John Thune & The Senate Health Care Bill – New Compromise is Public Option on Steroids

There is a crisis, and it appears to be located in the U.S. Senate. My esteemed Keloland colleague and colleague Emeritus, David Newquist, has this:

John Thune has become the voice of the GOP–Groundless Obstinence and Petulance–according to the Huffington Post. He says his party will unanimously oppose any health care reform, no matter what is proposed.

For someone who complains a lot when he thinks that others have distorted his words, he seems very careless in describing what Senator Thune said or what the Huffington Post said he said. The Huffington Post article he links to makes it clear in the title that Thune was only speaking about "the Newest Heath Care Compromise," and hardly ruling out GOP support for any bill.

Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) told the Huffington Post that he did not think the dropping of a public option for insurance coverage from the bill would be enough for Democrats to win even the support of moderate Republican Senators Olympia Snowe or Susan Collins, both of Maine.

"I just think that our side believes that it is a really bad idea to take a program that is already sinking and put more people into it."

Here is how the Washington Post describes the "newest" idea that Reid is floating:

The 11th-hour "compromise" on health-care reform and the public option supposedly includes an expansion of Medicare to let people ages 55 to 64 buy into the program.

This deal, which the WaPo dates back to the Clinton Administration, seems designed to get something like a "public option" into the bill without calling it a public option. Republican opposition may be obstinate and petulant, or maybe not; however, it is hardly groundless. The WaPo points out that it is difficult to tell what effect this "buy in" would have on the reform scheme.

Presumably, the expanded Medicare program would pay Medicare rates to providers, raising the question of the spillover effects on a health-care system already stressed by a dramatic expansion of Medicaid. Will providers cut costs -- or will they shift them to private insurers, driving up premiums? Will they stop taking Medicare patients or go to Congress demanding higher rates? Once 55-year-olds are in, they are not likely to be kicked out, and the pressure will be on to expand the program to make more people eligible. The irony of this late-breaking Medicare proposal is that it could be a bigger step toward a single-payer system than the milquetoast public option plans rejected by Senate moderates as too disruptive of the private market.

As the perhaps obstinate and petulant, but hardly Republican WaPo presents it, there is no way to predict what unintended consequences may follow.

But Republican opposition is based on broader considerations. Expanding Medicare would be a step towards a single payer plan. But it was also mean expanding a program that is on schedule to go broke in only a few years. It also looks like more sleight of hand on the Democrat's part. They are already counting on dramatic cuts in Medicare to make other parts of the bill look more affordable. As the WaPo points out, Medicare reimbursement rates are already too low to sustain hospital and doctor care, which results in a shift of costs to private insurance. The medical establishment is vehemently criticizing the idea.

This looks like a big mess. Rumors that a deal has been reached appear to be greatly exaggerated. I am not even certain that there is a coherent idea here. Meanwhile the petulant and obstinate public continues to oppose the bill by wide margins. Quinnipiac and Rasmussen put the 52% opposed/38% in favor, and 51/41 respectively. Worse news for reform is the CNN poll, which has 61% opposed and only 36% in favor. That's the first time to my knowledge that opposition has risen above 60%. If it's on track, the CNN poll is disastrous news for Harry Reid.

In opposing the Senate reform bill, Senator Thune is not only exercising common sense. He is standing on behalf of the majority of the American people.

Posted by Ken Blanchard

New Compromise… Bet That Makes You Feel Better?!?

Democrats: Medicare Expansion the Ultimate Public Option

WASHINGTON - -- The unexpected new proposal for breaking the impasse over the so-called public option won President Barack Obama's endorsement Wednesday and sent hopes surging among a wide array of Democrats that the way may be clearing to pass their massive Senate health care bill by Christmas.
The deal, which emerged late Tuesday night after days of secret negotiations, would eliminate the new government-run insurance plan that many liberals had seen as the linchpin of meaningful reform.

But paradoxically, what lies at the heart of the compromise may be a more durable, if initially smaller, form of the public option: an expansion of Medicare, the huge federal health insurance program for seniors, to include millions of Americans ages 55 through 64.

And by enlarging Medicare eligibility, the compromise could sharply expand the base of political support, giving ordinary Americans a concrete stake in what many may have seen as a distant battle among drug companies, doctors and other interests.
Under the deal hammered out by 10 Democratic negotiators, potentially millions of Americans 55 to 64 could sign up for a program that has become a vital safety net for the country's retirees since it was created more than four decades ago.
That prospect has excited some proponents of creating a single-payer system, who saw even the weak government program in the original bill as a "camel's nose under the tent" in their drive to ensure that all Americans get a government-provided insurance plan.

"Expanding Medicare is an unvarnished, complete victory for people like me," said Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y. "It's the mother of all public options. We've taken something people know and expanded it. ... Never mind the camel's nose, we've got his head and neck under the tent."

Todd Swim, a partner with the health benefits consulting firm Mercer, said a Medicare expansion could also have profound effects on employers and their workers.

"Access to medical care is one of the biggest inhibitors to retiring early, and a lot of people are going to be looking at that as an option," he said.

Although Americans in this age group are more likely to have insurance than those in their 20s or 30s, they often have a very difficult time getting coverage because many have pre-existing medical conditions.

Next year, most Medicare beneficiaries will pay a monthly premium of $110.50.

"The price point will be much more affordable than any option they have," Swim said.

