Another reason I love County Commissioner Randy Wilkinson is his utter inability to give a one word answer. Now, it’s true, many questions can’t be answered with one word, but this one can: Will you turn down federal government health insurance if you’re elected to Congress?
Here’s how Randy answered that question last week. “If the current system remains in place, I will deny the cadillac health care coverage given to the U.S.Congress.”
Hmmm. Quite a bit of wiggle room there. So let me rephrase. If you win, Randy, the federal government will offer you a number of potential plans. They will also offer you access to socialized care provided by the military. All of this is paid for by me and my family. You, as a good Tea Partying conservative, don’t like it. Thus, will you refuse to accept a federal plan or direct federal care for you and your family? Will you rely on the magic of the private market to provide you with options? This is a yes or no answer, I’m afraid.
Bio: Billy Townsend was a longtime government, political and general assignment reporter in Polk County and the wider I-4 corridor. He wrote extensively about Polk's unique regional identity and the issues shaping it, including USF Polytechnic, the Heartland Parkway and the CSX rail deal. Billy recently left professional reporting to take a corporate writing job, but he keeps close tabs on news of all stripes (especially political news) and the changes in modern journalism. Billy's wife is Julie Townsend, executive director of the Downtown Lakeland Partnership.They live with their three children in the Lake Morton area. His work at Lakeland Local is his first as an amateur hyperlocal writer.
