Stopping ObamaCare: Who Has The Courage?
by Frank DeMartiniLast Saturday night, in what was mostly a procedural vote, the Senate approved moving forward with debate on the health-care reform bill. The vote was 60-39, the barest minimum necessary for debate to start in the Chamber. To listen to Harry Reid and his cohorts after the vote, you would think the Senate had just accomplished the greatest feat since the creation of man. What they really did was nothing . . . . . yet. (I’m sorry, maybe they did do something. It appears they bought the vote of Senator Mary Landrieu from Louisiana with a staggering amount of pork.)
Sometime after Thanksgiving, true debate in the Senate will begin. The pros and cons of Mr. Reid’s bill will finally be debated in front of the American public. But, will it be a true debate at all? Or, will it just be a front in which enough pork will be put into the bill to get the votes of Joe Lieberman, Mary Landrieu, Blanche Lincoln, and Ben Nelson; the four Democrats who must be swayed into Harry Reid’s pack of wolves. The same pack of wolves whose intent is ruining America under the guise of health care reform.
Each of these four has told Mr. Reid, in no uncertain terms, they are not going to close debate now that it has opened, unless a few specific issues in the bill are dealt with to their satisfaction. Three of these mavericks come from right leaning states and are, frankly, worried about their jobs. One comes from a far left state: Lieberman, the distinguished Senator from Connecticut, who seems to be the only Democrat left in the Senate with any balls and brains.
The Republicans are ready to make their stand in the Senate. It seems they have been successful already in killing “Cap and Trade” there. Now, it is up to them and any one of these four rogue Democrats to succeed in destroying this nightmare health care legislation in the Senate. We only need one of them. Who from these four will be the savior of the country?
I am reminded of the famous book written by John F. Kennedy entitled “Profiles in Courage.” That book, written in the mid-1950’s, told the story of eight senators throughout history, who defied their party and/or public opinion, to do what was right and in the best interests of the country. Among those stories, is that of Senator Edmund G. Ross from Kansas who defied his party and voted for the acquittal of Andrew Johnson in his impeachment trial thereby preserving the integrity of the Presidency.
Who will be the Democrat that will defy the whims of a power hungry President, the Senate Majority Leader and the Speaker of the House? Who will be the man or woman that will save this country from bankruptcy? Which of these four has the courage to buck the demands of the power elite and do what is right for America?
Senator Lieberman has said that he will not vote for any bill that has a public option. On “Meet the Press” Sunday, Lieberman confirmed he will support such a filibuster. He also stated that the CBO has confirmed that the proposed Senate Public Option will have higher premiums than private insurance currently does. He stated that competition among the current insurance companies is the only real solution. Will he ultimately have the courage?
Where does Mary Landrieu really stand? Is she being bought by Senator Harry Reid? The allegations are coming fast. In fact, it appears that that page 463 et seq. of the Senate version of the bill is a direct 100 million dollar bribe to the state of Louisiana. Apparently, the house bill has the same thing in it as well. Regardless, I firmly believe that Ms. Landrieu is too afraid of her job to vote against her conscience. The same is also true of Ms. Lincoln from Arkansas, except for the bribery. I too feel that she will vote her conscience when push comes to shove.
That leaves Mr. Nelson from Nebraska. Where does he really stand and can the Republicans and the rest of the country depend upon him to save the day. My answer would be yes. Even if Lieberman, Landrieu and Lincoln cave, I believe that Nelson is strong enough to tell Harry Reid and the President, “No!” He has publicly stated that he will not support a single payer public option; that he will not support publicly funded abortions; and, that he will not support a bill that is not revenue neutral. Fortunately, for us Republicans, the current Senate bill includes all three.
In fact, if all of these problems with the Senate Bill were resolved to the liking of Senator Nelson, then many Republicans might actually vote for the bill as well.
So, at the end of the day, which of these four will have the courage? Who will save the United States of America? My guess is that any of the four may do it, but if that idiot from Maine votes with the Democrats, maybe we really need two of these four.
