On this issue I agree wholeheartedly with Senator Specter.

YouTube Link

Healthcare bill passed the house 220-215, the senate will be a tougher sell.

Read this afp post regarding passage, Keeping Tonight’s Healthcare Vote in perspective.

Live on FoxNewsv

Rep. Pitts discusses a bipartisan amendment to the healthcare bill keeping federal funds from flowing to abortion providers.

YouTube link

Guest Post from Adam who made it down to D.C. On Thursday (pictures below).

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After taking the day off to visit my senators and congressman yesterday, I am left, probably more worried than I was during the drive to the Capitol. Following a chilly drive to the metro station from my home in Lancaster, PA, we boarded the train and headed downtown. Emerging from the tunnel, we were greeted by the sight of a small crowd beginning to form in front of the western steps of the Capitol Building. By eleven or so, we had made our way into the middle of the rapidly expanding mass of people, signs, cameras, and t shirts emblazoned with slogans. Cardboard signs with phrases like: “Don’t Tread On Me,” “Nobama Care!” and “We want the same healthcare Teddy had!” were scattered throughout. One man, wearing a white lab coat carried a tall sign proclaiming “One more doctor against H.R. 3962.” A woman creatively wore a hospital gown, open in the back and held a sign reading “Obamacare is like a hospital gown–You think you’re covered, but you’re not!” Just after noon, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann addressed the crowd, obviously pleased that such a large group was able to be there on such short notice. As she spoke, chants of “Kill the Bill!” erupted several times. To my surprise, and delight, about twenty Representatives came from within the Capitol, and spoke briefly. Unfortunately, no one represented Pennsylvania.

When we had heard the comments of those Representatives opposed to the bill, we decided to make our way to the Senate office buildings to speak with Bob Casey. However, when we arrived at his office, we were met only by a small group of people, attempting to make some impression of their anger on the secretaries. They informed us that Casey was in session. A short walk brought us similar results at Senator Specter’s office. Although I knew our House representative strongly opposed the Bill, we decided to visit him briefly to thank him for supporting our feelings. We were quickly shown into his office, a group of about fifteen people already crammed into the study. He noted how we conservatives should be thankful to the “Blue Dog” Democrats for the time we have to read, and understand the Bill. It was this group of about 52 fiscally conservative Democrats in the House that initially voted against the Healthcare Reform Bill, H.R. 3200 in July, granting us more time to make our thoughts known to our Representatives and Senators.

Leaving the building, I wasn’t really sure if I felt safer or more afraid for the future of our healthcare system. As someone who has spent time as both the recipient, and the provider of healthcare services, I agree that the current system is flawed. I have too often seen the red tape strung by health insurance companies and Medicare, obstructing the relationship between patient and physician. However, I think anyone who has ever spent time waiting in line at the local DMV or post office, can agree that the federal government is not the one to try to “heal” this relationship. Although it is a comfort to know that some of our elected officials, such as Michele Bachmann, and Joe Pitts, are as opposed to this Bill, I think more action is required on our part to express our thoughts to those who we have chosen to represent us.

An appropriate quote to have displayed so near our nation's Capitol building

While the crowd was gathering.

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A little chat with Pitts.

The crowd

• We need new faces in politics, especially locally & if they don't appear in the GOP lineup then people will go elsewhere. #ny23 #
• Created a new twitter list PA Elected Officials http://bit.ly/t0Uqr working on a few more lists #
• Great read on electing the GOP slate of Judges tomorrow http://bit.ly/GDwYC #
• Just sent out the latest Keystone Conservative email newsletter head over to http://KeystoneConservative.com and sign up in the sidebar #
• SEPTA On Strike http://bit.ly/16LVmD (via @pawatercooler) This could affect voter turnout in Philly #
• At the ronks PA polling place, turnout has been light but steady so far #
• 60 people so far at my polling place #
• Don't forget to vote for Judge Joan Orie Melvin and our Republican Team. Find out more at http://www.pagopjudges.com (via @benwren) #
• Rep Boyd stopped by my polling place and dropped off some muffins, mmmm tasty #
• 112 people voted so far here in ronks east lampeter discrict 7 #
• Almost 4pm hoping for a rush of people, have had <10 in the last 2 hours #
• Can I haz exit polls plz? #
• Melvin leading with .01% reporting #
• Melvin still leading with .1% reporting updates every 5 minutes at http://www.electionreturns.state.pa.us #
• And panella takes the lead with approx 4% reporting #
• In Lancaster Co., Panella over Orie Melvin, 54.3% to 45.7%, 8.09% reporting (all tallies are unofficial) (via @Capitol_Ideas) #
• Tie game with 41% reporting #
• RT @danielklotz My summary of the Lancaster County elections http://om.ly/aXLo #
• Listening to Scott Martin talk about Lancaster county politics and cutting cost #
• Lancaster only has 30-60 prisoners on work release compared to dauphin county which has 300+ #
• Lancaster looking to create a central booking location to cut cost for local police #
• RT @ethand: Reaching the Homeschool Community | TechRepublican.com http://bit.ly/3DDisM #techgop #
• Recount going on for PA Judge Temp Smith #
• Confirmed: Sam Rohrer to Announce Governor Bid Nov 17th http://bit.ly/3bSZ2v #

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