Democrats to Americans–“We don’t give a damn what you want!”

After a year of ignoring the growing grassroots protest movement that sprung up last year, after crashing in polls across the nation for months, and after stinging election losses in New Jersey, Virginia, and Massachusetts, Democrats undoubtedly understand the message being communicated by a disillusioned but indefatigable electorate. But it has never been more clear they don’t care what We the People want, they have no intention of bending to our will.

“This isn’t the change America wanted!” is the clear message that only those who never watch or read the news don’t understand. The Tea Party, the 9-12 movement, and the overall resurgence of conservatism in the country today would not have metasticized except in opposition to President Barack Obama and the Democrats’ rush to burden the American people with the yoke of Socialism.

But after all the protests, calls and emails to representatives and senators, and even their precipitous drop in polls from coast to coast, Democrats in Washington continue to forge ahead on the path to Obamacare–the plank in Obama’s platform most detested by the American people. The message is clear, and it isn’t going unheard.

The message is being ignored!

Two hundred and thirty four years ago, our forefathers were slaves to their government. They responded with revolution.

The Declaration of Independence enumerates the reasons they chose to abandon their ruler and form their own country, now our own country. Within the preamble to that famous document we find part of the foundation of their decision to revolt is once again suffered by We the People.

…Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. *Emphasis added

That a strong majority of the people are opposed to a government takeover of our health care system is undeniable. Obama and his Democrat henchmen in the US House and Senate have tried to put lipstick on their pig several times, but a large majority of Americans still recognize it as a pig and continue to oppose Obamacare.

Everyone thought Democrats had finally learned their lesson last month after they lost the un-losable US Senate seat Ted Kennedy had so long occupied. Obama himself even uttered the words on camera. “The Senate certainly shouldn’t try to jam anything through until Scott Brown is seated. People in Massachusetts spoke. He’s got to be part of that process,” said the President following the historic GOP victory in Massachusetts.

Most considered the House and Senate bills dead at that point. But Obama didn’t mean the Senate shouldn’t try to jam anything through, he meant to wait until Scott Brown was seated AND THEN jam something through!

Now it appears they’re ready to do just that. Harry Reid (D-NV) said yesterday the Senate will force a bill through within 60 days, in spite of overwhelming opposition by the American people.

Through a process known as reconciliation, designed to be used only for budget bills, the Senate needs only 51 votes and steer clear of a filibuster. Republicans are crying foul because the 2000 + page bill isn’t a budget bill and doesn’t qualify for that process. In a letter to Obama this month, House Majority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) and Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA)told the President “`Bipartisanship’ is not writing proposals of your own behind closed doors, then unveiling them and demanding Republican support.”

The President’s calls for, and promises of bipartisanship were nothing but a sham. Designed to bolster his crashing approval ratings and possibly stem the flow of Democrats’ political bleeding across the country, he met with Republicans last month and called for a Health Care Summit with Republicans that will take place on Thursday. But even some Democrats admit it’s all for show.

Buried way down deep in a New York Times article—“There’s hope for a breakthrough here, but the odds of that are not very good,” said a top Democratic aide who has worked for years on health care. “This is a media event.” In the same article, some Democrats expressed doubt the Senate can get even 51 votes to pass the bill in reconciliation. But they also expressed the opinion that Obama may be able to sway enough to cross the hurdle.

Democrats have no intention of compromising, and their leaders in Congress and the White House have no intention of “deriving their powers by the consent of the governed.” Instead they exercise their power in spite of the will of the governed.

If they pass this bill, after all that has transpired these last few months, they will be saying to the American people “We don’t give a damn what you want!”

Old Folks Will Die Because of Dems’ Lies

The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines genocide as “the deliberate and systematic destruction of a racial, political, or cultural group.”

So, if the 2,000+ pages of Democrat health care “reform” result in large numbers of doctors abandoning their elderly patients, or if the monstrous piece of legislation puts more seniors in a position of having to choose between medical treatment and heating their home in the winter, would it qualify the Democrats’ plan as genocide?

