No more of the typical Dem way.  Meaning the backroom deals, the buying off of politicians, no more Obama telling the country what we need.  Instead, you listen to us and WE tell you what we need.

In the end, this ain’t gonna happen. If Obama gives in to the Republicans & the American people then he will lose his base even more. This bill is only about votes. It’s no longer about fixing real problems with health care in this country. So he will meet and try to dictate terms. Does the GOP have the spine to say no?

According to this letter it does:

Assuming the President is sincere about moving forward on health care in a bipartisan way, does that mean he will agree to start over so that we can develop a bill that is truly worthy of the support and confidence of the American people? Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said today that the President is “absolutely not” resetting the legislative process for health care. If the starting point for this meeting is the job-killing bills the American people have already soundly rejected, Republicans would rightly be reluctant to participate.

Assuming the President is sincere about moving forward in a bipartisan way, does that mean he has taken off the table the idea of relying solely on Democratic votes and jamming through health care reform by way of reconciliation? As the President has noted recently, Democrats continue to hold large majorities in the House and Senate, which means they can attempt to pass a health care bill at any time through the reconciliation process. Eliminating the possibility of reconciliation would represent an important show of good faith to Republicans and the American people

~~~

Will the President be inviting officials and lawmakers from the states to participate in this discussion? As you may know, legislation has been introduced in at least 36 state legislatures, similar to the proposal just passed by the Democratic-controlled Virginia State Senate, providing that no individual may be compelled to purchase health insurance. Additionally, governors of both parties have raised concerns about the additional costs that will be passed along to states under both the House and Senate bills

~~~

Finally, as you know, this is the first televised White House health care meeting involving the President since last March. Many health care meetings of the closed-door variety have been held at the White House since then, including one last month where a sweetheart deal was worked out with union leaders. Will the special interest groups that the Obama Administration has cut deals with be included in this televised discussion?

Ok, now it comes down to if the Republicans can show the courage to refuse this invitation if Obama will not support starting over from scratch.

I’m not so sure.

I hope they do since this is obviously just a ploy by Obama to get face time on the networks to say “hey, we invited them to talk to us.”  When the only thing that is going to happen is Obama will try and dictate terms to conservatives and the majority of this country.

Just breaking.

Our sympathies are extended to his family and friends.

You think this is a joke? Then why is the Environmental Protection Agency buying firearms for it’s agents?

Don’t miss the straw poll at the end of this post!

Chris Wallace did a fantastic job interviewing former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. No softballs here and Sarah nailed it.

Note: If you want a hint about whether Sarah plans to run for President someday, see the epilogue of her book. In the final steps of preparing her best selling book, she goes for a “run” (there’s a metaphor) and stops to ponder where her life may lead. She thinks of Reagan and how he was said to be washed up after being defeated for the GOP nomination in 1976. She gets back up and continues to run.

On the last page of “Going Rogue” she makes it clear:

I can’t help but think of Michigan- the state where I “went rogue” trying to reach out to during the campaign. Some of the people in Michigan are hurting the most right now in our economic downturn.

Michigan is a good example of why we must stand up and not give up! We must fight for reform and fight to reclaim these places suffering under the weight of decades of failed big-government polices that now threaten to overtake us all. We can’t abandon Michigan and places like it. We’re Americans,. We don’t give up on each other.
…
I’ve been asked a lot lately, “Where are you going next?” Good question! I’ll be heading home to Alaska, of course. Back to that kitchen table. We’ll discuss the day’s news and the next stop. I always tell my kids that God doesn’t drive parked cars, so we’ll talk about getting on the next road and gearing up for hard work to travel down it to reach new goals. I’m thinking when I get back I’ll bake the kids a cake. And I’ll pull out a road map-I want to show Piper the way to Michigan!

Whether it’s 2012 or later, I believe she will run for President some day. She’s certainly more qualified than the current occupant of that office.

Run Sarah! Run!

February 2010 Straw Poll
Yeah, I know it’s early, but what the heck!

H/T: Ed Morrissey

Note: This is the pre game advertisement.

Obama denies being an ideologue or a Bolshevik, why? Is he ashamed of his heritage and convictions, are just intent on keeping his motivations covert until the right time to spring his true nature upon us. Or is there a technicality that we need to grasp?

