Democrats and the death of deliberative democracy

By Michelle Malkin  •  November 6, 2009 05:56 AM

Update: Liveblogging of today’s House debate is here.

The House vote on Speaker Pelosi’s government health care bill is set for Saturday morning. She is scrambling to buy off recalcitrant Democrats on two of very issues that Rep. Joe Wilson and other House Republicans called out the White House for: abortion and illegal immigrant coverage. The wheeling and dealing is taking place behind closed doors. Once again, the Democrats who promised transparency are breaking their own promise to publish the final bill publicly 72 hours before the vote.

Which dovetails perfectly with my column today on Democrats and the death of deliberative democracy. I’ve uploaded the entire 2006 report I referenced in the piece right here (PDF) for your reading amusement. Just callin’ em out.

FYI: Here’s a side-by-side comparing GOP plan to Pelosicare.

***

The death of deliberative democracy
by Michelle Malkin
Creators Syndicate
Copyright 2009

In 2006, the minority party in Congress issued a dire report on the “unprecedented erosion of the Democratic process.” Democrat Rep. Louise Slaughter, then the ranking member of the House Rules Committee, authored the scathing document. She blasted the majority Republicans’ violations of “procedural fairness,” short-circuiting of debate, and late-night meetings “to discourage Members and the press from participating” in legislative deliberations. My, how history repeats itself.

Fast-forward to 2009. The Imperial Congress has returned. The oppressed have become the oppressors. Democrats have met the enemies of deliberative democracy and it is them.

Three years ago, the Democrats complained of House Republicans rushing through conference reports “before Members could read them.” Sound vaguely familiar? They urged their colleagues in power to “spend more time on major, substantive legislation” instead of ramming things through. Déjà vu, anyone? The Slaughter report pleaded for more transparency and public access: “Regular order should be the rule, not the exception.” Instead of meeting late at night or early in the morning, the Dems called on the majority to operate “during regular ‘business’ hours so that Members and the press can attend and participate.”

Three years later, Democrat House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is jamming a 1,900-page health care takeover bill through Congress for a hasty Saturday vote while members of her own party revolt against strong-arm tactics. Upwards of 40 pro-life Democrats have objected to the plan’s government abortion subsidies. Majority leaders evaded sunlight by keeping a compromise amendment on the matter out of the version of the bill made available to the public. As of Thursday afternoon (less than two days before the scheduled vote), Pelosi had yet to decide whether to permit an abortion ban amendment to her health care bill.

Pelosi’s “most ethical,” open, and transparent House ever ordered Capitol police to block a GOP staffer from attending the public unveiling of the health care reform plan last week. A week before that, Democrat Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-N.Y.) locked Republicans out of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee room to prevent them from meeting when Democrats weren’t present.

In June, Pelosi’s Imperial Congress severely curtailed debate on the House cap-and-tax bill and rammed a 309-page manager’s amendment through the legislative grinder at 3 a.m., which no one read before the vote just hours later. As GOP Rep. Mike Pence pointed out on the House floor, the “debate” was a “travesty.” So much for procedural fairness: 224 GOP amendments were denied by the majority.

In April, the House passed a $3.6 trillion federal budget in the middle of the night with phony fiscal restraint amendments that leaders all admitted would be thrown out during conference behind closed doors.

In February, House and Senate conferees larded up the stimulus bill with pork galore behind closed doors while President Obama denied the existence of earmarks with a straight face. South Carolina Rep. and House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn snuck in a provision intended to punish governors who chose to turn down federal stimulus funds. The Democrats broke their high-minded pledge to give Americans 48 hours to read the bill before passage. “Urgency” demanded it.

On the Senate side, Majority Leader Harry Reid is playing Harry Houdini with his health care package. After announcing a deal last week and telling the public that he was sending his proposal to the Congressional Budget Office for scoring, there is still no actual bill to review. When 40 Republican senators demanded to see the bill, he played “you show me yours” and then admitted that, indeed, “there is no bill to release publicly – it does not exist.”

Emitting more vapor than an industrial humidifier, Reid still holds out the possibility of abusing the budget reconciliation process to force the government health care takeover through with a simple majority and limited debate.

Meanwhile, Sen. Barbara Boxer performed an end-run around debate over her massive global warming bill on Thursday by using a “nuclear option” maneuver on the Senate Environment and Public Works. She and 10 Democrats rammed through the legislation without considering amendments and in defiance of GOP protests.

The 2006 minority Democrats’ report on the death of deliberative democracy condemned the then-GOP leadership for becoming “the arrogant and corrupt majority they despised and condemned in their minority days.” And now? Et tu, majority Democrats? Same as it ever was.

Posted in: Health care

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Comments


  1. #837357
    On November 6th, 2009 at 6:08 am, SixDegrees said:

    Yeah. Because refusing to even show up for debate on bills is, like, totally participatory.

    Oh, wait – that’s what the GOP did, isn’t it?

  2. #837360
    On November 6th, 2009 at 6:27 am, Michelle Malkin said:

    Don’t be stupid.

    NYT:

    Senator Barbara Boxer, Democrat of California, the committee’s chairwoman and co-sponsor of the bill, employed a rarely used exception to customary committee rules to muscle the 959-page measure through her panel. She conducted three days of hearings last week on the bill, known as S. 1733, but there was no debate on the complex measure, nor any chance for panel members to offer amendments.

    Mrs. Boxer said that the E.P.A. had already conducted a preliminary analysis of the bill and that further study would be costly and duplicative. She said it was necessary to bypass the committee’s rule that required Republican participation because of Republican intransigence and the urgency of the issue.

