Healthcare reform debate matures tea party movement
By Stella Lohmann

November 7, 2009—Washington, D.C.

At 11:07 PM EST Saturday night, the highly debated and emotionally charged HR 3962 Omnibus Health Care Reform Act passed the House along party lines 220 to 215. Republican Party Chairman, Michael Steele, told Geraldo Rivera of Fox News, “Listen to those Democrats applauding their way right out of office next year.”

The late night vote follows days of protests outside the nation’s Capital by protestors of the estimated 1.2 trillion dollar health care reform bill and a slew of rallies, town hall meetings, and bus rides by Americans fearing that the Omnibus bill is actually a move toward socialism and loss of freedom overall. A call by Representative Michele Bachmann (R-MN) on Sean Hannity’s television show drew tens of thousands to Washington and to the steps of the Capital within six days.

Amazingly, many of the reported 1.5 million who had travelled from across the country to the 9/12 Protest March less than two months earlier were back ready to make a ‘house call’ on Congress members before they voted on a two thousand page health care reform bill this weekend. Georgians mobilized through word of mouth, Facebook, and the One Year to Judgment Day Atlanta Tea Party announcing details of buses being filled and possible opportunities of car pooling. Congressman Phil Gingrey offered to pay the way for Brian Donnegan, founder of Can Do Conservatives of America after meeting him at the Monday night event at the state capitol.

Donnegan is legally blind and wanted to join those departing for the Capital to rally behind Bachmann’s call to protest the bill:

“I sat on the right ledge of the Capital behind the press corps. I did not have a sign with me but I held my cane up as if it were a sign many times. I am glad to have been there to be a voice for the disabled because we almost didn’t have one on the stage on Thursday. Thanks to Chris Smith, who was the only speaker to mention the disabled and that will we be adversely affected by Pelosi’s bill. I’ve come a long way in my fight but I still have a long way to go.”

Dozens of Congress members joined their colleague from Wisconsin on the platform while key note speakers energized an already emotionally charged crowd. Academy award winning actor, John Voight, and bestselling author and talk radio host, Mark Levin challenged Americans to choose between tyranny or liberty much like coaches inspiring a football team before an anticipated rivalry. “See that building right there. You own that building!” (pointing to the Capital building in the background). Not surprising that enthusiasm translated to the mass visitations inside and outside of the Capital.

A 78 year old priest was carried from the doorway of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s office days ago in protest of believed provisions concerning abortion. Father Norman Weslin and 11 other pro-lifers were arrested at Nancy Pelosi’s office at #235 Cannon office building. The YouTube video was posted by pro life activist Randall Terry who is no stranger to civil protest and disobedience leading to arrests. However, today the majority of those lining the Canon building hallway were making a House call on the Speaker and other members of Congress to protest a perceived overhaul of the nation’s health care system.

To complicate matters, supporters of the health care reform bill, some dressed in medical garb, chanted “Health care for all!” to which opponents countered, “Kill the Bill!”
The back and forth chanting continued sporadically while most stood quietly in lines to the doorway–others wandered in and out of Pelosi’s office ripping strips of papers from a copy of the healthcare bill—the idea suggested at the rally. Capital Police scurried back and forth talking to one another trying to calm the growing chants as well as they monitored activities. Several were escorted away by Capital Police while others stood along the walls waiting to enter Pelosi’s office, cameras in hand while media rolling tape.
Soon the hallway was cleared.

Outside other protesters waited for Congress members leaving the Capital building in route to their offices across the street. Texas Representative, Ron Paul said, “This is great!” as he engaged with handshakes and picture taking opportunities by those congregated. When (D-CA) Maxine Waters exited the Capital the reception was far less friendly. One woman lunged at her screaming her disgust with the legislation and shouting questions about her support of the bill. Her physical behavior toward the Congresswoman drew the attention of Capital Police.

That’s when another said, “Leave her alone” in an attempt to ward off a possible arrest and subsequent headline in the news labeling all the activists as angry, militant right wingers. Another lady misinterpreted the intervention and began taping what was said. She said later she thought the person worked for Waters and apologized for being confrontational.

Outside the Cannon building, (D-NY) Scott Murphy ventured into the crowd for more than an hour listening to others scream, talk, and watch him move through the crowd. Again, a handful of protesters shook fingers toward him, yelled and interrupted his comments. In reality Murphy’s smirks didn’t help to quiet their emotions or concerns about his expected yes vote on the healthcare bill.

Just before midnight Murphy voted along party lines adding his vote to the slim margin of passage in favor of HR 3962 bill. For the Democrats and President Barack Obama its passage is a victory. For those who sacrificed to actively voice their opposition it is also a victory–Americans are speaking out holding elected officials accountable in a big way. The passage of HR3962 by the House does not end the continuing saga of controlling costs and providing healthcare for Americans. The Senate still has to give its approval. So Tea Party activists will have plenty more opportunities to visit the Capital as Congress continues to confront other polarizing issues such as energy, immigration, and the failing economy riddled by devastating job losses.

Good for Tom Coburn, but this should go for ANY bill, no matter what size. These monster bills that nobody reads in their entirety have to go.

Cross-posted at RudyCarrera.com.