Perhaps we should analyze the term Bolshevik. Historically, the Bolsheviks were a faction of the Marxist Russian Social Democratic Labour Party (RSDLP), founded by Vladimir Lenin, they split from the Menshevik faction in 1903, during the Second Party Congress. They eventually gained control during the October phase of the Revolution in 1917. Bolshevik means majority or large and the nick name resulted from having the majority rule in a crucial vote. Later on after gaining complete control, Lenin maintained that since there was no opposition, there was no longer the need to call themselves the majority party or Bolsheviks, thus they named themselves the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.

Eventually, Lenin died and Stalin gained control of the party, Trotsky was exiled and wrote extensively condemning Stalin’s ‘incorrect’ version of Communism by referring to it as Bolshevism, a derivative of Bolshevik, in apposition to Leninism. Consequently the term Bolshevik developed negative connotations for the ‘pure’ Communist; perhaps this explains President Obama’s displeasure at being called a Bolshevik. He like many others must feel the sting of those who are critical of Stalin’s regime.

Ideologue: the term evolved in the highly contested political and philosophical debates of the French Revolution; coined by Destutt de Tracy, initially, it referred to the study of the science of ideas or the study of ideas and the means and logic of those ideas.

Later, Napoleon used the term as a pejorative toward his political opponents, since that time it has been used as a term of derision in political discussion to point out an opposing politician’s inability to grasp ideas that are different than those of his party line, thus reflecting a pettiness and lack of cognitive ability.

President Obama taking exception to being considered an Ideologue becomes a matter of conjecture when examining the platform of America’s Communist Party. Although President Obama denies any association with the Communist Party of the United States, (CPUSA) they are in express aggrement with all of his policies. They could not have had a better representative if they had won the election.

The CPUSA’s stated goals are to achieve a free, prosperous, and peaceful society free of racism, sexism, homophobia, and exploitation, in which all people have the opportunity to develop to their full potential. These same goals were espoused by Obama during his campaign, the same goals of the Social Democrats and of the Progressive Democrats. The Communists above all maintain that they advocate a peaceful Socialist Revolution and a peaceful transition to Socialism. Obviously if they didn’t, the Communist Party would be outlawed; therefore the claim is probably one of expediency and is purely academic.

Randal Hoven of American Thinker Condensed the CPUSA’s party platform.