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89 Comments
I think the only realistic thing to assume here is that probably one, possibly 2 will vote against the bill out of those 4 you outlined above. Its a sad political reality that despite their "Consciousness", any of those people above could cave to pressure.
But we only need 1, and I would say our best bet is Lieberman followed by Nelson.
God Help us all if they pass that monstrosity.
JFK didn't write "Profiles in Courage" it was a ghost jib. But go go Joe!
As a conservative my worry now is the kamikaze tactic of the majority be damned, knowing the jig will be up in November 2010. Please say it ain't so Joe.
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Mary Landrieu has already established how much it takes to buy her, making her one of the highest-priced prostitutes not only in the Senate, but anywhere.
Lincoln will cave in the same way, though for a lesser price than what Landrieu was able to extract from Uncle Harry.
Lieberman I have hopes for. He has proven himself to have some common sense on many issues, supporting the war for one, while Nelson remains a bit of a wild card. It is a sad fact of politics that what a pol says today is not always what he says tomorrow. Nelson will gain much stature if he remains consistent to his word.
Democrats/Liberals are usually the last people I would ever look to for individual courage, so I wouldn't hold that much HOPE that one of them will do the right thing here. I fear that this Congress is so easily bought off with the smallest amount of pork that they will dismiss their conscience and do what's best for their near term political careers.
And when you consider politicians like Barney Frank who accept no responsibility whatsovever for their words or actions over the years, I doubt that any of these people are even capable of feeling regret or remorse over a disastrous failed policy they enacted into law.
Ask yourself DemocratSS senators, "Do ya feel lucky, punk? Well do ya?"
And just think, Obama Reid and Pelosi wanted to have a bill signed before Labor Day, before anyone can realize what a socialist power-grab this really was/is.
Let's show these social engineers the power of middle-America on November 2010 and we'll vote them out.
There will be no real debate. What, with our puppet congress?
Plus, none of the Obama-cheerleader news networks would cover it if some form of argument were to occur.
I'm right with you on the assessment of how they'll vote.
Just remember, in 2010:
IF IN DOUBT,
VOTE THEM OUT!
Joe Lieberman reminds me of Judas
He could have stopped this the last time but he voted with the democrats
If it passes, God would have abandoned us.
One will be gone for sure. One is in such a safe district, she'll stay until they drag her body away from old age. And the third won't be out until 2013, I hope and pray.
OK, I'm having a Star Trek (TNG) moment, because I was watching it with my son earlier (that's my story & I'm sticking to it). The Dems remind me of the mindless drone Borg, running around telling everybody "you will be assimilated, resistance is futile!" We know that they cannot function with out the Collective because there is no individual thought, just assimilation. Trekies, you know where I'm going with this.
PLEASE people! N-O-N-E of these Dems will vote against it. They wil tow the line. WE the American People will have to work harder at shouting!____..then work our precincts come 2010 as foot soldiers to campaign against these libs.
So…if the so-called "public option" is removed, they will vote for an unconstitutional abomination…that's not making me feel much better
Many of us believe that as extremists at both ends of the political spectrum become more vociferous and divisive, more Americans will move towards the Center.
If any form of extremism or "political correctness" is abhorrent to you, please consider joining our brand-new Centrists Group at Linked In. We welcome all who believe consensus is not only desirable, but possible, whatever their party affiliation or lack thereof.
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Thank you so much.
Ellen Brandt, Ph.D.
Seeing that there's no constitutional authority to lawfully implement the more onerous parts of this train wreck(mandatory coverage, fines and imprisonment, etc) I'm curious as to the rational they'll use to pass it. I've already told my Senators(both Democrats)that if they vote for this bill (or Cap and Trade, additional funding for Afghanistan) then I will reject their authority and I'll substitute my own. You have probably seen this on this site in the past but I proudly wear a t-shirt that states "I will not go silently into tyranny." Time to find your voice, folks. Time to get a grip.
KEEP IN MIND THIS IS THE CLOWARD-PIVEN STRATEGY. FIGHT BACK, MY FELLOW AMERICANS!
http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/11/clowardpiv...
