"Socialized medicine" for the elites; none for the little people

I should just accept as fact that Republican politicians either have no shame or else have no sense of the absurd -- when it comes to their own absurd statements, that is.

Yes, this is still about health care reform.

Leading Republican politicians are decrying those "government run health plans" as socialized medicine, where treatment "is either delayed or denied." And besides it's just plain bad for this country. It will change our whole way of life. It's unAmerican, by God! We're better off with the private sector handling our medical care. Yes, Sir, you'd better believe it.

Yet look where these same stalwarts go for their surgery:

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell had coronary bypass surgery at the Bethesda Naval Hospital, which is the premier facility of the prestigious Naval Medical Services and where the elite of government, including presidents, are treated. Just to make no mistake: it is quintessentially a "government run medical center."

Senator John McCain had surgery there for his malignant melanoma in 2000 -- and, guess what? They seem to have kept him alive from this dreaded and deadly type of cancer for nine years now. Not bad.

Senator Kit Bond (R-Mo.), meanwhile, has warned of the rationing of care, expensive costs, and reduced quality that would come under a government-run health care plan. In April 2003, however, he had hip replacement surgery at Bethesda Naval Hospital. Apparently they did a pretty good job; he's been out there stomping on the trail, artificial hip and all, denouncing government run medical plans.

And, if I'm not mistaken, that's where the XVP goes for his numerous bypass surgeries, angioplasties, treatments for fibrillation, pacemaker inplants and reimplants. I guess, what with all the stents and pacemakers, you could rightly say his heart is now made of steel, thanks to a "government run health program."

So, Dear Leaders, if government run health care is good enough for you elites, why is it not good enough for us little people too?

Ralph