Letter from Ted Poe

[hedgehog]

Dear Neighbors,

After months of objections by Americans across our great country, a slim majority in Congress ignored the will of the people and voted to pass H.R. 3962 by a vote of 220-215.

I VOTED NO!! This legislation will cost taxpayers over a trillion dollars, raise taxes, create 111 new federal bureaucracies and lead to a government takeover of our healthcare system. I stood with you today and voted AGAINST another government takeover.

Republicans offered an alternative that would allow for the most basic, common sense reforms that didn?t raise taxes or put us further into debt. But, it was defeated by those that want a government-run system. I supported this alternative and many others that were never allowed to be brought to the floor for debate. Unfortunately, partisan politics gave way at the end of the day.

Rest assured tonight, this is far from over. As a former judge, I have serious questions regarding the constitutionality of this legislation. The bill forces every American to buy health insurance or be penalized with a tax. If you don?t want to or refuse to buy insurance, then you will be in violation of the IRS code and will be subject to tax evasion charges punishable up to $250,000 and up to five years in prison.
Nowhere in the Constitution does it allow for the government to force us to buy anything. If you thought you didn?t like the IRS before, wait until they become the new healthcare police.

During today?s debate, I talked about the government debacle over the H1N1 virus. This is just a preview of what is to come. The federal government promised to save the country by providing 120 million H1N1 virus vaccines in three months. Of course the government only made 20 percent of that number on time. So the government had to decide who would get medicine and who would not. This simple shot program administered by the government is a mess and has its priorities wrong. Why? Because the government is in charge. The government decides who gets flu shots and who doesn?t. Patients don?t decide; doctors don?t decide. This is what a universal government-run and government-rationed health care program looks like.

As I said before, this is not over. Our freedoms and our rights are far too important to give up. I will continue to fight with you to make sure that Washington, DC understands the meaning of: ?We the People.? And that?s just the way it is.

God and Texas,

TED POE
Member of Congress
TEXAS

 

[Chadman]

"God and Texas." That about sums it up. :mj07:

On a related note, I think normal discussion and opposition is fine - discussions on the bill, what to take out, leave in, problems, etc., will surely happen in the Senate, as it should. Uniform opposition, as has been shown by the Republicans, and labeling all democratic legislation as being subversive and socialistic, is not helpful to any real movement forward, or reform of any kind.

It would not matter, in the short or long run, what was in the democratic healthcare bill, IMO. The republicans will be uniformly against it, and I think that will come back to haunt them in the long run. Plenty of Americans want reform - REAL reform - and not the fake reform that's in the "Republican" bill (which most of THAT is in the democratic bill to begin with) and doesn't address most of the important issues we need help with as citizens.

 

[hedgehog]

"God and Texas." That about sums it up. :mj07:

On a related note, I think normal discussion and opposition is fine - discussions on the bill, what to take out, leave in, problems, etc., will surely happen in the Senate, as it should. Uniform opposition, as has been shown by the Republicans, and labeling all democratic legislation as being subversive and socialistic, is not helpful to any real movement forward, or reform of any kind.

It would not matter, in the short or long run, what was in the democratic healthcare bill, IMO. The republicans will be uniformly against it, and I think that will come back to haunt them in the long run. Plenty of Americans want reform - REAL reform - and not the fake reform that's in the "Republican" bill (which most of THAT is in the democratic bill to begin with) and doesn't address most of the important issues we need help with as citizens.

anything proposed by the democrats should be opposed by all Republicans, its socialized medicine, I have the opposite view most Americans do not have a problem with their current insurance, and the liberals are in trouble in another year.

I would vote for Ted Poe for President in a heartbeat. I wish he was my representative, although mine is a conservative also, thank GOD

God and Texas...:00hour

 

[Chadman]

anything proposed by the democrats should be opposed by all Republicans, its socialized medicine, I have the opposite view most Americans do not have a problem with their current insurance, and the liberals are in trouble in another year.

That sums it up. Anything proposed by the democrats should be opposed by all Republicans. And that is a healthy way to look at things when living in a free country, where people are supposed to allow for freedom of thought and expression? To work together for the common good?

Priceless...

I know that you don't have a problem with your current insurance - that's the point. I'll bet you good money that the owner of the company you work for has a big problem with the money he spends on it for you. It's probably damaging the business, and that is something that you conservatives are supposed to care so much about. But again, you conservatives generally care more about yourselves, and the rest of the people be damned, no matter their situation, or scenario. That is, until it affects you, and then everything changes.

The comment you posted a while back about taking advantage of the government that I captured in my signature just proves that, now doesn't it?

:0corn

 

[Trampled Underfoot]

anything proposed by the democrats should be opposed by all Republicans

Fighting blindly for any party is moronic.

 

[hedgehog]

That sums it up. Anything proposed by the democrats should be opposed by all Republicans. And that is a healthy way to look at things when living in a free country, where people are supposed to allow for freedom of thought and expression? To work together for the common good?

Priceless...

I know that you don't have a problem with your current insurance - that's the point. I'll bet you good money that the owner of the company you work for has a big problem with the money he spends on it for you. It's probably damaging the business, and that is something that you conservatives are supposed to care so much about. But again, you conservatives generally care more about yourselves, and the rest of the people be damned, no matter their situation, or scenario. That is, until it affects you, and then everything changes.

The comment you posted a while back about taking advantage of the government that I captured in my signature just proves that, now doesn't it?

:0corn

You liberals never meet in the middle, ever, Republicans should not either

 

[Mags]

Chad:

I think most republicans (including myself) are all for HEALTH reform. Everything that Obama has put on the table is about villanizing the insurance companies and he has turned it into health INSURANCE reform.

