Lawmakers keep benefits, while outraged voters struggle

[BeatleBoot]

From the Detroit News,

http://www.detnews.com/article/20100228/OPINION03/2280303/1022/Lawmakers-keep-benefits--while-outraged-voters-struggle

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"There were those who were elected that came into the system with the expectation of this being part of their total compensation," she told Detroit News reporter Karen Bouffard, explaining why it would be unfair to halt the medical benefits of those already in office, including her.

At the same time that Cassis was fretting about fairness for legislators, Papke, a healthy Sterling Heights engineer, was sitting at his kitchen table, schooling me in the frustration that drove him to bill the entire Michigan Congressional delegation for his health care.

As an engineer who has a master's degree and an MBA from the University of Michigan, he finds himself after a 35-year career in the auto industry -- working for the Detroit Three and automotive suppliers -- with massive insurance costs and dwindling resources. He got mad enough last week to type letters to Michigan's 15 members of Congress, two senators, Gov. Jennifer Granholm, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and selected others.

"Since I have been paying for your health care insurance, you will now pay for mine," he wrote to each Michigan congressional delegate and both U.S. Senators. He then enclosed the bill for his Blue Cross coverage and long-term care insurance and deductibles. Bottom line: $23,635.83.

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[Dr.Phool]

1. I sent the bill for my colonoscopy to Sen. Bill Nelson.

My insurance company refused to pay for it, so let him pay it out of his campaign contributions from them.

[BeatleBoot]

2. + 1,000,000,000,000

we all should do that.