The Right Prescription
Committing HarryCare
Harry Reid's government takeover of health care would turn the American Dream into the American Nightmare -- but it can still be stopped.
The Obama Administration and the Congressional Democrat leadership are desperately trying to create the false impression that the government takeover of health care now pending in Congress is rolling towards inevitable victory. But the truth is that the legislation is now hanging by a thread, and can be routed by the growing tide of public opposition. The recent Senate vote on the bill was just to proceed to debate on the measure. No Democrat was going to vote against merely debating the bill.
But even among the 58 Democrats and 2 Independents, there are deep divisions over the legislation. Some have openly stated that they will not vote for a bill that includes a government-operated, "public option," health insurance plan. Others have said they will not vote for a bill that does not include that "public option." We have the same division on the abortion question.
Meanwhile, public opposition grows the more voters hear about the bill. Besides the Rasmussen poll, which shows the public opposing the legislation 56% to 38%, every other poll now shows the public swinging to opposition as well. Both the Fox News poll and the Quinnipiac poll show the public opposing it 51% to 35%. Even CBS News, now openly an arm of the Democrat party, shows the public in opposition 45% to 40%.
Seniors whose health care is looted under the legislation to finance an even greater Welfare State turned against Obamacare 2 to 1 months ago. Now young voters under 30 are turning against it as well, when they find out, as explained below, that their insurance premiums in most of the country will double and triple under the legislation, and that they must pay for such insurance or pay arbitrary income tax penalties. After Dick Morris ran ads explaining this in three key states, Arkansas, North Dakota, and Maine, top pollster John Zogby found that voters under 30 turned from 58% to 30% in favor to 65% to 25% against.
This swelling tide of public opposition has firmed up the 40 Republican Senate votes against the bill. Because of Senate rules, a determined minority can stop legislation. With over half a dozen Senate Democrats having run and won election as supposed conservatives, plus some reasoned Democrat doubters such as Joe Lieberman and Ron Wyden, victory over the socialized medicine crusade is quite possible, if the public stays engaged.
Act Up to Stop the Democrat Welfare State
You have to understand, this is not your father's Democrat party. The reigning Democrat majorities in Washington today are working towards a vision of a Super Welfare State, where the government takes and spends 60% to 80% of all the money earned in the economy. This is an informed estimate based on official government projections of current programs, Democrat "reforms" of welfare and health care, and the expected negative economic effects of these government burdens.
Already, under the income tax increases in the House health bill and in President Obama's budget adopted earlier this year, the top income tax rate in 5 states politically controlled by Democrats, New York, California, New Jersey, Oregon, and Hawaii, the top income tax rate counting Federal and state taxes will be higher than in socialist Sweden! And this is before the Cap-and-Tax bill the Democrats want, and the new European-style Value Added Tax (VAT) already supported by Democrat Congressional leaders, which President Obama may propose in January to counter record shattering federal deficits.
Under this backbreaking burden of overwhelming government, the traditional economic prosperity that has always characterized America, "The American Dream," will be crushed. Working people will no longer enjoy the traditional American economic freedom to decide how to spend the fruits of their own labor. The government will decide that for them. America will then be precisely "just another country," as President Obama has characterized it.
What is surprising a lot of people is that over the past 30 years, while the country was enjoying the American Renaissance under Reagan-dominated leadership, the Democrat party and the formerly "mainstream" media has been taken over by the New Left of the 1960s. Bill Clinton tried leading the Democrats in the opposite direction to more moderation to counter the Reagan tidal wave. But with the passing of Clinton and Gore, 2004 saw the New Left openly rise to the top of the Democrats and their media colonies, and they now rule America with a literally neo-Marxist vision and agenda.
We are now experiencing a defining turning point in American history, like the American Revolution or the Civil War. If you want traditional American freedom and prosperity for you, your children, and your grandchildren, this is no time to be politically idle, totally consumed by personal affairs. If you want to save your country, then you need to become politically active, and reach out and organize your friends, neighbors, and relatives for political action.