The Dems “reform” efforts are most certainly deliberate.  They’ve spent months trying to cram their “reform” down our throats, even in the face of “unprecedented” opposition by their constituents.  They’ve relentlessly pressed forward, against the will of those who elected them, ignoring calls from their constituents and heeding only the orders of their Dear Leader, Chairman ObaMao, to get something on his desk so he might proclaim victory.

So deliberate certainly fits the bill.

It wouldn’t fit the racial part of the definition, because we’d have equal opportunity to suffer among all races.  But would it satisfy the requirement to systematically destroy a political or cultural group?

It’s not a huge leap to recognize that large numbers of doctors refusing to treat elderly patients would likely put many of our senior citizens out of the Democrats’ misery.  If they get sick and can’t get treatment because there aren’t enough doctors, more will die.  If the doctors who continue to treat our aged relatives demand a larger share of their fixed incomes, there will come a point when an old man or woman decides s/he’d rather die warm with a full belly than starving and cold with that pesky tumor removed.

Because the cuts would be targeted at medical care for seniors, it would make sense to say the destruction of our elder citizens would be systematic.

AARP’s vaunted political power qualifies our seniors as a political group and it wouldn’t be a stretch to label them a cultural group either.  But even if one disagrees on the latter, old folks definitely qualify as a political group.

So if the Senate Democrats’ health care bill results in large numbers of doctors abandoning their medicare patients and causes those who continue to treat these patients to increase prices and charge for treatment that was formerly covered by the government health insurance option, we could pronounce the Democrats’ so-called health care “reform” as genocidal.

Today an elderly relative went to see his doctor, whose identity we will protect at this time.  Along with the normal paperwork one leaves the doctor’s office with, he was given the following letter.

December 22, 2009 Dear Patients: As I am sure many of you are aware there are considerable changes occurring in the healthcare (sic) field at the present time. As of January 1st, there will be substantial negative changes in terms of reimbursement to physicians that accept Medicare patients. This will ultimately result in many physicians rejecting Medicare patients due to these severe restrictions on reimbursements. My practice does not intend to stop seeing Medicare patients at this time, although if further cuts occur, as are promised that position undoubtedly will change. For the time being we will continue to see Medicare patients. However, we will have to start charging for services that we have provided free of charge in the past. These charges will become effective January 1, 2010. A complete list of the appropriate fees will be available in my office upon request. Yours sincerely, [Removed by request], M. D.

One might say, how is this? The Senate bill isn’t even law yet.

Correct. But…Harry Reid failed to achieve the nearly $250 billion “doctor fix” that would have put his cherished health care takeover bill over the cost that even his spendthrift Democrat puppets couldn’t swallow.

Now, even before the legislation is reconciled between the House and Senate, before it makes its way to Obama’s desk, before it’s signed into law, it’s adversely affecting the health care of elderly Americans. Harry Reid and every other Democrat that voted for this mountain of legislative garbage lied when they proclaimed it will not increase the deficit and it will extend Medicare.

It will KILL old people.

Democrats lie and the elderly will die!

The Campaign Against Blanche Lincoln

by John Allison III

The past year has shown us what happens when left-wing zealots in the Democrat party completely control the Legislative and Executive branches of our government.   We’ve seen government seize ownership of private industry, the Obama administration redistribute assets to its allies, Congress and the President pass and sign spending bills that do nothing to stimulate the economy but saddle our children and grandchildren with monumental amounts of debt, our Commander-in-Chief demoralize our troops and embolden those of our enemies by his apologies and pandering to our enemies, and our own representatives in Congress ignore and impugn us when we dare stand up to demand they honor the oath they swore to protect and defend the Constitution of these United States.

The Campaign Against Blanche Lincoln is excited to welcome Arkansas patriot John Allison to our team. John is a school teacher in Vilonia and active in both the Arkansas tea party movement and the republican party. John has volunteered his already limited time to work with this campaign. Thank you, John!!!–The Campaign Against Blanche Lincoln

I have been deeply moved by the groundswell of grassroots activists who’ve stepped up and stepped out to stand against the Socialization of our economy and the enslavement of future generations by the “unprecedented” debt our non-representing representatives use to finance their failed and unworkable restructuring of our society.  Never before have I seen such an outpouring of pride and passion emanate from conservatives in our country.  I’m extremely thankful for the new friends and colleagues I’ve met through the rallies, meetings, and other events across the state of Arkansas.

