During HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius testimony yesterday there were numerous references to the Wizard of Oz made by members of Congress since she was the former Governor of Kansas. Congressman Bruce Braley (D-IA) couldn’t resist when it was his turn to question Sebelius as well. ““One of the things that keeps coming up in this hearing, because you are from Kansas, is references to ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ “ Congressman Braley said to Sebilius. “People went to see the wizard because of the wonderful things that he did. And the Affordable Care Act is doing a lot of great things in Iowa.”
Apparently Congressman Braley was unaware that the Wizard of Oz was a complete fraud. So perhaps that is an appropriate reference.
Here’s the clip:
Jon Stewart aired that clip on his show last night. Stewart also pointed out the problem with the reference, “Really. You’re going to use the wizard to defend your program? To say how great it is? Did you watch the movie? Umm, the wizard is a charlatan! The wizard is a two-bit huckster who never gave people anything they didn’t already have.”
David Young, a Republican running for U.S. Senate, also wasn’t impressed with the reference. “”It is shameful that Congressman Braley’s only response to the millions of Americans who are being shifted from full to part-time work, getting kicked off their health insurance programs, or facing higher prices as a result of Obamacare is to make light of the situation with a children’s story,” Young said.
“These are serious problems, that deserve attention from representatives in Congress who take Iowans seriously. As U.S. Senator, I will take hearings seriously, ask the tough questions, and get to the bottom of the issue because the federal government needs to be held accountable,” he added.
Another Republican U.S. candidate, Sam Clovis, said a better comparison for Obamacare would be the Wicked Witch of the West.
“If Congressman Braley wants to compare Obamacare to this American classic, he might want to stop acting like the scarecrow and rethink who should play which role,” Clovis said. “Like the Wicked Witch of the West, Obamacare has wreaked havoc since day one. However, the truly scary part for Iowans is that Obamacare’s disastrous effects aren’t a fictional villain, but rather a real existence, brought to life by Congressman Braley’s vote for the failing law.”
“Many Americans are now finding themselves without any insurance because of Obamacare’s individual mandate,” said Clovis. “These individuals have worked hard to obtain insurance for themselves and their families, and now it has been ripped out from underneath of them. And on top of that, if they are fortunate enough to still have their insurance, their premiums are more than doubling in cost. This is pure highway robbery.”
“While it is probably true that Congressman Braley has been too busy watching ‘The Wizard of Oz’ to prepare for congressional committee hearings, it is very clear that has not taken the time to acknowledge the 10.5 million individuals who are going to lose their healthcare with the enactment of this law – Iowans deserve better,” said Clovis.