At the conservative Townhall Blog, Michele Bachmann (R-MN) posted a screed against President  Obama's February 25th health care summit with the title, Democrats will Implement "Trick" to Pass Health Care Reform in which she says that it is "...a clear assault on the intelligence of the American people."

Here's what I think. If you don't want to attend, don't attend, but also don't participate in your Federal Employee Health Benefits Program that is clearly
socialist in nature as I found out by reading about just how good your plan is and who pays for it.  You are vehemently against health care reform for all who are not members of Congress because you think our healthcare is just fine as is. Well, I think it should be at least as good as yours. As you so often preach to us, Michele, this is a democracy, and no one is supposed to be better than another else--even Congresswomen from Minnesota.

Let's just take a look at your socialist health care plan. According to an ABC News Report, the Office of Attending Physician provides the following services for members of Congress among others: physicals, X-ray and lab work, referrals to military hospitals or having specialists brought to the Capitol usually free of charge to members of Congress, no wait time, no 10-15 minute cut-off time for doctor/patient interaction, physical therapy, pharmacy on site, etc.

Here is a quote from that ABC News report:

And, guess what--Congress gets to set the appropriations for the salaries of those who care for them.

Don't know about you, but I think it is a pretty good example of socialism when we taxpayers (some of whom go to the free clinic in Wise, VA to be treated one day per year as their healthcare plan), subsidize the Congressional health insurance plan. One OAP staffer "...described the OAP as 'the best health care on the planet.'"

So Michele, I'm calling you out on your hypocrisy. In fact, I'm calling out all of you Republicans and any Democrats who won't vote for health care reform or who rail against the summit and decide not to attend, to immediately give up all perks you receive from your Federal Employee Health Benefits Program.

I have another question. Why do Democrats let Republicans (and their media mouthpieces) monopolize this topic and give their one-sided and often untrue arguments undeterred and unimpeded by facts? It is time to counter some of the "crazy talk" by Michele Bachmann and others instead of merely being amused by her. The lies have filled the void of Democratic rebuttals. Even President Obama has seen the need to get his message out to the masses clearly and often. We Democrats need to follow suit.