Liberty MavenRon Paul, a hypocrite on the health care public option?
October 26th, 2009 12:33 pm | by Marc Gallagher | Published in Big Government, Commentary, congress, Health Care, Maven Commentary, Ron Paul | 18 Responses
Ron Paul is a hypocrite on health care along with 54 other Republicans, according to House Democrat Anthony Weiner (NY).
WASHINGTON, DC—A new study by Representative Anthony Weiner (D – Queens & Brooklyn), member of the Health Subcommittee and Co-Chair of the Caucus on the Middle Class, revealed that 151 members of the House and Senate currently receive government-funded; government-administered single-payer health care – Medicare.
On the list of recipients are 55 Republicans who have steadfastly opposed other Americans getting the public option, like the one they have chosen.
Weiner said, “Even in a town known for hypocrisy, this list of 55 Members of Congress deserve some sort of prize. They apparently think the public option is ok for them, but not anyone else.”
And Ron Paul is on his list. Why?
It is extremely difficult for me to believe that Ron Paul’s name appears on this list legitimately. According to many sources he refused to accept Medicare while practicing medicine. He’s known as a man with integrity who practices what he preaches. I could find no other sources refuting and explaining why Paul’s name appears on the list, but admittedly, I didn’t look very hard.
I’m curious if there is a reasonable explanation from Paul such as the argument he uses for putting in earmarks for his constituents and then voting against them. Or maybe Weiner’s “study” is the equivalent of quoting people out of context and Paul doesn’t accept Medicare at all. In any case, I think an explanation is warranted.
What is hiding in plain site about Weiner’s argument though, is that he is making the assumption that the health care public option is equivalent to Medicare, which is broke. Yet they also argue that the public option will lower health care costs. Hypocrisy is an epidemic in the halls of Congress.
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October 26th, 2009 at 4:55 pm (#)
Medicare is mandatory once the age of 65 is reached – you have no choice. You cannot opt out even if you wanted to. Former TX Rep Dick Armey currently has a suit going challenging this practice. If he wins, one could opt out of Medicare and not be forced to participate.
October 26th, 2009 at 5:25 pm (#)
There really is no hope when people can be this deceptive and no one can put them in check. They force you to pay into their ponzi schemes your whole working life. There you have no choice. Then when you draw Social Security and Medicare by their mandate, in the twilight of your life, it's being a hypocritical.
No. It's being a victim of theft, with no hope of total recompense.
October 26th, 2009 at 5:30 pm (#)
Hi Ken,
It appears that you can opt-out of Medicare as long as you agree to give up Social Security benefits too. It's ridiculous, and I expect this could be Paul's reasoning since he could argue that he just wants to get some of his money back. And, in order to do so, he must be enrolled in Medicare above age 65.
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statement…
-Marc
October 26th, 2009 at 5:30 pm (#)
Hi Ken,
It appears that you can opt-out of Medicare as long as you agree to give up Social Security benefits too. It's ridiculous, and I expect this could be Paul's reasoning since he could argue that he just wants to get some of his money back. And, in order to do so, he must be enrolled in Medicare above age 65.
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statement…
-Marc
October 26th, 2009 at 5:30 pm (#)
Hi Ken,
It appears that you can opt-out of Medicare as long as you agree to give up Social Security benefits too. It's ridiculous, and I expect this could be Paul's reasoning since he could argue that he just wants to get some of his money back. And, in order to do so, he must be enrolled in Medicare above age 65.
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statement…
-Marc
October 26th, 2009 at 5:30 pm (#)
Hi Ken,
It appears that you can opt-out of Medicare as long as you agree to give up Social Security benefits too. It's ridiculous, and I expect this could be Paul's reasoning since he could argue that he just wants to get some of his money back. And, in order to do so, he must be enrolled in Medicare above age 65.
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statement…
-Marc
October 26th, 2009 at 5:30 pm (#)
Hi Ken,
It appears that you can opt-out of Medicare as long as you agree to give up Social Security benefits too. It's ridiculous, and I expect this could be Paul's reasoning since he could argue that he just wants to get some of his money back. And, in order to do so, he must be enrolled in Medicare above age 65.
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statement…
-Marc
October 26th, 2009 at 5:30 pm (#)
Hi Ken,
It appears that you can opt-out of Medicare as long as you agree to give up Social Security benefits too. It's ridiculous, and I expect this could be Paul's reasoning since he could argue that he just wants to get some of his money back. And, in order to do so, he must be enrolled in Medicare above age 65.
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statement…
-Marc
October 26th, 2009 at 5:35 pm (#)
Couldn't agree more. They prey on the ignorance of people who don't investigate their charges. Unfortunately, it works all the time.
Yet another example where:
Government = Force
-Marc
October 26th, 2009 at 7:43 pm (#)
Way to twist the facts to suit your web of deceit, Rep. Weiner.
October 26th, 2009 at 7:44 pm (#)
Opting out of medicare is impossible because to truly opt out of the program, you'd be able to not pay into it. And the government won't let you do that.
When you get robbed and then the robber lets you have half your money back, you aren't being a hypocrite.
October 26th, 2009 at 9:14 pm (#)
Only when you can opt out of having to pay for these programs ought anyone be considered a hypocrite for not opting out of the benefits.
October 27th, 2009 at 5:14 am (#)
I'd gladly opt out if they give me everything I've paid in, no interest necessary! Now were having health care "reform" shoved down our throats. If it goes through and they allow states to opt out then I hope they all opt out as a sign of solidarity! Weiner is a weiner! :p
October 27th, 2009 at 7:10 am (#)
There is nothing hypocritical about it. Should people who oppose the government monopoly on mail service refuse to send letters through the US Post Office? Should anarchists refuse to drive on government-funded roads? It is perfectly consistent to believe a given service could/should best be administered in the private sector, but to accept the government service so long as it is in effect and you are legally required to pay for it.
October 29th, 2009 at 12:48 pm (#)
Actually you are all wrong because if you are fulltime employed making x amount of dollars you do not have to collect SS or Medicare when you are 65 it is not manditory for someone still fulltime employed… All congressman are fulltime employed making more money than the amount required to opt out until retirement…
April 4th, 2011 at 9:48 am (#)
His name may appear on the medicare list, so does mine and I don't like it because pharmacueticals are literally poisins. You can look up the etymology of the word. Ron Paul also returns a portion of his money every year to the treasury and never voted to raise taxes. This democrat from queens has socialist views on medicine and it is quite clear he's never been a doctor b4. He says patients would save money when over 1,000 businesses got waivers and insurance co. were increasing premiums in anticipation. What is obviously paramount to whether Obamacare works or not depends on the mandate decision which the supreme court will rule on in the coming months. The govt. health snatch won't work with out the mandate definitely.
May 16th, 2011 at 12:07 pm (#)
You can opt out of Medicare with the provision that, if you opt in later, it will cost you a higher premium. Dick Armey is blowing smoke and he knows it, but it plays well with the republican crowd. How do I know you can opt out, because I have a friend who did, with no problem!
May 7th, 2012 at 8:33 am (#)
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