UW-Oshkosh Prof. Dr. Pesta to Discuss Moral Relativism and Common Core in Schools, Sept. 10, 2013

Labor Day is past, which means it is back to school time for students enrolled in public and private schools in our state. However, the education most students receive today is very different from the 3 R's of the past.

In the last 120 years, the philosophies of humanism and Marxism have undermined the Judeo-Christian values our nation was founded upon, both in our schools and society.  University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh professor James Duke Pesta, Ph. D., will discuss this radical philosophical shift from absolute truth to moral relativism at his upcoming presentation at the Creation Science Society of Milwaukee meeting at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church.

In a talk entitled “The Effects of Moral Relativism in our Schools,” Dr. Pesta will examine the abandonment of truth’s effect on our educational system and the threats to our culture at large.

Dr. Pesta will also present “The Dangers of Common Core Curriculum.”  In this second talk, he will provide a detailed and shocking look at the U.S. Department of Education’s coming Common Core standards and their plan to “fundamentally transform” American education. Contrary to our Founder’s intent, to keep decisions regarding educating America’s children under local control within each state, Common Core will include a uniform, national curriculum—emphasizing moral relativism, nationwide standardized testing, and a national database for every child.   

Parents opting to send their children to private and parochial schools should be aware that many of them will adopt Common Core curriculum and its standardized testing too.

Common Core has been in the news, yet few people understand just what it is. Since Wisconsin has accepted millions of dollars from the Federal government to implement the program, Dr. Pesta’s presentation should be of interest to parents and taxpayers alike.

 

The presentations are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 10, 2013 at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church – west entrance, at W196 N9525 Cross View Way, Menomonee Falls, WI  53051.  The church is located on Hwy Q, also called County Line Road, about 1 mile west of Hwy 41-45 on the south side of Hwy Q.  The event is free and open to the public.  

Dr. Pesta is a professor of English at the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh, and the academic director of FreedomProject Education  www.freedomproject.com

Blog Archives - Creation Science:
A Created Universe: God Is Angry and Man Is Without Excuse
Dr. Jerry Bergman: Hitler and the Nazi Darwinian Worldview 
Jay Seegert: 'Faith is not a 4-letter word'
Nature without Naturalism: New Thoughts on New Earth
Understanding Fossil Evidence
Answers in Genesis Nov. 2012 Conference
Origins, Beauty, and Wrath: Why What We Believe Matters Today
Purpose Precedes Creation
The Importance of Worldview & literal 6 day creation
Dr. Bolander: The Miracle of Human Development 
The great debate at UWM: 'Intelligent Design vs. Darwinism: Can Science Point to God?' Tues. March 6, 2012
Former evolutionist Paul Frank discusses Creation / Evolution debate 
Dr. Scott Hardin, From Fish to Amphibian (Impossible!)
From Feminist Atheism to Biblical Truth 
Amazing video animation of inner life of cell  one component, a motor protein literally walked up the microtubule (at 3:20 mark), hauling a huge membrane bound cargo vesicle to its destination! (David Bolinsky, one of the animators, called it the FedEx guy of the cell. It is called a canesan but I am not sure of the spelling.)

Creation Science Website Links:

Creation Science Society of Milwaukee website: GenesisMatters.org
Answers In Genesis
Institute for Creation Research
Creation Minute
4th Day Alliance

Creation Education Center

Creation Ministries International 

Links: Practically Speaking, Fairly Conservative, Jay Weber, Vicki McKenna, WisPolitics Quorum Call, Wisconsin Reporter, CNS News, Mark Levin, Breitbart BigGovernment, The Heritage Foundation, VoteWatchWI, The Way <><

Taxing rich will hurt already employed, at all pay levels

President Obama, the champion of class warfare rhetoric*, has been chanting the mantra: tax the rich, as a solution to our deficit, poverty, and social class disparity for as long as I can remember. Obama also throws around the phrase fair share to justify tax rates that take more than half their income. And we really should call his attack what it is: tax the successful. Republicans and economists counter with how taxing the successful (rich ) will harm small businesses, who are the majority of job creators in America. Being a Conservative, I side with the Republicans, I view fairness as taxing all income at the same rate.

But one consequence of taxing the rich I have yet to hear anyone mention, who will be the consumers if they have less income once their taxes are paid? Who will be building a new home or hiring the local remodeler? Who will be purchasing that new car or new furniture? Who will be dining out every weekend? Or having their hair and nails done, stopping for a latte, or hiring the yard and cleaning help? Who will be able to afford vacationing in Wisconsin or at popular tourist attractions across America?

American tourism already seems down in the U.S., at least from what I have observed. Hearing a foreign language or accent at Yellowstone or Grand Canyon National Parks is the norm. Last fall, my sister and I observed that Disney World would really be hurting if it weren't for the Brazilians spending their dollars at the Kingdom of the Mouse. An American accent was in the minority at all locations.

