I don't know if this has been written about, but yesterday on the PBS News Hour John Boehner said something that I think deserves a lot more attention because it reveals how Republicans just don't like middle and low income people. I actually think it's borderline racist, but at the least it's the height of hypocrisy for a Government official to dis essential Government agencies like the DMV and the U.S. Post Office.
"I'm opposed to a government option, period. Listen, if you like going to the DMV, and you think they do a great job, or if you like going to the post office and think it's the most efficient thing you have run into, then you will love the government-run health care system that they're proposing, because that's basically what you're going to have." - U.S. Representative John Boehner, R-Ohio
Here's the link to the video
Republicans are taking the position that a public health care option would be like the DMV or the United States Postal Services. I think that really puts those of us in favor of a public option in a pretty strong position. Let's see... I know John Boehner probably has a chauffeur so he may not actually have a driver license, but I'd be surprised if he didn't at least have a personal ID card issued by... drumroll ... the Ohio DMV. (As it turns out it's actually called BMV in Ohio, so maybe he hasn't ever been there after all). And I know he'd probably prefer to never get any letters from his constituents, but I would guess that some of the fat corporate campaign checks he gets arrive in the ... gasp ... mail!
I know the insinuation here is that the DMV and the USPS are god awful places that are complete chaos and full of welfare receiving good for nothings, but since I just visited the DMV last week — in cash-strapped, almost bankrupt California of all places — let's take a closer look at this stereotype Mr. Boehner is peddling here.
I went to the very well-designed user friendly DMV website to make an online appointment. Took me about two minutes and I got one for the same week. When I got there I waited in line for about 5 minutes till I talked to the friendly clerk who gave me my forms for the motorcycle license I was applying for and a number. I took a seat and waited for about 15 minutes till my number was called. Another very friendly and intelligent clerk took my twenty-six bucks (how's that for a bargain!), had me do my visual test right there and sent me on to get my picture taken. I waited another 5 minutes to get the mug shot while having a lot of fun chatting with the guy next to me. Then I went on to take my test. They gave me the 26 questions right then and there, I went into the stall to fill it out and brought it right back to the clerk who evaluated it right there, and...oh no, I missed it by 1 wrong answer. Not to despair, he said I have 3 tries, so I got it right on the second try and was out of there with my temporary license in less than an hour.
Moral of the story: If I could have that kind of friendly, efficient and cheap service at the doctor's office or hospital, I'd be psyched! So yes, let's bring it on, Mr. Boehner, I like my health care strong, public and cheap!
Of course, what I think Mr. Boehner is referring to when he gives us the "wink wink, haha, that dirty old inefficient DMV" line is that really, we all know that there are all kinds of people that are undesirable to this U.S. REPRESENTATIVE down there at the socialist DMV. Since EVERYONE has to go there at one point or another and EVERYONE is treated equally there, that of course means there are poor folks, immigrants that don't speak English, and some of the less soft-spoken elements of society, along with the rich, the educated and the soccer moms. It's certainly a drag for Mr. Boehner's supporters to have to set foot in such a degenerate place. If only he and his rich friends could have a private, expensive and gated DMV, that would be a great solution to the problem.
Which brings me to the USPS. Ok, Mr. Boehner, you actually have a choice here. If you don't like the socialist USPS that you happen to represent (U.S. REPRESENTATIVE anyone?), then how's about sending your parcel with FedEx or UPS? They are actual private competitors of the USPS and it seems that they're doing ok. I'm not in on all the nitty gritty details on the complex inner workings of all these agencies and companies, but it seems to me that the idea of a public OPTION is that you would have a choice. Just as you can compare services and prices between UPS, FedEx and the USPS you could do that with your health plans.
So Mr. Boehner, public OPTION means that if you'd like gorgeous views, a personal nurse and golden inlays on your hospital bed while you're getting a face-lift and a foot massage, you can still do that if you have the money and feel like that's what you want to spend it on. But if you're like us mere mortals and what you really need is some good basic care that is affordable and efficient, then at least give the public OPTION the chance to compete. If, as you say, public services like the DMV or the USPS are indeed so shitty, then your corporate insurance buddies shouldn't have anything to fear, because it'll only be used by people who have absolutely no choice and are currently most likely uninsured anyway.
My feeling though is that you're putting them down BECAUSE you know they work well and efficiently and that a lot of people are going to jump ship from the private bloodsuckers once they find out that the Government indeed can provide competitive and reasonable health care. So I dare you to prove to the people of the United States how truly dysfunctional and DMV/USPS-like a public health care option would be by letting it be part of the upcoming health care bill. Come on John, you're not afraid, are you?
Special treat: DMV
