November 9, 2009
The Level of Political Discourse
One doesn't have to know the specifics to be taken aback by this dirt-bag move from State Senator Daniel DaPonte (D, East Providence) (emphasis added):
Larisa has cost the city money, DaPonte said, by creating "monumental parks" named after the mayor's mother. And, DaPonte continued, Councilman Robert Cusack has cost the city "hundreds of thousands of dollars" by using city-provided health coverage to pay for his son’s extensive medical care.
One could argue that this or that public office does or doesn't justify healthcare coverage, and if so, of what kind and with what subsidy. But is DaPonte suggesting that it is illegitimate for elected officials to use such a benefit to care for their sick children? Or is he just such a low life that any attack that his small mind can conceive is fair game?
In a healthy civic society, a public apology would be forthcoming — indeed, those around and above DaPonte in the political scheme would demand it.
1.) So is Senator DaPonte advocating for a law banning tax-payer funded health coverage for all elected officials in Rhode Island?
2.) Does the Senator object to the health care coverage received by the children of his political friends? Or does he begrudge only the health care coverage provided for Republican children? If so, is that not prima facie discrimination?
Posted by: Monique at November 9, 2009 8:15 AMSo is Se. Daponte going to introduce legislation to do away with taxpayer funded Health Care Insurance for the General Assembly?
I seem to remember his silence when FORMER Senate Finance Cmte Chair Steve Alves killed such a bill in Cmte several years ago.
Why the "grandstanding" now?
Posted by: Aldo at November 9, 2009 8:24 AMHow much has DaPonte's family cost the state in health care costs? It would seem that DaPonte is to some degree violating HIPAA and creating other privacy issues by bringing Cusack's child into this.
And what is the world is Paul Moura doing in there complaining about anything? He is union thug #1 and is a great source of the state's financial problems. Funny how now that he's not a Rep or a Senator any more, he believes he's blameless?
Posted by: Patrick at November 9, 2009 8:36 AMWOW!! UNBELIEVABLE!!
Is this clown Daponte just a stupid a-hole? This is an absolute, clear-cut, gross violation of Federal law.
Read it here: http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/consumers/index.html
I wonder who told Daponte what the cost of care has been for Councilman Cusack's childrens health care? He/she/they also have big problems here.
This should be fun to watch develop!
And this clown Daponte is a financial advisor? Who else's private information does he pass around so freely?
Posted by: Mike Cappelli at November 9, 2009 10:36 AMI have never had the impulse to want to shout down a speaker more than I did at last Tuesday's city council meeting (which I was at). I have never been more disgusted by someone claiming to be a public servant than I was by Sen. Dan DaPointe. He act was absolutely shameful, as well as completely disingenuous. I'm glad that Councilman Cusack didn't take the bait. I don't know how he managed to keep his composure, but he did. Bob Cusack's son is confined to a wheelchair due to a severe illness that has yet to be identified. Perhaps Dan would prefer his kid to have died, instead of him getting life-saving treatment?
As you may know, in 2008, DaPointe did not have a GOP opponent. He will not be so lucky in 2010. Our concern now, is avoiding a GOP primary.
By the way, you might want to ask him about his "good work" at UBS.
Posted by: Will at November 9, 2009 11:51 AMIf, after that comment, Sen. DePonte gets reelected, there will be no hope for this state at all! Has he defended himself? I'm curious to see how he gets out of this screw up!
Posted by: Chris at November 9, 2009 4:08 PMIt's called CYA. These senators and reps cause all the problems and try to pin on the present school committee and city council who are actually trying to correct the mess these guys have caused.
Former Sen Moura and DePonte, not to mention the rest of the EP delegation, are a joke. These people are part of the pain that we have in RI. If people re-elect or elect any of these people, they have to be less than stupid.
Posted by: kathy at November 10, 2009 9:40 PM