I attended a rally for Kellam this afternoon. In attendance but not speaking were State Senator Yvonne Miller, and Delegates Lionell Spruill, Jeion Ward, Algie Howell and Paula Miller. Kicking off the speeches was House Minority Leader Delegate Frank Hall. Next up was former Congressman Owen Pickett. Pickett represented the 2nd CD for 14 years and is considered the elder statesman of the Democratic Party here. Although out of politics since 2001, Pickett can still give a rousing speech.
Next up was Congressman G.K. Butterfield of the 1st CD in North Carolina. While I’m not too familiar with Butterfield, he did a great job of laying the groundwork for where the Democrats want to go once control of the House is regained. Bobby Scott continued with this theme.
The featured speaker was House Democratic Caucus Chair Jim Clyburn (SC-6). Clyburn became Chair in January this year and is traveling all over the country, helping out candidates. He fleshed out parts of the plan for the first 100 hours of Democratic control of the house:
- Education. The current administration recently increased the rate of interest charged on student loans to 8.4%. Clyburn says that this rate will be cut in half, to 4.2%. In addition, making college tuition a tax deduction permanently is on the list.
- Health care. With 47 million people in the US without
healthcarehealth insurance, something needs to be done. Clyburn says the time is right for some form of universal health care. - Energy independence. There is need to wean America from its dependency on foreign oil. Looking at the success in Brazil, the US should be trying to develop alternative energy sources. The first 100 hours will include incentives for developing these sources, which should benefit American farmers.
The House Democrats have developed a plan, called Six for ’06, which includes these proposals and more.
Clyburn is a dynamic speaker, his style reminding me of the ebb and flow of a good sermon. As the result, his remarks received a standing ovation.
Phil Kellam spoke last. Clyburn is a hard act to follow, but Phil did fine. He said that the speakers before him have given him good advice and guidance. The best advice he has received, he said, came from Scott and was mentioned earlier by Butterfield: when in doubt, when wrestling with a vote, just vote your conscience.
I think that is sage advice and something I agree with wholeheartedly. I often say that one of the worse things that can happen to a politician is that not get re-elected. If a politician stays true to what they believe, they will earn the respect of others, even when they vote the “wrong” way. Of course, if they vote the “wrong” way often enough, they are obviously not in step with their constituents, and won’t win re-election. That’s OK with me, because at least they will be able to sleep at night and look at themselves in the mirror in the morning. Far too many politicians vote favorably on things that are contrary to their beliefs, and, in the process, become cynical. That opens the door to corruption, and is how we end up with politicians who will do and say anything in order to get re-elected.
After the rally, I got a chance to talk with the Congressmen. In particular, I asked about today’s Kerry and Allen incidents. As they had all been tied up, none of them had heard about these events and had no comments.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
Kellam said that 47 million in the US were without health care? Really? I do hope someone called him on that. No one in the US is without health care. No one. Even illegal immigrants have access to healthcare. Millions of Americans choose not to by health insurance, but that does not mean that they don’t have health care. They do.
Anyone who has lived in England, or even knows someone in England with a serious health problem, would never advocate the government taking over health care. NEVER.
First of all, it wasn’t Kellam, it was Clyburn. Secondly, I mistyped that.
Yes, there are 47 million people without health insurance. And I hate to tell you that it is not because they choose not to buy it – it’s because they can’t afford it. I’m paying almost $1,000 a month for insurance for 2 people (and yes, I shop it every year). Remember, the largest number of employers in this country is small business. Many small businesses do not offer health insurance, forcing people to buy individual policies, which are quite expensive.
I know people in England, I know people in Canada – and they aren’t complaining about healthcare costs. Something has to be done. Part of the reason insurance is so expensive is that the number of uninsureds drives up the cost.
I’m hoping to see Rep. Clyburn on Thursday, in Arlington. I’ve never seen him in person, and his name recently came up as in a possible contest with Rep. Emmanuel for Whip, should good things happen next Tuesday.
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It’s like you’re from another planet, Jane. Millions choose not to buy health insurance the same way I choose not to buy a Lear jet. And no one has health care? My god. The mind just boggles.
(Also, I’ve lived in England, been treated in England, have had (more extensive than I wanted) experience with the National Health System there. Needs work? To be sure. But it measures up pretty well (and sometimes better) against the US system, in many ways. And while I’m not an advocate of nationalizing the health care system, I certainly wouldn’t say that England stands as a model of what not to do. But someone without much interest in facts, and more interest in parroting talking points might.)
Wow…something Phil wasn’t afraid to show up for!
Kellam said that 47 million in the US were without health care? Really? I do hope someone called him on that. No one in the US is without health care. No one. Even illegal immigrants have access to healthcare. Millions of Americans choose not to purchase health insurance, but that does not mean that they don’t have health care. They do.
Anyone who has lived in England, or even knows someone in England with a serious health problem, would never advocate the government taking over health care. NEVER.
Since 65% of Americans (according to Rasmussen poll) do not want government controlled health care, and everyone knows that we spend a fortune on health care for illegals, and people who don’t bother to buy insurance, this issue is not a vote getter for Democrats.
What determines ‘can’t afford it’? They can afford insurance for their car or truck. And the payment on the truck too!
Jane,
How can Scandinavian countries afford health care for it’s citizens
and we, supposedly the “best” country in the world, can’t? Do you
suppose it’s some connection with the big business (medical), insurance, and pharmaceutical corporations… Not a priority on the republican agenda…
As a retired govt employee, a insurance premium for a single person costs me over $130.00 twice month. My partner has better and cheaper insurance premiums, but I don’t qualify… They don’t recognize domestic partnerships.
Having had two catastrophic medical problems (cancer/cardiac) I’d be living on the street if I didn’t have my health insurance. If not for it I wouldn’t be alive today! My co-pay for medications in in the $80.00 per month range.
Having worked as a health care professional and my current medical situation I can personally attest that your statement is simply NOT true. Too bad it isn’t the case! That would be daydreaming now that the Republicans have done away with the surplus and put us trillions/gazillions back into debt… and that’s a tragedy!
Jane Oldham…You are tragically mistaken. I worked in the Corporate controlled health care system in a regional hospital in Hampton Roads VA….namely Sentara….and IF you don’t have health insurance you don’t get adequate treatment….
Lots of folks think they are safe clinging to a corporate job offering health care. However, if they end up with a long term terminal illness they will end up losing their job and losing their vital health care benefits when the 19month COBRA runs out.
It is SHAMEFUL that the US does not provide national health insurance. insurance similar to the Canadian model. All the research shows that Canadians have better health, enjoy better care, and at lower costs under their system….The US and South Africa are the only two industrial countries in the world that fail to provide ALL their citizens with national health insurance.
Even more shameful….with the money saved (approximately 1.31 billion dollars) eliminating the current multi payer health insurance system would cover most if not all of the current un insured Americans.
Plus Doctors would be free to prescribe the BEST treatment for their patients and would no longer be relegated to having high school graduates working for insurance companies reading insurance manuals to tell the Doctor what treatment they are allowed to prescribe for their patients.
Buzz…Buzz.. Mosquito
Pardon the typo…Cobra benfits are extended for 18 months not 19 months….