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Subscribe to RSSGov. Rick Perry may face an old political ghost from his tenure as Texas Agriculture Commisioner -- a complimentary letter he wrote in 1993 to then-First Lady Hillary Clinton to urge her to consider the needs of rural residents as she drafted what would later be derided as "Hillarycare."
In the letter, dated April 6, 1993, Perry wrote to Clinton, “I think your efforts in trying to reform the nation’s health care system are most commendable."
He went on to request that the health-care task force consider the unique needs of "farmers, ranchers, and agriculture workers, and other members of rural communities."
Perry campaign strategist Dave Carney told The Daily Caller, which first reported on the letter yesterday, that Perry would not have known the specifics of the policy at the time. "The letter was at the onset of her efforts before she proposed anything," he said. "No one could have imagined the horrible monstrosity she cooked up, in fact, not to be outdone until 'ObamaCare' years later."
It is true that the precise details of the plan were unclear at the time and the process of hashing out the policy was (now infamously) opaque. But some of the broad goals of the legislation were being reported at the same time Perry was penning praise to Clinton.
According to a Los Angles Times report from April 5, 1993, the plan was designed to, in part:
* Guarantee that a uniform package of basic benefits will be available to everyone, although not all the uninsured will get this coverage right away. Among the basic benefits would be hospital and doctor services, including mental health care, and some prescription drug coverage.
* Create a standardized insurance form and bar insurers from refusing to cover people with pre-existing medical conditions, in order to enable people to change jobs-and insurers-without fear of losing coverage.
* Enact tort reforms to reduce medical malpractice litigation.
* Impose a price freeze on private-sector medical providers while the system of cooperatives is phased in, a process that could take three to five years.
* Phase in a requirement for employers to provide workers with health insurance, with government subsidies to help the smaller businesses.
Several of those objectives, including the mandate that employers provide health care for workers and the guarantee of universal benefits to everyone regardless of pre-existing conditions, are now objectionable to conservatives like Perry, who has said he wants to use an executive order to dismantle "Obamacare."
Asked if Perry would have considered "commendable" those goals, which were public at the time that Perry praised Clinton, Carney told NBC News that while "insiders" were speculating about the details, Perry was simply raising concerns about an important constituency.
"The letter is very clear," Carney wrote via email. "They were trying to reform health care and no one knew how awful the final product would become. Insiders may have speculated on what might come out of the process. Rural voices and concerns deserved to be included."
NBC's Marcie Rickun contributed to this report.
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He's no diff than Romney. He'll change clothing to fit whatever occasion.
Please explain how that would make either one different than any other politician -- Republican or democrat. Don't you think we can show statements made by Hillary & Obama in the last primary that were not complimentary and different and now they are working together?
True. It's very easy to dig up stuff like this on any politician. It will be tough though to dig up much in the way of sensible thinking on Perry. He's a junior Bush Junior.
Who will change clothes - Obama?
@Cleareye -- Then please explain it to me like I am a fifth grader. Why are people moving to Texas in droves (pun intended for you haggisbingo)? Why has Perry never lost an election as a Republican or a democrat? Why does Texas have 10 percent of the Top 100 high schools (two in the Top 10) in the country with one of the highest population of illegal aliens and legal immigrants in the country? Why have so many jobs been created in Texas where most other states are failing (remember don't talk about low paying jobs because other lefties on here claim they are government jobs which can hardly be confused with low paying taking into consideration salary & benefits)? Any thoughts or just crickets? If he was so bad, I think I would want to stay as far away from Texas as possible. Do you have a low opinion of the voting public, migrating Americans and Texans in general?
"Why are people moving to Texas in droves (pun intended for you haggisbingo)?"
the dumb are congregating in TX
"Why has Perry never lost an election as a Republican or a democrat"
those dumb are voting (actually I think the vote was split)
"Why have so many jobs been created in Texas"
gas and oil boom
This is way too easy.........lol
Texas:
A 34 billion dollar budget deficit
Texas Ranks #1 in population living below the poverty line ( 17.2 % ).
