Are You Listening? Support of Health Care Reform Bill Down- Again

VWV Note: All recent and new polls continue to show Americans do not want the current health care reform bill passed. Will Congress listen to those who elected them? The recent interest in town hall meetings and record numbers of Americans showing up in vain to try and get their questions answered demonstrates the passion of both sides of the debate. Some Congressmen won't even have public forums on the subject. The big question is "Of whom are they afraid?"

Why does the White House think they have to continue to sell the bill with more campaign-like strategies? If the health care bill is good, it will stand on its own two feet.

If not, revisit the drawing board and devise a health care reform bill that doesn't make the majority of Americans "sick" when they read it.


Support for Dems’ Government Takeover of Health Care Continues to Plummet

The more the American people learn about the Democrats’ proposed government takeover of health care that will increase costs, destroy jobs, and put bureaucrats in charge of medical decisions instead of patients and doctors, the more they oppose it. No fewer than five polls released at the end of July showed increasing concern, if not outright, opposition to the Democrats’ government-run health care plan. A Quinnipiac University Poll last week also indicates that a majority disapprove (52) of the President’s handling of health care, while only 39 approve - a 10 percentage point jump in the last month alone.

Today, a new Rasmussen poll shows Americans’ opposition to the Dems’ government-run health care plan is still increasing:

“Public support for the health care reform plan proposed by President Obama and congressional Democrats has fallen to a new low as just 42% of U.S. voters now favor the plan. That’s down five points from two weeks ago and down eight points from six weeks ago.”

“A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that opposition to the plan has increased to 53%, up nine points since late June.”

“More significantly, 44% of voters strongly oppose the health care reform effort versus 26% who strongly favor it. Intensity has been stronger among opponents of the plan since the debate began.”

The American people support real health care reform – a plan that reduces costs and expands access to quality care. The Democrats’ proposal does neither, and that’s why they are seeing the mounting opposition firsthand back in their congressional districts. House Republicans have offered a better solution that addresses Americans’ concerns about out-of-control health care costs. The House GOP plan would make quality health care coverage more affordable and accessible for every American, regardless of pre-existing health conditions. For example, the plan:

•Lets small businesses band together through associations and purchase health insurance for workers at a lower cost just like large corporations and unions do.

•Offers incentives to help Americans who do not have access to quality health care get the coverage they can afford.

•Make coverage more affordable for everyone by giving states new tools to design innovative health care programs.

•Reduce health care costs by reforming medical liability rules that cost families millions each year – millions that line the pockets of trial lawyers at the expense of patients and doctors.

•Reforms regulations so insurance companies compete for your business and you can shop around for the best coverage and price.

•Roots out health care waste, fraud, and abuse that cost taxpayers billions.

Isn’t it time for Democrats to scrap their costly plan and work with Republicans on a proposal that will make health care more affordable and accessible for the American people?

Source: http://republicanleader.house.gov/

You Go First, I Dare Ya

VWV Note: It's getting interesting to see how Americans, no matter what their party affiliation, are speaking out to the elected officials that are supposed to represent them. Perhaps, the players in Washington are beginning to realize that maybe, just maybe, their hometowns don't want to be taxed to death for alleged global warming and they don't want rationed health care decided by the government? And now some House members think the Senate should go first in the vote? Afraid, are they? But of whom?

I'm still trying to determine how the counseling for the end of life alternatives will go if the health care reform bill is passed as is. Not only will I lose my private healthcare insurance, but will I be "counseled" just to go on in the backyard and shoot myself? Will they have someone waiting to do it for me? Or will euthanasia be mentioned? And speaking of global warming, it's been so nice for so much of the country to be so cool this summer. Hmmm, maybe the masses of scientists who say the earth is in a normal cycle of heating and cooling will be heard? Has anyone told the sun it needs to increase its sun spots so more heat is generated? Perhaps, perhaps.......

Dems Continue to Face Backlash on National Energy Tax, Fear the Same Repercussions on Health Care


House Democrats continue to face blistering attacks back home for voting to support Speaker Pelosi’s national energy tax that will punish their constituents by increasing electricity bills, raising gasoline prices, and shipping more American jobs overseas to places like China and India. And now, as Roll Call notes this morning, they fear a similar backlash on health care:

“[Rep. Mike] Ross [D-AR] said the talks focused on outstanding policy differences, but House leaders and negotiators are also weighing political considerations as they eye the slow pace of action in the Senate.”

“Vulnerable House Democrats want the Senate to go first so they can avoid a repeat of the bruising they suffered over the July Fourth recess after edging a controversial climate change package over the line.”

