Democrats hammer Bush on his veto of children's healthcare

By Ben Cohen

Today, George Bush vetoed an important bill that would provide health care for millions of poor children. If one needed proof that the President's priorities were completely out of sync with the needs of average Americans, this is it. Embarked on a course of self mutilation, the Republicans are removing themselves from the everyday reality of most of the population by their savage neglect of the poor. This is an issue that the Democrats can show their teeth on (as opposed to Iraq, where they have flailed around hopelessly), and they have stuck it to Bush mercilessly (especially Harry Reid, pictured right).

If tax payers can fund multiple foreign wars that yield absolutely nothing in return, spending a fraction of it on expanding poor children's health care should not seem to much to ask. But for the Neo Cons in power, those children do not translate into votes and are therefore an irrelevance. In 2002, Bush defined his political philosophy:

"I call my philosophy and approach compassionate conservatism. It is compassionate to actively help our fellow citizens in need. It is conservative to insist on responsibility and results. And with this hopeful approach, we will make a real difference in people's lives."

His latest veto is neither compassionate or responsible. It is down right horrible.

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