Shameful Republicans: Rep Jenkins LAUGHS and Ridicules Young Mom Asking about the Public Option!

Topeka’s U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins (R-KS) apparently has no empathy for someone without health insurance, even when they are standing before her in a public forum. Young mom Elizabeth Smith is a 27-year-old Ottawa, KS waitress who has a 2 1/2-year-old son and cannot afford health insurance. She has not been able to see a doctor in nearly 2 years. The only access has been through the ER, which as we know, is the most expensive way to deliver care. She went to a Town Hall Meeting to ask Rep. Jenkins for help in supporting the public option so that she and other young, poor American Mom's like her can have affordable health insurance.
Here is the discussion:

Elizabeth Smith: I’m a 27 year-old single mother. I work full-time. I do not have health insurance. My employer does not provide health insurance to me and I cannot afford it privately. Why shouldn’t my government guarantee all of its citizens health care?

Jenkins: Thank you. I’m sorry, maybe you missed my opening remarks, but absolutely. That’s why we have Medicaid in the current system and that’s why under the alternative proposal we have an option for low-to-modest-income people to be able to afford health care and then we’ve got the SCHIP program for children. I think we’ve got all of the bases covered.

Audience member: She’s not covered under SCHIP!

Jenkins: OK, if you’re not then you’re the perfect example for why we need reform and why we
need it now but we have to do it right and if we can do an alternative proposal, as I’m suggesting, give you the money to go buy it in a reformed marketpace where it is affordable, that’s my preference rather than to saddle the nation with yet another government program when they can’t afford the government run programs we have.

Elizabeth Smith: I want an option that I can pay for. I work. I pay my bills. I’m not a burden on the state. I pay my taxes. So why can’t I get an affordable option. Why are you against that?

Jenkins: A government run program (laugh) is going to subsidize not only yours (laugh) but everybody in this room. So I’m not sure what we’re talking about here.

Jenkins: I think it comes down to the whole discussion of…

(The crowd erupts. Some say "What's wrong with that!" At this point, it’s safe to say even they aren’t buying Jenkins position…)

Lynn: OK folks. Let’s be respectful. UH-OH (talking over crowd). We’re gonna make time for everybody. We’re gonna all listen to each other respectfully, even if we disagree. I think
we can agree we need reforms, again it’s just how we gonna do it. I believe people should be given the opportunity to take care of themselves with an advancebale tax credit to go be a grown-up and go buy the insurance.

See the whole

video here.

Unbelievable Update: Republican Jenkins Said she Accidently Signed a Resolution Supporting a PARDON for Jack Johnson of "Great White Hope Fame"

Republican Rep. Jenkins sent a Resolution urging President Obama to grant a pardon to boxer Jack Johnson of "Great White Hope" fame. Claims it was an accident. She said she didn't read it before she signed it!
ABC10 reports:
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
A spokeswoman for Kansas' 2nd District Rep. Lynn Jenkins said the congresswoman didn't read a resolution she supported urging a pardon for boxer Jack Johnson. The resolution urging President Barack Obama to pardon Johnson contained the phrase "great white hope." Jenkins, a Republican, caused a stir when she used the phrase during a gathering in August in Kansas.

The phrase "great white hope" often is associated with pre-civil rights-era racism. It is widely believed to have become popular in the U.S. when Johnson, who was black, captured the heavyweight title in the early 1900s.
Many whites reacted to Johnson's achievement by trying to find white fighters -- or a "great white hope" -- who could beat him.

Republicans Praying for Great White Hope to Defeat Obama in 2012

In response to a question from a conservative constituent concerned about the future of the Republican party, freshman Republican Lynn Jenkins said: “Republicans are struggling right now to find the Great White Hope. I suggest to any of you who are concerned about that, who are Republican, there are some great young Republican minds in Washington.” She then went on to name a handful of younger Republicans who are, well, WHITE. (No Minorities)

The phrase "Great White Hope" was coined by writer (”Call of the Wild”) Jack London, who, like many whites of his day, was incensed by the athletic prowess of black boxer Jack Johnson. After Johnson beat a Canadian to claim the world heavyweight boxing title in 1908, London called for a “Great White Hope” to defeat him.

Rep. Jenkins' comment has made the rounds of the talkshows. And now Jenkins has given a half-hearted apology saying she "apologizes if her words have offended anyone. That was not the intent in any way, shape or form."

Would Jenkins have made this comment if our President was White? Probably Not. This reminds me of Palin's comment about "True Americans" being from rural, lily-white Mayberry towns. This certainly makes you realize both Jenkins and Palin as well as most Republicans consider Michael Steele a mere token and not one of their Leaders or their Hope!

As the Republicans continue to dig this hole for themselves, it appears their only figures of hope at this time are the lollipop kids, Beck, Hannity and Limbaugh! Shame! PS: Don't look for any minorities to vote Republican any time soon!