The Imprudent Tyranny of Harry Reid - writes legislation that 'cannot be repealed!'

December 28, 2009

Buried in his massive amendment to the Senate version of Obamacare is Reid's anti-democratic poison pill designed to prevent any future Congress from repealing the central feature of this monstrous legislation. Beginning on page 1,000 of the measure, Section 3403 reads in part: "... it shall not be in order in the Senate or the House of Representatives to consider any bill, resolution, amendment or conference report that would repeal or otherwise change this subsection."

In other words, if President Obama signs this measure into law, Reid intends that no future Senate or House will be able to change a single word of Section 3403, regardless whether future Americans or their representatives in Congress wish otherwise. Note that the subsection at issue here concerns the regulatory power of the Independent Medicare Independent Advisory Board to "reduce the per capita rate of growth in Medicare spending."

posted by : Left Coast Conservative on December 28, 2009

We have news for old Harry… He won’t be re-elected and the entire bill or any part of it can be changed, including this commie claus by a 2/3 vote of the new Senate. But the Audacity of Reid, Pelosi and Obama is beyond unbelievable.

I can hardly think of anytime in my memory when the American people have been as clear about anything as they are about President Obama’s healthcare reform. When there was a minor unease about the Dubai ports deal a few years back – those who sat in the seats of power couldn’t fall over themselves fast enough to appeal to us as their loyal constituents. When Harriet Myers was nominated to the US Supreme Court, and a low keyed murmur of dissent was detected – why Congress acted swiftly to demonstrate how responsive they were to our needs.

But now? Rarely has this country ever experienced such a howling shriek of protest as what is occurring. A sleeping giant is indeed awakening, and doesn’t like what it sees one little bit. Nothing less than a massive, brazen, and ideologically driven assault on our rights as citizens, and on our freedoms as Americans to determine our own life decisions is being attempted. This take over of the US healthcare industry by a one payer system is being rightly seen by all as the greatest threat to freedom this nation has ever known!

And how are they in Congress responding to it? They’re calling us names, rudely taking cell phone calls during town hall meetings, and in a cold, callous, and arrogant way fully intending to shove it all down our throats anyway! This is not Democracy. This is a craven power grab, a despotic tyranny, and an attack on our traditions, and heritage which can not, and will not stand. The American people will remember what Congress attempted to do here, whether they succeed in their wicked plans to ram socialized medicine through or not.

They will fall come election time. They will fall. The question is, will we stop them first, or will we fall too? Only time will tell.

Ron Skytower

www.blog.americanpatriotvalues.com

Related:

The 10 Most Corrupt Politicians of 2009

Universal Health Care "Fence Sitter" Senator Listing

The McCain motion was presented for a senate vote on Dec 3 to recommit the bill (HR 3590) to the finance committee in order to strip Medicare cuts from the health care reform bill. Let us be clear, here's a synopsis of of what those cuts of nearly $1/2 TRILLION to Medicare would affect:

Nursing Homes, Hospice, Home Health Programs, Medicare Advantage, Seniors’ Care in Hospitals.

A big portion of "paying" for this bill would be done at the expense of our seniors.

Please lend a hand:
1) call, fax, and email your US senators from your state especially if they voted "Nay" to the McCain motion which would have recommitted the health reform bill back to the Finance Committee for the purpose of stripping out the medicare cuts.
Be aware many senators who voted "Nay" hid behind the fact that AARP is supporting the health reform bill.

Haven't you wondered why on earth AARP would support a bill that cuts nearly $1/2 TRILLION from medicare? The dirty secret: AARP's operating income is derived 60% from royalties from their sales of insurance. In the health reform bill, the Medicare Advantage insurance which many seniors like and count on, is on the chopping block and then AARP can make mega $ selling Medigap policies to replace it.

Find out how your senator voted by going directly to the Dec 3 roll call vote on the McCain motion to Commit H.R. 3590 to the Committee on Finance in order to strip out the medicare cuts:
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vot...

