Limbaugh loves universal health coverage

Keep talking, Rush — we love ya man! Rush Limbaugh, that is — the radio rattlebrain who led the right-wing's air attack on Barack Obama's health care reform campaign. Spewing venom, spittle and ignorance, Limbaugh used his microphone like a cattle prod, delivering jolt after jolt to the 24 percent of Republicans who now tell pollsters that they believe Obama "may be the Antichrist." For Rush, the health care fight was personal. In January, suffering with chest pains, the yackety-yacker was rushed to a hospital in Hawaii. After his recovery, he used the experience to embellish his rhetorical assault on reformers: "Based on what happened here to me," he bellowed, "I don't think there's one thing wrong with the American health care system. It is working just fine, just dandy." Well gosh, Rush hat's because Hawaii has had a form of Obamacare since 1974, including a statewide mandate that employers provide health coverage for fulltime workers. Why shouldn't all Americans get what you got? Still, Limbaugh kept playing his loopy card. Asked what he would do if Obama's bill passes, he harrumphed: "I am leaving the country. I'll go to Costa Rica." Well gosh again, Rush. Of course you would, because Costa Rica has universal, low-cost public health care and has the longest life expectancy in the Americas. So, why not bring such coverage to everyone in the U.S.A.? Meanwhile, of course, Obama's reform did pass, yet Limbaugh has not kept his pledge to deport from our shores. However, Joan LaPore wants to help him escape the horror of having to live here with those of us who do support reform. Owner of a Virginia travel agency, LaPore is offering a free ticket "to send Rush Limbaugh ONE WAY to Costa Rica." But wherever you go, Rush, keep yacking. (Jim Hightower is a radio commentator, writer, and public speaker. He's also editor of the populist newsletter, The Hightower Lowdown.)