20 Dec 09: Voting in Congress is a sacred duty. When elected, Congressmen and Senators take the following oath: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.” Given the “wheeling and dealing” involved in getting votes in favor of the Senate health care bill, it appears that this oath has been forgotten or ignored on Capitol Hill.
The legislative scene in Washington is being described as another version of “Let’s Make a Deal” or “The Price is Right.” Gone are honor and integrity, as well as a sincere desire to know what constituents want and vote accordingly. Even the content of the bill is subject to deal brokering. It has become obvious that a purpose that may have been noble at an early point, to reform issues in the country’s health care situation, has become purely political. President Obama has staked his political future on spearheading health care reform legislation, so he needs the legislature to pass something, whether or not the bill contains what he wants. Some have compared this process to what happens when you throw cooked spaghetti at a wall, i.e., throw out different health care ideas and see what sticks. The final bill will be filled with whatever sticks. Those who want more government involvement in health care feel this is adequate for now, since the legislation can be “fixed” later. At least President Obama will have something that can be called “health care reform.”
In order to reach the required 60 votes, Harry Reid had to make deals with a number of Senators. Sen. Mary Landrieu’s vote was bought in exchange for benefits to Louisiana ranging from $100 million to $300 million. In a deal called the “Cornhuskers Kickback,” Senator Nelson has promised his vote in exchange for Nebraska not having to pay increased Medicaid payments in perpetuity. The Federal government will now pay Nebraska’s increased Medicaid payments – or, rather, the taxpayers from all the other states will now be pitching in to pay for Nebraska’s Medicaid.
I will never violate my sacred duty to vote according to my conscience and my constituents’ desires. A vote is not something to be used for bartering. I will always be true to the Constitution, defending and supporting it against all enemies, foreign or domestic.
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