Madeline Crabb
Obamacare- -the fix is in
By Madeline Crabb
Godfather in chief Obama met again this week with Senate Democratic leaders, and undoubtedly made them "deals they couldn't refuse." Last week both he and his vice president went to the Capitol, while this week they met at the White House, which means the stakes are high.
Back in the Senate, Senator Harry Reid and a few of his lieutenants spent most of their time behind closed doors. We can imagine the wheeling and dealing that transpired. Reid was willing to give up all his "utilities," and maybe his senate seat, to obtain "Park Place and Boardwalk." Apparently, he is winning this Monopoly game.
After his turn to play with Reid, Senator Ben Nelson agreed to support the bill because of a so-called change in the abortion language. In reality, the fix is in.
The Capitolist reports that Nelson's haggling was rewarded with a "provision for the federal treasury to pay 100 percent of the state's share of Medicaid coverage, a cost usually shared by states and the federal government." Defending his deal-making, Reid said "If you read the bill, you will find a number of states treated differently from other states. That's what legislation is all about. It's called compromise." Uh huh.
Senator Richard Burr responded, "You've got to compliment Ben Nelson for playing the Price is Right. He negotiated a Medicaid agreement for Nebraska that puts the federal government on the hook forever. This isn't the Louisiana Purchase, it's the Nebraska windfall...this isn't how this process is supposed to work." Amen.
But again, our federal government is predominantly about deals and power. We the People tremble when we hear the words, "We're from the government and we're here to help you."
Thomas Jefferson said, "When the government fears the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny." Our government does not fear We the People. Our leaders don't respect us, and they don't listen to us. Yes, there are some exceptions, but even these people sometimes support unconstitutional programs. A congressman friend once told me that attempting to do anything in D.C. is like beating your head against a brick wall. The result is compromised values and beliefs, and a shredded Constitution.
Some of our illustrious senators are willing to say and do anything to gain support for their programs. For instance, Senator Mary Landrieu made her own sweet deal while promising to vote with Reid. She also said this reform legislation is "creating wealth and prosperity for all Americans." How?
Most rational people understand a program of this magnitude that gives free this and free that, more of this and more of that, and adds millions of new beneficiaries won't create prosperity for Americans. For those who can't afford the required health insurance, they will get it free. That costs somebody. In addition to our mandatory personal insurance, taxpayers have to pay for the uninsured and even our elected officials. What a deal. Don't you feel wealthier already?
Playing on our fears, Senator Dick Durbin said that America may be the only country that relies on insurance clerks to make life or death decisions. He prefers to have one government- and politically-appointed yes man, plus 20,000 government employees (clerks) to make these decisions. Oh, I feel so much better.
Our government decided one day to allow businesses to offer health insurance to their employees. (Benefits.) Now government is forcing businesses to supply insurance. Health insurance is not a right, which is something granted to us by God, and cannot be taken away. Instead, it is a good that we can choose to purchase or not purchase. Nothing in the Constitution gives the federal government authority to force us to buy any goods or services, and yet, we are now being forced to purchase health insurance. What's worse is that our insurance must be approved by the government. So what will the government force us to do or buy next? And remember, whatever the government gives, it can also take away.
While the so-called "public option" has been removed from the pending health care reform bill, Obamacare is still a government-run program. As Senator Richard Shelby explained, "Simply put, government financing means government control, and government control means less personal freedom." Since almost everything the government touches is either big, bloated, broken, or bankrupt, then why would we give it another large chunk of our economy? Why would we want government making our life and death decisions?
Wouldn't it be better if those responsible for our health insurance had actual experience in insurance or health care? Hey, in any part of the private sector. Career politicians are experts about very few things: power, deal-making, and staying in office, and have repeatedly proven they will sell We the People down the river for a vote. Taxpayer dollars are little more than Monopoly money to today's lawmakers. Ask Senators Nelson or Landrieu.
Unfortunately, it is extremely difficult to undo legislation once it is passed. Do we have the will to stop this massive takeover? Are we going to fear government and live in tyranny, or start making government fear us and live in liberty? To anyone willing to hear....
