Santorum to Mother of Cancer Survivor: Sick to Blame for Pre-Existing Conditions Should Be Charged

[sinkingfeeling]

http://www.truth-out.org/santorum-mother-cancer-survivor-sick-blame-pre-existing-conditions-should-be-charged-more/1325876124

During a town hall in Keene, New Hampshire this morning, Rick Santorum told a mother whose son survived cancer that people with pre-existing conditions should pay more for health care coverage because they make poor health care choices. While specifically exempting the woman’s child from personal blame, Santorum insisted that the sick cost more to insure and insurers should charge them higher premiums:

At today’s event, Santorum claimed that the pre-existing conditions clause in the Affordable Care Act — which will prevent insurers from denying coverage to people with pre-existing conditions or charging them more for coverage — would increase health care costs because people would wait until they’re sick to purchase coverage and refuse to heed the mandate. But as the Massachusetts health law demonstrated, the mandate will likely encourage younger and healthier people to purchase coverage before they fall ill and help reduce the number of so-called “free riders.” Reform also expands the risk pool so the costs of the sick people are paid for with the premiums of the healthy. Once they fall ill, their costs will be borne by the next generation of healthy beneficiaries.

[Trillo]

1. The entire point of insurance is to spread any costs group wide.

Santorum seems to be arguing against the idea of insurance, while arguing for it.

[Scuba]

2. Risk sharing left the model a while ago. It's all about risk mitigation now....

... as those pesky sick patients cut into profits.

[nxylas]

6. He's torn between two impulses

The $$$ he gets from the health insurance lobby vs. his desire that the poor die quickly, to decrease the surplus population.

[Tom1960]

65. nice reference to Scrooge there....

.....also don't forget the two children of want and ignorance.

From Wikipedia's article:

"The spirit warns Scrooge, 'Beware them both, and all of their degree, but most of all beware this boy, for on his brow I see that written which is Doom, unless the writing be erased.'"

[roguevalley]

32. he deserves google. he is the very definition of it.

[fortyfeetunder]

113. +1

[CherylK]

141. +1! nt

[stockholmer]

140. no, the entire point of private health insurance is one thing - PROFIT, destroy it and go to

single payer or the outcome will keep moving closer and closer to commoditised death.

[i was a cathar]

15. You love the word 'fuck,' I see.

[11 Bravo]

18. If you decide to stick around, you may discover that we sometimes curse.

If pearl clutching doesn't calm your angst, check out some of the site options available to you.

[i was a cathar]

22. I don't got me no pearls to clutch.

I just find it highly ineffective to use foul language left and right. I have said 'fuck' myself today on here. But you won't see me using it multiple times in a posting. I think it shows a lack of decorum and ability to effectively express oneself...

[11 Bravo]

25. I get that, but perhaps you might consider waiting until at least your second day at DU ...

before deciding to offer posting etiquette guidelines.

[TheEuclideanOne]

68. In all fairness....

He did win points with me by the expression "I don't got me no pearls to clutch". Too funny. It made me laugh so I forgive the attempts to offer etiquette guidelines. A good laugh is worth alot in my book.

Crazy as it may seem, I love the fact that I can fucking curse as much as I fucking want until the fucking cows come home. That is actually something that has drawn me to love this place. If I want to throw the F bomb around, I can do so without somebody saying that I used a naughty word.

Sometimes you just can't get the message across properly without using a good curse word or two. We are all adults.

[undeterred]

76. I bet you don't even got no fucking cows to come home.

[The Wizard]

123. try this

[whathehell]

71. LOL..n/t

[slay]

26. To each his own

i get what you're saying about being able to communicate your point without saying fuck or what not - and personally i tend to keep my fucks to a minimum - but it doesn't offend me. we've been told certain words are - bad - but really they are just a combination of 4 letters that those in power have told us are "bad". and i can see why someone would be really pissed about Santorum saying what he did. so called "cursing" is very common on DU and i'm glad it is - i see it very much as a form of free speech. sure some people overdo it, but whatever - their choice.

[markpkessinger]

43. Re: "I tend to keep my ...

... fucks to a minimum."

Personally, I try to keep mine at a maximum (just not the verbal or written ones)!

[slay]

52. Well, I don't guess I "try" to keep them to a minimum - it just kind of happens that way

fuck, maybe i need to curse MORE!

[TheEuclideanOne]

69. Speaking of Santorum

Is it really even possible to refer to him (or any of these other clowns running) WITHOUT using the word FuckTard! It simply can not be done for an extended period.

[slay]

78. Good point

dude truly is a fucktard.