  3. #837366
    On November 6th, 2009 at 6:51 am, NJRepublican said:

    And that’s why we need to throw the whole lot of them out. Get people in there that don’t know all the dirty games.

  4. #837369
    On November 6th, 2009 at 7:02 am, zorro said:

    The Imperial Congress has returned. The oppressed have become the oppressors. Democrats have met the enemies of deliberative democracy and it is them.

    And their intent is to steal our Liberties.

  5. #837375
    On November 6th, 2009 at 7:18 am, Ron said:

    Do Representatives and Senators take an oath to defend the Constitution? If they violate that oath, are they guilty of treason? I think the Democrats are literally tearing this country apart by forcing their minority political philosophy on the majority, which time and time again in polls shows opposition to cap and trade, government-run health care and the rest of the socialist agenda being pushed by Pelosi, Reid and Obama. Probably no more than a third of the country is willing to sign off on these collectivist policies, yet, because they “won the election,” they’re ramming it all through. Our only hope is for some patriotic Democrats to stop here — I hope there are enough left. I’m seriously worried about the effect of this agenda. People aren’t going to take this forever, and their response may not be peaceful. I’m just sayin’…

  6. #837379
    On November 6th, 2009 at 7:26 am, ArizonaNeanderthal said:

    All power to the soviet. The Party knows what the people need, the Party will provide. All power to the soviet.

    While I have no great hope there will be a fair election in 2010 I am supporting Chuck DeVore to oppose Barbara “My Husband Paid Big Bucks for My Senate Seat so Don’t Call Me Mame” Boxer.

    And Don’t be stupid ;) no Committee Chair will allow the “costly and duplicative”-heavens no.

  7. #837393
    On November 6th, 2009 at 8:14 am, happyscrapper said:

    The turnout yesterday on the Capital steps was enormous. Tens of thousands of ordinary citizens dropped what they were doing with only a week’s notice and spent their precious time and money to go to DC and make their voices heard. And what did they get?? Very little media coverage, and snarky put-downs. This a.m. on Fox&Friends, a liberal jerk referred to Michele Bachmann as “She makes Sarah Palin look like a Mensa member.” Apparently, all it takes for a snarky, slanderous, completely unfounded comment like that is to be a beautiful, conservative woman. These kinds of comments MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO GO UNANSWERED!! Brian Kilmead made an attempt to defend Michele Bachmann, but it fell flat. These jerk need to be jumped on and called on their stupidity. I was so angry, I wanted to reach in to the TV and throttle that guy!! He also said that the media covered the rally very well. When questioned about that, he qualified his statement with, “I didn’t say the coverage was necessarily positive, but you didn’t ask that, did you?”

    The only way to stop this take-over of our country is to use their tactics against them. Conservatives are not used to fighting dirty. But that is what we must do!

  8. #837396
    On November 6th, 2009 at 8:17 am, happyscrapper said:

    On November 6th, 2009 at 7:18 am, Ron said:
    Do Representatives and Senators take an oath to defend the Constitution? If they violate that oath, are they guilty of treason?

    I have said this time and time again. This is definitely TREASON! You can’t take that oath and then violate that oath without being guilty of treason. They need to be charged!! Who will stand up to this and call it what it is??

  9. #837401
    On November 6th, 2009 at 8:27 am, FruNobulux said:

    For some reason I’m reminded of the old Soviet-era joke:

    Capitalism is the exploitation of the people by the people. Communism is the other way around.

    All this high-mined rhetoric we get from Demoncraps (and most politicians, for that matter) “about love of democracy”, the “rights of the people”, and other such pap is simply a smokescreen for their selfish ambition.

    As wonderful as it sounds (to some) to have a benign nanny-state looking after us all from cradle to grave, making sure we want for nothing, coddling us and protecting us from the evils of reality, imposing their fuzzy, gauzy, indistinct and ultimately self-contradictory “values” on us, it’s all illusory: power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Big government is no less evil than big multinationals. The difference is, of course, that the nasty, evil “multinationals” don’t have the might of the military, the police and the courts to use in advancing their power — they can’t really compel us to do anything.

    The concentration of so much power in the hands of so few, as we see happening here in the US today, can bring nothing but sorrow and misery, as the Soviets eventually discovered, to their enormous cost.

  10. #837405
    On November 6th, 2009 at 8:33 am, Rogue Cheddar said:

    Where are the FBI and State Police? Why haven’t these criminals been arrested for these crimes?

  11. #837409
    On November 6th, 2009 at 8:38 am, happyscrapper said:

    These condescending, smarmy, smirking creeps in DC are going down!! Not only are they going to be fired, but many of them will go to jail. It may take a while, but it will happen!

    By the way, 10.2%.

    That is the newest unemployment rate that just came out this a.m.

    When are we going to stop this madness?? When are the American People going to truly wake up and revolt?

    Chris Wallace just said that the unemployment rate will hurt the health bill. Something has to work…they sure aren’t listening to the People!

  12. #837410
    On November 6th, 2009 at 8:39 am, happyscrapper said:

    On November 6th, 2009 at 8:33 am, Rogue Cheddar said:
    Where are the FBI and State Police? Why haven’t these criminals been arrested for these crimes?

    They have too much power right now. Just wait.

  13. #837414
    On November 6th, 2009 at 8:45 am, zyzzyg said:

    Yes, the Congress should be held to their promises. The final bill should be posted and available for review prior to a final vote.

    Though, does that mean that if the bill is amended in anyway, that amendment makes the bill a new ‘final’ bill and therefore will require another 72 hour ‘reading period’?