I’ve joined so many conservative organizations and networks in the last year I can’t even keep track of them all.  But today I joined one more, and I would like to invite all my patriotic friends to join it as well.  The Campaign Against Blanche Lincoln is sponsored by the Western Representation Political Action Committee (WRPAC) and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.  WRPAC is also currently sponsoring campaigns against Harry Reid, Barbara Boxer, Barney Frank, Nancy Pelosi, Chris Dodd, and Kay Hagan.

WRPAC has set the following January goals for numbers of supporters of each of its campaigns;

The Campaign Against Harry Reid	12,000
The Campaign Against Nancy Pelosi	12,000
The Campaign Against Barney Frank	9,000
The Campaign Against Barbara Boxer	5,000
The Campaign Against Blance Lincoln	3,500
The Campaign Against Kay Hagan	3,500
The Campaign Against Chris Dodd	3,500

If you agree with us that it’s time for our representatives to truly represent us, if you agree it’s time to stop the reckless spending that will enslave our future generations, if you agree the federal government needs to balance a budget just like the rest of us do, and if you agree that it’s time for a responsible tax policy in America that encourages productivity, then please join our campaigns and help us reach our goals.

That was then, this is now

After Harry Reid and his 59 cronies in the US Senate voted on Christmas Eve to cut Medicare and tax health care benefits of the American middle class, President Obama proudly exclaimed the vote is moving us “toward the end of a nearly century-long struggle” and that the bill “includes the toughest measures ever taken to hold the insurance industry accountable.”

His remarks are hypocritical in light of what he said on the campaign trail.

But last year an Obama campaign ad blasted Senator John McCain (R-AZ) for proposing what the President is now praising in Reid’s health care bill. Yes, we have the proof because the President’s political hacks failed to seek out and destroy the evidence! The President’s campaign ad may not live long on YouTube if recent history is any guide. So view it while you can.

The first video is Obama’s original campaign ad that slams John McCain for proposing to pay for health care reform by taxing health care benefits and cutting Medicare–both of which are contained in Reid’s health care bill Obama seems so giddy about now. The video below is an edited version of the campaign ad that was adapted to target Reid’s bill.

Please rate the second video if you like it, because the liberals have already started giving it low marks.

Original Campaign Ad Slamming John McCain

Adapted Ad to Fit Reid’s Health Care Bill

Health Care Lies by Blanche Lincoln (D-AR)

For weeks, Senator Blanche Lincoln allowed Arkansas voters to believe she just might save them from the prospect of a government-run healthcare system. It turned out she had no intention of listening to the majority of Arkansans on this issue. Senator Lincoln chose to represent the Harry Reid/leftist zealot-wing of the Democrat Party, against the will of the majority of Arkansas voters.

Following her vote to support passage of the final version of Harry Reid’s 2,034 page bill, Senator Lincoln sent an “eNewsletter” to those who had previously contacted her about this issue. Following the Democrat game plan that’s been used throughout the debate on health care reform, Lincoln’s letter is filled with lies, omissions, and misrepresentations.

Senator Lincoln Lies About Her Priorities

Near the end of her newsletter, Lincoln claims “my first priority remains the people of Arkansas and not any political party or partisan organization, and I will not support legislation that does not serve the best interests of our great state.” In fact, her vote to support this legislation is a slap in the face to the 64% of Arkansans who oppose the bill.

It was obvious to anyone paying attention as far back as November that Arkansans were demanding she vote against this bill, and Lincoln would have to have been wearing blinders if she didn’t notice. Before she voted for cloture on the bill drafted by the Senate Finance Committee, Zogby released a poll showing the sitting Senator held a slight lead over her potential Republican challengers in next year’s election. When asked who they would vote for if Lincoln voted for the health care bill, the tide turned.