[Quantess]

89. That creep Santorum inspires me to curse, more than any other candidate.

All of the republican candidates are terrible, but Santorum is the most hate-able. I hate his opinions. And he wants more than anything to impose his stupid fuckwitted opinions on other people.

Santorum wants to tell people what kind of sex not to have. NOBODY FUCKING ASKED YOU, SANTORUM!
He needs to get the hell out of my crotch and mind his own fucking business! People like him make me really, really angry.

That creepy fucker thinks he has the right to tell other people how to live their lives?! FUCK HIM!!! He can go shove it.

[wordpix]

93. hoping someone will meet him in NH with a "get out of my crotch" sign

People ought to keep their noses out of others' crotches.

[Lucky Luciano]

100. He is vile, but Gingrich is the king of hateable. nt

[Quantess]

105. If Gingrich is the one who gets your blood pressure and nausea rising, I can see why!

Gingrich is a nonstop hateable jerk. Santorum offends me personally because he wants to impose his creepy "morals" on everyone.

It's really hard to pick a grand-prize-loser among them.

[sivansanabliss]

128. LOL @ free speech on DU!

That's a good one!

[slay]

136. Excuse me - would you care to elaborate?

oh wait - you can't - you've been banned! who's laughing now troll?

[PA Democrat]

41. And he is already gone again.

His posting priveleges have been revoked. I too remembered "Already Gone" scolding someone else the other day for their language.

[Charlemagne]

83. he posted

some bogus charts about the number of folks on welfare. Then he was gone. His name is not unlike an omen.

[roguevalley]

33. consider sadtorum told sick people to fuck off and die, the wordage was appropriate

save the nanny netting for something that sucks, like santorum's comments.

[whathehell]

73. Agreed. n/t

[Royal-T]

49. Niceley Said .... But ...

I agree entirely with your statements . However, I find everyone has their own "style" of vocabulary for many different reasons & expressions.Also everyone has their own personal way of measuring such usage. Therefore one should (-accept, not necessarily agree ,just accept-) one an-others usage that is at times excess & commonly miss interrupted . Although I know you are also free to have your own opinion as well . I am not trying to belittle you , I am merely trying to -understand- "Why do people feel the need to put forth their opinions in a way that "Targets" anyone or anything in general?" .

[crim son]

50. I assess the effectiveness of the word, overused or no, according to the speaker.

If s/he rarely cusses and yet posts something full of profanity, I understand there is something particularly foul about the subject matter. If s/he cusses constantly, I ignore it and focus on the basic message. I know that when my 75-yr-old mother uses the word "fuck" she is really fucking seriously pissed off. If I use the same word, it means very little.

[Zoeisright]

110. THAT is what offends you? THAT???

Good Christ. (Oh, look, there's some swearing.)

This prick of an asshole Santorum basically tells people with cancer that they should go bankrupt and die, and you're upset about SWEARING?

God. Grow up.

[sivansanabliss]

129. It just disgusts me is all.

He's a cock sucker. How you like them apples?

[Gidney N Cloyd]

27. There's sure some fucking thing about that fucking fucker that fucking makes me want to say "fuck."

[julian09]

137. P- RICK Santorum loves to fuck and had seven kids to prove it

They are all on his policy, should he pay more than a single person on a policy?

[fascisthunter]

80. sniff, sniff

I bet you care more about the word fuck, than the action of fucking over Americans. You fraud.

[jonthebru]

91. I really like the word:

frickin'. FRICKIN' Santorum, Goggle him! That pretty much closes the gap between humor and profanity.
I heard a woman say frickin' on Randi's show this morning, it made me laugh!

[ohheckyeah]

107. My 84 year old mother

sent a birthday card to one of my sisters and the card was about the Frickin' happiness fairy. Shocked the shit out of my very conservative sister.

[Rozlee]

92. Fuck yeah.

Having been in the Army for almost 20 years, it's my second language. Or since I'm bilingual, my third.

[valerief]

97. Hating Santorum IS classy. nt

[bpj62]

4. WTF

RIck Santorum is a Fuck Tard. I normally do not use foul language when posting but this is personal for me.I am the father of a 10 year old boy who is soon to be a cancer survivor. You must be 5 years off treatment to reach that status. When he was diaganosed at the age of 4 1/2 I had excellent insurance through my employer. As soon as my son was declared to be in remission my employer laid me off and except for the 18 months of COBRA which my employer tried to drop as well, I have been self insured. My son's insurance premium is more than the rest of my family members premium combined. According to the insurance company he will have to be cancer free for 10 years befor he is considered to not have a pre-existing condition.