But it isn't just the business owners' ledger that takes the hit when tourists cut back, its all the employees at these businesses that feel it too. If Disney, the largest employer in the U.S., the National Parks or even Wisconsin Dells, for that matter, experience a downturn, then area hotels don't need as many housekeepers. Restaurants cut hours or move employees to part time. Peripheral tourist attractions such as raft rides or water parks lose business.

If consumers cut back, because they don't have as much disposable income as they used to, the carpet, furniture, clothing, and tech. stores suffer a loss. That loss is passed on to the employees; the management cuts hours, sometimes pay, sometimes benefits, and often terminates employees.

Of course the truly wealthy will still do and buy these things or just move out of the country, but the $200,000 - $250,000 earners, who file their business taxes on their personal tax returns, will be hurting.

And if you think you aren't one of those upper 2% earners, so your paycheck will be untouched, think again: ObamaCare taxes are coming our way in 2013. More than likely the Payroll Tax Cut will expire, resulting in less take home pay.

So if all of us have less money in our pockets, who will be the purchasers? How will that effect your job?

Contact your Representatives and Senators
Find your U.S. Senators by last name
Wisconsin's U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (202) 224-5323
Wisconsin's U.S. Senator Herb Kohl (202) 224-5653

Find your U.S. House of Representatives member by state
House Representative James Sensenbrenner Washington D.C. (202) 225-5101, Brookfield (262) 784-1111

House Speaker Boehner phone line (513) 779-5400

*Class warfare and even the term middle class are Marxist terms

Past Post: Tax the rich? Every job I had was because of richer person!

More Reading:
Taxing the Rick More Will Backfire on the Middle Class
French star Depardieu moves to lower-tax Belgium
Heritage: Chart: Obamacare's Barrage of Tax Hikes Coming in 2013
Top Five Worst Obamacare Taxes Coming in 2013

Links: Practically Speaking, Fairly Conservative, Jay Weber, Vicki McKenna, WisPolitics Quorum Call, Wisconsin Reporter, CNS News, Mark Levin, Breitbart BigGovernment, The Heritage Foundation, The Way <><

Got to stop out-of-control spending to keep U.S. AAA rating

We are told that the U.S. Government will come to a screeching halt when it hits the $14.3 Trillion Debt Ceiling on Tuesday, Aug. 2nd*. In my mind's eye, I envisioned the U.S. Government as a Monster Truck rumbling down the highway on bloated tires, coming up to a bridge with too low of a clearance for a truck of that height.





To keep our government (and economy) rolling, either the bridge clearance (Debt Ceiling) has to be raised, or the size of the tires (deficit spending) could be reduced.

President Obama is threatening those balking at raising the Debt Ceiling in the House and Senate, that a delay could trigger a U.S. Credit rating downgrade to AA. But I have heard for months now that our AAA credit rating is already at risk: our present $14.3 Trillion in debt is viewed as unsustainable.

Reuters confirmed this in Republican rebels force new delay in US debt crisis, "Even if a deal is reached to lift the debt ceiling, a downgrade of the U.S. credit rating is likely unless a big dent is made in the deficit. A downgrade would raise borrowing costs, hurt an already weak economy and rattle global markets." (My emphasis)

Right now, the House is stalling on the latest Boehner Debt Ceiling bill. Though the spending cuts are laughable--$900 billion over 10 years, which is nothing--at least it doesn't include tax increases. The bill's strength is that the debt ceiling increase is split into 2 parts: $1T now and the remainder 6 months from now--well into 2012 campaign season territory. Too bad it wasn't in smaller increments.

I realize even this generous Debt Ceiling increase is very unlikely to pass the Senate, but at least is better than anything Senator Reid is suggesting. Possibly, Boehner adding a Balanced Budget Amendment to the House Bill would be enough to get it through the House.

It is becoming crystal clear that President Obama and the liberals in Congress do not understand that government spending MUST be reduced--not just the level of future growth in spending, but actual cuts here and now if our AAA credit rating is to continue. We must elect more fiscally conservative leaders in November 2012. Until then, we have to work with what we have in Washington.

Obama just urged Americans to contact their Senators and Representatives to resolve the debt crisis. Of course, his concept of resolution would be raising the Debt Ceiling with enough spending cushion to carry him through November of 2012! And he certainly doesn't want a Balanced Budget Amendment to pass. But, I can agree with the President that contacting our representatives is imperative. Here are their numbers:

Find your U.S. Senators by last name
Wisconsin's U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (202) 224-5323
Wisconsin's U.S. Senator Herb Kohl (202) 224-5653

Find your U.S. House of Representatives member by state
House Representative James Sensenbrenner Washington D.C. (202) 225-5101, Brookfield (262) 784-1111
House Speaker John Boehner phone line (513) 779-5400

Past Post: Tell Congress to tell Mr. Obama, No new taxes! Cut, Cap & Balance!