But when voters were asked how they would vote in a Lincoln-Baker race if Lincoln voted in favor of the healthcare legislation, the incumbent Democrat fell behind her possible GOP challenger 37-49.

It’s quite obvious Lincoln’s first priority wasn’t with the people of Arkansas when she voted for Reid’s government takeover of the US health care system.

Senator Lincoln Lies About Medicare Cuts

Lincoln’s newsletter also claims “I have worked hard in this bill to ensure seniors will not see a reduction in the Medicare coverage and benefits they have always relied upon.” But that’s not consistent with the near $500 billion in cuts to the program that even President Obama’s Department of Health and Human Services says is likely to cause fewer doctors to treat medicare patients.

Though she states “I believe in the promise our government made to working Americans – that if we work hard, Medicare will be there to help us in our golden years,” she voted for Reid’s bill that will, according to Senator Tom Coburn (a medical doctor from Oklahoma), deny treatment for ailing seniors!

For instance, the Reid bill (in sections 3403 and 2021) explicitly empowers Medicare to deny treatment based on cost. An Independent Medicare Advisory Board created by the bill—composed of permanent, unelected and, therefore, unaccountable members—will greatly expand the rationing practices that already occur in the program.

Evidently Lincoln believes in empty government promises to Arkansas’ seniors!

Senator Lincoln Lies About Transparency

Lincoln also boasts in her newsletter, “Throughout this process, I have pushed to ensure the Senate is conducting this debate in a public and transparent manner.” But her definition of transparent may not be as clear as one would expect.

Though she did set up a health care resources page on her website, Lincoln didn’t quite fulfill her promise to post ALL relevant information on the page in a timely manner.

In fact, Lincoln was a participant in closed-door meetings that forged the final version of Reid’s bill. The text of that “compromise” apparently wasn’t considered a “health care resource” because it wasn’t posted on her site for all to see. Even though Harry Reid sent the text to the Congressional Budget Office two weeks before the first vote on the bill, Lincoln agreed to keep it hidden from her constituents in Arkansas!

“[T]he real action on the bill is taking place not on the Senate floor, but in [Majority Leader Harry] Reid’s office, just steps away. That’s where he’s struggling to bring together the liberal and moderate wings of his caucus, in an effort to get the 60 votes he needs to thwart the united GOP front that will otherwise prevent the bill from winning final approval. On Sunday, Obama will address a closed meeting of Senate Democrats, presumably for a pep talk, and also to give them more guidance on just what he wants from a final health bill”

Apparently the Senator grew tired composing her newsletter, because she lumped several blatant lies all in one sentence when she said, “I support the revised Senate health care plan because it will curb rising health care costs over the long term, expand access to quality, affordable, health insurance plans to more than 400,000 uninsured Arkansans, and reduce the federal deficit by $132 billion in the next 10 years-all without a new government plan that places taxpayers at risk.”

Senator Lincoln Lies About Bill’s Impact on Deficit

First, the $132 billion deficit reduction is a flat-out lie that was exposed the day before Lincoln voted for passage of the Senate bill. Democrats, including our less-than-transparent Senator Lincoln utilized accounting methods that would have been the envy of Bernie Madoff and Enron to come up with their fictitious figure.

Harry Reid had to shift more than $200 billion in costs to a separate “doctor fix” bill to arrive at his contrived figures. Taking that into account instantly puts the net cost of the bill in the red, but there’s even more trickery up the sleeves of Blanche Lincoln and Harry Reid. The day before the final vote, the CBO released a statement showing the devious Democrats were inappropriately double counting $300 billion to arrive at their claimed deficit reduction.

It won’t be any surprise this CBO report didn’t make the Senator’s health care resources page either.

Assuming Lincoln, Reid and the rest of their Democrat colleagues didn’t take any as yet undiscovered lessons from Madoff and Enron, we’re looking at a $370 billion increase in the deficit over the next 10 years. Hardly the deficit neutral bill promised by Lincoln and the other dishonest Democrats.

