Moran details troubles in capital
Published on -1/3/2010, 7:49 PM
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By MIKE CORN
RUSSELL -- The 50 or so Kiwianians who turned out to listen to U.S. Rep. Jerry Moran were to serve as his voice of reason for his return to Washington, D.C.
Instead, the exchange between Moran and members of the Russell Kiwanis Club on the last day of 2009 turned into something closer to what could only be described as an essay on "What's the matter with Washington, D.C."
It would be easier to say there's little right, what with the partisanship and selfishness that has resulted in the federal government simply spending too much and borrowing too much, according to the message from Moran.
Moran was especially critical of what's going on in the nation's capital. In a bit of irony, all that came after the group said the Pledge of Allegiance, prayed and sang "God Bless America," all the while Moran was standing behind a sea of flags.
Moran, who grew up in Russell County, received a standing ovation after being introduced as one of the "bright shining lights in that dismal place called Washington, D.C."
"Are you all happy with what's going on in our nation's capital?" Moran asked.
His question was greeted with an outpouring of laughter.
"That's the response I get when I ask that question," he said.
Moran said his recently completed round of town hall meetings showed both promise and despair, in that larger-than-ever-before crowds had turned out for the meetings, reflecting concern about what the federal government is doing along with showing that people are ready to take charge.
What he also found is that people agree the government is spending too much, borrowing too much, growing too big and "becoming too selfish."
"I shouldn't be in D.C. talking about the next election," Moran said of the approach the nation's political leaders take when they head to Washington. "It ought to be about the next generation."
The point, he said, is Congress should do what makes the future brighter for the next generation.
The current health care debate, he said, reflects that.
"I opposed the heath care bill," he stated flatly.
But the prevailing effort is to simply pass a bill.
"The focus in D.C. is to get the president the headline, "President signs health care bill," he said. "It ought not be about the headline, it ought to be about the substance. We're missing substance in Washington, D.C."
He's especially troubled that the bill is chock full of pork, and not just about health care.
On the last day of 2009, Moran said he's hopeful that a new year will mean a new approach.
"I hope in 2010 we get our act together and do what's good for America," he said.
He's apparently not too optimistic.
"We've got to turn this around," he said of the burgeoning spending, "if we are going to have a viable economy."
Moran said he thinks he's been able to remain committed to common sense because he and his family didn't make the move to Washington, instead remaining in Hays where he returns nearly every weekend.
"At some point in time, I'm coming back to live a normal life somewhere in Kansas," he said.
In the meantime, he said he will fight to right problems in Washington.
If the health care bill passes, Moran said, he will introduce legislation to repeal the measure.
Moran said he's not opposed to changes in the health care system, but he said the root of the problem needs resolved, and then insurance costs will follow.
He pointed to health-privacy legislation that has long been law, forcing a crush of paperwork on the industry.
"There is a broad brush that we paint in Washington, D.C., that makes no sense to us in Kansas," he said.
But the push now is to provide insurance for 44 million people, some of whom simply don't want insurance and include illegal aliens.
"When you take them out, you're down to about 12 million people," Moran said. "I'm all in favor of doing something to take care of them."
But the measure should also include prevention, through exercise and diet.
"Insurance costs a lot because health care costs a lot," Moran said. "So if you do something about healthcare, you'll save a lot on insurance."
Or maybe more people than you think support our President. Get over it.
(Posted by: Come On)
: 1/5/2010
Looks like the president's letter-to-the-editor czar actually got several people to participate in an anti-Moran campaign.
(Posted by: )
Come On: 1/5/2010
Better watch it nufsd, sounds like you are threatening the life of the president and you will be reported to the police. I suggest you go back into your hate mongering hole and stay there. If the republicans would try to work with the democrats instead of against them maybe this would be a bill all would like but until they can take the high road the democrats will have to do all of the work.
(Posted by: Come On)
what dumb people:: 1/4/2010
Every one thinks they know how to do everything so much better: WHY ARE YOU NOT UP IN WASHINGTON???? the health bill is not worth the paper it is printed on. The dumbacraps only do what will make them more money and nothing else. OB won't make to his third year....