  14. #837418
    On November 6th, 2009 at 8:52 am, Rogue Cheddar said:

    On November 6th, 2009 at 6:08 am, SixDegrees said:
    Yeah. Because refusing to even show up for debate on bills is, like, totally participatory.

    Oh, wait – that’s what the GOP did, isn’t it?

    #837360On November 6th, 2009 at 6:27 am, Michelle Malkin said:
    Don’t be stupid.

    Heh, totally pwned!

  15. #837432
    On November 6th, 2009 at 9:11 am, RedDog said:

    Never mind deliberative democracy. We’re way past that. Our Democrat “government” overlords are traitors to the Republic.

  16. #837435
    On November 6th, 2009 at 9:14 am, Reg.conservative said:

    I got this from NUMBers USA today.

  17. #837437
    On November 6th, 2009 at 9:15 am, ArizonaNeanderthal said:

    On November 6th, 2009 at 8:33 am, Rogue Cheddar said:
    Where are the FBI and State Police? Why haven’t these criminals been arrested for these crimes?

    After a few reassignments, forced retirements and such they will becoming after us.

    Janet Reno proved she could get the FBI to “shoot to kill” an unarmed women with the stroke of a pen. Me thinks holder is tougher and more ruthless than Janet Reno. Bill Clinton was an opportunist-Hussein Obama is a true believer. Await the “man made disaster“.

  18. #837440
    On November 6th, 2009 at 9:17 am, Reg.conservative said:

    I got this from NUMBers USA today.

  19. #837444
    On November 6th, 2009 at 9:19 am, maisy said:

    TYRANTS-plain and simple
    Those who say the GOP did the same things…why do you think we wanted change! DUH
    More of the same is’t what we wanted!

  20. #837467
    On November 6th, 2009 at 9:31 am, granite said:

    Democrats SOCIALISTS and the death of deliberative democracy

    Ms. Malkin: FIFY

    Let’s be accurate, after all.

  21. #837486
    On November 6th, 2009 at 9:42 am, englishqueen01 said:

    It’s too late.

    Obamacare will pass tomorrow morning, cap-and-trade next week.

    10% unemployment will be remembered as the “good old days”, because both reforms will push it up to 25%-30% easily.

    Look around your home, at everything you own. Enjoy it, because Obama and Pelosi are determined that it will be redistributed by making us all bankrupt.

  22. #837488
    On November 6th, 2009 at 9:44 am, happyscrapper said:

    Look around your home, at everything you own. Enjoy it, because Obama and Pelosi are determined that it will be redistributed by making us all bankrupt.

    If I lose my home, Pelosi and her ilk will lose theirs too. That is a promise, not a threat.

  23. #837495
    On November 6th, 2009 at 9:48 am, englishqueen01 said:

    If I lose my home, Pelosi and her ilk will lose theirs too. That is a promise, not a threat.

    They don’t care. They will still have their retirement funds, their gold-plated health care plans.

    The rest of us are screwed. Voting them out in 2010 won’t make one bit of difference because the next 10 days are all they need to destroy America to the point it’s not salvageable.

  24. #837503
    On November 6th, 2009 at 9:52 am, ArizonaNeanderthal said:

    Look around your home, at everything you own. Enjoy it, because Obama and Pelosi are determined that it will be redistributed by making us all bankrupt.

    Concord/Lexington: King George sent his army to take the Patriots arms and the Patriots said NO.

  25. #837505
    On November 6th, 2009 at 9:54 am, englishqueen01 said:

    Concord/Lexington: King George sent his army to take the Patriots arms and the Patriots said NO.

    See, the thing is we’ve tried. We’ve protested, we’ve petitioned, we’ve called, e-mailed, faxed ourselves blue in the face.

    We’ve said NO and they don’t care. Once Obamacare/cap-and-trade pass, they can’t be repealed.

    So it doesn’t matter what happens in 2010. Once the damage is done, we can’t go back in time and unwrite these massive boondoggle bills.

  26. #837534
    On November 6th, 2009 at 10:15 am, Dimsdale said:

    I saw a bumper sticker on a liberal’s car yesterday (the Obama stickers gave them away): “Dissent is the highest form of patriotism.”

    I wonder (rhetorically) why that changed?

    I wonder where I can get one of those stickers….

  27. #837541
    On November 6th, 2009 at 10:17 am, RogerCfromSD said:

    I don’t understand how laws cannot be repealed. Not only do I reject that premise, I will absolutely refuse to abide by laws that hurt We the People and which are unconstitutional. Period.

    If tens of millions do the same, how can such laws be enforceable?

    Besides, at such a point, the revolution gets taken to the next step.

  28. #837546
    On November 6th, 2009 at 10:20 am, Dimsdale said:

    On November 6th, 2009 at 8:52 am, Rogue Cheddar said:

    On November 6th, 2009 at 6:08 am, SixDegrees said:
    Yeah. Because refusing to even show up for debate on bills is, like, totally participatory.

    Oh, wait – that’s what the GOP did, isn’t it?

    #837360On November 6th, 2009 at 6:27 am, Michelle Malkin said:
    Don’t be stupid.

    Heh, totally pwned!

    That slap stung all the way over here! It must have knocked Six unconscious!! LOLOL!

  29. #837548
    On November 6th, 2009 at 10:21 am, Dimsdale said:

    On November 6th, 2009 at 8:45 am, zyzzyg said:

    Yes, the Congress should be held to their promises. The final bill should be posted and available for review prior to a final vote.

    Though, does that mean that if the bill is amended in anyway, that amendment makes the bill a new ‘final’ bill and therefore will require another 72 hour ‘reading period’?