Hopefully these people will indeed have the courage to stand against pressure from their party to do the right thing. Congress still has yet to fully address the issue of constitutionality without laughing off people who question or offering the "general welfare" argument, neither of which actually deal with the meaning of the Constitution or where it provides for forcing Americans to purchase anything.
What if the libs/dems are not concerned about committing political suicide because they know that there will be no
elections in either 2010 or 2012? Would you really put it past this current administration to manufacture a crisis to
declare the constitution null and void and institute martial law?
I wouldn't put anything past them. They will do whatever they think they can do.
They are the worst of the worst, the lowest of the low.
Good column.
This, in Soviet military dogma, by the way is known as PSYOPS, or pre-military action "Softening."
More like if it passes, the Democrats have abandoned God!
"We welcome all who believe consensus is not only desirable, but possible, whatever their party affiliation or lack thereof."
Populist Bipartisanship? To hell with it!
Someones been watching Glenn Beck…
Too true. Saying the General Welfare clause is a license for health care reform is like saying the pursuit of happiness is license for murder.
"Would you really put it past this current administration to manufacture a crisis to
declare the constitution null and void and institute martial law?"
They wouldn't do that because they don't have the balls.
"(the real one – not ~Allah~)"
Say what you will about Muslims, but they seem to follow the same God as us. Only problem is their idea of following God is force feeding their prisoners with the filth from their own wounds.
"my worry now is the libs kamikaze tactic that the majority of voters be damned, knowing the jig will be up in November 2010."
If they actually do that, our Counter attack will have enough momentum to reverse every piece of Liberal legislation since the end or world war 2!
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The elected officials in the US government have long since felt any need to justify the constitutional authority of the laws they impose.
The Enumerated Powers Act
http://www.downsizedc.org/etp/campaigns/87
Hmmmm I think mary will need more money for more services she gave one vote is the second one suppose to be a freebe? There are no such things as Hookers or politicians with hearts of gold So im guessing she will need to be paid again to provide additional favors.
Lock and load.
Ahhhh im confused I am a centrist it is the other guy thats an extremist those guys way over there on the left want to enslave us. Us folks way over here on the right just want to be left alone with what ever little piece of the earth we can claim. If your nice we will share if your not STEP OFF. Your not likely to find many here who are intrested in compromise we are trying desperately to run the RINO hoard away from our watering hole. I might suggest you try the RNC I think Michael Steele and Newt Gingrirch are looking for some new friends. Last I saw them they were drinking heavily in NY 23
Glad you have confidence in Senator Nelson. However, those of us in Nebraska have seen him make a career out of double-speaking and shuffling around every issue until he finally commits in whatever way will keep him alive politically. He was a bland and indecisive Governor. He's even more so as a senator. At least Landrieu had the decency to charge. Ben Nelson is no whore — he's a street slut who likes to see his name bounced around in the media before he dramatically chooses to go with the party — same thing he did on the stimulus. How's that working for you, Ben? God help us if it is in Nelson's hands. I have more faith in Lieberman (but not much).
Indeed, God help us if this abomination passes!
Exposing CIA documents on enhanced interrogation methods; threatening to reveal pictures of "atrocities;" grandstanding before flag-draped coffins of American heroes; health care; cap-n-tax; KSM's trial venue; belittling America as he bows and scrapes to foreign heads of state…. IMHO, these flaps are but red herrings for his real agenda: to so distract this country as to weaken her to the point of collapse.
He is interferring with the war effort in Afghanistan. The Bush Administration briefed Obama, Yet, he has dragged his feet on reinforcing troops there despite his general's pleas.
How do you weaken a stronger enemy? Interrupt his supply lines, including reinforcements, for one thing. Obama has denied our troops in the field the reinforcements they require and may further undermine the war effort by denying his general the number of troops requested. In doing so, has strengthened the hand of the enemy.
Manchurian candidate? We need to get our heads out of the sand and examine what this man is doing.
If you had asked me that question back in January, I would have said that was paranoid. Now? I'm not sure of anything.
