Rep. Mike McMahon has been scorned by his Democratic peers for opposing the health care reform bill, but his Staten Island constituents are celebrating his decision. "I agree with him to vote 'no' on health care because every time they [the government] gets into something, the prices go up on everything," 83-year-old Olympia Skunakis told the Daily News.
When the first-term Congresman voted against the health care bill last fall, he made enemies within his own party and among labor unions that had endorsed him. "My colleagues should remember that the reason they were elected in those 'swing' districts is because they as candidates and we as a party pledged to do this," said outspoken health care reform supporter Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Brooklyn, Queens). "You got elected because of health care, not in spite of it."
But voters, like 58-year-old transit employee Chris Beliczynski, say they'll stand behind McMahon so long as he keeps opposing the health care reform. "I don't like it because I'm gonna have to pay for it. I work hard and work to pay for my medications, so they shouldn't pay for other people through my paycheck."
