Republicans Refuse Aid to Ailing Heroes

On Thursday, July 29th, many people were shocked (and perhaps slightly frightened) as they watched footage of an enraged Democratic Representative, Anthony Weiner, give (well, shout actually) a very hostile, 90 second speech aimed toward the House Republicans. But what exactly made Mr. Weiner angry enough to lose his cool like that in front of so many people? Well, it was because the Republicans were able to secure enough votes, which led to the rejection of a bill to give $7.4 billion in health care to the 9/11 responders who fell ill after working to save the lives of others.

Basically the fire fighters, policemen, and paramedics of New York are more than welcome to risk their lives to help clean up a terrorist attack on the nation, however their efforts do not warrant any sort of medical compensation from the government. I understand, that is their job and what these men and women signed up for -- but I think it's more a matter of respect and the right thing to do. I mean, if those who risked their lives for this country can't get free health care then what hope do the rest of us, non-heroic citizens have? And what about those who volunteered to help and fell ill? Should they be punished for being good people? Let's face it, with out them many more lives would have been lost on 9/11.

And if rejecting the bill was an issue of "taxation" as many Republicans claimed, why not get the public (who would essentially be paying for this health care) more involved. According to the Democrats, this bill would be paid for by a "tax loophole," which throws out that argument. Furthermore, why is it okay for the public to pay for bogus government projects in the form of pork-barreling or earmarking. One example of this is the proposed $398 million Gravina Island Bridge that was to be built to connect the island's 50 residents to the mainland. Yes, that's right. 50 residents. And an airport. The Republicans of our nation will stand behind this project, but not give health care to those who deserve it.

So perhaps the Republicans truly thought that the rejection of this bill was a good idea; chances are that the ground zero workers will still get $713 million in the form of a settlement, which is better than nothing. However I believe that we missed a chance to reward those who have been good to our nation. The House missed the chance to do what was right and not act "cowardly," as Weiner put it.