Senator Lincoln Lies About Bill’s Impact on Health Care Costs

According to the Obama Department of Health and Human Services’ own Office of the Actuary (OACT), Reid’s bill will increase national health expenditures over the next 10 years. The OACT reports that we can expect health care costs through 2019 will be $234 billion more than they will if Congress doesn’t pass this bill. OACT states that, if this bill passes, $20.90 of every $100 will be spent on health care in 2019. If Congress does nothing, Americans are expected to $20.80 of every $100 for health care in that year.

Contrary to Lincoln’s claim, health care costs will increase under the bill she voted for last week.

Senator Lincoln Lies About Government Plan

Actually Senator Lincoln claimed this bill doesn’t have a “a new government plan that places taxpayers at risk.” What she actually means is this isn’t going to be a taxpayer funded government plan, but a plan that is owned by private industry and run by the government.

The bill calls for the government to dictate to private insurance companies what benefits they must include in their plan, who must be qualified to participate in their plan, and how much they can charge for their plan.

A government-run plan, but privately owned. How long does anyone expect that to last?

At least 64% of Arkansans don’t expect it to last, and more likely expect it to turn into a single-payer government system before all is said and done. Senator Lincoln doesn’t represent Arkansans, she represents big-government liberals seeking more control of our lives and freedoms.

Blanche Lincoln is perfectly willing to twist the facts and make back room deals behind closed doors to satisfy her wealthy out-of-state donors. With their money, Lincoln believes she can do the bidding of Harry Reid and Barack Obama then spend enough to make Arkansas voters believe her lies.

Bipartisan support to “Kill the Bill!”

Now that Howard Dean and the SEIU have joined with the conservative American majority in calling for Harry Reid’s health care bill to die a quick death, we can finally say bipartisanship has been achieved on the President’s number one domestic agenda.

Join with the bipartisan coalition of conservative activists, the SEIU, and ultra-liberal Howard Dean by calling your Senator and telling him/her to KILL THE BILL!

Why the rush on Obamacare?

As Democrats scramble to pass a health care “reform” bill before Christmas, Harry Reid’s 2,000+ page bill is undergoing changes on a daily basis. At least, that’s what we’re led to believe. We don’t really know what changes are being made because a handful of Democrat Senators are meeting behind closed doors to wheel and deal to make something, anything, happen that will get a bill passed before they adjourn.

What’s the rush?  Is the country so desperate for reform that a few weeks are too long to wait?  Does the bill so drastically change the system that lives will be saved before the ink from the President’s pen dries once the bill is signed into law?  Why is it imperative to pass the bill before the Congressional recess?

What’s the rush?

When the Senate leadership released their 2010 legislative calendar, it was clear they expected the health care bill to be passed before the upcoming recess.  To make that happen, rumor has it that Reid is threatening to call the Senate into work during Christmas week if it’s not passed.  But according to a US News & World Report article, a leadership aide was quoted saying the threat rings hollow.  But included in his answer was a more honest reason for the need to hurry and pass something.  “…if we get it done, and I think we’ll have to because we need to give Obama that victory, then this should hold, and next year, at least in terms of time in session, will be lighter, especially as we draw closer to the election,” the aide stated.

Not we need to get it done for the American people.  Not because it’s the right thing to do.  Not because it will never be passed if we don’t finish by Christmas.  None of these.  But because “we need to give Obama that victory.”

Getting it right be damned.  Let’s make sure we prop up our faltering, Socialist President!  To stroke Barack Hussein Obama’s ego is why it must be now!

Is the country so desperate for reform that a few weeks are too long to wait?

A November 29 Gallup poll reports a majority of Americans are satisfied with what they pay for health insurance.  These results fly in the face of Democrats like California Rep. Mike Thompson who’s “heard from countless folks in my district who can’t afford health care, or are struggling to come up with the money to pay their rising premiums.”

Countless?  Maybe Rep. Thompson ran out of fingers and toes, but I’d bet most of us who are products of the American public school system could manage to count them.  Or perhaps ACORN did his counting for him.  I’m sure they could open a linen closet and find an infinite number of left-wing, Socialist Obama supporters hiding inside.

