Health Care Reform Stealing the Show

I've been listening to the media daily, seeing the number get closer to the magic 216 votes to pass health care reform, (supposedly), Rep. Stupak being used as the "poster Representative" for the "no" vote, and have done a lot of thinking and some prayer on this. 

How do I feel?  Very unsettled.  Do I want Health Care Reform?  Yes.  So why am I unsettled? I'm with the many who feel that this is being pushed through like everything has been pushed through since the President took office.  Things happen so quickly that we're moving on to the next thing before the dust has had a chance to settle on the "thing" before it...and this seems to be almost intentional...don't give people time to think, push, push, push.

I'm not happy with the way things are, with how they will affect my children, and their children.  But I do think through this mess that is being made of our Nation under the present administration, we are learning more about politics and how they work than we would otherwise...it's a shame that it's takes something negative to drive us to action and to our knees...to pray. 

I wish I could be the rally in Washington DC tomorrow where many grass roots organizations will be gathering, where John Voight will join Rep. Michele Bachman will be at 12 Noon...there's many sites with information about this rally, click here for more info.

Obama on Fox News with Bret Baier Pushing Health Care Reform

The pressure is on, they've got to pass health care reform...and they may do it votes or no votes.  Is Obama showing desperation by appearing Wednesday night on Fox News at 6 PM EST? I don't know about that, but do know you can suggest questions for the interview at foxnews.com/specialreport or on Twitter, @bret_baier  I'm not against Health Care Reform, there's many things that need improving, but I am against it being pushed through when so many voting on it don't even know what they are voting on...or pushing it through without votes at all! 

Is Medicaire really all that they say it will be?  And what about abortion?  So many are passionate about this issue, including myself.  The members of the House are listening to their constituents in many cases, their future is at stake, so do call and tell them what you think.  I've even heard that President Obama is saying he will not campaign for Democrats who do not help push the Senate bill through.  I get a little suspicious when I hear that Pharmaceutical companies are coming behind the bill with funding, if this is true, the price of drugs is a pet peeve of mine and if they see something in the bill that means this will not change, I'm not happy about it. 

It's a complicated issue, and I wish I understood everything that is in the bill, or even what is in the bill.

The Charles Rangel Thing Should Be No Surprise

Charles Rangel stepping down for a bit from his post as Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee...all I can say is finally!  It was just a little over a year ago, in early February, when I wrote a post on another blog that isn't around anymore...but I still have the post, here it is, and how very timely:

"Since the list of those who President Barack Obama has chosen to be part of his administration, or who are already part of his administration, and have had to step down, or offer apologies for one reason or another is growing daily, I thought you might appreciate one handy place to come to listen to their words of regret and apologies...

I thought I would start with this moving and heartfelt apology by Congressman Charles Rangel posted back in September of 2008 on YouTube:

Touching, wasn't it?..."

The Courage of Elizabeth Edwards

In the Spring of last year, Elizabeth Edwards book, "Resilience", was released. During the past couple of weeks her husband has been in the news for his unfaithfulness to her and the consequences. In her book, "Resilience", she shares her reactions to her husband's confession of his affair with Rielle Hunter. She shares how she became sick enough to throw up, cried, screamed when she heard the news, which was actually long before we heard about it.

None of us can deny that she is, as the title of her book implies, a resilient and a strong woman. All of us, especially us women, were shocked to hear the news when it first came out...and could feel her pain...how a husband could do this to his wife that is battling cancer disgusted us all (I hope). I opened up a dialog on the topic, and shared some about her books, at another site, if you would like to visit, with a place to share your own thoughts entitled "Cheating Politicians Saying 'I'm Sorry', Sincere or Suspicious'"?

We shouldn't forget that on top of all of that Elizabeth Edwards has experienced in her marriage and in her battle with cancer, she has also experienced the loss of a child. Now we can read about all of the experiences that make Elizabeth Edwards the woman of character she is from her perspective. She also has another book that shares how much the support of friends means at a time like this.

We wish her the best in her ongoing battle against cancer, and living with the memories the thoughts that must come to mind now and then, wishing her the ongoing strength to forgive, and continue to bless us with her gift of encouragement.

A Week+ Late Sharing Thoughts on Abortion

I missed posting about the March for Life in Washington DC in 2010 on the 20th-24th of this month, and haven't said much about the media coverage of the advertisement that Tim Tebow will be doing during the Super Bowl sharing that his wonderful life is a result of his Mom not having an abortion, but it's something I care about...a lot.

Back in 2008, President Bush's last January in office during the March, I posted the following:

"I don't have strong feelings about who I would like to be President yet...Thompson's out of the Repub. race, Hillary and Obama are boring me with their arguments. What I do have strong feelings about is the significance of January 22, 1973, when the Supreme Court decided it was okay to kill babies. 35 years have passed since that date, and approximately 50 million precious lives have been thrown away in trash cans and other ways, and disposed of like pieces of garbage. Those that are behind the "pro-death" movement try to justify it as something that saves many woman who have life-threatening pregnancies. You can't convince me that the lives of 50 million woman have been saved, I think we all know better. Most abortions are a matter of convenience, a precious life doesn't fit into the picture right now, so it is done away with.

After all of that, let me tell you that I spent a good bit of time volunteering with a pregnancy center, trying to help young girls see that there were options to abortion, it broke my heart to see their tears, it broke my heart to hear some tell me that they had to do this because their parents wanted it, it was hard. But nothing justifies killing. Because I believe in the forgiveness God provided through Jesus, I know there is forgiveness for even something as ugly as this, but first one has to see it for what it is, wrong, and seek that forgiveness, and help stop the killing.

Millions marched in Washington DC today, many were teenagers, providing great hope for the future, and President Bush has done his part by appointing justices that are pro-life, that is part of his legacy. He has spoken to the crowds remotely each year, click here to read his thoughts (well, they used to be there, now removed under the present administration) shared more eloquently than my blunt words, thank you, President Bush.

I miss having a President who cares enough to speak boldly to the people on this issue, one who sees the value in a life, one who stands against destroying children, infants when they are at a most vulnerable age. I fear God's judgment on a Nation who does such things and doesn't see it as morally wrong...or simply does not care.