Rep. Pete Stark:
Bush Sends Troops to Death for his 'Amusement'

Text of Pete Stark's Comments on Children's Healthcare in Congress 18oct2007

First of all, Madam Speaker, I am just amazed that they can't figure out . . .

The Republicans are worried that we can't pay for insuring an addition 10 million children. They sure don't care about finding $200 Billion to fight the illegal war in Iraq. Where're you gonna get that money?! You gonna tell us LIES?!. . .like you're telling us today?! Is THAT how you're gonna fund the war?

You don't have money to fund the war OR children. But you're gonna spend it to blow up innocent people. . .if we can get enough kids ot grow old enough for you to send to Iraq to get their heads blown off for the President's amusement.

This bill would provide healthcare for 10 Million children. And unlike the President's own kids, these children can't see a doctor or receive necessary care. Six million are insured through the children's health insurance program and they'll do better in school and in life.

In California, the President's veto will cause the legislature to draw up emergency regulations to cut some 800,000 children off the roles in California and create a waiting list.

I hope my California Republican colleagues will understand that if they don't vote to override this veto, they are destroying healthcare for many of our children in California.

In a previous job as an actor, our governor used to play make-believe and blow things up. Well, the President and the Republicans in Congress are playing make-believe today with children's lives. They claim we can't afford healthcare. They say the bill will socialize medicine.

Tell that to Orin Hatch, Chuck Grassy, and Ted Stevens — those socialist on the other side of this capitol. The truth is that SCHIP program enables states to cover children primarily through PRIVATE healthcare plans.

But President Bush's statements about children's health shouldn't be taken any more seriously than his lies about the war in Iraq.

The truth is, that Bush just likes to blow things up. . .in Iraq, in the United States, and in Congress.

I urge my colleagues to vote to override his veto. America's children need and deserve healthcare despite the President's desire to deny it to them.

Transcribed by Mindfully.org from YouTube file
source: 18oct2007