Chicago Tribune

**Everyone I have heard talk about this today has said that this new Medicare enlargement will absolutely bring us to a single payer system much much sooner than any of the other options in any of the other bills. They took out the "Public Option" wording and intend to roll over us and pass this regardless of what we want. The GOP has been standing up but the Dems are not listening to anything they say. We absolutely need to keep up the pressure and hammer the possible fence sitters letting them know that if they vote for this this are out, even if they are not up for election in 2010.

I heard Lieberman earlier today blabbering on about he didn't know what was in this new version/compromise. Who cares what is in it.... We don't want the whole thing and we know whatever is in it, it is full of lies and bad things. Lieberman needs to vote no and we really need to pressure him!!!!!!!!!!!

The Mayo Clinic came out absolutely against this today!

A True Tale of Canadian (Socialized) Healthcare

ALSO:

Gleeful Begala: Expanding Medicare is the 'Ultimate Public Option'

Medicare Sausage?

House Democrat: Senate Public Option 'Compromise' Is a Total Victory for Fans of ... Single-Payer

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

Pelosi Lacks Votes For Sweeping Public Option and Moderate Senators Waffling Now that PO Has Been Added to Their Bill: Time for Pressure

Mike Allen – Fri Oct 23, 7:53 am ET

Speaker Nancy Pelosi counted votes Thursday night and determined she could not pass a “robust public option” — the most aggressive of the three forms of a public option House Democrats have been considering as part of a national overhaul of health care.

The California Democrat's count — coupled with a significant turn of events Thursday during a private White House meeting — points to an increasingly likely compromise for a “trigger” option for a government plan.

Administration officials have been telling POLITICO for weeks now that this is the most likely compromise because it can probably satisfy liberals — albeit only reluctantly and after many vent frustration and some even threaten to walk away from the bill.

This would clear the way for backers to sneak a limited public option through the Senate by attracting moderate Democrats and then to win President Barack Obama's signature.

Speaking to reporters Friday after a meeting of House Democrats, Pelosi said “no decision of that kind has been made" on which public option to pursue. "By no means is the count complete or has the decision been made," she said.

"We had a very congenial - is that the word for a caucus? - a very lively, friendly caucus this morning where we are continuing to count the votes on this,” Pelosi said. “A robust public option is the preferred way to go because it saves the most money - $110 billion. It's not the only way to go, and at the end of the day we will have a public option in this legislation to keep the insurance companies honest and to provide real competition. Again, it's good, better, best. We're having that debate."

Obama told Senate Democratic leadership at the White House Thursday evening that his preference is for the trigger championed by Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) — a plan that would allow a public plan to kick in if private insurers don’t expand coverage fast enough, a top administration official told POLITICO. It’s also sign Obama is interested in maintaining a sense of bipartisanship around the health reform plan.

At that meeting, Obama did not sign on to a plan being floated by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to include a different variation of the public option in the Senate bill — a plan that would create a national public plan but allow states to “opt out.” Reid now believes he can get 60 votes to bring a bill with that plan to the floor by breaking an expected GOP filibuster — and then secure the 51 votes needed to pass it.

But Pelosi’s vote-counting didn’t go as well in the House. There has been a flurry of rumors that a robust government option remains viable. But top House Democrats privately concede that is wishful thinking that ignores the power of moderate Democrats in this debate.

The House is now likely to include one of the two weaker versions in the bill that will be considered on the floor as Obama’s historic health reform plan chugs toward passage — possibly a version that would set rates for the public plan by allowing doctors and hospitals to negotiate them with Medicare.

Nadeam Elshami, deputy communications director and senior adviser to the speaker, said: "Speculation that a final decision has been made about the public option are not accurate. We continue to work with all the members of the caucus to build consensus."

A House Democratic official said: "The leadership did not tell progressives last night that the robust public option is off the table. The votes are still being counted."

The vote count is a disappointment to liberal members in the House, after two days in which Pelosi seemed increasingly confident she could secure the votes needed for the most liberal option. She had her top lieutenants polling members and even enlisted progressive leaders in trying to corral more support.

“Votes aren’t there,” a top official said. “The progressives are always more optimistic than reality.”

But the final outcome could be helpful to the crucial members of her caucus from conservative-leaning districts, who opposed the most liberal version of the public option, one tied to Medicare rates.

The speaker has proved herself a reliable vote counter, and she wants to release a bill that she knows can get at least 218 votes. Aides say the count was somewhat of a surprise but not completely.

The speaker plans to roll out the House bill with a big ceremony on the West Front of the Capitol.

That was planned for Tuesday or Wednesday and may still happen then. But aides say that disappointing first tally could delay the timeline a bit as they scramble to finalize the bill that will be considered on the House floor.

Source: Politico.com

Dear Concerned American:

Congressional Democrats and Barack Obama are on the verge of passing the most radical takeover of one-sixth of the U.S. economy ever undertaken.

The Obamacare "reform" plan not only imperils our economy, it will wreak havoc on your health and well-being. Imagine a government bureaucrat deciding whether you or a loved one getting a life-saving medical procedure!

Dick Morris, the chief strategist of the League of American Voters, has discovered that a key reason polls show some support for the Obama program is that young voters are ignorant of its dangers and costs.

Dick has a plan for us to reach young voters. We need to implement this plan soon and we need your financial support and membership.

Remember, Dick and the League was outfront on the importance of exposing Obamacare to elderly voters. We have won that battle — as most Seniors strongly oppose Obamacare.

Now we must fight to educate our young people.

Please help us do this and donate — Go Here Now.

And please read Dick's important column about this effort below.