    Whatever it takes to get full transparency. Real transparency.

  30. #837564
    On November 6th, 2009 at 10:34 am, txvet2 said:

    On November 6th, 2009 at 8:45 am, zyzzyg said:

    Yes, the Congress should be held to their promises. The final bill should be posted and available for review prior to a final vote.

    Though, does that mean that if the bill is amended in anyway, that amendment makes the bill a new ‘final’ bill and therefore will require another 72 hour ‘reading period’?

    The bill isn’t “final” until the amendment process is complete. Not only that, but it should be reposted after the final integration of the House and Senate versions. Even at that, you couldn’t trust the Dem leadership not to throw in a few unannounced changes.

  31. #837573
    On November 6th, 2009 at 10:43 am, englishqueen01 said:

    I don’t understand how laws cannot be repealed. Not only do I reject that premise, I will absolutely refuse to abide by laws that hurt We the People and which are unconstitutional. Period.

    If tens of millions do the same, how can such laws be enforceable?

    First, Obama will sign no bill penned by the GOP if they take back majorities in 2010. Second, even if we win in 2012, a new president won’t take office until after the law goes into affect.

    By then, insurance premiums will be through the roof, insurance companies will be closing, taxes will have skyrocketed, and the economy will still be in the tank.

    How do millions of people fight back when they are worried about having a place to live and food to eat?

    I’m out of work right now; I’ve sent out dozens of resumes, called placement agencies, hand had maybe 4 interviews since July. Because I worked for a non-profit, unemployment insurance is not an option for me. So when I run out of savings in early January, we’re done. We will literally lose everything. Our apartment, our car, our cell phones, our television/Internet. In less than two months we will be homeless. My husband’s income is not enough to cover our expenses, most of which is debt we can’t just eliminate (like we can eliminate cell phones).

    It’s hard to feel optimistic when Obama’s economic policies have been so devestating to my family. And what’s happening to me is exactly what they want to happen to lots more people. Total economic hardship so we have no choice but to rely on the government for our crumbs.

  32. #837574
    On November 6th, 2009 at 10:44 am, PirateLady said:

    the woman is DRUNK with POWER. She has lost her common sense, doesn’t care at all about her “job.” only that she’s in charge. In her mind she’s the supreme being.

    Her turn to lose will come.

  33. #837576
    On November 6th, 2009 at 10:45 am, happyscrapper said:

    On November 6th, 2009 at 9:54 am, englishqueen01 said:We’ve said NO and they don’t care. Once Obamacare/cap-and-trade pass, they can’t be repealed.

    Says who??? Anything can be repealed by the people showing their true ability to protest. And by protest, I am talking about, first…tax revolt. Second…civil war. We will not go quietly…count on it. The future of this country is at stake, our freedom and liberty, our children’s future…and you say there is no recourse? You are totally wrong on this one!! Totally.

  34. #837586
    On November 6th, 2009 at 11:02 am, zyzzyg said:

    On November 6th, 2009 at 10:21 am, Dimsdale said: #837548

    And

    On November 6th, 2009 at 10:34 am, txvet2 said: #837564

    Yep, I agree transparency is always good. And, yes at every stage the bill should be made available. Though the process, especially in the Senate allows for the continued addition of amendments. When does it end? Does it ever end, and will there ever be an up or down vote?

    Yep, follow the rules, but don’t exploit them. The Congress should grow a pair and let the chips fall where they will.

  35. #837601
    On November 6th, 2009 at 11:16 am, englishqueen01 said:

    You are totally wrong on this one!! Totally.

    Maybe. But when you’re 60 days away from being S-O-L on the job market, you tend to get a little depressed that anything can go right.

    It never should have gotten this far. All the idiots that voted for Obama should be sending me money to make up for the income I’ve lost thanks to his economic policies. They’re responsible for this disaster.

  36. #837604
    On November 6th, 2009 at 11:18 am, DBNinKY said:

    I hate to disagree w/ you, Happy, but EQ is right – once passed, ObamaCare and Cap and Trade will be “third rail” as social security…and no politician will touch them.

  37. #837619
    On November 6th, 2009 at 11:39 am, jsr said:

    So it doesn’t matter what happens in 2010. Once the damage is done, we can’t go back in time and unwrite these massive boondoggle bills.

    The problem is that even if the Republicans recaptured a majority in congress, if they tried to repeal them they would be facing a presidential veto which they would not have enough votes to override (two thirds in both houses.) By the time 2012 rolls around both laws would be so firmly entrenched in the bureaucracy and the American entitlement mindset it would be impossible to untangle the mess though normal legislative means. Pelosi will manage to ram this through the House so the Senate is where they must be stopped. That will be the last chance to avert a complete catastrophe for this nation, if it isn’t already too late.

  38. #837628
    On November 6th, 2009 at 11:49 am, happyscrapper said:

    On November 6th, 2009 at 11:18 am, DBNinKY said:
    I hate to disagree w/ you, Happy, but EQ is right – once passed, ObamaCare and Cap and Trade will be “third rail” as social security…and no politician will touch them.

    No politician maybe…but WE THE PEOPLE will!! First of all, any politician that plays a part in the destruction of our Constitution and our freedoms must be jailed for Treason. Secondly, WE THE PEOPLE have no obligation to follow these crapweasels over the cliff. The term “Taxation Without Presentation” applies here. The majority in this country opposes these bills. Just the part in the health”care” bill pertaining to funding abortion must be protested. John Stossel suggested that everyone raise the number of their deductions so that less taxes are taken out of their paychecks. If millions of people do that, there will be a LOT less money for the corrupt government to waste. I plan to do that. Everyone needs to do it to make an impact. And it WILL. (AND, it’s perfectly legal).