2.) Help grassfire reach their petition goal by Weds http://www.grassfire.com/122/petition.asp?pid=22909967

Patriots,

A group of Texans have hunkered down here for what will likely be the last stand against Obama’s Healthcare Bill! In another time, we Texans asked for your help and you patriots responded from many states. Like most of you, we have grown increasingly weary of a U.S. Congress that does not want to hear the voice of the majority. Therefore, if we are to have any shot at all in defeating that monstrosity (the Healthcare Bill), then NOW IS NOT the time to quit but to march forward in this cause that is right and just. We have but a few days in which to concentrate our efforts and multiply our cumulative strengths to win the battle. It is NOT over yet !!! What can we do now?

Well, we believe that a “state-centric” approach of Rapid-Response volunteers from the states of all 16 of those senators who are “on the fence” is needed. Your help is critical in this fight. Many believe that close contact from your state’s various groups over the next couple of days is crucial. If you can contact/solicit help from your various groups: Tea Party, 912-ers, religious organizations, blogs, talk radio, state NRA affiliates, basically, any/all conservative resources available – and ask them to do some of the following tasks (these are just suggestions; you may have better ones):
A stream of phone calls & faxes to your senator’s offices (all week);
Personal visits to senators’ offices (a staggered schedule of visitors);

Callers to call in to local talk-radio shows all week long;
Contact your list of associates throughout your state and solicit articles and/or blogs this week.

Continue this pressure throughout this week or until there is an outcome on the Healthcare Bill. Phone callers can get help with talking points for portions of the Bill at sites such as:

http://www.takebackmedicine.com/handouts/
http://www.takebackmedicine.com/health-care-reform-myths/

17 Senators
Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) 202-224-4843, Fax: (202) 228-1371
Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN) 202-224-5623
Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) 202-224-2551
Sen. Michael Bennett (D-CO) 202-224-5852
Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) 202-224-4041, Fax: (202) 224-9750
Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) 202-224-5824
Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) 202-224-6551, Fax: (202) 228-0012
Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND) 202-224-2043
Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) 202-224-6154
Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) 202-224-5274
Sen. John Tester (D-MT) 202-224-2644
Sen. Mark Begich (D-AK) 202-224-3004
Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) 202-224-2023
Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) 202-224-6324
Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) 202-224-4024

and Republican:

Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME),((202)224-5344, Fax: (202) 224-1946

I put together a website for your convenience with the pertinent information in one place. I put a sample letter (written by a fellow patriot), suggested steps (fellow patriot), and all the Senators office information.www.sanantonioteapartypatriots.com

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Tell the Senate that the American people reject any so-called "bipartisan compromise" reached through undemocratic closed-door negotiations!

The Senate has been debating Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's (D-NV) health care bill, the so-called Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2009 (H.R. 3590), continuously for the past week. Reid even kept the Senate in session this weekend for both Saturday and Sunday to ensure that his key Senators were kept far away from their constituents in their home states.

So far, the Senate has voted on a number of amendments, however, most of the news has centered around amendments that have not yet been offered, as well as what is being discussed behind closed doors. As you know, Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) has been a key target to oppose this health care bill from the very beginning. He has publicly stated multiple times since his vote in favor of beginning debate on Harry Reid's bill that he would support a GOP filibuster attempt if the bill does not include "Stupak" language prohibiting abortion coverage-that is, Sen. Nelson has publicly committed to voting NO on the cloture motion to end debate and proceed to final passage if this requirement is not met. Currently, the Senate health care bill allows the public option to include coverage for abortion and allows women who receive government tax credits for insurance to enroll in a plan that covers the procedure, both of which amount to taxpayer funding of abortions on a new, massive scale. The issue of conscience protection for health care providers and Catholic hospitals, for example, would also need to be addressed in a coming pro-life amendment.