I just want to ask Rick Santorum what poor health choices my son made at the tender age of 4 1/2 that caused him to get Non Hogdkins Lymphoma. I am so sick of these people. I just don't get it anymore and sometimes my thoughts get so dark when it comes to these people. Walk a mile in my son's shoes and then tell me about poor health care choices. Go Fuck Yourself Rick.

[HangOnKids]

5. As The Mother Of A Cancer Surviving Kid

It is almost too much to deal with except we have them to hang on for. Hence my handle. Hang on Dad.

[roguevalley]

37. God bless you both of you. Don't be down from him. he's sick in the head himself.

[HangOnKids]

46. We Are Keepin On

She is 10 now, 3 years cancer free. Every day with her is a gift. A dirty room with laundry gift. Love her, thanks for caring.

[SlimJimmy]

8. Me too. What exactly did my sister do that caused her to get breast cancer, Rick?

I just want to ask Rick Santorum what poor health choices my son made at the tender age of 4 1/2 that caused him to get Non Hogdkins Lymphoma. I am so sick of these people. I just don't get it anymore and sometimes my thoughts get so dark when it comes to these people. Walk a mile in my son's shoes and then tell me about poor health care choices. Go Fuck Yourself Rick. [/div class]

[roguevalley]

38. your sister is good. she is innocent. Santorum on the other hand is sick in the head

hug her for me

My dad had lung cancer, lymphoma and ten other surgeries. Fuck Santorum for thinking he deserved it. Fuck him.

[SlimJimmy]

88. She's a survivor, so thankfully, I *will* be able to giver her a hug.

[newspeak]

133. this guy sure shows his ignorance

so, children are to blame for their cancer? I have friends who are health nuts who got cancer. And how about when a town's water or ground is contaminated by some damn corporation, which has happened more than once in this country. So, it's the fault of the people that they have cancer? Anyone who listens to this dumb***, has got to be as clueless as sanitarium.

[Blacksheep214]

62. Why is it

that the truly devout believe we are on Gods path for us? That means no matter what, life is out of our hands.

So how can we make bad choices. We are merely following gods will.

Religious when it suits them! BTW Rick, tell us about John Ensign!

Douchebag!

[wordpix]

94. Sorry and very good response to the creep Santorum

[BobbyBoring]

12. WOW

I hope everything goes OK for you guys.

The other sickening thing about these pukes is many would claim that it was "Gods plan" for your son to have cancer. My answer to that is, it must be a pretty fucked up God to have plans like that for kids.

[coalition_unwilling]

23. I wish I could rec this post and strongly suggest you consider

fashioning it into an OP of its own.

Personally, I wish Santorum would hold such obscene stuff in a bit longer, so as to damange Romney even more. But since he shot his mouth off now, his absolute medieval cruelty needs to be exposed.

[slay]

28. I wholeheartedly support everything you just said

and good to hear your son is doing better!

we desperately need a better (universal) healthcare system IMO.

[JoePhilly]

35. Add my neice, now 16, who was 2 when she was diagnosed with cancer.

She survived it.

But as others note, its not as if SHE made life choices to give her cancer.

Rick is a Dick.

[roguevalley]

36. I wish you and your son the best in hope and wellness. don't let a

tool like santorum get to you. maybe if he had done some health choices himself -like not having his seventh kid when the dna got dried up- he wouldn't have a sick kid now.

[hootinholler]

56. More offensive than fuck to many here

Is any derivative of retard. We have many who work with and are related to those with mental handicaps.

Could you please edit?

[Joe Bacon]

57. Rick, I COULDN'T make the choice to have rheumatoid arthritis!

It's hard wired into my X chromosome. I have rheumatoid arthritis that triggered 15 years ago and has left me in constant pain. I'd like that ass to tell me what poor health choices I made to get massive pain spasms coupled with weakening fevers. Pain that is very intense, yet I STILL get off my ass and try to put a full day of work in when RA flares up.

Unlike Rick in the Senate, I show up for a full day of work every day I can for my paycheck. I don't have lobbyist buddies on K Street to stuff my pockets full of bribes in the form of campaign contributions.

Blue Cross REFUSED to cover the IV's I needed to put it in check. The bean counter who denied my claim said I should take Tylenol. Blue Cross denied the appeals. THe prick who handled the appeal told me to "roll with the punches".

Lucky for me, I'm a Federal Employee (JUST LIKE YOU WERE, RICK!) and I could change to Kaiser Permanente which DOES cover those IV's and I got the RA under control.