  39. #837649
    On November 6th, 2009 at 12:03 pm, right4life said:

    I’m out of work right now; I’ve sent out dozens of resumes, called placement agencies, hand had maybe 4 interviews since July. Because I worked for a non-profit, unemployment insurance is not an option for me. So when I run out of savings in early January, we’re done. We will literally lose everything. Our apartment, our car, our cell phones, our television/Internet. In less than two months we will be homeless. My husband’s income is not enough to cover our expenses, most of which is debt we can’t just eliminate (like we can eliminate cell phones).

    I’m so sorry, I will keep you in my prayers…sigh…I know what its like to be unemployed…thought I wasted my college years….took a job selling tires…and was lucky to find that…

    and you are right, what obama is doing is irreversible…especially if the copenhagen treaty passes…and it will by hook or crook…

    I wouldn’t be surprisd if in a year or 2 the dollar collapses, unemployment doubles, and the country turns into detroit…

  40. #837656
    On November 6th, 2009 at 12:11 pm, happyscrapper said:

    On November 6th, 2009 at 12:03 pm, right4life said:
    I wouldn’t be surprisd if in a year or 2 the dollar collapses, unemployment doubles, and the country turns into detroit…

    Sigh…talk about doom and gloom! Why not just give up? We haven’t a prayer. That is how we are going to go out? With a whimper like your post? Go back to your Bible reading and leave the fight to the people willing to TRY!

  41. #837657
    On November 6th, 2009 at 12:16 pm, right4life said:

    Go back to your Bible reading and leave the fight to the people willing to TRY!

    I have read it…and I don’t see the US there….I have been waiting for the US to decline, and europe to rise…and for Iran to become Israel’s primary enemy….

    its sad to see what has happened to my country…but its not the country I grew up in…and I don’t see us recovering from this one….the Day of the Lord draws ever closer…

    Israel must lose its protector (us) and stand alone…things are working out…just as HE said it would…

  42. #837659
    On November 6th, 2009 at 12:19 pm, right4life said:

    That is how we are going to go out? With a whimper like your post

    and we’ll willing join the new world order…as you see us doing now.

    we may lose NYC or DC to our new iranian friends, but whether we do or not, we will abandon israel, and join the new world economy and government

  43. #837664
    On November 6th, 2009 at 12:29 pm, rocketman said:

    ***
    Marie Antoinette said (supposedly!) LET THEM EAT CAKE when someone told her that the peasants outside the castle had no bread or food.
    ***
    SanFranNan and Dingy Harry Reid–and Comrade Obama (PBUH)–know that we are “out of cake” also. They have prepared an almost endless smorgasbord of C**P SANDWICHES for us peons in the new United Socialist States of Amerikka.
    ***
    Cue the tumbrils. Sharpen up the Guillotines and oil them up for smooth operation. King Louis XVI asked Marie, “What’s that funny noise outside the castle?”
    ***
    Do the modern equivalent. Teaparty congress on every “cram it down their throats” vote–GOOD JOB ALL. And vote these commie clowns and their enablers out of office in 2010 and 2012.
    ***
    John Bibb
    ***

  44. #837672
    On November 6th, 2009 at 12:35 pm, happyscrapper said:

    On November 6th, 2009 at 12:16 pm, right4life said:

    I understand prophecy. But does that mean we just sit back and let these A$$HOLES win THIS fight? I want to see them taken down!! I believe in the prophecy in the Bible. But it doesn’t say we shouldn’t fight evil…does it??

  45. #837677
    On November 6th, 2009 at 12:39 pm, Flyoverman said:

    Nan has hit rock bottom and started to dig.

    Keep up the good work.

  46. #837679
    On November 6th, 2009 at 12:41 pm, Flyoverman said:
  47. #837683
    On November 6th, 2009 at 12:43 pm, right4life said:

    But does that mean we just sit back and let these A$$HOLES win THIS fight?

    we can fight…and I hate to go down without a fight..but the ignorance, and spiritual darkness in this country are difficult to overcome…people want the government to take of them…to play god, basically.

    and certain things must happen..

  48. #837688
    On November 6th, 2009 at 12:51 pm, happyscrapper said:

    On November 6th, 2009 at 12:43 pm, right4life said:
    But does that mean we just sit back and let these A$$HOLES win THIS fight?
    we can fight…and I hate to go down without a fight..but the ignorance, and spiritual darkness in this country are difficult to overcome…people want the government to take of them…to play god, basically.

    I agree that the ignorance in the country is appalling…thanks to the government-run schools and liberal influence on our children for generations. However, it does say in the Bible “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray, I will forgive their sins and heal their land”. I believe we still have time. There is a LOT of praying going on right now!

  49. #837690
    On November 6th, 2009 at 12:57 pm, bansharia said:

    Happy,
    Did you make it down? dang it would
    have loved to say hey to you.
    Everytime a rally is ignored it fires up more people. Of our group that went 70% hadn’t been to any of the rallies or town halls prior but said they have had it and had to stand up like others have.
    I hope ( if you get my drift ) that dems and media keep ignoring us, I’ll take those results ;)

  50. #837691
    On November 6th, 2009 at 12:58 pm, rightwingrocker said:

    FYI: Here’s a side-by-side comparing GOP plan to Pelosicare.

    It may cost less, but GOPcare isn’t any more legal than PelosiCare.

    Send them all packing.

