Comments on: Palin, disability and Down syndrome, September 9, 2008 http://www.patriciaebauer.com/2008/09/09/palin-disability-september-9-2008-3158/ Disability News | PatriciaEBauer.com Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:58:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: Pamela Wilson http://www.patriciaebauer.com/2008/09/09/palin-disability-september-9-2008-3158/comment-page-1/#comment-2600 Pamela Wilson Thu, 11 Sep 2008 02:53:07 +0000 http://www.patriciaebauer.com/?p=3158#comment-2600 Let us not forget the existence of the bipartisan Congressional Down Syndrome Caucus formed by Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers(R), mother of Cole, 1; Congressman Pete Sessions (R), father of Alex, 14(?), Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton(D) mother of Katherine, 38(?), and Congressman Patrick Kennedy (D). And I thank them. Pam W SE of Seattle Let us not forget the existence of the bipartisan Congressional Down Syndrome Caucus formed by Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers(R), mother of Cole, 1; Congressman Pete Sessions (R), father of Alex, 14(?), Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton(D) mother of Katherine, 38(?), and Congressman Patrick Kennedy (D).

And I thank them.

Pam W
SE of Seattle

]]> By: Mark Hobratschk, JD, MPA http://www.patriciaebauer.com/2008/09/09/palin-disability-september-9-2008-3158/comment-page-1/#comment-2596 Mark Hobratschk, JD, MPA Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:43:31 +0000 http://www.patriciaebauer.com/?p=3158#comment-2596 Regardless of whether or not you support Palin, it is clear that since she came on board the level of political discourse has gone downhill. So it is encouraging that at least one politician is trying to shift the debate back on to substantive issues like access to health care and stem cell research. Palin inherited $4.6B in windfall revenues from high oil prices in 2007 and another $8B this year, which most oil-rich states have at least partially used to expand health care access. I fail to see how it is remotely improper for any politician to question whether a Governor's rhetoric matches reality when he or she promised to be an advocate for special needs populations, yet spent almost none of these windfall revenues on healthcare, opposed Alaska Senator French's bill to expand access, and cut spending for disability-related programs. Few issues in this election are as important as healthcare. Yet not only have I yet to hear Palin make any statement about healthcare, the issue has nearly disappeared from public debate since she was put on the ticket. We have a Republican governor in my state who frequently put what is practical before ideology and supports funding for stem cell research so I see no reason why a politican cannot even suggest that Palin could or should do the shame, especially since her son could directly benefit. Voters have every right to be able to evaluate whether a politician's ideology prevents them from doing what makes basic common sense. Regardless of whether or not you support Palin, it is clear that since she came on board the level of political discourse has gone downhill. So it is encouraging that at least one politician is trying to shift the debate back on to substantive issues like access to health care and stem cell research.

Palin inherited $4.6B in windfall revenues from high oil prices in 2007 and another $8B this year, which most oil-rich states have at least partially used to expand health care access. I fail to see how it is remotely improper for any politician to question whether a Governor’s rhetoric matches reality when he or she promised to be an advocate for special needs populations, yet spent almost none of these windfall revenues on healthcare, opposed Alaska Senator French’s bill to expand access, and cut spending for disability-related programs.

Few issues in this election are as important as healthcare. Yet not only have I yet to hear Palin make any statement about healthcare, the issue has nearly disappeared from public debate since she was put on the ticket. We have a Republican governor in my state who frequently put what is practical before ideology and supports funding for stem cell research so I see no reason why a politican cannot even suggest that Palin could or should do the shame, especially since her son could directly benefit. Voters have every right to be able to evaluate whether a politician’s ideology prevents them from doing what makes basic common sense.

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