It’s not about the sunshine: Liberal rhetoric dismisses substantive debate
By JR Hoeft | Monday, March 22nd, 2010 | PolicyI’ve been amused to read in several places today those who support the federal takeover of 1/6 of our national economy saying that the “sun will still come up tomorrow”.
They’re absolutely right. But for a list of other things that will happen because of passage of this bill, I think Brian S over at Too Conservative has a great list.
In addition, the sun also will come up tomorrow over Communist China, Iran, Afghanistan, Sudan, and North Korea. Additionally, in the past, the celestial phenomenon was also observed over the Third Reich, the USSR, Hussein’s Iraq, Milosevic’s Yugoslavia and Ceausescu’s Romania.
And, believe it or not, on this anniversary of the Stamp Act, it also managed to happen daily here in the good ol’ colonial empire under King George III.
Bottom-line – the sun will come up tomorrow, but it may not come up on the same country our Founders and ancestors fought and sacrificed for. Therefore, the dismissive, arrogant, irrelevant and diminishing comments of some on the left regarding the nature of conservative concerns and protest dishonors the memory of that sacrifice and discredits the true gravity of this discussion.
Benjamin Franklin said on the signing of the Declaration of Independence: “I have,” said he, “often and often in the course of the Session, and the vicissitudes of my hopes and fears as to its issue, looked at that behind the President without being able to tell whether [the painted sun] was rising or setting: But now at length I have the happiness to know that it is a rising and not a setting Sun.”
I wonder what he would say today.
And, while we’re on the subject of rhetoric, this notion that somehow if you are against a proposal you are automatically against the outcome is ridiculous.
In other words, the comment that “millions will be added to healthcare”, but if you oppose the current healthcare reforms, you’re somehow against adding millions access to healthcare is ludicrous.
As the old axiom goes, there’s more than one way to skin a cat.
Unfortunately, in this last go-around, the left has chosen to ignore alternative solutions, expand government, create more debt, and reduce freedom instead of choosing commonsense reforms to limit government, break-up monopolies, create more opportunity and choice, and encourage personal liberty.
If only there was some transparent “sunshine” on this whole process, we might have a better bill on our hands. Instead, dark clouds are on the horizon.
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About the author
Conservative to the core; liberal with his opinion! J.R. has been involved in politics for over a decade and has worked on several campaigns in Hampton Roads. He has served on the Executive Committee of the Republican Party of Chesapeake and the Central Committee of the Republican Party of Virginia. He is also the director of “Blogs United” in Virginia. E-mail J.R.. Follow J.R. on Twitter.
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24 Responses to "It’s not about the sunshine: Liberal rhetoric dismisses substantive debate"
Ok Ill start this one off…
No I don’t like the bill as structured. Specifically I do not like the mandate on coverage purchase. However the bill contains a lot of things that are good. Repealing this bill is impossible. What is the policy plan to fix the bill moving forward? People want healthcare reform just not like this. Can we stop all the crap and lets start talking plans to fix this bill.
btw this isn’t the end of anything just another step in time for the experiment that is our United States to balance what people want from what it can afford. We need to be smart people looking forward and not saying NO NO NO. We all agree there is problems. Now lets be grown folks and establish plans.
Why can’t there be a bill that covers some of the good parts of the bill like allowing children to stay on parents insurance longer (that will help children and young adults and not cost government more), allowing preexisting conditions, and some others that are good and find ways to balance the budget to pay for it. Obama could have just as easily not gone on a spendathon (cash for clunkers) and slashed spending in the wasteful areas to give tax credits for health care just like the energy star tax credit, (appliances, windows, doors, etc.).
Well we can’t get there with everyone going this is the end of the US and Obama is the anti-christ and blah blah blah. Time to start talking plan cause at the end of the day, Obama just checked off a major item on his campaign list. This might knock out a bunch of liberals in Congress but it makes him far more stronger.
Lee, with all due respect, the Bolshevic revolution that brought about Red October had some change that people thought was good too… talk about “Change” that was initially popular lol. I want to hear about plans to repeal this plan and the arrogant Virginia leadership that allowed it to be brought to the floor. Yes I am reffering to Webb and Warner who took our childrens futures by the hand and jumped with them off a cliff.
Ah yes, the sun will rise again. But the question is whether America will rise with it? As things stand right now, many of this country’s workers are pondering whether it pays to continue chasing the dream or to just kick back and have a beer. The housing debacle, bank bailouts, layoffs and now free benefits for all are harbingers of a new dream of moral and morale hazard, as each citizen is presented a bill for hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt they didn’t make. So as Republicans shout their indignation and the Democrats stomp their feet in glee, it would be wise for them to consider what happens when Americans no longer play the game.