•Worst environmental record in the United States
•Ranks #1 in illiteracy
•Ranks # 1 on the poorest gun regulations in the US and highest per capita gun murder rates in the US
•Ranks #1 with the highest real estate taxes per $1,000 value of a home in the United States
•Ranks #1 in the lowest high school graduation rate
•Ranks #1 with the highest interest rates “pay day” companies can charge
•Ranks # 1 in those making below minimum wage
•Ranks 50th ( dead last ) in Teacher Pay
•Ranks # 1 (26.5%) who lack health insurance
•Ranks # 1 (20.3%) of children who lack health insurance
•Ranks # 1 in the highest per capita executions in the world
•Ranks # 50th in $ spent for Medicaid for the poor and children
•Ranks 50th ( dead last ) in $ spent on its citizens
•Ranks # 1 in the # of food insecure children.
•Ranks 49th ( the 2nd lowest ) in Medicaid $ given to nursing homes
•Ranks 2nd highest in teen births
•Ranks #2 with the highest home insurance rates
•Ranks #2 with the highest sales tax
•Ranks 49th in $ funded for the mentally ill
•Ranks #1 with the highest overall pollution rate
•Ranks #1 in adults under correctional control
•Ranks #1 in adults under probation
Yes, thank you Commodore Perry..... lol
So your biggest reason are "dumb" people? The oil industry is living off proven reserves so there is no drilling going on for a boom. You have links for your statistics? Here's a link to prove one of your claims false -- highest per capita gun murder rates in the US -- so I don't know about the rest.
http://www.statemaster.com/graph/cri_mur_wit_fir-death-rate-per-100-000
Texas falls in at 26th.
Funny, in states like Texas where tort reform was passed, malpractice insurance costs went up an average of 14.1%, while in other states it only went up 1.24%. Humm. Should tell you something. The insurers saved money from law suits and put it in their own pockets instead of passing it along to doctors.
Please post the links backing up your claims. Thanks.
That is absolutely a false statement. Malpractice insurance rates dropped in Texas and for some types of doctors by 40%. Also doctors are relocating to Texas as a result......More liberals hog wash and mis-information will not chane the real facts,
Every state has its own State Board of Insurance from which data can be obtained to refute the claims made by Ozarkdan. Why not do your own research? Why is it that the doubters always want someone else to do their job for them? Of course, rummaging through factual data may open some eyes and ears to the fact that what conservatives are pushing for truth is just a bit off the mark ~ often by as much as 180 degrees.
And of course, Tony will post his links of proof to validate his claims, saving Ben from having to do anything more than lurk.
Here you go Jim. I even post links that show that all are not happy with Texas but they still prove Ozarkdan to be wrong.
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/11/26/malpractice_curbs_hailed_faulted/
http://www.covermd.com/Resources/Texas-Medical-Malpractice-Insurance.aspx
http://www.setexasrecord.com/news/237807-insurer-texas-malpractice-rates-decreasing-since-liability-reforms
I hope you agree that making claims should be backed up by proof.
Perry if elected President will do his absolute best to sell the country to the highest bidder, as long as he gets a cut. Jut look at his past record it is no brainer, much like Pery himself.
Tort reform.
Because big companies need more power over the rest of us.
Tort reform because Trial Lawyers are getting rich off other's misery and those who sue get the smallest piece of the pie. The worst are class action suits. I get my $12.00 and a coupon, and the lawyers get millions.
I'm glad the judge threw out the suit that the dad and boys were filing against the mother for bad mothering. The lawyer should be disbarred for even bringing that to a courtroom.
Tort reform because civil law is out of control. PS I'm not big business and I'm not a lawyer and I'm not a doctor. I'm a normal person who gets sick of this stuff.
I don't believe you Steve. If you had not added, PS I'm not big business and I'm not a lawyer and I'm not a doctor. I'm a normal person who gets sick of this stuff. All tort reform will do is shield doctors and businesses from actions that permanently harm peoples lives.
Isn't it amazing how conservatives indict Democrats for "running scared"? First, it was Palin who Democrats feared. Then it was Bachmann. Now it is Perry. Perhaps this is to placate their own fears that they may have stepped on their pud again. I think the only fear Democrats have is that one of this trio of mental misfits will not get the GOP nomination. There may yet be a sane, intellectually rational individual that will see the absurdity of this primary ticket and sacrifice himself for the Republican Party. That is a clear and present danger for Democrats. Only having to be associated with second tier people in a political race keeps qualified candidates out of the race. Who can blame them?
Rick Perry, leader of the Republican Taliban.
