As someone who opposes the proposed health care reform legislation, I love seeing its supporters grappling with the dilemma that they’re now faced with. With Scott Brown likely to vote against most versions of such a bill, and more moderate Democrats shying away from it in an attempt to save their positions in Congress, chances are it will wilt on the vine.
Of course, that won’t stop staunch supporters from continuing to push the bill through. And that’s ok, they’re allowed. Even though it’s junk legislation, I imagine it’s hard to give up on your ideological dream. In doing so however, they run the risk of revealing to the American people that their intentions are not to do our will, but do what they think is right.
Now I’ve heard it before, that we elect officials to represent us, not take a vote every time they have to make a decision. That fact is not lost on me. I have a decent understanding of how politics works. But you cannot tell me that it isn’t right, or in the best interest of these politicians to at least get a feel for what their constituents are after. I mean, these are the people that elect you. You want to keep them happy. Right?
So look at the facts. Just 38% of voters favor the current health care legislation, while 56% oppose it. And if you’re skeptical, look no further than Massachusetts. Arguably the most liberal state, and they elected a Republican senator mainly as a referendum on health care form. That’s a pretty clear and strong message. But it’s one that I don’t think the president or many members of Congress really understand.
In his State of the Union Address President Obama acknowledged that support for the bill was waning, but he also vowed not to give up on it, because it’s what we need. Or so that’s what he wants us to believe. And today he’s still asking members of Congress to “finish the job.” I’m sorry, but I don’t live in a country where it’s the president’s right or responsibility to tell me what I need. I can figure that out just fine on my own. I’d bet most of you can too.
So, what about the facts? What about the majority of people not supporting this bill? What about an entire country that rallied around a special election in Massachusetts just so we could put someone in Congress that would oppose the bill? How loudly do the people of this country have to scream that we don’t want this health care reform?
I don’t think we can scream loud enough to affect ideologues like Obama. There is a severe disconnect between them and The People. He has an agenda, and he’s sticking to it. Will of The People be damned.
And that folks, is scary.
~Trish
It’s interesting how the White House claims it isn’t involved with the activities of Organizing For America, yet the official site for the group is housed at barackobama.com.
You cannot possibly claim neutrality in this situation. The group’s purpose it to push Barack Obama’s agenda and their site is housed on Barack Obama’s official website. He might not sit in on staff meetings, but clearly there is at least a silent endorsement of the group’s activities.
One of which happens to be recruiting at the high school level. A reader of Atlas Shrugs (h/t Gateway Pundit) has a daughter in an Ohio high school who was given recruiting information in her government class. On what planet is it ok for a group with such a clear and biased agenda to send their message into our high schools? When did it become acceptable for a teacher to take time out of his or her day to pass out political propaganda? Because that’s basically what this is.
Just get a load of some of the recommended reading:
- Rules for Radicals, Saul Alinsky
- The New Organizers, Zack Exley
- Stir It Up: Lessons from Community Organizing and Advocacy, Rinku Sen
- Obama Field Organizers Plot a Miracle, Zack Exley, Huffington Post
- Dreams of My Father Chicago Chapters, Barack Hussein Obama
I won’t even dispute the right of this group to peddle its message and recruit people. But they don’t have the right to send their message into our schools, where our kids are supposed to be getting an education, not being indoctrinated into political ideology.
~Trish
I’m not sure what caused Craig Fry to turn into such a cranky-pants, but I think he needs to keep his emotions in check.
Someone I know, who shall remain nameless sent an e-mail to all of the Indiana State Representatives. Craig Fry represent district 5 here in the state. The e-mail was simple:
I demand you vote NO on HB1025. I promise you that you will pay the price at the voting box if you try and pass this bill.
Our one “weapon” when dealing with politicians is the power of our vote. They don’t have it, they lose. I’ve sent similarly worded e-mails to many politicians. I want them to know how I feel on issues, and that I vote. I guess Craig Fry doesn’t appreciate knowing how voters feel, however. This was his response:
I voted NO last year! I spent money to advertise against the transportation district on the radio! I have an amendment to take St. Joseph and Elkhart Counties out of the bill! I don’t know who you think you are, but don’t ever threaten me again!
His overuse of the exclamation point aside, he completely overreacted to the original e-mail. He could have simply stated that he opposed the bill and will continue to oppose the bill. Simple as that. Instead, he attacked, and accused a voter of threatening him. Clearly, Mr. Fry doesn’t appreciate being reminded that is job is only safe if he has the votes to keep it that way.
This was the reply to Mr. Fry’s e-mail:
Excuse me for voicing my opinion – who do you think you are? I was simply making sure I communicated to every member and letting you know where I stand. If you voted NO before and you plan on it again, then you have my support. Calm down and remember who you work for there Craig.
And then, Mr. Fry’s reply to the reply:
I always remember who I work for! I will not calm down and don’t threaten me again!
The man can’t even reply to a simple e-mail from a voter without having a meltdown. Surely he receives correspondence that is more abrasive than what he received here. I’d hate to see how he responds to those.
