More Evidence That We're Fighting Over the Soul of America

Yesterday in the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, a panel of health professionals asked for continued federal support for the damaged health care infrastructure in New Orleans. The following debate occurred:

"Is everyone so poor in Louisiana that the state cannot do more for you? Are you going to be a permanent ward of the federal government?"

Rep Darrell Issa, R-California

"You're trying to keep alive a health infrastructure to assist people, and we are getting ready to spend $160 billion next year on a stupid war in Afghanistan. If we can't see that New Orleans is still suffering, if we can't see that New Orleans has a health-care infrastructure that is not adequate to meet the needs of people who are still recovering from the hurricane, if New Orleans has to come with a tin cup to beg for money for clinics... Our country is falling apart, and what's happening in New Orlenas is a signal condition of where America's priorites are totally fouled up."

Rep Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio