More Conservative Honesty Please

Last night on the Alan Colmes radio show, I debated conservative blogger Dan Riehl about the State Children's Health Insurance Program and the attacks on the Frost family, though I didn't have to do too much because Colmes picked Riehl apart quite nicely.

Riehl has posted audio of most of the debate, headlining his post "Why Can't Liberals Debate Honestly?" He then declines to even mention any specific comment from either Colmes or me that was dishonest. That because there weren't any.

I did overstate one point. I said Bush is proposing "less money" for SCHIP, which isn't quite right. He is proposing nominally more money, just not enough to maintain the number of kids currently in the program. It's essentially less money, but not literally.

There's one point I can't overstate. While there's been plenty of conservative misinformation throughout this debate, conservatives desperate to kill the expansion of SCHIP are quite honestly expressing their contempt for working class Americans who struggle in today's economy.

During our debate, Riehl could not let go that the New York Times characterized Mr. Frost work schedule as "intermittent[]," and presumed he is choosing not to work much because he's coasting with children's health insurance through SCHIP.

Never mind that his family of six was denied private insurance multiple times because of pre-existing conditions, and that he and his wife are still without health insurance.

And anyone knows that to strike out on one's own as an entrepreneur means that steady work is often hard to come by. It's clear that they are doing all they can to raise four kids.

Instead of thinking of ways for entrepreneurs to pursue the American Dream without having to worry about the basics in life, conservatives like Riehl are quick to make assumptions and mock them for their career choices -- at least, when the solution involves pooling our resources through our government to solve problems the private market hasn't tackled.

Apparently, entrepreneurs are only awesome when wealthy Americans are demanding tax giveaways.

Instead of helping Americans have more career choices, conservatives like Riehl would force more Americans to choose between their career and the health of their families. If millions of working class children remain at risk, so be it.

Most Americans are not callous like that. Most folks see the Frosts and happy that we can help them make ends meet through a program like SCHIP.

Because most Americans believe everyone should have health insurance and everyone should have a real opportunity to pursue the American Dream.

And they are willing to do their part to make it happen. 72% support the expansion of SCHIP, and 60% are willing to pay more in taxes so our government can guarantee health insurance for everyone.

The more honest conservatives are about their cold and callous vision for America, the easier it will be for American voters to make informed decisions about where we should go as a nation.

It's time to make a choice about children's health insurance. Tell your representative: override the veto.

Views expressed on this page are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Campaign for America's Future or Institute for America's Future