GOP Compares Obamacare To Holocaust, Again

Now, we get that public officials and politicians don't often keep their thoughts to themselves. But when they blog, they have the opportunity to think ahead enough to avoid any grossly offensive statements, right? Nope. Nope. Republican Tennessee state senator Stacey Campfield apparently missed this memo, and on Monday, Campfield compared Obamacare signups to Nazi train rides. Which would make Obamacare the Holocaust... we guess?

That's right. Campfield compared legislation that gives healthcare to all Americans to the sufferings endured by those in the Holocaust. And as awful as it is, Campfield's accusation isn't all that original either — in January last year, Sen. Sheryl Nuxoll of Idaho made the exact same comparison, saying "Much like the Jews boarding the trains to concentration camps, private insurers are used by the feds to put the system in place because the federal government has no way to set up the exchange."

Campfield is just the latest Republican (or Republican darling, cough, Cliven Bundy) to really alienate the rest of the GOP. Bundy's pig-headed wondering if African-Americans are "better off as slaves" was condemned by Bill O'Reilly, who called his question "insane" and "outrageous." And you know that when you've upset Bill O'Reilly, you've really gone too far.

Campfield has now drawn similar criticism from Tennessee GOP Chairman Chris Devaney, who quickly threw Campfield under the bus, saying that he frequently made comments that were "over the top," but that his latest comparison was "ignorant and repugnant." Devaney went on to say that Campfield "should offer an apology to members of the Jewish faith immediately."

Shockingly enough, Campfield has not removed the blog post yet, though it has yet to draw any comments on its page (other than the one response from Campfield himself). On his blog, Campfield describes himself as "Just an average guy.... With a real cool job." Of course, an average guy doesn't necessarily go around comparing healthcare legislation to Nazi war crimes, but, details?

Campfield's profile reveals that his interests include judo, ju-jitsu, karate, fencing, and political stuff. A combative politician — just what we need! His profile also claims that his favorite music changes with his mood, as does his opinion on how to spell "mandatory," which apparently shifts in a matter of seconds.

Campfield certainly doesn't have the support of his constituency in these comments, who have distanced themselves from their senator as quickly as possible. Some have even called for his impeachment.

One tweeter even posted Campfield's cell phone number and urged voters to "call to let him know that that the Holocaust is not a joke."

Campfield has since posted a second entry addressing his remarks, saying "It was not to offend. It was to warn." Nowhere in the post, however, does he apologize for the offensive comments. Cheekily titled "Here you go," it may be just as bad as the original.

Stacey Campfield is no stranger to controversy, and was the originator of the "Don't Say Gay" bill, which rather than banning the use of the word "gay" as a pejorative, instead sought to "prohibit teachers from discussing of any sexuality except heterosexuality in grades K-8." The bill would also require teachers and other school authorities to inform parents if their child is thought to be gay.

Campfield never quite say the error in his ways, as he told USA Today: "The act of homosexuality is very dangerous to someone's health and safety." He also called into TMZ Live to say that LGBT advocates are "the biggest bullies in the world" and that he hoped the gay community would "quit trying to ram it down everybody's throats... and quit pushing it on everyone. Just leave us alone."

Here's an idea, Stacey. Why don't you just leave America alone?

Image: CNN