Dems use of 12-year old as Absolute Moral Authority against Bush's veto of SCHIP expansion backfires

[Queasy]

Last Saturday (9/29), Dem leaders trotted out 12-year old Graeme Frost to rebut President Bush's weekly radio address and urge President Bush not to veto the expansion of the S-CHIP program.

Washington DC ? His name is Graeme Frost, he's only 12-years-old, and on Saturday, he took on the President.

Frost gave the democratic response to the president's weekly radio address.

A car crash left Graeme with serious brain injuries, and a federal health insurance program paid for his recovery - the same program that is up for renewal.

Congress overwhelmingly approved a major expansion of the children's health insurance program, but President Bush is vowing to veto it this week, saying the expansion is irresponsible.

Frost disagrees.

?Please don't veto this bill. A bunch of children in America really need this,? said Frost.

Frost's parents are described as this more often than not:

Bonnie Frost works for a medical publishing firm; her husband, Halsey, is a woodworker. They are raising their four children on combined income of about $45,000 a year. Neither gets health insurance through work.

Having priced private insurance that would cost more than their mortgage - about $1,200 a month - they continue to rely on the government program. In Maryland, families that earn less than 300 percent of the federal poverty level - about $60,000 for a family of four - are eligible.

The Senate staffers wrote the script for Graeme.

"My parents work hard and always make sure my sister and I have everything we need, but the hospital bills were huge," he says in the address. "We got the help we needed because we had health insurance for us through the CHIP program. But there are millions of kids out there who don't have CHIP, and they wouldn't get the care that my sister and I did if they got hurt."

Sounds reasonable, right? Well, a little investigating reveals

Graeme Frost, who gave the democrat rebuttal to George Bush?s reasons for vetoing the SCHIP Bill, is a middle school student at the exclusive$20,000 per year Park School in Baltimore, MD.

Graeme was in a severe car accident three years ago, and received care paid for by the government program known as SCHIP-(State Children's Health Insurance Program)

"I was in a coma for a week and couldn't eat or stand up or even talk. My sister was even worse," Graeme wrote. "My parents work really hard and always make sure my sister and I have everything we need, but we can't afford private health insurance."

His sister Gemma, also severely injured in the accident, attended the same school prior to the accident meaning the family was able to come up with nearly $40,000 per year for tuition for these 2 grade schoolers. Confirmation both attended Park found here using edit-"find on this page"-Gemma. It will take you to an article in the schools newspaper about a fundraiser for Gemma class of 16, and Graeme class of 13.

Here are photos of the school's 44,000 square foot Wyman Arts Center: two galleries, an outdoor ampitheater, Meyerhoff Theater, Macks-Fidler Black Box Theater, practice rooms, rehearsal space, and ceramics, 3-D sculpture, woodworking, jewelry, painting, photography, digital graphics studios, recording studio, and keyboard lab.

In a Baltimore Sun article the family claims to be raising their four children on combined income of about $45,000 a year. "Bonnie Frost works for a medical publishing firm; her husband, Halsey, is a woodworker. They are raising their four children on combined income of about $45,000 a year. Neither gets health insurance through work."

What the article does not mention is that Halsey Frost has owned his own company "Frostworks",since this marriage announcement in the NY Times in 1992 so he chooses to not give himself insurance. He also employed his wife as "bookkeeper and operations management" prior to her recent 2007 hire at the "medical publishing firm". As her employer, he apparently denied her health insurance as well.

His company, Frostworks, is located at 3701 E BALTIMORE ST. A building that was purchased for $160,000 in 1999. The buildings owner is listed as DIVERSIFIED INDUSTRIAL DESIGN CENTER, LLC whose mailing address is listed as 104 S Collington Ave which is the Frost's home. The commercial property he owns is also listed as the business address for another company called Reillys Designs which leads to the question of whether rental income is included in the above mentioned salary total

The current market value of their improved 3,040 SF home at 104 S Collington Ave is unknown but 113 S COLLINGTON AVE, also an end unit, sold for $485,000 this past March and it was only 2,060 SF. A photo taken in the family's kitchen shows what appears to be a recent remodeling job with granite counter tops and glass front cabinets

A little more digging reveals:

A check of a quote engine for zip code 21250 (Baltimore) finds a plan for $641 with a $0 deductible and $20 doc copays.

Adding a deductible of $750 (does not apply to doc visits) drops the premium to $452. That's almost a third of the price quoted in the article. Doesn't anyone bother to check the facts?

The accident that hurt these two kids is a shame and I feel bad for them and their families. HOWEVER, the fact that the kid's parents can afford to send both of them to a $20k a year/each private school, have a home worth half a million, own their own apparently successful business and the property it operates from yet choose NOT to spend money on their own health care and go on the government dole through obvious income tax evasion tricks instead is loathsome.

