Why Can't Republicans Say Four Simple Words?

I have an idea for a great bumper sticker for Republicans, certainly more descriptive of Republican philosophy than "W" ever was. While I'm impressed that Republicans have mastered one of the letters of the alphabet, there are so many more, twenty-five in fact. Better is a slogan that describes their philosophy in a nutshell. "I do not care." This is the ultimate reason behind all positions espoused by the Grand Old Party.

In the weekly Republican radio address, Representative Roy Blunt of Missouri spoke about Obama's plans for the U.S. health care system:

"Some people are spending a lot of time talking about how to spend more of your money on bigger government run programs. I'm concerned that if the government steps in it will eventually push out the private health care plans millions of Americans enjoy today."

What he means is, "I do not care."

He doesn't care about the millions who are uninsured. He doesn't care about the millions who suffer under inadequate and stingy private health care plans. He doesn't care about the way that private insurers squeeze money out of the old, the sick, and the dying.

Private health care is designed to do one thing: make a huge profit for the private company. If people ever get medicine out of a private health care plan, that annoys the private insurer, because it may reduce their profit margin by a thousandth of a percentile.

What's that? You need an operation? That will cost too much. Get a fourth opinion. See another doctor. You're don't really need it. Alright, maybe you need it, but you can put it off for the time being. Save money. Die. You're better off dead.

Capitalism has no place in health care, where people's lives are at stake. If Republicans want to wage war on the old and the infirm, they need to find the courage to tell them the truth. Republicans, find the courage to tell the sick and the dying: "I do not care if you die. In fact, I want you to die. If you die, my shares will be worth a little bit more. What I care about is my money, not about people like you. You're better off dead." Republicans are great when it comes to that peculiar kind of courage. They are great when it comes to war, conflict, and any situation where people are very likely to be harmed. Does this say anything about the moral character of their party?