Posted on 11/23/2009 8:26:59 AM PST by markomalley
Last week had to be a bit awkward for Democrats. They labored to pass a health care bill that, among other things, establishes a government advisory panel to curb health care costs with industrywide medical recommendations. And at just the wrong moment, a similar government advisory panel provoked outrage by recommending that women stop getting so many breast cancer screenings.
Unruffled, the Democrats pressed on with their 2,000-page health care bill, going so far as to hold a rare Saturday night vote on whether to proceed to debate. There's a good reason they are in such a rush to pass the legislation. It isn't because the bill will cut health care costs -- it will actually increase them, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. It isn't because the bill will improve the quality of care, or because it will quickly benefit the uninsured. Most provisions of the bill don't even kick in until 2014. (Its tax increases start immediately.)
Democrats are in such a hurry because 2010 is an election year. That's no time to pass legislation that a large and highly motivated segment of voters opposes strongly. The Democrats hope that if they act now, public anger might wane before midterm elections next November.
This is why Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid bought the votes of wavering moderates in his party with promises of extra-large servings of pork for their states. Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., proudly proclaimed that her "yes" vote on Saturday night had cost $300 million. (Thomas Jefferson bought Louisiana and a wide swath of the American Midwest for a mere fraction of that in 1803.)
The real issue in this debate is not whether the bill includes certain provisions, like a government-run "public option," or fines and jail time for people who do not purchase insurance. Those are just two bad ideas among hundreds that Democrats want to impose.
The real problem is that no one expects the Senate debate to produce anything that increases the freedom of consumers to choose the health care they want or that encourages competition and lower insurance premiums. No matter how the debate goes, the result will be bigger, more expensive, more intrusive government.
The voters, about to be burdened by yet another trillion-dollar initiative from President Obama, at least have the recourse of the ballot box. They would do well to remember the names of those who voted yes and make sure that those senators join the ranks of the unemployed next year.
Guest Jack Cashill, guest on KSFO Lee Rogers show this morning claims AP put only 2 fact checkers on the 4000+ page healthcare bill (combined) while employing 11 fact checkers on Sarah Palin’s book of 400+ pages.
Bingo ...
I think the author is wrong....if voters were outraged enough by this to swing 2010, they would have been mad enough for violence on Saturday night.
In reality world, it gives the very angry public time to organize for 2010 and build support for their opponents.
Mary Landrieu’s fat greedy proudly corrupt azz should be booted from one end of the Capitol to the other. “The audacity of hope” indeed, audaciously hoping for a bigger bribe and audaciously proud of her corruptibility and willingness to be bought. Like the man said, it was clear that she’s a whore, the only question was the price.
We’re warming up the tar and collecting bags of feathers here in Nebraska - just waiting on Ben to hop a plane home for the holidays.
I agree with you. They’ll forget all about it.
And not ONE oncologist on the panel
I'm more optimistic. Voters' memories are going to be aided by the broad and deep anger caused by these policies, and is going to be fueled by the new taxes which are going to be imposed immediately if this monstrosity passes. Plus, if the RNCC and RNC finally get their act together, the ads will continually remind the voters that the dems are trying to crush us.
Like every time, some voters will remember and some will not.
There is no question that, by next year’s election, the powers-that-be will find something to replace this issue so we will become distracted and won’t remember what happened. We can’t let them get away with it. We must remind people of the deception every day until we get the opportunity to replace this group of supposed “servants of the people” with those who take their responsibility seriously.
It will be up to their opponents in 2010 to remind the public of their votes. And if healthcare premiums rise, mandated health insurance is approved, a government option is implemented, and Medicare Advantage is cut, then the public will have no problem remembering.
I will guarantee you one thing: The unemployed voters will have a memory like an elephant (no pun intended).
Unless we're trading nuke strikes with Iran by then, an awful lot of people are going to remember the health care debacle. The dems will pay the price for their perfidy.
And not ONE oncologist on the panel
What is really incredible is that this panel told women to stop self-examination. Geez, under Bill Clinton, Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders proselytized for masturbation. So, the conclusion to be drawn is, according to the libs, it's okay to touch your own breasts for sexual stimulation, but don't let us catch you feeling around for lumps.
Amen to that. Let me know when he lands...
Sure, because what happens when a woman DOES find a lump? She makes a doctors appointment. Can't have that now, can we?
My wife is a 2 time breast cancer survivor. Under these guidelines, she wouldn't even be a 1 time survivor.
Yup. Voters will absolutely forget about Saturday night as sure as morning follows night. Plenty of people care, but not nearly enough. Move along folks. Stay asleep and watch more t.v. Nothing to see here. We should be talking about Adam Lambert.
Let’s continue to contact our U.S. Senators; otherwise, they will think they’ve won. We still have a chance to stop this healthcare disaster.
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