My girlfriend got pregnant after this nightmare started and she was scared to death that our baby would face the same fate. She made the choice (THE SAME CHOICE YOU AND YOUR WIFE MADE THAT YOU WANT TO DENY EVERYONE ELSE) to abort after testing indicated the child had a birth defect.

Rick Santorum, you're a fake. You're a phony. You're a bigot. You're a repressed sexual pervert. And you're going to get deservedly whacked by the sane people of New Hampshire!

[Brickbat]

77. You and your son are in my thoughts.

I hope it goes smoothly for you in the coming years.

Having said that, I hate to put this here, but I object to your use of the term "tard" in this context. It wasn't allowed at DU2; because it is a hurtful slur, I object to it here.

[tpsbmam]

79. As an obviously caring parent and person,

I'd ask you to cut the use of "retard" and "tard" out of your vocabulary. It's used with derision and it hurts people who do have cognitive challenges clinically known as "mental retardation."

There's a wonderful website & movement: "The R word. Spread the word to end the word."


"The R-word is the word 'retard(ed)'. Why does it hurt? The R-word hurts because it is exclusive. It’s offensive. It’s derogatory. The R-word is hate speech. See why supporters think the R-Word is hurtful when used in jokes or as part of everyday speech. " More at the website linked here.

Just as you so beautifully stand up for your son, I stand up for the many patients I've had who have intellectual challenges and ask that you and everyone cuts out that hurtful "r-word," with "tard" as equally offensive as the whole word when it's used in a derogatory manner.

Bless you and your son! I hope that the sickos in this country (primarily Republican) don't ever get the chance to, once again, make it impossible for those of us with preexisting conditions and serious illnesses to get the medical treatment we need.

[Ms. Toad]

86. I would be very surprised

if cancer disappears as a pre-existing condition - ever.

We can 't get health insurance on our own - but I've had to fill out numerous applications at work each time we change carriers. Try being headed for a liver transplant (or possibly multiple liver transplants) at a cost of around a half million each (not to mention ongoing anti-rejection meds) & having a second disease since she was 4 that (at the moment) is associated with a 25% risk of colon cancer, and smaller risks of liver, pancreatic, or bladder cancer - and having another family member in the early stages of Alzheimers. We must have been really, really bad. But - I digress. Some questions are time limited; I don't believe cancer is on any of the applications we've filled out.

But yeah, Santorum's statements are unconscionable - particularly since he has had two children born with pre-existing conditions (trisomy 18 and a urinary tract blockage).

[olegramps]

121. I can only hope that your child continues to be well.

It never ceases to amaze me how sanctimonious people like Santorum have a heart as cold as an Arctic Night. I have come to the conclusion that they actually delight in other people's misery. I only wish that people were more aware of his involvement with the secret Opus Dei cult that has invaded the top echelons of government and commerce with their stated intention of imposing their corrupt value system on all of society. Two if not three members of the Supreme Court are suspected of belonging to Opus Dei. Santorum addressed the this group in Rome and Gingrich may be also be a newly recruited member. Due to the secrecy of the cult, it is difficult to expose them.

[Skittles]

142. wow

bpj62, this post deserves its own thread.

[noiretextatique]

147. his comment was both ignorant and heartless

not to mention offensive beyond belief. glad your son is doing well

[sellitman]

7. I had to rec

This stuff is too stupid to ignore. How could anyone vote for this Moran?

[rurallib]

13. gives you an idea just how incredibly stupid his followers are.

[Deep13]

9. Jesus refused to cure the sick because they could not pay him, right? nt

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

10. I didn't know cancer was caused by 'poor health care choices'

Alert the NIH! Rick Santorum has solved the problem of cancer!

Of course, that doesn't make much sense to my Dad (died of brain cancer at 51), my two sisters (diagnosed with breast cancer five years ago -- both are in remission, thank God), and me, who had prostate cancer at 59. While none of us are Olympians, we take care of ourselves. Clearly, under Dr. Santorum's diagnosis our cancers were due to poor health care choices.

God, these guys are idiots. Notwithstanding my long held reluctance to wish ill of another person, I wish that each of these Repukes would experience every single horrible thing they are espousing -- try to live on Social Security alone, watch your loved one suffer horribly because they 'made poor health care choices" and have no medical insurance, wake up one morning to find they are gay, and no matter how many Christian workshops they go to the desire to listen to Barbra Steisand albums won't go away (sorry for the stereotype, guys).

Listening to Repugs talk is like walking through an alligator-infested swamp -- except the alligators will leave you alone if they're not hungry. These guys kill because they like it.