But the reality is that mainstream America isn’t nearly so desperate for health care reform as are the power hungry President and his political party.  In another Gallup poll released last week, Americans said the economy and the Iraq war are more of a concern than health care reform.  But over and over again, Obama has made health care his top priority by setting unworkable deadlines that Congress failed to meet in August and November.  He’s given speech after speech in an exasperating effort to win public support, but to no avail.

In the latest Rasmussen poll, 56% of likely voters oppose Obama’s plan for the nation’s health care system and his approval ratings continue to plummet.  Yesterday, his overall approval rating fell to its lowest recorded level in his presidency.

All of this demonstrates Obama has declared a crisis where none exists in the minds of the American electorate.  So no, the country isn’t desperate for reform.

Does the bill so drastically change the system that lives will be saved before the ink from the President’s pen dries once the bill is signed into law?

Not really.  According to the White House’s own blog, ” The House bill implements the exchanges in 2013, while the Senate implements the exchanges in 2014.”  But the exchanges are an integral part of Obama’s plan to make health care affordable to all.  This means Americans won’t benefit from this legislation for at least 4 more years, but taxes to pay for the President’s government-run health care system will kick in long before that.

Since major subsidies and “consumer benefits” don’t kick in for years, it’s hard to convince anyone this bill will become an instant life-saver.  What’s obvious is the need Democrats feel to pass a massive tax hike for which the American taxpayer won’t realize any return for years to come.  It’s like a “layaway plan” for health care according to Senator Richard Burr (R-NC).  Pay now, get your coverage later.

So it isn’t even that this bill will instantly save the lives of the thousands (millions?) who are dying daily at the front doors of hospitals who won’t treat them because they have no insurance.  Wait just a sec.  Hospitals are treating those without coverage!

There’s really no emergency at all.  Except the one President Obama hopes to convince you of.  It’s an exercise in fear tactics extraordinaire from the Obama administration.

Plain and simple, without a doubt, the only reason for the mad rush to pass their so-called “reform” is because they know a majority of the American people don’t want it.

With the New Year the 2010 election campaigns will begin to pick up steam.  More Americans will begin paying more attention to what’s going on and bending the ear of their elected representatives.  So-called “conservative Democrats” will feel more pressure from their constituents and will grow less inclined to support a President whose poll numbers continue to drop like a duck that had a heart attack in midair.

If that happens, this President’s vision of “Hope & Change”won’t materialize.  His “Hope” to “Change” the system and seize more government control over citizens’ lives will be shattered.  His image tarnished.  His ego bruised.

Why the rush?

Because more Americans are awakening every day and realizing Barack Obama’s “Change” isn’t what they hoped for last year.

.

Spineless Dems to seat “tainted” Burris

#TCOT #diggcons

Following corrupt Illinois’ Democratic Governor Rod “The Senate Seat Salesman” Blagojevich’s appointment of Roland Burris to fill President-elect Obama’s vacated Senate seat, Democrats in the US Senate publicly took a principled stand, vowing not to seat Roland Burris.

From UPI, 1-4-09

“Blagojevich obviously is a corrupt individual. I think that’s pretty clear,” Reid said. “And the reason that he’s done what he’s done is to divert attention from the arrest that was just made of him and the indictment which will be coming in a few days, according to the U.S. attorney in Illinois. That’s why President-elect Obama agreed with us that Mr. Burris is tainted.”

From FoxNews:  Statement by Senate Democratic Leadership on Burris’ appointment 12-30-08

It is truly regrettable that despite requests from all 50 Democratic Senators and public officials throughout Illinois, Gov. Blagojevich would take the imprudent step of appointing someone to the United States Senate who would serve under a shadow and be plagued by questions of impropriety. We say this without prejudice toward Roland Burris’s ability, and we respect his years of public service. But this is not about Mr. Burris; it is about the integrity of a governor accused of attempting to sell this United States Senate seat. Under these circumstances, anyone appointed by Gov. Blagojevich cannot be an effective representative of the people of Illinois and, as we have said, will not be seated by the Democratic Caucus. Next week we will start one of the most important debates of the year — outlining an economic recovery plan to create jobs and invest in America. And in the coming weeks, we will be working to protect homeowners and consumers, make America more energy independent, strengthen our national security, and improve health care and educational opportunities. There is much work to do and a lot at stake. It is thus critical that Illinois and every other state have two seated Senators without delay. We again urge Gov. Blagojevich to not make this appointment. It is unfair to Mr. Burris, it is unfair to the people of Illinois and it will ultimately not stand. The governor must put the interests of the people of Illinois and all Americans first by stepping aside now and letting his successor appoint someone who we will seat.