    RWR
    http://www.rightwingrocker.com

  51. #837693
    On November 6th, 2009 at 12:59 pm, cheapseat said:

    she will bribe and arm twist until she gets the votes. but she will then have to marry the senate and her bill, and that will require some wrangling. the immigration issue, the abortion issue and the cost are going to be very hard to find 60 votes for if they are in the final bill.

  52. #837694
    On November 6th, 2009 at 1:01 pm, bansharia said:

    Right,
    agree as Rush always says dont let the libs define the premise.

  53. #837700
    On November 6th, 2009 at 1:04 pm, bansharia said:

    Surely us taxpayers are paying for call blocking feature just block san fran nan
    from calling and if she corners you use the legs God gave you to walk away.
    Use buddy system never be alone ;)

  54. #837706
    On November 6th, 2009 at 1:11 pm, RogerCfromSD said:

    Sorry, but I do not accept the inevitability of being turned into a tax slave. Or,that we will continue to allow this nation shall be destroyed from within by liberals and shiftless Americans.

  55. #837723
    On November 6th, 2009 at 1:35 pm, Teddy Kennedy said:

    Errah, there will be a trigger mechanism for both. Aborted fetuses will be allowed to opt out after nine months and illegals will not be allowed to get free healthcare after they are granted free healthcare with ammnesty.

  56. #837731
    On November 6th, 2009 at 1:41 pm, RedDog said:

    That gavel in Ms. Pelosi’s hand is not the one she started with in 2006. This one looks brand new. There is a long and storied history to that original historical House gavel. I would not be surprised to find that this woman took it home and put it in a display case on her mantle.

    Let’s do an investigation into that.

  57. #837733
    On November 6th, 2009 at 1:43 pm, happyscrapper said:

    On November 6th, 2009 at 12:57 pm, bansharia said:
    Happy,
    Did you make it down? dang it would
    have loved to say hey to you.

    I wasn’t able to make it to DC. But the next tea party I attend, I will carry a sign that identifies me as Happyscrapper. Only those on this blog will know what it means, but perhaps I will meet some of you…most likely the minnesotans! I have a few issues here at home with my husband’s health, but will keep trying.

  58. #837734
    On November 6th, 2009 at 1:43 pm, RTater said:

    Once again, ethnicity trumps patriotism: http://thehill.com/homenews/house/66649-immigration-threatens-vote

    Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC)members, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the group’s message was clear: Drop your insistence on preventing illegal immigrants from accessing the public exchange, even if their only option is to pay for insurance plans entirely out of their own pockets.

    Why would members of an ethnically exclusionary group of Congressional representatives want to be quoted anonymously?

  59. #837735
    On November 6th, 2009 at 1:44 pm, happyscrapper said:

    And if you don’t see my sign…just look for a que-tip!

  60. #837755
    On November 6th, 2009 at 2:06 pm, Ed Mahmoud abu al-Kahoul said:

    Pelosi’s bill specifically mandates a new special surtax for a special Traesury account dedicated to paying for abortion on demand.

    The bruja isn’t content for government supplied elective abortion, she has to rub the noses of people who respect the life of the unborn in her turd on the sidewalk.

    She is a despicable, evil woman.

  61. #837757
    On November 6th, 2009 at 2:11 pm, happyscrapper said:

    On November 6th, 2009 at 2:06 pm, Ed Mahmoud abu al-Kahoul said: Pelosi’s bill specifically mandates a new special surtax for a special Traesury account dedicated to paying for abortion on demand.

    So, for those of us morally opposed to abortion, we can just NOT PAY TAXES? I think we would have a case for that. No one steals my money to fund another’s abortion. NO ONE! If they can’t hear us now, just wait until they try and get the Christians to FUND ABORTIONS! NOT.GOING.TO.HAPPEN.

  62. #837758
    On November 6th, 2009 at 2:11 pm, Ed Mahmoud abu al-Kahoul said:

    I wonder if SixDegrees is one of Holder’s DoJ bloggers sent to find and report slurs against Dear Leader and his politburo, and leave messages supporting the Revolution of the Proletariat behind?

    I wonder if DoJ is stupid enough to have trolls posting from computers that can be traced back to doj.gov computers.

    Probably not, but if Obama can give shout outs to a CMH winning Native-American whose highest military award was actually the Bronze Star while cutting into network broadcasting to make a statement about the Fort Hood massacre, anything is possible.

  63. #837763
    On November 6th, 2009 at 2:14 pm, Ed Mahmoud abu al-Kahoul said:

    HappyScrapper

    I was wondering what the Feds would do if millions of Americans underpaid their income taxes by $12 per year specifically to protest the special abortion surcharge.

    Locking up a few tax cheats, or even some hippies witholding to deny funding for Trident submarines is one thing, but what if millions of Americans underpaid a dollar per month?

  64. #837771
    On November 6th, 2009 at 2:19 pm, Ed Mahmoud abu al-Kahoul said:

    Section 213 describes the process in which the Health Benefits Commissioner is to assess the monthly premiums that will be used to pay for elective abortions under the government-run plan. The Commissioner must charge at a minimum $1 per enrollee per month.

    Technically, we won’t be specifically paying in for abortion until the private insurance companies are bankrupted and we are forced on Obamacare.

    Of course, the fine for private companies not providing insurance is cheaper than the cost of most medical coverage plans, so a lot of happily insured workers will discover they are no longer covered and on the public option sooner rather than later.

