Update on the latest maneuvers for Obama's Health Scare bill...
This week is a key moment in the battle over the proposed government takeover of our health care system. If you haven't been paying attention up to now, it's time to wake up.
Here's a quick summation of where we are:
The Senate Finance Committee which has been debating the issue for weeks now looks set to vote on what is a "conceptual" framework and not actual legislation late this week or early the next. Last week, like their counterparts in the U.S. House, Senate Dems on the Finance Committee defeated GOP offered amendments which would have strengthened bans on using federal funds for abortion and required immigrants to prove they are here legally with a photo I.D. before participating in the health plans. Like earlier defeats of GOP amendments that would prohibit rationing of health care or cuts in medicare Democrats have rejected every GOP solution which would have made this a bipartisan solution. Remember that next time Obama claims we are lying about health care reform. Joe Wilson was right!
But what is happening in the Senate Finance Committee is a sideshow to the secret back room dealings which will take place as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid takes the framework from the Senate Finance Committee and melds it with the very liberal Kennedy bill from the Senate Health Education and Labor Committeee. It is in that secret process that actual legislative language will be written and there is no restriction on what Reid and a handful of Senators and their aides can do. Obama has also sent strong signals to Reid that he wants the government run option in the final bill. So much for his promises of transparency and an open process.
At that point a bill will be presented to the Senate for debate and a vote. Watch for another demand that the vote take place before anyone has a chance to read the bill. Funny how Obama can dither for months about the war in Afghanistan as our troops die on the field waiting for reinforcement but Dems will demand we vote immediately on a bill which will profoundly affect the life of every American.
Halloween Comes Early to the White House
Meanwhile, over at the White House they are playing dress up. Yesterday, a group of doctors were invited to show their support for Obama's plan (even though he doesn't have one). Since some of the handpicked docs forgot to wear lab coats for the photo-op, White House staffers passed them out before the event began. Likely the coats were paid for with stimulus dollars.
In a related push, Obama's political arm, Organizing for America, is requesting doctors and other minions to write letters to the editor of their local paper showing support for Obama's non-existent plan. Kind folks that they are they will even help you write the letter.
One would hope that editors receiving these letters do a little background check before publishing them as at least one fake doctor surfaced in last summer's Town Hall meetings to support Dems takeover. Obama also used heartbreaking personal stories to make his case in the speech to Congress last month. The problem is that much of what he related was just not true.
Countdown to 2010
As soon as the figleaf of a transparent process concludes in the Senate Finance Committee the real fun begins. Warnings, like this one, signal to wavering Democrats that they could "lose big" if they don't vote for a government run plan. Voters in states with Senators up for re-election in 2010 (the list) should make their Senator aware of how they feel.
With growing disapproval of the way Obama and the Dems in the House and Senate are doing their jobs it's difficult to imagine that voters will look kindly on the kind of backroom finagling that violates the campaign promises of Obama and senior Democrats.
If you haven't already done so the time to make your voice heard is NOW! Call, email or fax your representative and senator today. Write your own brief letter to the editor of your local newspaper. Donate money to groups opposing Obama's power grab.
Time is running out. Stop complaining and start taking action!
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