October 21, 2009
Posted: October 21st, 2009 07:08 PM ET

From
Rep. Alan Grayson launches Web site honoring the dead.
Rep. Alan Grayson launches Web site honoring the dead.

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Rep. Alan Grayson - whose statement that Republican health care calls for the sick to "die quickly" - has launched a new Web site, namesofthedead.com, that invites users to submit stories of loved ones who have died because they lack health insurance.

"I have created this project in their memory," reads a message on the new site. "I hope that honoring them will help us end this senseless loss of American lives."

In the midst of the national health care debate, the freshman Florida Democrat rose to national prominence recently when he declared from the House floor that the Republican health care reform proposal is "Don't get sick, and if you do get sick, die quickly."

The National Republican Congressional Committee slammed Grayson Wednesday over the new site.

"What is wrong with this man?" NRCC spokesman Andy Sere said in a statement e-mailed to CNN. "Alan Grayson's morbid exploitation of 'the dead' for personal political gain may be the most shameless stunt he's pulled yet."

Sere also told CNN that the NRCC believes the new Grayson site violates House ethics rule.

According to the House Ethics Manual, Members' official House Web sites may not include any personal or political information and also may not be directly linked to or refer to Web sites created or operated by a campaign or any campaign-related entity. House rules also prohibit Members' campaign Web sites from including a link to Members' official House Web sites and prohibit official House Web sites from being advertised on campaign Web sites or other campaign-related material. Grayson's new site contains links to both Grayon's official House site and his re-election campaign's site.

Filed under: Alan Grayson • Health care


cnn please post this   October 22nd, 2009 12:41 am ET

You gotta be kidding me?This is the kind of guy that Obama has under him?Does he really make all you liberatards proud?This guy is just one more reason why Obama's chances of a second term have already "died quickly"

Rick Biffle   October 22nd, 2009 12:28 am ET

Perfect. We need to hear the stories of real people, not the rhetoric of lobbyists and the uninformed. Once we have a true understanding of the crisis nature of a serious illness, we will see the necessity of Congressman Grayson's efforts toward reform.

Rita   October 22nd, 2009 12:12 am ET

I support Grayson and his pursuit to bring attention to the unfortunate and powerless in this country. This is fight for the health and welfare of our citizens not a heated debate between parties. The Republicans and now it looks like the media too; want us to continue to bury our heads in the sand and do nothing. Alan Grayson is saying what millions of American households are saying everyday. He has the guts to say it for us on the national stage. The media fails the American people everyday and now their pissed off that he has shown them up too! Government of the people, by the people , for the people and we will get health care reform at last!

Gavin Marshall   October 22nd, 2009 12:11 am ET

Why did NRCC spokesman Andy Sere dismiss these unfortunate souls as, "the dead", in quotes? Are they not even real people now?

George Guadiane - Austerlitz, NY   October 22nd, 2009 12:10 am ET

That's nice and everything, but get a Public Option.
Rhetoric and a website won't improve anyone's health or save any lives.

Mike   October 22nd, 2009 12:08 am ET

What a terrible thing to politicize.

Matthew   October 21st, 2009 11:59 pm ET

This guy is a lowlife and this is a classless way to generate publicity. A sister, brother-in-law and close friend were all cured of cancer because of the current system.

Sarah, Northern Colorado   October 21st, 2009 11:58 pm ET

If everyone in government cared for the American people and humanity the way Rep. Grayson does, we would live in Utopia. Unfortunately, too many worry about being reelected and/or losing their lobbyist sponsorship. The health care system badly needs retuning, and it needs to be done with a public option included. Too many people are dying and/or broke because our system sucks.

Johnny DC   October 21st, 2009 11:58 pm ET

Show me in the Constitution where it says that poor Americans are entitled to excellent free health care at the expense of the hard-working rich?

SHOW IT TO ME.

Crickets.

Cindy in FL   October 21st, 2009 11:43 pm ET

BRAVO!! You mean somebody actually had the cajones to stand up to the Insurance Industry???!!! Wow! what a concept, how wonderful! What is that web address again?? I will sign on.. the dead who suffered @ the hands of the insurance industry need to be remembered! & furthermore DESERVE to be remembered!! EVERY LIFE IS PRECIOUS!! (or so God says so, and honestly I don't argue with God!) :)

Marty, Grand Rapids MI   October 21st, 2009 11:42 pm ET

I often thought this would be a good idea, especially if people submit video. It would give a very human face to a bunch of numbers that people hear about every day and really outline the moral issue we have with healthcare. I think it's rediculous that there are links to his campaign site, email collection and he isn't currently showing the stories that people are sending.

