I wasn’t able to watch any of the debate yesterday on HR 3962, the House version of the health care reform bill. I was kind of busy. I did see the final result with it passing 220 to 215 in a late night session.
Why the rush? Perhaps because the longer debate went and the more people actually saw this bill the less likely it would be passed. Also you have to wonder how many of the members actually read the bill. What struck me afterwards is how absolutely giddy Speaker Nancy Pelosi was, as well as, the rest of the Democrats who voted in favor of this monstrosity. They stood up and applauded the very vote that will likely hang many of their members in 2010.
The ramrodded this through with only one Republican voting in favor of this bill so any attempts to paint this bill as “bipartisan” will be a bunch of bunk. The lone Republican was Congressman Joseph Cao (R-LA). At first I thought he needs to go, but after reading Lisa Graas’ post at Palin Twibe, and Quin Hillyer’s post over at American Spectator I realized that he was truly representing his district which was in favor of this bill. If everyone in Congress listened to those in their districts it likely would not have passed.
We can say at least 39 Democrats crossed party lines (for Iowans – Boswell, Loesbeck, and Braley all voted in favor) and we can truly say there was bipartisan opposition. We can also take some solace that the Stupak amendment was passed so abortion will not be funded by this bill. What remains to be seen is if that measure will make it through conferencing if the Senate passes their version of the bill.
This bill still will cost $1.2 Trillion dollars (at least). This bill includes rationing. It will increase the size of government exponentially. It will take control of 1/6 of our economy. It will be a disaster to our economy, small businesses, and our personal liberty. It will cover illegal aliens. It is a garbage bill, period. It needed to be killed in to start over. This bill does not address tort reform, and therefore can not reasonably be seen as addressing health care costs.
We can be encouraged that it won’t totally go into effect until 2013, so there is still time to have it repealed if it is passed. As Sarah Palin said last night at the end of her Facebook post:
But despite this late-night maneuvering, many of us were paying close attention tonight. We’ll keep paying close attention. We need to let our legislators in Washington know that they still represent us, and that the majority of Americans are not in favor of the “reform” they are pushing. After all, this is still a country “of the people, by the people, and for the people.” We will make our voices heard. It’s on to the Senate now. Our legislators can listen now, or they can hear us in 2010. It’s their choice.
Very true, we need to now turn our attention to our Senators and apply pressure and hope that they perhaps will listen to their constituents.
Update: Michelle Malkin has roll call links for the bill and the Stupak amendment. Also, the cost of this bill is now estimated to be $1,800,000,000,000.