Video highlights: McConnell, Paul and tea party join forces to assail Affordable Care Act

08/21/2012 06:31 PM

Kentucky’s two U.S. Senators blasted the Affordable Care Act on the steps of Kentucky’s Capitol on Tuesday and called for it to be replaced with reforms aimed more at the cost of health care.

About 350 tea party members attended the rally, which also attracted a small group of vocal supporters of the health reforms.

U.S. Senator Rand Paul, a Tea Party favorite, told the crowd that even though the Supreme Court upheld most of Obamacare earlier this summer, he still feels that it’s unconstitutional.

U.S. Senate Minority Leader, Mitch McConnell received a warm reception — although not as enthusiastic as the reaction for Paul — from the tea party crowd. McConnell called Obamacare a form of “centralized government.”

“We can’t let this stand,” he said.

State Sen. Damon Thayer of Georgetown also addressed the crowd saying that the 10th Amendment is being trampled on by Obama. “We need the states to control our destiny when it comes to health care,” said Thayer.

And he also delivered perhaps the most political line of the day: “We need you to help send Barack Obama back to Chicago or Hawaii.” Someone from the audience shouted “Kenya.”

Thayer responded by saying, “I’m not going to say that but I appreciate your sentiments.”

One of those in attendance, Fred Riebee of Florence, voiced concerns about the loss of choice with the Affordable Health Care Act. He said it mandates what health insurance people buy. However, the measure doesn’t require what insurance Americans have just that people have coverage.

Riebee said, “You’re not going to have the freedom to select your own policies, your own insurance company. It’s going to be mandated by the government.”

Daniel Scherfey of Nicholasville, is the son of a physician. He’s concerned that with Obamacare, doctors may stand to lose income.

Other notable state speakers at the rally included Kentucky House Minority Leader Jeff Hoover and 6th District Republican Congressional candidate Andy Barr.

About Don Weber

Don Weber joined cn|2 when it launched back in May 2010 and soon became a reporter for Pure Politics. He is a graduate of Northern Kentucky University and has spent many years covering everything from politics to sports. Don says he loves meeting new people everyday as part of his job and also enjoys the fact that no two days are the same when he comes to work. Don Weber can be reached at donald.weber@twcable.com.

Comments

  • Cumberland Gap wrote on August 24, 2012 11:54 AM :

    I wonder why the citizens there who distrust and abhor government, feel so good about hearing from the government speakers McConnell (about 40 years a govt employee), Paul, and Damon Thayer who are government workers with big salaries, pensions, and health plans themselves? Each one tries to get big spending special projects or reimbursements for colleagues back home that increase debt. But, while speaking to these people, they make them certainly believe the opposite. How did being deceitful get so easy?

  • Hoppy wrote on August 24, 2012 04:58 PM :

    Sen. McConnell just down have a clue about the real world. I’ve worked in health care over 35 years and this healthcare problem didn’t happen overnight. Sen. McConnell , the Senate and House have had years to address this problem and did nothing to make any changes and now that something has been done they want to stop it before it has had a chance to turn things around. It has made a big difference for the good and it is helping a lot of individuals especially the Medicare recipients.It will save money by providing preventive services and keep individuals out of ER’s and hospitals.
    Go to local health depts, rural health clinics and FQHC’s to get the real story. Don’t let those that have a monetary interest like drug companies, insurance companies and other health care groups dictictate what Sen. McConnell is saying….

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