Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, has been at the center of this very heated controversy about health care. She has relentlessly pushed this legislation trying to "make history."

For those that don't know the history of this bill, I'll break it down for you:

• November 7, 2009 - The House - under enormous pressure from Pelosi - passed The Affordable Health Care for America Act H.R. 3962
  • This included the Stupak-Pitts amendment which enforced long-standing law banning federal funding of abortion except in cases of rape, incest, or danger to the life of the mother.
• December 24, 2009 - The Senate passes their version of the bill - The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act H.R.3590
  • This did not include the Nelson-Hatch amendment which contained the same language as the Stupak-Pitts amendment.
• February 25, 2010 - President Obama holds his "Health Care Summit" in which nothing is really accomplished. Well... almost. More on that later.
• The current strategy is to pass the Senate version of the bill through the House, which is supposed to happen in a vote on March 18, 2010

Nancy Pelosi is - of course - putting huge pressure on pro-life Democrats that voted for the Stupak-Pitts amendment to now support the Senate bill without the anti-abortion language included.

Now it starts to get ridiculous. The one thing that was accomplished at the Health Care Summit? The country got to see first-hand just how corruptly this entire proceeding has been handled.

At the Health Care Summit, Pelosi had this to say:

The current health care reform proposal:

• Includes government funding of abortion
• Imposes a brand-new "abortion fee" on taxpayers
• Directs $11 BILLION in new funding to groups like Planned Parenthood — the nation’s largest abortion chain that took in over $349,000,000 in tax funding last year while aborting 305,310 babies
• Would result in the largest expansion of abortion since Roe v. Wade

The Family Research Council does a great job of breaking down even further exactly how this bill provides federal funding of abortion:

Eight Reasons Abortion Is in the Health Care Overhaul

1. The legislation specifically includes it. The President’s bill to amend the Senate bill leaves several abortion provisions in place. In Section 1303 it allows tax credit subsidies for plans that include abortion and leaves the abortion surcharge in place. It maintains the proposal to create a multi-state plan that includes abortion in Sec. 1334. Even worse, it would increase the Senate bill funding from $7 billion to $11 billion for community health centers in Sec. 10503 without any abortion funding restrictions.  (H.R. 3590, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.)

2. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has said it is. “And I would say that the Senate language, which was negotiated by Senators Barbara Boxer and Patty Murray, who are very strong defenders of women’s health services and choices for women, take a big step forward from where the House left it with the Stupak amendment, and I think do a good job making sure there are choices for women. . .That would be an accounting procedure, but everybody in the exchange would do the same thing, whether you’re male or female, whether you’re 75 or 25, you would all set aside a portion of your premium that would go into a fund.”  (Sebelius: Everyone will pay into abortion-coverage fund.)

3.  Senate Democrats refused to ban it. Instead of allowing for an up or down vote on a Senate amendment similar to the Stupak Amendment in the House which bans federal funding of abortion, Senator Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) “tabled” the amendment, effectively killing it.  This was the only amendment dealt with in this way. (Vote No. 369 S.Amdt. 2962 to S.Amdt. 2786 to H.R. 3590)

4.  House Pro-life Democrats, who support a government takeover, say it is. “The Senate language is a significant departure from current law and is unacceptable.” (House Representative Bart Stupak (D-Mich.), February 23, 2010, CBS News)… “I think abortion’s wrong. The problem is that I’ve lived too long. When they say they can keep this money separate, I just don’t believe it.” (House Representative Marion Berry (D-Ark.), March 6, 2010, Arkansas News.)

5.  House Pro-abortion Democrats say it is. “The good news is that the Senate bill does allow [abortion coverage],” (Chairwoman of the House pro-abortion caucus, Dianne DeGette (D-Colo.), March 5, 2010, Washington Post.

6. The Abortion industry has sent out alerts in favor of it. The abortion giant Planned Parenthood sent out alerts on March 6, 2010: “President Obama’s health care reform proposal would make a real difference for the women and families who rely on Planned Parenthood. . . . and [the bill] significantly increase access to reproductive health care.” (Planned Parenthood alert, March 6, 2010.)

7. Candidate Obama said it would be included, and the Obama administration includes it in its definition of reproductive health care. Presidential candidate Barack Obama stated he “believes that reproductive health care is basic health care.” (Rhealitycheck.org questionnaire, 2008.)  Secretary of State Hillary Clinton followed up on this in 2009:  “Reproductive health care includes access to abortion.” (Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, April 22, House Foreign Affairs Committee Hearing)

8. House Democratic Majority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) has indicated he wants to “fix” the abortion coverage problem in the Senate bill. “House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said Thursday that lawmakers could draft separate pieces of legislation with abortion language to earn the support of anti-abortion rights Democrats on healthcare reform legislation.” (March 4, 2010, The Hill)

For more resources in the health care debate, check out FRC Action’s resource page: “Standing Against the Government Takeover of Health Care.” Also check out why the Hyde Amendment does not apply to the current bill by reading “Q and A: Government Health Care and Abortion.”

