Good Riddance! Rep. Parker Griffith of Alabama Switches To R

[stopbush]

Ala. Dem defects to GOP over health care, policy
AP

By JAY REEVES, Associated Press Writer Jay Reeves, Associated Press Writer – 18 mins ago

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Freshman Democratic U.S. Rep. Parker Griffith announced Tuesday he is switching to the GOP, another blow to Democrats facing a potentially tough midterm election.

Griffith spoke to reporters at his home in northern Alabama, a region that relies heavily on defense and aerospace jobs.

"I believe our nation is at a crossroads and I can no longer align myself with a party that continues to pursue legislation that is bad for our country, hurts our economy, and drives us further and further into debt," Griffith said as his wife Virginia stood by his side.

The 67-year-old radiation oncologist was narrowly elected last year in a district that includes Huntsville and Decatur. President Barack Obama lost badly there to Republican John McCain.

Griffith also slammed the health care overhaul making its way through Congress. He was one of 39 House Democrats to vote against a version of the bill that narrowly passed.

"I want to make it perfectly clear that this bill is bad for our doctors," he said Tuesday. "It's bad for our patients. It's bad for the young men and women who are considering going into the health care field."

He said after the press conference that his defection had nothing to do with concerns about whether he could win re-election as a Democrat. He also said he had not talked to any fellow Democrats about switching parties along with him.

"If they do, I hope it's on conviction and not politics," he said.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_congress_party_switch

[HuckleB]

1. What a crock of hooey from Griffith.

[derby378]

2. WANTED: One Alabama Democrat to fill upcoming House vacancy, health/dental benefits provided

Please inquire at the Alabama Democratic Party HQ. As in stat.

[Skidmore]

3. Ah, another one of those caring MDs.

[Oregone]

4. Bullshit. Its good for doctors. Theyll get paid way more

Insurance companies have no more incentive to negotiate low rates, because higher rates insure more profits when you regulate the ratio of premiums to claim payouts.

Fortunately for them, there still is an anti-trust exemption, so instead of competing and racing to the bottom, theyll just call their buddies at the other companies and ensure jacking rates sky-high wont make them uncompetative.

OH yes, the un-intended consequences of health insurance reform. Its sorta like switching traffic lights to LED in a "green" furvor.

[EC]

5. He reminds me of the politicians that didn't want to give

women the right to vote because they owned liquor distribution centers and if women got the right to vote, then prohibition would be passed...this is a doctor seeing his lively hood as a doctor being depleted since I'm sure he still owns a med center or something in the field...