Health Reform’s Missing Ingredient: A Charismatic Citizen Leader

Alice Paul came from a long line of Republican activists such as Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Stanton. None seem very popular in today's academic climate. Alice Paul is quoted for saying abortion is "the ultimate exploitation of women." And although some pro-abortion groups have attempted to use her lack of direct support on the issue, the fact she was a Quaker and her idea that killing babies was "exploiting women", which was what she devoted her life too preventing; would seem enough to show which side of history her and women like her were on. So given her similarities to modern day women such as Sarah Palin and Mother Teresa, it's no wonder why college professors today, much less students, have no clue about her. Hats off to Georgetown U. for their screening.

And I conquer with the sentiments that Woodrow Wilson reacted more on public pressure than on personal insight, particularly given the idea he is easily one of the most racist and bigoted Presidents in our history. He often tried to espouse himself as a leader for the "average man" but was perhaps one of the most elitist political figures in our history as well. He went to the most elite schools and was even President of Princeton for several years before pretending to become a "man of the people" in Washington.

And frankly, I would not believe conservatives such as Alice Paul would agree with advocating such abuses of Congressional power today like this "universal" healthcare matter. Thomas Jefferson, whom this blog mentions a street named after, certainly would not have.

"They are not to do anything they please to provide for the general welfare.... [G]iving a distinct and independent power to do any act they please which may be good for the Union, would render all the preceding and subsequent enumerations of power completely useless. It would reduce the whole instrument to a single phrase, that of instituting a Congress with power to do whatever would be for the good of the United States; and as they sole judges of the good or evil, it would be also a power to do whatever evil they please."

-- Thomas Jefferson

And for those who prefer a Federalist:

"Charity is no part of the legislative duty of the government."

--James Madison

"If Congress can do whatever in their discretion can be done by money, and will promote the General Welfare, the Government is no longer a limited one, possessing enumerated powers, but an indefinite one...."

-- James Madison, letter to Edmund Pendleton, January 21, 1792

And just to further the point:

"When the people find they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic."

-- Benjamin Franklin

"The issue today is the same as it has been throughout all history, whether man shall be allowed to govern himself or be ruled by a small elite."

-- Thomas Jefferson

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/current_events/healthcare/september_2009/health_care_reform

Thank you for reading my comments.

Joel of TX 12:11PM January 08, 2010