Marty, FL   October 21st, 2009 11:38 pm ET

Aside from the NRCC's ironic allegations, Congressman Grayson said he was open to review. In fact, an official from the Federal Election Commission said Grayson's website complied with campaign regulations.

will   October 21st, 2009 11:37 pm ET

Good Job Rep. Alan Grayson !

jon,philadelphia   October 21st, 2009 11:30 pm ET

I love this guy!!!!!!!!!!!!

New Yorker   October 21st, 2009 11:16 pm ET

What a joke. Grayson, from the party that promotes abortion and euthanasia, has the gall to say the Republicans want people to die quickly.

Greg, MN   October 21st, 2009 11:15 pm ET

Ironically today, the American Cancer Society in concert with the Obama administration denounced early cancer screenings. Every conservative I heard today when nuts over this. So who is the party of die quickly, then?

Stacie   October 21st, 2009 11:13 pm ET

The fake outrage from the party whose own member yelled "you lie" during a presidential address to the joint session of congress and then signed photographs of the outburst and used it as a major fund raising tool is getting very old.

We should honor the people who were so horribly mistreated by our broken health care system! They aren't here with us to share their stories so what's wrong with making sure their voices are heard?!?!

mike   October 21st, 2009 11:12 pm ET

What an idiot.

Susan   October 21st, 2009 11:07 pm ET

Whatever he's doing, he sure is pushing Republican buttons, and they don't like it! For that reason alone, I hope he keeps it up!

Robert   October 21st, 2009 11:05 pm ET

well I think this congressman has really step over the line with his website

democrats are to blame also for not fixing the health care system

Brian Rich   October 21st, 2009 11:05 pm ET

Keep at it Grayson. They hate that you said it because there's nothing about it they can deny.

Biased   October 21st, 2009 11:05 pm ET

I know he is now the darling of the democrats, but this man, in my opinion is obnoxious. When he calls republicans knuckle dragging neandrethals on Wolf Blitzer's show and then exploits the dead for his own personal 15 minutes of fame, it is nothing to be admired but instead pitied.

normajean   October 21st, 2009 11:02 pm ET

Call it what you will but Alan Grayson is calling things as they are. People are dying for lack of medical care and during this entire fight for a plan to help millions without it, the Republicans have become obsolete by refusing to help.They say they have a plan but nobody has seen or heard it. If they mess with The Democratic plan being brought forward, they are in essence killing people by denial.We should all have health. plans like the politicians have.Now, that would really be something.

Puddin'   October 21st, 2009 11:02 pm ET

Well, he speaks the truth. I've read up on the different health reform plan proposals, and the Repubs just don't have one.

tjaman   October 21st, 2009 10:58 pm ET

Again with the accusations. Rock on, Rep. Grayson! I think we should all be terrifically embarrassed as the world's only remaining "superpower" that _anyone at all_ has died for lack of health insurance. For SHAME!

Corey   October 21st, 2009 10:56 pm ET

Since this clown has now violated two separate issues of house ethics, it's time to move beyond censure. Impeach Grayson '09

LacrosseDad   October 21st, 2009 10:55 pm ET

this guy is one big LOSER

Obamalism   October 21st, 2009 10:47 pm ET

What a sick idiot... Floridians must be so proud.

is that?...yes i think it is... his tie is made of monopoly money. How fitting for a US congressman of today.

Danny J   October 21st, 2009 10:44 pm ET

That is exploitation in the worst kind of way. That is shameful and disgusting. This man should be prosecuted.

Marty, FL   October 21st, 2009 10:44 pm ET

Congressman Grayson is willing to take a strong stand for Americans to create a sense of urgency for our health-care reforms.

In stark contrast, the NRCC unfortunately exposes its hypocrisy again through unbelievable indignation. These Republicans somehow ignore comments from their own members (Ginny Browne-Waite, Foxx, King, Gohmert, etc.) with their shamefully dishonest desperation against health care for people in need.