House Democrats are right to be worried. The Senate has already signaled that it will not act on Speaker Pelosi’s national energy tax anytime soon, if ever. Many House Democrats were famously “BTU’d” by former Vice President Al Gore and House Democratic leaders when they were forced to vote for a massively unpopular energy tax that the Senate completely ignored 16 years ago. Here’s just a few recent examples of the heat Democrats are facing back home:

- Rep. Zack Space (D-OH): “The General Manager of Rosebud Mining, Mike Jamison, told NEWS9, ‘I am very angry because the people I live and work with and my community, I think, are at risk because of that legislation. ….Jamison said he has reached out to lawmakers including Rep. Zack Space. ‘His district has 14 coal bearing counties. He has thousands of constituents that make their living from coal and he has turned his back on them when he voted for Cap and Trade.’” – (“Coal Industry Could Suffer With Cap And Trade Bill,” WTOV-TV 9, Steubenville/Wheeling)

- Rep. John Boccieri (D-OH): “‘He’s not really representing me anymore,’ Charles Stockdale, 18, of Bethlehem Township, told Trevena. ‘I don’t feel John Boccieri is listening to us,’ said Jim Stanley, 62, of Jackson Township. ‘He’s listening to (U.S. House Speaker) Nancy Pelosi and the power brokers in Washington.’ Stanley referred to Boccieri’s June 26 vote for the climate and energy bill or cap-and-trade bill, which would set limits on plants on carbon dioxide emissions that are blamed for global warming.” – (“At least 140 People Protest Congressman’s Vote Outside Boccieri’s Office,” Canton Repository)

Now, the President and Democratic leaders are stepping up pressure on rank-and-file Democrats to support a costly government takeover of health care financed by a small business tax. With memories of the national energy tax backlash fresh in their minds, many Democrats are bracing for the same type of backlash on health care:

- Rep. John Adler (D-NJ): “When I spoke to Adler before the hearing, I assumed that as a Democrat he had been spared the wrath of the right wing for his positive vote on cap-and-trade. That was not the case. He told me that on a visit to Ocean County a few days prior he had been nearly attacked by a cluster of concerned citizens. One lady actually gave him a shove, he said... But the reaction from the Toms River crowd, I suspect, will make him think twice about voting the same way on health care as he did on cap-and-trade.” – (Paul Mulshine, “Health care reform: Taking a Shot at Controlling Costs,” The Star-Ledger)

- Rep. Dan Maffei (R-D-NY): “Hecklers, opposed to expanding taxpayer-funded health programs, repeatedly drowned out a panel of New York health care experts whom Maffei asked to discuss how America should provide insurance to 47 million uninsured people and cut the cost of health care.” – (“Central New York Crowd Fired Up Over Health Care,” Syracuse Post-Standard)

With Americans still outraged by rank-and-file Democrats supporting Speaker Pelosi’s national energy tax, the furor may grow even more intense if Democrats walk the plank again to vote for a government takeover of health care that is bankrolled by a small business tax, would force millions off of their current plans, and would put bureaucrats – not doctors and patients – in charge of personal medical decisions. Are Democrats ready to face the wrath of their constituents again? Or will they join Republicans in seeking better solutions to expand Americans’ access to affordable health care?

Bully Tactics Again? Keep the Fear Alive

I always try to listen to a portion of the morning news while I'm in the kitchen just a cookin' and a cleanin'. Two different stories caught my attention while I was up to my elbows in soapy water. Now, I'm thinking that some mouths need to get washed out as well.....

You remember the recent inauguration speech with the reference made by the President that if the enemies of the United States would unclench their fists, he would extend the hand of friendship (or something like that). Anyway, during the speech, I took that statement to be for the enemies of our great country.

Just this morning, I guess I was wrong. George Stephanopolis used that same wording when he said the President would have to reclench his hand if the Republicans don't support the stimulus package and pass it this weekend. The big question here is who is the enemy of the United States? Is it Americans who believe the current stimulus package is wrong for the future of our country? Is it Americans who don't want a plan that was bullied into passing? Is the style of governing these days changing into a forced support? Will he take the non supporters out behind the woodshed and beat them up with his clenched fist? Hmmmm.

Another story this morning has its origins during the days of Martin Luther King. I truly believe Mr. King thought his word of nonviolence would work. The early days where fear of the unknown caused many Americans of many races to strike out against the other were not right. Hats off to the old gent who has now taken it upon himself to publicly apologize for his actions against those of a different race. He's asked for their forgiveness and for the forgiveness of the Lord. Now, I have to wonder if people of all races who have continued to keep fear alive will do the same?

Fear. It's a recurring theme these days. Fear of the unknown. Fear of the future. Fear for the safety of our country. Fear.

Best thing I can think to do is get on my knees and pray for our country and our leaders to open their eyes and seek to follow God's will.

Praying for America

We've all heard the words during the campaign. "We are not conservatives or liberals. We are Americans."

Today is the day to put all aside and remember to pray for the leadership of our great land. Pray that God will guide Barack Obama and that he will have the wisdom to listen and to follow.