The grassroots political event that Washington remembers to this day was in 1988, when seniors protesting enacted "catastrophic health care" legislation for Medicare stormed and stopped the limousine of then House Ways and Means Chairman Dan Rostenkowski in Chicago. That "reform" was repealed the next year by large Democrat Congressional majorities.
Harry Reid's Government Health Care Takeover
Harry Reid is no longer interested in representing the little people of Nevada. He is operating on the grand stage of history now, doing the bidding of the New Left presently running Washington, from House Speaker and San Francisco Democrat Nancy Pelosi, to President Barack Obama, to the New York Times. He is thinking now of going down in history as one of the political fathers of socialized medicine.
That is why there is no denying that the Senate health bill he has put on the floor is a government takeover of health care. What do you think the 2,074 pages of that bill are all about? What else is involved in the bill's creation of almost 100 new bureaucracies, boards, commissions, and programs, like the House health bill?
About the Author
Peter Ferrara is Senior Fellow at the Carleson Center for Public Policy, Director of Entitlement and Budget Policy for the Heartland Institute, and General Counsel of the American Civil Rights Union. He served in the White House Office of Policy Development under President Reagan, and as Associate Deputy Attorney General of the United States under the first President Bush. He is the author of America’s Ticking Bankruptcy Bomb, now available from HarperCollins.
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Pingback| 12.2.09 @ 6:19AM
The American Spectator : Committing HarryCare links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 12.2.09 @ 7:19AM
Health Central Hospital Rachel Uchitel Public Policy Agenda « Weight Loss and Dieting links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 12.2.09 @ 7:30AM
Twitter Trackbacks for The American Spectator : Committing HarryCare [spectator.org] links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 12.2.09 @ 7:42AM
The American Spectator : Committing HarryCare | Obama Snafu links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Jenny Engel| 12.2.09 @ 7:56AM
Dad,
A great synopsis.
Jenny
marialucy| 12.2.09 @ 7:56AM
Everything dynamic and very positively!
http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-.....?C=2257792
Shamus| 12.2.09 @ 8:17AM
As Peggy Noonan wrote in a recent opinion piece, the Democrats would be very lucky to have their bill fail. If it passes, they'd be blamed when the ill effects of their handiwork became clear. If the legislation fails they'll be able to blame the GOP but the electorate will not suffer the tangible pain that Democratic health reform would inflict.
Bilwick| 12.2.09 @ 8:24AM
I don't get Reid. Isn't he a Mormon? My impression is that, as a result of their history, the Mormons have always had a strong anti-statist streak; at least, a healthy distrust of the federal government. How did Reid get to be such a State-shtupper? Did the angel Moroni appear to him and say, "New game plan, Lizard Face. Now God wants you all to be socialists." Because that would have about as rational as the reasons most people have for being "liberals."
Louis Jenkins| 12.2.09 @ 8:42AM
I had no idea that Reid was a Mormon, and I should have an inkling since a good number of my ancestors were Mormon. Considering they were run out the geographical US in the early 1800s, several of the leaders killed, and in a state of war with the US just before the Civil War, you'd think they'd be very distrustful of a statist government. Things change with time. We should all remember that Liberalism is a religion of its own accord with the ability to supercede all others.
I firmly believe the Senate Health Bill will pass. Angry voters, pink slips, e-mails, faxes, the threat of not being re-elected, will not turn these jackasses, Mormon or otherwise, from their head long rush over the cliff. If we could only safely jump off the wagon they're pulling.
dan| 12.2.09 @ 12:46PM
this is only about grabbing more power.
The dims have long ago run out of ideas and are totally committed to making america a one party govt.
They think that rushing to more socialism is their real ticket to power.
The idea that #millionares like reid and pelosi care about working folks and tax payers remains pure fantasy
The problum is these two dim bulbs have convinced themselves they are pushing an agenda favored by the country.
And just like the messiah, their only talking points, get in line and support what we are doing or shut up and get out of our way
Captainchaos| 12.2.09 @ 6:40PM
Reid is a Mormon, so what? Prior to 1978 non-Whites were forbidden from joining the LDS church. Face it, your rose-tinted conception of the 'good ole days' of our ancestors would induce you to screeeeeeech "Nazi!" were you to actually to encounter them. Yet, their ways were more true, and more life affirming, than what you no doubt embrace now as goodness itself. First, remove the beam from your own eye.
