By Joey Kennedy
Alabama Political Reporter
Dr. Doctor Robert Bentley, governor of Alabama, is an embarrassment. He knows that, even as he combs his hair (what little there is) and gets ready every morning. He knows he’s a joke, even if he won’t admit it. And he won’t. He’s a joke.
But the good doctor governor could salvage part of his legacy if he’d do one thing: Expand Medicaid.
After months of groping Rebekah Mason, Bentley finds himself the laughingstock of Alabama. And that’s as it should be. He’s a laughingstock. Nobody takes him seriously. Nobody thinks he has anything to offer but a boob grab. And who wants a boob grab from Bentley? Bentley, must remember, a four-hour erection is dangerous, even for governors.
But the dude could change the playing field by doing one thing: Expanding Medicaid.
People would laud the Dr. Governor, cheer him, pat him on the back. But he won’t expand Medicaid, because he thinks he has popular support. Popular support in Alabama means racism. It means xenophobia. It means hatefulness. If that’s a word.
Dr. Gov. Robert Bentley is without any credibility. By expanding Medicaid, he could claim some credibility. But he’s too stupid to understand that.
Because he’s too focused on groping Rebekah Mason.
If Dr. Doctor Bentley had expanded Medicaid in 2014, it would have been free. The federal government would have paid the tab. Even if he had expanded Medicaid in 2015, the federal government would have paid the tab.
But Gov. Bentley didn’t. He preferred to feel up Rebekah Mason, and she let him.
Thousands of working poor in Alabama need Medicaid. They need the insurance so they can help their children and themselves get medical care. It’s not a ruse. It’s not a bluff. It’s the real world. It’s the difference in living and dying.
This doctor, we have as a governor, turns his back on those who that need to be able to go to a real doctor. He turns his back on those who need medical help. He turns his back on those who need some assurance they aren’t going to die.
And he gropes Rebekah Mason.
Gov. Dr. Bentley is a disgrace. Governors in Alabama don’t have much power. Our governors are weak. But they’re as strong as they want to be. As they can be.
But Dr. Gov. Bentley is as weak as they come. He’s no George Wallace. He’s no Bob Riley. He’s no Don Sielgelman, even if Sielgelman is in prison. He’s nobody, and he has to understand that. He’s nobody. Nobody.
Nobody.
Joey Kennedy writes this column every week for Alabama Political Reporter. Email: [email protected]