As the debate moves forward this week, please BEWARE of two things:

1. BEWARE of a compromise on abortion language. Unless the coverage for abortions in the public option and federal funding for abortions beyond the status quo of current law is removed, as well as adding conscience protections for health care providers, it will not be acceptable pro-life language and should be rejected by all pro-life Senators, including Sen. Ben Nelson and any other Senator who believes that it is wrong to massively expand federal funding for abortions in health care legislation.

Aside from the abortion problem, it is also important not to lose focus on the other big issue--the government-run insurance option--that has a handful of "swing-vote" Democrats and pro-abortion, "I voted for the Stimulus"-type of Republicans in closed-door talks working on a grand "compromise."

1. BEWARE of announcements of a bi-partisan compromise on the nature of the public option to satisfy the individual tastes of each of the following Senators:

• Nelson (D-NE), Phone: (202) 224-6551, Fax: (202) 228-0012
• Snowe (R-ME), Phone: (202) 224-5344, Fax: (202) 224-1946
• Collins (R-ME), Phone: (202) 224-2523, Fax: (202) 224-2693
• Lieberman (I-CT), Phone: (202) 224-4041, Fax: (202) 224-9750
• Bayh (D-IN), Phone: (202) 224-5623, Fax: (202) 228-1377
• Lincoln (D-AR), Phone: (202) 224-4843, Fax: (202) 228-1371
• Landrieu (D-LA), Phone: (202) 224-5824, Fax: (202) 224-9735

(Please note that Sen. Webb (D-VA) has voted in favor of a number of GOP amendments, thus far).

While you are making your calls, be aware that our overall strategy is not to clean up this bill to make it easier to pass. We want to prevent the fence-sitting Senators from concocting any reasons to vote for it! Although a pro-life amendment is not likely to pass, these "swing-vote Senators" are looking for any reason to support this bill, so it's up to you to tell them that their constituents will not tolerate excuses.Phone your Senators now and tell them-in the words of our famous founder Phyllis Schlafly — "Vote NO on H.R. 3590 for the reason of your choice!"

TAKE ACTION!

This week will be an important one in the life of the Senate health care bill, so please continue pressuring your Senators to oppose H.R. 3590. If you live in a state where both of your Senators are firmly committed to voting NO, please forward this action alert to any friends or family you have who live in state with Senators who are either "on the fence" or are leaning in support of the bill, keeping in mind the target states of Maine, Nebraska, Arkansas, Indiana, and Louisiana.

And remember, phone calls and faxes are best!

Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121

Also, www.resistnet.com is asking to get as many signatures as possible to be delivered on Thursday against Obamacare.

Video From Nov 5th Anti-ObamaCare Rally in D.C. _ Next one Dec 15th - Come Join Us!!

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These Senators listed below are targets to try to stop the Health Care bill H.R. 3590 – Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act from passing.

Residents from each state: PLEASE make appointments daily. If you can't make appt's daily then Call or Fax daily. The deadline is going to be voted on the 18th of Dec. this year!

Our mission is to get people to contact these senator targets to Vote No. Other organizations like the 912ers and tea parties are teaming up with us with this mission. There is Sample Talking Points Letters to give an idea what you should focus on or write to your senators. Down below are attachments.

Please tell other AAM members from these states to join this mission. We must stop this bill!
14 States Targeted : AK, AR, CO, CT, FL, IN, LA, ME, MO, MT, NE, ND, PA, VA

Contacting All Local Offices either by appt, call, or fax daily is another major priority!