Thank you Dem leaders, for proving the point of critics of the S-CHIP expansion. People who can afford health insurance on their own have no business being on the government dole taking resources away from the kids that truly need government assistance with health care.

Instead of working to expand S-CHIP to those who don't need it, why not work on making health care more affordable by making health insurance tax deductible and getting rid of the mandates and regulations that drive up the cost of insurance?

 

[nageov3t]

it's true. this totally justifies denying healthcare to millions of kids.

I'm sure a single mom with 3 kids making 40K/year in NYC thanks you for your diligence.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: loki8481
it's true. this totally justifies denying healthcare to millions of kids.

I'm sure a single mom with 3 kids making 40K/year in NYC thanks you for your diligence.

She would be covered under the existing system which Bush was prepared to reauthorize with a $5 billion increase in funding. Instead, Dems tried to expand it $35 billion and include families that can afford the program. The fact that the Dems were willing to trot out this 12-year old to pull at the heart string when his parents can more than afford private health insurance proves the point that you don't expand SCHIP and take away resources from those that need it the most so that those that don't can have it too.

 

[RightIsWrong]

First, this was beat to death in another thread. Second, do you think that the insurance companies just say "You live in this zip so you get this rate"? Third, maybe the tuition was paid for in funds recovered AFTER THE CAR ACCIDENT WHICH LEFT THIS CHILD IN A COMA?? Lastly, what does any of this have to do with the fact that our idiot president would rather millions of kids go uninsured so that he can keep bombing millions of other kids who don't have insurance either?

The idiocy of those on the right to try to vilify anything that would help someone else without helping them even more is astounding, repulsive and downright immoral.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: loki8481
it's true. this totally justifies denying healthcare to millions of kids.

I'm sure a single mom with 3 kids making 40K/year in NYC thanks you for your diligence.

She would be covered under the existing system which Bush was prepared to reauthorize with a $5 billion increase in funding.

Instead, Dems tried to expand it $35 billion and include families that can afford the program.

The fact that the Dems were willing to trot out this 12-year old to pull at the heart string when his parents can more than afford private health insurance proves the point that you don't expand SCHIP and take away resources from those that need it the most so that those that don't can have it too.

Not true and not true.

Your buddies cranked the uninsured count up to the millions of kids now uninsured.

Mission Acomplished.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: RightIsWrong
First, this was beat to death in another thread. Second, do you think that the insurance companies just say "You live in this zip so you get this rate"? Third, maybe the tuition was paid for in funds recovered AFTER THE CAR ACCIDENT WHICH LEFT THIS CHILD IN A COMA?? Lastly, what does any of this have to do with the fact that our idiot president would rather millions of kids go uninsured so that he can keep bombing millions of other kids who don't have insurance either?

The idiocy of those on the right to try to vilify anything that would help someone else without helping them even more is astounding, repulsive and downright immoral.

The more poor and ying kids due to being uninsured the better.

The Revolutionary army will grow exponentially.

 

[heyheybooboo]

I've never really been a big fan of 'personalizing' the debate - whether it's done by the Red or the Blue.

I kinda snickered at your *Absolute Moral Authority*.

And the idea you have put forth is fine with me. I will suggest, however, that this family (in what has become the New American Way) is probably in debt up to their eyeballs with little cash flow and low net worth.

I also note that the New American Way provides for a major transfer of wealth in matters of catastrophic health for the elderly and uninsured - the one of many items that need to be discussed in any health care debate.

I kinda think this is needed. A debate on children's health care, preventative and catastrophic health care, long-term care, etc. - without the props (and Harry and Louise), of course.

 

[Sinsear]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: RightIsWrong
First, this was beat to death in another thread. Second, do you think that the insurance companies just say "You live in this zip so you get this rate"? Third, maybe the tuition was paid for in funds recovered AFTER THE CAR ACCIDENT WHICH LEFT THIS CHILD IN A COMA?? Lastly, what does any of this have to do with the fact that our idiot president would rather millions of kids go uninsured so that he can keep bombing millions of other kids who don't have insurance either?

The idiocy of those on the right to try to vilify anything that would help someone else without helping them even more is astounding, repulsive and downright immoral.

The more poor and young kids due to being uninsured the better.

The Revolutionary army will grow exponentially.

Knock this shit off. There is no revolutionary army. There's not gonna be a fucking coup. Is this your new deal now? Every post you make keeps talking about a revolution. No one is going to rise up and take down the government.

