Who's Next?

So they went ahead and did it. The House Democrats cajoled 219 votes and passed health care reform. They defied the people they represent and they must pay for it. Politically, of course. We could go on debating whether or not this bill will ever make it all the way into action but, regardless, it raises one last question for me: "Who's next?"

Here's what I mean. Who's the next country to pick up the gauntlet of freedom now that America has proven to the world that everything we hold dear doesn't work? By passing the most major element of socialist government yet, we have sent a signal to the rest of the world that Democracy doesn't work. Even Americans need a Government to watch over and provide for their most basic needs. We're no better than communists. At least our government isn't.

Happy faces and cheers abound among the ranks of the democrats in Congress. Even though nobody got what they wanted out of this, especially the American people. Well, almost nobody. I think Obama got exactly what he wanted.

I believe that Obama really wants to fundamentally change America and move its government away from democracy and more towards Marxism. Consider how this all works from here. If this new reform bill ever actually goes into effect as intended it will lead to the complete takeover of the medical industry by the Government. If our country lasts long enough you will see medical school enrollment decline dramatically since the ability for doctors to make money has just been taken away. This alone will lead to the dramatic decline of American medicine. This could happen very quickly if we see a lot of older doctors choose to simply retire rather than allow the government to control everything they do. I know I would.

Let's consider what will happen everywhere else. Industrial equipment manufacturer Caterpillar has said this bill will cost them $100 million a year to start. I predict massive layoffs to make this bill affordable to most larger companies. Many manufacturers will finally cave and delete all American jobs and move somewhere else. I know I would. Many small businesses will simply fail and still many more will flounder. The bigger companies that stay will simply jack up the prices of their goods and pass on the extreme costs of health care onto the average consumer. Add these extreme price increases to the certain ridiculous rise in inflation set to hit the USA as we print more money to pay for all this (nobody will be willing to loan it to us) and we'll all be taking wheelbarrows of money to the store to buy one small bag of groceries.

Charitable giving will drop off to a mere trickle, if not completely stop. Churches will close doors everywhere. More and more we will see people looking to the government for much more than just health care. I believe this is Obama's ultimate plan. He wants a dictatorial government which takes care of all the people's needs. Either that or he just wants to weaken the US enough so that we can fall under UN rule.

I've tried believing better of Obama than all this but he just proves it over and over again. By the time average Americans finally figure this out, it will be too late.

Of course, the more likely conclusion will be the massive pull out of states from the USA so that the Federal government is left with very few states left to govern. A new civil war could be started but I believe many Americans will soon be ready to accept a violent end to all this. Freedom is too bound up in our DNA.

So, if all goes according to Obama's plan, how long will the world have to wait before some other country picks up the cause of freedom? America is circling the drain.

Divided We Fall

Sorry I haven't blogged here in awhile. Life has been hectic. There has been much to rant about but so little time to rant in. Then I stumbled across the following article on FoxNews.com:

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/02/11/republicans-object-biden-taking-credit-success-iraq/

I have to chime in. In this article we discover the outrageous claims Joe Biden and the entire White House appear to be making regarding the troop surge in Iraq and bringing the troops home from Iraq.

It's become obvious to me that this White House (and most democrats in Congress) seem to be a part of the name it and claim it group. They honestly believe that Americans have such short memories that they can re-write history within just a couple of years of it happening. All they have to do is lay claim to some accomplishment and it automatically becomes something they have done. We all watched during the presidential debates a few years ago as we heard ever more dire reports of the economy until it actually happened. Did one cause the other? The pillars of this recession were already in place for many years due to the actions of Democrats and Republicans alike. This was a government-caused recession from it's roots many years ago. Obama came sweeping in with all the blame for Bush and the Republicans despite Bush's repeated attempts to avert the housing crisis through legislations that the Democrats voted down. We stopped caring about the kickbacks and scandals within both parties (though more in the Democrat party) as they quickly left the media stage. Everything was covered up nice and neat with no concern for justice. In fact, we've been continuing down a ridiculous and insane path in our government despite the obvious calls from the American people to just stop the insanity.

