Virginia Foxx: Health Care Reform Greater Threat than Terrorism

By: Stephanie Condon
Topics: Health Care

(AP)

A Republican congresswoman said on the House floor today that Americans have more to fear from Democrats' health care reform plans than from terrorists.

"I believe the greatest fear that we all should have to our freedom comes from this room — this very room — and what may happen later this week in terms of a tax increase bill masquerading as a health care bill," said Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.). "I believe we have more to fear from the potential of that bill passing than we do from any terrorist right now in any country."

Foxx said that voters throughout her district tell her they are frightened by the reform proposals.

"What they are talking about is that they fear for our freedoms, and they fear for the principles that formed this country and have always been the basis on which we have operated," she said. "I share that fear."

Meanwhile, House conservatives Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) and Pete Hoekstra (R-Mich.) are organizing a public protest against the Democrats' health care bill. The representatives are asking people to show up at the Capitol building on Thursday, when the House may begin debate on the bill.

Stephanie Condon
Stephanie Condon is a political reporter for CBSNews.com.
Follow on Twitter »

57 Comments +

Add a Comment

See all 57 Comments


by chuckmadere November 8, 2009 11:52 AM EST: Some of us have been expecting this healthcare issue to come to pass. Some of us have seen the writing on the wall for years now and have tried unsuccessfully to get the public's attention. Some of us hate the government for what they are doing to us. some of us don't care one little bit. Some of us know that no matter what happens now is out of our hands.<><; Reply to this comment


by alpha422 November 8, 2009 12:17 AM EST: This health care "reform" bill is a rape.Medicare has been a giant ponzi scheme that puts Madoff to shame. All the payroll tax money that has come out of our paychecks has been spent elsewhere. They have been using incoming medicare payroll taxes to pay for outgoing expenses for years. Now there are fewer payroll tax dollars to pay for increasing expenses. Now that the government has given all our money to banks and ceo's we are expected to make up the difference. Medicare will be gutted in this bill. You will pay much more for a huge decrease in coverage. Welcome to reform. As for regular medical coverage, we will be forced into horrible insurance coverage at a huge increase in premiums. Check out wall st. journal article "What the Pelosi health-care bill really says" (nov.7) wsj.com.; Reply to this comment


by andacar November 3, 2009 1:00 PM EST: I think a lot of the posters here are misunderstanding just how grave this situation is. Of course this person's call is irrational. That's the whole point. One of the fundamental failures of liberalism has always been this idea that you can rationally explain things to the public using common sense and statistics. Your opponents will see the logic of your point and agree. The republicans know better. Don't try to show logically why health care reform is bad. Tell the public some high sounding and meaningless generality, like health care reform = terrorsm, or that a public option = communism. The fact that it is patently ridiculous is beside the point. It will resonate powerfully with a large segment of the public that views any attempt at real discussion with suspicion and contempt. The republicans have always understood how to push the shrill and fundamentally irrational buttons of the electorate on this and dozens of other issues.; Reply to this comment


by paceaj November 3, 2009 11:59 AM EST: Please pity me and my neighbors! This out-and-out nutcase (known locally as the Wicked Witch of the West, given the location of the NC 5th in the state) unfortunately is my representative. She actually lost her home county (and mine) last time. Now we need to get rid of her completely. The reasons are becoming clearer to the rest of the country every time she opens her foul mouth. Help us move her out of D.C. and back to her nursery (literally).; Reply to this comment


by chitown639 November 3, 2009 1:40 AM EST: Tea bagging is a gathering of individuals who can't accept the fact that Obama is the president. We all know who they are...even if they're not wearing their white sheets this time......; Reply to this comment


by BeckieBest November 3, 2009 1:39 AM EST: This is going to be great for late night comedians.

These right wing nuts just get more rabid and insane every day.; Reply to this comment


by BeckieBest November 3, 2009 1:32 AM EST: This just in from Fox News!

Democrats attempting to provide affordable health care to all Americans is terrorism!

Look out for that mushroom cloud!

Terror!

lol!; Reply to this comment


by BeckieBest November 3, 2009 1:31 AM EST: Republicans have been terrible for the American people.

But they've been really good for comedians.

Fed on a steady diet of Limbough and Fox, they get more rabid and insane every day.

lol!; Reply to this comment


by BeckieBest November 3, 2009 1:26 AM EST: Jesus is very angry that Democrats are trying to provide affordable health care for all Americans.

God will surely punish us all for this!

lol!; Reply to this comment


by BeckieBest November 3, 2009 1:21 AM EST: Here's the new Republican health care reform plan:

Don't get sick.

If you do get sick, die quickly.

lol!; Reply to this comment