Murtha says not so fast on health care bill

northhunter · 08-15-2009, 08:49 AM

I found this and was wondering what it was Murtha thought needed to be different. What has to be fixed in his opinion? Kind of light on specifics other than lets take our time and do it right.
I'd like to know what his concerns about the current bill are.

August 14, 2009
Murtha differs from Obama on health care timeline
Posted: August 14th, 2009 06:21 PM ET

Rep. John Murtha said Friday that a major health care reform bill might not pass until January 2010 or later.

(CNN) – A bill to overhaul the nation's ailing health-care system may not pass until January or later, Democratic Rep. John Murtha of Pennsylvania said Friday.
His comment to CNN affiliate WJPA differed from President Barack Obama's repeated insistence that Congress will pass a health care bill by the end of 2009.
Speaking in Bentleyville, Pennsylvania, Murtha said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wanted a health-care bill passed before the current August recess.
"She said we're going to have it before we left," Murtha said. "We said, 'No, no, we want some time to think about this.' We're taking some time to make sure it's done right. I don't know that we'll get something done before January, and even then we may not get it done. We're going to do it right when it's finally done."
There are deep divides between Democrats and Republicans over the health-care issue, and Murtha said more time is needed to come up with a solution that works.

"We said to the speaker, the leadership, let's not rush this thing," he said. "Let's do it right, so we'll have a uniquely American plan, if the thing passes."
Some town hall meetings on health care have erupted in emotional and angry debate, and Murtha said such a response is natural in uncertain times such as the current economic recession.
"I understand why they're against it — they're worried it's going to harm their health care," he said. "But we're going to work it out."

DosEquis · 08-15-2009, 11:33 AM

I dont believe anything that comes out of that guys mouth, in one direction or another.

Stylerod · 08-15-2009, 12:40 PM

He's worried about his job. Hell, they all should be.

JaJae · 08-15-2009, 12:41 PM

Originally Posted by Stylerod

He's worried about his job. Hell, they all should be.

Correct. Murtha does not care about ethics or doing what's best for his country. He cares about retaining his power. Period. He is not making a stand on ethical reasons.

HughRuss · 08-15-2009, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by JaJae

Correct. Murtha does not care about ethics or doing what's best for his country. He cares about retaining his power. Period. He is not making a stand on ethical reasons.

So he ran for elected position solely for power?

JaJae · 08-15-2009, 02:15 PM

Originally Posted by HughRuss

So he ran for elected position solely for power?

He ran for office 35 years. I wasn't born then and don't care to have an opinion as to why he initially ran for power. But why he is currently running for office I can feel pretty confident in saying it is solely for power.

HughRuss · 08-15-2009, 02:24 PM

Originally Posted by JaJae

He ran for office 35 years. I wasn't born then and don't care to have an opinion as to why he initially ran for power. But why he is currently running for office I can feel pretty confident in saying it is solely for power.

Under what pretenses do you believe you're able to claim this?

stolz25 · 08-15-2009, 07:11 PM

Originally Posted by HughRuss

So he ran for elected position solely for power?

Would I be cynical in thinking that's why most politicians run for office?

DosEquis · 08-16-2009, 11:15 AM

Originally Posted by stolz25

Would I be cynical in thinking that's why most politicians run for office?

Well I am not sure they are running for office to actually represent the people in their district.... i guess they might 10% of the time and the other 90% is taking care of the people who donated to the campaign.

stolz25 · 08-16-2009, 11:42 AM

Originally Posted by DosEquis

Well I am not sure they are running for office to actually represent the people in their district.... i guess they might 10% of the time and the other 90% is taking care of the people who donated to the campaign.

This goal doesn't make sense to me. I realize this is usually what happens once people get into office, but it doesn't seem reasonable that this is what would motivate them to run in the first place.

HughRuss · 08-16-2009, 11:44 AM

Originally Posted by stolz25

Would I be cynical in thinking that's why most politicians run for office?

Originally Posted by DosEquis

Well I am not sure they are running for office to actually represent the people in their district.... i guess they might 10% of the time and the other 90% is taking care of the people who donated to the campaign.

Does this apply to the president as well?

northhunter · 08-16-2009, 02:29 PM

This somehow reminds me of Mel Brooks in "Blazing Saddles". I may get the quote wrong but something along the lines of "Gentlemen! We have to protect our phoney baloney jobs!" I don't know if Murtha is acting on anything other than his own self interst here trying to keep the voters happy regardless of what he actually thinks about health care reform.

HughRuss · 08-16-2009, 02:38 PM

Originally Posted by northhunter

This somehow reminds me of Mel Brooks in "Blazing Saddles". I may get the quote wrong but something along the lines of "Gentlemen! We have to protect our phoney baloney jobs!" I don't know if Murtha is acting on anything other than his own self interst here trying to keep the voters happy regardless of what he actually thinks about health care reform.

+1 For Blazing Saddles

Originally Posted by Governor William J. Le Petomane

Holy underwear! Sheriff murdered! Innocent women and children blown to bits! We have to protect our phoney baloney jobs here, gentlemen! We must do something about this immediately! Immediately! Immediately! Harrumph! Harrumph! Harrumph!

stolz25 · 08-16-2009, 03:07 PM

I didn't get a harrumph out of that guy.

HughRuss · 08-16-2009, 03:12 PM

Originally Posted by stolz25

I didn't get a harrumph out of that guy.

Do you normally get harrumphs out of men?

Stylerod · 08-16-2009, 03:36 PM

Originally Posted by stolz25

This goal doesn't make sense to me. I realize this is usually what happens once people get into office, but it doesn't seem reasonable that this is what would motivate them to run in the first place.

It's the only way they can stay in office. Which is why I would like to see term limits on every office. It would mean our employees (government) could do their job without worrying about making enough money and making enough powerful contacts to keep their job.