Erick Erickson calls Caleb Howe his “right-hand man”. He is currently in critical condition at a hospital in North Carolina:
A fund has been set up to help Caleb Howe’s family. Most of you know Caleb. For several years he was my right hand here at RedState. He has been badly missed. Right now, Caleb is in a hospital bed with a failing liver. His children, ages 11 and 14, are getting ready to go back to school. The family needs help.
It would lift an incredible burden for Caleb & Donna if they could get even the smallest amount of help with these upcoming expenses. If you’re not in a position to give, your prayers are always welcome in lieu of a donation. Thank you for your compassion and help.
What he doesn’t mention, for obvious reasons, is that Caleb Howe has no insurance. You have to select the fund link to see that:
It would lift an incredible burden for Caleb & Donna if they could get even the smallest amount of help with these upcoming expenses and with anything extra that comes in, we will help Caleb & Donna with their medical bills as Caleb is uninsured.
I could rant about the irony, or the fact that conservatives elected in NC rejected the very Medicaid expansion that could have helped him--along with a half-million other North Carolinians with NO insurance. (Not to mention helping to prevent the skyrocketing state spending for uncompensated medical care.)
But instead, allow me to ask you to do the Christian thing and donate to this young man’s fund. Yes, he assists in electing leaders who hurt my fellow Americans (and apparently himself), but he has two young, beautiful and innocent daughters who need him--and that is who the fund is for. He does not deserve to suffer, much less die. If you can spare anything, donate: Put .07 cents at the end of whatever you donate so they know it came from Kossacks (or KosKids, as we are unaffectionately called on Redstate). http://www.gofundme.com/3rrv74
My ire goes to his employer. Even though the ACA was a conservative idea, and even though it still doesn't cover everyone and essentially just forces insurance companies to stop engaging in their worst of the worst practices, it is the only thing we could get through and STILL Erick fights it tooth and nail.
UPDATE: At this point in the diary, I had some rather harsh words for Erick Erickson. Caleb was a senior editor at RedState. He has no insurance. One of Redstate's bloggers attacked me personally this morning only quoting this portion of the diary attacking Erick. It never mentioned that DailyKos members have donated hundreds (and continue to do so) for his little girls. I expected as much, and I still feel good about the kindness and compassion we have shown.
I seriously doubt a self-righteous conservative would ever do this for one of our members.
To respond to that blogger, YES, I can name several federal government programs that work. Public schools? the FDIC? GI Bill? Consumer Protection? CDC? the US military??
And yes, health insurance doesn’t automatically guarantee health care. It should be a right... a right, I might add, that is respected in every other industrialized country but our own. No American should have to resort to "Bake sale" health care.
However, upon further reflection, I deleted my rant because I don't think anything else needs to be said. All I am going to say is make your own conclusions on the national state of health care. But for this particular person, I will say you are in our prayers, get well, and I hope to engage in twitter arguements with you soon.
8:41 PM PT: OK, I hear tell you CAN'T make a cents donation... only round numbers. (Although it was kewl that so far Kossacks have made donations ending in seven). ... just be sure to let them know it's from a Kossack!!