Bob Adams
Executive Director

NEW FRONT ON OBAMACARE: THE YOUNG

By DICK MORRIS & EILEEN MCGANN

As the healthcare fight reaches the Senate floor, we took a new national survey to figure out how best to battle against this proposal that would so deform our nation's vital healthcare system. We found out how to do it: Reach young people.

Our work, and that of the League of American Voters - with whom we are affiliated but have no financial relationship - have been aimed at the elderly in the past few months. As a result of these and other efforts, the elderly now oppose Obamacare by more than twenty points (31-54 in our poll). The survey shows that we have about gotten all the support from them we are going to get. Some of those over 65 are just masochists who will sit by and watch their Medicare and Medicare Advantage get shredding to bits.

But voters under 30 are a different story. The polling showed that they start off supporting Obamacare more than any other age group:

SUPPORT/OPPOSE OBAMA'S HEALTH PLAN

<30 30-49 50-64 65+

Support 58 43 42 31

Oppose 30 47 46 54

But, it turns out their strong 2:1 support for the program is based on an almost total ignorance of what it calls for.

After we read them (in the poll) a fair and unbiased description of the program, their support faded.

Here's what we read to them:

The healthcare bill, pushed by President Obama and the Democrats, would require everyone to buy health insurance or pay a fine for failing to do so.

People could keep their current insurance if their employer provided it and agreed to continue it. Insurance companies would be required to insure all applicants regardless of pre-existing conditions. People would be offered subsidies to buy insurance if their household incomes were below $70,000 a year and if their insurance cost more than 8% of their incomes ($5600 for a $70,000 a year family). The program will cost one trillion over ten years.

This plain vanilla rendition of what Obama proposes had a startling impact! Voters under 30, who had approved of the plan by 58-30 before they heard the description, now backed it by only 55-40, a loss of 13 points!

Then we read voters a list of all the arguments pro and con on the bill. We alternated the arguments to be sure that nobody could see any bias in the poll. After the arguments, the views of all other age groups were largely unchanged. But people under 30 now said they opposed the bill by 43-45 - a mega-shift of 30 points!

So...our strategy will be to replicate this process, only in reality.

We will run television and radio ads and Internet messages aimed at young voters to educate them about this bill.

Will the Congressional Democrats listen? Without the support of the young, polls will reflect the massive unpopularity of this bill. With each drop in its approval, you can hear the liberals groan. If the polling shows approval dropping into the 30s - and as young people switch it will - we can defeat this bill on the floor!

Based on the same polling techniques I use to win elections, we have discovered Obama's vulnerable underbelly - his base of uninformed young voters. And we will hammer away — with your help.

This process won't be inexpensive. It costs a lot to reach young people, but with your financial help, we can do it.

Please GO HERE NOW and give as generously as you can. The healthcare you save might very well be your own!

Note from the League: We need to prepare a new TV ad and internet campaign exposing the dangers of Obamacare to young Americans. Help Dick Morris complete this plan. Donate today — Go Here Now.

Paid for by the League of American Voters. Contributions to the League of American Voters are not tax deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. Contributions from individuals and corporations are permitted by law and welcome.

It's Time to Melt Their Phones

Last week, we identified eight swing-vote Democrats in the Senate who need to be pressured to vote against ObamaCare. Many of you made phone calls to their offices urging them to vote against "cloture" on the heath care bill. Now we need to turn up the heat and melt their phones.

Starting next week, SCF will begin targeting these Democrats with web ads like the one shown here. We're going to drive hundreds of calls into their offices each day from people who live and vote! in their states. Nationwide contacts are good but nothing is more powerful than local phone calls from constituents.

Please make a contribution to the SCF today to help us keep these ads running strong. A $25 contribution will result in up to 40 personal calls into their offices. A $100 contribution will initiate up to 160 calls. The health care bill won't likely be on the Senate floor for a couple weeks but the backroom deals are being cut now.

Or Please Call and Fax Them Yourself… Continuously!!

Congress.org - Elected Officials

Senators from your State.

United States Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 or (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

Also, check in regularly with PetitionPelosi.com - Petitions Always Changing, fighting Pelosi’s liberal and unconstitutional bills and actions.

And while you are at it, call the White House at 202-456-1414 or 1111 and tell President Obama you have had enough!

1.) Junk this entire “ObamaCare” game and start over on real HC reform, so just leave HC alone.

2.) Abandon Cap and Trade and the whole global warming hoax and make us energy self-sufficient while slowly moving us to some sensible practices that help the environment

3. Stop the Spending in Washington… Just STOP including what is left of the Stimulus Money. You admitted yourself yesterday that the 35,000 jobs created were about all that was going to happen. No more stimulus and no more bailouts!

4. Skip the whole Copenhagen trip in December. Stop selling your country out. DO NOT SIGN the Copenhagen Treaty!!!!!!!

Related Resources:

HandsOffMyHealth

Some Senators Wary of Obama’s Health Care Appeals

Single Payer System Nightmare… Just Doesn’t Stop

One Day After accusing Republicans of slowing down the process the Senate Finance Committee voted not to post the full Senate (Baucus) Healthcare Reform Bill online for at least a full 72-hours for the public and all Senators to read it before a vote… as they rumbled about how hard they were working and how they would work all day Saturday (9/26/9) and how posting the bill would slow things up… the Senate called it a day, a half-day yesterday (Friday 9/25/09), (for the Jewish Holiday) and now won’t be back until Tuesday from another long weekend…

Does anyone want to yell… stop with the b.s.? Stop with the untruths (lies)? Stop pushing what most people in America don’t want????? People really don’t want to read the Baucus Bill… they want it scrapped.