More Reading: Republican rebels force new delay in US debt crisis
What's Wrong With Government Spending?
WSJ The Road to a Downgrade

*Not a hard, fast deadline. Remember, we do have enough income every month to pay essential bills.

Links: Practically Speaking, Fairly Conservative, RandyMelchert, Betterbrookfield, Jay Weber, Vicki McKenna, CNS News, Mark Levin, Breitbart BigGovernment, The Heritage Foundation

Ron Johnson, Feingold virtually tied in poll: November can't come fast enough!

This week, the Rasmussen poll showed Conservative businessman and Republican endorsed Ron Johnson (45%) "in a virtual dead heat" with incumbent Democrat Russ Feingold (46%) in the U.S. Senate race. Last month Johnson polled at 44%.

This is very good news for Conservatives and Republicans because Feingold has not been able to poll above 50%. And as Rasmussen noted, "Incumbents who earn less than 50% of the vote at this stage of a campaign are considered potentially vulnerable. Feingold was reelected to a third term in 2004 with 56% of the vote."

Unfortunately, our Congress is working fast and furiously at passing bad bill after bad bill, and our President is using his Executive powers to regulate and shift our country drastically to the left in the remaining Congressional session.

One thing is for sure, neither branch of government has gotten the message that we are out of money--the spending must stop. As with bills such as ObamaCare and the President's $20 billion extraction from BP, Constitutionality is of little importance.

Here is just a sampling of bills and decisions on the horizon:

• The Disclose Act, which limits 1st Amendment rights and reverses a Supreme Court decision. This unconstitutional bill passed the House this week and now heads to the Senate.
  
• The just written, 2,000 page, Bank Bill will rush through the Senate. Like ObamaCare, "No one will know until this is actually in placed how it works," Chis Dodd told reporters.
  
• Immigration: Sen. Kyl says the President told him, "The problem is, if we secure the border, then you won't have any reason to support 'comprehensive immigration reform.' In other words, Kyl said, the president is holding border security hostage to comprehensive reform.'" Kyl's statement reflects 2004 Candidate Obama's position on borders and amnesty, where Obama said, "...solving the illegal alien immigration problem requires that 'the trade off is going to have to be improved border security'".
  
• Amnesty by Presidential Fiat: Now there is talk that Obama might circumvent the legislative process altogether via Homeland Security--Janet Napalitalno--to grant deferred action and parole for millions of illegals. 8 US Senators have urged him not to take this path.
  
• Illegals have right to fair wages: You can't make this stuff up, but Labor Secretary Hilda Solis says it herself! "You have the right to be paid fairly whether documented or not."
  
• Cap & Trade: Passed in the House last year, the Senate version is still viable. The President used the BP spill as rationale for passage. If not in the Senate, there is always the EPA for enacting carbon taxes and restrictions, thus circumventing the legislature.

Let's not forget Elena Kagan's confirmation. I am sure the President would like to see her on the court--especially with coming challenges to 1st Amendment restrictions via DISCLOSE, the FTC, FCC, takeover of the Internet, and ObamaCare. The list goes on and on.

So you see, even though Republicans will probably make huge gains in November, it may be too late. Democrats will inflict as many costly bills on us, in terms of dollars and loss of liberty, in the months they have until the 112th Congress and Senate is sworn in. I only hope and pray we can reverse some of this damage. We will need Senators like Ron Johnson to repeal the bad and put us back on the right course.

I know it is summer, but this is no time for kicking back... CALL your Senators about some of these bills! Find your Senator here. In Wisconsin, Senator Russ Feingold (202) 224-5323 and Herb Kohl (202) 224-5653.


More reading: Thomas Sowell: Is U.S. Now on Slippery Slope to Tyranny?
Senator Jim DeMint, National Review: Constitution of No
Must read: Politics of Panic: "The progressive wing of the Party... knows that they will lose considerable power in Congress in November...The bills currently being pushed by the progressive leadership of Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid are a panicked, fourth-quarter attempt to force liberal, arguably socialist policies into place and have them become law before they are cast out of power. They don't have time to spare for surgical, precise laws that will benefit the nation. They only have time to create bloated monstrosities that serve to force radical and reckless 'change.'"

Ron Johnson for Senate website & Ron Johnson Facebook

Links: Practically Speaking, Betterbrookfield, RandyMelchert, Jay Weber, Vicki McKenna, The Right View Wisconsin, CNS News, Mark Levin, Breitbart BigGovernment, The Heritage Foundation

Unbelievable, Kerry & Lieberman introduce Cap & Trade today - UPDATE

UPDATE: Ron Johnson confirmed today he will run for US Senate against Russ Feingold! This is indeed great news for Conservatives in Wisconsin. I reminded Feingold of this fact when I called today asking him to vote NO on Cap and Trade. (See bottom of post.)

File this bill under Bad Bills & Ideas That Just Won't Die. (There are so many, one cannot get to them all.) Today, Senator Kerry and Lieberman are introducing Cap and Trade to the U.S. Senate. You know, the bill that all pronounced dead earlier this year--the one that didn't have a chance of passage this year. But you see, the issue is NOT capping carbon emissions to save the planet from Global Warming, the issue is taxing you more and controlling your life.

