Three days after voting in favor of one of the most frighteningly intrusive pieces of federal legislation ever offered – let alone passed – in a “free market” republic, U.S. Rep. John Spratt is finally answering his critics.
Spratt’s remarks, which were sent in an email to his supporters Wednesday, attempted to distance himself from some of the more controversial provisions of Obamacare … like, say, government competing in a marketplace it regulates, or the threat of jail time for Americans who fail to comply with its universal mandate.
Spratt also called out his 2010 opponent, Republican State Senator Mick Mulvaney, by name.
Anyway, here are a few excerpts of what Spratt had to say about his vote, courtesy of the Rock Hill Herald …
Calling the health care bill approved Saturday by House lawmakers “a long way from perfect,” U.S. Rep. John Spratt defended his support and vowed to work for more changes …
“I voted to send it to the Senate in the hope that a conference will iron out the differences and make the bill better,” Spratt said in a message to supporters.
“Though it is not without problems, ‘Affordable Health Care for America’ is not the ‘monstrosity’ Mick Mulvaney portrays,” Spratt said.
Really?
Because when we look at Obamcare, it sure looks like a monstrosity to us. And we kinda like where Mulvaney’s head is at on this one, to be perfectly honest.
Spratt’s message, incidentally, made no mention of any of the specific changes that he planned on proposing to the legislation.
UPDATE: Shortly after our story ran, the Rock Hill Herald pulled its article covering Spratt’s defense of this vote. We ultimately found it here, buried deep within the paper’s comments section.
By lori November 11, 2009 at 7:46 pm
Spratt looks drunk and disheveled in the picture…what’s he smokin?
By Yorkie November 11, 2009 at 8:40 pm
i was just going to say…I bet he wishes he had the negatives of this photo to burn…
By Patriot November 11, 2009 at 9:55 pm
John Spratt must not be re-elected nor any member of Congress ever again, that is up to the voters to always vote against the incumbants. No need for term limits, us voters can do that.
By Red Bank Bar November 11, 2009 at 10:57 pm
When your head is up the butt of the Insurance industry in the US, everything looks like Mick M.
By Tim November 12, 2009 at 8:00 am
I have voted for Spratt on 4 different occasions. No more.
And I now regret those votes.
By Shaithis November 12, 2009 at 9:34 am
Glad that Spratt voted for it. Give’s Mulvaney even more ammunition. My only hope is that Mick will use this to his advantage and clobber Spratt. I plan to make lots of signs around election day simply showing Spratts voting record.
By OnNoNotAgain November 12, 2009 at 10:04 am
I think, FITS, that the story went up Tuesday, was in the print edition Wednesday, so it isn’t live on the front on a Thursday.
I don’t like The Herald much, but I don’t think they saw your story and buried it.
As for Spratt, he’s never talked like this about an opponent before. Sounds to me like he’s not concerned at all.
By countryboy November 12, 2009 at 10:19 am
I consider Spratt a turncoat or traitor to his district because he was once (early 80′s) an old school conservative southern Democrat (when I was working to elect him and voting for him). No more. Now he is Pelosi’s butt boy and it makes me sick. Of course that SKANK Pelosi has ruined more than just Spratt. Ultimately she may cost the democrat’s the 2010 and 2012 elections…….
By Big Johnson November 12, 2009 at 12:29 pm
Kudos to Spratt and Clyburn for doing the right thing! I don’t think many people really understand how health care in the present form is destroying our country from within. Our businesses that have to compete on a global format are unable to with the yoke that is placed upon them.
By Crooner November 12, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Fits:
You noted you “like where Mulvaney’s head is at” on healthcare and made that a link. Which led to a previous post where Mick blasted Spratt for voting for the bill. Does Mick have a plan to deal with the rising cost of healthcare? Or do you just like that he’s from the party of NO.
By SnakeMD November 12, 2009 at 5:50 pm
I saw Spratt last Sunday afternoon at a dedication ceremony and he could hardly stay awake. He looked extremely tired or perhaps not feeling well. It was outdoors and he said the sun was in his eyes. Something is draining him…
By cmitchz November 12, 2009 at 9:33 pm
SnakeMD- He’s probably overwhelmed by the dread of knowing he’ll soon have to go find himself a real job.
By American Patriot November 13, 2009 at 8:31 am
He is an incumbent, retire him at the earliest opportunity (next election)enough said.
Retire them all….no incumbent left behind!!!
By Joe November 13, 2009 at 8:47 am
Yes, wonderful piece of legislation we have here. Nice job John. Buy it or you go to jail, and oh by the way, we Congresspeople will be getting our own coverage separate from this monstrosity. Just eat our crumbs. Thank you.
By OnNoNotAgain November 13, 2009 at 2:03 pm
I was wrong. The Herald ran that story in its print edition today.