Hit the RESET Button!!!

(Then start working on some real healtcare reform that people want and that will save money, improve services and cover more people… which is not ObamaCare!)

One Single Payer System (CUTE SONG) From MisterDregs

The reasons given not to post the full Baucus HC Reform Bill online for 72-hours before a vote, so people could actually read it were…

1. The people wouldn’t understand it. (They think we are stupid)

2. It would take too long to translate into laymen’s language. (This bill could and should have been written so everyone can understand it in the first place)

3. It will slow up the process of getting it passed. (They are hiding not just one thing, but a long list of things and intend to ram this through to promote Obama’s bigger agenda no matter what Americans really want!!)

On Tuesday they are going to take up the Public Option again… And they won’t tell us what it costs. Big RED Flags!

Once any part of a Public Option… whether it is called a government-run co-op or a trigger, the Camel’s nose will be in the Tent, and it will only be a matter of time before we are on a single payer (socialized medicine) plan, and there will be turning back.

Neither Healthcare Reform or Cap and Trade have anything to do with improving the lot and life of Americans!! Both have everything to do with (in President Obama’s own words 5-days before the election) “Fundamentally changing America!”

The Fight For American Freedoms and Real Healthcare Reform is now!!

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Solution to the Healthcare Reform…

1. Address and Clean Up Fraud in All Areas of Medical Care! – Billions are lost and wasted in fraud each year. Read: Stop Paying the Crooks
2. Serious Tort Reform – The lawyers are the winner in Obamacare! Tort Reform is not even being addressed
3. Change Intra-State Insurance Laws; allow true competition to sell and purchase insurance across state lines.
4. Make Health Insurance Portable.
5. Reward Doctors for Results Not Numbers of Procedures.
6. Allow the self-employed and small business owners to form private co-ops to purchase health insurance to cut down costs.

7. These changes alone would improve healthcare and save money to cover the uninsured that could be put on a plan that is a subsidiary of Medicare and Medicaid. Government should act as a neutral regulator only… of insurance companies, Big Pharma and the AMA; not be in competition with them. Exclusions due to previous conditions should not be allowed and honest over-sight (which does not happen now) should be maintained and enforced as far as safety, costs and fraud.

8. Natural supplements and alternative or holistic treatments and preventative measures should also be covered and encouraged instead of forced out by Big Pharma and the AMA.

9. “No” centralization of Medical Records! The opportunity for mis-use of that information is too high. The government could incentivize medical groups and doctors to update their records to more modern systems (in-house/in system). Then those records could more easily be sent or hand carried with the patients consent to be shared.

The Obama administration keeps talking about saving money by reforming Medicare and Medicaid. Let them start there and see what the savings really are without cutting funding or pushing costs over to the states.

ObamaCare is or will eventually be socialized medicine, so we need to fight and stop it now. There will be no going back later.

A Govt-Run Co-Op is the same as a Public Option and a Trigger will end up being a Public Option… the Answer has to be No to all!

Also “NO” on covering illegal aliens or abortions with public funds. (Beware: Obama’s newest ploy is promoting amnesty and citizenship to illegals to cover them, with money we don’t have…)Obama: Legalize Illegals to Get Them Health Care

Call, email, fax and write your Congressman, Senator and all the fence sitter and radical today and everyday!

Call the United States Capitolswitchboard today... everyday at (202) 224-3121 or (202) 225-3121

Senators from your State.

Call the White House at 202-456-1111 and tell President Obama you have had enough!

ObamaCare heads to (in) committee>>>>

Next week, the Senate Finance Committee will consider the latest version of ObamaCare. Click here for 11 reasons to oppose it.

Please contact the Senators who sit on the committee and urge them to oppose this bill and to start over on real reform that most Americans want and need!

DEMOCRATS
Baucus (MT)
Rockefeller (WV)
Conrad (ND)
Bingaman (NM)
Kerry (MA)
Lincoln (AR)
Wyden (OR)
Schumer (NY)
Stabenow (MI)
Cantwell (WA)
Nelson (FL)
Menendez (NJ)
Carper (DE)

REPUBLICANS
Grassley (IA)
Hatch (UT)
Snowe (ME)
Kyl (AZ)
Bunning (KY)
Crapo (ID)
Roberts (KS)
Ensign (NV)
Enzi (WY)
Cornyn (TX)

RINObamaCare petition tops 20,000

Our national petition calling on Republicans to hold firm against ObamaCare topped 20,000 signatures this week.

President Obama has been inviting select Republicans to the White House as part of his ongoing campaign to get them to cave. We must keep up the pressure.

Help SCF continue to this campaign.

Related Resources:

On, 09/22/09, the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee held a forum to highlight the urgent need for comprehensive health insurance reform. Wendell Potter, Former Communications VP/Spokes... Wendell Potter

CBO Adjusts Their Numbers On Cost of ObamaCare After White House Meeting

ObamaCare: Losing Everyone

Here is a video commentary - the case against ObamaCare with explanation on how to beat it by Dick Morris

To access the video - Go here!

