I've been seeing this bit in a few places, but haven't really had a chance to tear in to it until now. Way back on January 3, Bill Sloat's Bellwether had the story that seemed rather fishy to me even when it first appeared.The occassion which makes this commentary possible today is a piece by Jessica Wehrman in the Dayton Daily News that lays out the issue in detail.
Democratic congressional candidate Victoria Wulsin is the latest in a long line of politicians to vow to reject the congressional health care plan if elected in November.What makes this story interesting is the exchange between Wulsin and political commentator Stu Rothenberg:
It's a trail blazed by notables including Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown and Gov. Ted Strickland. Both had minimal health insurance for much of their House careers.
During most of his House career, Brown paid into a COBRA plan — a type of insurance for individuals who have lost health coverage because of certain conditions including unemployment. He finally backed down when he got married and his wife decided better health care was appropriate for a 50-something man.
Strickland and his wife, Frances, also paid out of pocket for their health care, arguing it was wrong for them to accept a subsidized federal program while so many constituents went without even minimal health care.
Wulsin, who is running for Ohio's 2nd congressional seat, is covered by her husband's plan at the University of Cincinnati, a publicly funded school that subsidizes a significant part of her health care.
"This ad suggests that somehow you're putting yourself with the average person who doesn't have health care and you're not going to accept good health care," he said. "In fact, the current health care plan you have is as good if not better than the congressional plan, no?" he asked.So, we see it revealed that Wulsin is engaging in pathetic pandering with her "symbolic move" that has no real impact on her life. All of which leaves this poli-blogger asking, "Well, if she is willing to pander on an issue as important to her as healthcare, just what else is she willing to pander on with 'symbolic moves'?"
Wulsin's campaign manager replied that it was a "symbolic move," aimed at showing solidarity with her constituents.
"Wouldn't really showing solidarity be not having health insurance? Isn't that the obvious parallel action?" Rothenberg replied.
"That's interesting ... I might have to consider that," Wulsin said, adding that she might consider dropping her health plan even though "I want to stay healthy."
Vic Wulsin is nothing more than just another Democrat millionaire out to pander with class warfare shell game politics. She does not, and will never, feel your pain; on that you can safely bet the bank.