[i was a cathar]

21. So...in all due respect

do you believe that cancer just falls from the sky? You had your father pass away at a relatively young age. I have heard that brain cancer has sky-rocketed since cell phones became big. Do you see any connection in that regard? And breast cancer is hitting younger and younger women: is that just by chance?

I believe that the vast majority of dis-ease is due to "choices" (although calling environmental toxins a choice is quite a stretch). Having said that, I ALSO BELIEVE IN SINGLE-PAYER!!!!

[diane in sf]

30. We swim in a sea of toxins, not of our own choice, people have unfortunate genetics, did they chose

to be born in this time with these genes? Maybe, in certain belief systems, but that information is not available in our normal, conscious state.

You can eat healthily (by whose definition?), exercise, etc.and your neighbors may use dryer sheets with cancer causing chemicals--that you end up marinating in like second hand smoke.

The auto industry and gasoline companies may delay the introduction of plug in autos so you are breathing exhaust most of your life.

You may be a poor person living in an unelectrified part of the world and die early from the smoke and kerosene fumes you use to light and heat.

I'm glad you at least believe in single payer.

[PA Democrat]

39. You seem to have all of the answers.

Better hope that life doesn't prove you wrong.

[sarcasmo]

53. Sounds like you might be voting for Santorum.

[crim son]

54. If there is indeed a connection between cell phones and cancer,

why do some get cancer and others do not? How do we know when we are making the wrong choice? It isn't always so obvious as it is in the case of cigarettes. Sometimes entire communities suffer from high cancer rates because of an environmental factor beyond their personal control. Bad choice, or really shitty luck? I'm sort of glad you aren't the one deciding, and I sure as hell don't want Santorum to have anything to do with such a decision.

[Jennicut]

58. I have type 1 diabetes. There sometimes really is no reason why people get cancer or auto immune

diseases. I wasn't obese. I didn't eat tons of sugar all the time. It really bothers me when people blame me or others for a medical condition. Its sickening really.

[whathehell]

74. Don't you have a Republic to Free?

[tavalon]

116. In case you're confused, this is a bash frothy Man on Dog

He's wrong and he's a jerk. He says nothing of worth and even less sense. You have exactly zero chance of convincing us of anything about Santorum but you do have a fair chance of convincing us of things about you. They can be hard to live down, ya know?

[The Straight Story]

119. In that regards, what illness would not be preventable? Going to work/school exposes you to things

Ever ride in Ambulance? According to the state of CA ambulances contain materials known to cause cancer (sticker is on passenger side window).

[Skittles]

143. so - what exactly are the women doing to get breast cancer??

go on, this should be good

[tavalon]

144. It might be the aluminum in the antiperspirant

Or eating a little too much or not having enough babies and not breastfeeding them a lot. We have lots of theories, but none of them are actually the "fault" of the person who gets the breast cancer, but you, unlike Santorum, actually have a clue and a bit of compassion to go with.

[Deep13]

101. It can be, but so what?

It don't care if a person has lung cancer because he smoked for forty years. It is still grossly immoral to deny that person healthcare. Hell, if nothing else, those who got rich off that person's self-destructive habit out to write a check.

[i was a cathar]

11. Huh? I am still translating that headline...

"Sick to blame...?"

[napkinz]

14. let's be clear ...

[Joe Bacon]

59. Oh, if only someone had a custard pie...

It'd be worth it to see Santorum whacked with a pie. Might wipe the smirk of that snot's face!

[WingDinger]

16. Bad things happen to bad people. So, interfering with those bad things, is playing God. Says hypocri

hypocrite.

[newspeak]

134. actually, I see that some people who do very evil things

tend to live longer-kissinger, poppy.

[noiretextatique]

149. "just world" fallacy

aka republiconism

[Iliyah]

17. Whoa, Christianity at its best

NOT

These goppers are not Christians, they are devil worshippers that use the Bible as a cover to carry out their evils ways and have brain washed the so called evangelists.

[handmade34]

132. CHINO's

CHristian in Name Only

[WingDinger]

19. The right wing wants to judge who should be helped. The ultimate solution. Just like gassing J#ws

only they pay for their own burial.

[yardwork]

20. But not his own daughter. He believes that she deserves special consideration.

Santorum is on record as saying that under "socialism" his daughter, who has a genetic disorder, would be "allowed to die" because "socialized medicine" doesn't care for "people like her." (Which is a lie.)

So I guess that other people's children should die, but not his own family. What a psychopath Santorum is.

[crim son]

55. What about his wife's failed pregnancy, that ended with abortion?

What crappy choice did she make that resulted in her miscarriage?

It is beyond understanding, how illogical, inconsistent and plain old nasty some people are. Santorum is one of those people. The fact that he claims to be a Christian makes me want to barf.