Senators are negotiating on Senator Max Baucus' ObamaCare 6.0 proposal and it hasn't even been written yet.
Of course, to state the obvious, the fact that they're negotiating on something that hasn't been written means no one has read it yet either.
And, to add even more insult to injury, it’s now clear they have no intention of letting you read it.
You read that right. On an almost straight party-line vote, Democrats in the Senate Finance Committee squashed an amendment by Senator Jim Bunning that would have required Baucus’ ObamaCare bill to be posted on the Internet – for all Americans to read – for 72 hours prior to the Committee voting on it.
Not only that. Bunning’s amendment also called for requiring the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office’s official tally of how much Baucus’ ObamaCare 6.0 will cost the American people and what the real impact will be on health costs to be released before the it was voted on.
It's as plain as the nose on your face.
They're leaving the door wide-open to pass Baucus' ObamaCare 6.0 proposal in the dead of night... under the cover of darkness… without even telling you and other concerned Americans what it will cost and how it will affect your health care.
But what really takes the cake is that even after those shenanigans, some Senate Republicans are still going out of their way to play Let’s-Make-A-Deal on Senator Max Baucus’ ObamaCare 6.0 socialized health care scheme.
They're actually fighting tooth-and-nail, not to stop ObamaCare but to negotiate a so-called compromise on this Obama-Baucus scheme to socialize the nation’s health care system.
And that's just one more reason why we must tell our elected officials, right here and right now, that the American people don't want any more negotiations or deals or compromises.
We want ObamaCare off the table and we want it off the table now.

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Use the hyperlink below to send your urgent Blast Fax messages to each and every Republican Member of the United States Senate - or alternately to President Barack Obama and each and every member of the House and Senate.
Demand that they listen to the American people and defeat ObamaCare once and for all. Tell them that no amount of so-called "compromise" will make government-run health care acceptable to the American people. Let them know that if they spent the same amount of energy to defeat ObamaCare as they are spending negotiating, the job would be done. Demand, once and for all, that they stop negotiating and win this fight against socialized health care for the American people.

If the button above does not work, please use this hyperlink.

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ObamaCare 6.0: A Stunning Assault On Liberty.

If the previous versions of government-run ObamaCare made you angry… Senator Max Baucus’ ObamaCare 6.0 is likely to make your blood boil.
Much like its predecessors, the Baucus health care reform plan is chock-full of provisions calling for new government mandates, higher taxes, increased spending and government-dictated, rationed health care.
In fact, it’s so bad that Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl said of Baucus’ plan: “This is a stunning assault on liberty!”
Senator Kyl is right. And, the really sad part is this:
As previously stated, the Baucus bill hasn’t even been written yet, much less read by the Senators who are doing the negotiating.
It’s nothing more than a 200-plus-page shell of ideas to be rammed down the throats of the American people with all deliberate speed... before you and other concerned Americans have the time to find out what hit you.
Senator Lindsay Graham, speaking on FOX News, probably gave the best explanation of what exactly is going on: “[T]he Baucus bill… literally changes everyday… we’re making this up as we go… they’re trying to buy votes… the vision here is to pass something… they don’t give a damn what it is and nobody understands what they’re doing.”
These so-called leaders just don’t get it. Republicans and Democrats are quibbling over what type of government-run health care they believe to be best for you and your family and no one is fighting for the American people.
The American people for months have been sending the message loud and clear that they want no part of ObamaCare, period, regardless of what form it takes. The American people have been telling politicians in Washington that no amount of so-called "compromise" will make Obama’s government-run health care scheme acceptable or palatable.
And yet, one of the only things keeping ObamaCare alive is the fact that some Republicans, under the veil of “negotiations,” are keeping it alive.
It’s time for these politicians to finally get the message. The American people do not want them to “fix” ObamaCare… no more so-called “ObamaCare compromises”… the American people want ObamaCare gone… never to be heard from again.

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Use the hyperlink below to send your urgent Blast Fax messages to each and every Republican Member of the United States Senate - or alternately to President Barack Obama and each and every member of the House and Senate.
Demand that they listen to the American people and defeat ObamaCare once and for all. Tell them that no amount of so-called "compromise" will make government-run health care acceptable to the American people. Let them know that if they spent the same amount of energy to defeat ObamaCare as they are spending negotiating, the job would be done. Demand, once and for all, that they stop negotiating and win this fight against socialized health care for the American people.

If the button above does not work, please use this hyperlink.

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They Don't Want You To Read The Bill, But Will They Read The Bill?

The Baucus plan, right now, as you read this letter, is rapidly advancing in the Senate – even though the bill hasn’t actually been written and none of the Senators working on it have actually read it.
And, as previously stated, it’s now clear they have no intention of letting you read it either. Here’s what Michael Franc wrote on the Heritage Foundation’s blog, The Foundry:
“During the Senate Finance Committee mark up of the Baucus health bill … Senator Bunning of Kentucky put forth an innovative amendment. This amendment stipulated that before voting on the measure in Committee, legislative language would have to be accessible to the public for 72 hours and that the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) would need to publish an official tally of how much this bill will cost the American people and what the real impact will be on health costs."
Franc continued:
“The amendment failed 11-12 on nearly a party line vote. Senator Blanche Lincoln (AR) was the sole Democrat to support this attempt at transparency. The bottom line: when the committee completes its work on this re-make of one-sixth of our economy, Senators will have voted on a phantom - a bill that does not exist with costs that are unknowable until, that is, the unelected legislative draftsmen write the real bill in some back room on Capitol Hill.” [Emphasis Mine]
Remember what Senator Graham said: “the vision here is to pass something… they don’t give a damn what it is and nobody understands what they’re doing.”
Fortunately, the American people are one step ahead of of our elected officials this time around.
They believe they can work behind closed doors and try to repackage government-run health care and seal it with a nice pretty bow.
But in the end, the American people are on to their game, we won’t be fooled and we can stop them.
No more "negotiating"… no more "compromising"… it’s time to stop ObamaCare once and for all.