It is understandable why all Republican's are against the Dem's plan. I am very versed in the Individual market - where the reforms will have the most impact - and I am 100% convinced that the reforms that are being discussed with have a large negative impact. NOTHING in the Dem's bills do anything to control utilization- where is where 70% of health care costs come from. And it is clear (at least to me) that either of the bills discussed will raise costs considerably.

I am strongly in favor of getting something done - I just firmly believe there are much better ways of getting there (I have my own "plan" - but nobody has asked me yet to share it! Mr O, please call me! :shrug: ).

Personally, from an individual responsibility perspective, I feel the financing portion is way messed up. IF this is such an important initiative for the country, then everyone should pitch in and pay - not just a very select group of people. A national sales tax is the best way in my mind - that way everyone pays into it, and everyone could be covered - including illegals. I don't think anyone would complain about them being covered if they were paying in - and it is awefully difficult to dodge sales tax.

The other problem I have with the Dem's proposals - I think they have just as much to do with creating a legacy for "O", having more Dem control, and another way to redistribute income rather than the focus being: reduce costs and provide access to all.

Maybe I should run for office?? :00hour Naw, I'd have to lose all my ethics and learn how to be 100% corrupt in such a short time......

 

[hedgehog]

Chad:

I think most republicans (including myself) are all for HEALTH reform. Everything that Obama has put on the table is about villanizing the insurance companies and he has turned it into health INSURANCE reform.

It is understandable why all Republican's are against the Dem's plan. I am very versed in the Individual market - where the reforms will have the most impact - and I am 100% convinced that the reforms that are being discussed with have a large negative impact. NOTHING in the Dem's bills do anything to control utilization- where is where 70% of health care costs come from. And it is clear (at least to me) that either of the bills discussed will raise costs considerably.

I am strongly in favor of getting something done - I just firmly believe there are much better ways of getting there (I have my own "plan" - but nobody has asked me yet to share it! Mr O, please call me! :shrug: ).

Personally, from an individual responsibility perspective, I feel the financing portion is way messed up. IF this is such an important initiative for the country, then everyone should pitch in and pay - not just a very select group of people. A national sales tax is the best way in my mind - that way everyone pays into it, and everyone could be covered - including illegals. I don't think anyone would complain about them being covered if they were paying in - and it is awefully difficult to dodge sales tax.

The other problem I have with the Dem's proposals - I think they have just as much to do with creating a legacy for "O", having more Dem control, and another way to redistribute income rather than the focus being: reduce costs and provide access to all.

Maybe I should run for office?? :00hour Naw, I'd have to lose all my ethics and learn how to be 100% corrupt in such a short time......

I would be for a National Sales tax if they did away with income tax:SIB all pay in, good write up Mags

 

[The Judge]

I would vote for Ted Poe for President in a heartbeat. I wish he was my representative, although mine is a conservative also, thank GOD

Poe was an excellent Harris County Judge and that is where he should have finished his career.

 

[Chadman]

You liberals never meet in the middle, ever, Republicans should not either

I don't consider myself a true liberal. I definitely lean that way most of the time, but don't agree with all of the ideas put forth. I do meet in the middle, have voted for republicans, and agree with some of the republican ideals. I would bet you that you don't do the same, and yet you label me. To blindly follow only one way of thinking is pure ignorance, Hedge. Not that you care, of course. And not caring about much of anything outside your own walls IS a true part of the republican conservative outlook, I think.

For instance, I am for the death penalty, feel strongly against illegal immigration and those folks benefiting from our society, understand the right to life argument (and made that choice personally when faced with it in life), think welfare reform and limits are a good thing, and think that cutting pork and needless programs should be probably our most pressing issue in government (other than healthcare reform).

So, when you label me as a liberal and out of touch with whatever reality you believe in, I think you're full of shit. And the fact you won't ever consider any other way of looking at something based on your preconceived notions and "understandings" of things, just shows ignorance, IMO.

 

[hedgehog]

I don't consider myself a true liberal. I definitely lean that way most of the time, but don't agree with all of the ideas put forth. I do meet in the middle, have voted for republicans, and agree with some of the republican ideals. I would bet you that you don't do the same, and yet you label me. To blindly follow only one way of thinking is pure ignorance, Hedge. Not that you care, of course. And not caring about much of anything outside your own walls IS a true part of the republican conservative outlook, I think.

For instance, I am for the death penalty, feel strongly against illegal immigration and those folks benefiting from our society, understand the right to life argument (and made that choice personally when faced with it in life), think welfare reform and limits are a good thing, and think that cutting pork and needless programs should be probably our most pressing issue in government (other than healthcare reform).

So, when you label me as a liberal and out of touch with whatever reality you believe in, I think you're full of shit. And the fact you won't ever consider any other way of looking at something based on your preconceived notions and "understandings" of things, just shows ignorance, IMO.

Okay, you might be willing to meet in the middle, but the liberals in congress want it their way and do not ever meet in the middle.
I have never voted for a democrat for anything, either Republican, Libertarian or no vote for me. All the democrats do is tax and spend across the board, so I never have voted for one and I always vote against all bond issues, I am overtaxed as it is, why would I vote for someone that is going to raise my taxes and give me nothing in return?

I am across the board Conservative, lower taxes, cut spending, no waste, lower the national debt, death penalty, get rid of welfare, small government, against illegal immigration, balanced budget, etc...

Maybe I am just hardheaded.

You seem like a nice guy Chad, I am too in real life.