"The Senate bill would set up an emission trading program for utilities starting in 2013. Factories and other “industrial sources” would join the cap-and-trade program in 2016."

The bill proposes cutting greenhouse gases by 17% below their 2005 levels in 10 years. Never mind that CO2 has since been shown to have no affect on warming and that the planet has not been warming in the past 10 years.

Never mind that those involved in the Carbon Exchange, like U.W. Madison Prof. Joel Rogers admit that "it is all about the money and if we stopped ALL emissions in the U.S., it would make absolutely no difference". (My Emphasis throughout post)

It is estimated that this legislation will cost the average U.S. homeowner an extra $600 - $1,000/year on their utility bills. Wisconsin will be hit harder because so much of our electricity comes from coal fired plants.

This type of Cap and Trade legislation has already proven itself to be useless in controlling CO2 emissions and detrimental to the economies of Europe. You know, Europe, that is having their own economic woes?

Chris Horner from National Review sums this bill up as an opportunity to transfer wealth. He also points to the devastating effect of carbon taxing on Europe's economy: "I have a take on the lesson for us from Europe amid this debate over at Energy Tribune, written over the weekend but consistent with an emerging meme: we are willfully rushing headlong into the same debt, through the very same mandates, that has broken Europe. The system doesn’t work. And our political class doesn’t care. They’ve got a fundamental transformation to impose — as I describe in Power Grab. It’s not too late to learn their plan and their tricks."

In another piece from Energy Tribune, Today's Greece, Tomorrow's America: How Obama's Health Care and Energy Agendas Really End:

"The most troubling aspect of the West’s current policy turmoil is not the European meltdown led by Greece and Spain. It is instead President Barack Obama’s unflinching insistence on rushing America headlong into the very mandates, and resulting debt levels, that precipitated that meltdown."

"Obama is scripting a repeat of Europe’s disaster, here, by cramming down on the American people the same policy fetishes our Left has obsessed about for decades, and which Europe used to bring this down upon itself: statist management of health care and energy."

Our U.S. economy is hanging on by a thread. The CBO just came out with the report that ObamaCare could cost twice as much as originally thought: CBO Doubles Some Health Care Spending Estimates. Now our Senate is poised on adding another economy/job killer bill?

The House version knew Cap and Trade would adversely affect our economy. It even "included two years of unemployment assistance for workers who lose their jobs as a result of this 'jobs bill.' "

The CBO report on Cap and Trade affirms jobs would be lost: "The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has analyzed the research on the effects that policies to reduce greenhouse gases would have on employment and concluded that total employment during the next few decades would be slightly lower than would be the case in the absence of such policies. In particular, job losses in the industries that shrink would lower employment more than job gains in other industries would increase employment, thereby raising the overall unemployment rate."

We cannot afford "rising prices" or causing unemployed people to "face prolonged hardship" on top of our already rising inflation and high jobless numbers, yet this is what the Liberal Progressives in the Senate are proposing. But unless there is an outcry, similar to that of Wisconsinites against our Global Warming/Clean Energy Jobs bill, I am afraid we are headed toward more regulation, higher prices, and increased unemployment numbers.

Contact your Senators. Tell them America cannot afford this legislation. Find them here. In Wisconsin, we have Senator Herb Kohl - (202) 224-5653 and Russ Feingold - (202) 224-5323. Russ Feingold is very vulnerable this fall, especially if Oshkosh businessman Ron Johnson enters the race this month, as expected. Like Wisconsin Senator Jim Sullivan, stiff competition just might get Russ to finally listen to his constituents! It certainly improved Sullivan's hearing.

More Reading: Business Week: U.S. Climate Bill Would Expand Oil Drilling, Cut CO2
National Review: Kerry-Lieberman Cap-and-Trade Bill Leaked
Energy Tribune: Today's Greece Tomorrow's America, How Obama's Health Care and energy Agendas Really End
CBO Economic and Budget Issue Brief
Crime Inc-Joel Rogers and the New Green Deal

Links: Practically Speaking, Betterbrookfield, RandyMelchert, Jay Weber, Vicki McKenna, The Right View Wisconsin, CNS News, Mark Levin, Breitbart BigGovernment, The Heritage Foundation

Tea Party Report & Crashers: I smelled them before I saw them

Yesterday, I attended my first State Capitol Tea Party. The weather was glorious and spirits were high. I was fortunate to be fairly close to the front, just a bit back from a center camerawoman.

Thousands* of people stood for a few hours in front of the Capitol in Madison, listening to various speakers. The warnings that Tea Party Crashers would infiltrate our ranks didn't seem to apply, at least not yet.

