This might be the problem.
It's no wonder...the Dems can't actually read the bill, or put it up online before voting on a bill. It's seems crazy...are we actually expecting Congress to work more than 2 1/2 days a week?
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
(Lack of) Transparency
In my last post, I was wondering if the Democrats would refuse to post a bill online before a vote. Now we know.
U.S. Senator Jim Bunning (R-KY) today issued the following statement after Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee rejected his Transparency Amendment to the "America’s Healthy Future Act of 2009."
Senator Bunning’s amendment would have required that the legislative language and a final and complete cost analysis by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) be made publicly available on the Finance Committee’s website for at least 72 hours before the Finance Committee could vote on final passage of the bill.
The Democrats on the Finance Committee refused to vote aye for this amendment, instead deciding to shoot it down, by a vote of 13-10. I guess the Democrats in Congress don’t want to live up to standard that President Obama set during his campaign.
How is that promise going, Mr. President?
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6TH, 2009 AT 3:39 PM
Update on Sunlight Before Signing
“Since a few questions have come in, we want to update you on the President's campaign commitment to introducing more sunlight into the lawmaking process by posting non-emergency legislation online for five days before signing it. This policy will be implemented in full soon; currently we are working through implementation procedures and some initial issues with the congressional calendar.
The President remains committed to bringing more transparency to government, and in this spirit the White House will continue to publish legislation expected to come to his desk online for public comment as it moves through Congress.”
Well, it's been exactly 8 months. Apparently, this particular promise isn't terribly important, especially when the President and his party are trying to get an unpopular "public option" bill through Congress. Hopefully, the President will whip his party into shape so that the American people can get the transparency that they deserve.
As for right now, it looks as though the Democrats are just going to ram this bill through Congress as fast as they can…a bill that less than 30% of Americans support. Great leadership.
U.S. Senator Jim Bunning (R-KY) today issued the following statement after Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee rejected his Transparency Amendment to the "America’s Healthy Future Act of 2009."
Senator Bunning’s amendment would have required that the legislative language and a final and complete cost analysis by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) be made publicly available on the Finance Committee’s website for at least 72 hours before the Finance Committee could vote on final passage of the bill.
The Democrats on the Finance Committee refused to vote aye for this amendment, instead deciding to shoot it down, by a vote of 13-10. I guess the Democrats in Congress don’t want to live up to standard that President Obama set during his campaign.
How is that promise going, Mr. President?
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6TH, 2009 AT 3:39 PM
Update on Sunlight Before Signing
“Since a few questions have come in, we want to update you on the President's campaign commitment to introducing more sunlight into the lawmaking process by posting non-emergency legislation online for five days before signing it. This policy will be implemented in full soon; currently we are working through implementation procedures and some initial issues with the congressional calendar.
The President remains committed to bringing more transparency to government, and in this spirit the White House will continue to publish legislation expected to come to his desk online for public comment as it moves through Congress.”
Well, it's been exactly 8 months. Apparently, this particular promise isn't terribly important, especially when the President and his party are trying to get an unpopular "public option" bill through Congress. Hopefully, the President will whip his party into shape so that the American people can get the transparency that they deserve.
As for right now, it looks as though the Democrats are just going to ram this bill through Congress as fast as they can…a bill that less than 30% of Americans support. Great leadership.
Monday, October 05, 2009
Comfort, in case you're worried
Senator Tom Carper (Democrat-DE) has some words of reassurance for you. Actually, what he tells this reporter might enhance your concern, rather than assuage it.
From an interview with CNS. Feel free to watch the 4 minute video, if you choose to follow the link.
Here's the bottom line.
If you, a citizen, are concerned that:
- Members of Congress aren't actually reading legislation that impacts 1/6 of the largest economy this planet has ever seen
- The Legislative language might be very confusing, and intentionally difficult for a court or the American people to understand
- The Democrats might sneak in language to a piece of legislation that the American people don't want
...then you should be. Disaster is slowly developing in the halls of Congress. Why can't people understand that this is not normal behavior for a group of people who are supposed to be advancing solutions? What's their next great idea? Secret health care bills that Americans won't be able to view online before an actual vote?
From an interview with CNS. Feel free to watch the 4 minute video, if you choose to follow the link.
Here's the bottom line.
If you, a citizen, are concerned that:
- Members of Congress aren't actually reading legislation that impacts 1/6 of the largest economy this planet has ever seen
- The Legislative language might be very confusing, and intentionally difficult for a court or the American people to understand
- The Democrats might sneak in language to a piece of legislation that the American people don't want
...then you should be. Disaster is slowly developing in the halls of Congress. Why can't people understand that this is not normal behavior for a group of people who are supposed to be advancing solutions? What's their next great idea? Secret health care bills that Americans won't be able to view online before an actual vote?
Sunday, October 04, 2009
The Only Poll That Really Matters
and no one is even talking about it!
Polling companies, including the Rasmussen poll below, have been focusing on the following question.
Would you favor or oppose the creation of a government-sponsored non-profit health insurance option that people could choose instead of a private health insurance plan?
* Favor 46%
* Oppose 37%
While this appears to be a fair question, seemingly innocuous, it is a flawed question, because it deprives those polled of the reality of the situation.