LEB
A full fledged member of the libtards that preach civility in political discourse only to turn around and practice the use of inflammatory rhetoric, race bating and name calling when they see Obama heading to the exit door because of his utter failure as a President.
King,
I'm not a huge Obama supporter...but seriously...these candidates are supposed to beat Obama? I know that the general public is stupid...for God sakes they voted for George Bush TWICE!! But because picking a President because we thought we could have a beer with him back fired and was so recent....there is no chance that any of these candidates will win.
All of us change our minds from time to time, but 'situational ethics' is an entirely different matter. Situational ethics is simply adapting one's ethics and principles to fit a given situation. Also known as a rudderless ship.
Also known as knowing which side your bread is buttered on
~
between this "love letter" to hillary and his "tell all" book, perry has a lot of explaining to do !!! but i'm sure that he'll come up with a "Texas sized" whopper of a lie to cover his ass !!!
And Republicans, having a latent affection for asses, will buy into it immediately. Their rationale is ~ "tell me something I can believe; it doesn't have to be the real truth, just believable." Ah, the GOP, where flexibility is their only firm policy.
You are right smith1. I live in Texas and it was known Perry would say anything and I mean anything to get out from under a previous statement. Recently however he just doesn't care. His cronies and himself have so bastardized the legal system in Texas they can just operate openly with their pay to play system. Should be shocking but here in Texas it isn't, just business as usual.
Wow, Jim, isn't that how Obama got elected, you know "Hope and Change" what's more generic than that. Having a short term memory must be blissfull.
dear navy
very interesting post !!! and, I'm heartened to know that not all of the people in the great state of Texas are like perry !!!
Don't be taking Perry so lightly. The Rove bunch was able to put lipstick on a pig and sold us Bush the idiot, remember? Should say that when the sale was in doubt they did the black ops to make sure. Both elections.
You're right. And they almost sold Sarah Palin! Paris Hilton was more qualified.
At least Paris Hilton isn't homocidal. Cross-hairs anyone? Just think if McCain had been elected, seen the mess left by Bush, and had croaked from his overdue heart attack. Wow, did we miss the bullet or what?
dear also
you make a great point !!! but, I'd like to think that the average American is of at least average intelligence !!! and wasn't it W. who said "fool me once shame on me !!! fool me twice shame on ..... DUH !!!"
Smith,
After reading so many teanut posts on these forums I'm losing faith in the average American's intelligence. And also, the Rove crowd will pull black ops to get their man in.
http://gizmodo.com/5825014/how-the-2004-presidential-election-may-have-been-hacked
dear also
I can't say that I disagree with you on that point!!! but, that is exactly why people who see through the bull/deception continue to post !!!
P.S. KICK ASS AND TAKE NAMES !!!
YEa Hillary! Healthcare needs to be single payer and controlled. Unless you live in a bubble.
just say not to de-evolutionary texass oil pigs
dear Gramp
I'm with you on that one !!! where do I sign up ???
More attempts at dirt shoveling by the Obama supporters. Apparently they don't have any real shovels to point to, those shovels were not so shovel ready after all, so they sit around drumming up imaginary meaningless ones in an effort to try and discredit any one running against Obama. Because they know Obama can't run on his own record. So drum up all the red herrings you can think of, it won't stop the voters from rejecting Obama's failed policies and practices. You know they are desperate when they start talking about letters from 1993 asking that the politicians not forget the views of rural farmers, etc.. in formulating a health care plan. Notably, Obama and the Dems ignored such requests when they rammed through Obamacare while refusing to listen to the views of any one else except the far left "progressives". I'd be willing to bet that the rural farmers, etc.. are not in favor of the continuation of Obamacare.
BTW, the Hillary plan called for such things as tort reform and actually did something to address the cost of health care, those features are missing from Obamacare. It's no wonder Hillary looks so much better than Obama. She should have been the nomineee, not him. But emotions , not logic, reason and facts, swept Obama into office. And the country has been suffering a huge emotional let down ever since. The headache will stop feeling so bad in Nov. 2012 when Obama is 1 And Done.
A gross misstatement of fact, KingK. I do not support Obama. I consider him to be totally out to lunch on every issue. But that dislike for Obama does not vault Perry or any of the other GOP candidates to positions of prominence. I have a bit more experience with Perry than most ~ he has been governor of my state for the past decade and the fruits of that gubernatorial victory are not flattering. Perry only lets you see what is of benefit to Perry's contrived image. It will be hard to keep the lid on the cesspool of Texas government and he is the chief plumber on that crew.
