By Rick Krug
GCC/Staff
Dec. 23, 2009

If the United States Congress lacks one thing, it is a soul. Of course, I do not mean all the members, but the Body as a whole, has lost anything resembling a moral North Star. To wit: Ben Nelson.

For those of you who are living a real life with bills to pay, children to raise, oh, maybe a job to show up for, and watch a sport or two each week, let me tell you about Ben Nelson. Mr. Nelson is a Senator from the Great State of Nebraska.

Up until a few days ago, Senator Nelson was the lone Democrat hold-out keeping Harry Reid from jamming through a 2000 page, totally unread, nearly $1 trillion health care overhaul bill.

According to senate rules, 60 votes are necessary to maintain a filibuster proof win. Mr. Nelson was the last of the needed 60 on the Dem side of the aisle.

For weeks I was a Ben Nelson cheerleader. The reason the good senator gave for not wanting to vote for this massive takeover, was the single issue of government (read: tax-payers) paid for abortions.

Really, a Pro-life democrat! The heretofore “moderate” democrat was standing on principle. He made it clear he would never vote for a health care bill which included forcing the American public to pay for abortions.

During the debate, from the most liberal senators, all the usual rhetoric was posited; women’s rights, “it’s legal anyway” and the ever favorite, “you are a man, you should have a voice,” all filtered into the chamber well. But Nelson stood his ground – he was standing on a solid principle.

Not too many days earlier, a couple of other democrat senators were threatening to hold on to their affirmative vote for their own reasons.

Mary Landrieu from Louisiana, and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas were the most apparent. But Harry Reid had a few tricks up his sleeve – in the form of more tax payer dollars.

Reid offered both these senators hundreds of millions of dollars for pet state projects, and golly, they made the soul searching decision to vote in favor of the health care bill.

Enter the principled, high morals Ben Nelson from Nebraska. Reid needed 60 votes. But he was up against principle….right? Sadly, I mean REALLY sadly, it seems Mr. Nelson was able to be bought off.

With the unbelievable, and probably unconstitutional, promise of having ALL Medicare 100% paid for by the other 49 states forever, Nelson caved. That is, Nebraska is the only state in the Union which will have Medicare fully paid for in perpetuity, all on the back of the other states.

So does anyone in Washington have a soul? Is there any politician who does not have a price tag on in their hand, no matter how outrageous it may be?

To express my personal rage and disappointment is simply not possible on paper. Every American should be as devastated.

We could all argue the merits of this health care bill. And we should. We could all debate the need for health care reform. And we should.

But all our discussions should be done with principle, morals, and conviction. Apparently, congress does not believe so.

I just have one piece of advice for Senator Nelson. Mr. Nelson, when Mac Daddy Reid sends you that Medicare payment, make sure he puts it on your dresser.

Make sure your lipstick is straight before you go out the next night to walk the streets with the other Working Girls. Make sure your dress is straight, and your pimp sees you working hard.

Senator Nelson, next time there is a vote, please do not insult our collective intelligence by claiming you have anything inside you which resembles principle. You sold your soul.

And if the voters of Nebraska are as smart as they seem, you also sold your birthright.

Source: Rick Krug

 

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think. dan@goldcoastchronicle.com