Virginia Senate votes on health care bills (Virginia tells Feds to back off, asserts state's rights)

WTOP ^ | 2/3/2010 | DENA POTTER/AP

[tobyhill]

Five Democrats broke with their party Monday to endorse measures that would ban government health care mandates like the one being debated in Congress.

Three identical bills to prohibit Virginians from being required to purchase health care were approved on 23-17 votes in the Virginia Senate, where Democrats have a 22-18 majority.

If approved by the GOP-controlled House, Virginia would be the second state behind Arizona to pass measures in defiance of the proposed federal legislation. Arizona last year approved a similar constitutional amendment, which will be on the ballot in November.

"I don't think the government has any right telling people they have to buy health insurance," said Senate Finance Committee chairman Charles J. Colgan, a Democrat and the chamber's most senior member. "We talk about being a free country, let's be free."

[jeffc]

I find it sad that we, as a nation, have come so far as to entertain writing into law a provision that stops the federal government from forcing people to purchase something like, oh . . . say . . .stamps?

I'm just saying . . . .

[tobyhill]

Unfortunately it may be the only way to stop the Feds in their tracks.
I actually believe that the US Supreme Court would rule for the states.

[sneakers]

“We talk about being a free country, let’s be free.”

AMEN! God bless the Virginians!

I hope the legislators in Pa get those kind of cajones!

[mazda77]

Whoops! Another legislative speedbump on the Obama agenda superhighway! Lets keep them coming guys and gals. This fool that calls himself POTUS is just about to learn the lessons of the classes he skipped on the Constitution and its enumerated powers.

[caver]

Every state needs to do the same thing.

[Nik Naym]

I live in NY.

I laughed when I read what you wrote.

NY? Yeah, right.

[caver]

Just wishing....

[upchuck]

FWIW, South Carolina has also climbed on this bandwagon.

[east1234]

About time Virginia started getting tougher. Now lets see a bill that prohibits federal regulation of firearms manufactured and used exclusively in VA.

[TaxRelief]

Populations in VA, AZ and SC will increase. We will bask in the glow of healthy economies while the liberal states sink.

[gimme1ibertee]

Sic Semper Tyrannus bump!

[Monorprise]

I want to know the names of the legislators that voted against protecting our freedom, because they need to be targeted for replacement.

You either support and defend our freedoms, or you don’t deserve the support of any free man, woman, or child.