 

[nageov3t]

just as a complete side-note... I went to a high school that charged a fairly similar amount.

they were pretty generous when it came to scholarships, endowments, and work-study programs for boys from families that weren't quite as well-off as their peers (and unrelenting in their donation requests after we graduated college. lol)

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: Sinsear

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: RightIsWrong
First, this was beat to death in another thread. Second, do you think that the insurance companies just say "You live in this zip so you get this rate"? Third, maybe the tuition was paid for in funds recovered AFTER THE CAR ACCIDENT WHICH LEFT THIS CHILD IN A COMA?? Lastly, what does any of this have to do with the fact that our idiot president would rather millions of kids go uninsured so that he can keep bombing millions of other kids who don't have insurance either?

The idiocy of those on the right to try to vilify anything that would help someone else without helping them even more is astounding, repulsive and downright immoral.

The more poor and young kids due to being uninsured the better.

The Revolutionary army will grow exponentially.

Knock this shit off. There is no revolutionary army. There's not gonna be a fucking coup. Is this your new deal now? Every post you make keeps talking about a revolution. No one is going to rise up and take down the government.

Go ahead, keep thinking that:

10-3-2007 Sessionist Movement Leaders Meet in East Tennessee

In an unlikely friendship, groups representing vastly different political traditions are meeting in Chattanooga to talk about something they strongly agree on: getting states or regions to secede from the union.

Tired of foreign wars and what they consider right-wing courts, the New York state-based Middlebury Institute wants liberal states like Vermont to be able to secede peacefully.

Organizers of the second North America Secessionist Convention expect to attract supporters from California, Alaska and Hawaii, inviting anyone who wants to dissolve the Union so states can save themselves from an overbearing federal government.

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: Sinsear

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: RightIsWrong
First, this was beat to death in another thread. Second, do you think that the insurance companies just say "You live in this zip so you get this rate"? Third, maybe the tuition was paid for in funds recovered AFTER THE CAR ACCIDENT WHICH LEFT THIS CHILD IN A COMA?? Lastly, what does any of this have to do with the fact that our idiot president would rather millions of kids go uninsured so that he can keep bombing millions of other kids who don't have insurance either?

The idiocy of those on the right to try to vilify anything that would help someone else without helping them even more is astounding, repulsive and downright immoral.

The more poor and young kids due to being uninsured the better.

The Revolutionary army will grow exponentially.

Knock this shit off. There is no revolutionary army. There's not gonna be a fucking coup. Is this your new deal now? Every post you make keeps talking about a revolution. No one is going to rise up and take down the government.

Go ahead, keep thinking that:

10-3-2007 Sessionist Movement Leaders Meet in East Tennessee

In an unlikely friendship, groups representing vastly different political traditions are meeting in Chattanooga to talk about something they strongly agree on: getting states or regions to secede from the union.

Tired of foreign wars and what they consider right-wing courts, the New York state-based Middlebury Institute wants liberal states like Vermont to be able to secede peacefully.

Organizers of the second North America Secessionist Convention expect to attract supporters from California, Alaska and Hawaii, inviting anyone who wants to dissolve the Union so states can save themselves from an overbearing federal government.

I think the doctors need to adjust your meds again.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: Sinsear

Originally posted by: dmcowen674


The more poor and young kids due to being uninsured the better.

The Revolutionary army will grow exponentially.

Knock this shit off. There is no revolutionary army. There's not gonna be a fucking coup. Is this your new deal now? Every post you make keeps talking about a revolution. No one is going to rise up and take down the government.

Go ahead, keep thinking that:

10-3-2007 Sessionist Movement Leaders Meet in East Tennessee

In an unlikely friendship, groups representing vastly different political traditions are meeting in Chattanooga to talk about something they strongly agree on: getting states or regions to secede from the union.

Tired of foreign wars and what they consider right-wing courts, the New York state-based Middlebury Institute wants liberal states like Vermont to be able to secede peacefully.

Organizers of the second North America Secessionist Convention expect to attract supporters from California, Alaska and Hawaii, inviting anyone who wants to dissolve the Union so states can save themselves from an overbearing federal government.

The last time such happened was 150 years ago.

Such attitudes are similar to the home ground survialists & revolutionary militia that stock up in case the government falls.

A few day dreamers with only one foot in reality.

 

[heyheybooboo]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674
Go ahead, keep thinking that:

10-3-2007 Sessionist Movement Leaders Meet in East Tennessee

In an unlikely friendship, groups representing vastly different political traditions are meeting in Chattanooga to talk about something they strongly agree on: getting states or regions to secede from the union.

That's just East Tennessee - they've been at it since the American Revolution and the State of Franklin

btw - I live in Watauga County

 

[jandrews]

hah, that is quite a funny article, anyway I think 3x times the poverty level is too high. I like the current plan well enough and would support an increase. Also what is this I hear adults being on S-Chip???? This just shows what a cluster f*** government programs turn out to be. Some people trying to do a good thing and give kids health insurance end up having adults on the program and states trying to twist things around to fit whatever they want, what a damn mess.