There were many great speakers, some known to me--some new. I was excited that Ron Johnson from the Oshkosh Tea Party addressed the crowd. Johnson is the Oshkosh businessman I am hoping will throw his hat into the U.S. Senate ring to run against Russ Feingold. Ron emphasized the need for Citizen Legislators rather than Career Politicians. He gets it. Ron Johnson's speech.

Area resident Mike Dean** shed his usual cool, calm demeanor, and spoke passionately about how a constitutional government, of limited powers, that unleashes the individual, is in fact the last best hope for mankind...and about individual hard work, reason, self reliance, the human spirit, our God given rights of life, liberty and the sacred duty to use them wisely.

About an hour into the Tea Party, I noticed a woman, carrying a sign, weaving her way through the crowd, toward the front. (Pictures are in slide show) Her sign read: "Cut off my reproductive rights and I will cut off yours." I'm not sure where that is in the Bill of Rights.

As we were watching former Governor Tommy Thompson get around to telling us what a great Governor he was (he also praised the Tea Party movement), I noticed a definite change in the air quality! Someone very near me had been drinking and smelled strongly of rancid cigarettes. I turned to see a couple that looked very out of place. The young woman had a few facial piercings and was holding a "Hooray for Russ" sign.

I really wouldn't have cared (at least we were outside and the wind helped dissipate the odor), but they were talking loudly, keeping me from hearing what I hoped would be Thompson saying he wasn't going to run for U.S. Senate. Some told them quiet down, and they replied they had a right to be there. (They did) Someone asked her if she paid any taxes yet. She replied she had a Master's Degree. (Is that an answer?) I think I muttered that they needed to be respectful of others trying to listen.

She then yelled, "We won the election", as if that justifies rudeness? I was a bit concerned that a ruckus might erupt and turned to video their actions in back of me. Someone touched her on the shoulder and her guy started to say, don't touch her. She then said something to quiet him down and he questioned her with something like, I thought you wanted to raise some (swear word)? Let's just say their actions smelled as much as they did. They left shortly after Thompson finished.

Saving the best for last, Vicki McKenna finished up the speaker line-up. That woman can rouse a crowd!

The crowd was very polite and well behaved--even when dealing with the crashers. The Tea Party closed with 2 rounds of the crowd enthusiastically singing, "God Bless America". I couldn't help thinking how appropriate the words from that song were for the situation we find ourselves in today. "God bless America, Land that I love, Stand beside her, and guide her, Through the night with a light from above..." I think all there would say an Amen to that.

It was a great day. I am glad I went. These people are energized to work on campaigns this fall.

Post Scripts: After the Tea Party, my friend and I moved up front to go into the Capitol. Milwaukee God Squad Pastor David King was still near the podium, so we told him how we enjoyed his speech. After some hugs, he modestly said something about how, the glory belongs to God. That statement made me like him even more.

*We were told the crowd numbered 10,000-12,000, and that we were the 3rd largest state capitol Tea Party in the nation.

**Mike Dean is a member of my church and is part of the First Freedoms Foundation. He appeared at the Tea Party as a private citizen.

Thank God for Tommy Thompson's Family "It's time for new voices and new faces," AMEN!

Links: Practically Speaking, Betterbrookfield, RandyMelchert, Jay Weber, Vicki McKenna, The Right View Wisconsin, CNS News, Mark Levin, Breitbart BigGovernment, The Heritage Foundation

There Ain't No Such Thing As Free ObamaCare either

Remember the polls on ObamaCare? Numbers opposed ranged from around 47% last summer to 57% in December. Those supporting ObamaCare stayed around 35%. The results varied depending on how the question was worded and who was sampled. Those of us who value our freedom of choice and keeping the government out of our medical care kept asking ourselves, who are these people who want ObamaCare?

Well, now that ObamaCare passed, we find out why the support numbers were so high: Some people thought ObamaCare was FREE!

Yes, it is true, Health care overhaul spawns mass confusion for public: (My emphasis throughout) "Two weeks after President Barack Obama signed the big health care overhaul into law, Americans are struggling to understand how — and when — the sweeping measure will affect them.

Questions reflecting confusion have flooded insurance companies, doctors' offices, human resources departments and business groups.

'They're saying, 'Where do we get the free Obama care, and how do I sign up for that?' ' said Carrie McLean, a licensed agent for eHealthInsurance.com. The California-based company sells coverage from 185 health insurance carriers in 50 states."

That question reminds me of those people who lined up last October in Detroit to get them some of that free Obama Money.

Obviously, ObamaCare won't be free--at least not for the working taxpayers. It was never touted as being free...if you were paying attention. Remember the fines and possible jail sentences for non compliance? How about the IRS tapping your tax refund to pay for it if you didn't?

McLean of eHealth. said, "We tell them it's not free, that there are going to be things in place that help people who are low-income, but that ultimately most of that is not going to be taking place until 2014."

Our President is spending our country into insolvency, yet his poll numbers remain higher than I would have thought possible. Coincidentally, I guess when you are getting a free ride, why would you not approve of your benefactor?

