comes from a very closely contested district. It's great that Mitchell couldn't be swayed by the fearmongering lying right but it's awesome that he tosses a big "F*** You" at his opponents in his announcement.
Highlights below the fold.
Harry specifically calls out the hateful rhetoric of the teabaggers, Sarah Palin's bogus "death panels" and Gov. Jan Brewer and the right-wing state legislature for kicking poor children off of KidsCare health insurance.
"This package would ban insurance companies from denying people with pre-existing conditions, set up a free-market exchange that allows insurance companies to compete across state lines, strengthen Medicare, and ensure that small business owners and individuals have access to affordable plans. Additionally, it would rein in costs and reduce the deficit.
"While I have been heartened by the many thoughtful questions, comments and suggestions I have received, I have also been extremely disappointed by much of the extremist rhetoric and blatantly false statements that some have injected into this discussion. The jarring use of imagery such as hanging people in effigy or the use of swastikas is appalling. It does not add to a serious civil discussion, nor does it respect the memory of the millions of Holocaust victims who died at the hands of evil. Our Democracy is better than that.
"The package does not contain so-called "death panels" or government takeovers of health care, and it will not dismantle the private insurance industry. It does not allow federal dollars to fund abortion or provide coverage for illegal immigrants. If it did, I would not vote for it.
"And make no mistake, the state's decision to kick kids off state health insurance, risk billions in federal matching funds and kill over 42,000 jobs is not a recipe for economic recovery. The state of Arizona had a fiscal crisis before this bill and decisions like that will keep it mired in one without it. I believe the Governor and the state legislature need to spend more time getting our state's fiscal house in order, and less time blaming others for the problems they are exacerbating by putting their politics ahead of the people they were elected to serve."
This was a courageous decision by Rep. Mitchell and he deserves our thanks for embodying the principles so many of us have been demanding in our elected officials. Show your support here.