[whathehell]

75. Good one...He's a complete and utter Asshat, not to insult Asshats.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

66. I don't get what he's talking about

We don't have "socialized medicine" in this country (yet) and is he really saying that Canada, the UK, and pretty much every western Europe countries refuse to treat genetic disorders?

[yardwork]

96. Yes. See link below.

http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/758876/rick_santorum%27s_top_10_most_outrageous_campaign_statements/#paragraph3

8) HEALTH REFORM WILL KILL MY CHILD: Santorum, who claims that Obamacare motivated him to run for president, told reporters in April that his daughter Bella — who was born with a genetic abnormality — wouldn’t survive in a country with “socialized medicine.” “Children like Bella are not given the treatment that other children are given.”

[PA Democrat]

131. Santorum also claims that after he lost his Senate seat he had to buy insurance for his family

on the open market.

Something smells really fishy about that claim. Even if he were able to find a company that would issue a policy to a family with a child with a very serious health problem, they would not cover any treatment for at least a YEAR. Remember this was prior to the HCR bill's restriction on pre-existing condition limits for children.

Timeline:

Jan 2007- Santorum leaves the Senate after losing his reelection bid to Bob Casey
Jul 2008- Santorum loses COBRA coverage


So how do you buy an individual policy in July 2008 (this is pre-HCR) to cover a family with a child with a fatal disease? If you are lucky enough to get coverage, and lucky enough to be able to afford the premiums, the fact is that the policy would not cover treatment for the pre-existing condition for at least a year.

The only way around it would be if Santorum were able to buy into a group plan through a business of his own or through another employer. But the way Santorum explained it in the article below, it sounded like they were shopping for an individual policy.

http://www.onepennysheet.com/2011/12/rick-santorum-defends-health-insurance-companies/

“We have a child who has a pre-existing condition and we went out and we said, we like this plan,” Santorum said, according to ThinkProgress. “We have to pay more because she has a pre-existing condition. Well, we should pay more. She’s going to be very expensive to the insurance company and, you know, that cost is passed along to us… I’m okay with that.”

It doesn't ring true, although maybe if your name is Rick Santorum and you are a paid mouthpiece for the health insurance industry, you can get a "special" deal.

[yardwork]

148. Santorum did have an employer who was a health care provider at that time. A criminal enterprise.

I have to run now, so I'll find a link and post it later. Santorum worked for a "hospital" company that has closed now amid accusations of performing exorcisms on autistic children, etc. He was deep into very fishy things. That's probably where he got healthcare coverage for his family. It was probably a benefit, and not bought on the open market. Another lie by Santorum.

[slay]

24. This is why we need universal health care - so assholes like Santorum can't prey on the sick

what a fucking scumbag. we need to end pro-profit healthcare ASAP. nationalize the banks, energy, and healthcare - that is a path to a sustainable future.

[Vinca]

34. I swear my blood pressure spiked about a hundred points when I heard this story.

Santorum has to be the biggest asshole in the race.

[coalition_unwilling]

47. I think he and Romney have tied for 'biggest asshole". Check out

what Romney did to his family dog:

~snip

The incident: dog excrement found on the roof and windows of the Romney station wagon. How it got there: Romney strapped a dog carrier — with the family dog Seamus, an Irish Setter, in it — to the roof of the family station wagon for a twelve hour drive from Boston to Ontario, which the family apparently completed, despite Seamus's rather visceral protest.

~snip

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1638065,00.html

As my wife says, all you need to know about how Romney would treat us is to look at how he treated his dog.

[noiretextatique]

150. Dogs Against Romney

http://www.facebook.com/DogsAgainstRomney

[coalition_unwilling]

151. Thanks for the link. Just liked it. - n/t

[noiretextatique]

152. welcome nt

[Justice wanted]

40. You know I hope moveon.org or some one does an ad with Santorum town hall meeting words

and Alan Grayson on the Senate floor doing his speech on how Republicans was people to die. Die sooner.

Anyone remember that speech. talk about a powerful ad.

[NancyRamirez]

42. WTF

Is there any way these idiots can just can it now? We get it, they're evil twats, they don't have to sell it so hard.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

44. Sanitory is unfeeling

[Warpy]

45. He really thinks sickness is a CONSUMER CHOICE?

Hey, dimwit! If that were the case, no working class person would ever have anything more serious than the common cold, treatable with over the counter stuff. The rich, of course, would cling to the complicated diseases that make them need multi organ transplants, befitting their exalted financial and social status.

I sure as hell didn't CHOOSE to get sick with a painful and occasionally fatal illness at the age of 13, nor was there a way for me to prepare for it financially.

