Shadegg comment on health care draws fire

by Kevin Tripp/KTAR (October 30th, 2009 @ 8:32am)

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Comments:36

PHOENIX --One of Arizona's top Democrats criticized Republican Congressman John Shadegg for his comment that health care reform is more important than the 9-11 terrorist attacks.

The veteran congressman said Thursday that health care reform is really a big deal.

"I think this is, probably, in terms of legislation affecting the lives of average Americans, the single most important moment in our lifetime," Shadegg said. "More so than anything else that I can remember. Certainly more so than the impeachment of President Clinton or even 9-11 and the decision to go to war because this affects the health care of every single American."

While saying that reform is needed, Shadegg said he opposes the bill that House Democrats unveiled Thursday.

State Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, assistant Democratic leader in the Arizona House of Representatives, said Shadegg was way off base.

"That's a completely illogical comparison," said Sinema. "You cannot compare legislation to the tragedy of what happened on 9-11. It's just a completely inappropriate comparison."

Sinema added, "If he believes that health reform is the most important issue facing our country, then why is he so vehemently opposed to the efforts that are moving forth in Congress?"

Sinema said the health care debate pales in comparison to the 9-11 terrorist attacks.

Last 5 Comments

• 0 Reply Abuse Vote

  Current Healthcare Proposals Outrageous

  Patriot

  Reform should mean more patient choice and health plan accountability. But these current proposals would lead in the opposite direction--toward a system of less choice, less accountability, and eventually lower-quality health care at higher costs.

  47929
• 0 Reply Abuse Vote

  I am so

  Jim Sanson

  I am so voting out whoever I can who votes for Health Insurance Repub or Dem. I am voting them out.

  47833
• 0 Reply Abuse Vote

  Not Wrong at all

  Jim Sanson

  A. It is a comment, and B. yes we lost people on 911, but we lose more to cancer every day. I am mad it happended, but what is going on right now is a bigger attack on America than 911. The terrorist just has a different face, so deal with it.

  47830
• 0 Reply Abuse Vote

  health care

  wheelchairwhiz

  This country will never be anything but second rate because we can't agree on anything. All we do is sling mud at each other. We get what we deserve. The Chinese are talking all our jobs. So are the Mexicans, the Viet Namese, and everyone else. We just bicker bicker bicker. America is in the toilet and it's our own fault. We have no one else to blame or to sue.

  47796
• 0 Reply Abuse Vote

  Why don't you try

  Loubo

  saying that to one of the families who lost a loved one on 9/11 you jerk. What? Are you and Obama exchanging bodily fluids?

  47730
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