Ross Douthat notes the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, that hideous Berliner Mauer that any sane person of East German parentage loathes with every fiber of his being. The same one that, today, a celebration is taking place, where an East German woman who now serves as Chancellor of Germany, something unthinkable twenty years ago. A celebration also honoring the brave German souls who fought against the tyranny that was Communism. It is, unfortunately, the same place where Mikhail Gorbachev, who did play a role in reforming the Soviet Union into oblivion, is now fêted as a hero, where no mention (yet) has been made of the real contributions of Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher, Pope John Paul II, or other world leaders who deserve more credit than modern Germans are giving them. Perhaps more speeches will be made today, but on first glimpse, I cannot help but be disappointed.

Cross-posted at RudyCarrera.com.

Before I really get rolling, I want to take a minute and talk about the horrific events at Ft. Hood that took place yesterday.

I’ve always been a staunch supporter of the United States Military, and its personnel. I was coming home from work and saw it on the news when I walked in the house. It was one of the most disgusting displays of humanity that I had seen since September 11^th. This man, Maj. Nidal Malik Hassan, did something deplorable. He was known to be politically against the war, and had spoken about how Muslims should not be made to fight other Muslims. He had had a recent past of poor performance reviews, and decided to take the coward’s way out.

Chanting “Allahu Akbar” (god is great) he turned his guns on his fellow soldiers. He killed 13 and wounded over thirty others. This country and its military gave him a chance, a life, and an education. Nearly half a million dollars I hear in that education, too. It’s disgusting that this is how he chose to show himself. He ended up being a terrorist, a scumbag, and a disgrace to the uniform.

I want to say that my thoughts and prayers are with the men and women of Ft. Hood. I also want to say that I only wish that they had killed him when he was taken down.

Okay, now onto what I was originally had written, which deals with the election victories for the GOP this week.

I’ll admit I did a little bit of partying on behalf of the GOP victories.   After losing two straight elections, it was a pleasant surprise to see some life breathed back into the Republican brand. These were not RINOs taking home the gold, either. These people were running as tax-cutting, small-government, traditional-valued conservatives.

The State of Virginia was painted red across the board, as Republican Bob McDonnell beat out Democrat Creigh Deeds, 58% to 41%. To have a Republican win with a 17-point margin of victory in a state Obama won soundly last year is fantastic for the GOP brand. McDonnell is not the only one celebrating in Virginia today.   The Republican candidates for Lt. Governor and state Attorney General also won decisive victories. Three-for-three in ‘The Old Dominion State.’

Virginia showed quite a turnaround in exit polling from last year’s results. In polls conducted by Edison Research, we saw a dramatic change from last year. In 2008 the number of people who identified themselves as members of the GOP leveled off at about 33%. This year it topped 37%. During last year’s election, the number of self-described Democrats was at 39%. This year it is down to 33%.

Creigh Deeds spent a decent amount of time trying to show that McDonnell’s conservative cred meant that he was oppressive towards women, but according to those polled, McDonnell took the women’s vote 54% to 46%, and ‘working’ women even preferred him over Deeds 51% to 48%.

The top issues in Virginia were the economy by 47%, health care by 24% and taxes by 15%. Conservatives and Republicans both showed up in greater numbers than in 2008, and it paid off.

In New Jersey, it was nothing short of divine intervention. This is the bluest of blue states, and an incumbent Democrat governor should have sailed right through to victory. Christie in fact led the race for most of the past few months. Even with Obama coming multiple times to campaign for him, Corzine still lost, 48% to 44%. (Independent candidate Jim Daggett took the remainder of the vote.)

Independents made up 25% of the vote, and they favored Christie over Corzine, 60% to 30%. Members of the GOP voted solidly for Christie, 91% and 6% for Corzine. Registered Democrats were less loyal, going 88% for Corzine and 8% for Christie. Moderates for the most part were split, but still favored Christie, 48% to 45%. Conservatives, who were out in huge numbers in New Jersey, favored Christie by 88%.

The most important issues in New Jersey were the economy with 32%, property taxes (highest in the nation) with 26%, corruption with 20% and health care, 17%.

In a brief note about the special election of New York’s 23^rd district, all conservatives and Republicans can learn an important message here:

1) 1) Pick conservative candidates, and not traitorous RINOs who will either NOT champion liberal causes’ or betray their party by endorsing the Democratic candidate.

2) 2) Learn whom in the party to trust more. Sorry Newt, but Palin’s endorsement won that round. Not only did her endorsement put Hoffman in the lead for a while, she proved to be a true force to be reckoned with. Hoffman nearly won as a third party conservative candidate in a blue state. People do like Sarah, and her endorsements.

The elections also brought other surprises. The state of Maine became the 31^stin a row to vote down Gay Marriage. Maine is no red state, and I was sure this was going to pass with popular vote. Barack Obama may have won in what was called an electoral landslide, but he did not win in an ideological one. Many people voted on their anger towards President Bush, which is just moronic. Ya know, because he wasn’t on the ticket!

The United States is still a center-right nation. People may have voted in change last year, but it wasn’t what they thought it was going to be. This is only the beginning. They woke up the sleeping giant, and the conservatives are being led to the polls once again.

For those of you who read this blog and think it’s okay to go after every Muslim who serves in the Armed Forces, read this article first before you draw conclusions. I suggest this having three friends who are Muslims who have been devoted to America, served in the Marine Corps, and are about as Republican in their thinking as Wally George (a joke, but a measure of the length of their love of the country).

Cross-posted at RudyCarrera.com.