Well, the eighteen month fight over healthcare, and who controls our healthcare, is over. Obama and his House Democrats pulled off an impressive, hard fought victory. While I oppose even the concept of someone, especially the federal government, having a say in my personal health choices, I commend them on their tenacity and ability to stay on message; both the hallmark of any good media campaign. I’m sure Joseph Goebbels is looking up from his fiery abyss and smiling.
Of course, I’m still a little puzzled about some of the comments made by various House Democrats. A number of them commented that they were casting their vote in favor of the healthcare bill to demonstrate their “commitment to the American People”. Some claimed they were “standing with America”. Really? How do you do that when poll after poll, partisan or independent, show Americans so overwhelmingly (around 65%) opposed to this healthcare bill in any form and you ignore them? How is that “standing with America”? Approximately 15% of Americans lack some form of healthcare while the remaining 85% have some healthcare coverage (their level of satisfaction, I’m sure, is a measure of degree). So, again I ask, how is making the majority pay for the minority is a good thing? Isn’t that simply involuntary wealth distribution by other means (a polite way to refer to the theory of socialism)? It reminds me of the little add-ons our cable or phone companies put on our bills to for those who can’t afford cable or phone service to have it (mandatory charity? If so, why isn’t it tax deductible?).
What happened to the America where one went to school and studied hard and then went out into the world to earn their own way? What became of our pride of competition? We’ve watered down our education system in the name of equality, and now we’re watering down our healthcare in the name of “equality” and imposing what could be crippling costs on businesses and individuals. We have mediocre school systems producing a host of mediocre students who, in many instances require remedial education just to qualify for a job, and now everyone will get the same mediocre, rationed healthcare instead of the quality of healthcare we’ve earned through our hard work. Costs (and coverage) are best controlled through more competition not less. I suppose the good news is that there will be quite a boon in the underground healthcare economy. No more dealing in just prescriptions and cosmetic surgeries.
Kentucky Congressman John Yarmuth, on returning to Louisville after enthusiastically casting his vote in support of the bill, said that he was “proud” of his vote and that if it resulted in his defeat in November, he could retire happy. I’m sure many Kentuckians wish Mr. Yarmuth a happy and early retirement. I have yet to hear, however, what Mr. Yarmuth sold his vote for. No, I’m serious and I don’t mean to be disrespectful at all. If you’ll recall, there were several House Democrats pretending to be “on the fence” over their votes. Obama promised them billions for this or that project in exchange for their vote. Politics as usual. So, anyone know what Yarmuth got for his vote other than a warm and fuzzy feeling? By the way, you just have got to love how Obama used our money to bribe our representatives to vote for something that most of America didn’t want.
Something else happened with this vote that’s a little unusual. In most cases, after either party supports something unpopular (such as the GOP did with its impeachment of Clinton), the public gets angry and gets over it. Not in this case. Several Democrats have not just been threatened (nothing to usual about that I suppose), but a few have had their office windows knocked out. I heard one comment that this was “just politics and no one should resort to violence”. Another said that we “no right to get violent with elected officials”. I certainly agree that there is no place for violence in American politics. Our best weapon remains the ballot box; however, our Founding Fathers may disagree when it came to dealing with a tyrannical government. For better or worse, many in this country see an out of control federal government becoming ever more tyrannical, and that’s scary.
Personally, my suggestion would be to lay off the threats, bricks or whatever. That will only get you jail time and nobody is of any use in jail. Instead, pickup a megaphone or sign. Show up wherever they are. Picket outside their offices; picket outside their homes; picket outside the restaurant they’re eating at. The same goes for their legislative aides. Get involved in their opponent’s campaign. Register people to vote and remind them what their “non-representing” representative is doing. Call in whenever they appear on a TV or radio show. Always be polite, non-violent and civil in any of these endeavors. Remember, the objective is to remind them that their votes have real consequences. Never let them forget for a moment that they work for us.
As for the oft used phrase of “standing with America” by Democrat House members, I suppose its intent was engender some sense of comradeship with the American People, when it fact, it just made it easier for them to pick our pockets once again.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Saturday, March 13, 2010
The Tea Party Movement
I’ve noticed recently an increase in media coverage on the Tea Party Movement. Most of it seems to be by Left leaning types. Some of the articles have been the usual fare dished up by liberal journalists, while some has been by pseudo-journalists posing as impartial contributors to the discussion. And of course, some have been entertainers such as Janeane Garofalo posing as someone seriously informed (http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/The-Vote/2009/0417/janeane-garafalo-says-tea-parties-were-for-rednecks).
