Home > Opinion > Peter Roff > Members of Congress Don't Have to Read the Healthcare Bill--They Can Listen to It

Members of Congress Don't Have to Read the Healthcare Bill--They Can Listen to It

Reader Comments
Back to blog

Why do teabaggers think that they personally have to understand every word of a complex health insurance law in order for it to be legitimate? Ironically most of them believe the Bible to be absolute truth and haven't read all of that either!
Members of congress have large support staff including legal advisors that do read these bills and understand them. You do not. So go back to reading your bibles and US Constitution pamphlets and leave the adult legal work to those with more than a 5th grade education.

Thomas Jefferson of AL 8:27PM March 12, 2011

I had the same idea about making HR 3200 MP3 recordings available for the public and especially for US Congress Members who say they don't have time to read the bill. I'm very impressed with the volunteer production efforts and quality of the recordings on www.hearthebill.org. I've been reading and recording MP3 intermittently since early August and I still have over 600 pages to go. If anyone wants to hear my recordings, just go to http://ushealthcare.all-link.biz

Norm Platt of MA 10:50AM September 16, 2009

For those who decry a government-run agency and laud the private sector, perhaps they would welcome the excellence in management demonstrated by, oh, AIG, Lehman Bros. or GM.

John in Cincy of OH 12:02AM September 15, 2009

Thank you for that link. I will listen to as much as I can. I don't know that listening to it is going to help me understand it all any more than reading it, but I'm willing to give it a listen.

David of CA 12:21AM September 11, 2009

America is on its way to Communism by Comrade obama and his KGB ZSARS. Dumb Ameicans??

Jasck Angelo Territo of NY 4:18PM September 09, 2009

In todays news as seen on the computor, Obama said he is "open to new ideas" and he is "not being rigid and idealogical" about this issue. Both he and the Democrats have been little else.
What should have been done from the outset is to create panels, yes probably more than one, of specialists in management operations, people from the medical community, the insurance community as well as Joe and Jane Citizen to hammer out thoughts, propositions and hopefully and ultimately a plan.
This could have been done in several parts of the country and with the participation of a number of keen minds and WITHOUT regard to any political affiliation.
Such plans could have been narrowed down, consolidated and perhaps final proposals offered.
Imagine, I haven't mentioned politicians, who in the final analysis would have voted on a much more palatable, reasonable and workable plan.
Remember, all, it wasn't politicians who put men on the moon, they only AUTHORIZED it.

Raymond Gibson of NY 7:49AM September 09, 2009

What Congress has to do is craft healthcare reform legislation. What they do not seem to realize is that that is their Constitutional job.
Until they do their job and produce legislation, there is nothing for them to read, listen to or oppose.
They are simply against--never mind what--just against.

HillbillyBill of TN 3:31PM September 08, 2009