Why is it that we allow people with so little regard for the truth make binding laws for the citizens of this once great country? With the exception of very few in Congress I whole-heartedly agree with the idea of "throwing the bums out." I don't care what party you're a part of. The constant corruption has moved to the level of being completely out in the open because Americans don't seem to care enough to do something about it. It's being flaunted. It's a level of arrogance you don't often see except in the crime dramas of Hollywood. You know, the ones where the criminal is so proud of his evil achievements that he begins to believe he is untouchable. He can't be caught. The whole world can know who did it but there won't be any repercussions. We could move Washington to California and nobody would know any difference. We'd just see the background scenery change a little more often to make it more entertaining.

With all that said, the current Democratic leadership, White House included, seems to have the idea that they can claim all victories for themselves and blame all failures on their enemies. What they don't seem to understand is that their "enemies" are their fellow citizens. Victories gained because of the policies of one party or another belong to all Americans. Politicians have to be big enough to applaud the good things found in the opposing parties because those good things represent America every bit as much as the bad things.

The division in America right now is dooming our nation. Our founding fathers understood this concept. United we stand, divided we fall. We're so divided right now that we can't focus on where the real enemies lie. We seem to be under the impression that they sit in the next seat over in Congress.

I understand the divisions. I really do. I'm dead-set against many of the ideals the Democratic party stands for. I still applaud those Democrats who seriously want what's best for America and are willing to put the people they serve first. I'm a registered Republican but I refuse to vote for a Republican who does not represent enough of me. I'm not afraid to leave a ballot blank in order to show my distaste for all the candidates involved. At the same time, we need to re-discover what it means to be an American.

This bickering has to stop. All of us. Not just Congress. Everyone. Stop it. Don't make me pull this blog over.

As for Congress: PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT THE PEOPLE YOU REPRESENT ARE SAYING!

Enough is enough.

Slaves to Health Care

Today's blog-fodder comes from the following article at Foxnews.com:

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/12/07/reid-compares-health-care-reform-foes-slavery-supporters/

If you're a Republican, you'll be out-raged by what is said in that article. If you're anyone else, I hope you will be, at the very least, incredulous and unsupportive.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Ried continues to prove that he is unfit for America, let alone American politics and Congress. We can only hope that the good people of Nevada will do all they can to get him out of office in the upcoming elections, if not before.

In his most recent statements on the floor of the senate Ried likened those who oppose the health care reform bill to those who wished to continue with slavery, keep women from voting, and keep the civil rights movement from victory. He has looked at some of the tactics used by the GOP to oppose health care reform and found similiarities that he feels give him the right to make such wild accusations and insults. I had to come here and rant for awhile.

So let me make a few points that immediately came to mind. First, these tactics are used all the time in Congress and will continue to be used in the future. They are lawful so that senators who truly believe Congress is going the wrong way have some recourse. These tactics have been used by Republican and Democrat alike for many many years. I suspect Harry Ried has even used these tactics at one time or another. Second, We're not in the 19th century or even the 20th century any more. Third, in the big scale of societal evils perpetuated by the laws of our nation the issue of health care reform is nowhere near slavery, women voting, or civil rights. It's not even close. If you want a more honest parallel to slavery I would gladly submit the trampling over the rights of the unborn in abortion. And, finally, the fourth point is in regards to name-calling. Has the Senate floor become nothing more than an elementary school playground filled with bullies and name-calling? It sure seems like it. If this is the way we're going to treat this issue, at least leave some dignity for the hallowed halls of the laws of this land and move the venue to a place more suitable for the kind of antics being employed by the democratic party. A place more suitable like the nearest elementary school playground.