You can also go to this website for this same purpose created by our Texas Group Chairmom, Theconservativemama!
www.sanantonioteapartypatriots.com

Alaska
Begich, Mark - (D - AK)
144 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3004
F(202) 224-2354
Toll Free: (877) 501 - 6275*
Email
Begich Website
Arkansas
Lincoln, Blanche L. - (D - AR)
255 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2353
F(202) 228-1371
Email
Lincoln Website
Colorado
Bennet, Michael F. - (D - CO)
702 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5852
F(202) 228-5036
Email
Bennet Website
Connecticut
Lieberman, Joseph I. - (ID - CT)
706 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4041
F(202) 224-9750
Email
Lieberman Website
Florida
Nelson, Bill - (D - FL)
716 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5274
F(202)228-2183
Email
Nelson Website
Indiana
Bayh, Evan - (D - IN) Class III
131 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5623
F(202) 228-1377
Email
Bayh Website
Louisiana
Landrieu, Mary L. - (D - LA) Class II
328 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5824
F(202) 224-9735
Email
Landrieu Website
Maine
Snowe, Olympia J. - (R - ME) Class I
154 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5344
F(202) 224-1946
Toll Free: (800) 432-1599
Email
Snowe Website
Missouri
McCaskill, Claire - (D - MO) Class I
717 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6154
F(202) 228-6326
Email
McCaskill Website
Montana
Tester, Jon - (D - MT) Class I
724 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2644
F(202) 224-8594
Email
Tester Website
Nebraska
Nelson, Ben - (D - NE) Class I
720 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6551
F(202)228-0012
Email
Nelson Website
North Dakota
Conrad, Kent - (D - ND) Class I
530 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2043
F(202) 224-7776
Email
Conrad Website

Dorgan, Byron L. - (D - ND) Class III
322 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2551
F(202) 224-1193
Email
Dorgan Website
Pennsylvania
Casey, Robert P., Jr. - (D - PA) Class I
393 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6324
F(202) 228-0604
Toll Free: (866) 802-2833
Email
Casey Website
Virginia
Warner, Mark R. - (D - VA) Class II
459A RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2023
F(202)224-6295
Toll free: 877-676-2759 (VA Residents only)
Email
Warner Website
Webb, Jim - (D - VA) Class I
248 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4024
F(202)228-6363
Toll Free: 866-507-1570
Email
Webb Website

Most American have now realized that there is nothing about ObamaCare (or Cap and Trade) that has anything to do with helping the American People. Only 26% of Americans want any of the bills or options ObamaCare to pass. Yet Obama, Pelosi and Reid are determined to cram this down our throats. ObamaCare will:

Cut jobs

Cut Medicare benefits

Cut the quality of your healthcare

Cost more while forcing you to purchase a policy

Ultimately put us all under a single-payer socialized medicine system

Put a huge burden on already bankrupted states by shifting costs to Medicaid

Ration healthcare… first primarily to seniors… eventually to everyone

Still leave millions uninsured, but will indirectly insure illegal aliens

Put Big Brother in the middle of your healthcare decisions

Give government direct access to your bank accounts, financial records and your healthcare information

Eventually promote RFID chipping if you want care

Ultimately (now or by the time it takes effect) use public funds for abortions

And the bad in the bill goes on and on….

Please stand up and fight… if not for yourself, for your children and grandchildren~

URGENT: Why Is Today’s HealthCare Vote For Cloture So Important?? We Need Everyone’s Help Today!

PLEASE HELP STOP THEM FROM GETTING THE 60 VOTES FOR CLOTURE TODAY. STOPPING THIS IS CRITICAL IN STOPPING OBAMACARE! IT IS OUR BEST AND EASIEST HURDLE TO STOP THIS!!

The Senate is expected to vote at 8PM EST today, Saturday, on whether to take up the legislation Healthcare Legislation (vote for cloture). The majority leader, Harry Reid, Democrat of Nevada, refused to say whether he had the 60 votes needed to clear that procedural hurdle, but it is believed that he is within a couple of votes.

Today is step one of a series of the most important votes and fight of our lives!!! Take the time for your kids!

After this this will only need 51 votes and 97% of bills that pass this point ultimately pass and become law.

