The Fallacy of Repeal and Replace

The lead article in today’s New York Times, “As Vowed, House Votes to Repeal Health Care Law,” describes fulfillment of a campaign promise by Republicans but, in reality, demonstrates their fundamental opposition to government intervention on behalf of the poor and suffering.

The article relates background on the 245-to-189 vote, and the Democrats showed surprising unity with all but three voting against the legislation (the turncoats were Dan Boren of Oklahoma, Mike McIntyre of North Carolina and Mike Ross of Arkansas).

The Republicans supposed support of certain planks of the health care bill rings hollow as they’ve never passed health care legislation when they were in power. Of course, the Democrats immediately trumpeted these planks including the prohibition against discrimination based on pre-existing conditions, the ability for children to stay on their parents’ plan until age 26 and the expansion of care to 30 million new people.

The passage of the repeal, of course, is symbolic only as the Senate will not even introduce the legislation, and President Obama would veto it in any case. It does, however, represent an attempt by Republicans to take the offense after the assassination attempt against Gabrielle Giffords. The article notes that this will be followed by very real attempts to limit federal spending.