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Use the hyperlink below to send your urgent Blast Fax messages to each and every Republican Member of the United States Senate - or alternately to President Barack Obama and each and every member of the House and Senate.
Demand that they listen to the American people and defeat ObamaCare once and for all. Tell them that no amount of so-called "compromise" will make government-run health care acceptable to the American people. Let them know that if they spent the same amount of energy to defeat ObamaCare as they are spending negotiating, the job would be done. Demand, once and for all, that they stop negotiating and win this fight against socialized health care for the American people.

If the button above does not work, please use this hyperlink.

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Socialized Health Care Delivered Under A Christmas Tree Filled With Pricey Ornaments…

FOX News anchor Neil Cavuto summed up the mad dash to pass government-run health care – and specifically Baucus’ ObamaCare 6.0:
“Christmas may be months away but that ain’t stopping Senators from trying to outdo each other on health care… all sorts of pricey ornaments… 564 amendments… the pace of this is startling.”
Like the alcoholic who swears he will never take another drink, only to succumb to temptation the very next day, politicians in Washington lead us to believe that they got the message loud and clear... they lead us to believe they would stop ObamaCare.
But instead of stopping ObamaCare cold, they rushed to make deals and propose amendments the second Senator Baucus unveiled his proposal.
Even Senator Hatch, while calling for a so-called “bi-partisan solution” to ObamaCare, inadvertently stated the case as to why continued negotiations on ObamaCare are a dangerous thing:
“Everything is geared to try to get us to a single payer system… if they can’t do it automatically… they’ll do it in increments… a one size fits all health care system right out of Washington.”
Simply put, any compromise that is reached… any deal that is negotiated will simply lead us down the road to government-run, rationed health care for all.
Some will try to tell you that negotiation is simply a strategy… that it is perhaps the only way to stop ObamaCare.
But the truth of the matter is, ObamaCare never needs to come out of the Senate Finance Committee… it never has to see the light of day.
Rule 4 of the Rules of Procedure for the Senate Finance Committee reads: “Rule 4. Quorums. - (a) Except as provided in subsection (b) one-third of the membership of the committee, including not less than one member of the majority party and one member of the minority party, shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of business.”
That means, at least one Republican Senator on the Finance Committee needs to be in attendance in order to pass any legislation out of committee.
In other words, 10 Republican Senators (Charles Grassley, Orrin Hatch, Olympia Snowe, Jon Kyl, Jim Bunning, Mike Crapo, Pat Roberts, John Ensign, Mike Enzi and John Cornyn) could stop ObamaCare cold right now by simply saying they will not support it under any circumstances.
If those 10 Senators would simply say “no,” and deny Democrats on the Finance Committee a quorum; ObamaCare would be done… finished… it would die in committee... but you won’t hear that on the nightly news.
And yet, instead of finding a way to convince these 10 Republicans to stand firm in their opposition to ObamaCare, we’re told it’s more prudent solution to negotiate and make a deal with the opposition and hopefully cushion the blow of something that never has to happen in the first place.
Only in Washington D.C. does such a thing seem even remotely rational. It’s time to tell these Senate Republicans to get serious about stopping ObamaCare.

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Use the hyperlink below to send your urgent Blast Fax messages to each and every Republican Member of the United States Senate - or alternately to President Barack Obama and each and every member of the House and Senate.
Demand that they listen to the American people and defeat ObamaCare once and for all. Tell them that no amount of so-called "compromise" will make government-run health care acceptable to the American people. Let them know that if they spent the same amount of energy to defeat ObamaCare as they are spending negotiating, the job would be done. Demand, once and for all, that they stop negotiating and win this fight against socialized health care for the American people.

If the button above does not work, please use this hyperlink.

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Where Have We Seen This Insanity Before?

If this dysfunctional willingness on the part of Republican Senators to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory... to "compromise" on a battle that could be won outright... sounds familiar, it should.
It's happened before. It seems like only yesterday that our elected officials tried to ram amnesty for 12-20 million illegal aliens down the throats of the American people.
Back then, the American people, in resounding numbers (Republicans, Democrats and Independents), told our elected officials to just say "no" to amnesty.
And each time the American people spoke up, our elected officials tried to produce so-called "compromise legislation" ... and they alternately tried to sell it to us or ram it down our throats.
But the American didn't let them get away with it. We all knew that each so-called “compromise” was just as egregious as the first amnesty bill... a few words were changed but every proposal essentially led to amnesty for millions of illegal aliens.
Do you remember their very last attempt to sell all of us on so-called "compromise legislation?"
Do you remember seeing that photograph in the paper of that group of Senators uproariously laughing and slapping each other on the back as they emerged from their closed-door negotiations?
It was almost as if, when they emerged from that room, they were really laughing at all of us.
Of course, back then, you took decisive action... you called... you faxed... and together we finally broke the back of those bogus amnesty compromises.
You did it before. You can do it again. Now is the time to show your outrage. Make your voice heard now and we will defeat ObamaCare once and for all.

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Use the hyperlink below to send your urgent Blast Fax messages to each and every Republican Member of the United States Senate - or alternately to President Barack Obama and each and every member of the House and Senate.
Demand that they listen to the American people and defeat ObamaCare once and for all. Tell them that no amount of so-called "compromise" will make government-run health care acceptable to the American people. Let them know that if they spent the same amount of energy to defeat ObamaCare as they are spending negotiating, the job would be done. Demand, once and for all, that they stop negotiating and win this fight against socialized health care for the American people.