  65. #837775
    On November 6th, 2009 at 2:22 pm, TinkerBrendie said:

    File this under FWIW…
    I had to share this here – this is the letter I just sent to the Blue Dogs…

    Friday, November 6, 2009

    Kristen Hawn
    Communications Director
    The Blue Dog Coalition

    Dear Ms. Hawn:

    I am writing to formally notify the members of the Blue Dog Coalition that my husband and I plan to actively organize for and provide financial support to the OPPONENTS of ANY Blue Dog Democrat that votes IN FAVOR OF the Pelosi Health Care Power Grab debacle. Beginning after the vote this Saturday, I will be researching who the political opponents of the offending Blue Dogs are, and will be sending them as much money and other support as possible.
    Of particular interest to us as proud Kentuckians are:
    Ben Chandler
    Jim Cooper
    Lincoln Davis
    Joe Donnelly
    Brad Ellsworth
    Barron Hill
    John Tanner
    Did the Blue Dogs notice the NATIONWIDE outpouring of financial support from engaged and enraged Conservatives for Doug Hoffman?
    Well, THEY AIN’T SEEN NOTHIN’ YET.

    Respectfully,
    Brenda B*******
    **** ******* ******
    Louisville KY 402**
    502 ***-****

  66. #837798
    On November 6th, 2009 at 2:35 pm, locnetwork said:

    So, what you’re saying is, Dems do it, Reps do it, even monkeys in the trees do it? Gotcha.

    That said, it’s not on. Consider me a moderate, and consider me for some kind of health care bill, but to sneak stuff in at the last minute before we have a chance to read it is slimy. Reps have–and should–do everything in their power to delay, stall, and demand that the bill be posted online. GOP Senate should–and must–filibuster this. At the very least, in order to hold the Dems to the promise they seem all too willing to break.

    There’s getting it done, and then there’s getting it done the right way. Call me an idealist, but if you can’t do it without being shady…

    Hold ‘em accountable is what I’m saying.

  67. #837841
    On November 6th, 2009 at 3:15 pm, Fineous Reese said:

    The world begins to shake, RUMBLING as the Obamacare TRAIN NEARS.

    AGENT PELOSI – Do you hear that, Mr. American?

    Agent Pelosi grabs American in a choke-hold, forcing him to look down the tracks, the train’s headlight burning a hole in the darkness.

    AGENT PELOSI – That is the sound of inevitability.

    American sees it coming and he starts to fight.

    AGENT PELOSI – It is the sound of your liberty’s death.

    There is another METAL SCREECH, MUCH LOUDER, closer, as Agent Pelosi tightens her hold. American is unable to breathe.

    AGENT PELOSI – Goodbye, Mr. American.

    The TRAIN ROARS at them, swallowing Agent Pelosi’s words.

    The veins bulge in American’s head, as he grits through the pain.

    He is not ready to die.

    AMERICAN – My name … is … Patriot.

  68. #837874
    On November 6th, 2009 at 3:54 pm, Wethal said:
  69. #837949
    On November 6th, 2009 at 4:35 pm, publiuswarmac9999 said:

    One of the easiest ways to starve the federal government is to change your withholding so that less money is taken out of your paycheck each month. Take the money not paid and put is in a savings account so that you can pay your tax by April 15th. Most people don’t realize that the federal government depends on cash flow much like California, and a sudden drop in cash in will have a significant impact.

    Also, if enough people ban together to ignore a particular law, there really aren’t enough law enforcement people to press the issue. Even worse, if millions of people go to court to adjudicate their breakage of the law, the court system would completely breakdown – it is already overburdened by increasing criminal and civil actions.

    My point is simple. There are substantial ways to lawfully stop this treason and there are many slightly unlawful ways as well (just ask the illegal immigrant lobby).

  70. #838030
    On November 6th, 2009 at 5:43 pm, tarpon said:

    You mean Democrats lie? With impunity.

  71. #838301
    On November 7th, 2009 at 5:36 am, graysonret said:

    The live in their own little private world up there on the Hill. They do what they want, when they want, and could care less about consequences and constituents. Money is spent to buy the upcoming elections, so they can stay in office, and they continue to push through “feel good” legislation, regardless of expense. Things like liberty, freedom and the Constitution are inconveniences that have to be tolerated. This is perhaps the most corrupt congress, since 1865.

  72. #838316
    On November 7th, 2009 at 8:34 am, GraniteMan said:

    Was it in 2006 when she assumed the Speaker of the house role that Nancy promised the United States that the Democrats would have the MOST ETHICAL Congress in history? Gee, Nan you’d better get in a hurry.

  73. #838324
    On November 7th, 2009 at 8:50 am, graysonret said:

    Owens took a lesson from Pelosi. Promise anything, like an ethical congress, but do what you want later. It shows the contempt that politicians today have for their constituents and citizens in general. Approval ratings? Who cares about approval ratings! When election comes up, they will buy their way back with money and more promises.

  74. #838327
    On November 7th, 2009 at 9:04 am, Misscheryl said:

    I haven’t read the whole thread so if my comment is redundant..sorry..but, I don’t think they’ll vote on this today. The democrats won’t have the votes to pass it and they will put it off again. At what point will we be done with it once and for all?

  75. #838380
    On November 7th, 2009 at 10:20 am, sbw999 said:

    Why is this not national news?? I dont even see this travesty covered on FOX. You have this infantile, petulant and defiant dem Congress hiding legislation from view, legislation that will bankrupt our Country; excluding Republicans from the “debate”, and basically ramming down our throats a piece of legislation that the majority of this Country doesn’t want. Where is the “representation” in this representative democracy????? This sounds CRIMINAL to me, never mind mere trickery. Im so focking angry at this sham, I could spit fire.

  76. #838509
    On November 7th, 2009 at 1:17 pm, ArizonaNeanderthal said:

    You have this infantile, petulant and defiant dem Congress hiding legislation from view,

    About as well put as I have seen. You could add evil-but I think that is understood by anyone with a brain.