(Posted by: nufsd)
Jerry Moran: 1/4/2010
There you have it corporate health care lackey Jerry Moran spewing his swill to the Kiwian choir. Jerry doesn't worry about his health care does he - he's got the best taxpayers can buy.
And to think, he's most likely to be our next Senator fall right in the footsteps of Sen. 'Uncle' Sam 'Greenbacks' Brownback.
God help Kansas.
(Posted by: Jim Oss, WaKeeney)
To Dumbacraps: 1/4/2010
That health bill is nothing but a waste of money that will do very little for anybody but make a mess and cost trillions of wasted money. And for what? for a few people who don't know how to eat right and exercise.....
(Posted by: cj6)
Health Care in the US: 1/3/2010
is grossly overpriced, not available at any price to millions of citizens, and inferior to that available to those in other industrialized countries. This is well-documented and indisputable by any rational person. Jerry Moran is a legislator. It is his job to legislate reforms to serve the interests of his constituents. Why can't he and his party become part of the effort to fix this abysmal system?
(Posted by: Red State Blues)
Party of non-ideas : 1/3/2010
I see Moran is marching lockstep with "the party of non-ideas" - also known as the modern Republican Party. If Republicans ever hope to regain power, they have to do more than simply be "against" everything. The party has absolutely zero ideas except for the tired old "small government and lower taxes". Well that's great, but small government and lower taxes isn't going to solve all of our nation's problems. Come up with even a remotely fresh idea and maybe I'd vote for you. Until then, even if their ideas are not perfect, at least the Democrats are putting ideas on the table which is a lot more than you can say for the Republicans right now.
(Posted by: Brody77)
nice change of pace: 1/3/2010
@ Come on and Tired
It's nice to see something other than the typical Republican apologist garbage that seems to infuse Western Kansas. I used to be a fan of Moran, but unfortunately it is obvious that he is doing NOTHING but toting the party line and like most politicians spends too much time campaigning and too little time legislating. No more votes for you Jerry.
(Posted by: Sick and Tired of the GOP)
Biased Reporter?: 1/3/2010
It would be nice if all reporters could just report the facts and avoid trying to add their own spin.
(Posted by: Larry)
Russel Co. Native??: 1/3/2010
I think he is a native of Plainville if I am not mistaken. His dad and mom live there now.
(Posted by: Dee)
Moran: 1/3/2010
Part of his childhood was in southern Russell County. He graduated HS in Plainville
(Posted by: Bob)
Come on: 1/3/2010
Moran is an idiot. This bill does not cover illegal aliens and the only reason D.C. has been so partisan this past year is because Republicans refuse to work with Democrats. The focus should be on the uninsured because costs in the hospitals will not come down. We give great care but we don't make sure everyone can access it which is pathetic for our nation. It's too bad Kansas is full of republican sympathizers that won't elect Democrats who actually work to get something accomplished.
(Posted by: Come On)
Is that the best you can do?: 1/3/2010
Is that the best you can do in health care? Did you have to walk the party line and not join with moderates in trying to get something that works? Is that the best you can do is just try to destroy what people worked to get by introducing a bill to repeal? Or is it just a delay tactic to stop moderates from achieving anything together? Is that the best you can do is just declare that mony of those uninsured don't really want insurance? You got all these anseres to our health care problems, didn't you have them for the ten years privious when your party was in control of house, senate and presidentcy? Is the answere still the same, deregulate, cut taxes (for the rich, not the bottom 98%) and let the free market cure all the problems. Oh wait - isn't that what brought our country to it's knees? As I see it, if you are not part of the solution, then you are part of the problem.
(Posted by: Tired)
Moran: 1/3/2010
I know he grew up in Plainville (Roods County). He was in my sons class in school. I knew his parents and sister.We all should be very proud of him,I am.
(Posted by: Not Confused)
Moran: 1/3/2010
I always thought he grew up in Rooks County?
(Posted by: Confused)
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