If the button above does not work, please use this hyperlink.

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Yours In Freedom,

Jeff Mazzella
President
Center for Individual Freedom

Neither Healthcare Reform or Cap and Trade have anything to do with improving the lot and life of Americans!! Both have everything to do with (in President Obama’s own words 5-days before the election) “Fundamentally changing America!”

Contributing to send out the blasts is probably the most efficient, but if you choose not to go that route, you can contact Washington yourself… or do both until they realize that we will not stand for this betrayal!!

Call, email, fax and write your Congressman, Senator and all the fence sitter and radical today and everyday!

Call the United States Capitol switchboard today... everyday at (202) 224-3121 or (202) 225-3121 (House and Senate)

Senators from your State.

Call the White House at 202-456-1111 and tell President Obama you have had enough.

The Member of the European Parliament below, Daniel Hannan, became quite well known for his speech denouncing the economic practices of Gordon Brown's Labor government in Britain. This speech has received over 2 million hits, and I have included it below. Watch it and you will see why…

Click Here to view

Hannan has said several times he cannot understand why Americans would voluntarily move to socialized medicine and that once me did… because of the tremendous infrastructure, there would be no going back. He also cannot understand that Americans are not standing up for their Constitution… their Freedoms, of which he is a great admirer and advocate.

Please continue to contact all the Senators on the Finance Committee list above plus your own state Senators.

Source: Knowledge Creates Power & the Daily Thought Pad

Posted: True Health is True Wealth – Cross-Posted: Marion’s Place

ObamaCare Speech: A Bust!

Speech Filled With Rhetoric, Untruths, and the usual Obama Smoke and Mirrors; sprinkled with partisanship and disregard for the will of the American people.

President Obama had the chance of his presidency to win the Healthcare Reform battle tonight and be a Uniter. He failed miserably. He was partisan, talked out of both sides of his mouth, attacked and ignored Average America (Town Hallers and Tea Party Attendees) and was both evasive and less than truthful about what was in the bills, all and part of his and the Dems agenda!!!! Not one peep about understanding the feelings of all the people who have poured their hearts out at Congressional TownHall Meetings all summer other than they have been scared by right-wing fear mongers, as if they were all too stupid to think for themselves. (And no peep about the left-wing organized fear mongering by Nancy Pelosi, SEIU and ACORN).

Governor Tim Pawlenty said, “Tonight’s speech was more like “Rhetoric Collides with Reality” than an attempt at bipartisan reconciliation or anything but a move to more government control, which is Obama and liberal Dems (the Progressives) goal. Nobody but people who have ‘not’ read the bill or any reviews and only listen to Obamaganda from the White House through the controlled media outlets (especially NBC, ABC, CBS, the New York Times & the Huffington Post) felt tonight’s speech was a success or an attempt at real reform for the good of the American People.

Bottom-line, you cannot insure an additional 30 to 47 million people, depending on the day and the speech, maintain the level of healthcare and reduce or even maintain the cost(s).

Republican Rebuttal: GOP to Obama: “It’s Time to Start Over”

TRANSCRIPT: GOP Response to Obama's Health Care Address

Related Resources:

• Fearmonger-in-chief: Pass my crappy bill or people will die

• "Uniter or Divider – Congressman Cantor Responds to Obama’s Reform Push

• Video: GOP congressman yells “liar” at Obama; Update: Wilson apologizes – Unfortunately Congressman Wilson was Intimidated into Apologizing Because He Was Right!

• "Luntz Breaks Down Obama’s Health Address

It’s Still Government-Run Health Care If ... Public Option or Trigger is Still Government-Run HealthCare… Or Will Be!!!! And Obama Definitely Left the Public Option or some version on the Table Tonight

Remember: Co-Op or Trigger = Public Option = Government-Run HealthCare (which will equal rationing!) Ask any Canadian or Brit!

And then the Cheap Trick for the night was not only placing Ted Kennedy’s widow Vicki next to Michelle Obama during the speech but then quoting “Teddy” while panning between Vicki and Ted’s Congressman son…

So far Obama has invoked the God Card, the Race Card, “What Would Jesus Do” and now the Ted Card. With this much desperation you’d think there would be a little bipartisanship and acknowledgement of the wants of the American people if helping them were really goal… wouldn’t ya?

Text of Obama’s Speech to Joint Session as given to the Press

Josh Haner/The New York Times President Obama’s first address to a joint session of Congress, on Feb. 24, 2009. Tonight, in his second address, he unsuccessfully pressed his case for major health care legislation

"Healthcare Petition Presented to Lawmakers – Video

We will be breaking down Obama’s speech and posting his stretches and untruths from the speech, with references Please check back.

Posted: Knowledge Creates Power – Cross Posted: Daily Thought Pad

Lieberman: Without public option, health reform would pass – Americans: That will have to mean no co-op or “Trigger” that only means public option lat

Lieberman says major bipartisan reform is still possible. Let us make it does not include a “trigger”

U.S. Senator, Joseph Lieberman answers questions from the public over the internet during a live video interview session which was streamed over the Hearst Connecticut Media Group news sites. (Bob Luckey/Staff photographer)

STAMFORD -- U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman made it clear Wednesday that he would not vote for a health care bill that included a government-run option, but said that without it, he and most of Congress would support comprehensive health care reform.

Discussion on health care dominated an informal question-and-answer session with the fourth-term Connecticut senator, who spoke to the editors of The Advocate and Connecticut Post and answered e-mailed questions from readers.