At the very least, even those who support abortion should be concerned about such a blatant lie from one of the largest supporters of this bill about the most controversial issue in it!

We need to stop this bill now, before it's too late.

Tell them we don't want this bill! And hurry! We only have until March 18th to make our voices heard.

Possibly Related posts:

1. Senator Nelson Responds to Health Care Concerns
2. Sen. Bill Nelson did NOT represent us today
3. My Open Letter to Senator Bill Nelson

Senator Nelson (D-FL) has finally responded to my e-mail about his vote on the Nelson-Hatch-Casey Amendment.

Since this is an open letter, I'm copying his entire response below (minus the "don't reply to this e-mail, etc." message).

From: Bill@billnelson.senate.gov
To: Andrew Ensley
Sent: Mon, Dec 14, 2009 at 8:49 AM
Subject: RE: Your response from Senator Bill Nelson

Dear Mr. Ensley:

Thank you for contacting me regarding the health care reform process as it relates to abortion.

On December 8, I voted against Senator Ben Nelson's amendment to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that would have imposed further restrictions on abortion, making it virtually impossible for a woman to purchase an insurance policy that covers abortion, even if she pays entirely with her own money. The health care bill now under consideration in the Senate follows the precedent set by the Hyde Amendment, that no Federal funds shall be used to provide abortions except in the case of rape, incest, or to protect the life of the mother. This compromise has been the law of the land since 1976, and I see no need to make any changes to this policy as a part of health care reform.

I believe in a woman's constitutional right to choose and in reducing the number of abortions in America by encouraging adoption. The Senate bill represents a reasonable compromise, crafted in good faith by both sides. As the bill makes its way through the legislative process, I will keep your views in mind.

Sincerely,
Senator Bill Nelson

Today, I sent my reply.

Senator Nelson,

I have received your response to my initial e-mail, and I am again disappointed by your point of view on the subject of the Nelson-Hatch-Casey amendment.

There are two possibilities here:

1. You have fallen for the rhetoric that your fellow Democrats have been spouting, in which case you have failed to understand legislation fully before voting on it. Or...
2. You are part of the rhetoric and willfully misleading others.

Which is it, Senator?

Rep. Capps herself admits that she is against the Hyde amendment (here in the second paragraph), and her voting record has always supported the expansion of abortion in every way. How are people to believe, then, that she would be at the forefront in implementing the very language she is against without altering it in even the smallest regard to favor her point of view? You insult my intelligence again, sir.

The Stupak amendment was overwhelmingly supported in the House (240 to 194), and all the Nelson amendment did was apply the same language to the senate bill.

Again, you have failed to represent the wishes of the majority, and - worse - you are lying to the general public (whether it's intentional or not).

Please listen to reason. Please do not support Senator Reid's health care bill. It is a terrible bill in many ways, but the most important issues are the respect for and defense of life. This bill does neither.

Sincerely,

Andrew Ensley

If you would also like to tell him how you feel,

1. Contact him by e-mail
2. Contact him by phone: (202) 224-5274

Possibly Related posts:

1. My Open Letter to Senator Bill Nelson
2. Sen. Bill Nelson did NOT represent us today
3. Nancy Pelosi is a liar, and I can prove it (stop the health care bill)

Some of you may know already that today, the Nelson-Hatch-Casey Amendment (which bans federal funding of abortion in the new health care bill) was tabled and thus defeated by a vote of 54 to 45.

You may also know that our distinguished senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) was one of those 54.

He has not responded to my first e-mail yet, but I sent him another one to let him know what I think of his actions today.

I would encourage you to contact him by e-mail and do the same.

Mr. Nelson,

I am extremely disappointed in your action today as you voted to table the Nelson-Hatch-Casey Amendment. I am dumbfounded by your inability to represent your constituents.

Why did you choose not to stand up for life? Why did you choose to ignore the wishes of the majority? You were not elected to do whatever you want, sir. You were elected to represent the views of the citizens of Florida.

If Sen. Reid's health care bill passes with the CAPPS language as it is now, I will do everything in my power to show fellow voters in Florida how you were directly responsible.

Please, stop ignoring the citizens. Do not vote for this health care reform bill. Do not vote for the 2000-page bill that will cost our weakened economy over 1 TRILLION dollars and 5.5 MILLION jobs. I'm not stupid. I know that this bill WILL increase taxes and premiums and cut benefits for everyone.

Health care reform is needed. But this bill is wrong in every way.

Thank you for your time,

Andrew Ensley

It was difficult to be this polite.

Possibly Related posts:

1. My Open Letter to Senator Bill Nelson
2. Senator Nelson Responds to Health Care Concerns
3. Nancy Pelosi is a liar, and I can prove it (stop the health care bill)

I never thought I'd be saying this, but the New York Times agrees with me. For anyone who thought I was making unfair conclusions, even the New York Times acknowledges that the president lied and abortion would be covered by the proposed plan.