© Madeline Crabb
December 20, 2009
Godfather in chief Obama met again this week with Senate Democratic leaders, and undoubtedly made them "deals they couldn't refuse." Last week both he and his vice president went to the Capitol, while this week they met at the White House, which means the stakes are high.
Back in the Senate, Senator Harry Reid and a few of his lieutenants spent most of their time behind closed doors. We can imagine the wheeling and dealing that transpired. Reid was willing to give up all his "utilities," and maybe his senate seat, to obtain "Park Place and Boardwalk." Apparently, he is winning this Monopoly game.
After his turn to play with Reid, Senator Ben Nelson agreed to support the bill because of a so-called change in the abortion language. In reality, the fix is in.
The Capitolist reports that Nelson's haggling was rewarded with a "provision for the federal treasury to pay 100 percent of the state's share of Medicaid coverage, a cost usually shared by states and the federal government." Defending his deal-making, Reid said "If you read the bill, you will find a number of states treated differently from other states. That's what legislation is all about. It's called compromise." Uh huh.
Senator Richard Burr responded, "You've got to compliment Ben Nelson for playing the Price is Right. He negotiated a Medicaid agreement for Nebraska that puts the federal government on the hook forever. This isn't the Louisiana Purchase, it's the Nebraska windfall...this isn't how this process is supposed to work." Amen.
But again, our federal government is predominantly about deals and power. We the People tremble when we hear the words, "We're from the government and we're here to help you."
Thomas Jefferson said, "When the government fears the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny." Our government does not fear We the People. Our leaders don't respect us, and they don't listen to us. Yes, there are some exceptions, but even these people sometimes support unconstitutional programs. A congressman friend once told me that attempting to do anything in D.C. is like beating your head against a brick wall. The result is compromised values and beliefs, and a shredded Constitution.
Some of our illustrious senators are willing to say and do anything to gain support for their programs. For instance, Senator Mary Landrieu made her own sweet deal while promising to vote with Reid. She also said this reform legislation is "creating wealth and prosperity for all Americans." How?
Most rational people understand a program of this magnitude that gives free this and free that, more of this and more of that, and adds millions of new beneficiaries won't create prosperity for Americans. For those who can't afford the required health insurance, they will get it free. That costs somebody. In addition to our mandatory personal insurance, taxpayers have to pay for the uninsured and even our elected officials. What a deal. Don't you feel wealthier already?
Playing on our fears, Senator Dick Durbin said that America may be the only country that relies on insurance clerks to make life or death decisions. He prefers to have one government- and politically-appointed yes man, plus 20,000 government employees (clerks) to make these decisions. Oh, I feel so much better.
Our government decided one day to allow businesses to offer health insurance to their employees. (Benefits.) Now government is forcing businesses to supply insurance. Health insurance is not a right, which is something granted to us by God, and cannot be taken away. Instead, it is a good that we can choose to purchase or not purchase. Nothing in the Constitution gives the federal government authority to force us to buy any goods or services, and yet, we are now being forced to purchase health insurance. What's worse is that our insurance must be approved by the government. So what will the government force us to do or buy next? And remember, whatever the government gives, it can also take away.
While the so-called "public option" has been removed from the pending health care reform bill, Obamacare is still a government-run program. As Senator Richard Shelby explained, "Simply put, government financing means government control, and government control means less personal freedom." Since almost everything the government touches is either big, bloated, broken, or bankrupt, then why would we give it another large chunk of our economy? Why would we want government making our life and death decisions?
Wouldn't it be better if those responsible for our health insurance had actual experience in insurance or health care? Hey, in any part of the private sector. Career politicians are experts about very few things: power, deal-making, and staying in office, and have repeatedly proven they will sell We the People down the river for a vote. Taxpayer dollars are little more than Monopoly money to today's lawmakers. Ask Senators Nelson or Landrieu.
Unfortunately, it is extremely difficult to undo legislation once it is passed. Do we have the will to stop this massive takeover? Are we going to fear government and live in tyranny, or start making government fear us and live in liberty? To anyone willing to hear....
© Madeline Crabb
The views expressed by RenewAmerica columnists are their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of RenewAmerica or its affiliates.
(See RenewAmerica's publishing standards.)
