Rep. Cantor's "Disconnect" From The American People
In a September 30, 2009 statement, Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA) said the push for a public health insurance option shows that Washington "is just absolutely disconnected with what most families in this country are expecting out of their government." But considering that 65% of Americans support a public option, it seems that Cantor is the one who's "disconnected."
Rep. Cantor Claims Push For Public Option Shows "Disconnect" With American People
Rep. Eric Cantor:
Good morning, there is no doubt when we go home and visit our constituents across this country what we're hearing is the concern, the real concern, as Mike just spoke about, around the kitchen table, about job security, about continued spending at the federal level, about bailouts, about car company takes over and the concern that something is out of control here in Washington and we need to get together and provide some leadership. And you look at the reality on the ground and compare that to what is going on in Washington and there just seems be a real disconnect. All we are hearing now in Washington is the debate about a public option, which way, how can they get to the public option? That is just absolutely disconnected with what most families in this country are expecting out of their government. [Cantor statement, 9/30/09; emphasis added]
65% Of Americans Want A Public Option
65% Of Americans Support The Public Option. According to a recent New York Times/CBS News poll, 65% of Americans favor "the government offering a government administered health insurance plan - something like the Medicare coverage that people 65 and older get - that would compete with private health insurance plans." Only 26% of respondents said they were opposed to such an option. [New York Times/CBS News poll, 9/19-23/09]
