Congressman Tim “the original tea partier” Walberg held a town hall meeting in Saline recently to malign the Affordable Care Act. He lined up a bunch of people, including some business owners, who claim the ACA has harmed them.
During the question and answer session, Milan resident Bill Worzel explained how he now has the ability to start a new business because the Affordable Care Act allows him to have affordable insurance coverage. The ACA is literally allowing him the freedom to begin his new venture. He told Walberg he should be focusing on fixing things in the ACA he doesn’t like rather than spending taxpayer dollars trying to repeal it. “Repealing it when there are things that could be done to fix it is wrong,” he told Walberg.
Walberg’s response has now made national news:
WALBERG: That’s not to say that the ACA has not helped a few people. I’ve met those people. I’ve also met people who are being helped by being subsidized who say, “I never want to be subsidized by the government.”WORZEL: Without that help, my wife wouldn’t be able to have her surgery.
WALBERG: And I appreciate the fact that it works for you… I’m not saying that it hasn’t worked for some people.
Here’s the video:
The fact is, Obamacare “horror stories” largely amount to a number of middle class and wealthy people paying a bit more for their healthcare. Prior to the ACA, health care horror stories involved people dying due to lack of health care coverage. In the coming months, these Obamacare “horror stories” are going to be drowned out by the millions of Obamacare success stories about people who now have access to affordable health care thanks to the ACA.
When Americans hear that “Obamacare” is destroying our country, it doesn’t square with the reality they see around them: more people with health insurance and virtually no discernible impact on their lives or the lives of the people around them.
The closer we get to Election Day, the more people we’ll have getting ACA insurance subsidies and coverage through expanded Medicaid. These stories are far more common and these stories are far more in line with what people see as the proper role of government: to ensure the health and safety of its citizens.
Republicans like Walberg and Terri Lynn Land will likely continue to use Obamacare as a cudgel to beat the Democratic opponents with. Unfortunately for them, as more and more Americans are beginning to realize just how out of touch they are with the reality around them, it’s an inceasingly ineffective argument. In fact, not only do more people already like the ACA than don’t, even in Republican districts, the Affordable Care Act is becoming more and more popular.
ADDING… Walberg’s Democratic opponent, Pam Byrnes actually outraised him last quarter and did it with almost 90% of the donations below $100. This shows tremendous support for Byrnes. In addition, her team is putting together an impressive GOTV ground game. If you’re interested in getting involved, there is a 7th Congressional Organizing Convention this Saturday, May 3rd from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. in Jackson. The event takes place at the Teamsters Local 164 at 3700 Ann Arbor Road in Jackson. Click HERE to RSVP.
For more information, visit the Organizing Convention Facebook page HERE.
