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Kentucky Gov Orders McConnell to Give a Real Update or Resign Already (newrepublic.com)
submitted 1 month ago by to c/politics@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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[–] 15 points 1 month ago (2 children)

The fact that our elected officials don’t really have to prove that they can walk, talk, and think coherently—while we still pay them—is disgraceful.

This ain't it, fam.

I understand people are speculating there will be no update before a certain date because of election rules but they should say that instead of attacking the concept of sick leave. Because next time it's going to be the local unions that have "unreasonable" sick time, etc.

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  • [–] 3 points 1 month ago (2 children)

    I mean its literally fraud if he's dead. it is serious, and it literally has nothing to do with sick leave.

    The simple fact is there is enough evidence for the dunce governor to replace him and let the courts sort it out.

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  • [–] 3 points 1 month ago*

    That's a good point. If he had made the appointment today and it got into the courts immediately, the judge could make a court order or a warrant to have someone trusted go check on him.

    HIPAA generally blocks sharing medical data, but explicitly allows disclosure "to comply with a court order or court-ordered warrant, a subpoena or summons issued by a judicial officer".

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  • [–] 2 points 1 month ago (1 child)

    Yes, if he is dead that is a different matter. But that's not what the quote is about. Here is the full paragraph for clarity:

    While the language in Beshear’s letter is strong, it likely won’t do anything. McConnell, like every member of Congress, can essentially go on paid medical leave for as long as he wants. The fact that our elected officials don’t really have to prove that they can walk, talk, and think coherently—while we still pay them—is disgraceful. Maybe Beshear should just pay McConnell a visit himself, and bring a camera crew with him.

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  • [–] 0 points 1 month ago (1 child)

    the quote is a pointless detail in the overall situation.

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  • [+] 2 points 1 month ago (1 child)
    [deleted]
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  • [–] 0 points 1 month ago* (1 child)

    Fair enough, but if you were as sick as mcconnell clearly is that you cant/wont have a 5 minute meeting with your boss (aka someone who isnt going to cover for you) after a month then you should be let go from the workforce and moved to disability coverage from the state.

    disability coverage isnt the same as employment paychecks. blah blah blah. yeah yeah. that is also a problem but out of scope for this conversation.

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  • [–] 1 point 1 month ago (1 child)

    I deleted my comment because it was needlessly snarky and I regretted the behavior.

    But I didn't agree with your opinion on how to handle long term absence.

    The distinction of who pays a worker that is off for illness isn't my hang up. It's the idea that the protections people gave at work are "too much". I get 17 weeks sick leave because of my collective agreement. It's not all 100% and it needs medical certification, but it's a lot. When collective bargaining comes around you bet we get told that's "too much" and out of line with everyone else. Press releases get made about how we are greedy. I oppose the race to the bottom and pitting workers against each other rather than fighting to ensure those without protection are covered.

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  • [–] 1 point 1 month ago* (1 child)

    It’s not all 100% and it needs medical certification, but it’s a lot.

    this is the distinction I'm making with mcconnell. its equivalent to you ending up in the hospital and not communicating any verifiable information with your workplace on when you'll be back. any company would replace a worker in that situation, and it'd be justified due to the lack of verifiable information. McConnel has released 0 medical records verifying his condition.

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  • [–] 1 point 1 month ago (1 child)

    Perhaps you have information I don't? The article in the post says:

    In an accompanying statement, the Office of the Attending Physician noted that doctors were meeting with McConnell every day.

    I read that as his workplaces doctor is providing care.

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  • [–] 1 point 1 month ago* (1 child)

    doctors meet with unresponsive patients all the time while providing care. two things can be true at once.

    anyways, what are you trying to get out of the conversation at this point? I really dont care about mcconnell or his well being/job status beyond the democratic reps being spineless per usual.

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  • [–] 1 point 1 month ago (1 child)

    You said he didn't supply medical information to his employer but the article says that the Office of the Attending Physician issued a statement. You replied to my comment with what I feel is an incorrect statement, of course I'm going to reply. Maybe you missed the line in the article and it would be helpful to know this?

    I looked up the statement from the Physician and it does specify:

    OAP physicians visit with the Senator every day, discussing all aspects of his rehabilitation care.

    I don't know how to interpret that in any way but the doctor who is supplied by his employer has met with him.

    anyways, what are you trying to get out of the conversation at this point? I really dont care about mcconnell or his well being/job status beyond the democratic reps being spineless per usual

    I said this in the comment I deleted I feel like I have to say it: good thing my initial comment has nothing to do with McConnell!

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  • [–] 1 point 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 child)

    smile he didnt. his office provided a statement that provides no time range for possible recovery, makes no diagnosis, and only claims 'physical therapy'. for all intents and purposes we can assume mcconnell will not be capable of returning to his duties for the remainder of his term.

    Fun fact: comatose patients also receive physical therapy as part of their care. Everything in that statement could be 100% true, and he could be in a coma.

    Edit: couple extras -

    • McConnell will continue to receive a paycheck for the remainder of his life due to being a senator. removing him from his position will not materially impact his life at all.
    • McConnell is not running for his office this election he only has 5ish months left before hes done anyways.

    Removing him now has almost zero impact on anything (sick leave or otherwise) beyond demonstrating if the kanasas gov has a backbone. =)

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  • [–] 1 point 1 month ago (1 child)

    None of this has anything to do with my opinion that framing sick leave as luxurious is harmful. Weird that you think being in a coma means you shouldn't get sick leave tho

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  • [–] 1 point 1 month ago (1 child)

    None of this has anything to do with my opinion that framing sick leave as luxurious is harmful.

    we're agreed on that. but that's the authors personal opinion. its a fairly retarded one given that tax payers are on the hook regardless because senators have a pension. Even if we wanted to get into the discussion around what is 'reasonable' for paid sick leave its completely immaterial to McConnell's case. The only factor atm his constituents being disenfranchised of their representation.

    Weird that you think being in a coma means you shouldn’t get sick leave tho

    Its weird that you think being in a coma isn't by definition sick leave. you're sick and not going to be showing up.

    I think your issue is you're not distinguishing between two entirely different states:

    • an individual has an issue with a known duration: i.e. flu and you'll be gone a week, surgery and you'll be gone for 6 months.
    • an individual has an issue with an undetermined duration: i.e. you're in a coma.

    organizations should be required to keep you employed for a reasonable period of time in such. after which they'll need to hire someone to replace the work you're not doing. This is true regardless of how sick leave is implemented and administered.

    Anywho this conversation is dead. we're not in disagreement over anything that matters to either of us.

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  • [–] 1 point 1 month ago (1 child)

    I don't agree with your take on sick leave. But there is nothing to discuss.

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  • [–] 1 point 1 month ago*

    That's because I havent given you my take on sick leave. you're inferring things I have not asserted. I've in fact agreed with you on sick leave details each time you're brought it up and clarified where you're misconstruing statements.

    For example:

    • I havent asserted what timelines I think organizations should be responsible for keeping you on the books.
    • I havent asserted what I think should happened for extended leaves.

    Only things I have asserted is why McConnell's situation isnt related to a larger discussion on sick leave. Which coincidentally is exactly why I havent given you any real information on my positions regarding sick leave.

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