Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010
Last night, the House of Representatives passed ObamaCare by a vote of 219-to-212. The most bi-partisan aspect of the bill was the opposition to it. Republicans voted unanimously against it and they were joined by 34 Democrats. This bill raises taxes by more than $500 billion. It imposes new taxes on investments and new fines on businesses. It imposes unconstitutional mandates on Americans and funds abortion. This is what happens when liberals get power.
In a weekend of outrageous statements, the worst was to hear Obama and Pelosi describing their takeover of nearly 20% of our economy in the language of liberty. They cloaked one of the biggest expansions of government and retractions of liberty in our nation’s history in conservative rhetoric. For example, Nancy Pelosi hailed the vote as “great act of patriotism.”
After the House vote, President Obama said, “We proved that this government — a government of the people and by the people — still works for the people.” But the American people didn’t want this bill. The latest Rasmussen poll found that likely voters opposed it 41%-to-54%. In fact, there is not a single poll the president can point to in the past 60 days that shows public support for the legislation that passed last night.
Conservatives did everything in their power to stop socialized medicine. The reconciliation process used to circumvent conservative efforts is proof of that. And while the Left is celebrating today, it has damaged our democratic republic in the process. The bill was written behind closed doors. Committee hearings were a charade. It passed the Senate not because of the legislation’s merits, but because of special deals and kickbacks. Until the national uproar, Speaker Pelosi had planned on passing it without even voting on it.
When a Republican doesn’t vote consistently for conservative principles, he is called a RINO – a Republican In Name Only. I don’t know what you call a Democrat who betrays his core principles, but this bill should be called the “Stupak Abortion Subsidy Act.”
Rep. Bart Stupak has been elected to Congress as a Democrat since 1992 in a relatively conservative district. But he was always pro-life. Yesterday, Stupak sold out his pro-life values for an executive order from the most pro-abortion president in history. An executive order cannot override legislation. That’s why the Hyde Amendment was so important and has been reaffirmed by every Congress for more than 30 years. The Senate bill funds abortion, which is why Stupak consistently said he was a “No” vote until the very end.
My friends, this is just the beginning. Obama said recently that he was going to wear us down. The Left isn’t done. Immigration “reform” is next. This is gut check time for our values and American Values is not giving up. We have serious concerns with the constitutionality of the healthcare legislation, as do several states. We are exploring various legal avenues to continue the fight for our values in the courts.
Now if your reaction is to throw your hands up in despair, give up and walk away, then the Left has worn you down. But if your reaction is to recommit to the values we cherish and fight even harder, then it’s not too late to make America the “shining city upon a hill” our Founding Fathers envisioned. I’m not giving up and I pray you will continue to stand with me!
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Saturday, October 31st, 2009
Yesterday, on the steps of the Capitol, Nancy Pelosi and her liberal colleagues unveiled their healthcare plan, H.R. 3962. Here are my thoughts on what transpired at the press conference, and the content of the bill.
- Pelosi’s press conference was an hour long, and only people on her personal “RSVP list” were allowed to attend. Republican Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA) said, “The striking thing that occurred today is when the Speaker had her announcement and unveiled their public option, she did so on public grounds in the West Front of the Capitol and frankly denied access to the public.”
- The thirty Democratic members with Pelosi at the press conference did not answer a single question from the press.
- The bill has had an extra thousand pages of statist policy added, making it nearly 2,000 pages long. Rep. Tom Price (R-GA), chairman of the House Republican Study Committee, said, “So how much takeover can you cram into 2,000 pages? By comparison, the legislation that created Medicare and Medicaid in 1965, which costs us $800 billion annually was less than 300 pages long.” What is hidden in the Pelosi bill?
- Members of Congress are not required to enroll in the government plan. The bill says that members can enroll in the public option if they want. Don’t expect any of them to do this, however.
- A 2.5 percent tax on medical devices will also be passed on to Americans. Taxes on hearing aids, heart valves and wheelchairs will all increase and will hurt Americans regardless of income.
- Under this version, working-class families will face higher health care premiums. Millions of Americans will also lose their current plans and senior citizens will see Medicare cut by $500 billion.
The House will be voting on this bill soon, so I strongly encourage you to contact your representatives at 202-224-3121. Call even if you have already done so, and share your thoughts with your elected representatives. The liberals in Washington are trying to transform the United States in their Big Government image. Now is the time to make your voice heard.
Posted in Gary Bauer | Tags: class families, democratic members, eric cantor, government plan, health care premiums, healthcare plan, hearing aids, heart valves, liberals, medicaid, medical devices, medicare, members of congress, nancy pelosi, republican whip, rsvp, senior citizens, study committee, takeover, tom price | No Comments »
Friday, October 9th, 2009
Obama True To His Word
One of the most significant events of last year’s presidential campaign occurred when Joe Wurzelbacher, AKA “Joe the Plumber,” confronted Barack Obama about Obama’s proposed tax policies and how they would impact small business owners like him. While the exchange was long, part of Obama’s response stood out to all Americans, “I think when you spread the wealth around, it’s good for everybody.”
Thus far in his presidency, Barack Obama has been true to his word. The past nine months have witnessed government spending bigger than anything the world has ever seen. In the process, we have racked up an astonishing $1.4 trillion dollar deficit this fiscal year, and the Washington rumor mill is buzzing that the Obama economic team is planning another stimulus package. The spending just never stops. Whether its cash-for-clunkers, the GM takeover or federal bailouts, Obama acts as government spending was the only solution.
It comes as no surprise then to hear the disturbing news yesterday in Detroit. Rumors began to spread throughout the city that the Obama Administration was giving away $3,000 checks to people who are or were going be to homeless. As the crowds grew, people became impatient and fighting erupted. Estimates of the crowd range as high as 15,000 people. These folks believe their salvation will come from government largesse. Here’s an excerpt from an interview with one of the people in line:
Reporter: “What are you here for?”
Woman: “Obama’s money”
Reporter: “Where’s it from?”
Woman: “Obama”
Reporter: “Where’d he get it?”
Woman: “I don’t know, from his stash.”
In case you didn’t know, Obama’s “stash” is the hard-earned money that is in your pocket. At least we know Obama is fulfilling one of his campaign promises – he’s spreading your wealth around.
Posted in Gary Bauer | Tags: administration, aka joe, barack obama, crowds, disturbing news, dollar deficit, economic team, government, government largesse, government spending, hard earned money, joe the plumber, nine months, obama, plumber, presidency, presidential campaign, rumor mill, significant events, small business owners, stimulus, stimulus package, takeover, tax policies, true to his word, word one | No Comments »