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Altmire failed real silent majority; Stephen F. Kislock, III; Beaver County Times; March 24, 2010.
Most of Mr. Kislock’s 50+ letters over the last five years have been Republican-bashing exercises, though he sometimes goes after Democrats for his pet causes as in this case. Sometime during 2009 Mr. Kislock became an in-house commentator for Beaver County Blue.
Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.
“U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire, following the wishes of his constituency, voted ‘no’ on health care reform.”
[RWC] Mr. Kislock has had a burr under his saddle about Mr. Altmire since at least 2007. Examples are here and here.
“Does Altmire really think the tea baggers, birthers, gun nuts and the anti-abortionists will support and vote for him?”
[RWC] You can tell Mr. Kislock knows he’s on shaky ground because he immediately launches into name-calling. This is SOP for Mr. Kislock.
“A Blue Dog Democrat is neither a Democrat nor or tea bagger. Blue Dogs will spend $770 billion for war(s) and throw the people to the mercy (joke) of the insurance industry.”
[RWC] Mr. Altmire isn’t a Democrat? Apparently Mr. Altmire’s Americans for Democratic Action lifetime Liberal Quotient of 88% isn’t good enough for Mr. Kislock.
Is President Obama a “Blue Dog Democrat?” I ask because it is Mr. Obama who is Commander-in-Chief and submits the budgets “for war(s).” Mr. Obama is also the person who is exactly following the Bush administration’s plan for Iraq and is the person who escalated our involvement in Afghanistan. Of his 10 letters since Mr. Obama took office, Mr. Kislock wrote only one letter critical of Mr. Obama, and it had nothing to do with the wars? Why not?
“[T]he mercy (joke) of the insurance industry?” Do you care to guess which healthcare insurance “company” rejects the highest percentage of claims? If you guessed Medicare, go to the head of the class. According to the AMA, Medicare denied 6.85% of claims with Aetna a close second. No other private insurer was even close. Of the insurers studied, Medicare was responsible for 83% of the denied claims.
“Without the support of voters who desire health care reform and an end to the wars - this is the silent majority - Altmire will be back working for the insurance industry again.”
[RWC] Mr. Kislock should be glad to know just about everyone wants “an end to the wars.” No sane person wants a war, but sometimes they are necessary. Given what Mr. Obama has done in Afghanistan and Iraq since taking office, can we expect Mr. Kislock’s “silent majority” to oppose Mr. Obama in 2010?
As for “health care reform,” keep in mind Mr. Kislock refers only to his idea of so-called “reform.” If your idea of healthcare reform is the best combination of healthcare accessibility, choice, quality, timeliness of treatment, et cetera at the best price with maximum individual liberty, count on Mr. Kislock to oppose you.
“Or did he ever leave his former employer?
“Why do I need health care reform? My monthly premiums are $317. That’s $3,804 a year. Add my deductible for two - $4,500 - and it’s $8,304. Then, my 80/20 kicks in.”
[RWC] Mr. Kislock appears to be getting a better price than I, and his coverage is for two. Perhaps Mr. Kislock should send me a check to make it “fair.” In any case, I look forward to Mr. Kislock’s letter telling us about the $2,500/year premium cut he received as promised by Mr. Obama.
“The United States has the finest medical care in the world, but only if you can afford it.”
[RWC] Blah, blah, blah. Please read my paper entitled “Healthcare.”
“I guess we will have a new representative for the 4th Congressional District, and we know where she stands.”
[RWC] To whom is Mr. Kislock referring, Melissa Hart?
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