No Encouragement Needed

There is a lot about Congress’ health care reform debacle that people are upset about. There’s a lot to be upset about, on both sides of the aisle. For the conservatives the whole thing is insane, and they’re feeling not only ignored, but shut out of the entire process. For liberals, the bill that seems to be emerging is not what they wanted. A perfect example would be Howard Dean calling for far left Dems to “kill the bill.”


And let us not forget the campaign promises that this debate would be on C-SPAN from beginning to end.

However, I submit that what should be ticking off the American people the most is not the backroom deals, smear tactics, or partisanship (although those are all wonderful points) but the earmarks, pork barrel, etc that has so far been tossed around to… encourage senators and representatives to vote the way Congressional leadership wants them to. I hesitate to use the phrases “bribe” and “buy votes” in an attempt to give our elected officials the benefit of the doubt, but quite honestly… that’s sure what it feels like to me.

A piece of reform this important, something that will completely change such a large portion of our economy, and indeed, our day-to-day life, should be completely devoid of all earmarks. There should be absolutely nothing in this bill that does not apply to all the states equally. Period, end of story. The Federal government is responsible for the welfare of the entire country, not the welfare of individual states. That’s what state governments are for. If your state government can’t take care of it’s people, then encourage them to boot the clowns out next election. But something this critical to the entire nation should be voted on purely on its merits and not extra encouragement that has been put in place for specific districts and states.

I have one thing to say to Congress. Shame on you. Shame on every single one of you who dares to vote for a bill stuffed with goodies for your state or district at the expense of others. The ramifications of this bill will effect all of us, and deserve your undivided attention. Shame. On. You.