Obama’s Trip to Capitol Hill to Push Health Care Postponed Until Saturday - Coincidence?

Obama plans meeting with Pelosi's House on Saturday - image rightpundits

The AP is reporting that the President’s planned trip to Congress on Friday , to push for health care reform, has been postponed until Saturday. The President, according to the White House, had planned a trip to Walter Reed Hospital, on Friday instead. The President has yet to visit Walter Reed, almost a year into his presidency.

Co-incidence or not, on Thursday, thousands of conservatives who would prefer an alternative to the current health care reform proposed by the White House, marched on the Capitol, visiting with members of Congress to let them know exactly how they feel. The rally, which was broadcast on C-SPAN, involved key members of the Republican Congress, including Michelle Bachman of MN, and tech savvy, Rep. John Culberson of Texas. Culberson was one of the leaders of the House Revolt last August when Speaker Pelosi, during the energy debate, shut off the lights, the C-Span cameras and headed on vacation to promote her book, while the price of gas was going through the roof. House Republican’s stayed, in the dark house, getting their message across, using whatever means necessary to stand up for the people in their districts and the country in general.

The majority of the media, along with Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, continue to dismiss protestors against health care reform, however, conservatives in general, have taken a page from the liberal playbook of the past, by becoming more vocal when issues matter, a stunning change from what had been the norm for decades. In the case of this dismissal (denial) of the protest yesterday, it is worth noting that the innuendo from the press and the White House, regarding “tea party activist”, and throwing words around such as “conservative”, along with “about 10,000 tea party protestors” marched on the Capitol yesterday, (abridged and in general), are unwittingly speaking to the majority of those who do not support the current proposal.

According to recent polling, 53% of American’s oppose the current plan, and perhaps more telling, 73% who do support the plan identify themselves as liberal. Therefore, one can conclude that 27% of the liberal base no longer is on board the Pelosi express. In addition, when one includes trends in American Political Ideology, Gallop indicates that those who identify themselves as Conservative (this was as of June, 2009), were growing, to pre-2004 levels. As of June, 40% of respondents considered themselves to be conservative, with 35% moderate and a mere 21% identifying themselves as liberal.

With unemployment numbers remaining above 9%, the rate of inflation poised to move, in line with the rising cost of fuel, those numbers may have changed in the past 3 months. Additionally, 2010 will bring a zero cost of living increase to those who rely on social security benefits, as well as any government pensioners. This decision was based upon low oil prices this past summer, which caused a negative rate of inflation (of course, there are three entities that rate inflation, of the three, The BEA, the Federal Reserve and the Depart of Labor, the Dept. of Labor was used in that calculation having the lowest figure). Of note, in 2010, insurance benefits for those very same individuals, is poised to rise by 10 percent. Should pricing on food and oil, continue to rise, and individuals living in high tax states, such as Massachusetts, who’s high insurance premium (Medicare supplement plans included), hike for 2010, lays mainly on the State’s Universal Health Care program, one can see that trend towards conservatism edging higher.

Although the recent Republican (i.e. conservative) wins in two statewide races are being pooh-poohed by the White House, and the Speaker, who are more energized by low margin wins in two special election races in New York and California(Historically, Republicans do not fare well in special elections. Surely, this fact cannot be lost on the President and his Speaker, Nancy Pelosi.

That Saturday trip to the Hill, although a coincidence, given the rally, the statistics on trends and specifically the legislation on the table, may do more damage to the Democrats in 2010 than the loss of two state-wide elections. Although the media is now pointing to “southern democrats” (i.e. blue dogs) as being concerned about their jobs, it would behoove all Incumbents to pay attention to the trends. One must remember that even the most liberal state of Massachusetts, when pressed, has elected Republican Governors, and was the state that embraced Conservative Republican Ronald Reagan, not once, but twice. This following the disastrous term of one Jimmy Carter, whose approach to governing is parallel to the current occupant of the White House.

House Republicans – True Grit - On the Bail Out and Drilling for Oil

There are a group of House Republicans who have, in recent months, created a bit of a “thorn” in Nancy Pelosi’s side. The first “revolt” came with the energy crisis; Nancy Pelosi decided that there would be no vote on offshore oil drilling, going to extraordinary lengths to stop the debate – the House Republicans, including John Culberson and John Boehner, stayed to debate, long after Pelosi shut off the lights, turned off the CSPAN cameras and shut down the Congress. They stayed, using every available devise to communicate with constituents, and debated and demanded a return as well as a resolution that would include offshore oil drilling. Their success has not been touted in the press, in fact, there is little mention lately of the fact that Nancy Pelosi lost and the energy bill that included offshore drilling was passed. If it had not been for this “revolt”, the bill would not have seen the light of day. The price of crude had dropped significantly as a result of the addition of off-shore drilling's inclusion in the plan.

