03/18/10
From Washington Examiner
Stop kicking in our doors, Madame Speaker
Examiner Editorial
March 18, 2010
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi used an unexpected analogy Monday during a conference
call with liberal bloggers to discuss Obamacare, saying "once we kick through
this door, there'll be more legislation to follow." At least four things need to
be said about Pelosi's braggadocio.
First, just whose doors are being kicked in? Since virtually every survey taken
in recent months has shown majority opposition to Obamacare, it's the door to
public approval that's being kicked in by Pelosi and her comrades. Their
attitude is that when rational argument fails to persuade a majority of
Americans to support Obamacare, then it should be jammed down their throats.
Pelosi evidently has decided to refine American democracy using the Hugo Chavez
manual on public persuasion.
Second, just how hard are Pelosi and other Democratic leaders willing to kick?
One thing in the debate has been clear for months: As the public learns more
about Obamacare, the opposition grows. Pollster Scott Rasmussen's latest survey
finds 53 percent opposed to Obamacare. "The numbers are virtually unchanged from
last week and are consistent with findings in regularly tracking going back to
just after Thanksgiving," Rasmussen said. It appears that Pelosi and company
will keep kicking, no matter how great the public opposition.
Third, Pelosi's candor among friendly bloggers demonstrates that Obamacare is
only the beginning, not the end of the liberal campaign to put bureaucrats
between doctors and patients. What will Pelosi seek next in health care reform?
An obvious candidate would be the public option not contained in the Senate
version that has become the primary legislative vehicle for passing Obamacare.
Then, as government health care costs skyrocket, a price control system won't be
far behind. And, since price controls always cause shortages, the inevitable
next step will be rationed health care services. At which point, the Left will
have finally achieved the dream of making America and European health care
equally socialized.
Finally, there is the unprecedented "Slaughter Solution" that Pelosi has
endorsed in her door-kicking campaign. This legislative monster -- named after
House Rules Committee Chairman Louise Slaughter of New York -- would mean that,
by passing a health care reconciliation bill, the House would "deem" itself to
have also passed the Senate version of Obamacare. Pelosi likes this approach
because then "people don't have to vote on the Senate bill" and theoretically
avoid the negative fallout back home
Huh? No wonder respected nonpartisan political analyst Stuart Rothernberg told
The Washington Post that "we've leapt to a totally different planet with this
deeming. I feel like I've fallen through the rabbit hole: 'Oh, they are going to
not pass the bill and just pretend they passed the bill.'"Actually, Stuart,
we're all being kicked down Pelosi's rabbit hole.
* * * * *
I take issue with Nancy's analogy of "kicking in doors". In the past I have dealt with PTSD and anger management. I keep these fairly well under control now, but I have an Irish temper which flares quickly at perceived offenses. If I feel I am being seriously threatened with harm, I react with uncontrolled hostility. Kicking my door in would be an example of the latter, and would surely result in the kicker suffering several hollow-point face wounds. (The military taught us to aim for center of mass, and Texas law says we may shoot to stop an attacker, but you never know who has body armor these days, so I practice head shots.)
Nancy, you just come kick in
my door whenever you feel like you're up to it. Bring medics a
hearse.
EnemyoftheState
