I had truly hoped I would not have to write this blog entry; that there would have been enough heat from all of us who've been to DC, who've called our senators and congressmen, and who've protested on street corners, political polls, and online communities, to have prevented this conversation.
Unfortunately, the Democrats had invested so heavily in this so deeply, for so long, that they were going to take a political beating next year anyway; and so, the health care plan passed the U.S. House tonight; with a vote of 219 - 212
Perhaps the most ironic part about the health care reform bill is that it in fact rewards the overall cause of the problems in the health care industry. As government becomes more and more involved in health care, the prices have become higher and higher - just like every other industry in which government is involved.
It's a brave new world today, everyone, and it's time for a completely new way of thinking. Those who try to blame Democrats for this mess are only partially right. It was the consistent and predictable failure of the Republican party for the past 6-to-8 years that contributed, in large part, to this debacle.
It will take strong-willed, principled leaders to overturn this debacle. Who amongst the Republicans has shown the backbone and the character to stand on principle, when it could matter beyond a moment of political grandstanding?
Dare I say that the Democrats who tonight stood on principle against this bill had more courage than the overwhelming majority of Republicans, who allowed record deficits and debt to pile up without so much as saying a word; who prior to today passed the single-greatest expansion of health care under Medicare Part D; who allowed the government to violate the rights to privacy in the name of safety; who made complete fools of themselves and directly caused a liberal takeover of Congress -- not because the public is liberal, but because they could no longer stand the debauchery of the Republicans.
This is it. No more unprincipled, philosophically-empty Republicans. No more liberal, nanny-state Democrats.
There are only two issues that truly matter, at the end of the day - economic freedom, and personal freedom. This administration has now completely failed at protecting either, just like the last one.
This is our time to fight, harder than ever before, to overturn this debacle, before a single benefit is ever paid out.
We need you, now more than ever. If you're not awake now, then I fear you never will be.
Yes, but several states are
Yes, but several states are challenging if Congress has the authority to pass such legislation. In recent years the U.S. Supreme Court has curtailed the authority of Congress over the states (as it should be).
Jordan Palmer
ABOUT ME: I am also the co-founder and sitting President of Kentucky Equality Federation, and co-founder of United We Stand - Kentucky's LGBTI News.