WHEN HALLOWEEN BECOMES APRIL FOOL’S…. It’s one thing to set low expectations for House Minority Leader John Boehner’s (R-Ohio) weekly address. It’s another to actually hear the darn thing.
For example, just a few days after conceding there is no GOP alternative reform proposal, the House Minority Leader now believes there is a rival health care plan after all.
“We first released our health care plan in June, and over the last six months, we have introduced at least eight bills that, taken together, would implement this blueprint.”
I see. Take a brief printout with some talking points, combine it with eight unrelated pieces of weak legislation — not one of which has been endorsed by the party’s leadership — throw it in a blender without a coherent policy structure, and viola! House Republicans have both a “plan” and a “blueprint.”
And to think I questioned the seriousness with which the House GOP took policy matters. Don’t I feel embarrassed.
Boehner went on to point to a handful of ideas Republicans like, some of which are already in the House reform bill.
He added that the majority’s reform package will “put unelected boards, bureaus, and commissions in charge of who gets access to what drug and what potentially life-saving treatment,” which is obviously untrue. Boehner also said reform “will cut seniors’ Medicare benefits,” which is obviously untrue.
Boehner then complained about the debt — which he helped add $5 trillion to by supporting Bush/Cheney policies — and economic growth — which he wanted to stunt with a five-year spending freeze at the height of the economic crisis.
DNC Communications Director Brad Woodhouse responded, “Apparently, John Boehner has his holidays confused because his remarks are far better suited for an April Fool’s address.”