Oh what a shock another Ass Clown Teatard
Jim,
I'm not ready to endorse Perry or any of the other candidates yet. But that doesn't mean that I'm going to be persuaded, one way or the other, by these inane attempts to discredit they guy. It shows, quite clearly, that the Obama supporters know they can't win in the upcoming election by citing Obama's record, policies and practices, or his plan going forward (if he has any). So they have to resort to mud slinging, yellow journalism and divisive rhetoric to try and keep Obama in office. And it is only going to get worse, a lot worse, as Nov. 2012 inches closer.
You may not like Perry, but the nation has had enough of Obama and his tactics and lies. I can't wait for the campaign ads that show what Obama said compared to what he has done and pushed for. The voters will start seeing a two headed Obama that will make Perry (or any other candidate) look like St Patrick. O 1 And Done.
@Jim -- Since you say you have more experience with Perry, and obviously have some sort of inside information since Perry covers up the bad so others can't see, please explain to me in your own words why he has been elected twice as governor and has never lost an election? Are these new allegations or just ones that have been hashed and rehashed over the past decade? You obviously must have a low opinion of the voting public in Texas for continuing to re-elect this terrible man.
Jim
BTW, if you don't support Obama then why are you not supporting another candidate (Dem, Repub, third party) instead. I guess you would rather support a failure that stick to your principles.
@KingK -- Shame on you. Now that's a gotcha question LMAO! We'll hear crickets.
dear king
where the HELL were you when bush was F*CKING THINGS UP ??? how can you ignore the fact that bush brought our nation to the brink of depression ??? how you say ??? cutting taxes twice, starting two wars , letting PAYGO expire and not funding MEDICARE PART D is a sure way to turn clinton's 300 billion surplus into a 1.3 trillion dollar deficit !!! and by the way, the war costs are ongoing !!! the MEDICARE PART D costs are ongoing !!! and those tax cuts have not been offset cuts !!! and I almost forgot TARP where bush and company bailed out their rich buddies and left taxpayers holding the bag !!! in fact,your hero bush is responsible for half(7 trillion dollars) of our current 14 trillion dollar deficit !!! and you voted for that IDIOT TWICE !!! but as a republican you are clearly IMMUNE FROM THE FACTS OF RECENT HISTORY !!!
Ben,
"explain to me in your own words why he has been elected twice as governor and has never lost an election?"
Could it possibly be that Texans swing both ways? You know, that ruf and tuf cowboy image might just be their closet make-up disguise.
smith
So you answer to Bush's out of control big government spending is to support an even bigger out of control deficit spending and debt creation by Obama. Hmmmmm, sounds perfectly logical to me, cough, cough. IN CASE YOU DIDN'T NOTICE, BUSH IS NO LONGER IN OFFICE, OBAMA IS!!!! And Obama's deficit spending and debt creation makes Bush look like an amateur. Not to mention that Obama expanded our military actions in Afghanistan/Pakistan, is currently negotiating to keep our troops in Iraq beyond the end of this year and has utilized our military resources in three more wars (Libya, Yemen and Somalia)that were of no national security interests and without Congressional approval. Add on top of that his desire to legalize 10 to 20 million illegals, thereby allowing them to legally compete for our already scarce jobs and to legally receive government handouts our taxes will have to pay for, and the days of Bush don't look so bad.
But this is not a choice between Bush and Obama. So stop with the stupid Bush arguments. They are old and tired and nobody is falling for them any longer. Pointing the finger at Bush to try and prop up Obama is lame.
No, what is lame is to continually refer to President Obama's "failed policies and practices," blaming everything on him, while conveniently forgetting how hard the Republicans have fought everything he's tried to do.
It's hypocritical that when something is going badly, like our unemployment rate, to completely disregard President Bush's part in it, yet any success, such as killing Bin Laden, is considered simply a continuation of what President Bush started. And it's also hypocritical when your laundry list of "failures" includes things Republican Presidents have done as well. For example, President Bush surged our troops in Iraq, and President Regan granted amnesty to illegal aliens back in 1986.
