Just days after voicing his thoughts on Syria, Harlem emcee Immortal Technique has again offered his social and political commentary on one of the day’s most pertinent issues. This time the rapper addressed the government shutdown, which began on October 1.
Tech addressed the government shutdown by first addressing ObamaCare, also known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and expressed his belief that those residing in the United States should have had more of a say when it concerned healthcare reform.
“When I think about what the issue is with ObamaCare, I’ve always been upset at the fact that we never got a public option,” said Immortal Technique. “That we never got the ability to say, ‘You know what? We need to have free healthcare in this country for everybody. If we’re the best country in the world then shouldn’t everybody be able to get the exact same or better treatment?’ I remember I sprained my ankle in Denmark of all places. And I walked into the hospital there. And they didn’t ask me for 12 million pieces of ID. They saw my ankle, they x-rayed it. Then I saw a second doctor…This is the Communist medicine we’re talking about? No, insurance companies are bribing people in Congress to sit here and talk about what a bad idea it would be for everyone to have the same sort of medical coverage that they have.”
In effect since early Tuesday (October 1) morning, the government shutdown began when the House and Senate, the two houses that make up the United States Congress, could not agree on a bill that would fund the government. As a result of the shutdown, approximately 800,000 government employees who work for one of numerous federal agencies or departments will be furloughed. Despite the financial impact on federal agencies and departments, those in Congress as well as the president will still be paid during the shutdown.
During his interview with The NE Hip Hop, Immortal Technique spoke on those in Congress not feeling the financial impact of the shutdown since they’ll still receive income throughout the ordeal. He also commented on members of Congress protecting the interests of those he says provide them with corporate funding.
“If the shutdown included them not losing or them losing their salary I bet that they’d have to answer to somebody at home, like their wife….But that’s what I’m talking about, it doesn’t seem like they’re personally at stake,” said The 3rd World rapper. “That’s why they seem to be dragging their feet about it. I really, really hope to God that at some point these people can come to terms with the reality that they’re playing with other mothafucker’s lives. Not everybody has millions of dollars to fall back on like they do. Because the sad truth is even if we took away their salary that’s not where they get their real meat and potatoes. That’s just the gravy on top of it. It’s all the corporate funding that gives them money that makes them rich, which is unfortunate because that means that their interests are to protect that entity and not to protect the people.”
Most recently, Immortal Technique spoke in-depth on the conflict in Syria and gave some background on the crisis as he shared the details of the Sykes-Picot Agreement, an agreement made between France and the United Kingdom in 1916, which divided parts of the former Ottoman Empire.
“And if you want to understand that conflict then you have to go back to World War I…I mean, pretty much the powers of Europe and Russia decided that the Ottoman Empire was the quote-on-quote ‘Sick Man Of Europe,’” said the rapper. “And they signed a treaty called Sykes-Picot. And with Sykes-Picot, it states that Europe being under of course France and England’s leadership, along with Russia’s help, would come in and would annex parts of the Ottoman Empire.”
On top of wrapping up his next studio album, The Middle Passage, Immortal Technique is also on tour with Brother Ali. The duo will wrap up their tour this month with stops in New Haven, CT, Northampton, MA, and Burlington, VT.
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FUCK. THIS. GUY/ (NO shit it doesn’t affect congress, they’re still getting paid too duh)
ur right. its not “if” it “is” the best country in the workld
Is Immortal Tech like the Politics Section of HHDX?
Thanks for stating the obvious Immortal Moron. Obama already came out and said he knows he can’t relate to most of the people affected by this.
immortal technique is the most ANNOYING dude out there. whether he’s right or wrong, all the guy does is wine and talk conspiracy. i really don’t know why i even click on the links that mention his name.
Because you hate his dumbass and want to comment to the dumbass comments that support immortal techweak. This dude is garbo, can’t change his flow, douchebag hater.
I think the guy above me agrees with you that immortal sucks at life I agree too
fuck this niggga! make music and keep your nose out of politics. You dont know shit about politics. You think you smart with your conspiracy shit?
He doesn’t know SHIT!
Don’t quite get where all the hates coming from. This guy obviously knows more about politics then most people in this country and he’s all about the betterment of the people, unlike our actual government. Also, this guy is a true MC and puts on one hell of a show. Saw him in Madison about a week ago and dude stole the show, which is ridiculous considering he went right after Brother Ali and I Self Divine.
actually i can’t stand his raps anymore either. it’s the same nonsense.
i like how all these internet stalkers with no lives are shitting on immortal technique for a quoted interview. this shut down probably affects you peasants, you should care. obama is a puppet and the country is in serious trouble. take one look at a comment page on this site to gauge how kids are thinking today. idiots. you’ll give the freedoms you have left away and talk shit about those who defend their own.
lol.. no. i would say the same thing about the guys new songs (except for that he hasn’t had any new conspiracy theories to rap about lately). i used to like him revolutionay 2 days. but after seeing him at rock the bells every damn year i got sick of him preaching nonsense all the time like he’s some sort of anti gov anarchist.
Agreed David. Maybe he should move to Afghanistan… haha
Immoral Moron needs to STFU every now and then. We don’t need him to opine on every little matter and comment on shit that can be read off CNN’s website.
lol real talk!
Its crazy how people always seem to talk shit about people who just simply express their own thoughts. Like would you like it if someone told you to shut the fuck up if you express YOUR thoughts or what?
about politics, he should just shut up, yea he’s an idiot who is known for one good underground sampled song
I hate this Immortal Techweak dude… I used to be such a fan and I am so mad at myself for it. Dude needs to make an album and sell less than K-Fed’s debut, real talk.
K Fed went 4x platinum.
K-Fed debuted at number 151 on the Billboard 200, with sales of 6,000 copies, and has sold over 16,000 copies in the United States according to Nielsen Soundscan. even that would be too many copies sold for immortal techweak
Dude even tops Lupe Fiasco when it comes to this “I’m so fucking smart and better than you all” act.
Nah Lupe’s worse. Especially on domestic issues. That shit about UK not joining cause of that agreement is a stretch, they’re just tired of war-but he’s right about this.
still don’t really listen to him except for that dance with the devil joint though.
loL, wow. That’s it guys? Nothing intelligent about the topic, just you’re annoyed by Immortal?
Well, hate to burst your bubble, but this is a worldwide topic, more important than Drake selling x amount of copies or someone’s raps you like or not.
The reality is there is a treasonous act being pulled at the expense of the American people and you clowns can only muster up how you can’t stand a rapper. And this crucial situation affects YOU, ya morons.
I think Obama would like universal health care, but you americans would probably try to kill him.
This is one of those times I would advise that you outsiders stay out of it, but watch what goes on.
The PEOPLE want healthcare, the stats say almost 30m people inquired about the new LAW, which started yesterday, Oct 1. It’s a small faction of politicians who are holding the US economy hostage to protect their “interests”, so while people are trying to get help for their health, 800k people’s jobs are in limbo, services are cut, and bills need to be paid soon, Oct 17.
If this nonsense by the small faction (who btw, happen to be majority old white men) continues, the WORLD will feel the pain.
Obama’s not the problem here.
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Stop hating on Tech. Its a fucking interview. They ask questions, he gives them his opinion. Just cause it isn’t your opinion, don’t make it right or wrong. When is the last time anyone went to a clinic or doctors office and saw 2 doctors in less than an hour???