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| Will the "last stage out of Dodge" carry Sen. Pat's reclining chair? |
Reporter Martin writes:
In an interview, the three-term senator acknowledged that he did not have a home of his own in Kansas. The house on a country club golf course that he lists as his voting address belongs to two longtime supporters and donors — C. Duane and Phyllis Ross — and he says he stays with them when he is in the area. He established his voting address there the day before his challenger in the August primary, Milton Wolf, announced his candidacy last fall, arguing that Mr. Roberts was out of touch with his High Plains roots.
“I have full access to the recliner,” the senator joked. Turning serious, he added, “Nobody knows the state better than I do.” New York Times, Feb. 7, 2014
Future Health Care for Youth?
A Letter Home
Hi Dad,Vox.com had a reporter interview 9 Republican senators to hear their thoughts on the policy implications of Graham-Cassidy. Their responses were...illuminating, though not in the way you would hope. The best part was the first response from Pat Roberts, however, which might as well have been lifted directly from a storyboard at The Onion:
Jeff Stein: Senator, I wanted to ask you for a policy-based explanation for why you’re moving forward with the Graham-Cassidy proposal. What problems will this solve in the health care system?
Pat Roberts: That — that is the last stage out of Dodge City.
Jeff Stein: I’m just trying to explain to our readers what the policy —
Pat Roberts: What readers? Who do you represent?
Jeff Stein: It’s a website called Vox.
Pat Roberts: ... [Graham-Cassidy] is the last stage out of Dodge City. I’m from Dodge City. So it’s the last stage out to do anything. Restoring decision-making back to the states is always a good idea, but this is not the best possible bill — this is the best bill possible under the circumstances.
If we do nothing, I think it has a tremendous impact on the 2018 elections. And whether or not Republicans still maintain control and we have the gavel.
Jeff Stein: But why does this bill make things better for Americans? How does it help?
Pat Roberts: Pardon me?
Jeff Stein: Why does this make things better? What is this doing?
Pat Roberts: Look, we’re in the back seat of a convertible being driven by Thelma and Louise, and we’re headed toward the canyon. That’s a movie that you’ve probably never seen —
Jeff Stein: I do know Thelma & Louise, sir.
Pat Roberts: So we have to get out of the car, and you have to have a car to get into, and this is the only car there is. Jeff Stein, Sept. 20, 2017, Vox.
In a lot of ways I'm looking forward to the slow decline of this country over the next 50 years. We kind of deserve it, electing assholes like that.
Affectionately,
Your Son
