It seemed like a scene from “Saturday Night Live”: speaking after hours on the house floor, Alan Grayson (D-FL) addressed the differences between the Democratic and Republican health plans. It was all very professional looking, complete with easel and graphics. The plan, he said, was 1. Don’t get sick and 2. If you do get sick, DIE QUICKLY.
I thought it was hilarious, but like all humor, this was funny because it was, well, true. Too many people find themselves without health insurance through no fault of their own, and can only hope they don’t get sick. We are generally silent on their options if they do get sick because there are no options (except, as Eric Cantor famously noted, charity). If you can’t find it within yourself to accept that the approach to health coverage in the US is morally wrong, perhaps you can accept that it is unsustainable.
Addendum: In subsequent interviews, Rep. Grayson did say two things I find particularly objectionable. One is the use of the word holocaust to describe the current situation with healthcare in America. This word now has another connotation, one so horrible that it means the word shouldn’t be used in other contexts except with the utmost care and trepidation. On the Rachel Maddow Show last night, Rachel three times gave Rep. Grayson on opportunity to back off from using the word holocaust, and he finally did, but only in a very limited and inadequate way.
In a separate context, Grayson used the word neanderthal to refer to those in congress that are obstructing healthcare reform. That’s a bit much for me. I understand his anger and frustration, but I don’t think this was appropriate, and I don’t think it brings us any closer to a solution.
Second Addendum: According to MSNBC, Alan Grayson, who is Jewish, did apologize, specifically to the Anti-Defamation League, for the use of the word holocaust in this context. Mr. Grayson, I applaud you for doing this, and take back anything negative I had to say about your subsequent comments.
