WASHINGTON (6 November) – U.S. Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis (R-Fla.), representing Florida’s 9th Congressional District, today issued the following statement after the U.S. Department of Labor reported that the nation’s economy lost 190,000 jobs in the month of October and the unemployment rate rose from 9.8 percent to 10.2 percent, its highest since 1983:

“With more than 1 million Floridians looking for work, Washington needs to put the brakes on inflicting more damage by passing the $1.2 trillion Pelosi health care plan. The Pelosi plan raises taxes on families and small businesses by more than $700 billion and will result in more jobs being lost. Instead of repeatedly saddling our nation with more taxes and more debt, Congress should pass economic solutions that let families and small businesses keep more of what they earn so they can innovate, grow, and create jobs to turn our economy around.

“The Republican health care plan is a responsible approach to reform. It doesn’t raise taxes during a recession and will lower premiums, making coverage more affordable for families and employers while reducing the deficit by $68 billion.”

In response to the Interview/ Town Hall Meeting on ABC last night, I thought the President made an excellent argument for his plan. He explained where 2/3 of the money would come from and where the additional 1/3 would come from. The existing 2/3 is already being spent on programs that are not working.

This is not a replacement of the existing infrastructure it is an addition for those that are not covered by current Insurance. The Insurance Industry has gone crazy and I am living proof. Several years ago, Blue Cross Blue Shield dropped me like a hot potato, even though my premiums were paid. I spoke with Tom Gallagher who was Insurance Commissioner at the time and he told me, they would get me my premiums back but he couldn’t do anything to them even though they violated the Law because they did not want them to pull out of Florida because of our elderly population.

I am here to tell you that they discriminate, drop you for no reason, exclude you if you have a pre-existing condition, and go up on premiums for no justifiable reason. I am glad the President is making an option available for those who are un-insured or underinsured, which is largely small business owners who work very hard to pay in taxes for those to receive Medicaid, etc, that they can not receive because they make too much money.

I am a conservative but I think it is about time for hard working Americans to be able to receive the same benefits as the Rich and the Poor. The middle class has been abused for far too long. Those of you, who disagree with me and say this is socialism, well let me educate you. Stop driving on roads, stop going to Libraries, stop going to parks, stop calling EMS-Police-or Fire, stop sending your kids to Public Schools. You know why, it is socialized. Ohhhhh, everyone is so afraid of an additional National Health Care Plan because it may be Socialized, then go to your local Commission meeting and tell the County to stop funding all of the Socialized things you use with everybody else’s money.

I don’t go to Parks, but I still pay for them. I don’t go to Libraries, but I still pay for them.

I do drive on the roads and road maintenance does a great job, so you get the point. An additional National Health Care Plan is not going to hurt you. They had the same arguments about Medicare and how many of you are going to refuse it at 65?

Give this plan a chance I think most people will be glad they did. Sorry George Bush didn’t come up with it for you but just remember this, he signed the 700 billion dollar bail out as well. This is not a Party issue, this is an American Issue. We all are forced to get an education in this Country; we should be able to see a Doctor as well.

Jim Brown

Conservative Citizen and Blog Contributor

Tea Parties still protesting. Is anyone listening?

This is the major question when you have thousands of people showing up at Tea Party events and protesting. Tea Party stands for (Taxed Enough Already), and it appears to be the Republican answer to the Democrats www.moveon.org . Tea Party’s are supposed to have no party affiliation and are not to be geared to pushing any particular candidate, but candidates do speak at Tea Party events. I have participated in Tea Party events myself with my wife and children as I do believe in the philosophy, but is anyone really listening. My wife and I have been involved in the political process for years but it appears that people start a movement, no one listens, and then the people become burnt out on the movement they were so passionate about. The Flag Day Tea Party event in Lakeland did not bring as many volunteers as the Tax day Tea Parties in Lakeland and Bartow. Currently more than 900 Tea Party groups Nationwide are having protests against what they are calling, “ABC News’ one-sided, supportive presentation of the Obama administration’s plan for a nationalized health care system.” The President’s plan is being aired Wednesday at 10 p.m. on ABC News and will feature President Obama, speaking from the White House, about the Senate Health, Education and Labor Committee’s proposed legislation for a government takeover of U.S. health care.

President Obama will answer questions about his vision for socialized health care from a panel of Americans selected by ABC News.

Are Tax Payers really tea’d off or is it an illusion as the crowds don’t seem to be what they once were? Are politicians really listening or is this just a free venue to come and speak to a group of people who you are not sure if they are your constituents or not? Do people really believe they are making a change or are they just going about their everyday lives and saying “as long as it doesn’t affect me”? Bill Maher stated that the Democrats are the new Republicans and the Republicans are the “Crazy Party”, is this true? I don’t know the answer to these questions but what I would really like to know. Is anyone listening?

Jim Brown

Conservative Citizen and Blog Contributor