Many Americans will take a representative fighting for our health-care reforms any day over the GOP nonsense. GO Grayson!

ccc   October 21st, 2009 10:37 pm ET

REthugs will hate this man because his slamming them with truth

Shelly CO   October 21st, 2009 10:33 pm ET

NO, the GOP's exploitation of the ignorant and stupid (Town halls and tea parties) to 'kill' the health reform bill for millions of our fellow beings is MORBID!!!!

mjm   October 21st, 2009 10:32 pm ET

This guy is insane.

44000 do not die simply because they have no insurance.

The "study" he is referencing is JUNK SCIENCE written by a public option advocate with a pre-determined conclusion in mind.

Even IF 44000 die per year from lack of health insurance, more people die WITH health insurance. Where's his website for that?

Finally, it is the DEMOCRATS that control the House. They don't need the Republicans to pass HR 3200. The only people holding up this bill are Democrats.

malclave   October 21st, 2009 10:32 pm ET

Democrats want people to die slowly, in agony.

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ   October 21st, 2009 10:26 pm ET

I agree that the Republican ideas aren't much better than die quickly. This website idea may be pushing a bit too far. I am sure that the Republicans think that if you don't have health insurance, maybe you shouldn't be around any how since you are sucking up services that are meant for the rest of them.

terry,va   October 21st, 2009 8:45 pm ET

This guy is an idiot!!!!! He better get his 15 minutes of fame (infamy) as the seniors will vote him out in 2010.

Beverly   October 21st, 2009 8:43 pm ET

If we weren't so busy funding foreign wars and losing lives of the best of Armericans, we could no doubt afford any kind of health care we want.

Mark,B'ham,Al.   October 21st, 2009 8:42 pm ET

This is grandstanding by a democrat who thinks those of us who work hard to take care of our families owes the deadbeats (Work a 2nd job to pay for their healthcare) a life too. The people who are put on this list even under Health Care Reform would not get the same medical as the Congressman and if you really look at any of the proposed bills , taxes and fees are raised and being collected for 6 1/2 years before any of the benefits kick in!

JAWBREAKER   October 21st, 2009 8:42 pm ET

This guy comes from the angry liberl oger mold that howard dean was spawned! He will be gone after 2010 election

jumbo   October 21st, 2009 8:39 pm ET

this nut case,,,you got your 15 minutes of fame ,,now go away

On the other hand...   October 21st, 2009 8:39 pm ET

This is very touching by Representative Grayson...exploiting lost loved ones for political gain. Gotta hand it to him though, he's not letting go of his 15 minutes without a fight!

I wish the Democrats were as creative at lowering health care costs.

Minnesotan   October 21st, 2009 8:38 pm ET

Bravo to Rep. Grayson for standing up to the duplicitous, lying, corrupt, manipulative, incompetent, greedy and worthless GOP! Keep up the good work, sir!

Santa Fean   October 21st, 2009 8:38 pm ET

He speaks a little too truthfully and for that he will be "yelled at" by the far right who represent big medicine.

fella from chicago   October 21st, 2009 8:34 pm ET

Don't blame you guy, if Joe Wilson can raise $7 million for calling the President a liar (and being correct) it's worth a try on your part. Unfortunately you're a Dem and Dems in 2010 and 2012 are going the way of the dinosaur; extinction.

Dylan from MN   October 21st, 2009 8:32 pm ET

Kucinich had always been my favorite congressman but you sir aren't very far behind.

D.   October 21st, 2009 8:32 pm ET

For anything congress does or does not, there are consequences and some of them cost human life. We can extend a web site on any decision: wars, health care, taxes, and many other public policy issues and attribute death in the country to any of them.

This guy is unbelievable, he is in the business of voting on public policy and for sure some of the votes of him or his friends (in the future or past) will lead to death stories. Does he wants us to have a web site for each. Not sending troops to Afghanistan, let us start has caused the death of American soldiers in the last month. Should we have a web site.
Public policy and the people's business is no matter for publicity goofs, even in the time of Obama the PR-esident !!!!

indy   October 21st, 2009 8:27 pm ET

keep it up guys and guess where this independent is going!