From the article:

...his assertion that “no federal dollars will be used to fund abortions” is not so clear-cut.

...

Existing restrictions on the use of federal money for abortion would remain in place, as Mr. Obama stated. But in practice, the public and private money would all go into the same pot, and the source of money for any single procedure is largely a technicality.

See for yourself:
Check Point: Examining Obama’s Assertions
By DAVID M. HERSZENHORN
Published: September 9, 2009

Possibly Related posts:

1. Stop lying to us, Obama
2. Nancy Pelosi is a liar, and I can prove it (stop the health care bill)
3. Senator Nelson Responds to Health Care Concerns

This evening, President Barack Obama addressed a joint session of Congress about the country's health care system. As everyone expected, he gave a great speech. He said a lot of things people like to hear, expressed his passion for helping every citizen, raised his voice, and lied directly to our faces.

It's unbelievable.  After 15 minutes of scare-tactics about how urgently-needed a drastic change is, he complained about his opponents' scare-tactics.  "NOW IS THE SEASON FOR ACTION!" he screamed.  Yes, but what action?

The Lie

At about the 20 minute mark, he says, "No federal dollars will be used to fund abortions, and federal conscience laws will remain in place." I'd like to know what he's talking about.  He suspended a very important conscience law his second day in office; the Mexico City Policy.   And make no mistake: every health care plan in Congress right now would mandate federally funded abortion.  Don't believe me?  There's an entire rundown here.

Finally, after rallying everyone with scare tactics, Obama reveals a piece of his agenda.  He pushes having a "public" (government-provided) option.  So tax-payer dollars would pay for whatever his non-elected committee decides falls into healthcare.  Again, there is no doubt that abortion will be covered in such a system.  Here is a video of Obama promising exactly that:

After 45 minutes of blathering, Obama says he won't "waste time with those who think it is better politics to kill this plan than to approve it. … I will not accept the status quo as a solution." Yeah, why let reasonable, legitimate, and justifiable questions get in the way of your mission?

Am I the only one who thinks this country has gone insane?  Why would anyone think it's a good idea to force taxpayers to directly pay for one person to kill another, perfectly innocent, person?  Don't we imprison those who hire hitmen?  I believe it's called "conspiracy to commit murder."  Why isn't Obama - or any other official who has legalized the worst holocaust in human history - in jail?  Why do we stand for this?

Beyond that, why on earth are we moving towards socialism, especially in health care?  Has nobody else taken note of what's happened to European socialized health care?

I defy anyone to name one system or business that has been improved by the government taking it over.  The government is, by far, the least efficient organization to handle anything it has its hands in.  The government is there to run the country and listen to the citizens.  Anything more than that is exactly why we declared our independence from England.

This is the part that's really unbelievable to me: a poll done by Zogby International last November found that:

71% of U.S. citizens oppose government-funded abortions

(Source) EDIT: there's something wrong with National Review's website. Fortunately, there's an exact copy of the article.

Apparently, Obama either can't or - at worst - won't listen to the citizens he so passionately "defends" in his speeches.

Visit AUL’s RealHealthCareRespectsLife.com for the truth about how all the current health care reform proposals on Capitol Hill threaten the elderly, the ill, and the unborn.

Possibly Related posts:

1. NYTimes calls Obama on his lie!
2. Nancy Pelosi is a liar, and I can prove it (stop the health care bill)
3. Sen. Bill Nelson did NOT represent us today

As you may already know, Judge Sonya Sotomayor is up for a position in the Supreme Court.  The Senate Judiciary Committee gave her a pass this week, and her nomination will be voted on by the full Senate very soon.   This is a very troubling possibility to many who believe that judges are supposed to enforce the law rather than make it.

Sotomayor has time and again, made conflicting rulings with the law.   She stated that "the court of appeals is where policy is made" in 2005.  While on the board of the PRLDEF, the Fund argued that the right to abortion is a fundamental right and the courts should strike down common sense laws like parental notification, "women's right to know" laws, and bans on taxpayer funding for abortions.

Abortion is not a fundamental right.  LIFE is.

If you believe, as I do, that abortion is the civil rights issue of the 21st century, then please, call or e-mail your senators now and tell them how horrible of a decision it would be to appoint Sonya Sotomayor to the Supreme Court.

To find your Senators' contact information, you can refer to this website:

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Calling would be best, but anything will help.

This website makes it very easy to e-mail your senators:

https://secure3.convio.net/aulact/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=334

Millions of defenseless unborn are depending on your action right now.

Possibly Related posts:

1. Senator Nelson Responds to Health Care Concerns
2. Nancy Pelosi is a liar, and I can prove it (stop the health care bill)
3. Sen. Bill Nelson did NOT represent us today