Republicans - Time For Actions To Match Rhetoric

Republicans have been very quick to pass the blame for the Arizona shootings on to the mentally ill.   Instead of taking responsibility for some of their own violent rhetoric, they point out that the shooter (Jared Loughner) was mentally ill and might have done this deed even without the rabid political discourse that has been commonplace recently.

Many of them are saying that the way to have dealt with Loughner was to intervene earlier with mental health treatment.   Maybe they are right (although that doesn't excuse the violent rhetoric).   But if it is, I have to wonder why they have done all they can to prevent that mental health treatment.   You can't have it both ways.   If it was the violent talk, then stop it.   And if it was mental illness, then act to provide treatment to those who need it.

Back in 2008, Bush signed a bill into law that would give insurance parity to mental health as to other health issues.   It meant that insurance companies would have to pay for mental health treatment just like its supposed to do with other health problems.   Did the Republicans support the measure?   No.   At least 146 House Republicans (including the current Speaker) voted against the measure.   They considered their buddies at the giant insurance companies more important than the people who needed mental health treatment.

When the Democrats passed the health care reform law, that law insured that many people would receive coverage for mental health treatment who had not had that coverage in the past.   Once again, it was opposed by the Republicans, and now they want to repeal that bill (including the expanded mental health coverage).

It's easy to talk about the need for treatment of mental illness (especially when covering up for your own mistakes), but it doesn't mean much when those talking are against taking any action to help the situation.   It's time for the Republican's actions to match their rhetoric.   It's time for them to step up and help create better and expanded mental health coverage for all Americans.

Talk is cheap.   Let's see some action.