Rules for Thee, Not Me

by Chris Campion

I notice that on Senator Sanders' website there's no mention of his voting "Nay" in requiring all Senators and staff to enroll in the "public option" health care plan that's currently under discussion, if and when it materializes.  In other words, the Senator is quite happy to ram government-mandated health care down his constituents' throats (at an economy-destroying cost), but is unwilling himself to sign up for this solution to a long-simmering outrage of inequality and, well, you know the rest. 

It turns out that the Senator from Vermont (with a think NY city accent), for all his voluminous exhalations of how horrid our health care system is, really, really wants to stick with it.  He wants what's best for him, after all, and not what's best for the people.  Which makes one wonder why a Senator would demand something be endured by the rest of the country, but not himself.  This is leadership? 

I guess we'll soon see Sanders bumper stickers proudly proclaiming his political ideology: Do As I Say, Not As I Do.

Comments

[Katherine Traver]

I e-mailed both Senators' offices about this issue asking them to pledge to be covered by the public option. I got absolutely no response from either of them.

[Paul]

It shouldn't end with that phone call. If this thing ever seems like it will happen, I think a newspaper ad asking this same question would be appropriate. I'd be glad to contribute.

[Bill]

I also would contribute. This is a major scandal to me. Sanders has no shame or fear. Why should he? Has any Vermont daily printed the fact that Sanders voted nay? If we are to be forced into a medical industry nationalization plan, they too should be. Strong penalties should be written into the bill to prevent any attempt by Congress and its staff to jump to the head of the line while waiting for medical services.

[Chris Campion]

A quick, cursory glance at the Freeps does not indicate that they have asked a question of Senator Sanders regarding this issue. With all the preaching Vermonters routinely have to stomach from Sanders, you'd think some questions as to his own choices would be appropriate. Apparently not.