“We are bound by an inescapable garment of mutuality: Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Letter from the Birmingham Jail, 1962
After the American colonists’ petition to King George III for political representation
in Parliament was rejected, Thomas Jefferson drafted a declaration of independence from England that will forever be celebrated for its proclamation that all men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, key among which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. For over two centuries this declaration has formed the bedrock of America’s consciousness. The Declaration is not merely an assertion of political independence, it is a testament to humanity’s divine inheritance: We are created beings, each of whom bears the likeness of our Maker. Our dignity as human beings cannot be separated from this likeness; indeed, it is the very source of it. The truth of this testament has prevailed despite many shameful episodes in our nation’s history in which we allowed hatred, bigotry, fear, and ignorance to drown out the pricks of a guilty conscience. Sadly, it appears that American society has once again arrived at a moment in which we are daily finding new ways to deny the blessings and obligations of our divine inheritance. [snip]
... Representative Bart Stupak – one of 12 Democrats in the House that had pledged to vote against the health care bill unless major changes to the abortion provision language were made – is reporting that one of the reasons Democrats are pushing for federal funding of abortion is that they view it as a cost-cutting measure. More abortions result in fewer children, which translates into lower health care costs for all. (Ken Conner, The Economics of Abortion)
For now Bart Stupak is still a NO vote. While Nancy Pelosi appears to have the votes, not everyone agrees: "Wasserman/Hoyer: They Still Don't Have The Votes". Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Calif.) may be a problem for the Democrats -- seems she's no where to be found.
Obama At War With America? (Austin Hill)
If a frontal assault on the foundational principals and values of American life can qualify as being “at war” - then yes, Barack Obama is in combat with our country. [snip]
Thousands from across the nation gathered in Washington to protest the health care bill. The media picked up on a single incident of a racial slur shouted by one of the protesters, implying that this one incident represented the entire TEA party movement. NewsBusters reports:
The Politico, however, reported how others “admonished” the single shout from the bigoted hater with a lack of decorum, who could have even been a plant to embarrass the conservatives.
As Alcee Hastings says: ‘There are no rules…we make them up as we go along’! (video, hat tip David)
How much more rope must we allow them before they finally hang themselves and us along with them?
If there is to be a second revolution then let it begin here and now! Let the political bloodbath begin in November followed closely by more bloodletting in 2012. No one will be safe. Neither a “D” nor an “R” following a name will be sufficient protection from the people’s blade! There is no time like now to begin the winnowing process; and there is no better reason than to dismantle a government that can’t be trusted to keep its part of the bargain. (Joseph C. Phillips, The Blood Bath)
What happened to jobs and the economy (from The Daily Reckoning):
03/20/10 Stockholm, Sweden – Reuters reports today that January unemployment rates increased in 363 US metro areas… and nearly 200 of them had rates exceeding 10 percent.
The unemployment freight train has perhaps found the brakes, but it’s nowhere near coming to a stop.
CNBC "Mad Money" host Jim Cramer predicts that if this health care bill passes it will "topple the stock market".
Moody's and International Market Fund predict economic disaster:
First, it was Moody’s, warning the U.S. and other Western nations this past week about having their bond ratings lowered. Their language was harsh. “…require fiscal adjustments of a magnitude that, in some cases, will test social cohesion.” Wow! They have also issued a warning this week about a potential junk bond bubble. “An avalanche is brewing in 2012 and beyond if companies don’t get out in front of this.” By 2012, the U.S. government will need to borrow another $2 Trillion dollars AND refinance existing debt. Now, the International Monetary Fund is warning about national debts for America and most of the Western, industrialized nations, too. (Right Pundits)
Don't miss reading, from Ace of Spades, "Hey, House Members...How You Like Me Now? - An Open Letter to the House of Representatives from the United States Senate."
Common Cents has a roundup of healthcare bill articles.
For come variety guys, you can see a Sorta Blogless Sunday Pinup at Pirate's Cove, along with some interesting articles.
Doomsday voting should begin soon. Let's pray sanity prevails and they fail to pass this debacle.
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UPDATES:
STUPAK IS AS STUPAK DOES, Bob McCarty Writes
Reconciliation May Never Happen, From Stop the ACLU
It has a possibility of changing votes. Drudge has a link up but the site it links to was overloaded and crashed. I’ve scrounged up some tid-bits from FreeRepublic. So here you go. [snip]
From Marsha Blackburn (R. Tenn.)O.K. So, basically it is saying reconciliation can’t be considered under House rules and to do so is to violate those rules which would result in a point of order where it could possibly be completely killed. It is important because of certain posturing of vulnerable Democrats. They have stated their vote of yes is dependent on certain fixes in reconciliation. Without this assurance they could possible feel too insecure to vote yes. We only need about 2 or 3 people to change their votes to no. It isn’t the holy grail, but it is a glimmer of hope.
If it does pass, and you are wondering what the next step in the fight is…wonder no more. Its constitutionality will be challenged.
The final vote will come tonight, perhaps as late as 10:00 PM and could come down to one or two votes. I have already spoken in that debate as you can see here.
I will vote no tonight.