My little grass hut on a South China Sea beach is looking better all the time. The beer is cold and there’s no better place in the world to watch the sun set on a once great republic. Thousands of islands, countless beaches. Pick one, it’s a big world.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeridaking/2456684762/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/saaammm/2448178759/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gringograss/4232806459/
James,
Unfortunately repealing that bill will be exponentially harder for us than is was for the Dems to get it passed. We will have to shape and chip away at it.
Again while I do not like this bill as it is structured can someone please educate me to how this bill is the end of America as we know it.
Now as for the folks who voted for this. Yes now this is the beauty of a republic. We hire them to represent us and our views and needs. When they fail to do so then like any other job where an employee which is what they are nothing more nothing less is failing to do the job you want…. you fire them. Pink slips are due to go out in November. Lets show Congress how hard the job market is with the current economic issues the President is ignoring and now the huge increase in taxes this bill puts on us.
Lee, if the polls were accurate on Sunday that 55% of the American people did not approve of the Health Care Reform Bill that was passed, I cannot say this act of pushing it through made Obama stronger. When people become aware of what’s in the bill and really think of the ramifications for them, their children and grandchildren as far as cost to them and their freedom and way of life a different story will be told.
However, we can come up with all kinds of ideas, the law that will be signed will be Federal Law. How do YOU propose to change it? Ideas are great, I love to think and share. Awesome! How are you going to change the Mandated Health Care Bill that will be signed into Federal Law probably this week.
I sorta agree with Lee Tally.
It passed and now we have to do something about it. First, is we need to toss out all the bums that voted this garbage onto us. Once we do that, adding fixes through new legislation will be easier.
In the event that this is overturned by the courts, we do need to work on alternatives. One does have to fault the Republicans for not doing enough. Sure, Medical Savings Accounts can be a big part of any reform and people mostly don’t understand how flexible those can be if implemented along with tax incentives. Being able to donate to a loved one’s, or friend’s MSA and get tax credits would bring out the good in a lot of people. Charity and giving can be more par for the course of the day.
Some sort of portability is needed along with protection for those with pre-existing conditions. Maybe compensate insurance companies with tax incentives for taking on pre-existing patients?
Time to get to work, because this monster is going hurt a lot of people and hurdle us into the mediocrity of life that is Marxism unless we act.
Republicans should embrace Ryan’s Patient’s Choice Act. This is a good starting point: http://www.house.gov/ryan/PCA/
Two points –
1) Y’all completely missed the point of my post. It’s that liberal rhetoric is not really helping matters and only serves to continue to divide from already angry conservatives.
2) Repeal is not the answer. I agree with Larry Sabato who recently tweeted that we need to be talking “fix” or “major overhaul”. If you read the statements from Republican congressman in Virginia (http://bearingdrift.com/2010/03/21/statements-from-forbes-and-wittman-on-healthcare-passage/), everyone is calling for reform…just not this obnoxious power grab from the left.
All together now: The sky is falling the sky is falling!
How is this Marxist? How is Obama suddenly Hitler? I love that you know your history JR, but it’s sad to see how every little boon for the Dems gets your days grayer and grayer. Oh bummer, he was elected. Oh bummer, he’s actually turning the economy around. You could actually accomplish a lot more if you offered some alternative suggestions to the plan. Perhaps revising one of Bob Dole’s offerings might work? Oh wait, this looks a LOT like that one, doesn’t it?
This circus is very entertaining but you have zero credibility when you raise the disturbing picture of Marxism with me here. Zero. Because this is not a takeover of insurance (as it is in Canada and Britain and Australia). You keep your doctor and get increased coverage. How is this a bad thing? Killing 28 million (some say more) of your own people is a bad thing. Wanting to provide health care to 28 million people is … you know, sort of a good thing to me.
And as for 2010, write it off. The GOP will be looking very lame when they give back pre-existing conditions to the insurance industry, or for that matter any of the things that this legislation provides.
As for tomorrow, maybe you could start a yoga regimen after a nice cup of green tea. I don’t recommend any more coffee, okay? Cheers — seriously!
Sean – way to prove my point.
Do Not Take Counsel of Your Fears
“In planning any operation, it is vital to remember and constantly repeat to oneself two things: ‘In war, nothing is impossible provided you use audacity,’ and ‘Do not take counsel of your fears.”
