Posted on 11/07/2009 6:30:45 PM PST by PhiKapMom
"...liberal Democrats are choosing to ignore the clear voice of the American people in bringing forth this freight train of runaway spending, bloated bureaucracy, mandates and higher taxes."
Washington, DC - U.S. Congressman Mike Pence, Chairman of the House Republican Conference, gave the following statement today on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives shortly before the vote on the Democrat health care bill:
"After months of overwhelming public opposition to a government takeover of health care, liberal Democrats are choosing to ignore the clear voice of the American people in bringing forth this freight train of runaway spending, bloated bureaucracy, mandates and higher taxes.
"Even a few courageous Democrats have been willing to speak out. In opposing the bill, my distinguished Democrat colleague, Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, Ike Skelton, a man who knew President Truman, said he opposed the bill because he had ‘serious concerns...for Missourians who have private insurance plans they like.' And my Democrat colleague Dan Boren of Oklahoma said, ‘The worst thing we could do in a recession is raise taxes and this bill does just that.'
"As these Democrat colleagues attest: If the Democrat health care bill passes today, you'll probably lose your health insurance and you might just lose your job.
"The Democrat health care plan targets us when we are most vulnerable. Illness, our own, or more importantly the illness of a parent, or a spouse, or a child, has the capacity to suspend our priorities. What was important before the crisis grows dim in the harsh light of disease affecting a loved one. The result: little by little, in the midst of family crises, we yield our freedoms and our resources to the ever-growing appetite of the federal government.
"But if liberal Democrats think this is what our nation wants, they don't know the America I know.
"Mike Schwaller is my cousin. He is an extraordinary young man who has been struggling with cancer but has maintained his faith and courage, inspiring us all.
"Mike wrote me an email the other day and gave me permission to share it. As a cancer patient with limited treatment options, he's awaiting insurance approval for an experimental treatment because his system can no longer tolerate the long regimen of chemo. He seems like just the kind of American that my Democrat colleagues keep telling us want government-run insurance.
"But they don't know Mike.
"As he wrote about his coverage saying: ‘....if this was a government bureaucracy, I have no faith that it would be processed in a timely manner and even then, if it would be approved. The idea of a public health care option, as a chronic cancer patient, scares the living hell out of me. I feel that at this very moment in time you are fighting for me, and my life on a very personal level. Please, please don't give up or give in.'
"Michael, I promise you we won't and you don't give up either.
"Truth is, this debate is not just about health care, it's about who we are as a nation.
"As President Reagan said, it's about ‘whether we abandon the American revolution and confess that a little intellectual elite in a far distant Capitol can plan our lives better than we can plan them ourselves.'
"Earlier today, I greeted about 50 Hoosiers, mostly in wheelchairs, unit caps and uniforms, at the World War II Memorial. These heroes were gathered for their first, and maybe only, visit to the monument built in their honor.
"As I made my way back to the Capitol, I thought about those brave men and what sustained them in those days when the very survival of democracy hung in the balance. I believe it was because they were fighting for a cause more important than their happiness, their health and even their life, and that cause was freedom.
"In the coming hours we will take a vote of incalculable significance to the lives of every American and we will see what our so-called ‘Blue Dog' Democrat colleagues are made of.
"We will see whether Democrats who profess to believe in limited government will take a stand for freedom or whether they will fold under the weight of the Democratic majority and the White House.
"I know it's no easy thing to oppose your president and your party on a major piece of legislation. But let me assure my colleagues, decent Americans all, that if you will take this stand for freedom, I believe it with all my heart that you will know for the rest of your lives just what those men in wheelchairs have known every day since they came home: That when freedom hung in the balance, the right to live and work and care for a family free of unnecessary government intrusion, you did freedom's work. And the American people will never forget it."
Pence is the real deal! Thanks for sharing.
Just hearing Pence speak was one for the ages.
I have been on his email list for awhile and I am so impressed with the man.
Pence has grown up... Really good speech ... Keep it up Mike...
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Pence is very impressive today.
Pence got may attention for his attention to the “Fairness Doctrine”.
I have been periodically watching the debate and happened to catch his speech.
The man needs to aspire to a higher office, imo.
(I’m listening to Boehner right now...he is doing a pretty good job.)
We need to find more candidates like Mike Pence to run for office in 2010.
“....And the American people will never forget it.”
and we won’t forget it either if they vote for it.
Excellent Mike Pence. Thank you, and thank you PhiKapMom for the post.
Mike Pence is one of the good guys. Thanks for this, PKM.
I was touched by his speech tonight. I hope some Blue Dogs feel the same way.
America’s legacy is freedom.
It’s too bad that the very people voting for this monster are sacrificing not just us; but their very own children and grandchildren.
How very sad.
It is very sad. The Progressives don’t care except to pass their agenda that will make people suffer.
Yes - there is some hope that Republicans like Mike Pence can get it together - get over mistakes of the past - mature and become leaders of the Conservative Movement...
We can only hope...
Have been impressed with the House leadership concerning they are such a disadvantage and the progressives are in charge. Gives hope for the future.
Recent events - like the participants attitude at the Town Hall meetings, the attitude expressed at the various Tea Parties, the massive 9/12 March on DC, the recent Conservative movement in the NY 23rd District... the recent NJ and VA elections -— ALL have served to help our Elected Republican Politicians to FOCUS... for a change...
Because without these recent events - our Republican Representatives would be much the same as they have been for the past eight years — mainly NOT WORTH A DAMN...
But - recent events have gotten their attention and have helped them understand - that if they want to keep their jobs - they had BETTER START PAYING ATTENTION TO THE CONSERVATIVE BASE that makes up such a huge portion of the Republican Party.
Keep reminding them of this factor - and maybe we can have real representation in Congress for a change.
Very well said — you are right we need to make sure they stay focused. Never again can we become complacent as well. If we don’t like something we have to let our Reps know but then we also need to give them kudos when they do a good job.
It’s not just Conservatives in the Tea Party movment, and we MUSN’T let the G.O.P. co-opt it, in fact we must encourage others to get involved in it as well: “we are the silent majority”.
MIKE PENCE FOR PRESIDENT.
Thanks for the link — it came in email but I knew I had posted it before they had time to get it up. Just thought everyone needed to read what Mike Pence had to say.
You are correct... it is not just conservatives in the Tea Party movement — but Correction — Conservatives make up the greater majority of the tea party folks... There is a sizable number of so called ‘moderates’ — but no liberals and certainly no leftists...
However - I do agree that Republicans Politicians should not assume that they are welcome - RINOS are not welcome as far as I am concerned... as RINOs are liberals - even leftists - not to be confused with ‘moderates’.
One cannot compromise with today’s liberals and leftists - because they NEVER compromise.... it is a one way street and nothing more ... As with John McLame — he does all the compromising — jumping to the Democrat side of he aisle - the Dems do nothing but TAKE...
Mike Pence is an excellent public speaker and a very principled conservative.
He should be the nominee for President in 2012.
Maybe Pence-Bachmann.
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