Blue Dogs are Extremists

Blue Dogs are Extremists

It is apparent that the medical-insurance-drug complex owns our government. America spends twice as much per capita on healthcare as other developed nations, yet fails to cover one-sixth of our population. We currently spend $2.4 trillion annually, and around $800 billion derives from waste for private health insurance bureaucracies. Why does America sustain such a corrupt, inefficient system?

It is because superwealthy owners of medical corporations wish to maintain massive profits. Their racket functions by pocketing “conservative” politicians through funding their multi-million dollar campaigns. Most Republicans, like John Boozman, are privately owned and will never vote to end the medical complex scam, and “conservative” Democrats are equally problematic.

As economist Paul Krugman recently noted, “Blue Dogs are basically...nothing but corporate tools, defending special interests.” Blue Dogs, particularly our Arkansas delegation, have been leading the fight against public insurance reform. This is unsurprising if one follows the money. Mike Ross, considered a #1 obstacle to reform, has heavy financial ties to insurance and drug companies, as do most “conservatives.”

Recent news reports have been calling Blue Dogs like Mike Ross "moderates" or "centrists," but these labels are misleading the public to believe their positions are mainstream when they are not.

In fact, 72 percent of the nation supports public health insurance, so Republicans and Blue Dogs are radically right of the public. Progressive Democrats like Dennis Kucinich are actually the true moderates most accurately reflecting the public interest.

If Arkansas wants public healthcare reform, among other genuine solutions, voters must reject extremist Blue Dog Republicans in all elections. Please join me in calling for the Democratic Party to field progressive Democratic candidates, or vote Green.