The democrats are taking a high moral stance on a health care reform bill that is based on lies and deceit. See previous blog entries for truer costs for this bill and the impact it will have on our economy. What is far worse is the impact on a country that is wandering further and further from its founding fathers and the amazing document they shed their blood for.

Health Care reform is much simpler than this. Tort Reform and opening up the state lines for health care companies would go a long way towards reducing health care costs and making it more affordable.

Come on guys, let's stop the insanity. Somebody put a gag on Reid and let's kill the health care bill. Let's get back to a government for the people and by the people.

The Big Speech - Part 4

This is a lot of blog-fodder. I'm still ranting about Obama's health care speech and there's a whole lot of things happening. Max Baucus trotted out his groups efforts today and the nation is trying to digest what he said.

What frustrates me about all these efforts so far is that there is always a penalty of some sort for not buying health insurance. We're spending all this effort to force every American to dedicate 8% to 9% of their hard-earned income to their health insurance. So if I was one of those who simply couldn't afford health insurance how am I supposed to continue to live on 8% less income? Now let's consider if my employer is forced to pay for my health insurance. Maybe my company now has to downsize in order to pay the extra costs and, if I'm lucky enough not to be laid off, my company takes part of my salary to pay for my insurance and I still get taxed on the rest that they pay for me. No matter how this ends, I have less money in my pocket. That's less money I can use to buy all those frivilous things like bread, milk, and eggs.

When will our politicians learn that they can't force me to spend my money. If I am forced to spend my money then I'm missing freedoms. Taxes are a necessary evil to keep our government running and I still have a bone to pick with the percentage. I say we're paying way too much for a government that only knows how to bloat. Give me leadership, protect my freedoms, protect our lands, what more do we need to pay for? Our country went off the trail of greatness when politicians realized the government was a potential gold mine if we only figured out how to get the people to pay for it.

By the way, what kind of trouble do you suppose I would get in if I refused to pay taxes because I disagreed with the way those taxes were being spent? It drives me nuts that my tax money goes to pay for abortions, prostitution, and the support of every sin known to man. What's worse, those taxes also go to pay for the same things in other countries. That's MY MONEY!!! I would never walk into an abortion clinic and offer to pay for the next fifty abortions. I would never do a lot of things my government does with my money. It disgusts me. When does my government stop being my government? They say I don't have to agree, I just have to pay for it whether I do or don't.

Yes, I'm unhappy and I've lost faith in my government. Am I going to start stockpiling ammunition? Of course not. I still love life. When the government takes that away, then I'll fight.

Okay, on to a couple of Obama's quotes.

Quote #11: " We will place a limit on how much you can be charged for out-of- pocket expenses, because in the United States of America, no one should go broke because they get sick."

This is a nice sentiment. Of course most insurance plans already have a way of covering this issue. This is nothing new. The idea of limiting the amount will just fix the costs and limit the plans. The general rule is: the more you pay each month, the less you pay when you're sick. So I'm not sure how limits are going to help. Besides, losing a few thousand dollars is much better than losing a few hundred thousand dollars and forfeiting any chance you have of the future.

By the way, where do non-profit hospitals fit into all this? As we begin to fix all these things are we going to kill the system of donations to non-profit hospitals that helps pay for those who can't cover the costs? My own father can testify to having a very large hospital bill forgiven because he couldn't pay after a heart attack. Much of that money to pay those bills happened because of a non-profit hospital with private donors. I haven't heard anyone bring this issue up and I think the non-profit hospitals are going to get hard by all this. Why donate to a hospital if the government is guaranteeing it instead? We're going to give up health care to our government just like we gave up education.

Quote #12: "And insurance companies will be required to cover, with no extra charge, routine checkups and preventive care, like mammograms and colonoscopies."