The CORRECT polling question is below. Fortunately, Rasmussen has been kind enough to ask this question.
Suppose that the creation of a government-sponsored non-profit health insurance option encouraged companies to drop private health insurance coverage for their workers. Workers would then be covered by the government option. Would you favor or oppose the creation of a government-sponsored non-profit health insurance option if it encouraged companies to drop private health insurance coverage for their workers?
* Favor 29%
* Oppose 58%
From the Rasmussen article
"The second question asked about the creation of a public option if it encouraged companies to drop private health insurance coverage for their workers. Given that possibility, support for the public option falls to 29%, and opposition rises to 58%.
Even if it encourages employers to drop private health insurance for their workers, 51% of Democrats still support the public option. Eighty-two percent (82%) of Republicans and 61% of voters not affiliated with either party are opposed.
The president has said that no one would be forced to change their insurance coverage if his plan is implemented. However, many analysts have concluded that some employers would drop their private health insurance coverage if the plan is passed, forcing millions of workers to change their coverage."
As I discussed in an earlier post, the public option plan has only one goal. Getting rid of private insurance altogether to replace it with a single-payer system. Don't lie, President Obama. Don't lie, Democrats. We know it's what you actually want. You are tip-toeing around the issue because you don't want us Americans to know what you're REALLY doing.
How do I know that Americans don't want what you want? Let me recopy from above!
Suppose that the creation of a government-sponsored non-profit health insurance option encouraged companies to drop private health insurance coverage for their workers. Workers would then be covered by the government option. Would you favor or oppose the creation of a government-sponsored non-profit health insurance option if it encouraged companies to drop private health insurance coverage for their workers?
* Favor 29%
* Oppose 58%
29%. If you've ever thought that the Democrats are being driven to left by the most radical in their party, look no further. Here's your evidence. The Democrats are being driven to the left by 20-something percent of the American people.
Polling companies, including the Rasmussen poll below, have been focusing on the following question.
Would you favor or oppose the creation of a government-sponsored non-profit health insurance option that people could choose instead of a private health insurance plan?
* Favor 46%
* Oppose 37%
While this appears to be a fair question, seemingly innocuous, it is a flawed question, because it deprives those polled of the reality of the situation.
The CORRECT polling question is below. Fortunately, Rasmussen has been kind enough to ask this question.
Suppose that the creation of a government-sponsored non-profit health insurance option encouraged companies to drop private health insurance coverage for their workers. Workers would then be covered by the government option. Would you favor or oppose the creation of a government-sponsored non-profit health insurance option if it encouraged companies to drop private health insurance coverage for their workers?
* Favor 29%
* Oppose 58%
From the Rasmussen article
"The second question asked about the creation of a public option if it encouraged companies to drop private health insurance coverage for their workers. Given that possibility, support for the public option falls to 29%, and opposition rises to 58%.
Even if it encourages employers to drop private health insurance for their workers, 51% of Democrats still support the public option. Eighty-two percent (82%) of Republicans and 61% of voters not affiliated with either party are opposed.
The president has said that no one would be forced to change their insurance coverage if his plan is implemented. However, many analysts have concluded that some employers would drop their private health insurance coverage if the plan is passed, forcing millions of workers to change their coverage."
As I discussed in an earlier post, the public option plan has only one goal. Getting rid of private insurance altogether to replace it with a single-payer system. Don't lie, President Obama. Don't lie, Democrats. We know it's what you actually want. You are tip-toeing around the issue because you don't want us Americans to know what you're REALLY doing.
How do I know that Americans don't want what you want? Let me recopy from above!
Suppose that the creation of a government-sponsored non-profit health insurance option encouraged companies to drop private health insurance coverage for their workers. Workers would then be covered by the government option. Would you favor or oppose the creation of a government-sponsored non-profit health insurance option if it encouraged companies to drop private health insurance coverage for their workers?
* Favor 29%
* Oppose 58%
29%. If you've ever thought that the Democrats are being driven to left by the most radical in their party, look no further. Here's your evidence. The Democrats are being driven to the left by 20-something percent of the American people.
Thursday, October 01, 2009
This is just stupid
Dumb
The Empire State Building is going to light itself up, celebrating the communist takeover of China.
What exactly are we celebrating? Are we celebrating the lack of freedom in China? Perhaps the mandatory lifetime, government-sponsored room and board for political dissidents? What about Mao's apathetic attitude (best case scenario) towards the death of more than ten million of Chinese peasants in the 1950s and 60s? Shall we celebrate these ideas too?
This is stupid. However, I guess we don't have a choice, since China now owns a good portion of the United States. Darn.
The Empire State Building is going to light itself up, celebrating the communist takeover of China.
What exactly are we celebrating? Are we celebrating the lack of freedom in China? Perhaps the mandatory lifetime, government-sponsored room and board for political dissidents? What about Mao's apathetic attitude (best case scenario) towards the death of more than ten million of Chinese peasants in the 1950s and 60s? Shall we celebrate these ideas too?
This is stupid. However, I guess we don't have a choice, since China now owns a good portion of the United States. Darn.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