If the public option "is off the table, we have the opportunity to achieve significant reform with bipartisan support," Lieberman said during the nearly two-hour meeting Wednesday afternoon.

The Stamford native touched on his concerns that in the current recession the country could not afford a complete health care overhaul.

"We're trying to do a lot at once," he said. "We're trying to bend down the increasing cost curve of health care, and at the same time, turn and say to people ... it will cost a trillion or a trillion-and-a-half over the next 10 years."

He said the people know who will foot the bill.

Still, comprehensive reform -- "big steps, not baby steps" -- is possible, Lieberman said, predicting that Congress will compromise and adopt 75 percent of what is in the bill.

Reform should also include malpractice reform and health exchanges, which would offer different plans for varying costs and coverage for individuals or small businesses, he said.

Lieberman added that he supports mandating that no one can be denied coverage because of pre-existing conditions and that everyone be required to have health insurance.

As to how 47 million uninsured will afford coverage, Lieberman said only 12 million don't have insurance because they cannot afford it.

By allowing citizens who are not eligible for Medicare or Medicaid to buy in for a rate below the private market, the government can extend coverage to more of those who are currently uninsured, he said.

To arrive at his position, Lieberman said he reached out to "every conceivable group" in the state, including residents, providers, doctors and hospitals.

"People in Connecticut want to see health care reform," he said, "but (they) have growing apprehension that the proposed reform would leave them with less coverage than they have today."

The Democratic-turned-independent senator said he knows his opposition to the government-run option will probably foil the Democrats' efforts to pass the bill.

"There will be no shot at 60 votes, because I'm not the only one," he said.

But he added: "If we start this out and three years from now a case can be made that the private market is not working effectively, I would support the public option."

Staff Writer Devon Lash can be reached at 964-2242 or devon.lash@scni.com

Posted: Knowledge Creates Power – Cross-Posted: Daily Thought Pad

No Public Option

No Co-Op – Another Name for Public Option

No Trigger – Will Lead to Public Option

No – Duty To Die Lectures or Death Panels

No Centralized Database

Pelosi: Bill That Will Pass House "Will Have A Public Option" – Time to Show This Woman (and the Rest) That She Works For Us!!!

Time For Queen Pelosi and Her Court To Remember Who They Work For!!

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi: "I have said over and over again and I commit to this that the bill that will pass the House of Representatives will have a public option in it."

Dem Rep.: "I'm Not Doing Town Hall Meetings; I'm Not Going To Give Those People A Forum"… Rep. Louise Slaughter: "I'm not doing town meetings; I'm not going to give those people a forum. I went through it with the Clinton health care bill, with the John Birch Society, where we had to have police around, and people hysterically crying…"

Rasmussen Report: Most Voters Say Town Hall Meetings Should Be for Congressmen to Listen, Not Speak

Thursday, September 03, 2009

At town hall meetings on the health care issue, most Americans say it’s more important for those in Congress to listen rather than speak.

Fifty-six percent (56%) of voters nationwide say that it’s more important for Congressmen to hear the view of their constituents rather than explain the proposed health care legislation. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 37% hold the opposite view while 7% are not sure.

The desire for Congress to listen may stem from the fact that voters believe they understand the legislation better than Congress.

Forty-nine percent (49%) have a favorable opinion of those opposing the health care reforms at town hall meetings. That’s up eight points from 41% a month ago.Thirty-five percent (35%) have an unfavorable view of the town hall protesters, unchanged from last month.

Fifty-nine percent (59%) now say the town hall protesters are citizens reflecting the concerns of their neighbors. That’s up ten points over the past month.

Thirty percent (30%) believe the protests are phony efforts drummed up by special interest groups and lobbyists.

Stand tall America, “NO PUBLIC OPTION” of any kind!! In incremental programs that will move us toward a public option. No new Co-op that will ultimately become a public option…!!!

There will not be any going back once the Dems get their nose in the door. It is now or never to stop this!!!

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Video: Rep. Pete Stark tells interviewer, “Get the f**k out of here or I’ll throw you out the window”

Longtime readers of this blog are well aware of California Democrat Rep. Pete Stark (Raving Mad)’s unhingedness.

He has called a Republican opponent a “c**ksucker”, left a profanity-laced message on a constituent’s voicemail, and suggested on the floor of the House that Republicans are sending men and women to Iraq “to get their heads blown off for the president’s amusement.”

He’s an unrepentant basket case — and everything that’s wrong with Washington.

Here’s fresh proof from an independent TV documentarian Jan Helfeld, whose Socratic interviewing techniques cause Stark to engage in another trademark tirade. Helfeld asks Stark about the national debt and the economy. Stark tells him repeatedly to “shut up,” sneers at Helfeld’s lack of an advanced economic degree, and ends the interview by bolting from his chair and telling Helfeld to “Get the f**k out of here or I’ll throw you out the window:”

“A line that will now live forever, thanks to Congressman Stark:

“The more debt we owe, the wealthier we are”. That pretty much sums up political “thought[.]“

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Update: Apparently, the vid has been around a while — but it’s a wonderful exclamation point on the long, hot Congressional recess and the Democrat reaction to town hall protesters, which has exposed the arrogance virus shared by Stark and his colleagues.

It truly is time for us to remind both Houses of Congress and the White House who they work for!! Politicians are public servents that work for their constituents, the American people, and whose job it is to protect our nation from foreinh aggression, uphold the Constitution (as written) and follow the will of the majority of the people... not do as they please!!

Posted: Daily Thought Pad – Cross-Posted: Knowledge Creates Power