The Obama administration is seeking to pass the health care reform bill WITHOUT the constitutional, traditional procedure of sending it through the House for a vote. They are pushing to pass the bill under the “Slaughter Rule”, though no real precedent has been determined.
Our nation stands on the brink of becoming something entirely different than we’ve ever known. I found the following article quite timely in regard to the topic at hand:
“In the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, I was taught to believe individual pursuits are selfish and sacrificing for the collective good is noble. In kindergarten we sang songs about Lenin, the leader of the Socialist Revolution.
In school we learned about the beautiful socialist system, where everybody is equal and everything is fair; about ugly capitalism, where people are exploited and treat each other like wolves in the wilderness.
Life in the USSR modeled the socialist ideal. God-based religion was suppressed and replaced with cultlike adoration for political figures.”
Read the rest of Perspectives on Communism from a Russian Immigrant
33 comments
What is the “Slaughter Rule”?
I am a teacher, and if you don’t think this scenario is playing out in some classrooms already, you’re being fooled.
Personally, I don’t even let my students do “communal” supplies. If they need glue, they need to bring it from home. Another student can choose to share their glue (or whatever), but they are never forced into it. Children need to learn charity from the heart, IMO, not because I grown-up forced them to, and learn to resent it.
Furthermore, I have seen plenty of kids waste destroy another child’s supplies in a way that they never do their own.
Inevitably kids that I give crayons to, they lose them all in a few days (they figure I’ll just give them more), in comparison to the kids who bring their own and take care of them.
I’m not kidding on this.
Canada’s in the same boat (as are all countries who have removed God from government and their educational systems). We’re becoming socialists, but as proverbial frogs. We’re near boiling in communism but we’re either ignorant or too ashamed to admit that it’s true.
Another timely post, Kelly. Thanks 🙂
Elizabeth,
The “Slaughter rule” is named after Congresswoman Louise Slaughter of Upstate New York, who’s the head of the House Rules Committee and she has suggested to Speaker Pelosi that instead of a House members voting on health care, the bill that came over from the Senate, yes or no, that they vote on that provision which will allow them to have considered that the health care bill was already adopted without voting on it.
So, without reading and without voting on it, they are going to send it to the president for his signature.
That’s from Glenn Beck–http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,589583,00.html
Praying, praying, praying!
Unfortunately Progressives will stoop to anything to justify their means. That’s why even democrats should oppose this because they are ignoring the will of the people AND THE LAW. It just should not be.
For the last 50 years, Christians have, for the most part, stayed out of that ugly little business called politics. And we are paying for it. This should be a wake up call. Do everything in love, but never shut up about standing for God’s truth. 50 years ago, people would have laughed if anyone suggested there would be a gay marriage debate. So we stayed out of it publicaly, “knowing” it would never get anywhere. NAMBLA and other such organizations are lobbying congress to legalize their perversions. We say it will never happen, and so do nothing. Contact representatives and pray about being a representative. We are in trouble, but for the Lord!
What is so wrong with “socialized medicine”? you use the post office and drive on the roads. you support the military. Shouldn’t health care for all Americans be a right of citizenship? Why are we the only industrialized country without health care for all? Doesn’t your insurance company decide for you what treatment you can receive? Shouldn’t we have the largest possible pool of contributors so that you are not paying for the uninsured emergency room visits that are a regular feature of our currently dysfunctional system? Isn’t Medicare “socialized medicine”? Are you going to refuse to accept Medicare when you become eligible, to conform to your beliefs? Isn’t caring for our less fortunate brothers and sisters a Christian value? Why should insurance company executives pocket millions and millions of dollars, and get government subsidies to boot? What exactly do these insurance companies do for us that our Federal Government can’t do better, and cheaper? Wouldn’t you prefer to pay a little more in taxes, but far less in insurance premiums? Isn’t the goal of insurance companies to make money by denying you coverage when you are sick? Why do you apparently take a position contrary to your own interests?
Millie,
“Shouldn’t health care for all Americans be a right of citizenship?”
No.