Exposing CIA documents on enhanced interrogation methods; threatening to reveal pictures of "atrocities;" grandstanding before flag-draped coffins of American heroes; health care; cap-n-tax; KSM's trial venue; belittling America as he bows and scrapes to foreign heads of state…. IMHO, these flaps are but red herrings for his real agenda: to so distract this country as to weaken her to the point of collapse.
He is interferring with the war effort in Afghanistan. The Bush Administration briefed Obama, Yet, he has dragged his feet on reinforcing troops there despite his general's pleas.
How do you weaken a stronger enemy? Interrupt his supply lines, including reinforcements, for one thing. Obama has denied our troops in the field the reinforcements they require and may further undermine the war effort by denying his general the number of troops requested. In doing so, has strengthened the hand of the enemy.
Manchurian candidate? We need to get our heads out of the sand and examine what this man is *really* doing.
Dems abandoned God long ago…
My guess is that Matt Damon, Charly Sheen, Ben Affleck, would not want to see hair transplants turned over to the Government system. Their plugs all look terrific. Seriously, the costs of lipo and hair transplants have dropped due to competition. Because the Government was not involved in elective plastic surgery, over time prices have dropped due to competition. Likewise wonderful new technologies come onto the Medical Market and overtime, if the govt. gets out of the way, prices drop over time.
All we need to do is figure out what command tells them all to sleep.
Er… OK it's extremely sad that I know that. *laughs*
Bribery or Politics?
If the healthcare legislation is so GREAT, why are the Democrats voting on it in the dark of night on a Saturday night? Why are they not presenting the facts of the bill to the American people? Is it because the numbers do not add up? The Democrats say that there is a need to pass this legislation today because thousands of people are dying because of the lack of healthcare. Yet the benefits do not go into effect until 4 years from now, so by their calculations are they going to let thousands more of Americans die? Why do they want to put people in jail for not wanting to buy health insurance? Would that even be constitutional? Why do they have to bribe certain Senators in order to get them to vote for it? Is Eric Holder going to investigate this bribe? Will the news media begin doing their job and expose this fraud? Why is it that politicians say one thing but do another, Joe Liebermann? Will the American people stand up and be heard to stop this monstrosity? These are just some questions that should be answered before proceeding with this legislation.
"…more Americans will move towards the Center."
Bravo. But if they are truly centrists, they should be horrified by much of what this Congress and administration are doing. And if they oppose it vocally – like the tea partiers – they will not be called centrists, they will be vilified in a way that we have not seen in this country in living memory. We have learned that in recent months. The left is in power and will try to tell you where the center is and what constitutes bipartisanship ("everyone do as I say"). There is also an argument to be made that under such circumstances, bipartisanship is in fact NOT desirable, but self-defeating. The Obama administration has no record of bipartisanship, unlike the Bush administration.
This is true about Pelosi, however if we can get her knocked down a couple of pegs it will seem like a small victory!!
You're right, he cannot be trusted!!!
I hope to hell the 2010 elections rectify this situation.
I would suggest that the mere fact that it's in danger of being passed proves that we are on our own.
God in his mercy nevertheless sees fit, sometimes, not to preserve a nation.
These days, to be a centrist is to be de facto reactionary. It makes no sense, but that's the way the Left wants it.
It is extremely apparent that the MAJORITY of the American voters do not want this government monstrosity to pass in anything even close to its present form (or any form with the dimwitcrats running congress). The republicans (who I'm not so fond of lately either) actually have it right this time with the concept of more competition by offering health insurance over state lines. It's always the members of the gimme society that want theirs for "free"….and as far as I'm concerned, that society can rot in hell.
We need a movement to parallel the Tea Parties that focuses on saying "NO" to pork payoffs. We need citizens in the streets saying they will not support any representative that votes for bad legislation just to bring home the bacon to their constituents. We need more integrity to show them that we can't be bought with new parks, road funding, or government jobs. Let's face it, the pols aren't the only ones being bought off!
Recognizing full well that I'm preaching to the choir, but still…
TheBigLebbowski
It's a lot harder to put the pieces back together.
