Huffington Post Quotes Democratic Congressional Candidate Grayson on Jeff Flake: "He gets some good media...but he never accomplishes anything."

No, it's not this Democratic congressional candidate. On the Huffington Post today, Howie Klein wrote a post about whether our candidates should pledge that we're not taking the national health care plan afforded members of Congress until we pass a plan that's available for the public.

He quotes the very capable and exciting candidate in FL-08, Alan Grayson of Orlando:

It's a very interesting question. I think that the problem goes a lot deeper than that. The problem is not only that Congressmen have a good health care plan, but that they are paid over $170,000 a year, with plenty of other perks beyond that. And the problem is not only that Congressmen are treated that way, but also TV news anchors, newspaper editors, judges, generals, and bosses of all kinds. All of these people act in concert to protect their privileges.

In my experience, no group of people ever acts to reduce their own privileges. It's far more likely that you will see corporations adopt "green" environmental policies than you will see corporate executives give up their private jets. It's far more likely that you'll see baseball players submit to weekly drug testing than a salary cap. And it's far more likely that you'll see national health care than you'll see any cut back in health care for members of Congress.

Congressmen also get free haircuts. If we all take a pledge against that, you'll still see plenty of mullets in Tennessee.

Here's an analogy. Jeff Flake of Arizona constantly attacks "earmarks." The result is that his district never gets any earmarks, he never passes any bills of any kind, and his committee assignments are lousy. He gets some good media out of it, but he never accomplishes anything. People think he's a flake. Not just a Flake, but a flake.

I'm not saying that cutting health care for members of Congress is a bad idea. Actually, as you can see, I'd not only be in favor of that, but a lot beyond that.

I agree with Alan Grayson on all of this except I don't approve of making fun of anyone's name. (People with an odd name like his should know better.)

Hey, I may be one of the few uninsured people who's filed to run for Congress and if I somehow were elected, could you blame me for getting health insurance?

Of course, with a House member's salary, I could probably afford to do what I can't now and buy my own coverage.

We all need health insurance. I'm still in favor of Medicare for all Americans.