That would be nice but everything Obama says adds more cost on the insurance company. That cost has to be passed on at some point. What we keep hearing are hints that the government is going to essentially fix the profit levels for insurance companies. They're going to be taxed more and they're going to have to pay more. The company will have to make less money. This will have an impact on stocks and there will be a lot of negative changes happening in the companies. Top executives will be in lower number as the insurance companies go to younger and less-experienced executives that will command lesser salaries just to keep some semblance of a profit margin. Some companies will simply sell out of the business and we'll see a consolidation of big companies that are big enough to still make a profit. Or, perhaps, we'll get a new Mae or Mac added into the government holdings as it becomes increasingly necessary for the government to begin guaranteeing health insurance policies.

Currently most insurance plans are going to cover these procedures with a small co-pay. It's out of pocket but it's not usually going to break the bank or cause long-term financial distress. Complete cost coverage is a nice idea for the policy-holder but not so nice on the policy-writer. Is the government going to fix the cost of these procedures so hospitals and clinics don't take advantage of the insurance companies? Is there going to be some provision for cost increases? How many hospitals and clinics will choose not to offer these services because there's no money in them?

We are a capitalist country. If there is no profit, there is no service. Who's going to pour $100 million into research for new equipment when it will take them 100 years to make that money back? I'm a small business owner. I want to give my customers great products with great service. But I'm not going to pay them for me to provide that service. I've got to charge what the service is worth. If the government is allowed to come in and fix my prices, the better fix it high enough that I won't complain and low enough that my customers don't complain. Either way, I'm going to throw it back in their face and close down my business. I like being my own boss and I refuse to allow the government to take over my company and force me to accept a new boss.

Regulate. Make it fair for the consumer as well as the company. Other than that, STAY OUT OF MY BUSINESS!!!

The Big Speech, Part 1

So President Obama delivered a major speech to encourage Congress to pass health care reform earlier this evening and I want to take the time to look at a few quotes from that speech. He said a lot of the same things he's been saying all along and he made a few statements I think we need to hold him to. I've pulled together a lot of quotes from the speech. In fact, I copied 5 pages worth of quotes so it is impossible for me to put this all in one blog. So I plan on using it as blog-fodder for the next several days.

You can find the complete text of President Obama's speech here. This will help others to look up my quotes and hold me accountable if I have taken them out of context. That's not my desire. The President is sincere, I think, but I think he has failed to think critically about the debate and some of the things that are coming forth from Congress.

So, let's begin. All the quotes, by the way, will be taken in the order in which they were spoken. I won't jump around in the speech.

Quote #1: "But thanks to the bold and decisive action we've taken since January, I can stand here with confidence and say that we have pulled this economy back from the brink."

Very early on we see a strange view from the President. By saying that "we have pulled this economy back from the brink" I assume the President believes we've stopped the slide and the economy can now improve. This seems a bit hopeful since unemployment rates continue to rise. I'd say we're still sliding and most economists put our recovery from 2 to 10 years out. So I think this statement is a bit premature.

Quote #2: "Some can't get insurance on the job. Others are self-employed and can't afford it since buying insurance on your own costs you three times as much as the coverage you get from your employer."

Okay, first of all, the self-employed are their own employers. Coverage provided by employers is subsidized by your employer. So the self-employed are usually fully aware that they are responsible for the entire cost of health insurance. That is the choice they make and the risk they take when they step out into the business world like that. I know, I'm a self-employed small business owner. The reason health insurance is difficult to afford is because profit margins are far to thin when you're trying to build you business. Forcing me to pay for coverage, no matter how cheap, will directly affect my ability to grow my business. Small business owners often do much at their own expense. They could move back into working for others if they can't take the heat. There's no shame in working for someone else.

Quote #3: "Many other Americans who are willing and able to pay are still denied insurance due to previous illnesses or conditions that insurance companies decide are too risky or too expensive to cover."

This is mostly true, I'm sure. I would think that, just like in the auto insurance industry, that there could be provisions made to provide high risk insurance at a higher rate. Anyone who seeks coverage should be able to find it. I agree. The solution is where we're likely to disagree. This might be a good place for co-ops or exchanges.