The right is fast losing credibility with most Americans, with these failed attempts to discredit anything positive related to President Obama. I think the truth is the righties are running scared, and somehow believe that by repeating the same failed talking points over and over, that somehow they will become true. I've reached the point where I doubt I'll honestly consider any candidate, no matter how qualified, who is associated with the Tea Party or Republicans.
dear king
how many times did you vote for that idiot bush ??? twice I'm sure, which means that you also voted for mccain and his BIMBO PALIN !!! THINK ABOUT IT !!! PALIN A HEARTBEAT AWAY FROM THE PRESIDENCY !!!
So, he used to be smarter. Lots of people used to be smarter.
kthorne
I think this story has relevance in that much has been made about Romney's health care "issue.
So they both used to be smarter.
In other words, he was for it before he was against it.
Has that one been taken already? Oh, well, that position is acceptable now. It wasn't before, but now it is ok.
Clear enough?
Let's put big ears, blame it on anything but me Obama, back into office. How's that transparent change working for you?
CarLover
Supporting Clinton is OK but as I see you LOVE OBAMA for what he has done??? What has he done NOTHING, at least Clinton made it better for all as I see Obama has done NOTHING... READ MY POST NOTHING111 We need a TRUE Change!!!!!!
SECession continues as Texas A&M notifies Big 12 its intent to leave
But seriously,
see Scarborough: Perry will do whatever to get elected (this is your own party speaking, Perry supporters)
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036789/vp/44338921#44338921
Get a serious candidate please...
All of you just want to put Perry down and that is OK but Obamacare will destroy our country,,,,What the hell is wrong with you people???? Look at Obamacare and you will see that it will cost all of us a hell of A LOT MORE THAN WHAT WE PAY NOW,,,, Are you dumb or just lost in your mind!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Proof please...
Vipp
What proof do I need??? Congress said it will cost more for all is that not enough proof????
yeah those Congref guys are real truf tellers, ain't they. Specially Repub ones ,,, lol
Rick "The Slick" Perry: hypocrisy, duplicity and ignorance at their finest!
After Obama wins in 2012 the Republicans will try to impeach him like they did Clinton.
impeach on account of his birth certif lying, dammit!!! ....lol
I get tired of people here posting about what Obama has done and can do??? He has done NOTHING and and will continue to drain us all of what we have!!!!! Wake up people and see the TRUTH!!!
Why he he a up in our white hous a eatin our food daganabit and a loungin around like a his kind do .... lol
We have some of the dumbest people in the world that live in the US.... Gov. says sit and they do, Gov. says wait and they do, Gov. says pay me and they do, When will you stand up and say that is enough??????????
Yeah...like more than half of the people that voted for Bush.
The overwhelming majority of Americans get many more dollars of service back from the government than what they put in. You have to be quite wealthy for that not to be true for you.
Vipp
You must be one of those in line for entitlements........... Up yours bud
Vipp
You must be a Bush hater cause I said nothing about Obama or any President but you stepped right in with your Bush hate speech... You need help bud and we all feel sorry for you
Government says invade Iraq and leave bin Laden alone in Bora Bora and so we invade Iraq and leave bin Laden alone because as President Bush said, "We have more important things on our agenda".
Eight years later, we are still in Iraq although we now know there are no Weapons of Mass Destruction and there is no Saddam Hussein either. But on we trudge spending lives and billions for what?
Americans are such interesting people.
. . . and you're one of them, Richard.
Well, what do you know. He liked hillarycare!! And had it not been brought up by the first lady, A lot more would have liked it. If it had been accepted back then. There wouldn't have been all this waste of time and all this hate about obamacare. So, On this subject, I agreee with Perry.
I agree also bud
yeah Peryy be a straight up guy ... lol ... bud .... wink
Good to know that Obama and Perry are on the same page with Healthcare Reform.
Reform is good but at what price????? Obama care is going to cost us all!!!!! We need health care for all but at a price we can all sustain!!!!! Not Obamacare
oh no obamacare is the devil! I couldn't get my pills yesterday at the pharmacy! see what you libtards have done ............ lol
Could someone please help me recall the name of the late woman journalist/satirist who wrote hilarious articles and books about Texas politics? It was she who labeled George Bush Shrub. Wherever she is now, I'm certain she would be having a field day with the current Governor of Texas!
I just remembered, it was Molly Ivins (sp?)