So I think Mr. Fry should be quite ashamed of himself today. That’s no way to represent the people of Indiana. I think he should either learn how to compose himself, or get out of politics.
~Trish
To say that I’m fired up about the special election in Massachusetts would be an understatement. I’m out of my mind with anticipation.
Regardless of the outcome, a message has been sent about the direction Congress and the Obama administration have been taking this country. In Massachusetts of all places, a Republican is running a competitive race with an establishment Democrat at a time when Democrats are supposed to be on top. The message Congress and the president should be getting is that the people are fed up. They don’t like the direction we’re going. But, they still don’t get it.
A senior administration official said this about the surge in support for Scott Brown: “This is not a moment that causes the president or anybody who works for him to express any doubt. It more reinforces the conviction to fight hard.”
And what that statement reinforces for me is the knowledge that our president and his administration don’t care what the will of the people is. Why fight so hard against the citizens of this country? Obviously they were arrogant enough to think they could spew whatever they needed to in order to get elected and then suffer no consequences later on.
Well I’d say the consequences are knocking down the door. Even if Scott Brown loses, the message that is being shouted from Massachusetts is clear. The only question is, is Washington listening? The president might not be, but I imagine there are members of Congress who are. None of them want to be turned into the next “Croakley.”
And if Brown does win, well, I’ll get back to you on that after I run through the streets celebrating.
~Trish
At least that’s what I’m calling it.
He wants a tax levied on financial institutions with assets of more than 50 billion dollars, to recoup the rest of the bailout money that was doled out to all those struggling companies. (full story here)
Here’s the catch, they make no exception for businesses that never took a dime of bailout money or that already paid the money back in full. This is nothing more than another usurious tax being put upon businesses. I don’t care if they’re massive financial institutions. Anyone who thinks that a tax on top doesn’t affect everyone is sorely mistaken.
President Obama said “We want our money back.”
You know what Barack Obama, so do I. Funny thing is, the 90 billion dollars or so in tax revenue you could collect from these businesses will never reach me. In fact, if you have your way, I’ll end up paying you more money too.
His feigned interest in justice here is only pissing me off. This isn’t a tax for the American people. There is no benefit for us here, because the money goes straight back into the coffers so they can use it exactly how they want.
I’m literally fuming at the audacity and arrogance of our president. How much more shameful is his presidency going to get?
~Trish
Congressman Jason Chaffetz from Utah has submitted something called the “Contract for the American Dream.” It focuses on the areas of fiscal discipline, accountability, national defense and limited government. It outlines the problems facing each, as well as what Congress can do to fix them.
I read through it and couldn’t find one area that I disagreed with. So I sent it to my Congressmen, letting them know that a candidate who adheres to those 4 principles is the one who will get my vote in all future elections.
I urge you to read it and pass it along as well. It’s a concise and simple read, but it still hits the major points effectively.
~Trish
I wasn’t there, I didn’t smell his breath, but whether he was drunk on pricey bourbon or just on power, this is still REALLY odd behavior:
(via Hot Air)
My favorite parts are when he repeats himself and adds hand jabs to emphasize his points. What a way to represent Montana.
~Trish
So, Rock the Vote is asking that you “hold out” for health care. Meaning, that you *ahem* refrain from having sexual relations with anyone who doesn’t agree with your liberal views on health care reform. They even made a video:
That’s an interesting message to send to young people. You can use your genitals to coerce people into believing the way you do. Gosh, this is so great. I really never thought anyone would come up with a good use for my vagina! Now I can use it to further political agendas. *squeal*
But seriously, young liberals, you just go ahead and keep your private bits to yourself. Trust me, I don’t want anything to do with them.
You can read more here.
~Trish
Screw you Congress!
Citing cancer concerns, Senate democrats added a provision to their health care bill that would levy a 10% sales tax on tanning services. You can read more here.
Now, I’m not an habitual tanner like some people, but I’ve been known to go on occasion. Sometimes, when you haven’t seen the sun shine in 2 weeks, a little bit of simulated sunlight seems worth the risk. And I do believe 15 minutes in a tanning bed here or there in the winter has actually prevented me from stabbing coworkers in the jugular. So do I think the government has any right whatsoever to tax me extra because I choose to engage in an activity that may or may not cause me harm? Hell no.
All of my choices have an element of risk, and it isn’t the government’s job to penalize me because politicians want to play Big Brother.
Even as opposed as I am to having to pay the tax myself, I’m more concerned about what this will do to the businesses. These people aren’t evil cancer-spreaders. They’re providing a service that people clearly want, as I’ve never seen someone unwilling enter a tanning bed before. They’re often small operations and I’d venture to guess that many of them have been hit by tough economic conditions just like most other businesses.
And this isn’t just about a tanning tax. This speaks to a much bigger problem we have in this country. It’s just a small slice of how our government has turned against us. We’re slowly transitioning into becoming subjects, rather than citizens. We’re no longer being trusted with our own lives.
This might sound incendiary, but if we can’t win back that control through political means, we have to take it back by force. That is, afterall, how we became the great United States of America in the first place, isn’t it?
I honestly have no problem revolting against a government that looks more and more like a regime than an administration.
~Trish
