Congress: Disdainful and Greedy?

In early June, The New York Times reported in an article that according to financial records from members of Congress, many of the lawmakers hold investments in insurance, pharmaceutical and prescription-benefit companies and in hospital interests.

This puts an interesting twist on the reasons why members of Congress oppose Obama’s health care bill. Do they truly feel that it would put a strain on the economy? Or are their motives biased?

Some argued that the bill would subsidize abortion. Are our congressional leaders so worried about retaining their money that they would viciously cling to their $100 bills and oppose beneficial reform? Instead of worrying about misrepresentation or intentional deception, things that are very costly to the health care system, these members are narrowly focusing their arguments to highly controversial topics.

When are the leaders of this country going to stop the institutional combat within their party lines and focus on the growth of the country as a whole?

This brings me to another topic: income. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the real median income for American households was $50,303 in 2008. That same year, the salaries for the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate were $169,300 for each branch.

Meanwhile, the number of people without health insurance coverage rose from 45.7 million in 2007 to 46.3 million in 2008.

With an increasing poverty rate, an increase in uninsured Americans, and an increase in unemployment, our congressional leaders, who face no financial struggle mind you, are worried that health care reform might pay for abortions. Seriously?

Sinking Politics.

These findings are contained in the report Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States.