General George S. Patton
This morning was not the best sunrise that I have seen but it was good enough. It is a new and GREAT day.
Tell me Mr Hoeft, do you remember about 14 months ago when everyone was talking about the Extinction of the Republican Party??? Now they argue over if the Republicans will take control of Congress !!!!
And now “Republican candidates have now stretched their lead over Democrats to 10 points in the Generic Congressional Ballot, their biggest lead ever in nearly three years of weekly tracking. The GOP has been leading on the ballot for months”
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/mood_of_america/generic_congressional_ballot
Patton also said the following: “The person in contact with the enemy invariably overestimates their strength to himself.”
When you look at the enemies you have in your life, whether we’re talking about competitors in your business, or the troubles that keep you from succeeding to your utmost ability, you’re likely to overestimate the strength of your enemy, and underestimate your ability to do anything about it. Certainly, Patton didn’t make his reputation by underestimating the ability of the troops who served with him…he constantly demanded that they measure up to what he knew they were capable of.
Undoubtedly driven in part by her continuing efforts to pass the national health care plan, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi remains the most unpopular congressional leader, as she has for months. Pelosi is now viewed unfavorably by 64% of voters. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is now viewed at least somewhat unfavorably by 56% of voters.But 64% say Congress is doing a poor job. The good news is that’s a seven-point improvement from last month’s 71%, the highest negative grade recorded in over 40 months of tracking. The bad news is that 64% is the second worst grade the legislators have earned in that same time period and is up 21 points from late March a year ago.
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/
Today is a GREAT day for conservatives.
JR, you can continue to characterize this Bill as only a product of the left, for by doing so, you ignore the fact that americans of all stripes support the components of this Bill. Health care for children, health care for the uninsured, improvements in MediCare for the elderly, little or no effect on small businesses. Now I happen to think it would have been a better bill if the republicans had worked with the majority to make it better, instead of adopting a policy of obstructionism. But that is water over the dam; so what now? If the Party lets the right wing fringe continue to drive the Party, and the recovery picks up steam and the suits are dismissed, what will you offer to the american people? More vodoo economics?
Mike,
Great regurgitation of the talking points that I expected to see coming from the left.
That’s why I have been saying repeal only is not the right course. But “repeal and reform” is.
You look at every statement from Virginia’s Republican congressional delegation and listen to the interview I did with Rep. Wittman and one thing becomes very clear – every single one of them cares a great deal about expanding healthcare coverage, reducing costs and preserving liberty.
No one is saying that there aren’t good components to this bill that do those very things, such as creating a health care exchange, but there are also dreadful, if not outright frightening aspects to it too, such as hiring 16,000 IRS agents to ensure that you have healthcare. Such as mandating to the states billions of dollars of increased Medicaid costs. Robbing from Medicare and Social Security to pay for the plan. Increasing taxes.
Be intellectually honest, Mike. Don’t devolve into unnecessary partisanship and scoff at opposing viewpoints.
That’s exactly what this post is about. The left collectively turning its back on 59% of the country who opposed this bill…and they continue to do so.
Mike…we, as a nation, owe more than $12 trillion. Our debt ceiling is now $14 trillion. How is adding another program, on top of the already broken Social Security and Medicare systems, going to improve our global standing?
Sean, this is for you man. The Democrat media man Tim Russert got tired of the democrats visual communist association with their historic party color scheme of Red.. The GOP truly is Blue.. er, it was before 2000. Are there any true BLUE Republicans with the courage to take back the original Blue color scheme..
In Europe red was used for left leaning parties.. both commie russia and nazi germany used Red color schemes (the conservative blue parties were out of power in both countries). And no Sean, Nazis were not right wing contrary to widespread left wing propaganda.
This unofficial system of political colors used in the United States is the reverse of that in most other long-established democracies, where blue represents right-wing and conservative parties, while red represents left-wing and socialist parties.
Why mention this here? Have you visited any red countries lately? How’s that healthcare going for our broke for 100 years Russian friends?
James – thank you for noticing our blue background. As a matter of fact, it’s ironic that you mention this point, cause I was just describing to a contributor why we use blue as our dominant color as opposed to red.
Red is, indeed, the color of communism and there is no end to the insiduousness of the left to try to associate that color with the GOP. As you said, it was not until 2000 until the MSM hijacked the color and foisted it upon the GOP.
We will continue to fight for “blue” here on BD!!
