11/15/09
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12 comments
Artur Davis betrayed constituents
U.S. Rep. Artur Davis, D-Birmingham, soon will be asking me to vote for him for governor. His vote against health care reform is not the way to get it. I struggle to understand the passion directed against the “public option” in health care reform. I have little use for government-controlled bureaucracies, but at least they are vulnerable to my frustrations. My vote, along with that of other dissatisfied consumers, can create change. A near-monopoly like Blue Cross-Blue Shield, on the other hand, is immune to frustration. Doctors, hospitals and patients are subject to its whim.
Davis is, in my mind, the most intelligent gubernatorial candidate out there. I have spoken with him several times and heard his speeches. Every time, I find myself optimistic about our state’s future. Here is a politician who gets it. He recently announced his candidacy for governor, but Davis’ allegiance now should be, to the people of the 7th District. Ignore North Alabama for a moment. Would the 7th District benefit from H.R. 3962? The unemployment rate in Davis’ district is frightening. Among the counties entirely within his district are Wilcox, with an unemployment rate of 25.6 percent; Dallas, at 21.1 percent; and Perry, at 19.8 percent. The others are not much better. In an employment-based health care system like the one we have in the U.S., it is not hard to figure out the disastrous health care options for those within the 7th District. H.R. 3962 would offer insurance to the unemployed at competitive rates. It would subsidize the premiums for those who cannot afford it. It would even include measures encouraging doctors to practice in underserved areas, and expand Medicaid. Artur Davis voted against the bill. I studied his explanations for a vote that ignores the most pressing need of his constituents. None of the explanations made sense. Granted he is smarter than I am, but he’s a good communicator. He could have explained the rationale had he wanted to do so. Sadly, the reason for his vote is simple, although not included in his campaign literature. He abdicated his role as the elected representative of the 7th District for his role as a gubernatorial candidate of a state that chooses to ignore the plight of his constituents. I may still vote for Davis, but I am disillusioned. His vote against health care reform either represents a betrayal of his constituents, or a deceitful effort to present himself as a moderate to voters outside his district. Either way, on this vote, he abused his formidable talents and the respect they have earned him. Contact Eric Fleischauer at his blog, www.mile 304.com, or at eric@decaturdaily.com.
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The "near monopoly" by BCBS was created by politicians in Montgomery. We are able to vote them out but BCBS just changes who they give money to. The answer is not to give governement control over healthcare. This will be the first time in the history of this country that the federal governement will force citizens to buy something.
Eric, you disappoint me. I'm not writing as a supporter of Davis, but he is intelligent, and he can see the disasterous potential effects of the present proposal to our deficit and our health care delivery system. Maybe he can be a force in a much more rational solution.
Eric, you are right on. I elect my member of the HoR to represent the needs of my district. He's not getting it done for the people in his poor counties.
South Alabama has been off of the State radar for decades. In many areas it is like a third world country. Hunger, poverty,high child mortality rates and very poor health. They have been ignored, neglected, segregated and abused. Artur Davis was, when elected, the the hope that now these areas will finally be brought to the forefront. Health care, job training, education opportunities,and industrial development. These people need leaders who will represent them, not use them as a springboard for personal aspirations. I have known,grown up, and worked in these areas. These people are worked to the bone and if they fall by the wayside, God help them, because no one else will. Artur Davis can do as he originally promised or he can once again use the tired backs of these good people like so many in the past have. Step up to the plate Artur. Be a man.
I will bot vote for him, II WILL VOTE FOR SPARKS,H E IS WHAT ALA NEEDS, WE DO NO NEED ANOTHER WANNA A BE OBAMA
He did not betray the majority of his constituents. Eric Fleischauer and the decatur daily or out of touch with real people and are into their own liberal world. How's that add revenue working out?? Change you can count on.
Eric: You hit the nail on the head. I was shocked when I read that ALL Alabama congressmen voted against the House bill. I'm sure Davis' vote was prompted by his gubernatorial candidacy and his desire to appeal to voters statewide. Unfortunately, he alienated many, like you and me, who know that he knows he betrayed his obligation to the American people and the residents of the 7th District.
John: Do you have auto insurance? Is that a choice? You might argue that you only have to purchase car insurance if you want the privilege to drive. I respond that you only have to buy health insurance if you want the privilege to live. If you think life is a "right" and not a privilege (as in "life, liberty and the pursuit ..."), then you must necessarily agree that every American has a right to health care. In my opinion.
Steve: The DD may be out of touch with real people in your world, but has its finger on the pulse of a majority of Americans who elected this president to fulfill his promise to reform health care. Just because North Alabama is out of touch with the rest of the nation (and world) does not mean the DD must also bury its head in the sand. In my opinion.
Bob: The DD is out of touch with real people at least 64% of them who when polled do not want this health care bill. It was a slim majorty who elected this president and if they could vote again today, there would be a different result. Health reform would be good, houw about tort reform or being able to buy across state lines.
Bob, the auto insurance that I am forced to buy does not protect me. It protects others. Your argument in that respect is flawed.
when he voted against obama care, that was the vote he should have made. it will not sway my statewide election votes. i do give him an attaboy for the vote.
I truly do not understand how any intelligent person can back the health care reform bill! At no time should the government ever make us purchase health insurance. Does every American have a right to insurance? Sure they do, but I am sick and tired of paying for all of those people that want to sit on their lazy butts and let me pay for it. I sympathize with those that truly try to work and cannot afford health care, but I abhor those who chose to live off government funding because they can make more money by having another kid than they can getting a job. The government needs to step back and quit trying to run our everyday lives. This is not what our forefathers wanted when America was created!