Quote #4: "There are now more than 30 million American citizens who cannot get coverage."

Well, we're getting closer. We've taken out the illegal immigrants from the ranks of the uninsured that we're talking about. I still say the actual number of those who want health care but can't afford it is considerably smaller. We'll discuss that matter more with other quotes from the President.

Quote #5: "Then there's the problem of rising costs. We spend one- and-a-half times more per person on health care than any other country, but we aren't any healthier for it."

I think the statistics tell a different story. We've been bombarded with commercials and statements that say exactly the opposite of what the President states here. I've included links in past blogs that support the claim that our health is much better than those in other countries, specifically those in countries with socialized medicine.

Well, in order to break this up and keep these blogs short and readable, I'll stop here. We'll pick up with Quote #6 in the next blog.

My Representatives

I've been pleased to find that it's easy for me to tell my representatives how I feel about things. I just go to http://www.senate.gov/ and http://www.house.gov/ and look up my representatives by state. I can then send out an email expressing my opinion.

Then I wait for responses. I desire responses that are thoughtful and show me that my representative actually has an opinion on the subject. They may disagree with me but I want to know they've thought about it and that they want to hear my voice.

I am in South Dakota and I've recently sent messages to my representatives about the confirmation of Judge Sotomayor (I'm still opposed) and about healthcare reform. So here are my results:

John Thune: I voted for you and you keep voting the way I would vote. Obviously I like that. You opposed the confirmation of Sotomayor and you have provided well-thought responses to my emails. Thank you Senator Thune for listening and for caring enough about what you do to have your own opinion and to value mine.

Tim Johnson: I didn't vote for you and never will. I have unpopular opinions regarding your health and fitness for congressional duty. I recently received a well-written letter from you regarding your position on health are reform. An email would have been better (and cheaper) but I appreciate the response. In your letter you said, "We have a moral obligation to fix the problems that plague health care in America . . . ." I disagree with that. Healthcare is a privilege, not a right. Perhaps we've believed healthcare is a right for too long to understand that concept anymore. So when I couldn't afford health insurance, I just went without. Those results are mine to live with and if it was important enough to me to make sure I had it, I'd find a way to get the resources to pay for it. By the way, I have health insurance and that insurance is cheaper today than it was 9 years ago. I accomplished that because I have a choice in who my insurance provider is and I took the time to find a plan that suits my needs. So, in my view, I am not dealing with the "skyrocketing cost of health insurance." Now, consider the current hospital system. Certainly the majority, if not all, Americans have access to a non-profit hospital. These hospitals typically do a fine job of finding a way for writing off medical expenses or finding alternative funding for those who need there services. The more the government becomes involved, the less the American people do. Donations will decrease and more of the burden will be placed upon the government. Costs will go up as well as problems with the system.

You wrote in your letter, "While the wealthiest Americans receive generous tax breaks, the number of average citizens who cannot obtain access to basic medical services and struggle to pay health insurance costs continues to grow." First of all, this is another way of saying, "Let's make the wealthy pay more to cover the costs of those less fortunate." That's redistribution of wealth and that's socialism. We are a democracy, for now. Second, that statement does not take into account that the wealthiest Americans are employing the less fortunate Americans and, in a great many cases, are offering health insurance to their employees in ways that already absorb much, if not all, of that cost.

You also wrote in your letter, "There has been a great deal of misinformation swelling around reform, lately, and I want to be clear in stating this is not a 'government takeover' of our health care system, nor a means of rationing care." First, President Obama has consistently talked about universal health care and most of the talk from the plans being put forward say this is just that, a government takeover of our health care system. You can say it isn't but I still call a spade a spade. Second, this reform may not see immediate rationing of care but it has an almost certain potential of reaching that state within a number of years. You have to consider what other politicians will do with this in the future as we open the door to ideas that offer a greater devaluing of life than we already have. Just listen to the ideas of Rom Emmanuel and see where his ideas are taking us.