Well JR, keep telling yourself that. Fact is, the components of the Bill are very popular, and any attempt to repeal this Bill will only contribute to the growing perception that republicans are the defenders of the wealthy, the status quo, the insurance companies, and the zealots who engaged in such deplorable behavior in front of the cameras. Fact is, it is time to really ask, what do you stand for? Most citizens know what you are against, but few have any clue what you are now for. As conditions continue to improve, the electorate will be in a very different place in November than it is now. Can you continue to scare folks in an improving economy. I guess we will find out.
Mike,
What about “expanding healthcare coverage, reducing costs and preserving liberty” is that hard to understand?
What about the link to the Patients Choice Act provided above is not being “for” something?
Keep repeating your lies. Eventually even you will believe them.
Lies? You mean that most americans want health care insurance without fear of cancellation if you get sick? You mean most americans with pre-existing conditions still want to be able to buy health insurance? You mean the lie about most americans want our children to have health insurance? You mean that the elderly want their MediCare and want the donut hole closed so they are not at financial risk? And tell me, JR, do you really think that the majority of americans think the world will end because health care benefits have been extended? No, regretfully, the right wing conservative base has not yet realized that their purity is not catching; in fact, seeing the repercussions of that ideological purity in the bad behavior of the zealots is rapidly transforming a new centrist majority. Thanks.
Ooooh, all this talk about strategy and enemies, and KARL MARX and Commies!! … man, makes we want Chinese food while watching McCarthy on the History Channel.
Today was a indeed a GREAT day, as we saw the eventual rise in the polls of common folks all across America that are showing support for this bill and coming around to realizing — hey — it sounds good, with many of it’s proposals starting as –wait for it — Republican ideas.
Heck even FOX NEWS (certainly not your typical MSM outlet) was saying it’s 47% for vs. 48% against. Drudge, where are you in this time of ideological crisis? Your coverage that was so bold and full of unverified rumors for the right to fawn over is all but gone today.
The GOP is losing traction, and comprehension of their base, fast. The closer it gets to the tea party, the more marginalized it will become as we’ve obviously seen. Talk about Thomas Paine and Common Sense all you want: escalate for inflation in a democratic society and in 2010 you know what you get? You get a brash and brilliant politician putting his entire career on the line to get common people from all walks of life the kind of coverage they can get in ANY OTHER developed country. And while you can call me lefty all you want, I once was one of you. Remember that for 100 years no one could do this. This passage must be just so hard for the GOP to bear this news as they tried many times as did the Dems but facts are facts. This is horrific for the GOP. Obama has said it’s far from perfect. It’s a first step but one that we all as Americans should embrace regardless of political affiliation. Because in the end, don’t think that unemployed Joe Sixpack and his 7 kids in the flats of middle America won’t take advantage of healthcare if it’s provided.
The longer the ridiculous “holdout” the more insane the GOP becomes. I realize that Social Security and Medicare took more than a handful of members of both sides, but in this day and age the only fact that remains is that a) the bill passed! and b) the GOP truly, truly becomes the party of “NO”! Do you really want that?
I’m not saying that things can’t get worse for the Dems, but they don’t look likely to. Obama may become a one-term president, but only if the GOP disposes completely of the Tea Party. Otherwise, I think things could get terrible, I mean really bad, before any member of the GOP would get elected to President.
Indeed, I once was one of you. Yea, and also I was found …
70% Angry At Federal Government’s Policies
64% Say Congress Is Doing A Poor Job
Generic Congressional Ballot: Republicans 43%, Democrats 35%
27% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction
Negatives for Pelosi, Reid, Boehner Hit Record Highs
54% Say Cost Is Biggest Problem With Health Care
56% Oppose Medicare Cuts in Health Care Proposal
50% Say States Should Have Right to Opt Out of Health Care Reform Plan
49% Support State Lawsuits Against Health Care Plan
Only 20% Say Most in Congress Will Understand Health Care Plan Before They Vote On It
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/
Party like its 1773
This one is for Mr Esch and Mr Barrett
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkmLL_WjI2k&feature=PlayList&p=098150A56B7CFD3F&index=0&playnext=1
Party like its 1773
JR, Republican Blue is iconic.. at some point the GOP must deal with recognizing the value of the effect it has on media strategy. It is incumbent upon us to take back our colors and give ole red back to the left.
May I propose an article on this blog be published discussing Repoublican identity, icons and how we present our party values to the media?
Interesting idea, James. I know Michael Zak of “Grand Old Partisan” and author of “Back to Basics for the Republican Party” has done a lot of this sort of work on icons, identity, etc.
But, a few posts on BD might be worthwhile too.
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