Pingback| 12.2.09 @ 9:01AM
The American Spectator : Committing HarryCare Abbey by about links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
M Green| 12.2.09 @ 9:17AM
I agree that we must remain engaged and defeat this legislation. Kyl recommends scrapping the current bills and starting over. Is it time for the people to demand a health care reform summit? Shouldn't we have an open debate, as the President promised, with a cross section of health care providers and end users? Why a jobs summit and not a health care reform summit? We the people must stop the special interests from running and ruining our great country.
Pingback| 12.2.09 @ 10:07AM
Senate Rages With Emotion Over Health Care | 73 Wire links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Dr No.| 12.2.09 @ 10:09AM
Great article and so true. As an indentured servant to the government (they paid for my medical school) I cannot begin to explain the absurdity that is federal 'health care.' The inefficiency, waste, incompetence, and substandard care is mindboggling. Military/VA medicine is an abject failure that is currently 'bailed out' by private medicine because the government cannot meet basic requirements to care for it's dependent population.
These bills are not designed to provide medical care, but to sieze control of the only currently successful private industry.
The Revolution of 1775 was fought over much less than this. It's time for another armed revolution to put these tyrants in their place and clarify a few things in the constitution. The federal government has become a monster with a voracious appetite for liberty and an insatiable desire to control. The federal government is the enemy of freedom and should be treated as such.
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Skep41| 12.2.09 @ 11:40AM
I've never seen people as angry as they are over this. In one fell swoop the commies have united every person in this country with a speck of common sense (The Reagan Coalition) in outrage. One of the previous commenters remarked that passing this HealthScare Bill will destroy the Democrats. Maybe so. We'll have plenty of time to discuss it as we lay writhing in pain in the filthy unmopped corridors of the Gubmint Hospital waiting eighteen hours to be seen. Think that's a joke? Go tell that joke in the UK, they wont be laughing. These Marxist nut jobs are going to makes us physically suffer for their arrogance and incompetence. Thank you chumps who vote Democrat I Hope you like the Change.
Oldefarte| 12.2.09 @ 12:02PM
Peter, THANK YOU [and all other writers at conservative news sites, ie the AS] for daily informing us public/readers of the TRUTH of not only this subject [healthcare] but all others as well. Without writers such as yourself [and having to rely soley on the liberalism and biasness of the MSM], we would be constantly ignorant and in the dark as to what the FACTS of these matters truly are. America [in my opinion] has been invaded and taken over by liberal-radicals [this has been slowely happening for my entire lifetime, but 11/4/08 was the culmination of same]; and you and your fellow conservative writers,etc that provide this truth provide the only hope for this country eventually/possibly being saved from this tyranny. THANK YOU again!!!!
Tim| 12.2.09 @ 1:49PM
Dear Mr. Farte:
Thank you for your letter of November 18, 2017; " Where's my F*cking test results?".
We here at the Southern Medical Quality Review Region 1 (SMQRR1) want you to know that as the Congressionally appointed board tasked with assuring the quality and speedy delivery of medical care under our new system, we value your input. As President Obama said back in 2009: " Health Care for Every American (and some Mexicans) for less".
We have taken his words to heart and we want you to know, Mr. Farte, that your satisfaction remains a key evaluative factor which we render into the computers that continuosly evaluate our successful delivery of the World's Largest Healthcare System. These same sophisticated super computers that warned us of Global Warming and have replaced the electoral college in conducting Presidential elections are now scanning all of your personal documents.
Did you know that these computers can show us dozens of photos of you, your family and even pets? Some even from satelite! Yes, they can even tell when you leave your house each day and your preferred routes of travel.
They even found your test results. Congratulations Mr. Farte! You are pregnant! For information on Choice options, we have enclosed a pamphlet from the Bureau of Carbon Unit Regulation with directions to the nearest Choice option station to you in the SMQRR1.
