A LOAD OF CRAP! by T. Edwin Perry
What do Nancy Pelosi and diapers have in common? They’re usually both full of crap! Usually, but not always. I can name one time that she has been truly honest, and I don’t think it was intentional.
On January 5, 2010, Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives, was challenged by Media Reporters regarding whether or not the “closed door” reconciliation of the House & Senate versions of the Healthcare Reform Bill would be televised. It was pointed out that, during his campaign, this was one of the promises made at least eight times by President Barack Obama. Her response: “There are a number of things he was for on the Campaign Trail.”
Now, if this tells us anything at all, it tells us that she has no interest in allowing the People of the United States observe the way that these bills are reconciled. She’s not interested in permitting the back room dealings to see the light of day. She’s not interested in the freedom of information that she and her colleagues demand in campaigns, but clearly wish to hide when doing “The People’s Business.” And is it really surprising?
Accusations, as well evidence from the House & Senate versions, outline special spending in these bills meant to Purchase the Votes necessary for their passage. Ben Nelson of Nebraska, for example: Medicaid gets paid for his state…FOREVER! Yep: There’s a bargain. It’s really great for those of us in Florida, Georgia…hell, HAWAII….to pay for Medicaid in Nebraska…FOREVER!!!!! And, how about Mary Landrieu of Louisiana? She was a cheap date: Just $100 Million for Louisiana. And accusations that Joe Lieberman of Connecticut’s vote was gained amid threats of removing his wife from the Board of the “Susan G. Koman for the Cure” Breast Cancer Awareness organization? I guess that’s what a Democrat-turned-Independent can expect for standing up for his state.
In the House, anyone who opposed the bill was insulted, berated and ignored. Representative Alan Grayson of Florida (oh, yeah, we’re so proud of THIS IDIOT!) presented what HE considered to be the Republican option for Health Care: “Die Quickly.” (Sure, that’s a productive argument.)
Secret meetings, closed door bargains, incomplete versions of the bills used for scoring by the Congressional Budget Office: is there really any question why so many people doubt the value of this legislation?
And, let’s not forget the reaction from Senators and Representatives during the summer and the “Town Hall Meetings” where our elected officials essentially told their own constituents that they didn’t CARE what The People had to say, because they were going to do what they wanted.
So, as they enter Reconciliation, we can expect more of the same. That’s what Nancy Pelosi REALLY said with her comment. She’s going to keep it hidden, and ignore The People.
So, maybe THIS TIME, she isn’t full of crap, but it all still smells the same to me.
Twitter: Lawwoman99
, on January 7th, 2010 at 9:20 am Lynn Brauer(Quote) Said:
I am a firm believer in open-door politics, unless it involves national security. Even in Florida, where nearly everything is available for public scrutiny, the legislature has made themselves exempt from the Government in the Sunshine law. I hope someday we will have ONE honest politician who will stand up to these schmuks (all of them) and anonymously tape these sessions and post them on the internet.
Great idea… except that would probably result in an Ethics investigation followed by them joining Linda Tripp selling Christmas ornaments… lol…
I’d love to see a law put in place that abolishes all back-room dealings… put it in the same bill that bans earmarks and imposes term limits…
Actually, in a way, there’s already something better….IN THE CONSTITUTION. Article 1, Section 6: “[The Senators and Representatives] shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.” Now, I realize that the meaning of this particular phrase is directed more at the other branches of government not being permitted to arrest individual representatives because they disagree with their arguments, but I believe that the same protection should also be considered to apply WITHIN the legislature to protect the members OF the legislature from themselves! Because the “debate” is not being held on the floor of the Congress, anything that is decided in a backroom or privately between members in collusion should be considered UNCONSTITUTIONAL! Why do you think Ben Nelson wouldn’t confirm the rumors regarding his coercion?
I’m not claiming to be Constitutional Scholar, but I am actually reading the thing. That seems to be more than I can say for the members of Congress these days.
Interesting… Not sure I entirely agree with what you’re saying, at least not in the way you’re saying it… But, I think you’re on a track that might get there… Since they’re not making these deals on the Floor, the argument could be made that this clause doesn’t protect them from arrest… and therefore, if an AG was actually interested in doing it (ha!), they could be arrested for this activity that would be considered bribery if you or I did it…
That said, the argument does presume that the people involved have a clue what the Constitution says, and it’s pretty easy to see that they either don’t have a clue, or simply don’t care…
Oh, I’m not claiming that the impact of this little musing would result in the complete and total dissolution of this CRAPTASTIC Legislation; however, I do think it lends itself to the argument in the spirit of “Original Intent.” After all, our Founders were obsessed with the idea of Government Coercion being a BAD THING. I can’t help but think that, in some ways, they were concerned about the impact of back-door dealings, not to mention any single party gaining Super Majority and forcing issues without recourse. If anything, I feel that this is just another piece of the overall puzzle.