Destruction is so much faster and easier than building.
You have more faith in the GOP than I do.
If this monstrosity passes, and the GOP does sweep 2010, how sure are you they won't love all this brand new power and money?
I have a nagging feeling our best hope lies with the Roberts' Supreme Court. They came through on the second amendment, I hope they'll come through on this. But who knows how many years will pass before they even get a chance to weigh in.
Liberman has a back bone. I place no faith in the other three.
Also I don't think it matters much if abortion is in the bill or not. If not, they'll simply tuck it away in some obscure defense bill and pass it in the dark of night.
There's no way in heck the democratically controlled Congress won't pass it. They have to throw some bones to the pro-abortion coalition.
It brings to mind that old joke about knowing what she is, but just haggling on the price.
Centrist? No thanks. One has to take a stand – you're either on the right or the left side of the road – if you're in the center, you have the tendency to get run over.
I'm not so sure that's not part of their plan, losing control of one or both houses of congress.
If they retain both houses, then the only thing Obama has to run on will be his own record, he won't be able to blame republicans for anything. Believe me, he will try, but four years of "Blame Bush" will have run its course with the voters (though not the MSM).
Pass everything they can now, lose one or both houses, Obama blames the GOP, he gets reelected, and the dems come back into control riding his coat tails, and there's all this new law just laying there on the books waiting for them.
If the left looks like they are insane, and you can't figure out what the heck they're doing, then there is a strong possibility you are falling for their distractions. Make no mistake about it, every move is painstakingly planned.
The senate has some pretty arcane rules. I was under the impression if it came out of committee, and made it to the floor, the chance for a filibuster was finished.
But I also thought they needed 60 votes to stop debate too. So maybe its not over yet. Liberman says he will not vote for a public option, just as there are many far left senators who said they wouldn't vote for the bill with out it.
I think this will be the biggest hurdle, not abortion. Because they'll just pass that as an amendment to some other bill.
"shutdown -now"
I have just one bone to pick with your analogy. Being in the computer industry, I'm convinced the Borg were modeled on the AFS – Andrew File System, which is used on Unix based computers as a file and resource sharing operating system.
All computers tied together using AFS have access to all information on all computers. That's why when one Borg figures out the phaser frequency, they are all immune. File sharing.
Here's my bone: AFS requires logic and planning. That ain't happening over on the left.
How sure are you a GOP controlled congress would repeal any of it?
I know the left like the back of my hand, I'm still trying to figure out GOP, but it seems to me, they start taking a real liking to power, as long as its in their hands.
Agreed.
I can remember back to the days when a trip to the emergency room cost about $25, and you paid it on the way out the door.
Then the government got involved to "fix" it. Every time they fix something, they only make it worse. This will be no difference.
I was going to point out that there was logic involved w/ the Left but….You Win
They'll do what they always do, claim interstate commerce clause.
Reps Ron Paul and John Shadegg have introduced legislation every session of Congress that would force every bill brought to the floor include specifically cite where the constitutions gives the authority for the bill to the federal government.
It's never even come close to passage, but that's what we need.
Have NO doubt. oPIMPia Dukakis will cave in at the Dems first offer of anything. She is almost as big a mindless twit as Susan Collins. I think that her frontal lobes must be caught in the wrinkles in her forehead, and be damaged. And that overstuffed buffet pig Landrieu will show up to vote with an apple stuffed in her pie hole. They are all whores, selling their votes for bribes with YOUR tax dollars! I say vote all their sorry asses out and start fresh with no entrenched power brokers to steal your money.
I see no reason for them to worry about that. With a two party system they know they'll be back in power in 2, 4 or 6 years. And when they do, all this nice new power just waiting for them.
Regarding Pelosi, how can anyone from a state that was once had the 7th largest economy in the world, and is now bankrupt be the Speaker of the House? She is bringing the policies that bankrupted California to the United States of America. For that we should all be scared! The good new is she isn't as safe as she thinks.
I'm afraid that we can't count on any of these clowns.
