Well, there would be money in the budget for them, but they don't vote Republican

Once upon a time we took care of those who looked after us and made sometimes immenses sacrifices to ensure our safety and security. Then came 9.11, when thousands of heroes gave of themselves beyond anything that could reasonably have been expected. These folks worked under conditions in which “unsafe” wouldn’t begin to describe the risks they faces. Many spent long hours working on the pile of rubble at the site of the Twin Towers, inhaling an unholy mix of dust and who-knows-what-else that has rendered many unable to breathe normally, much less lead normal lives. You’d think that a grateful nation would demand that our government take care of these heroes after the sacrifices they made and the damage done to their health. Uh, yeah…and I’ll bet you still believe in Santa Claus, eh??

The same government that has employed 9.11 at every opportunity to create the fear they believe is necessary to ensure their agenda goes forward has “cut 77 percent of the funding for health care for 9/11 workers”. Hey, it’s been more than six years; isn’t about time these folks took care of themselves? These first responders didn’t think about what the long-term effect on their health might be. They unquestioningly did what they felt needed to be done…to their detriment, as it turns out.

If this Administration can continue to find the money to fund the never-ending war in Iraq, you’d think they could find some spare change for those whose lives and health have been adversely impacted by their selfless heroism. Then again, this is the Bush Administration we’re talking about here, where “Compassionate Conservatism” means that caring for 9.11 first responders has it’s limits. Don’t these people have insurance??

It would be nice to think that “Compassionate Conservatism” would extend to those whose well-being we should unquestioningly step up and accept responsibility for. These folks put themselves on the line. Now they’re being tossed aside like yesterday’s news. Is that what America is about?

WE DESERVE BETTER…and Lord knows that the 9.11 first responders do.