Recent news reports say we now have a $1.3 Trillion deficit in the last 10 months. You mention in your letter that Obama has already created a $694 billion reserve fund for health care. Perhaps we would be better off applying that towards the deficit. I can't carry a deficit in my business and I don't think my government should be allowed to either.

Your letter was silent on the issue of abortion in the health care debate. The AP has confirmed that current health care reform options on the table absorb the cost of abortion. I am significantly displeased with the fact that my tax dollars already get sent to facilitate this terrible injustice all over the world. You've made your position on this issue very clear over the years and I sincerely pray for a change of heart in you that will help you to see this travesty for what it is. Regardless, I should never be forced to pay for that which I disagree with on such a passionate scale. In over 95% of abortion cases it is nothing more than an elective procedure. In that sense it is no different than a face-lift. In a moral sense, it is something far far worse. I DONT WANT TO PAY FOR SOMEONE ELSES KILLING OF AN INNOCENT CHILD!

All disagreements aside, I wish to state that I appreciate a much longer letter in response to this issue. Although it's well-written, it is still nothing more than the party line on this issue. I'd like to hear about where you may disagree with the president and your colleagues in Congress. Talk about what you see that we reall need to do to fix health care. Be inciteful and not just another outlet for the party voice. That voice represents very little, if any, of my own beliefs.

You also voted in favor of Sotomayor and your response to that issue was a short form letter that shows me you don't have an opinion of your own, rather just the party line. Please prove me wrong about that last statement. I want to know that you care about my voice and not just the party voice that shouts from somewhere other than South Dakota.

Stephanie Herseth: I didn't vote for you and I disagree with you often. But, your responses to me on these two issues show that you have thought about your position. I respect that. I was even pleasantly surprised to find we were not that far apart on Healthcare Reform. Thank you for having your own voice, even if I disagree. It is important to me that you are a Blue Dog Democrat. Our country cannot survive with the size of deficits are taking on. Soon no one will be willing to lend us the money we need because the amount we are borrowing is unpayable. I have hope that conservative values with regards to fiscal responsibility will keep health care reform from becoming exactly what the majority of Americans do not want - universal and government-run and controlled.

Health Care

I've been reading the news today and I see lots of talk about Town Hall meetings getting violent and I want to make a few observations and share my opinion on somethings.

First of all, violence is not the way for either side. Open and honest debate, without the fear of reprise, is the American way.

Second, lawmakers have to stop forcing this issue down the throats of the American people. Sane people resort to violence only if they feel their opinions are not being listened to and their lifestyle is in danger. So what we are seeing should be a message to Congress that America is not be, and may not ever be, ready for what they are hearing regarding Healthcare Reform from Congress. You cannot force something that a significant percentage of the country is against. I won't even say it's the majority, all though more recent polls suggest it is. Even if it's the minority, that minority has too much of a voice to just roll over and let it happen. So take the passion you see on this debate as a sign that the country is not ready for what you are attempting to do.

Third, now the rhetoric about passing partisan bills and blaming the oppositions for refusing to compromise is coming from our President. He has identified himself as cut from the cloth. Make no mistake, compromise is a two way street. What you are asking for is not compromise, it's capitulation. It's surrender. Don't kid yourself into thinking you're on the high road.

Finally, here's my opinion and, yes, I've shared it with all three of my state's representatives in the House and Senate. I will never be in favor of universal health care and especially health care run by the federal government. I think that Medicare and Medicaid are full of problems and I would like to see them fixed. I agree that we need our healthcare system reformed but I do not think government control is the answer. Government control is never the answer. Oversight is one thing, control is another. We cannot keep healthcare competitive and effective without the private sector being in charge. At the same time, it seems that the private sector cannot be trusted without oversight.

