GOPers blast Obama on health, stimulus

Posted: Tuesday, July 14, 2009 3:31 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Congress, Republicans, Economy

From NBC's Blayne Alexander
House Republican leaders criticized President Obama today -- attacking his proposed health-care plan and his stimulus bill, and arguing that nearly five months in, the stimulus package simply "isn't working."

House Minority Leader John Boehner, along with No. 2 Republican Eric Cantor, Conference Chairman Mike Pence, and Vice-Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers held a media avail today, in which they called the Obama administration "out of touch" with the American people, and denounced Obama's health-care plan as one that will eliminate jobs and impose taxes on small business owners.

Video: Rep. Eric Cantor, R-VA., argues that the Obama administration's economic stimulus plan is failing to help a depleted U.S. economy and has American's questioning whether the policies are working.

The leaders spoke extensively about the unemployment rate, with Pence beginning his remarks by saying "the American people are hurting" and calling it "remarkable" that the administration says the stimulus bill is working.

Rep. Cantor echoed his sentiments. "We have a full-blown economic crisis on our hands," he said, adding that "every job loss is an economic free fall" for the family that it affected.

Turning to health care, Boehner appealed to Obama to "practice the Hippocratic Oath" -- do no harm -- as the president advocates a public/government option to compete with private insurers. Then, in a rather animated moment (complete with arm waving), he added incredulously, "And as if ALL that isn't bad enough, we want to tax small businesses?!"

The leaders were joined by Michigan Republican Reps. Dave Camp and Candice Miller, who spoke in anticipation of Obama's economic speech to be delivered later today in their home state.

Miller says her state has been "short-changed" by the stimulus plan and spoke passionately about Michigan's recent difficulties, adding that Washington "cannot believe what is happening to us economically." She said that while she is interested in what the president has to say, "We are looking for job creation right now."

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Comments

I thought one had to have an IQ of at least 100 to be in congress - these guys apparently received waivers.

Thank you and GOD BLESS AMERICA

The - Democrat Soldier (Sent Tuesday, July 14, 2009 4:12 PM)

Described yourself to a tee.

IntheMiddle, TX (Sent Tuesday, July 14, 2009 4:21 PM)

Sotomayor currently stumbling over questions about her involvement with the Puerto Rican Legal Defense Fund, which she was involved for 12 years.

The "Fund" involved more than legal defense but was also actively involved in abortion rights and other forms of activism.

Pagan Baby (Sent Tuesday, July 14, 2009 5:01 PM)

Who cares what the republicans think? Remember "Stay the course" in Iraq? Remember $1 trillion for a war without end??? And yet they oppose health care for, yes, Americans! I have 2 words for republicans: SHUT UP!!

Lenny, Dallas, TX (Sent Tuesday, July 14, 2009 5:07 PM)

The REPUBLICAN'Ts just don't get it! They caused the mess then blame everyone else for it. History will be very unkind to the GOP when the smoke clears from the last eight years. The GOP doesn't care about the common American, they are only concerned about pleasing the special interest people and the rich that keep them in office. Well, it's about time to clear house until there are no more REPUBLICAN'Ts in our government.

R Scott, Lake Shastina, CA (Sent Tuesday, July 14, 2009 5:08 PM)

Notice that not one of the repugnant ones in Congress has ever given us one instance of the government getting in between them and their doctors as they have that awesome taxpayer paid government health care plan.

Hey Eric and other libs who blast the private sector in health care:
Who administers that awesome FEHBP that you reference? Ever hear of Aetna, Humana, Blue Cross Blue Shield, etc?

Obama, One and Done/Atlanta (Sent Tuesday, July 14, 2009 5:11 PM)

Some nasty commits today. You can blame NAFTA, but China and India was not part of that treaty. You can blame the tax rate but people in Manila are happy to work for 3 dollars an hour. Blame GM, because they went bankrupt and cut jobs in Michigan and Ohio. Blame the BMW drivers, the Toyota hockey moms, the IPOD and any American company’s product produced over seas. We all want to drive BMW’s, but the people in India are happy with a scoter. Why not give the blame to the real culprit greed and those people who relish in it. I have concluded that if a product is not made in America do I really need that product. I may want it, but do I need it. If you refused to buy made in China, then It will no longer be made in China.

TEC-Spring-TX (Sent Tuesday, July 14, 2009 5:15 PM)

What the Repugnicans are doing is nothing new. They attacked Clinton viciously during his early days and he ends up with giving America the largest economic expansion in human history.

What a bunch of jokers. $1 trillion for a worthless war in Iraq is fine but health care for suffering Americans is bad eh? When companies were outsourcing to India during Bush, that was fine but cleaning up Bush's mess is a problem.

Tax cuts for every economic problem in 8 years was a complete failure; a quick high that leaves you with a bad taste in a few months. I understand that repugs are used to mediocrity but any economist will tell you it will take at least a year to clean the mountain of "trash" left by the last government.

Lenny, Dallas, TX (Sent Tuesday, July 14, 2009 5:24 PM)

The lack of jobs in Michigan is incredible. Obama is definitely out of touch with what we need. We need those shovel ready jobs right now and not ten years down the road.
Somewhere in Michigan (Sent Tuesday, July 14, 2009 4:05 PM)
======================================================
Shovel ready jobs: need permits, need to check for codes and many other factors until they are actually shovel ready jobs. My husband works in these businesses and is laughing at all of these posters that say where are the shovel ready jobs!! And Obama said job losses were going to get worse before they get better. Obama did say that the stimulus deal is also for 2 years down the road. What's the matter with everyone on these posts - clean out your ears!

Also I get the Kiplinger Tax Reports - non partisan - they break down everything that is going on with these bills that relate to taxes. Small businesses will not be taxed - so it is not hurting small businesses. Health plan - if you have less than 25 employees you do not have to provide health and/or will not get a fee for not covering health.

Elise, SF (Sent Tuesday, July 14, 2009 5:38 PM)

Ahhhhm I remember the good ole days back back in January when the GnOP said that Congress didn't even need to take action. Now we are in an "Economic crisis". Gotta love politics and hypocrisy.

Jabo Austin Tx (Sent Tuesday, July 14, 2009 6:04 PM)

Tax cuts, borrow and spend on an unnecessary war, doing nothing about health care for 8 years, no plan to fix anything all got us where we are today. These idiots expect a cure in 5 months? Where were they during the time the economy was falling apart in 2007? Where were they when Bush said wait, be patient the war will take time? Where were these same fools when deregulation was talked about and they were warned that it would cause problems? Where were Cantor and Boehner when all this began? They talk as if they are newbees and that it is all a surprise. Poof! They just landed a few months ago and expect it all and they expect it now.

Tax cuts are fine when there is a true surplus, no war to eat up the treasury and everyone is working but when there is a huge deficit caused by a war, people are unemployed for whatever reason and there is no surplus revenue must come from somewhere. Cutting taxes doesn't add to the revenue but actually depletes it. Voltaire opined that common sense is uncommon but these guys wouldn't know it if it jumped up and slapped them on the tush. Hypocrites all.

eagle1776 (Sent Tuesday, July 14, 2009 6:10 PM)

HEY BLAYNIE!

WAY TO GO! VERY GOOD ARTICLE! YOU AND YOUR WRITING SKILLS ARE GOING PLACES...ONWARD AND UPWARD!!!

NESSIE SINGLETON (Sent Tuesday, July 14, 2009 7:48 PM)

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