tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769659900634709753.post-59765441480951398472007-10-26T23:51:00.000-05:002007-10-26T23:51:00.000-05:002007-10-26T23:51:00.000-05:00First of all, let me tell you that Hayes is one of the only republicans that uses the tobacco industry as an excuse for not voting for SCHIP. All other republicans don't like SCHIP because they hate that "evil communist" universal health care and they think SCHIP is a step towards that. They seem to forget that every single other "western civilized" country in this whole world has some form of universal health care. So either they're all a bunch of communists or that argument is a bunch of baloney.<BR/>But universal health care is a whole other discussion.<BR/>So even if Hayes switched his vote we would still not get SCHIP approved, thanks to the republican party.<BR/><BR/>Now on to your comments.<BR/><BR/><I>"Why should a few states or a handful of smokers carry the burden for this or any program??"</I><BR/><BR/>A handful of smokers? About <B>44.5 million</B> adults smoked cigarettes in 2005.<BR/>When it comes to kids,about 1 in 3 male high school students (32%) and 1 in 4 female high school students (25%) used some type of tobacco in 2005.<BR/><BR/>They were other congressmen from North Carolina who had problems with the way this expansion of SCHIP would be funded, but they were smart enough to see what was more important, tobacco industry or health care for kids.<BR/><BR/>One example of such a congressman is conservative Democrat Mike McIntyre of North Carolina's 7th District. He originally voted against SCHIP but <A HREF="http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/nc07_mcintyre/pr_071015_schip.html" REL="nofollow">decided not to follow President Bush</A> and his veto.<BR/><BR/>Congressman McIntyre stated, “As a long-time advocate for children for over 25 years, and as one who has consistently supported family health issues, I will not support President Bush’s veto of the SCHIP bill, and I will vote to override his veto. My objection to the method of funding for this bill and my support of North Carolina’s farmers and the economic well-being of our communities are well-known, but I have always supported the SCHIP program and will do what is necessary to preserve it for the sake of children and families in need. As Chairman of the Agriculture Subcommittee that oversees tobacco, I will also continue to do all that I can to support our farmers and our region’s economy. That commitment has not changed with this vote for our children.”<BR/><BR/>If Congressman McIntyre seems to believe he can vote for SCHIP and still support tobacco farmers in other ways, why can't Robin Hayes?Thierry Wernaershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425107349559674853noreply@blogger.com