President-elect Obama concurred with Senate Dems and reiterated his previous call for his old buddy, old pal, old friend Blagojevich to step aside and allow “a lawful and appropriate succession to take place.”

Apparently, its principles be damned for Democrats though–if there’s a chance it could mean losing a Senate seat to an untarnished Republican.

Obama vacillated, on January 7, stating he’d be willing to work with him if he was seated and pressured Reid to sweep the “tainted” (remember, that’s what Reid called him) appointee into his seat.  You see, with so much focus on Blago’s troubles, the idea of Obamatopia was quickly fading as the fingers of the scandal reached closer to the President-elect.

Reid, as does a cowardly dog, tucked his tail and scurried from his previous principled position.  Today, he announced that Senate Democrats will seat the “tainted” Burris, throwing principles to the wind and further undermining Democratic claims of honesty and transparency.

In the final analysis, it all boils down to Democrats’ unwillingness to stand on principle if it might mean losing a seat in their near filibuster proof majority.  Principle is valueless if it might cost them anything.

Sen. Reid (D-NV) blocks debate on pork-laden bill

#TCOT #diggcons

Press release from Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK)

Dr. Coburn Repeats Call for an Open and Transparent Debate on Controversial $10 Billion Omnibus Lands Bill Urges Senate Leaders to set a new tone, allow debate January 8, 2009 (WASHINGTON, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-OK) today urged Senate leaders to reconsider their decision to block debate and obstruct all amendments to a 1,300 page omnibus lands bill with 164 different provisions. The nonpartisan Congressional Research Service has called the package “controversial” because it has angered groups on the left and right with its wasteful earmarks, anti-environmental provisions and provisions that erect new barriers to domestic energy production. Dr. Coburn today filed 13 amendments to the package that target Republican and Democrat projects. Full background on the lands package is here. “I’m disappointed the Senate Majority Leader has refused to allow Senators the opportunity to improve, amend or eliminate any of the questionable provisions in his omnibus lands bill. When the American people asked Congress to set a new tone, I don’t believe refusing to listen to the concerns of others was what they had in mind. The American people expect us hold open, civil and thorough debates on costly legislation, not ram through 1,300 page bills when few are watching. Blocking debate undermines the public’s trust in Congress and suggests that Senators have something to hide. If Senators want to load this bill with earmarks and deepen our dependence on foreign oil, they should defend those provisions on the floor of the Senate, not hide behind procedural roadblocks,” Dr. Coburn said. “The American people have a right to know that this package would prioritize the funding of new and egregious pork projects like a road to nowhere in Alaska over critical maintenance of our national parks. The American people also have a right to know that this bill would erect new barriers to American sources of energy. One provision in this bill, which the Majority Leader won’t subject to amendment, would permanently ban access to an enormous natural gas field in Wyoming that would match the annual production of our two largest natural gas producing states, Alaska and Texas. Congress seems to have forgotten that just a few months ago the price of oil hit $148 a barrel and gas cost $4 per gallon. We are once again putting our short-term parochial interests ahead of the best long-term interests of the country,” Dr. Coburn said. “Finally, while some have complained that I have used every procedural tool to block this bill I would respectfully remind Senate leaders that many more tools remain available to me and any other Senator who wants to exercise his or her rights. Our founders gave each individual Senator extraordinary procedural powers in order to prevent the tyranny of the majority. My goal is to use the rules to encourage debate while, I believe, Senate leaders are using the rules to obstruct debate. Blocking amendments, and attempting to silence the voices of millions of Oklahomans and other Americans who oppose business as usual in the Senate, is not a sustainable governing strategy, particularly when the American people are demanding change,” Dr. Coburn said. Dr. Coburn submitted the following amendments to Senate leaders earlier this week in hopes of reaching an agreement that would allow the Senate to consider this legislation in a timely manner. Dr. Coburn is confident the average American would expect the United States Senate to at least debate the merit of these amendments, which highlight questionable provisions in the legislation. PRIORITIES • No funds may be spent on the new units to the National Park Service, new National Heritage Areas, studies, new Wild and Scenic designations, or new wilderness designations authorized by this Act until the Secretary of the Interior certifies that the maintenance backlog at the Statute of Liberty, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone National Park, Glacier National Park, Gettysburg, Antietam, USS Arizona Memorial, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, and the National Mall in Washington, DC have been resolved ENERGY INDEPENDENCE • Nullify all restrictions on energy exploration and production within the bill • Strike provision restricting access to a major natural gas reserve in Wyoming FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY • Strike $1 billion California water project to restore 500 salmon • Strike $3.5 million for the 450th Anniversary of St. Augustine, Florida • Strike $5 million for the National Tropical Botanical Gardens in Hawaii and Florida • Strike earmark allowing for the construction of a “road to nowhere” through a national wild life refuge in Alaska • Strike a provision that would allow a cave institute in New Mexico to receive unlimited federal funding EMINENT DOMAIN • Prohibit the use of eminent domain for any provision authorized in the bill TRANSPARENCY • Annual report detailing total size and cost of federal property • Disallow the National Landscape Conservation System authorization from taking effect until an investigation by the Inspector General of the Department of Interior has been completed demonstrating that there was no criminal wrongdoing by the Department (There are allegations that the employees of the National Landscape Conservation System illegally coordinated with advocacy groups to permanently authorize the office) INDIVDIUAL RIGHTS • Prohibits restrictions on hunting, fishing, and the possession or use of a weapon, trap, or net in new public lands created by this Act BORDER SECURITY • Ensures that nothing in the Act shall prevent or obstruct the planning, construction, operation, or maintenance of a border fence or immigration enforcement