Fitz in Texas   October 21st, 2009 8:20 pm ET

Oh, and I'm sure all those stories you'll check just to be sure they are correct, right Rep. Alan Grayson....Wonder how many will be coming from the ACORN office.

NC   October 21st, 2009 8:14 pm ET

I am glad he is doing this. We need to see how no health insuranace has cost lives. This is not a stunt it is the truth. I have some loved ones names I will add. It is the republicans that have used stunts and lies such as death panels to kill Grandma.

charlie in Maine   October 21st, 2009 8:14 pm ET

We need more forceful Dems like this one. As Bob Dylan says:

Come Senators and Congressmen plese heed the call
Don;t stand in the doorway don't block up the hall
for he who gets hurt will be he who has stalled
There's a battle outside and its ragin.
It will soon shake your windows and rattle your walls
for the times they are a changin.

Mary Ann Neely   October 21st, 2009 8:13 pm ET

I am convinced that my brother, a Type I diabetic, died because he had no insurance and could not afford to get the treatment he needed.

Sean   October 21st, 2009 8:09 pm ET

His "morbid exploitation of 'the dead'"? This isn't exploitation of the dead. This is shining a flashlight on the grim reality of what's driving the entire desire for health care reform. I think that maybe Republicans see this as exploitation because their concern isn't sick, dying people – their concern appears to be that big insurance companies don't take a hit. There's no other explanation for thinking there's something wrong with highlighting the very real consequences of inaction.

I'm a registered independent and political centerist, but it seems that every day, Republicans are giving me more and more cause to step back from them. At this point, frankly, they scare me.

John   October 21st, 2009 8:08 pm ET

The name of the website is perhaps a bit macabre but Rep. Grayson is obviously not one to mince words. That is refreshing for a politician. The question is always if someone can be that frank without crossing a line that will turn people off over the long term. I'm hoping he can. I will watch his future unfold with great interest.

Frank Oneil   October 21st, 2009 7:53 pm ET

Rep. Alan Grayson is briliant. He deserved all the support he can get period.

T'SAH from Virginia   October 21st, 2009 7:52 pm ET

I kind of like this guy because he has GUTS!!! DEMO-GUTS!!! He's supposed to be a FRESHMAN and you hear more from him than the SENIORS!!!

Also,Sere's assessment that Grayson is MORBID for allowing people to express on a site love ones that were lost because of NO HEALTH CARE is NONSENSE because HE and the rest of the PARTY OF NO are the ones fighting against people HAVING Health Care!!

New Age Independent   October 21st, 2009 7:52 pm ET

Grayson is a disgrace and should issue formal apologies to the RNC and to every military family. The ethics violation is the least of his worries, as the DNC really doesn't care about it anyway.

Obozo - 4 and the Door   October 21st, 2009 7:51 pm ET

This Congressman is just plain weird. He even looks weird.

LeAnne, OH   October 21st, 2009 7:50 pm ET

I like this man and went to his website to give him my money. The only problem was, I want to send a check, and not send it electronically. Where is the address to mail the fundraising check.

Hello, staff, you're missing my money.

ELI   October 21st, 2009 7:49 pm ET

Dear CNN,

The message the congressman is sending to everyone is simple:

How can we allow 45,000 senseless deaths of American lives beacuse they lack Healthcare Insurance?

So let us heed the his message, and let us all join hands and call on our Congressmen to pass Healthcare Reform this year.

Peace

Aaron   October 21st, 2009 7:48 pm ET

Alright! Give the Repubs a taste of their own nasty medicine. If they can hire protesters against health care reform, there's no reason this guy shouldn't set up a website to hear from real people.

annie against biased news   October 21st, 2009 7:43 pm ET

This so-called man is just one of many reasons REAL AMERICAN CITIZENS are fed up with politicians. He is a nut case! Any one can get into an emergency room for treatment. Well, except the hospital where michelle worked and her and axelrod came up with a plan to give an incoming patient an aspirin and a bandaid and send them down the street to another hospital. Who in their right mind would have voted for this pitiful excuse of a human being?

Michael   October 21st, 2009 7:42 pm ET

What planet does this guy live on?

Gregory York   October 21st, 2009 7:41 pm ET

Thank you, Rep. Grayson. :) I am happy about he created the web site. Nazi NRCC need shut up. What is wrong with Republicans?

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