"Unfortunately, nothing in the bill constitutes a free lunch."

We MUST repeal ObamaCare and replace it with real health care reform before it is too late. Just like TANSTAAFL: There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch, with ObamaCare, we have TANSTAFO: There Aint No Such Thing As Free ObamaCare--at least not for us working stiffs.

Past Posts: TANSTAAFL, Mr. Congressman; TANSTAAFL, Mr. Obama!

More reading: Callers flood ehealthinsurance asking "Where's My Free Obama Care? "In 2014, everyone will be required to purchase health insurance, and states will have exchanges in place so people can compare and buy plans. People who are purchasing insurance on their own who do not earn more than 400 percent of the poverty level (that's about $44,000 for individuals and $88,000 for a family of four in 2009) will be eligible to receive subsidies to help them pay for coverage. " How will we afford this?

Links: Practically Speaking, Betterbrookfield, RandyMelchert, Jay Weber, Vicki McKenna, The Right View Wisconsin, CNS News, Mark Levin, Breitbart BigGovernment, The Heritage Foundation

ObamaCare passed, now what?

For the majority of Americans, yesterday's narrow margin of victory on the ObamaCare vote marked a very sad day in our history. Amid shouts of Vote No from protesters outside, Bart Stupak sold out, as did most of the anti-abortion Democrats, giving ObamaCare 219 yes votes. (There were 34 Democrats who voted no along with all of the Republicans.)

The President was obviously pleased. He said, "Another stone laid in the foundation of the American Dream" and unbelievably, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi quipped, "No money exchanged hands"! All I can say is that often dreams turn into nightmares.

I have to hand it to those who trekked to Washington DC for their one, last-ditch effort to persuade lawmakers to listen to the people. But in the end, the majority of Democrats did not care what most of us thought.

So now what?

Conservatives have been cautioning that repealing ObamaCare legislation would be very difficult. But at this point, fighting back is all we have.

Several states have already begun the process of suing the Federal Government over ObamaCare. Idaho, Virginia, South Carolina, and Florida have set the wheels in motion. "Texas, Nebraska, Utah, North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma and Alabama are expected to join the campaign."

Other states will probably push to retain the rights of their residents to contract privately for their own health care coverage and "prohibit enactment of any law that requires any person to obtain or maintain health insurance coverage or to participate in any health care system or plan," as Wisconsin is trying.

On February 22, 2010, Senate Joint Resolution 62 was introduced by Wisconsin Senators Leibham, Lazich, Kapanke, Darling, Grothman, Lasee, Hopper, and Shultz, along with 23 Representatives.

The road ahead will be difficult. We already cannot afford the government programs we now have. ObamaCare will add to the deficit. Moody's has been warning that America's debt level will move us "'substantially' closer to losing its AAA rating".

Caterpillar announced last week--in anticipation of passage--that ObamaCare "would increase the company's health-care costs by more than $100 Million in the first year alone." How will increased costs help struggling companies rebuild our economy?

Fasten your seat belts, we are in for a very bumpy ride.


More reading: New Taxes for Health Care Help Obama 'Spread the Wealth Around'
Senate Conservatives Repeal It Pledge "I hereby pledge to support with my time, money, and vote only those candidates who vow to repeal President Obama's health care takeover."
Abortion Compromise Does Not Satisfy Critics
When Deficits Become Dangerous
Obama Pays More Than Buffett as U.S. Risks AAA Rating

Links: Practically Speaking, Betterbrookfield, RandyMelchert, Jay Weber, Vicki McKenna, The Right View Wisconsin, CNS News, Mark Levin, Breitbart BigGovernment, The Heritage Foundation

Obama's ObamaCare "Let's Make a Deal" on steroids: Call 10 key House Democrats

President Obama has sunk to a new low with his latest strong-arm tactics to convince 10 key House Democrats to change their ObamaCare NO vote to YES when it comes their way again. The 10 NO Dems were invited to the White House yesterday for some Presidential persuasion, because the President needs them to change their votes to keep ObamaCare dream alive.

The most egregious example of strong-arming being the Obama administration just happening to recommend Congressman Jim Matheson's brother, Scott, a judgeship for the Tenth Circuit court. How about that? Now Matheson, who voted twice against ObamaCare in the House, is now undecided!

From the Weekly Standard, Obama Now Selling Judgeships for Health Care Votes?: "Tonight, Barack Obama will host ten House Democrats who voted against the health care bill in November at the White House; he's obviously trying to persuade them to switch their votes to yes. One of the ten is Jim Matheson of Utah. The White House just sent out a press release announcing that today President Obama nominated Matheson's brother Scott M. Matheson, Jr. to the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit."

Talk about brazen. No attempt to have put this in the works back in November for future influence? This was not the only time there appears to be influence peddling: "The timing of this nomination looks suspicious, especially in light Democratic Congressman Joe Sestak's claim that he was offered a federal job not to run against Arlen Specter in the Pennsylvania primary. Many speculated that Sestak, a former admiral, was offered the Secretary of the Navy job."