PLEASE FAX, CALL AND EMAIL AS MANY SENATORS TODAY, AS YOU CAN, BUT DEFINITELY CONTACT:

YOUR STATE’S SENATORS – Thank them for their no votes if they are Republicans

SENATOR BLANCHE LINCOLN - (D-AR) 202-224-4843 & Fax (202) 228-1371 - Still Undecided – Tell her we need her to do the right thing and to please vote “NO” today… Don’t sell out the American People… Please!

SENATOR BEN NELSON - (D-NE) 202-224-6551 & Fax: 1-202-228-0012 - Says He will vote YES for Cloture but Probably No later… He needs to vote No today Tell him not to do a Kerry… Remember “Well, I voted yes on the war, but then voted no” This is an even more important vote than the war and we need him to vote “NO” today, or he will be unseated!

SENATOR MARY LANDRIEU - (D-LA) (202) 224-5824 & (202) 224-9735 fax - Landrieu told everyone yesterday afternoon she was still undecided and reading the bill – Tell her we will make sure she is unseated if she votes yes today on cloture and that we know she is taking a bribe!

SENATOR BARBARA BOXER (MY SENATOR) – (D-CA) 202 224-3553 & (202) 224-0454 fax - The American people and people of California have had enough! We expect you to vote for the good and the will of you constituency!! Vote NO today… or we will vote NO when it is time for your reelection… or sooner!

SENATOR DIANNE FEINSTEIN – (D-CA) 202 224-3841 & Fax: (202) 228-3954 - The American people and people of California have had enough! We expect you to vote for the good and the will of you constituency!! Vote NO today… or we will vote NO when it is time for your reelection… or sooner!

(then we found out that she was bought off with a 100 million dollar deal for her state… for her vote)

AS MANY DEMOCRATIC SENATORS AS YOU CAN!!

If you have time call and fax more of them!! I saw a survey recently that said: 1 Fax equals... 10 Calls Equals... 100 Emails. I say lets do it all if we can! Fax, Call and Email everybody if you can, but at least Nelson, Lincoln and your own state's Senators!! -

Senator's Contact Information – Easy to Use!! (Phone info is right here… you have to dig a bit for fax or email, but everything is here!)

ALL THE REPUBLICANS ARE VOTING “NO”

Remember… these people work for you!!

Take at least10 minutes to call and fax the big 3 above… Whatever you say or write… say what you feel!

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SAMPLE LETTER/FAX

Dear Senator ______________,

I urge you to vote “NO” to cloture today and stop this bill from proceeding! Junk this bill!!!

I am normally in favor of debate, but the American People all know what is going on these days on the Hill and that if this bill goes through with 60 votes Harry Reid and the other liberals in the Senate will pass this bill with the help of the White House using arm twisting, bribes and by the illegal method of reconciliation… needing only 51 votes to pass this type of bill . A bill that the American people don’t want.

“Please vote no” and encourage your fellow Senators like Ben Nelson, Mary Landrieu, Blanche Lincoln and other moderates who are being pressured to join you in doing the right thing!

We all know that 97% of the bills that pass the cloture vote phase are ultimately passed and signed into law. Nobody has the votes to make enough changes to make this bill palatable to the American People… or turn it into an actual healthcare reform bill, instead of a revenue generating power grab at the expense of the people you represent, so there is no reason for debate or further review. The more review the angrier Americans will become!

The American people will not stand for another John Kerry excuse like: “Well, I voted yes on the war, but then I voted no” This is an even more important vote than the war and we need you to vote “NO” today, to the right thing, or you will be unseated!

We also know that many Senators have been bought off… Mary Landrieu told the American people just yesterday on national TV that she was still reading the bill and was undecided… Now we all know she was bought off with a deal of $100 million dollars for her state, in exchange for her vote on this bill. In the real world that is called a bribe!

I am a member of several large and powerful national organizations and am also a blogger as well as part of a blogging circle. Looking at the official polls, polls within my sphere of influence and after talking to everyone I know, which is a group comprised of Democrats, Conservatives, Liberals, Republicans, Libertarians and some totally non-political people… the large overwhelming majority do not want this bill or any version of ObamaCare!!