This heartless bastard really needs to have his nose rubbed firmly in that book he's always claiming he lives his life by. Everything out of his selfish and cruel little mouth makes baby Jesus weep.

[TheKentuckian]

48. What an evil piece of worm ridden filth. I think old Ricky is breathing my sure.

[Jennicut]

51. Yeah, having my pancreas crap out on me is my fault. Thanks Rick.

What an asshole. I have type 1 diabetes, a pre-existing condition. Thankfully, I have insurance through my husband. If he lost his job or something were to happen to him I would be screwed. Many times you have to wait one year before you are covered if you have a pre-existing condition and you are newly covered. One year. I pay over $100 WITH insurance for insulin and test strips. I won't even get an insulin pump because insurance barely pays for it. Total utter crap that came from this man's mouth. I did nothing health wise to get my my immune system to attack my beta cells in my pancreas. When I got diabetes, I was overall a fairly healthy 29 year old (you can get type 1 well into adulthood too). What about children born with type 1 diabetes? Were they making poor health choices as fetuses? Fuck off, Rick Santorum.

[catrose]

114. And my husband did exactly what his doctor told him to do

To prevent heart disease and ended up with Type II diabetes. He wasn't overweight, he ran and rode a bike hundreds of miles each year--and ate the "heart healthy" diet of low fat, high carb. Back then, the doctors didn't recognize Syndrome X. And his pancreas crapped out from the overload. So his poor lifestyle choice was...um...following doctor's instructions?

[Jennicut]

154. I know. I have heard of Syndrome X.

I am sorry your husband had to go through that. I am tested every few months (cholesterol, triglycerides, etc.) and told to follow a heart healthy diet too. Sometimes our bodies just turn against us. To say that people have complete control over all health issues is a load of crap.

[mainstreetonce]

60. I wonder

What poor choices did his special needs child make?

[AtheistCrusader]

61. Thanks for the solid argument in favor of Single Payer, frothy.

[williesgirl]

63. He is a fucking cretin and deserves to rot in hell where he belongs.

[marmar]

64. I was going to call him a pile of mierda......

But a pile of mierda has some usefulness.

[tpsbmam]

67. Yeah, right....poor choices caused my multiple sclerosis......riiiiiiight, asshole

And there's no way in hell I should be able to treat it, right? That is, unless I'm rich.

The words "fuck you" were meant for just such an occasion and for just such a totally bigoted, elitist moron.

So, Santorum, FUCK YOU!

[spanone]

70. heartless. i watched him say this. not a shred of compassion. fuck the sick. it's their fault.

keep talking rick. america doesn't like heartless.

[Ecumenist]

72. Wha da fuck??!! You know my mother used to say that noone knows

you're ignorant as long as you don't open your mouth and let people know you are. This man is shooting himself in the foot with a machine gun.

[eyewall]

82. My family has all died of cancer,

except my brother and myself. My brother however has terminal lung cancer and is not expected to make it another few months so I got him to move in with us. He's not burdening the poor insurance companies with actual medical expenses. He intends to just die without racking up hundreds of thousands in debt he would obviously default on.

As far as bad health choices, one of the worst is to live in the USA

How is a major illness anyone's fault, how is it that "health" insurance companies can deny health care to their own insureds and to the public who have no other way to pay for medical care, and for god's sake how does a fucking (<-- word) douchebag like Santorum stay in the presidential race after all he's said?

Republicans are the biggest fools on the face of the earth.

[sivansanabliss]

130. How can you say that we have nothing whatsoever to do with dis-ease?

It's simply false. Having said that, it doesn't mean that I don't support single-payer! I don't care if your brother got cancer from smoking five packs of cigs a day or if someone shot up heroin for ten years and have all kinds of illnesses as a result. I believe that in a developed country like ours, with all the wealth and facilities that we possess, it is CRIMINAL to allow anyone to live in the streets, go hungry, or suffer from poor health, REGARDLESS of whatever choices they made!

[greymattermom]

84. what did his wife go

to get the infection that killed their baby.

[Dont call me Shirley]

85. Sanitorium needs to stop supporting the rich polluters

who are the major causers of cancer. They are the ones who should pay for our national health care, especially when cancer and auto-immune diseases are involved.

[backscatter712]

87. I will admit his proclivity for sticking his foot in his mouth is great entertainment!

[Canuckistanian]

90. Do you ever get this urge?

I mean the urge to post a long message, detailing EXACTLY how wrong, how excruciatingly fucked-up some conservative's statement is.

