Last week, House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) put Democrats on notice that they would have a “very, very hot summer” once Americans began to learn more about their costly government takeover of health care. Just a few days into the August break, House Democrats are learning exactly what Boehner meant: Americans are showing genuine concern about the cost and consequences of a government-run health care plan for families and small businesses. A new poll out today indicates Americans’ concerns are very real.
According to the Wall Street Journal, a new Quinnipiac national poll “found that almost three in four Americans don’t believe Mr. Obama’s promise that any health reform that he signs will not add to the federal deficit.” And they’re right. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the House Democratic bill will add at least $239 billion to the deficit.
This adds to a growing list of surveys detailing Americans’ growing unease with a government takeover of health care. Last week, no less than five polls showed increasing opposition to government-run health care that will raise costs, destroy jobs through a small business tax and onerous employer mandates, and put bureaucrats in charge of decisions that only patients and doctors should make – as a new web video from Boehner warns. But Americans’ opposition to the Democrats’ health care plan isn’t just manifested in polls – but in person as well. Investor’s Business Daily reports that Democrats are facing quite a backlash in town hall meetings back at home:
“Congress tried to ram more than 1,000 pages of health care legislation down the country's throat last month, but was unable to vote on a bill before the House left for its August recess. Lawmakers might yet get away with passing what they are calling reform, but not before some members are verbally blistered by their constituents…”
“Democratic Rep. Steve Driehaus ‘was heckled on several occasions by those opposed to the reform plans proposed by Democrats and President Barack Obama’ during a town hall meeting in Cincinnati, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.”
“Also on Sunday, Democratic Rep. Steve Kagen of Wisconsin endured ‘roaring chants,’ as the local media put it, at a meeting at a Green Bay library.”
“A day earlier, Rep. Lloyd Doggett, a Democrat from Texas, deserved the hostile reception given him at a town hall meeting in Austin. He has said that he will still support the Democrats’ nationalized health care plans even if his constituents don’t.”
“Other Democratic lawmakers who have been inconvenienced by voters exasperated over the health care bill include Rep. Tim Bishop of New York, Rep. Russ Carnahan of Missouri and Rep. Patrick Murphy of Pennsylvania.”
USA Today reports that seniors are especially wary of a government takeover of health care, which Democrats want to bankroll with massive cuts to Medicare, noting, “It has raised concerns among some seniors who might have to pay more for the program or enroll in regular Medicare instead. A Gallup Poll last week found 20% of Americans over 65 say an overhaul will improve their health care – the lowest showing of three age groups.”
It turns out that Americans are not outraged only about Democrats’ plans to put Washington bureaucrats in charge of their health care; they’re still stinging from Democrats’ vote earlier this summer for Speaker Pelosi’s national energy tax – legislation no one had the chance to read – which will increase energy costs, raise food prices, and ship American jobs overseas to China and India. According to The Capital in Annapolis, Rep. Frank Kratovil (D-MD) got an earful from his constituents – particularly rural farmers – about his vote in support of the massive tax:
“Some Eastern Shore farmers are unhappy with Rep. Frank Kratovil for voting for a bill that would regulate greenhouse gas emissions through a cap-and-trade system…”
“One poultry farmer said the resulting increase in energy costs would threaten his family's future and stormed out of the meeting before Kratovil could finish his response. Anita Smith of Greensboro also spoke out against the bill, saying it would be too expensive and burdensome for farmers.”
Indeed, it’s been a long, hot summer for congressional Democrats – and it’s only August 5th. After votes for a job-killing national energy tax and plans to pass a job-killing government takeover of health care in September, it’s no wonder why Americans are outraged at Washington. When will Democrats finally reach out to Republicans and move forward with bipartisan legislation to create jobs, curb the debt, lower energy prices, and expand Americans’ access to affordable health care?