I heard about Obama's push to persuade the 10 Dems on Mark Levin last night. He is asking for a Levin Surge, that means a calling campaign. Senator Jim DeMint urged doing the same. Many people think their calls don't do any good. May I respectfully disagree that the only reason we haven't passed ObamaCare yet is because of your calls and presence at Town Halls and Congressional offices!

I join Jim and Mark in urging you to call the 10 Key Dems and politely ask that they stand firm on their NO votes. Call one, a few or better yet, all 10 Congressmen: Jason Altmire 202-225-2565, Allen Boyd 202-225-5235, Lincoln Davis 202-225-6831, Stephanie Herseth- Sandlin 202-225-2801, Frank Kratovil 202-225-5311, Betsy Markey 202-225-4676, Jim Matheson 202-225-3011, Heath Shuler 202-225-6401, John Tanner 202-225-4714, Scott Murphy 202-225-5614

The normal Conference process of melding the House with Senate bill into one that then is voted on again by the House and Senate has failed. Even if they did have a final bill, the election of Scott Brown to the Senate makes a 60 vote majority unlikely.

UPDATE*But wait a minute, if the House passes the Senate version, which already was passed Christmas Eve, then it goes to Obama for signing into law! The premise was that the House should pass the Senate version to have it go for Reconciliation in the Senate and then they would "fix" it later to suit both chambers. But if the House passes the Senate version, as is, legally, it does not have to go to the Senate for another vote! It will be law. No wonder Sen. Jim DeMint mentioned that the House doesn't trust the Senate? Rep. Stupak, who objects to taxpayer funded abortion says there are 12 Dems ready to oppose health care bill. If that is true, passage of the Senate version is unlikely.

So [then] the only hope of ObamaCare passage [now] is a little used budgetary tool called Reconciliation allowed by the Constitution. This was never meant to pass something like ObamaCare, but the President and Democrats are threatening to use it anyway. (Then again, Pay for Play influence isn't allowed either--in addition to Matheson, remember Senator's Mary Landrieu's Louisiana Purchase and Ben Nelson's deal?)

Funny how times change. The President himself said he would not use Reconciliation when he was campaigning. Obama is now renaming Reconciliation as a Simple Majority or an Up and Down Vote. Whatever the name, it is still Reconciliation that needs 50 + 1 votes.

If we were still under President Bush, the 50 Yes Senate votes wouldn't be enough to pass Socialized Medicine, because Vice President Dick Chaney would cast the tie breaking NO vote. But then again, if President Bush were still in office, the focus of the administration would be the economy. We would have lowered taxes on businesses, allowed domestic oil drilling, and stopped the government takeover of the US Economy, instead of pushing business killing ObamaCare and Cap and Trade.

Make the calls!


*I caught a bit of Rush after Vicki McKenna today and he had forgotten this too. Could it be that the President himself is hoping the House won't remember that if they pass the Senate version, it becomes law too?


More Reading/Viewing:
Obama 'American Agenda' Flashback: Dems Should Not Pass Healthcare with a 50-plus1 strategy - Senator Obama's own words AGAINST using reconciliation to pass healthcare in 2007--"need a 60 vote majority...We are not going to pass a universal healthcare with a 50 + 1 strategy."

Morning Bell: Obmacare's Kabuki End Game: "Where exactly do House and Senate aides writing this new bill expect to come up with the money to pay for all these new goodies? And they have to find that cash because all reconciliation bills must be certified by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to reduce the deficit by $1 billion over five years. And that CBO score will take at least a week, or possibly two to complete."

ObamaCare: Still a Threat to Your Life

Stupak: 12 Dems ready to oppose health care bill

Links: Practically Speaking, Betterbrookfield, RandyMelchert, Jay Weber, Vicki McKenna, The Right View Wisconsin, CNS News, Mark Levin, Breitbart BigGovernment, The Heritage Foundation

Promises, promises: It'll be on C-SPAN

Eight different times, on Jan 2008, 1/20/08, 11/14/2008, 8/28/08, 3/1/08, 11/27/07, May 2008, and 4/25/08, presidential candidate Barack Obama promised that his ObamaCare negotiations would not be held behind closed doors. Instead they would be televised on C-SPAN. He promised negotiations would be "transparent and accountable" so the American people could watch them. He even chided the Clinton's for their closed door health care discussions during the Clinton era.

But like so many promises made by President Obama, the reality is quite different from his promises. At present, President Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and Harry Reid are negotiating behind closed doors to mesh the passed House and Senate versions of ObamaCare. No C-SPAN, no transparency, except Pelosi saying they are close to a bill.

This in itself should raise the ire of every American because this Conference Committee melding of the bills is always done in Congress and subject to more discussion and scrutiny. Considering the bill affects 1/6th of the American economy, you would think they would follow precedence. But not with President Obama's administration.