"If it passes, God would have abandoned us."
I am sorry, but God does not abandon anyone. It is the leaders of this country who have abandoned God. Not all, but enough of them that we find ourselves in this unholy mess we're in.
Senator Lieberman voted to have the bill proceed to debate – nothing more.
As a conservative, I may have prefered it to die in its present form, but I have no problem with proceeding with a fair debate on the floor. A lot will come out of this.
Then, Joe can kill it.
While Senator Lieberman may caucus with the Democrats, if I were Harry Reid, I would not presume to have Joe's vote on whatever final piece of inffective sausage the Senate finally votes on.
The Dems are desperate to pass something. Not because it's good for the country, but because it's necessary for their PARTY. So, they'll water the thing down as much as necessary to get it passed, and will then declare a huge victory. But, what can be passed on a partisan vote can be un-done with a partisan vote, so I suspect whatever they do will be reversed once they lose power.
You need to be more specific – there are two idiots from Maine in the Senate.
Then why do Nebraskans keep voting for him?
In every socialized medical system, the wealthy (like those you mentioned) receive the same medical care as most Americans now enjoy. In socialized systems, it is the serfs who are equalized. Nationalized health care works fine if you need a flu shot or a physical exam, but lord help you if you get sick. I'm betting that if this thing goes through, some entrepreneur will open a state of the art, for fee hospital reserved for those who can pay out of pocket. This happened in the early nineties when it looked like HillaryCare would destroy the US medical system. A little known fact is a hosp. opened in Scotland staffed by top medical professionals paid exorbitant salaries. Within a year after HillaryCare bellied up, the "Scottish hospital" closed. Coincidence? I don't think so.
Most Americans I believe are social liberals, fiscal conservatives. They don't care who is doing what with whom but they don't want to foot the bill for it. A strong middle of the road, libertarian-Independent-centrist-moderate party probably would win an election, however, socialists-Marxists-communists-leftists, knowing how to game the system, would try to overwhelm the movement from the get go. I hark back to C-Span years ago. In the a.m., they had phone lines for people to call in to discuss politics. The calls ran heavily Republican to which the Democrats started howling that Republicans had more money than they did (not true) ergo could afford to make the calls. C-Span caved and instituted three lines: one for Repubs, one for Dems and one for Indies. Within weeks, the Dems were dominating two of the three lines, i.e. pretending to be Independents to shut down dialogue. Nobody at C-Span realized that the reason their calls were heavily Republican is that (at that time there was no Fox News) Republicans/Independents/Centrists had nowhere else to go. The "big three" were heavily Left (still are). I applaud your trying to get a middle of the road party, but doubt seriously the Dems will allow it. Like most Leftists, they don't brook dissent.
I believe all of those questions can be summed up as: Will ALL government employees (President, Senator, Representative, on down the chain) agree to give up all other health plans and be bound by the rules and policies of the Health Care bill they are trying to force upon us?
If the bill is so great, they should be willing to outlaw their current coverage and LEAD us in to this great new system. If they balk, we know it's all been an elaborate (and expensive) hoax.
there is no way any democrat will vote against this bill….it is just a matter of how much pork they will get from george mitchell sound alike dingy harry. we better hope that our two liberal's from maine dont cave………they will be bought out also………….
FYI – http://JohnDennis2010.com/
What is their opponent is worse?
Like Obama said – just take the blue pill.
http://TakeTheBluePill.tk/
Like Obama said – just take the blue pill.
http://TakeTheBluePill.tk/
Like Obama said – just take the blue pill.
http://TakeTheBluePill.tk/
screw all polticians, but especially the mean-spirited, xenophobic, paranoid, bigoted right wing morons, in this great country, the most politically corrupt country on the planet – because we've "legalized" corruption,
Then it's a judgement call.
Rule of thumb is: the incumbent has messed things up enough, and the new guy can't do as much damage.
I would say that thousands of people thought that was the case with Bush/McCain (and I can't say I fault that line of thinking) and then voted for Obama. I voted for Bob Barr the Libertarian candidate.
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