Reid Ignores Economy in Favor of Pork

 


#TCOT #diggcons

Press Release from Senator Jim Demint (R-SC)

 

Reid Ignores Economy to Force Vote on Pork Laden Omnibus Lands Bill Democrat Majority Leader has allowed a vote on only 1 Republican amendment in last 6 months January 9, 2009 – Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Jim DeMint (R-South Carolina) made the following statement regarding Democrat Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-Nevada) decision to hold the first vote of the 111th Congress this Sunday on a massive omnibus lands bill that contains numerous wasteful earmarks: “This Sunday charade is proof that while President-Elect Obama talks about change and bipartisanship, the Senate Majority Leader is stuck in the partisan past. Instead of focusing on the economy, he has dusted off a pork laden lobbyist-giveaway bill from the previous Congress,” said Senator DeMint. “This bill is 1,294 pages of pork, land-grabs, and other special interest goodies. According to the Congressional Research Service, many provisions of this bill are quite controversial. Many others are just plain ridiculous, such as $3.5 million to help celebrate the 450th birthday of St. Augustine Florida — in 2015, $5 million for botanical gardens in Hawaii and Florida, a $14 million tropical research institute in Panama, and a $12 million orchid museum in Maryland. And according to Americans for Tax Reform, Reid’s omnibus would hurt American energy by ending exploration on lands that are estimated to provide 300 million barrels of proven oil and 8.8 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. “Senator Coburn reached out to the Majority Leader last week and asked whether he would be able to offer a limited number of reasonable amendments to the bill, as is his right as a senator. The Majority Leader’s response: Nothing. Not even one amendment to strike wasteful programs. “The Senate has only voted on one Republican amendment in the last six months, and it is clear that Senator Reid is returning to business as usual. “The Democrat Leader runs the Senate like a kindergarten. If we don’t follow his instructions, he keeps the whole class after school. “Tom Coburn has an election certificate from the people of Oklahoma, and he has the same right to the floor as the Majority Leader. He is a hero and he will have my full support every step of the way as he fights for the American taxpayer,” said Senator DeMint.