Here in Arkansas, I've been working my butt off trying to get repeal advocates, Republicans and the few Democrats alike, to answer one simple question, inspired by the national campaign Dailykos has become a part of. Now, after repeated emails and phone calls, over sixty Arkansas politicians have refused to answer the question of whether they would be willing to give up their health insurance paid for by the taxpayers. Keep in mind, I didn't just stop at Congress. Our state reps and senators get a nice little insurance deal paid for by Arkansans (bet your state legislature has something similar, hint hint) and only one of them was even brave enough to answer with a maybe...
So, by now we have a nice little list of politicians that won't answer the question.
The members of Congress that won't return my calls or emails? These goons:
John Boozman, Rick Crawford, Tim Griffin, Steve Womack, and Mike Ross
Oh, and don't judge Arkansas Democrats by Mike Ross, we're as tired of him as everyone else and he's not even showing up at meetings of the state party anymore from what I hear. He's one of those endangered Blue Dogs, and he's proving that there really is no difference between them and the Republicans. They're all cowards, none of them, Republican or Blue Dog, willing to answer such a simple question from their constituents.
But as I said, we extended the list to the state legislature as well. We had a little nullification effort in this state, but Arkansas Democrats killed it in committee. (See, told you we weren't all like Ross.) In fact, only two Democrats in the committee vote joined the Republicans. (They haven't gotten back to me either.)
Members of the State Legislature (*-denotes member of interest):
- Denny Altes*-cosponsor of the nullification bill
- Duncan Baird
- Gilbert Baker*-ran for the U.S. Senate in opposition to the Affordable Care Act
- Jonathan Barnett
- Nate Bell
- Lori Benedict
- Mark Biviano
- Cecile Bledsoe*-Ran for congress on an anti-Affordable Care Act platform.
- David Branscum
- John Burris
- Les Carnine
- Davy Carter
- Ann Clemmer
- Charlie Collins
- Robert Dale
- Gary Deffenbaugh
- Jonathan Dismang
- Jane English
- Jon Eubanks
- Jake Files
- Ed Garner
- Jeremy Gillam
- Justin Harris
- Kim Hendren*-Ran for the U.S. Senate on an anti-Affordable Care Act platform.
- Mary Hickerson
- Debra Hobbs
- Bruce Holland
- Karen Hopper
- Jon Hubbard
- Donna Hutchinson
- Jeremy Hutchinson
- Missy Irvin
- Lane Jean
- Josh Johnston
- Allen Kerr
- Johnny Key
- Bryan King
- Michael Lamoureux
- Sheila Lampkin*-One of two Democrats to vote for nullification.
- Andrea Lea
- Kelley Link
- Stephanie Malone
- Loy Mauch
- Andy Mayberry
- David Meeks*-Sponsor of nullification bill.
- Stephen Meeks
- Bill Pritchard
- Jason Rapert
- Terry Rice
- Bill Sample
- David Sanders
- Matthew Shepherd
- Mary Slinkard
- Gary Stubblefield
- Tim Summers
- Jeff Wardlaw*-One of only two Democrats to vote for nullification.
- Bruce Westerman
- Ruth Whitaker
- Eddie Williams
- Jon Woods
The one response we've gotten? That came from Arkansas Representative Kim Hammer, a Republican, who said:
Although I am going on the state insurance plan I would be willing to give up my part.
Still no word on if he's actually going through with it.
Now, we're not letting up and neither should you. This framing works. Why else do you think they would be dodging it so much? It's good old fashion us vs. them redmeat pitting the people against the powerful. Think of it this way (and say it this way): If they're going to take ours away, shouldn't they give up their own first? As your congressman that. Hell, ask your state representatives that are trying this crap the same thing. Chances our, you're paying their bills too.