What most, if not practically all of these articles have in common is their reference to members of the Tea Party movement as “racists” or “spoiled baby boomers” looking for one more hurrah. The Courier Journal, our local “unofficial” mouthpiece of all things liberal here in Louisville, carried two such (and conflicting) articles a few weeks ago in the same Sunday edition. One article claimed that the Tea Party Movement was comprised of a bunch redneck hell bent on restoring America by getting rid of our first bi-racial president (http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2010-02-10/news/bal-ed.teaparty0210_1_klan-rallies-anti-immigrant-mr-perot). Another article, in the same edition, called the Tea Party members a group of baby boomers gone bad. Basically, a bunch of aging, spoiled, self-centered hippies looking to recaptured some of their 60’s and 70’s glory before fading away like an old pair of Levy’s. Here are a couple of examples: (http://www.pdamerica.org/articles/news/2010-02-26-09-11-09-news.php and (http://www.dailytidings.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100301/OPINION01/3010303). You’ll notice that the common thread is that “middle class” and “conservative” equate to “bad”, especially if you have a college education and/or tend to think for yourself.
Well, folks, I’m not at all surprised by the articles. In fact, I’m a little pleased. The fact that the left leaning media is going to such outrageous extremes in creating a tea bag toting boogie man means that the message is seeping through to mainstream America, and that’s a big problem. Americans have been long tired and disgusted of the petty personal snips and infighting that routinely takes place in Washington are our expense. They are tired of the endless “blame game”. Everyone knows that both parties are equally guilty for the mess we’re in. Americans want…no…demand an end to it. Americans want an end to big government, or at least inefficient government; serious tax reform; campaign reform (be it finance or term limits); an end to illegal immigration and secure borders; an end to exporting US jobs; and end to being the world’s policeman and banker; an end to mediocre education for our children; a national language---English. Lastly, and most importantly, Americans want to return to our Constitution, and that’s a serious problem for the powers that be.
One of the best articles I’ve come across about the Tea Party Movement, which provides a serious and honest look at what it is and what it isn’t, is piece done by the Sam Adams Alliance, which also includes a survey of the Tea Party’s members (something that the liberal media conveniently have left out). Here we have the members of the Tea Party “speaking” for themselves instead of through red or blue colored lenses. I suggest you check out the following link and decide for yourself what the Tea Party Movement is all about:
http://www.samadamsalliance.org/learn/activist-insights.aspx
You’ll need to check out "The Early Adopters” to read the survey. As for me, I think I’m going to have a nice strong cup of tea.
Poll Results
Our last poll asked if you thought America was on the right path. 40% of you thought so, while 10% thought we were…or weren’t. An impressive 50%, however, thought we are diffidently on the wrong path. My only question is how did we get in this hand basket and what was that last road sign again?
What most, if not practically all of these articles have in common is their reference to members of the Tea Party movement as “racists” or “spoiled baby boomers” looking for one more hurrah. The Courier Journal, our local “unofficial” mouthpiece of all things liberal here in Louisville, carried two such (and conflicting) articles a few weeks ago in the same Sunday edition. One article claimed that the Tea Party Movement was comprised of a bunch redneck hell bent on restoring America by getting rid of our first bi-racial president (http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2010-02-10/news/bal-ed.teaparty0210_1_klan-rallies-anti-immigrant-mr-perot). Another article, in the same edition, called the Tea Party members a group of baby boomers gone bad. Basically, a bunch of aging, spoiled, self-centered hippies looking to recaptured some of their 60’s and 70’s glory before fading away like an old pair of Levy’s. Here are a couple of examples: (http://www.pdamerica.org/articles/news/2010-02-26-09-11-09-news.php and (http://www.dailytidings.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100301/OPINION01/3010303). You’ll notice that the common thread is that “middle class” and “conservative” equate to “bad”, especially if you have a college education and/or tend to think for yourself.
Well, folks, I’m not at all surprised by the articles. In fact, I’m a little pleased. The fact that the left leaning media is going to such outrageous extremes in creating a tea bag toting boogie man means that the message is seeping through to mainstream America, and that’s a big problem. Americans have been long tired and disgusted of the petty personal snips and infighting that routinely takes place in Washington are our expense. They are tired of the endless “blame game”. Everyone knows that both parties are equally guilty for the mess we’re in. Americans want…no…demand an end to it. Americans want an end to big government, or at least inefficient government; serious tax reform; campaign reform (be it finance or term limits); an end to illegal immigration and secure borders; an end to exporting US jobs; and end to being the world’s policeman and banker; an end to mediocre education for our children; a national language---English. Lastly, and most importantly, Americans want to return to our Constitution, and that’s a serious problem for the powers that be.
One of the best articles I’ve come across about the Tea Party Movement, which provides a serious and honest look at what it is and what it isn’t, is piece done by the Sam Adams Alliance, which also includes a survey of the Tea Party’s members (something that the liberal media conveniently have left out). Here we have the members of the Tea Party “speaking” for themselves instead of through red or blue colored lenses. I suggest you check out the following link and decide for yourself what the Tea Party Movement is all about:
http://www.samadamsalliance.org/learn/activist-insights.aspx
You’ll need to check out "The Early Adopters” to read the survey. As for me, I think I’m going to have a nice strong cup of tea.
Poll Results
Our last poll asked if you thought America was on the right path. 40% of you thought so, while 10% thought we were…or weren’t. An impressive 50%, however, thought we are diffidently on the wrong path. My only question is how did we get in this hand basket and what was that last road sign again?
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