August 18, 2009

Hero of the Day.

On MSNBC's Morning Joe today, Congressman Anthony Weiner (D-NY) did god's work by stumping Joe Scarborough (R-Scarborough Country) speechless with a single question (reproduced as best I can from memory)

Given that 40% of Americans get their health care paid by a single-payer government-run program (Medicare, Medicaid, Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Dept. of Defense, Dept. of Indian Affairs) that runs with 4% overhead compared to 30% for private insurers-- What essential function do private insurance companies serve?
Essentially, Weiner argues that instead of asking why the government should take over the payment of health care (not its operation as some insinuate), we should be asking why insurance companies are a necessary element of the current system. The usually verbose Scarborough was stunned by the question and completely unable to even properly react to it until they returned from commercial break.

I'll post the video when I can find it. In the meantime, youtube Anthony Weiner's speeches. He's one of the most articulate democrats I've heard, especially on the issue of health care.

UPDATE: 2:20PM
Here's the video edited to the segment I'm talking about:

1 comment:

  1. Anonymous11:03 AM

    Loved it! We need more people like Weiner

    ReplyDelete