Finally...a Democrat with balls

"I would like to apologize," he said. "I would like to apologize to the dead.".... Citing a statistic that 44,789 Americans die each year because they don't have health insurance, Grayson said, "That is more than ten times the number of Americans who died in the war in Iraq, it's more than ten times the number of Americans who died on 9/11. ...It happens every year.".... Grayson added in another apparent dig at the GOP, "We should care about people even after they are born."

I've watched Rep. Grayson's impassioned speech on the House floor several times now, and I never cease to be amazed- that this is the first time a Democrat has had the cojones to call it as he see it. In calling out Republican callousness and intransigence on health care reform, Grayson got it exactly right. In ridiculing the Party of "NO!" for refusing to put forward their own health care reform plan, Grayson has said what more prominent Democrats should have said long ago. That it took an obscure first-termer from Florida to stand up and speak truth to power is something that should deeply embarrass the Democratic leadership in Congress. That Republicans have nothing to offer in response that bluster and faux outrage can and should be taken as proof that Republicans simply don't give a damn. Far too many of them (and, sadly, far too many Democrats) have been purchased lock, stock, and barrel by the health care industry. They're far more concerned with keeping their corporate masters happy than looking out for the interests of those who sent them to Washington in the first place.

Granted, Grayson's use of "Holocaust" might not have been the wisest thing he could have done, but those focusing on that in order to discredit him are the same ones working to kill health care reform. Those Republicans bleating about Grayson's alleged "breach in decorum" are the same ones who stood behind Joe Wilson when he screamed "You lie!" at the President. And since when is decorum even a priority in the House? Or truth for that matter? If you watch this video from The Rachel Maddow Show, you'll find it tough to ignore the fact that Republicans are certainly not afraid to engage in hyperbole of their own.

When we do it, it's speaking truth to power and being honest with the American people. When you do it, it's the worst sort of propagandizing and prevarication- and you should be ashamed of yourselves for engaging in such shameless Left-wing brain-washing. Yeah, right. Whatever....

I admire Grayson for not backing down, for using his "apology" to stick to Republicans once again. If he was guilty of engaging in grandstanding or mindless chatter, he'd be an excellent candidate for "Worst Person in the World." The problem for Republicans is that Grayson is right, and they know it. When the only weapon you have in your arsenal is attacking Grayson for the very hyperbole and excess that you have engaged in yourself...well, you've become nothing more than fodder for those like myself who would call you on your lunacy and hypocrisy.

WE DESERVE BETTER.