Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has spent weeks making insane comments about the federal government's efforts to protect people from the deadly COVID-19 illness that has killed nearly 50,000 people in the country in just three months.
Last month, Patrick drew the ire of many when he went on Tucker Carlson's nightly Fox News show and said he would rather be killed by the coronavirus than shut down the economy to prevent its spread.
“You know, Tucker, no one reached out to me and said, ‘As a senior citizen, are you willing to take a chance on your survival in exchange for keeping the America that all America loves for your children and grandchildren?’ And if that’s the exchange, I’m all in. That doesn’t make me noble or brave or anything like that. I just think there are lots of grandparents out there in this country like me,” Patrick said.
Tx Lt Gov Dan Patrick says grandparents would be willing to die to save the economy for their grandchildren pic.twitter.com/wC3Ngvtsbj
— Andrew Lawrence (@ndrew_lawrence) March 24, 2020
The comment sparked weeks of ridicule and outright anger from many elderly people who reminded public officials that they definitely do not want to die.
The Republican doubled down on those comments in another segment on Carlson's show Monday night, saying the country should focus on working toward reopening the economy.
"There are more important things than living. And that’s saving this country for my children, and my grandchildren and saving this country for all of us. We got to take some risks and get back in the game, and get this country back up and running,” he said.
The Texas Governor Dan Patrick really said “There’s more important things than living” what in the ACTUAL FUCK?! pic.twitter.com/AsPBWesJGa
— Negrotiator ???????????? (@1EntreProNegro) April 22, 2020
Twitter almost immediately pounced on the comments to clown Patrick even more. Here are some of the best responses.
Many on Twitter highlighted the fact that states are opening back up because businesses want them to, not because it is necessarily safe.
"tHErE aRe mOrE iMpOrTaNt tHiNgS tHaN LivInG" #madness
https://t.co/aIZLDaWUm7— Deenice???????? (@bagahbrownsugar) April 22, 2020
Some people reminded Patrick that his comments about his willingness to die are really just specific to himself.
That Texas governor said there’s more important things than living pic.twitter.com/GaQhS4oJA8
— Vell (@SavedByDavell) April 22, 2020
Texas residents are more than a little concerned after hearing Patrick's remarks.
This man said “there are more important things than living” ???????????? This is our lieutenant governor!! ????????♀️ pic.twitter.com/XXXNg4lzA5
— Loverandomonium (@superskirts) April 22, 2020
Twitter users also noted that the people who would suffer the most would be Black and brown people.
MORE IMPORTANT THINGS THAN LIVING ???? YEAH SOUNDS ABOUT WHITE TO ME…..
— Jo-Durt (@jodurt22) April 22, 2020
Some people used sarcasm to find humor in the situation.
— Lumberzack (@ItsLumberzack) April 21, 2020
Nah cuh this gotta be a joke. “There’s more important things than living”. Please name one ???? https://t.co/Q7uR7BpotV
— KafTaq (@taq_kaf20) April 22, 2020
People are judging this guy way wrong. Obviously he didn’t mean what he said.
What he meant was “there are more important things than poor people living, namely my money.”
Read between the lines, jeez. https://t.co/4LNIA86EUI
— your friendly neighborhood pain in the ass (@allie_nimmons) April 22, 2020
Many noted that the decision to open states up would definitely lead to higher death counts.
There are more important things than living. Put that on his tombstone!
— Me&I (@GramamediceG) April 22, 2020
He's not talking about his family. He's talking about yours.
— Moose and Squirrel (@RobCrumpton) April 22, 2020
I think ole Snake lips would change his mind if he was on a ventilator.
— Lancashire lad ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????? (@Notlobber) April 22, 2020
Many took a little time to roast Patrick for his looks too.
Now get out there and work, eat, and buy until you DIE for the ECONOMY! pic.twitter.com/1oAdlmkal5
— Genvieve Mullins (@VoxGenevieve) April 22, 2020
Beware when ole Lipless Dan rides into town. pic.twitter.com/UR4wameEqO
— Schooley (@Rschooley) April 22, 2020
And now over to Texas’ Lt Governor Dan Patrick with his opinion pic.twitter.com/kNbq5Rsk7j
— LittleKuriboh (@yugiohtas) April 22, 2020
Some noted that these life-changing decisions were being made so that nonessential stores could open back up.
Dan Patrick is not sweating over this decision. Bye bye grandma, hello cheesecake! pic.twitter.com/kKVQMcxHiA
— Deb 'Vote Blue No Matter Who' Vermaas (@debv219) April 21, 2020
Not many politicians would commit to the bold "let grandma die" platform, so kudos to Texas Lieutenant Gov. Dan Patrick! https://t.co/j8CGvKZAze
— Cristina Cabrera (@crismcabrera) April 21, 2020
In a statement, the Texas Democratic Party railed against Patrick, and party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa questioned the state's willingness to put lives at risk in such a flagrant way.
“Texas Republicans like Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick would put Texans at-risk to enrich themselves and their stock portfolios. They would see our family members die to bail out Wall Street. The lives of our families, our friends, and our communities have no dollar amount. Texas Republicans can no longer claim to be the pro-life party anymore,” Hinojosa said, according to the Texas Tribune.