  77. #838567
    On November 7th, 2009 at 3:30 pm, ScottyDog said:

    It is criminal and it is unconstitutional. Time will tell if any of our True Congressional representatives like Michelle Bachmann will file a supreme court lawsuit.

  78. #838625
    On November 7th, 2009 at 4:44 pm, fgmorley said:

    Take this to the Supreme Court. And if it passes there, then lock and load, aim and shoot. This has to be stopped.

  79. #838626
    On November 7th, 2009 at 4:45 pm, Dan Lee said:

    It is criminal and it is unconstitutional. Time will tell if any of our True Congressional representatives like Michelle Bachmann will file a supreme court lawsuit.

    What a strange co-incidence.. What are there, like 30 House members under investigation right now? And that’s only the ones that weren’t slick enough to hide their misdeeds..

  80. #838636
    On November 7th, 2009 at 4:58 pm, fgmorley said:

    I would like to change the title of this article. Instead of

    “Democrats and the death of deliberative democracy”

    lets make it

    “Deliberate Death of Democrats and have a democracy”

  81. #838646
    On November 7th, 2009 at 5:24 pm, Dan Lee said:

    On November 7th, 2009 at 4:58 pm, fgmorley said:

    I would like to change the title of this article. Instead of

    “Democrats and the death of deliberative democracy”

    lets make it

    “Deliberate Death of Democrats and have a democracy”

    No offense meant dude, but it’s still a little early in the process to be alluding to threats of Armed Revolution & assassination..

    Besides, you can’t help the cause much if you get hauled before a judge for threats.. (Whether justified or not.)

    I’d tone it down a little if I were you.. Just Sayin’

  82. #838647
    On November 7th, 2009 at 5:26 pm, graysonret said:

    It is criminal and it is unconstitutional.

    Everyone knows this is beyond doing something “good” for the country. This is an out-and-out grab for power. Constitution be darned. They are so obsessed with power that they feel they run the country with Pelosi and Reid in charge. I leave out Obama simply because he is so inexperienced and over his head, Pelosi and Reid run the show.

  83. #838648
    On November 7th, 2009 at 5:28 pm, fgmorley said:

    On November 7th, 2009 at 5:24 pm, Dan Lee said:

    Hey thanks for your concern. But I’ll stand by my statement. If they cant take it, then Effem.

  84. #838655
    On November 7th, 2009 at 5:39 pm, Dan Lee said:

    I do stand by the notion that people should keep themselves well armed for protection/defense against rogue Government officials & entities..

    That we could agree on for sure..

    I’ve never seen my Government act this crazy & tyrannical in all my 41 years.

    As a result, I’d like to see every American own & know how to use an assault rifle.. Now will that happen? Never, but it’s a good goal..

    “Since the general civilization of mankind, I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpation”

    James Madison

  85. #838667
    On November 7th, 2009 at 6:04 pm, fgmorley said:

    A few other quotations that may be of interest, but nothing original on my part. Just things I agree with:

    Tolerance and apathy are the last virtues of a dying society.
    ~Aristotle

    Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it whether it exists or not, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedy.
    — Ernest Benn

    Reality is the leading cause of stress amongst those in touch with it.

    ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND FIREARMS
    Should be a convenience store
    NOT a Government Agency

    Tolerance becomes a crime when applied to evil ~ Thomas Mann

    When you tolerate everything, you stand for nothing.

  86. #838682
    On November 7th, 2009 at 6:25 pm, Dan Lee said:

    I agree with all of those as well.. But there’s a difference between apathy, & being smart about battle.. For a few people to make threats & then end up in jail over them is not exactly the best strategy for forming a Revolution.. ;)

    They would Just paint that individual as a madman, & throw them into a mental institution. This is one way they could pluck serious opponents out of society without anyone really taking notice, or doing anything about it..

    Stay with the pack my friend.. A pack is much stronger than a Lone Wolf..

  87. #838692
    On November 7th, 2009 at 6:39 pm, fgmorley said:

    On November 7th, 2009 at 6:25 pm, Dan Lee said:
    Stay with the pack my friend.. A pack is much stronger than a Lone Wolf..

    Who’s going to jail or a mental institution? Hey, I’m posting a comment on this weblog site. Since when are they (our gov’t) coming after me? They couldn’t find me if they tried. Actually I’m baiting them right now. Seriously, if you and I have to be that paranoid, or afraid, of what is posted here, then we have already lost, and they are already silencing dissent.

    Personally, I’d be happy if they tried to arrest me, because they’d have to kill me. I’m much older and closer to the end of life than you are.

  88. #838826
    On November 7th, 2009 at 8:44 pm, Dan Lee said:

    Well this certainly is a good example of how flaming made these idiots have people now..

    My suggestions were of a protective nature, not to offend you. Just want that to be clear. I just don’t trust the Government not to overstep their bounds, because they’re doing it more and more. Fighting back is a delicate balance between strategy & aggressive action. I can’t help but think of the quote I heard from Chuck Norris:

    “Men are like steel, when they lose their temper, they lose their value.”

    The way I take that, is that we have to maintain our composure in order to be focused on the battle, & not swinging wildly & ineffectively at our opponent.

    Have you ever read The Art of War
    By Sun-tzu?
    Most of our military leaders over the years have referenced it for consideration of it’s wisdom on war.

    “The master of war prevails in three ways; The highest good is to employ wisdom, knowledge & experience to conquer without combat. The next highest good is to win over the people by convincing them of the enemy’s injustice & cruelty. The least commendable method, is to engage in battle.”

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