Despite the temptation to be furious that Mark Sanford would presume to butt in and speak out against something as desperately needed as health care reform, I had to smile at the irony of the figure the governor cited in explaining his opposition:
Sanford talked about the need for the state’s congressional delegation to defeat federal health-care reform, saying it would cost the state almost $700 million. He also expressed hope the Obama administration would give the state another waiver on complying with federal rules on driver’s licenses.
But governor, remember? We just got a windfall of $700 million a few months ago. And remember, you said we didn’t need the money, so that means we’ve got $700 million just lying around to no good purpose. So we can easily afford this added expense you allege.
I just know you’ll be relieved to know that…
(And yeah, I know we’re talking different pots of money and so forth. I just thought it deliciously ironic that the governor went from desperately trying to block the federal government from giving us $700 million, to complaining that something the federal government might do in the future will cost us $700 million.)
By the way, I have confidence that the governor will not protest that his position was mischaracterized in that thestate.com story linked above, because the governor brought my attention to it himself, via Twitter.
A weird little footnote about that: I received that notice from the gov tucked in among Tweets from multiple other sources informing me that Jenny Sanford has announced her intention of divorcing Mark. Yes, I know the gov most likely does not personally Twitter, but it was weird, at a moment like that, to get a communication from him telling me that to him, everything is the same. He’s still out there practicing the politics of nihilism, trying to block government from doing anything good for people (lest people come to appreciate government), having learned nothing, having been utterly unchanged, by the last few months…
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The $700 million in stimulus money is a loan that has to be paid back with future taxes.
The $700 million in health care obligations is an invoice for an item most South Carolinians don’t want to pay for.
In both cases, Sanford’s position is the same – doing what is right for the taxpayers of South Carolina.
The way the health care “debate” is playing out is a perfect example of the failings of “republican government”. It’s not about doing what is right: it is about making backroom deals, compromises, and bowing to the pressures of lobbyists. To think that after all the supposed analysis done this past year on health care, the Democratic leadership is now just tossing out any idea that can get 60 votes is disgusting.
If you think Congress can “solve” the problem, you’re nuts.
Let’s see…we’re in the midst of a large recession, and all too many people are without money to buy food, much less medical care, and our dear govenor wants to make sure that they have little or no chance of getting either. Or is he trying to make people so desperate that he can get really cheap maid and yard service? At least 2 people froze to death in Columbia last year. I realize that this is a poor state, but juxtapose people dying for lack of the basics against Mcmansions, and you’ve got the modern version of the biblical story of the beggar Lazarus and the rich man. Or have we taken Libertarianism clean back to the natural selection level. If so, we are all at some time, the slowest and/or weakest.
One of my good friends nearly died two weeks ago because s/he couldn’t afford healthcare. S/he felt bad, was sick and went to a doc in the box for some minimal treatment she paid for out of pocket. S/he didn’t do the suggested followup and had a cardiac condition. Finally, at death’s door, s/he went to the ER and tens or thousands of dollars later, she lives, financially ruined.
S/he’s worked her entire life, maintained COBRA after a layoff until it ran out, used her savings to do so. She attends church, lives modestly, works hard, volunteers and the spouse is a veteran. She gets exercise and eats carefully.
What sin can the Republicans identify that indicates she deserved to die or lose everything.
Amen, Karen! For a state near the bottom of so many rankings to get so high and mighty about the federal funding it receives disproportionately high levels of constantly amazes me. Can you imagine what it would be like here without the assistance?
People like Mark have no empathy, even in its most simple definition of the ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes. Even for a minute or two.
His statements about anything that is happening on the national level lead me to believe he has not lost hope that his dead political career can be resuscitated.
If Medicaid in our state is so short of funds, why do I see that the private company they appear to have contracted out a managed care portion of the program to can afford to advertise in papers & on billboards, as well as expand dental and vision services to adults?
How about the millions of stimulus that went to the governor’s office? Why doesn’t anyone ever ask him what those agencies would have done without the funding?
There is so much opportunity to keep Sanford on the spot and nobody does it. His political hypocrisy is far more interesting than this personal.
Mark Sanford is mentally ill and needs an evaluation.
Someone should sign the necessary paperwork and give the citizens of this state a break
What sin can the Republicans identify that indicates she deserved to die or lose everything.
No one deserves to be ruined financially or worse, die because they can’t pay for healthcare. That is exactly why reform is needed. But Jesus Christ, where were this woman’s friends and church to help her out? What is the point of those things anyway?
In today’s The State, I was struck, yet again, by the similarities in appearance among the Sanfords and Chapur. They all look so much alike–long, narrow faces, fine bones, dark hair—and Maria looks even more like Mark than Jenny does. No wonder she’s his soul mate–she looks just like his narcissistic self.
Isn’t narcissism a personality disorder, though and not mental illness. Mark Sanford is crazy like a fox.
–and if Jenny Sanford wants us to respect her privacy, she needs to cancel the memoir. Seems like she wants it both ways–but then that’s a family trait.
David, re “where were this woman’s friends and church to help her out?” The cost of a major illness can wreck any family’s savings. And as for churches, all too many are interested in their building programs and paying for their staff costs. Even wealthy churches often haven’t the wherewithal to cope with the costs of major illnesses in their congregations.
“orphan annie says:
December 11, 2009 at 8:07 pm
Mark Sanford is mentally ill and needs an evaluation.
Someone should sign the necessary paperwork and give the citizens of this state a break”
Apparently Brad’s new comment approval standards have a loophole as long as you write something nasty about Mark Sanford.
Interesting.
and write it anonymously…
Doug, two things — first, my policy is to err toward approving comments, in the absence of what appears to me to be active malice.
Second, that didn’t strike me as malicious, because I took it at face value. I’ve been concerned about the governor’s grip on reality ever since he gave those “soulmate” interviews to the AP. That was disturbing. I guess if you think saying a person is mentally unbalanced is a malicious insult, like “You’re crazy,” then it’s problematic. But I sort of thought it was serious, although the implication of involuntary commitment was a bit much.
What did the rest of y’all think?
Is Sanford deranged — or just oblivious to the consequences of his actions? That’s more like a sociopath.
Mr. or Ms. Annie has been a tad on the edge of snarky before. I thought we were supposed to post under our real names. Perhaps this is indeed his or her real name, in a world of Moon Unit Zappa and Apple Martin, why not?
If you have to post under your real name, you have to bear the risk that Google will turn up your words and so on. No drop snarky comments and run.
That said, I’m not so sure this particular comment was that bad….
sociopath–another personality disorder….
I think he has gotten away with a lot–heck, he’s still in office and how many South Carolinians still approve as of the latest poll? Republics and insane asylums…..
Besides, if somebody hadn’t dropped a dime to Gina Smith et al., he would have gotten away with even more, perhaps the whole thing….and exactly what hasn’t he gotten away with, so far, except that Jenny has left him….which since Jenny’s not is “soul mate” and Maria is, kinda clears the path…
Crazy like a fox, I tell you.
So anonymous comments that call public officials alcoholics (for example certain judges or solicitors) would be allowed? That would be the same thing, wouldn’t it?