 

[theeedude]

Bwahahaha. So Republican argument against SCHIP is attacking a 12 year old? Good luck with that. At this rate of political stupidity by opposition, we'll have Universal Healthcare at no time.

 

[nageov3t]

Originally posted by: jandrews
hah, that is quite a funny article, anyway I think 3x times the poverty level is too high. I like the current plan well enough and would support an increase. Also what is this I hear adults being on S-Chip???? This just shows what a cluster f*** government programs turn out to be. Some people trying to do a good thing and give kids health insurance end up having adults on the program and states trying to twist things around to fit whatever they want, what a damn mess.

3x the limit is the cap and as far as I know, no state sets the limit that high.

I think there's some kind of provision that allows a transition from schip to medicare to nothing around the 18-21 age range.

 

[umbrella39]

Originally posted by: senseamp
Bwahahaha. So Republican argument against SCHIP is attacking a 12 year old? Good luck with that. At this rate of political stupidity by opposition, we'll have Universal Healthcare at no time.

No shit, it's too bad for this 12 year old that she is not in a persistent vegetative state. That seems to be the only time the GOP cares about someone who isn't well off.

 

[Mxylplyx]

The real discussion here should be how politicians, and various other groups, are able to harness the media to push an agenda, even if it's based on complete lies. Does it not bother you people how much power a few people have to shape the debate in this country? Almost every topic discussed here was originated by someone with an agenda that has access to the media. It makes everyone look like sheep.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: senseamp
Bwahahaha. So Republican argument against SCHIP is attacking a 12 year old? Good luck with that. At this rate of political stupidity by opposition, we'll have Universal Healthcare at no time.

Not attacking the 12 year old. Attacking the parents that can afford health insurance on their but choose to fudge their income so they can qualify for the government dole. Also attacking the Dems that try and use a 12 year old as a political prop and it turns out to be a bad political prop at that.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: Mxylplyx
The real discussion here should be how politicians, and various other groups, are able to harness the media to push an agenda, even if it's based on complete lies. Does it not bother you people how much power a few people have to shape the debate in this country? Almost every topic discussed here was originated by someone with an agenda that has access to the media. It makes everyone look like sheep.

That was the reason I made this a separate topic instead of bundling it into the original thread where it would likely get lost/ignored.

 

[tehach]

Organizers of the second North America Secessionist Convention expect to attract supporters from California, Alaska and Hawaii, inviting anyone who wants to dissolve the Union so states can save themselves from an overbearing federal government.

George Friedman:

The United States confronted this question in the past. In the 1850s, some states wanted a radical revision of social, economic and monetary policy that would benefit them but leave other states at an enormous disadvantage. The industrializing part of the country wanted policies that would protect its interests. The agricultural part of the country, heavily dependent on exports, wanted a different policy. A conference was held in 1863 at Gettysburg. Both sides made compelling arguments over three days, but in the end it was decided that not only would the policies of the industrializing states be followed, but no one would be permitted to withdraw from the economic, political and social union of the United States. State sovereignty was to be limited and federal power was to be paramount.

It's all good and fun to use the word revolution, to criticize the US to the point of suggesting it should cease to exist. However I believe there are very few beneficiaries of this country's incredible opportunities who would not regret long and hard the demise of the very framework that simultaneously enables their criticism and a very comfortable way of life.

 

[ProfJohn]

Nice to see that the truth about this kid and his family has come out.

Using a 12 year old who goes to a $20,000 a year private school to fight for a program for the poor is rather pathetic.

 

[nageov3t]

Originally posted by: ProfJohn
Nice to see that the truth about this kid and his family has come out.

Using a 12 year old who goes to a $20,000 a year private school to fight for a program for the poor is rather pathetic.

the fact that he goes to a private school should really be a non-issue unless you have proof that he's not getting a scholarship, financial aid, or involved in some type of work study program.

 

[umbrella39]

Using a 12 year old who goes to a $20,000 a year private school to fight for a program for the poor is rather pathetic.

You mean rather brilliant. :thumbsup:

 

[theeedude]

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: senseamp
Bwahahaha. So Republican argument against SCHIP is attacking a 12 year old? Good luck with that. At this rate of political stupidity by opposition, we'll have Universal Healthcare at no time.

Not attacking the 12 year old. Attacking the parents that can afford health insurance on their but choose to fudge their income so they can qualify for the government dole. Also attacking the Dems that try and use a 12 year old as a political prop and it turns out to be a bad political prop at that.

Good luck making that distinction to voters. Looks like attacking 12 year old to me.