By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
The American people never liked the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (better known as Obamacare) and nothing that we have seen in the years since have changed that opinion. Now we learn that the self-proclaimed architect of the legislation views the American people as “stupid” and views that weakness as one of the reasons they were able to pass the intentionally confusing 906 page piece of legislation in the first place.
Congresswoman Martha Roby (R from Montgomery) responded to the shocking revelations in a statement on Thursday, November 13.
Congresswoman Roby wrote, “Insult to injury? We knew Obamacare has been harmful for American families and our economy. Now we find out that the law’s architects intentionally misled the American people about its effects. Recently discovered videos show MIT economist and Obamacare architect Jonathan Gruber revealing how lawmakers relied on the ‘stupidity of the American voter’ to pass Obamacare.”
Representative Roby continued, “Yep, they thought you were too stupid to understand why your taxes went up, hours at work got cut, health care policy got cancelled, or premiums skyrocketed. I’m not surprised, really. Obamacare was built on a foundation of lies. Remember “if you like your health plan, you can keep your health plan”?”
Rep. Roby continued, “But what this revelation lays bare is this Administration’s disrespect for the American voters. To be so willing to obfuscate, distract, and outright lie about a proposal that would negatively affect millions of Americans takes next-level hubris and callousness. An “Audacity of Hoax,” if you will. I remain committed to dismantling this ill-conceived law and replacing it with sensible health reforms that are patient-centered and competition-driven.”
National Journal reports that Dr. Johnathan Gruber said while appearing on an academic panel a year ago, that the law never would have passed if the administration had been honest about the fact that the so-called penalty for noncompliance with the mandate was actually a tax. Gruber said, “And, basically, call it ‘the stupidity of the American voter,’ or whatever, but basically that was really, really critical to getting the thing to pass.”
Dr. Gruber has since apologized for calling the American people stupid. More videos and witnesses have surfaced that indicate Dr. Gruber has used that line routinely in his speeches and lectures.
Speaker of the House John Boehner (R from Ohio) wrote in a joint op-ed with Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R from Kentucky) last week: “We will honor the voters’ trust by focusing, first, on jobs and the economy,” including “renewing our commitment to repeal ObamaCare, which is hurting the job market along with Americans’ health care.”
White House Spokesman Josh Earnest said that he “disagrees vigorously with [Gruber’s] assessment” that Democrats were intentionally deceptive in the way they passed the health law.
Martha Roby represents Alabama’s Second Congressional District. Rep. Roby was just elected to a third term by the voters in the Second District.