The chant from all corners is: “KILL THIS BILL AND THEN START OVER WITH HONEST BIPARTISAN HEALTHCARE REFORM”

The percentage of people who support any of the bills that are floating around varies between 29 and 32% and are dropping daily. The percentage of people who disapprove of all the bills that are floating around varies between 51 and 54%, but in many areas the people against ObamaCare is 2 to 1, and disapproval is rising as well.

Most people favor incremental healthcare reform which includes:

Tort reform; Fraud reform; Portable health insurance; Deficit neutral solutions; Sensible cuts; Spending Accounts that allow roll-overs into 401 K’s for unspent amounts… and other sensible measures

They also want:

No tax increases to cover this so-called reform; No governmental funds for abortions; No coverage of Illegal aliens, only American citizens and legal residents; No over-seer that gets between patients and their doctors (i.e. death panels); No government-run public option, single payer or trigger of any kind… no matte what you call it; and no electronic healthcare records of any kind, let alone ones with access ability to people’s financial records or placed on micro-chips in our bodies or any of the other Big Brother items in all these bills or hidden in bills already passed!!!

I/we will make sure that Senators that vote yes today for cloture or help get this billed passed in any way will lose re-election or be impeached. We are angry and tired of being ignored!!!!!!!

(Your Name) An American Mom/An American Dad/A Patriot… or whatever you feel

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74% of voters rate the quality of health care they now receive as good or excellent and they know their coverage will be worse and more expensive after ObamaCare passes and even worse when they reach old age under the new system. The also fear all the intrusive stipulations and measures added into the bills; many of which we haven’t even found or realized yet. And these voters realize that the increase in the deficit, increased taxes and reduction in freedoms certainly makes no sense in any time, but especially in today’s economic climate, and in the end there will still be millions uninsured! Rasmussen Poll….

Many of the people who favor government controlled (socialized) heathcare still won’t have coverage after we destroy the present system while upping our costs, taxes and debt… And many who support ObamaCare are not regular voters… For those of us who are, God forbid that this disastrous program passes… but let us make sure we do remember come election day, who supported this bill and who supported us!

Note there are provisions in the Constitution for the Federal Government to make anyone buy healthcare, just as there are no provisions the Constitution for the Federal Government to collect Federal Income Tax. Ding Ding Ding… There are provisions for impeachment, recalls, judicial reviews and for the courts to over turn unconstitutional laws… unless the court is packed with radicals, another Ding Ding Ding…

Pelosi Prepares Release of Public Option Bill

WASHINGTON – House Democrats are poised to unveil health care legislation that would vastly alter America's medical landscape, requiring virtually universal sign-ups and offering a new government-run plan for people without affordable coverage.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was making plans to release the bill Thursday morning, contingent on the outcome of a meeting of House leaders Wednesday afternoon, according to lawmakers and aides.

The rollout would cap months of arduous negotiations to bridge differences between liberal and moderate Democrats and blend health care overhaul bills passed by three separate committees over the summer. The developments in the House came as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid tried to round up support among moderate Democrats for his bill, which includes a modified government insurance option that states could opt out of.

The final product in the House, reflecting many of President Barack Obama's priorities, includes new requirements for employers to offer insurance to their workers or face penalties, fines on Americans who don't purchase coverage and subsidies to help lower-income people do so. Insurance companies would face new prohibitions against charging much more to older people or denying coverage to people with health conditions.

The price tag, topping $1 trillion over 10 years, would be paid for by taxing high-income people and cutting some $500 billion in payments to Medicare providers.

"I'm pretty confident that we've got the right pieces in place," said Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., chairman of the Education and Labor Committee, one of the three panels involved in writing the bill. "We can quibble over parts of it, but the fact is when you're taking a 60-year-old system that grew up in a rather haphazard fashion and you're trying to bring some coherence to it, these are sort of the things you have to do at the beginning of that process."