“Doesn’t your insurance company decide for you what treatment you can receive”
No, we don’t use insurance (you are right in that it is currently dysfunctional). We use a Christian sharing program and no, it is not the same as socialized health care.
“Are you going to refuse to accept Medicare when you become eligible, to conform to your beliefs?”
Most likely.
“Isn’t caring for our less fortunate brothers and sisters a Christian value?”
Yes. Socialized medicine is NOT “caring for brothers and sisters”.
“Why should insurance company executives pocket millions and millions of dollars, and get government subsidies to boot?”
The shouldn’t. No one is saying that the current system works. We are all for change, just not a socialist one.
I would encourage you to study the socialized form of health care a little more closely. There is a side of it that looks all shiny and wonderful. But underneath it’s broken. This position is not at all contrary to my own interests. I’m for charity, not forced sharing.
The thing that is so amazing about this debate is that it’s not like no one’s ever tried it before and we’re debating about whether or not it will work…it’s been tried many times over and found wanting every time.
It’s like saying, “Candy tastes so sweet. Let’s give it in heaps to our children because they will love it. What? Cavities? No! I’ve never heard of that. You’re crazy.”
Socialized medicine goes so much deeper than these financial questions you ask…it means power to the government over the people in a way we have never experienced before.
Read over this first is you plan to answer:
and
I’m happy to read your sources, Kelly. Will you agree to read mine? That’s only right, isn’t it?
I’m curious about something. You were on Medicaid when you had your first child. Shouldn’t you return that money? It seems to stand in the way of your beliefs.
Also, I have another question. If you had no resources and one of your children had cancer (god forbid) or another serious illness, what would be the appropriate option for you? No Christian Sharing system, no parents, no funds? Should your child die without the health care you feel is not a right?
Jesus healed the sick. I’m not sure he’d be on your side here.
Millie,
Sure…share your sources and I’ll read them.
Should I return the money? No, I don’t feel obligated to do that for a number of reasons.
The hypothetical question:
First, if the medical community was set up as a free market, doctors would be far more able (and willing) to treat patients who were truly destitute. Second, when we belong to a biblical church, needs like that are attended to.
I’m trying to actually be calm and rationale, but equating Christian charity–of which we should all very much support, and socialized health care is ridiculous. No, Jesus wasn’t much into stealing.
Millie,
Word warrior already addressed some of the things I wanted to say, so I won’t repeat them. However, I wanted to add a few of my own.
This country already has healthcare for all citizens. You can walk into any hospital and they have to treat you, they can not deny you. The catch? You may have to pay for it yourself. What our country lacks is insurance for all. Just like you have to buy your own gas for your car, clothes to wear, house to live in, etc. You need to buy your own insurance, or pay for your own services by a doctor.
Why do people want the government to provide it? If they provide it, they get to dictate who gets what, etc. When funds are low services will be denied. It has happend in every country that has provided national (socialized healthcare).
Instead of the “evil” insurance companies making money by charging high premiums and making us pay for it, the goverment will take their place. How is that any better? Have you ever run into a government agency that is run better than a privately owned business? I never have. There is always fraud, waste and inefficency.
Last, but not least. How about the fact that most Americans DO NOT want it! The president and members of congress are ingnoring the people that elected them. They are acting as a ruling body instead of a representative body. That is ultimately the problem.
Rachel
Question 1: What if you already have some form of medical insurance? Would one be forced to switch over to government run health care?
Question 2: What do you feel is a better option for Americans who can’t afford medical coverage, but obviously need the medical attention?
Queen,
I don’t know the answer to your first question. I know that our sharing plan threatens to be “shut down” under Obama’s plan. Which goes to show the insanity all the more. Our sharing plan lessens the burden on everyone and still provides a great alternative to health care. (We pay $287/month for a family of 10, and our “publishable needs” are covered up to 1 million.) Any sane person could see the benefit in having thousands of Americans on a plan like that.
A better option? There are several, I think. There are currently clinics already in operation that do charity work. (A friend of mine used the service and another friend works there.) They network with doctors and providers willing to donate or drastically reduce the cost of care as needed.
