Mary Jo Wilhelm of Cresco nails Branstad!

[rurallib]

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad continues to block Medicaid expansion, while making fun of Iowans living without health insurance.

On March 12, State Senator Mary Jo Wilhelm of Cresco called him out for his dismissive attitude towards working Iowans.

Here's where she starts her personal story in video shot during Senate debate:

Let me tell you the story of one of these people.

This is someone I know very, very well.

As a young woman in her mid-twenties, she was going through a difficult time. She was getting divorced, and she didn’t have much money.

She lived in a small Iowa town. No matter how hard she tried, the only job she could find was a part time job.

She was able to make ends meet, but just barely. After paying for rent, gas, and groceries, there was nothing left.

Governor, like many part time and full time Iowa jobs, her job did not include health insurance.

Now this young woman developed a medical problem.

It was a painful, painful problem. Repeated doctor visits, visits she paid for out of pocket, did not solve the problem. She needed to have an operation.

That operation was going to cost $3,000. That’s a good chunk of money now, and it was a whole lot more back then.

Governor Branstad, this young woman put off having that operation. She lived and worked in the pain for several, difficult months.

Finally, she was able save up enough money to afford the operation and her recovery went well, she got a full time job, she remarried, she had children, and eventually, she was elected to the Iowa Senate.

Yes, Governor Branstad, I was one of those people you feel so free to laugh about. Some poor shlump living without health insurance.

Guess what, Governor, there are tens of thousands of Mary Jo Wilhelms in Iowa right now, living without health insurance. Each with their own story.

Some are in their 20’s, some in their 40’s. Many of them are taking care of children. Most of them are working. Some have several jobs and still can’t afford health insurance.

Governor Branstad, instead of talking about free bars, cash bars, the failure of politicians in Washington DC, let’s talk about Iowans.

Iowans that deserve to have access to affordable health care.

You are the Governor of Iowa. Act like it.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/03/13/1193801/-Iowa-Senator-I-was-some-poor-slump-without-health-insurance

[Bluzmann57]

1. The only problem is that branstad doesn't care

He probably thinks that Ms. Wilhelm was (is) some kind of loser who deserved what she got. She didn't draw two salaries and she isn't backed by the huge money of the koch's and co.

[rurallib]

2. Brandstad does care about pleasing the Kochs and ALEC

[47of74]

3. We need to get strong Democrats...

In both the Governor's office and in the Legislature next year. Hard, pipe hitting Democrats who will stand up to the Koch brothers and their ilk.

[rurallib]

4. be ready to fight hard - Branstad has never been beaten

snd you have to admit he is one hell of a campaigner

[47of74]

5. Well, it's time to find someone who can campaign just as hard as him