1. Immediate Relief

1.1 A moratorium on foreclosures and evictions.

1.2 Reset mortgages so payments are affordable.

1.3 No bailouts for banks.

1.4 Extend unemployment compensation, increase payments and eligibility.

1.5 Increase food stamps, WIC, children’s health ins., low income energy assistance.

1.6 Assist state and local governments.

1.7 Fund “ready-to-go” infrastructure projects.

2. A Peacetime, Green Jobs Economy for All

2.1 Enact massive public works.

2.2 Make existing buildings energy efficient.

2.3 Construct new schools, affordable housing, mass transit and bridges.

2.4 Major clean, affordable energy dvpt project for solar, wind, and biomass.

2.5 Program to cut greenhouse gas emissions, environmental cleanup.

2.6 Restore energy regulation and public ownership of utilities.

2.7 Enact the Employee Free Choice Act.

2.8 Enact HR 676, US National Health Insurance Act, single payer.

2.9 Fund public education, pre-school through higher and technical.

2.10 No privatization of Social Security or Medicare.

2.11 Expand and improve SS & Medicare benefits.

3. Restore Civil Rights, Bill of Rights, Separation of Powers

3.1 Restore Civil Rights Act enforcement, affirmative action.

3.2 Outlaw hate crimes.

3.3 Preserve Roe v Wade.

3.4 Immigration reform with path to citizenship, no militarization of borders.

3.5 No exploitative guest worker programs.

3.6 No human being is illegal.

3.7 Repeal the Patriot Act.

3.8 Investigate and prosecute Bush administration violations.

3.9 Expand voting rights.

3.10 Enact publicly financed elections.

3.11 Same-day registration.

3.12 Voting rights for ex-felons.

3.13 Restore Fairness Doctrine in media.

4. Strength through Peace

4.1 Withdraw US troops from Iraq with no bases or US corporations left behind.

4.2 Full care for returning veterans.

4.3 No war on Iran.

4.4 No expansion of troops in Afghanistan.

4.5 Assistance to Iraq to rebuild Iraq.

4.6 New foreign policy of diplomacy, respect for all nations.

4.7 Renew commitment to UN.

4.8 End trade policies that enrich corporations and destroy jobs.

4.9 Ratify Kyoto Treaty and other climate change agreements.

4.10 Enforce nuclear non-proliferation.

4.11 Work to abolish nuclear weapons.

4.12 Cut Pentagon spending in half.

4.13 Close down US bases around the world.

All things considered, I understand why a true Marxist in the Russian tradition balks at being labeled a Bolshevik, it is an insult from the days of Trotsky’s bitter writing over his ouster and banishment. Being upset at being labeled an Ideologue is a matter of history. In the context of the early days of the French Revolution, President Obama should consider it a compliment to be called an ideologue, If his frame of reference is from the Napoleonic perspective, he is indeed an Ideologue, after all Karl Marx frequently implied that it was essential to be an Ideologue. Obviously President Obama is confused over these issues as he seems to be over many issues. It would probably be a much easier presidency if he would just be honest with the American People and admit that he is a Communist Ideologue, with his reelection chances diminishing daily, he has reached the point where honesty can only improve his ratings. Of course if he had been honest in the beginning, he would have never been elected.

Fmr. Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK) delivered the closing keynote address of the first-ever National Tea Party Convention, held in Nashville, TN. February 6, 2010.

All the more stellar since the MSM can’t be bothered to type in a few keywords on google:

Obama told the crowd that the woman had no health insurance, so viewed that way the Times reporting is literally accurate.  However, the woman, Melanie Shouse, did in fact have insurance – she had a catastrophic policy with a $5,000 deductible and did not want to drop a few hundred bucks on a routine exam and a mammogram, despite feeling a lump in her breast at age 37.

Tom links to an interview with Shouse in which she said she took a gamble on insurance because she had just dropped 30 grand into a new business.  She only took out catastrophic insurance in which the deductibles were high.  She felt a lump but did not go to the doctor, once again gambling.  Then, when she finally DID go see a doctor they told her what she already knew, cancer.  

When she did seek care, she went straight to Siteman Cancer Center.

“By then, I could have been diagnosed from across the street. It wasn’t a surprise,” she said.

Stage 4 cancer was the diagnosis and while she does admit the delay in diagnosis was a problem, she doesn’t see that as the only problem:

My chance of survival was pegged at just 13% as a result of the delay in diagnosis and treatment caused by inadequate health coverage.

and now no insurance would accept her so medicaid paid for her treatment.  After all this Tom has a few questions:

once diagnosed, she promptly availed herself of Medicaid.  So why the wait – wouldn’t she have been eligible for Medicaid six months earlier (or whatever), or did the business have to falter first?

In a story cited below we learn that Ms. Shouse and her partner had just put $30,000 into their small business in 2004, so cash was tight when she noticed the lump.  That would compare with the “monumental” annual expense of $10,000 in deductibles and co-pays.

In this video (she comes in at the two minute mark) Ms. Shouse says she ignored her problem for several years.  If she was diagnosed in 2005, she suspected something was wrong in 2003.  Wow – she had a lump in her breast but ignored it so she could max out her debt and open a store.  Maybe based on her age and family history (with which I am not familiar) that made sense.

People’s World, Feb 4 does not add much.

We get more background on her financial situation from an interview last September:

So she admits that she suspected something was wrong in 2003, and instead of going to the doctor she instead dumped 30 grand into a business, one third of that could of paid the alleged deductible, then who is at fault here?

She took a gamble and loss.  It’s sad.  But to twist and spin this as if Socialism would of saved this woman’s life is absurd.

Thats not even accounting for the fact that with Socialized health care you get sub-par health care.

The whole story is absurd.  From Obama using her as a pawn to push a program the majority of Americans DO NOT want, and then selling himself by telling the story about the t-shirt (in which she was cremated, NOT buried, but Obama is too busy to learn those basic facts….hell, he can’t even memorize her name) and then the MSM retelling the tale with no actual reporting being done.

If it wasn’t so sad all the way around this would be one big joke.