In the end, Pelosi, D-Calif., and other House leaders were unable to round up the necessary votes for their preferred version of the government insurance plan — one that would base payment rates to providers on rates paid by Medicare. Instead, the health and human services secretary would be allowed to negotiate rates with providers and the program would be optional for states, the approach preferred by moderates and the one that will be featured in the Senate's version.

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Stupak: Take Abortion Out of Obamacare Bill

Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., threatened to work with Republicans to reject healthcare reform, unless House leaders allow a floor vote on a measure to remove abortion rules from the bill.

The issue is whether health plans that receive subsidies from the government should be allowed to provide coverage for abortions.

Stupak’s amendment would ban taxpayer funds from being used for abortions.

“This has been federal law since 1976,” Stupak said in an interview with C-Span. He pointed out that President Obama has said he won’t allow healthcare reform to pay for abortions.

“We have to have a vote,” Stupak said. “I don’t know why we have to change that basic principle in our law.”

He said Democratic leaders aren’t pleased with his stance. “The speaker (Nancy Pelosi) is not happy with me,” Stupak said.

He said he has been working with Democratic leaders on a compromise, but they haven't reached agreement.

Stupak has no plans to retreat. “I’m comfortable with where I’m at. This is who I am. It’s reflective of my district. If it costs me my seat, so be it.”

Stupak said he has support from about 40 Democrats who will vote against healthcare reform unless the bill’s abortion language is changed. That would be enough to sink the bill if every Republican representative votes against it.

Meanwhile in the Senate, Majority Leader Harry Reid’s insistence on putting a public option in the bill brought to the floor is facing increasing opposition.

Independent Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman said he will probably vote against the measure if it includes a public option, and other moderates are undecided.

Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., told The Washington Post, "I'm skeptical about what Senator Reid has proposed." She opposes a public option but said she will "stay open to a principled compromise."

By: Dan Weil

NewsMax

'Defaced flag' video is finalist in contest

One of the 20 finalists in health care video contest run by Barack Obama’s campaign arm features a mural of an America flag splattered with health care graffiti until it’s covered completely by black paint.

In the video – which is accompanied by the sound of a heart monitor pumping and then flat-lining – words such as “pre-existing conditions,” “homeless” and “death panel” ultimately obliterate the flag, which reappears on screen seconds later with the words “Health Will Bring Our Country Back to Life” on the blue field where the 50 stars usually are.

According to the Organizing for American Web site, the 20 finalists in the “Health Reform Video Challenge” were chosen by a panel of “qualified” Democratic National Committee “employee judges.”

A contestant whose video didn’t make the final-20 cut complains that a video “defacing the flag” won’t do much to help President Barack Obama or the Democrats sell health care reform.

“They should never pick that,” said the contestant, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. “It makes the Democrats look really, really bad.”

A spokesman for Organizing for America said the group was not prepared to provide immediate comment on the video, which, according to the OFA Web site, was produced by Daniel Lahoda and Saber.

According to the OFA Web site, the 20 finalists will be judged by the public and a panel of experts that includes DNC Chairman Tim Kaine, Obama campaign chief David Plouffe, Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-Pa.), singer will.i.am and Hollywood stars Rosario Dawson and Dule Hill.

Daniel Libit contributed to this story.

Remember when these statements were supposed to be “hope”… instead of lies???

US Congressional Switchboard: 1-202-224-3121 or 1-202-225-3121

(202) 225-0100 - Speaker of the House Pelosi

Speaker Nancy Pelosi
http://speaker.house.gov/contact or http://www.speaker.gov/contact

and visit: www.house.gov/writerep
If the web contact form doesn't work, use this email address:
AmericanVoices@mail.house.gov

Senators from your State.

GOP Healthcare Solutions

Posted: Knowledge Creates Power and Cross-Posted: the Daily Thought Pad