Then you realize that it's pointless. This is one of those times.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

98. I know that feeling well

Sometimes, the statements and actions of people like Santorum make me so mad that I'm rendered incoherent.

[Snarkoleptic]

95. Sounds a lot like he's endorsing an actuarial death-panel.

Jacking premiums on any sub-group within the risk pool would doubtless make coverage unaffordable to some.
Mebbe he could lobby for unaffordable healthcare as Santorumcare among the 'compassionate conservative' base.

[muntrv]

99. Another reminder that the pukes are pro-fetus, not pro-life.

[47of74]

103. damn right

[Deep13]

102. Santorum hates the poor, the sick, and anyone who does not fit his norm...

...which somehow includes women.

[47of74]

104. Up yours, Santorum

[MrScorpio]

106. Jeezus Keryst, Santorum!

What a heartless fool.

[mikekohr]

127. Jesus weeps. nt

[ohheckyeah]

108. Santorum couldn't afford insurance

if being an asshole was a pre-existing condition.

[Zoeisright]

109. So why doesn't someone like inSanitorium get cancer?

That, after all, would be karma.

I hate that sick fuck.

[AllyCat]

111. And this man is considered a frontrunner for the highest office in the land?

People really need to open their eyes. Although I suspect this woman's eyes were opened really wide.

[workinclasszero]

112. Republicans are pure scum

They would sell their own mothers into slavery to make a buck then put on a big religious show every Sunday at church to show what great Christians they are!(AREN'T!)

[tavalon]

115. He doesn't even have to try to be an asshole

He's a natural. Just, remember, he's obsessed with dogs so keep fido away from him!

[KrazyinKS]

117. Sick people should pay more?

That argument could be used for people with a lot of kids. Maybe they should pay more in property taxes because they are a strain on the public school system. If they discourage birth control for others, then they should pay more to help educate those people. Their own health care costs should go up because they are responsible for the health and education of others that no longer have access to basic health care and birth control. If you are going to make decisions for others then you are responsible for the consequences of that decision.

[Turbineguy]

118. That's right. We need a guy in the White House who doesn't even understand how insurance works.

How did this buffoon get elected to the Senate? Do voters in PA have to fail an intelligence test to register?

[The Wizard]

126. In fairness to Pennsylvania voters

the douchebag was defeated by 18 points the last time he ran.

[geckosfeet]

120. What an a$$hole. They DO pay more. More doctors visits.

More co-pays. More gas for doctors and pharmacy trips. More drugs. Specialized clothing, furniture and prosthetics. Hospitalization. Loss of work. And a host of other expenses associated with being seriously ill.

What an ignorant pig.

[madrchsod]

122. gee that`s a really good way to make friends and influence people....

he really is an asshole

[paparush]

124. The Masks are really coming off.

Revealing these evil, greed-driven bastards.

Is this playing at all on the M$M. (stop laughing!)

[The Wizard]

125. The sound in the distance is

the crashing of thoughts inside the heads of the Ayn Rand sycophants. Rand, the shaman of conservative morals, applied for Medicare under an assumed name when she discovered she had cancer. Rand was a chain smoking methamphetamine abuser.
No one cares what Republicans have to say unless they're under oath, and no believes them even if they are under oath. Lying is in their DNA. Ignorance is their bedrock.

[Corruption Winz]

135. This guy..... is a real winner.

I bet he just hates sick black people.

Of course what he's saying is so true. If health insurance is more affordable, obviously less people will be on it. That's exactly how it works.

[JustAnotherGen]

138. I'm 100% Rick Santorum on that. . .

But in my Dream of Medicare for All - those with pre-existing conditions would be welcome.

Let the 'elite' pay a higher rate so they can feel 'rich' when they realize their hemorrhoids are a 'pre-existing' condition. The rest of us - if we could buy into Medicare via our taxes - could just thumb our nose at Santorum's Little Dream World. Let him have it.

Give me Medicare for All in Return.

[benld74]

139. Stupid is as stupid does,,,,

[rocktivity]

145. Was parenting a child at the age of fifty a good health choice, Ricky

especially since a previous pregnancy nearly killed your wife? Or was it okay because you had the money?


rocktivity

[cstanleytech]

146. So Santorum "does" support the GOP Heathcare plan of Die Quickly, how interesting.

[gtar100]

153. Another right-wing fucker who wants to get off cheap.

They are all so short-sighted. Can't stand the reality of our situation and can't understand the effects of poverty. He can't get away with saying he doesn't want to pay a single penny into health care insurance for everyone so he has to put it like this. If he could get away without paying anything, he would. And he calls himself a Christian. What an asshole.