I mean come on, your seriously blaming Bush still? (h/t Gateway Pundit)

Faced with mounting national opposition to his party’s platform, the president reminded voters the real reason the trillion-dollar stimulus package still hasn’t reduced unemployment to 8 percent as promised: Bush did it, and it’ll take a lot of time to undo it.

“The country cannot return to the “dereliction of duty that helped deliver this recession,” Obama said. He added that the previous administration’s role in the economic meltdown was the “real outrage.”

Recall Jake Tapper asking the White House mouthpiece…isn’t it time for Obama to man-up and quite whining:

But he hasn’t, and he won’t.

It’s everyone else’s fault.

“You and I are told increasingly we have to choose between a left or right. Well I’d like to suggest there is no such thing as a left or right. There’s only an up or down.”
– Ronald Reagan from “A Time for Choosing” October 27, 1964 (video, text)

Today is a great day to reflect on what great things are possible when a President with true leadership and sound vision sits in the White House! I hope readers will indulge some personal memories.

My three favorite Reagan photos:

I took the above on October 12, 1984 when President Reagan took one of the last “Whistlestop” train tours through Ohio. Somehow, the bus tours of today just don’t have the same feel as the classic whistlestop using the Ferdinand Magellan, or Car One. Train buffs may find the history of the Ferdinand Magellan here.

The speech (sixth item here) was classic Reagan and it’s themes are just as valid today. Change the name Mondale to Obama and you’ll see what I mean in this excerpt:

My opponent, Mr. Mondale, offers a future of pessimism, fear, and limits, compared to ours of hope, confidence, and growth. Now, I know that his intentions are good, and I know that he’s sincere in what he believes. But he sees government as an end in itself, and we see government as belonging to you, the people, and only a junior partner in your lives.

Reagan and Thatcher at the White House

I took the following as President Reagan welcomed British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to the White House on the last State Visit of his presidency Nov. 16, 1988. I describe that event and more of my White House memories in “A Salute to the Gipper.”

Taking Reagan Home to Meet the Folks

At a staff meeting in the White House Political Office in early fall of the 1988 campaign my boss quizzed those in the room for suggestions for a presidential campaign trip. I never thought my idea for the President to return to my hometown (I helped organize his visit in 1984)would be accepted but it was. I snapped the following in front of the courthouse in Bowling Green Ohio shortly after the President met my parents.

President Reagan visits Bowling Green, Ohio,
October 19, 1988. Speech here.
Check out the full size photo here.

Reagan Humor- Some of his best jokes

One thing everyone remembers about Reagan was his sense of humor. It came naturally to a man with such a sunny disposition; one who didn’t take criticism so personally as do some politicians (hint…hint).

Reagan: The Serious Side

It was often said that President Reagan was called “The Great Communicator” because of his experience in acting. But the range of emotion he was able to communincate in moments of great national importance far outshadowed his accomplisments on film.

Reagan’s speeches at the 40th commemoration of D-Day in France transcend the ordinary speech we might expect from lesser politicians. No teleprompter could possibly convey the depth of emotion in his words as he delivered them:

“These are the boys of Pointe Du Hoc. These are the men who took the cliffs. These are the champions who helped free a continent and these are the heroes who helped end a war.” –Ronald Reagan, June 6, 1984

Audio, video and more photos here.

Later that day, Reagan’s speech delivered on the grounds of the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial centered around the story of Private Robert Zanatta, of the 37th Engineer Combat Battalion. Private Zanatta was part of the first assualt wave that hit the beach that morning 65 years ago.The story is told by his daughter Lisa in a letter to President Reagan and ends with this:

cue to the 6:35 mark for:

PRESIDENT REAGAN: Lisa Zanatta Henn began her story by quoting her father, who promised that he would return to Normandy. She ended with a promise to her father, who died 8 years ago of cancer: “I’m going there, Dad, and I’ll see the beaches and the barricades and the monuments. I’ll see the graves, and I’ll put flowers there just like you wanted to do. I’ll feel all the things you made me feel through your stories and your eyes. I’ll never forget what you went through, Dad, nor will I let anyone else forget. And, Dad, I’ll always be proud.”

If you don’t get a tear in your eye with that, then you need to see your doctor.

More of the Best Reagan Audio:

Ron and Nancy boating off California, 1964

Goodbye Mr. President…

Reagan rides off into his Ranch. (full size photo here)