So, does anybody out there in the real world support a government-run “public” health insurance option?
House of Representatives Republican leader John Boehner doesn’t think so.
He told reporters on Thursday: “I’m still trying to find the first American to talk to who is in favor of the public option other than a member of Congress or the administration.”
Democrats suggested the Ohio congressman is not getting out enough, but Boehner thought otherwise. “I get to a lot of places,” he said.
A recent Quinnipiac University poll found 57 percent of people in his native Ohio supported giving people the option of a government-run insurance plan, but Boehner said the idea was “about as unpopular as a garlic milkshake.”
Pressed by a reporter, Boehner admitted he had never tried a garlic milkshake — drawing the ire of California garlic growers.
The San Francisco Chronicle said Brian Bowe, executive director of the Gilroy Garlic Festival and the go-to guy for all things garlic, invited Boehner to next year’s event.
“You can’t go wrong with garlic,” he said.
UPDATE: The Democratic Party’s House campaign arm today fired off an email to supporters urging them to sign an online petition informing Boehner they support a public option.
And the pairing of garlic and healthcare reform inspired Democratic Congressman Mike Honda of California, who represents Gilroy, to deliver to Boehner a basket of garlic and this poem: “Two things make for a strong healthy heart. Gilroy garlic, for one, a good start. Public option? Also high, in the American eye, 65 percent ne’er want it to part.”
Photo credit: Reuters/Desmond Boylan (man with strings of garlic in Spain)
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[...] October 2, 2009 at 2:58 am (Politification) House Minority Leader John Boehner doesn’t appear to get out much. Although, if the only place he’s hanging out is “tea parties” then maybe I can understand his recent statement: [...]
- Posted by John Boehner, Please « PolitificationI support the public option and so does my boyfriend, his parents, his sister and brother-in-law, my parents, my grandmother, my brothers, and my brother’s wives. So that’s 14 people I can name off the top of my head. And all of us have decent private insurance with no intention of taking direct advantage of the public option. We all support the public option because it is the best way reign in the for-profit insurance companies and decrease the high costs that result from treating the uninsured in the emergency room for ailments that could have been treated in a much more cost effective manner at an earlier time had they had insurance to seek treatment. Not to mention the moral concern that our current system allows people to die of treatable illnesses because they can’t afford care. PLEASE GIVE US A PUBLIC OPTION!!
- Posted by AnneHEY! PLEASE EVERYBODY MUST VOTES FOR PUBLIC OPTIONS ABOUT OUR USA HEALTH CARES THAT AFFORD PAY AT LOW COST OR ANY LOW PRICES FOR MEDICINES, DOCTORS & HOSPITALS. MANY AMERICANS CAN’T AFFORD WHILE SOME LUCKY RICH AMERICAN CAN PAY EASY BILLS. PRAY AND HOPE FOR VOTES TO CARRY OUT AT CAPITOL HILL TO WAKE UP FOR CONGRESS OR SENATORS, THANKS, AMEN !! JOHN H. JACOBS, JR.
- Posted by JOHN H. JACOBS, JRThose that fear the government coming between them and their doctor obviously don’t understand that a for profit insurance entity already occupies that space. Those that fear health care rationing obviously don’t know that insurance companies already ration their health care. Those who deem a public option “a government takeover of health care” don’t seem to get that insurance companies are in the health care business for profit … not their (or your) health.
There is a quote of Martin Luther King that, to me, sums up the Republican - and the Palin/Limbaugh/Hannity/Boehner/Beck Mafia - opposition to health care reform in general and the public option in particular:
“Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.”
- Posted by openlyblackAnyone who decides to defend Boehner is a naive, childish loser. And for those of you who reject the public options for reason such as it being “for the illegal and the lazy” you are too ignorant for words.
Really, how do you get by in this world being so uninformed and stupid? I’ll tell you how. You buy everything Rush and Hannity tell you because you’re a scared little coward who also doesn’t read well.
The best solution for the healthcare crisis is to deny healthcare to people this ignorant. Maybe, when you really need it and come crawling back to find your “options’ you’ll see how stupid you sound.
Doesn’t matter. You voted in the last election and lost. Screw you.
- Posted by SkiffHe better not say it again, because I sent him an email a couple of days ago telling him I am in favor of a public options. Granted, he could use the loophole saying he and I never actually ‘met’, but, he now knows at least one American supports the Public Option.
- Posted by AndiHe is right, Public Option does Stink for the ethical person.
for the illegal and the lazy it smells like piggyback free rides.
that is the difference.
- Posted by IanOne other thing, guess those tanning bed ultra violet rays have really affected Joh Boehner’s mind?
- Posted by NinaKJohn Boehner seems to be the most unhappy person around; he consistently shows his sour face, has anyone seen this pathetic guy smile? He ALWAYS looks like he is totally dissatisfied and angry with life. He has never tasted a garlic milkshake (nor have I, for that matter) but he has the gall to compare the “stink” with public option health care. Then, he hasn’t found ONE person that supports it, that’s probably because he never asked; he is too busy being sour grapes! Ohio should replace this guy and vote in someone who cares about Ohio citizens and his/her state and the the USA!
- Posted by NinaKObama has a supermajority.
He doesn’t need bipartisanship. He can do what he wants. The only issue here is that he is scared.
He needs to find something, a policy he can make his own. He needs to get to work on something, so he has somthing to show to the public come next election day.
But the more he looks, the more he sees poison policies around him.
He knows that the American people will eat him alive if he fails on healthcare. If his pet project collapses, it will likely cost him his second term. Bombing taliban is one thing. Screwing up the already listing American health system is another ballgame.
So much is his fear, he doesn’t want to take the risk. So he wants the republicans to take part too. That way if something goes wrong, the democrats don’t get the blame alone.
Only a few months, and you can smell the fear. Obama better commit to action soon, or the public will smell fear too.
And then, we might have another Jimmy Carter in the making. A man who hides in the white house, afraid to do anything which might upset the people.
- Posted by AnonLiberals have been dragging conservatives kicking and screaming into the future since we dropped out of the trees.
- Posted by Al SwearengenYou people are a bunch of sheep and Obama’s the lead goat. How about fixing healthcare instead of destroying it?
- Posted by BruceVery unfortunately, The House of Representatives Republican John Boehner, The Minority Leader is very SICKO and ISOLATED from the REALITY. Please ask Michael Moore.
Very unfortunately, Republican John Boehner, The Minority Leader often still get “bribes”, contributions directly and indirectly from the health insurance companies so he protects the interests of health insurance companies, not Americans and again, 77% Americans clearly support PUBLIC OPTION. Republican John Boehner, can you read our messages? If not, you are clearly isolated from the reality like President George W. Bush who was completely out of touch with Americans for past 8 years and again, Americans are in worst shape now after Bush’s 8 years regime.
Very unfortunately, Republican John Boehner, The Minority Leader often says PUBLIC OPTION STINKS!
Please tell us, We The People WHY???? Do you know that US ranked 37th in best health care globally? If not, please ask Michael Moore.
Very unfortunately, Republican John Boehner, The Minority Leader and all GOP people still not know how to FIND A SOLUTION for all Americans on Public option issue
as the true statesman normally does for every American citizen.
Conclusively, you must change your heart and HEAR
- Posted by RONALD GELDENour American Cry for a PUBLIC OPTION. Otherwise, you are responsible for severest consequence in near future.