I guess we just must chalk up his broken C-SPAN promise as another, I was for it before I was against it? Was this the change you hoped for?

From The Heritage Foundation's Obama's Other Broken Health Care Promises:

1. Individual Mandate: ...Obama:'Now, under any mandate, you are going to have problems with people who don’t end up having health coverage...' Both the House and Senate bills now contain an individual mandate. According to the President’s own Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, under the Senate plan, 19 million Americans would pay $29 billion in taxes/fines and still receive no health care in return.
2. You Will Not Lose Your Doctor: ...Obama promised the American people: 'No matter how we reform health care, we will keep this promise...If you like your doctor, ...keep your doctor...If you like your health care plan...keep your health care plan.' Again, the President’s own Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services confirms that the current Senate health bill breaks this promise. Seventeen million Americans will be forced out of their existing health insurance. [Even more woes for Medicare/Medicaid patients--see Mayo clinic link at bottom.]

3. No Tax Hikes for People Making Less than $250,000: '...Obama promised the American people: “if your family earns less than $250,000 a year, you will not see your taxes increased a single dime.' I repeat: not one single dime.' Speaker Pelosi believes the Senate bill’s excise tax on insurance plans breaks this promise, and she is right... [and] There are a slew of new taxes in the Senate bill, many of which will hit the middle class...

4. Your Health Premiums Will Be $2,500 Lower:Congressional Budget Office,and Lewin Group,[disagree.]
5. Health Reform Reduces the Deficit:..'Obama: I will not sign a plan that adds one dime to our deficits – either now or in the future. Period.' [but] When the true cost of Obamacare is considered, the final tab comes to $2.5 trillion with an honest accounting of Medicare reimbursement rates netting a $765 billion deficit all by itself.
6. Tax Payer Funded Abortion: ...Obama: 'No federal dollars will be used to fund abortions.'[but in Senate version]Your taxdollars most definitely would be paying for elective abortions.

More viewing/reading: Jack Cafferty (CNN) Rips Obama on Failed Openness Pledge: 'Just Anohter Lie Told for Political Expediency'
C-SPAN CEO: White House Has Allowed Only 'One Hour' of Health Care Coverage
Pelosi: Very Close to Final Health Care Bill
Obama: "You can keep your doctor." Can you? I checked. I can't
Medicare Patients No Longer Accepted at May Clinic in Arizona

Links: Practically Speaking, Fairly Conservative, Betterbrookfield, RandyMelchert, Jay Weber, Vicki McKenna, The Right View Wisconsin, CNS News, Mark Levin, Breitbart BigGovernment, The Heritage Foundation

Stopping ObamaCare: Hoping for Ghost of Christmas Future or appendectomy?

Unfortunately, ObamaCare health care reform has become a matter of being the best bill money can bribe. It seems the only way the Democrats can cram it down our throats is to offer big buck incentives to hold-out Senators to reach the magical 60 vote majority and then vote in the dead of night.

Senator and Doctor Tom Coburn said it best, "This process is not legislation. This process is corruption, and it's a shame that that's the only way we can come to consensus in this country is to buy votes."

If bribes weren't bad enough, Senate Leader Harry Reid scheduled the final vote on the eve of Christendom's most significant holiday, Christmas Eve. The timing of his vote is a slap in the face to Christians.

All I can say is that our founding fathers are rolling over in their graves at the dirty tricks some legislators have sunk to.

What can we do? Really nothing, except pray that just one of those 60 Democrats would change their vote? You know, in the spirit of A Christmas Carol, where the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future visited Ebenezer Scrooge prompting his change of heart, that 1 or 2 Democrats would be convicted or have troubling dreams of what America will look like in the future under the tyranny of ObamaCare.

Or, we need something to keep a Senator or 2 from voting on the Senate floor Christmas Eve. Not anything serious, just a well timed emergency appendectomy or something?

Unless we get a reprieve, we probably will have a signed Senate bill on Christmas Eve. Talk about coal in our stockings!

The only shred of hope we have of defeating ObamaCare after that is to hammer our legislators while they are home in their districts over Christmas break. The House and Senate versions still must go through conference committee to come up with the final version. My hope would be some Congressmen would reconsider, seeing that over 60% of Americans DON'T WANT OBAMACARE.

God help us, everyone.

Pertinent reading (my emphasis): Catholic League: Reid deals "Three Card Monte" : "...Sen. Harry Reid’s health care bill resembles—“Three Card Monte.” The dealer is the federal government with its “opt out” and “firewall” illusions regarding abortion coverage; the confederate is the insurance companies with its “segregation of funds” illusions; and the loser is the taxpayers, especially those who are pro-life.

The central difference between the card game and the health care bill is that the former doesn’t wind up subsidizing the killing of innocents."

Links: Practically Speaking, Fairly Conservative, Betterbrookfield, RandyMelchert, Jay Weber, Vicki McKenna, The Right View Wisconsin, CNS News, Mark Levin, Breitbart BigGovernment, The Heritage Foundation