Let me get this straight: House Democrats are pissing on the health care plan by letting fucking Bart Stupid Stupak (D-Mich.) whip the shit out of the bill because it currently allows for abortions in certain circumstances, but THIS IS FUCKING OKAY?!
Backed by some of the most powerful members of the Senate, a little-noticed provision in the healthcare overhaul bill would require insurers to consider covering Christian Science prayer treatments as medical expenses.
The provision was inserted by Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R- Utah) with the support of Democratic Sens. John F. Kerry and the late Edward M. Kennedy -- both of Massachusetts, home to the headquarters of the Church of Christ, Scientist.
so THIS is what constitutes "bipartisanship": screwing over women AGAIN, but allowing for bogus religious shit. Fuck Republicans. Fuck Democrats. Fuck 'em all.
Wait a minute ...
Christian Scientists BUY prayers?
Is there a pay scale for prayers for different purposes?
How can I get in on this money maker?
Posted by: karen marie | November 03, 2009 at 12:04 AM
It's the Democratic Party Tradition: If you can't please everyone, just aren't trying hard enough.
Posted by: Max | November 03, 2009 at 12:16 AM
and it goes without saying that when the child abusers whose children die from lack of care try to blame their neglect on religion, they will be identified as Democrats on Fox News.
I mean, seriously. Forget about whether or not this conduct should be funded- these people should be tazered and then forcibly sterilized.
Posted by: tekel | November 03, 2009 at 12:37 AM
The Christian Science Sky Fairy scam has inserted its bunkum and horseshit into many state laws. Here, for example, is RCW 9A.42.005, State of Washington:
"RCW 9A.42.005
Findings and intent — Christian Science treatment — Rules of evidence.
"The legislature finds that there is a significant need to protect children and dependent persons, including frail elder and vulnerable adults, from abuse and neglect by their parents, by persons entrusted with their physical custody, or by persons employed to provide them with the basic necessities of life. The legislature further finds that such abuse and neglect often takes the forms of either withholding from them the basic necessities of life, including food, water, shelter, clothing, and health care, or abandoning them, or both. Therefore, it is the intent of the legislature that criminal penalties be imposed on those guilty of such abuse or neglect. It is the intent of the legislature that a person who, in good faith, is furnished Christian Science treatment by a duly accredited Christian Science practitioner in lieu of medical care is not considered deprived of medically necessary health care or abandoned. Prosecutions under this chapter shall be consistent with the rules of evidence, including hearsay, under law.
[1997 c 392 § 507.]"
Understand that? If you use xtian "science" prayer instead of medical treatments for your child's ruptured appendix (e.g.), and your child dies, you would not be accused of child abuse or neglect. Note that only xtian science is spelled out in this RCW. Wonder how other Sky Fluff Fairy practitioners feel about being left out of state law.
They have a great lobby, obviously. Check your own state laws and see if the xtian science lobby has been successful. Chances are they have. Stealth.
Posted by: lea-p | November 03, 2009 at 12:40 AM
And just to be clear, I live in Oregon, a state where Carl and Raylene Worthington just faith-healed their second child into the grave, and were (mostly) let off the hook by an Oregon jury.
Maybe I can believe that once is a mistake. But twice is murder.
Posted by: tekel | November 03, 2009 at 12:43 AM
Where I come from, there were a LOT of Xtian Scientists. Their "practitioners" were not supposed to take money. Times change, and in this case, not for the better...
Posted by: Mrs. Tarquin Biscuitbarrel | November 03, 2009 at 07:43 AM
i want to cry. really
Posted by: a rose is a rose | November 03, 2009 at 08:02 AM
My stupid fucking congresscritter Lamar Smith is a stupid fucking Christian Scientististist.
Posted by: War On War Off | November 03, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Are we getting the stomach for an armed but hopefully violence free revolution yet? The guns are just to show the seriousness of the intent.
Posted by: Capt. Bat Guano | November 03, 2009 at 10:18 AM
There is a new pandemic. It will get a fancy new nickname, because it will effect us all and it will be blamed on some farm animal people eat to kill themselves in a selective, self hating way.
The just is that the government has majorities everywhere, but can't act because they still don't believe that acting is the right thing. The party has become one of complete confusion. They listen to John Kerry who could put a brick to sleep like Keith Maniac. Or their friends and respected colleagues across the aisle who would use the brick to put someone to sleep instead.
You are right, they are the worst kind of people there are. The kind that have forgotten what it means to be people, if they ever knew.
We need to drag our representatives kicking and screaming into a job they don't want to do. We might get representation that way. It would have to be better than what we have. christian scientist, what a laugh. They named their company that before anyone realized it was an oxymoron. They can't go back though, they have principles to uphold.
Posted by: oldtree | November 03, 2009 at 11:04 AM
Wait a minute ...
Christian Scientists BUY prayers?
That's the first thing that hit me too. Hey, I grew up Catholic, and they always found a way to wring a few bucks out of you every now and again - but the prayers? Espeically when you were sick? Those were freebies.
Posted by: dan mcenroe | November 03, 2009 at 11:20 AM
Well, here's another piece of idiocy: The Repugs and right-wing Democrats don't want any abortion, right? BUT they are also howling about the cost of covering Americans for their healthcare. Seems to me that preventing more Americans from being born would be the ultimate cost-saver, but who am I?
Yeah, fuck 'em all. Complete out-of-touch, bought and paid for douchewads.
Posted by: mothra | November 03, 2009 at 12:04 PM
religion is evil.
Posted by: pansypoo | November 03, 2009 at 04:58 PM
Anyone who still thinks elections, voting, and the government are working on our behalf is seriously deluded. We're on our way out as a species, so don't be distracted by the details: humanity is too dumb to survive. Democrats, Republicans - it makes no difference to corporate Amerikkka who's running the show.
Enjoy the ride down and out to oblivion.
Posted by: Tom | November 04, 2009 at 06:53 AM
Mothra, those "howling about the cost" of healthcare aren't too keen on birth control, either. Abstinence, that's the ticket, say they.
Posted by: Mrs. Tarquin Biscuitbarrel | November 04, 2009 at 11:16 AM
would require insurers to *consider*??
What?
Posted by: agave | November 04, 2009 at 01:38 PM
If anyone thinks Politicians (left,right or middle) are here to help you -- you are mistaken. Politicians are in politics for money and power and they craft their positions not based on any conviction, but based on the goal of not alienating too many people. Pick a stance that gets you the most votes so you can stay in power...
The fact is that now our society and all the "issues" that politicians have put on the table have become so complex that the average citizen can't possibly know all that needs to be known to make informed decisions about what should be supported. The only way voters/citizens can possibly take back power is to get together and start voting out incumbents every single election -- don't allow career politicians. Lets just accept the fact that the political parties as established are not representative of society at large and lets agree that these out of touch idiots need to be turned over regularly. As voters (not democrats, not rebublicans, not liberatarias), we can simply say, as was so eloquently stated above, "F*ck 'em all", to our elected representatives and hire new ones every term.
Posted by: Brien Boswell | December 15, 2009 at 10:40 AM