Despite the best efforts of his staff to mute criticism and present a fictionalized public forum on health care reform (more on that here), U.S. Rep. John Spratt actually had to face a few tough questions from S.C. voters about his loosely-defined position on President Barack Obama’s socialized medicine plan.
Note, we didn’t say that he actually answered those questions, but he did have to face them … like this question from a constituent about whether or not Spratt would support an amendment requiring members of Congress to enroll themselves in the same government-run health care plan they’re so keen on shoving down America’s throat.
From SC Conservative, here’s Spratt’s, um, response:
Wow … how’s that for evasion?
After playing dumb the first go-round, Spratt immediately gets an earful from his constituents, who demand that he “answer the question.”
Reluctantly (and non-committally), Spratt then says he would vote for “something like that” and later that “I’ve got no problem being in” the government plan.
Wonder how quickly those tepid “endorsements” of an amendment to make Congress take its own medicine will vanish the second Spratt gets back to the Beltway?
By Cooter Brown September 3, 2009 at 10:50 am
Does dis scalawag hab dain-brammage?
By Hal September 3, 2009 at 10:57 am
He could care less what the people of this state think. He went DC along time ago.
Hopefully, his disctrict will send him packing.
By randy September 3, 2009 at 11:24 am
If he truly embraces Obama’s plan, there should be absolutely no hesitation in adopting the plan for himself.
If it’s good enough for me, it should be good enough for thee, Mr. Spratt…
By Matt September 3, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Damn…it’s like watching a zombie.
I think John Spratt’s senility is setting in a little faster than Strom Thurmond’s did.
If Ralph Norman couldn’t beat a monodrone like Spratt in 2006 then he doesn’t deserve to be elected to anything else.
By Melanie September 3, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Yay! for tax-payers with the guts to ask the right questions.
By The Most Depressing Part September 3, 2009 at 12:58 pm
The most depressing part about this is that his approval ratings are still above 60% in the district.
John Spratt: Buying Votes with OPM for Over 20 Years.
By nauseous September 3, 2009 at 1:13 pm
Rhetoric and lies. Unemployment, health care issues, child abuse, global warming, veteran’s issues, global tension amongst nations…and what does our government consistently serve up? Rhetoric and lies.
In my humble opinion, it won’t be long before Americans have had enough. Tread carefully, politicos. Whether you see it or not, revolutionary ideas are brewing in the minds of many.
Our jobs, and nation, has been sold out to the same people we are at war with, we can’t distinguish between lies and the truth when any of you speak, you spend money hosting Islamic dinner parties at the White House, and you insist on living better than the people you are supposed to be serving.
American citizens, be they Republicans, Democrats, Independents, etc. of every party and political sway are seeing the writing on the wall and are now talking instead of arguing over which political school of thought works best. Taking priority over all right now is the idea that perhaps a revolution would well remind the public servants everywhere of what they indeed are supposed to be: PUBLIC SERVANTS.
By follitics September 3, 2009 at 1:53 pm
This is silly. No one is being forced to accept the public option. It would be a fine idea to make it part of the congressional plan’s menu of choices, but not to force them — or anyone else — to choose it.
By Interloper September 3, 2009 at 8:56 pm
No one will be forced to participate in the public option, including members of Congress. Everyone will be free to choose among plans, most of them private. So, U.S. Rep. John Spratt is right to say he would consider the public option along with the private plans. In reality, mainly needy people will choose the public option, which will be no frills.
By Lacie September 3, 2009 at 9:01 pm
What an IDIOT!!!!! I cannot believe the majority of people in the 5th district continue to cast their vote for this guy! Ralph Norman would have been such a breath of fresh air – and we wouldn’t have to sit here and listen to this moron dance around all of his questions – but I guess that is how he gets by. Not much more to say except WOW ….. What an IDIOT!
By southernmapart September 4, 2009 at 7:59 am
Ohhh, been a long time since I’ve seen John Spratt. He may be fading a little, like some others. I remember a much sharper Spratt.
Congratulations to Spratt for apparently holding an open forum and taking uncensored questions from the audience.
By rick September 4, 2009 at 8:36 am
I believe what we all fail to continue to misunderstand is the concept of incrementalism. A little today, a little tomorrow, eventually it’ll be what we wanted in the first place. Why are we even having this conversation? Because we bought into Medicare, Medicade, SSI et.al…now suddenly half the populous thinks it has a right and moral imperative to provide for all. We saw this approach to tobacco when the first argument was for product labeling. “We just want a warning, so the children won’t start smoking” said the nonsmokers….”we just need to elimenate smoking in the workplace because we’re effecting others” said the nonsmokers….” we just need to move smoking out of doors” said the none smokers….we shouldn’t have to deal with smoking in eating establishments” said the nonsmokers….you endanger your children if you smoke in your car….said the nonsmokers….etc…etc…etc. And while I don’t smoke, I’ve watched this incremental shift with interest because its seemingly innocent behavior. We started with a social safety net of social security as a supplement to our savings, this has transitioned into a full blown retirement plan for most. Instead of continuing to save and plan for retirement, we believe, well, I’ve turned 62 and social security, medicare, the prescription drug plan will be there for me. I’ll make it. I’ve worked for 50 years flipping burgers and by damn I’ll take what I’m owed and the devil take the hindmost. This has worked well for WalMart, Mickey D’s and others that hire these retirees, when they finally realize they have 2 choices…starve or work. So do we now raise Social Security payments so that Grandpa doesn’t have to work? Why not, its their right to be taken care of isn’t it? Public Option….incremental step? I believe so….now prove me wrong.
By Lou September 4, 2009 at 11:46 am
John Spratt is a fabulous asset for the fifth district of SC. He was the main cog in balancing the budget in 1997, insisting on pay-as-you-go relative to tax cuts and expenditures. However, Bush comes in and says tht taxes are too high, puts in tax cuts for the super-rich, engages in the misbegotten war in Iraq, and runs up the deficits. The right is working hard to ruin our country.
By STFU September 4, 2009 at 6:16 pm
You people are friggin’ idiots. Everything he said went over everyone in that room’s head, because he is much, much smarter than any of those rednecks yelling at his response. You people need to get a effin clue
By Jerry August 24, 2010 at 11:33 pm
This man is ill and it is time he leaves. The disease he is dealing with will only get worst. God Bless him but it time for him step aside. Let us not make his disease an issue. He is ill and needs medical care.
By suesummer October 15, 2010 at 4:55 pm
I love my home county of Newberry, and John Spratt has taken good care of her. Newberry would not have an Opera House except for John Spratt’s help. Our hospital would not be solvent except for his help in getting a sole provider designation. He helped with infrastructure grants for an industrial park that brought in jobs, and recently he helped Newberry College with dorms in a project that also rehabilitate an area of the city that needs uplifting. Outside money is pouring into this ugly bloodletting of a campaign in an effort to score political points and settle scores that have nothing to do with what goes here. No rookie congressman can possibly do for us what our senior congressman can. Because I love my home county, all I want to say is this: God bless you, John.