Seriously, Fuck You, GOP

by Paddy Johnson on January 12, 2017 Off Our Chest

It’s been real hard to motivate to do anything this morning. Last night the Senate held a “votearama” – and eventually passed – the budget resolution that contains instructions to repeal the ACA or “Obamacare”. Democrats proposed amendments to preserve certain parts, like healthcare protections for veterans. Republicans voted against that. They voted against coverage for pre-existing conditions. Then they killed CHIP, the Children’s Health Insurance Program. They voted against federal aid to rural hospitals, against contraception coverage, against the rule that allows you to keep your kids on your insurance until their 26, and against protecting Medicare and Medicaid.

I woke up to this news at about 5:30 am, and spent the next hour in bed mentally composing sentences, (er, facebook updates) I thought might somehow cut the folks who claim this is in service of the American people. These decisions will literally kill people and I’m reading bullshit in the Times from senators like, “the Obamacare bridge is collapsing, and we’re sending in a rescue team.” I’ve never been more insulted in my life.

I don’t know what to do with this anger, but I do know we need a way out of this mess. The arts community as a whole, and this includes writers, artists, consultants and gallerists,  is heavily reliant on Obamacare. Many artists I know quit their full time jobs when Obamacare was launched because they were finally able to make their small business work. I’m in no different position than any of them. Now what? Do I quit my job because I can’t afford health insurance any more? Is that what we all do?

You don’t have to be an economist to know all those lost jobs aren’t any good for the economy. Neither is crippling the healthcare industry. The industry represents 17.8 percent of the American economy. This isn’t just a blow to the 25 million people who have insurance through Obamacare and will now be without. It’s a blow to every working American.

So, before I get on with my day, let me take a minute to say, “Fuck you” to all those assholes in congress and the senate who have the audacity to claim they’re working on behalf of the people. It’s a lie, and it would be better if we all told them that before people start dying.

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