Now, the other problem is that there are too many Americans uninsured. That's what I keep hearing and it's probably true. The real questions is "why?" Is it a desire to take care of oneself without relying on others? Is it a lack of resources to pay for insurance? Is it young adults who see themselves as bullet-proof and not in need of insurance? Probably all these and many more. So the question should be this: Will universal government-run healthcare solve all these isues? Well, yes, if it's forced on people. But forcing something like this on the American people infringes on their basic freedoms. I may find that drinking a glass of grapefruit juice every day would improve my health and be, in general, good for me. But let's face it, even if I liked grapefruit juice I would rebel against it if someone came along and said I "had" to drink it. If I was threatened with jail for not following that order, I'd submit to the handcuffs first. That's not just part of the American spirit, it's part of the human spirit. Don't force health insurance on me. Even if it's perfect and actually performs far better than every other socialized system out there, I don't want it. I will not accept it. If it's my choice, my way, I'll accept it. And if I don't want it, then leave me to die if you must. Good healthcare in our country is not a right, it's a privilege. I'd hate not to have it, but it should never be taken for granted either.

The system isn't as bad as some make it out to be. It needs reform. It needs to be fixed. It needs oversight. Let's do that. Don't throw away what we already have in order to create something that is based on ego, misinformation, and pure politics. Take an honest look and fix the system, don't throw it all way.

Stop Shutting Me Out

This blog is dedicated to all the Democrats in Congress who keep saying they want bi-partisan support but that they won't wait forever and that they will pass bills without Republican support if they have to.

This is one of the statements I am most tired of hearing. It represents collective up-turning of the Democrat nose to the American people and nobody should stand for it. There is this sense that these people honestly believe that the election of all these Democrats to Congress is a mandate that they should get everything they want and that the opinions of others simply no longer matter, especially those of their Republican counterparts. I've heard President Obama repeat this over and over again. And every time I hear it, I want to scream at the television.

In the past, Americans have voted in their representatives to represent all the people. If they have specific political leanings and that helps them to get elected, that's fine. People should vote for those who will represent their opinions and beliefs the best. Even so, all of our representatives have the basic task of protecting the basic (inalienable) freedoms and rights we enjoy in this country. So when a senator or a party takes steps to silence the opinions of those who disagree, we have a problem. Those freedoms and rights are taken away by those who have been given the mandate and the power to maintain them.

Everytime the Democrats in Congress threaten to pass legislation without the support of those Republican dissidents (who are obviously out of touch and don't represent the opinions of anyone in this country) they are forcing their will on the process and stifling my voice. This results in an unwinnable situation for the opposition and signals to them that the Democrats are not willing to compromise, let alone seriously debate the issues. And, so far, that's what we've seen.

The tactics we are seeing on the Democrat side of the aisle are meant to silence the opposition. But we live in America where the opposition has always been free to disagree openly and without fear of reprisal or marginalization by those in power.

I accept that America has voted in more Democrats than Republicans. I don't like it, but I accept it. It's the will of the people. I also accept that it's harder for my ideals and values to be maintained given this current situation. I do not accept that these ideals and values are out-moded or out-of-step with what America needs. And as for the ratio of Democrats to Republicans in Congress, I'd be surprised if this doesn't change dramatically in 2010. I say this because, regardless of our differing political views, the tactics of this current set of Democrats that run rough-shod over their opposition stifles free speech and promises to erode the freedoms of our once-fine country. In America, when you politically run rough-shod over your opposition, you run rough-shod over every American, whether they agree with you or not.

So I say this to the Democrats in Congress: Stop shutting me out! There are representatives in Congress who represent me and my voice. I want them to be heard. When you shut them out of the process, you eliminate the voices of a great many of the people of your country. You act as if you have 100% support of the American people and the actual figure is much closer to 50% than you're willing to admit. You're actions are further dividing the people of your country and they are setting this country up for a major political transition. I can only hope that the next elections restore some balance to the voice in our Nation's capital. If not, our country may be lost before 2012.