If the medical community was set up as a free market, doctors would be much more flexible to be able to offer work like this.
I’m not really smart enough to come up with the alternatives, but there are many people talking about them and it appears certainly doable.
The big thing (which is so hard for people to swallow) is that health care is not an entitlement. Never has been. That fact carries with it the fact that yes, sometimes people fall between the cracks. But a solution that causes everyone hardship is not the answer.
But we don’t all belong to a biblical church, Kelly. This is a very diverse nation. Why do you believe this plan will be “shut down?” Can you point me to that? Even if a public option is released, it is simply that. An option.
But I’m very curious now – what are your reasons for not returning the money that was granted to you by the government when you were pregnant with your first child? I’m sorry, I don’t want to argue, but this really does strike me as slightly hypocritical. Can you see that perspective?
I’ll be back with some links for you!
Millie,
Well…I don’t consider the use of Medicaid (or socialized health care) stealing from the government; I consider it the government stealing from the people. So, the government had already taken my (and your) money and has continued to take money from me for Medicaid long after I used it the one time. (Which is why many are not opposed to using it, feeling they’ve paid for it in a sense.) If I felt some moral obligation to “pay back someone”, who would I pay? It’s the taxpayer’s money that I used.
I am a liberal and the bill is not exactly what I desire… no public option + the Stupak amendment = healthcare fail.
It supposed to be for the People and by the People. The majority of Americans can see the harmful potential in this bill and don’t want it. That should be enough for Washington but it’s not.
Social Security was supposed to optional and income taxes were supposed to temporary! Have you EVER seen a well run government agency??? It doesn’t exist.
Every country with socialized medicine has individuals that come here for medical care because socialized medicine doesn’t work. Apparently ours is a lot better even as broken as it is.
It’s not the government’s job to run MY healthcare nor my family’s.
The following is HSDLA’s comment about it:
The problem is found in Section 2951 on page 568 of this 2,074-page bill. This section is titled Maternal, Infant, And Early Childhood Home Visiting Programs, and will create a federal grant program to fund state home visitation programs. Under the terms of this program, government officials, including social workers, will be able to visit the homes of certain families “in order to promote improvements in maternal and prenatal health, infant health, child health and development, parenting related to child development outcomes, school readiness, and the socio-economic status of such families, and reductions in child abuse, neglect, and injuries.”
The home visitation program in the health care reform bill is voluntary. However, all the details of the home visitation programs are open to being politically influenced by government bureaucrats who may think that they know more about parenting than do parents. They may pressure parents to adopt child-rearing methods that are against the family’s religious beliefs. Home visitation officials may even threaten families with abuse and neglect investigations if the families do not choose to follow the official parenting education models.
Do we really want that?
Healthcare needs to be fixed but this is not the way. Make it a true capitalist system and things will balance out. We as a people have the power — it’s about supply and demand. Medical care that is to expensive will have to become less expensive inside a capitalist system because someone else will do it cheaper and better. Innovation will surge!
Millie,
Almost forgot your other question:
“Why do you believe this plan [Samaritans] will be “shut down?” Can you point me to that?”
I assume you’re referring to our sharing plan. The company sends updates regarding the status of our plan. As it is now, unless a clause or an addendum of some sort is added to Obama’s bill, Samaritan’s ministry will not be allowed. “Why” that is is beyond me.
“When funds are low services will be denied”
Have no doubt! During the H1N1 scare, our entire school went for over a month with no soap or paper towels. For 900 children.
There was a budget freeze, so the school couldn’t order.
Imagine when there is a budget freeze and they ration your care. Or deny it. If you have anyone you love that is elderly, chronically ill, or disabled, you should be very concerned about this issue. They will be last on the priority list. Our president has already made himself abundantly clear about how he regards the disabled community.
Early 19th century Professor Alexander Tytler described the dilemma of democracy in the following comments about ancient Athens:
“A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves money from the Public Treasury. From that moment on the majority always votes the candidates promising the most benefits from the Public Treasury with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy always followed by dictatorship. The average age of the world’s greatest civilization has been 200 years. These nations have progressed through the following sequence:
from bondage to spiritual faith;
from spiritual faith to great courage;
from courage to liberty;
from liberty to abundance;
from abundance to selfishness;
from selfishness to complacency;
from complacency to apathy;
from apathy to dependency;
from dependency back into bondage.”
