My Confession: I Am A Tool Of Socialism

[ChoppinBroccoli]

You know, after hearing all the Town Hall protestors shout their epithets about the evils of Socialism, I got to thinking about my own situation and came to the terrifying conclusion that I am, in fact, a tool of Socialism, and need to be purged from this Earth, or at the very least cleansed in the waters of Capitalism by selling myself to the highest bidder, or indenture myself to a big corporation or something.

I am an attorney who does a large amount of criminal defense work, including a great deal of Court Appointed cases. Now, as a member of the "Court Appointed Attorneys List," I provide free legal representation to indigent people charged with crimes (many of whom are Juveniles--you know, kids). In exchange for my services, I am compensated for my time by a SINGLE PAYER (the State of Ohio).

Now, since I've heard all the arguments about what horrors would arise if we were to adopt Single Payer Healthcare in this country, I am led to the inevitable conclusion that all these things are either just about to happen, or have already happened, in this country's LEGAL system. I mean, this whole "people who can't afford lawyers can have one appointed to represent them for free" nonsense has been going on in this country for over 220 years, when in 1789 a bunch of wild-eyed Marxists decided that poor people still should have rights. Certainly, the downfall of the entire legal system MUST be at hand after 220 years.

Why, I'm sure any day now we'll see rationing of legal services. I'm sure you'll find it hard to find a lawyer to represent you, because no one will want to go into that field of work when there is a huge, government-run provider undercutting private attorneys. I'm sure many people will languish on the courthouse steps, just WAITING for their cases to be heard, and some might even DIE there, because there will be more Defendants than there will be Courtrooms in which to hear their cases and/or attorneys to fill them. It will result in "Guilty Panels," in which only a few select people will be deemed worthy of getting free representation, while the rest will not only be denied any kind of representation whatsoever, but will be forced to enter involntary Guilty pleas and spend the rest of their lives in prison. Not to mention the fact that the only people who will be able avail themselves of free representation are illegal aliens. And watch out, because I'm sure it will all lead to YOUR tax dollars being sent through the roof to pay for all of this.

No, I'm afraid if this country is to have any HOPE for survival whatsoever, we have no CHOICE but to repeal the Constitutional Right to Counsel immediately. Our children's FUTURES depend on it!!! Because believe me, the collapsing legal system WILL cripple and kill this country. And you'll have me to thank for it.

[corpseratemedia]

1. great post and points! And thanks for representing those who can't afford representation n/t

[ChoppinBroccoli]

2. Getting Some Reaction

I posted an abbreviated version of my post as my Facebook status today, and here is the response I got from one of my friends who likes to make posts about how evil Healthcare Reform is:

"Doing PD work? OUCH....and good luck getting paid my friend.. wow. ugg. I think we have more than you to thank for our failing legal system!!!!"

And here's my response back to her:

"No, I'm not a public defender. I do court appointed work. There's a difference. And the checks I get for court appointed cases are INFINITELY more reliable than my private clients. The State of Ohio pays me every cent of what I bill......EVERY time. Private clients? I'm lucky to get fully paid HALF the time. The private sector just isn't reliable. In short, I AM the public option."

Oh, how that must have driven a spike right through the heart of her little right-wing fantasy world.

[SammyWinstonJack]

3. +1

:evilgrin: :thumbsup:

[lyonn]

4. Oh that was too damn funny, it hurts......

"Your statements and conclusions are just as valid in Oklahoma as in Ohio, even tho all 77 counties in OK voted repub in last election. As you probably know the majority here is a little slow on the uptake, however, keep on keepin' on." Per a retired suburban trial lawyer, my husband.

Great satire.

[ChoppinBroccoli]

5. Update

No snappy comeback filled with Right Wing Talking Points from my friend. Guess she wasn't instructed on how to respond to that one yet.

[lyonn]

6. The lawyers have associations that act as watchdogs

They discipline those that have broken the law, believe that everyone has a right to an attorney, etc.. Not so much with the medical association. Does the AMA promote care for the poor? The media reports on medical malpractice lawsuits that are hurting the industry. Why is it that you must search deep to find any statistics on the amount insurance companies pay out in malpractice cases? It appears it is a fraction of what the insurance companies claim is causing them to rape the doctors for insurance.

We have a friend that represents doctors in malpractice cases and she has become a rabid rupub. We visited them recently and left their home feeling like crap. We were guest, but, when comments were made that, "the blacks are taking over", the economy; "you just wait, we will be bankrupt as a country", "I am ready to leave this country"..... comments in this area. She and her husband have been our friends for years, my husband helped her get the job she has, but life gets in the way of seeing people as we did when young!! Sooo, her attitude shocked me. She is no dummy.... I had to kick my husband for some of his comments. Politics, ugh

It might be only in Fed. Ct. but, my husband was automatically on a list for indigent people. Can we say that about the medical community? I am old and getting feeble, so my facts could be wrong, don't think it was in Dist. Ct.. District Court has a public defender system.

[ChoppinBroccoli]

7. Just About Every Court........

.........has a Public Defender's Office. Almost all the big cities do, anyway. However, some of the smaller towns don't. I worked in one small town recently that had no Public Defenders at all, and farmed out all their indigent cases to Court Appointed Attorneys. Here in Columbus, the Courts all are serviced by a Public Defender's Office, but also have a list of Court Appointed attorneys that they appoint when the PDs have a conflict (which is often). Here in Columbus, the Court Appointed list is long (and distinguished--I'd like to see any Right Wing mouth-breather make the argument that indigent Defendants are getting sub-standard representation), and attorneys who are on it get PLENTY of work. When Bushonomics RUINED my private practice (I couldn't even exist as a small business just based on private clients--around 2002 or 2003, I started noticing that nobody who called me ever had any money), the only thing that kept me going was Court Appointed cases.

And if my wife had HER way, I'd do NOTHING BUT Court Appointed work. Why? Because my private clients usually make their first up-front payment and then never pay again, whereas the State of Ohio reliably pays me within 2-3 weeks of submitting my bill.........EVERY TIME. And unlike my private clients, the checks I get from the State of Ohio NEVER BOUNCE. That's right, mouth-breathers. The private sector leaves you hung out to dry, while the SINGLE PAYER is the most reliable paycheck I get. Oh, how that must be a dagger through your little black hearts.