So, how did you like your Christmas present from Washington? Didn't get one? Look again.
Everyone got a lump of coal this morning at 7:00.
This health care "reform" bill was so special that it couldn't be worked on or discussed when we were around to watch so it was done outside of normal business hours or behind closed doors.
Nevertheless, it met the arbitrary and capricious deadline imposed by Obama, Reid, and Pelosi. We have a House passed version and now a Senate passed version - and that may become the final version. It remains to be seen.
Regardless, over 60% of the country did not want this, but that same percentage voted for it in the Senate.
Consider where we have come. Many organizations vowed that they couldn't support this bill, including labor unions and AARP - until their support was bought with promises. Many Senators (Lieberman, Nelson, Webb, Landreau, and others) felt they couldn't support this either until a lot of pork came their way.
Remember the unusual Sunday sessions, the trip to the White House with the chosen 60, the closed door meetings at the Capitol and the White House with the President, the exclusion of the Republicans from all such "strategy" sessions, the vote to move to final passage at 1:00 am on Monday morning in the midst of a two-foot snow storm, and then today's promised 8:00 am vote that was moved up to 7:00? By the way, the Senators are usually on their Christmas vacation, but this vote was so urgent that it had to happen now - the first time in some 50 years that a vote has been taken on Christmas Eve.
Business as we know it will suffer. Our taxes will increase, what we have to do to provide insurance will be mandated. The regulations will start flying as fast as the printing presses can spit them out.
Free choice - a cornerstone of America - is no more - at least not for health care insurance. The government now says you will have it - like it or not. Don't worry that's it's unconstitutional. No one at the national level is concerned.
So, let's all enjoy our coal - but we can't burn it - emissions, you know.
Let's send our Members of Congress some cardboard boxes. They can begin packing up their offices now instead of waiting until November.
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Too bad you feel the need to politicize your blog...especially when you are talking nonsense.
I agree with you Steve, that the process was ugly and it's unfortunate that this is the way we govern ourselves now. And the Congressional Democrats have once again shown their capacity to behave like children, and not like leaders.
But, as for the Republicans being excluded from negotiations - let's try to stay honest here. It's not just Congressional Democrats who behave like spoiled brats. The Republicans took their ball and went home months ago. There was no way in hell they were going to give Obama a victory on Health Care reform, so they never came to the table as principled or honest negotiators.
As for whether or not this health care reform package ends up being good or bad for the health care delivery, for the economy, for business, and for the country - well, I suppose now we have to wait and see.
Steve, At least coal would have had some value.
Steve, I see some people are so poorly informed they are unable to grasp the gravity of the situation.
I'm going reblog this Nonsense.
Seems to me you can't have Republicans participate when every amendment is rejected and closed door meetings are held without them. I'm a Dem, and against the way this was handled.
I wanted to drop by and wish you and yours a Merry Christmas from your friend in Washington State,
Paul
Steve,
it will be an interesting 2010 I think.
I am thiunking that congress and our leader should get the coal instead of all the perks!
Linda,
Thanks for choosing to visit my blog. :)
Steve
David,
Thanks for your comments. As for this being good or bad for business and the economy, nothing that includes 17 new taxes and fee increases can be good. Add to that the reduction of choice, more government interference in our lives, and the consitutional issues, and it's a loser all the way. :)
Steve
Hugh,
Only a little. The government does't want us burn it. :)
Steve
Bonnie,
Thanks for your support and the reblog. This has grown into an American issue like so many of the issue supported by the tea partiers - no longer just Republican or Democratic. We need leaders focused on America - not partisanship. :)
Steve
Paul,
Thank you for your very colorful message. Merry Christmas to you. :)
Steve
Steve,
I agree. I think we are going to see several of the old guard in Washington being challenged and replaced. :)
Steve
William,
I agree, but if we mailed them coal I doubt they would understand what it meant. :)
Steve
Steve - Never before have I ever seen government officials and especially this President go against the populous and pass a bill that no one wants, but Obama and Reid say it is best for the country. Dictatorship is not what America has in the form of its government!
Congratulations this post is now featured in the Silent Majority Group of Active Rain.
It's not at all about health care. It's about breaking the pocketbook, the will and the power of the American electorate. Wait until they ram through a few more pocketbook plans. They have just begun.
It's all about power and a radical change in the direction of our country away from the individual to a government controlled society.
Once they have control over our health, they will have under their thumb.
Nicholas,
There are some eerie signs of this government reconstituting itself in a way that is not allowed but could happen anyway. :)
Steve
Nicholas,
Thank you for the feature.
Steve
Lenn,
Thank you for expressing this so well. You are spot on. :)
Steve
I think giving the congress a chunk of coal would be to good for them, but very worthwhile for many people out there. Many would use it for heat!
I think the phrase that pays is "the gift that keeps on taking". This is a perfect way to destroy the job market's recovery...
Vern,
I don't think many of them would understand it. :)
Steve
Lane,
I agree that this is the operative phrase. :)
Steve
Steve - we are witnessing a coup. It is subtle in some respects because we elected these people. However, the blatant ignoring of the Constitution is something we have never seen before. the public bribes is also something we have never seen before. If we are foolish enough to elect Obama for a second term and we hav't taken back Congress for the People, I GUARANTEE you will see legislation put in place to remove presidential term limits for all Presidents with a last name that begins with "O" and ends with "A". If only I wasn't joking!
Simon,
With this Congress, anything is possible - Constitutional or not. :)
Steve
The elected ones..I almost said special ones...are focused on a what is in it for me attitude now. Do I question their motives? We all should!
Steve - I sent my card board box to Senator Bill Nelson of my home state of Florida. Kick the traitor out who voted yes to Obamacare!
Reblogged and featured in Tea Party!
Both Pelosi and Obama promised that they would do housecleaning and keep everything out in the open. But I don't remember Reid saying this. This is what the American people get when they pay more attention to how good looking or well spoken a candidate is instead of actually listening to what he is saying or reviewing his experience.
Gary,
We hear now that 13 Senators got sweatheart deals. Either the other 47 did too and we haven't heard about it or they will start lining up at Reid's door. :)
Steve
Nicholas.
I'm with you. We still have 3 more years to endure this rascal. :)
Steve
Kevin,
Thank you. Appreciate it. :)
Steve
Rob,
We didn't elect Reid or Pelosi. Too bad. :)
Steve
Steve- You are doing a great job of getting the information out. Keep it up.
Kevin,
Thank you. Appreciate your support and encouragement. :)
Steve
The Dems almost seem resigned to passing whatever they can, just to say that they passed something. The 2010 elections can't come soon enough.
John,
I agree - 310 days and counting. :)
Steve
I am still praying that SOMETHING will happen to stop this horrific bill.
Melissa,
We have plenty of chances to stop this bill but when the leadership is determined to ignore the public for personal gain, it's hard. :)
Steve