Saved by Grace,
Pretty spot on, huh?
Yep, that’s what I think too.
You do know there is no public option in the healthcare bill, right?
Cammy, no I do not know there is no public option in the bill. Frankly neither do you. Even O’bama and Pelosi don’t know everything in the bill! They have admitted as much.
They don’t know everything in the bill and they don’t care. They don’t care about your health care or mine – they are a bunch of children intent on getting their own way regardless of what the MAJORITY of the kids want. Which is why it won’t be voted on by the American public.
BTW, they are not going to redistribute the wealth either.
While I’m thinking about it: many people have used public assistance at one time or another (that’s why it called public assistance). It was forced on us by the government and we have to pay for it, so why not use it.
BUT ( it’s a big but ) they don’t stay on public assistance forever! Just long enough to get back on their feet.
Individuals /famlies sometimes have problems and NEED assistance. They may not have a good church family to turn to – that is their choice BTW – so they need help. Use the program and get off of it. Don’t make it a lifestyle.
First of all, the bill is available to read via PDF. Let’s start there. I know it’s long, but how about reading what you’re protesting? That is where I would like you to start.
Secondly, I’m sorry SavedbyGrace, but there is no public option. If there was, there would be many people happily proclaiming it! And if you need public assistance at times, then you should be glad it’s there. Who are you to judge when someone needs it and when someone does not? It is not “forced” upon you. It is there when it is needed.
Finally I am ashamed for you Kelly as a Christian. If you do not want to return that money to the government, you should return it to public charities. Otherwise, you are not leading the life you think you are. Stand behind your convictions! All of you!
I also question where you found out that your system of heath care would not be “allowed.” I think that is not true and being spread by your group. You’ve been taken in, and I am happy to enlighten you. I asked friends involved in this procedure, and they were puzzled as to why anything like this would be dismantled.
SavebyGrace,
Regarding your comment that Cammy doesn’t know what’s in the bill and what’s not, you can, in fact, read the full text of the bill on opencongress.org. And no, it does not contain a public option.
Respectfully,
Heather
Millie,
The parts I’ve read are enough for me to know I don’t support the bill. I don’t think you’re making the connection about our problem with the bill: socialized health care, regardless about the words of the bill, is wrong in principle, causes far more problems than it proposes to fix, and is an unwise choice for everyone in the long run. Not to mention, (do I sound like a broken record), IT’S BEEN TRIED OVER AND OVER AND IT FAILS EVERY TIME!
Let me get this straight: You are “ashamed of me as a Christian” because I haven’t paid back the money I used that was stolen from me (and you) in the first place and continues to be stolen from me. If it’d make you feel better, would you like me to send you a check? Do I get to send myself one as well?
Do you realize the absurdity of what you are saying? *I* didn’t steal! The government did, continues to and is about to launch the largest legalized theft job this side of China! But you don’t have a problem with that? You offer no logic and insist only on insulting me. I probably won’t be publishing any more of your comments unless you come up with something coherent to say.
Kelly. There is no public option in the bill.
Kelly,
I’ve been debating this issue back and forth on FaceBook, and getting nowhere! I am astounded that a system which has led to genocide, not just in one country but many, would even be considered as an option in the USA!!!
Some of you may think that we’re Americans, and therefore, we’re safe from the atrocities of Hitler and Stalin, but the rest of us can see a precipice up ahead, and we refuse to sit comfortably just because some engineer is assuring, “We haven’t fallen off, yet.”
Well, it passed. We’re on our way back into bondage. Thank you Obama, Pelosi and Reid.
I really hate it for those of us who desire to be responsible for ourselves. But the “children” do need to be taken care of.
Rev. 22:20
He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
Mary Jo:
You said that this system has led to “genocide, not just in one country but many.” That’s pretty scary. I hadn’t heard that. Can you give some examples?
Respectfully,
Heather