The Perils of Pelosi's 'Deem and Pass' Healthcare Strategy

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This entire process, is exactly what the President campaigned to change. He said that things would not be done in the same old back room way if he was elected. Liar

I have come to the conclusion that the President has a social engineering agenda, which he is determined to achieve, without any concern for what the majority thinks, or the Constitution, or anything else for that matter. He has an agenda, and he will achieve it, regardless of how. You and I will spend the remainder of our lives trying to reclaim our liberties, our incomes, and our government. I weep for my county, that we all thought there was such promise, such hope in this candidate. We have been razzle dazzled. But as one true patriot once said, "You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time.... but not all of the people, all of the time. Or burn me once, shame on you, burn me twice, shame on me. I will never vote for a Populist again.

kg of CA 12:04AM March 18, 2010

You didn't mention this fact - why not?

Or that the President took out the cornhusker & other changes.

Or that it's merely the package of amendments that will pass with budget reconciliation, NOT the entire bill which has already passed the Senate with 60 votes.

Or that Senator Byrd, the Senate Parlamentarian, has already given the green light on the appropriateness of the health reform bill and its amendments for the budget reconciliation process and Deem & Pass.

Or that the Democrats sued to have Deem & Pass repealed, after Republicans were using it liberally, but Republicans defended its use in court and prevailed.

Don't you think, therefore, that it's a tad hypocritical. I quote Norman J Orenstein, in the Wall St Journal:

"There is nothing remotely novel or “unconstitutional” about House Democrats using “deem and pass” to push through health care legislation, writes Norman J. Ornstein. You’ve already achieved “a ridiculous level of misinformation and disinformation over the use of reconciliation,” and now this? The GOP used the rule at least 35 times the last time they were in control.

Ornstein is no fan of the self-executing rule, he writes at the American, but he likes “hypocrisy” even less. Republicans went to court to defend their use of it, and won. Former Rules Committee Chairman David Dreier “used it for a $40 billion deficit reduction package so that his fellow GOPers could avoid an embarrassing vote on immigration.” Yet now, there is a “level of feigned indignation” that Ornstein has never seen before. “Is there no shame anymore?”

Annemarie of NY 10:42PM March 17, 2010

There were people clapping and screaming when obama said 3,000 % cut to employers if health care passes on their health insurance, to those idiots there is no help. You can't cut something 3,000 %.

I don't care if they only announced it passed.

After a year with filibuster proof Congress and not passing health care into law, Pelosi will ‘deem’ health plan did pass and finagle its passing. In doing so, The People will deem, ‘its passing’, that being the Democrat party.

I can see obama saying it passed high. He know what he did...

Bill Hedges of MO 8:41PM March 17, 2010

You put lipstick on a pig and it is still a pig. So is the current health care bill. Where are the Representatives and Congressman who attended many summer recess meetings with their constituents and heard the truth about who really wants this bill passed. Very few common, working folks want our federal government to run our health care. The Fed cannot run Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid.... just name one program that they have been successful running for any length of time. Sure some changes are necessary, but not sweeping reform that puts over 15% of the GNP into the control of our Fed Government. If this bill passes in the manner that is being taken, then all who vote for it should be jailed!

Slim of CO 7:35PM March 17, 2010

"In a state-run society the government promises you security. But it's a false promise predicated on the idea that the opposite of security is risk. Nothing could be further from the truth. The opposite of security is insecurity, and the only way to overcome insecurity is to take risks. The gentle government that promises to hold your hand as you cross the street refuses to let go on the other side." ~Theodore Forstmann

If there was only a way to amputate one's hand!

david of ID 7:18PM March 17, 2010

You're all so scared of backlash at the polls in November if you vote for this piece of garbage that you think you can go along with the "deem" and not have your name on any vote for the bill. Don't make the mistake of thinking we are all stupid. We will remember and we will vote you out. http://patrioticmobster.wordpress.com, home of President Suit, Savior of the World, daily snarky political humor

PresidentSuit of NJ 7:03PM March 17, 2010

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Peter Roff

Peter Roff

Peter Roff is a contributing editor at U.S. News & World Report. Formerly a senior political writer for United Press International, he’s now affiliated with several public policy organizations including Let Freedom Ring, and Frontiers of Freedom. His writing has appeared in National Review, Fox News’ opinion section, The Daily Caller, Politico and elsewhere. Follow him on Twitter @PeterRoff.

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