They are at it again – this time they are not enamored of the $700 Billion Bail Out and have been virtually left out of negotiations and ignored by Pelosi – (She did not even read the suggestions they had made). That was until she realized she needed them on board - why? – no one party wants to be responsible for this fiasco – and considering the mess can be laid at the feet of the Democrats (see previous posts on financial crisis on this blog). It is also worth noting that although there were warnings about this same fine mess from certain members, specifically John McCain, his bills got nowhere - blocked by Democrats, and little was done to stop the Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac crisis. The bill now has the support of Boehner, (as a result of McCain’s trip back to Washington and his ability to bring all parties together – also going unnoticed) however, it does not necessarily have the support of the rank and file Boehner, to his credit, noted that he had told his party members to vote their conscious. Video’s taken yesterday by John Culberson (R-TX); clearly show that there are great misgivings about this bailout – as there should be. Culberson with John Carter outline the Republican House recommendations in the videos below.

To date, this group of rebellious men (quite American in concept), have got their point across, it is hopeful that they will succeed in having some impact on this bill that is being shoved down the throats of the public. It would not be for a lack of trying – they deserve credit for taking their jobs seriously – working for the American people.

Live from the House - Republican Patriots Day Two

The Republican House Members are back in session. It does the heart good to see those who represent the poeple doing their job. These principaled individuals give hope to the future stablity of our nation.



House Republican Uprising - Live Blog

Open Lettter to Nancy Pelosi from the Republican House Leadership

House Republicans August 4th – Patriots Continue America’s Energy Debate in Darkened House

House Leader, John Boehner (R. Ohio) and Roy Blunt (House Whip, R. Missouri) sent a memo to Republican members of the House and their staff on over the weekend urging them to continue to protest and debate America’s energy crisis on Monday. John Culberson (R. Texas) and other house members, will continue to provide updates to constituants via Twitter today.

To what end? The call to action by this group of House Republicans is in the interest of the people, unlike their Democrat counterparts, led by House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi. Pelosi called the House into recess on Friday (5 week summer vacation), while House Republicans continued to protest and debate on the floor. Pelosi has continued to refuse to allow a vote on offshore drilling, despite the fact that the Democrats have a majority in the House and should, if one were to believe they were “one party in concert”, easily defeat the Republican Energy proposal. So, what could possibly prevent the Speaker from putting an end to this? The only logical conclusions are that Pelosi feels she would lose if the bill were put to a vote, or she is simply so power driven that she cannot see the trees for the forest.

Nancy has been busy, she’s promoting her latest book and she is also pushing her choice for the Democrats V.P. pick
Chet Edwards,on Obama. Surely within five weeks, she might find the time to address the American people’s needs? Perhaps she may even take time to notice that Cindy Sheehan, , her San Francisco contemporary, is expected to make the ballot and run against Madam Speaker. In a year where the Democrat controlled Legislature continues to poll at historically low favorability ratings, it would not come as a shock should Ms. Sheehan replace the speaker. (Think San Francisco.)

Republican’s have asked Ms. Pelosi to call Congress back in an emergency session to vote on this bill. From John Boehner’s website: “It’s not a request we make lightly. But the American people are suffering,” Boehner and Blunt said in the memo. “The consequences of continued congressional inaction on gas prices are unacceptable. We’ve called on the Speaker to call Congress back into an emergency session this month and schedule a vote on the American Energy Act. We must continue to make a stand until the Speaker complies.”

It is about time that the people we hire (those citizens who we, the people, vote into office to represent our needs) took action on our behalf. The type of “revolt” that the Republican house members began on Friday is exactly what makes one proud to be a part of this great Republic. They are displaying true patriotism. With an issue that is so urgent to the public, it is surprising that not one member from the other side of the political aisle has joined in an attempt to put the needs of their constituents over the wishes of their party master.

Playing “devils advocate”, one might argue that this group of Republicans are only looking for media attention and that they are playing on this issue in order to drive up the stock of the Republican Party. However, were that true, why would they have continued to debate without a single national media outlet available? (House Speaker Pelosi effectively kicked out the media on Friday, shutting down C-Span and removing reporters from the House). With the House still in darkness, and with limited ability to reach the public, the few will continue to speak for the people. Hurrah!