Pingback| 12.2.09 @ 12:25PM
The American Spectator : Committing HarryCare | americantoday links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 12.2.09 @ 12:36PM
Commiting HarryCare-y | Worth Reading links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
B. Johnson| 12.2.09 @ 1:01PM
I hope that more Constitution-defending patriots start pointing out the following regarding Obamacare. The Founders themselves "voted" against federal healthcare when they ratified the Constitution.
More specifically, given that the Constitution is silent about public healthcare, the 10th A. automatically reserves government power to regulate healthcare to the states, not the Oval Office and Congress.
In fact, the USSC has already officially decided that Congress has no business sticking its nose into the medical practice.
“Direct control of medical practice in the states is obviously beyond the power of Congress.” –Linder v. United States, 1925. http://supreme.justia.com/us/268/5/case.html
The bottom line is that the Congressmen who vote yes on Obamacare legislation will make a handy list of lawmakers who need to be charged with treason for blatantly violating their oaths to defend the Constitution.
J. McCubbin| 12.2.09 @ 6:34PM
Mr. Johnson, let's try paragraph 3 of the 14th amendment of the Constitution.
To wit:
3. No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.
Margie| 12.2.09 @ 1:06PM
I've heard that if this passes, it'll go to the Supreme court & get thrown out.
But the question is: Will they?
Pingback| 12.2.09 @ 2:50PM
The American Spectator : Committing HarryCare Acid by about links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Fallgold| 12.2.09 @ 3:23PM
The same evil that has murdered millions of the unborn in this country is now ready to attack the next most vulnerable, the seniors. How could any Senator or Representative vote for these horrible bills.
Ken (Old Texican)| 12.2.09 @ 6:11PM
Fallgold,
It is very simple...truly. Senators and Reps have excluded themselves from the plan.
DUH!
JimE| 12.2.09 @ 6:18PM
Watch the typos, Reid is not a mormon, he is a moron.
Pingback| 12.3.09 @ 12:25AM
Cnation’s Picks for 12/3/2009 : Conservative Nation links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Bilwick| 12.3.09 @ 11:18AM
"Reid is a Mormon, so what? Prior to 1978 non-Whites were forbidden from joining the LDS church. Face it, your rose-tinted conception of the 'good ole days' of our ancestors would induce you to screeeeeeech "Nazi!" were you to actually to encounter them. Yet, their ways were more true, and more life affirming, than what you no doubt embrace now as goodness itself. First, remove the beam from your own eye. "
Captainchaos, would you care to restate this more intelligibly? And is this addressed to me? I'm a history buff, and there is absolutely no rose tint on my glasses regarding the '"good ole days."
Captainchaos| 12.3.09 @ 10:42PM
In the comment to which I responded you said:
"I don't get Reid. Isn't he a Mormon? My impression is that, as a result of their history, the Mormons have always had a strong anti-statist streak; at least, a healthy distrust of the federal government."
I interpreted this as a criticism of Reid based in his having abandoned the traditional outlook of members of his faith (e.g., anti-statism). I further assumed that you fully realize that most likely Reid's abandonment of that traditional outlook would be generalized, and not only confined to the abandonment of the singular tradition of anti-statism. Of course, that most likely scenario is true in Reid's case - making him a worthy subject for case study. Otherwise your bringing up Reid's connection to Mormonism is really a throwaway comment. Perhaps I gave you too much credit in assuming it wasn't; if so, my bad.
"I'm a history buff, and there is absolutely no rose tint on my glasses regarding the '"good ole days.""
So you're a traditionalist then, affirming our traditions, warts and all? Or are you merely another progressive whom wishes to pick and choose cafeteria-like which traditions suite you without regard to the consequences of these if universalized? Remember now, if you don't intend for what you affirm to be universalized, or at least so prevalent that it is of significant societal impact, then you have no grounds for criticizing what goes on at large in society; that is, unless you are a serious commentator, or a hypocrite. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you are not a hypocrite and are a serious commentator.
Captainchaos| 12.3.09 @ 10:48PM
That should read: "that is, unless you are [not] a serious commentator, or a hypocrite.
tj| 12.3.09 @ 11:50AM
http://theprecinctproject.wordpress.com/ read all the way to the bottom. VOTE EM OUT 2010/2012
We have to organize now for 2010... Lets Roll
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