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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2009
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30

Obama Wouldn't Cover Kennedy: Huckabee

Says under Dem plan he'd be told to 'take pain pills and die'

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(Newser) – Passing health care reform in Ted Kennedy’s honor “not only defies good taste, it defies logic,” Mike Huckabee declared yesterday. Adding his own take on Sarah Palin's death panel meme, he said that under Democratic health care proposals, Kennedy would have been told to “go home to take pain pills and die” as soon as he was diagnosed with brain cancer. He called Kennedy a “shining example of why this particular bill is so bad.”

“It was President Obama himself who suggested that seniors who don’t have as long to live might want to just consider taking a pain pill instead of getting an expensive operation,” Huckabee said, noting that Kennedy, of course, chose to have an expensive operation and hold on to life. He said the best way to reform health care would be to give every American access to the health care senators receive.

Former Arkansas governor and US presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee visits an outpost near the West Bank Jewish settlement of Itamar, near Nablus, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2009.
Former Arkansas governor and US presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee visits an outpost near the West Bank Jewish settlement of Itamar, near Nablus, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2009.   (AP Photo/Dan Balilty)
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who won the 2008 Iowa presidential caucus, speaks to local residents, Wednesday, June 10, 2009, in Arnolds Park, Iowa.
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who won the 2008 Iowa presidential caucus, speaks to local residents, Wednesday, June 10, 2009, in Arnolds Park, Iowa.   (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
In this Aug. 25, 2008, file photo, Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., points out into the crowd during his speech at the Democratic National Convention in Denver.
In this Aug. 25, 2008, file photo, Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., points out into the crowd during his speech at the Democratic National Convention in Denver.   (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)
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30 comments
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Forderon
Aug 29, 09 9:51 AM CDT
Yet another shining example for Jesus freaks all over this country. Oh and Mike, you seem to be arguing for a socialized single-payer plan when you say give everyone "access to the latest private health care as good as what senators receive". That's not possible in a capitalist system because they would naturally try to maximize profit and minimize cost, and they'd do that by denying care, which is what the insurance companies do now. Reply
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+18
IN RESPONSE:
godawgs
Aug 29, 09 10:24 AM CDT
@ford right he is arguing for a different type of health care reform. he wants everyone to get the same treatment that Kennedy got. What is wrong with that? There are differing views in the Republican party. What he said is basically true based off of the comments made by the president, and his chief medical adivsor. Huckabee would also like to do away with the current tax laws and implement a fair tax, which is different then a lot of members of the party. he has some good ideas but he is just to religious to actually stand a chance in getting elected. This idea of everyone getting the same care as Senators was also expressed by President Obama and has been endorsed by members of the GOP. They just don't like the deal that the House came up with.
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-3
IN RESPONSE:
Forderon
Aug 29, 09 1:30 PM CDT
Nice try godawgs, but Obama was saying that in the CURRENT system DOCTORS would make the decision that a pain pill would be more effective than an extensive operation, because the system creates a disincentive for doctors because of malpractice, insurance companies denying care, etc.
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+3
IN RESPONSE:
matteo
Aug 29, 09 2:10 PM CDT
what i dont understand is why you feel you are in the position to insult someone who thinks different from you no matter what it is, i dont believe in god but i dont feel threatened as most of you ignorant saps are..anyone can think whatever they want and if you dont like it nobody cares !! plus with the level of ignorance showed, i'm sure most of you could never afford the care a senator receives...so why ditch that?? after all everyone is the same and they should have no better as taxes pay their salaries....also instead of stating your biased opinion you bring nothing to the table...why not ask any of these people if they read the bill first ......cuz people are left to die now, 40 million is spain's population, and i doubt that with all the effort obama could ever make the situation worse!! on the other hand, reps have no problem sending people to die and spend billions but make a fuss on providing health care to everyone like any civilized country in the world !!
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+2
keybored
Aug 29, 09 9:55 AM CDT
I am actually surprised at Huckabee, I always thought he was a relatively decent and honest guy (for a politician). I disagree with everything he believes in politically, but personally, I thought he was a nice guy who had integrity. Guess I was wrong. Perhaps I'm being naive, but I'm actually disappointed in him. Reply
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+19

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