Political Matters

Political Matters

As you all know, I’m conservative politically. If you don’t agree with me on these matters, I understand, and that’s what democracy is all about. The things I’m about to say, apply no matter what your political beliefs.

Healthcare reform

Out of the 535 members of both houses of Congress, as of today (July 31, 2009) only 104 have pledged to read the proposed bill before voting on it. I am outraged that the drafters of this bill have made it so overwhelmingly complex that even their colleagues won’t read it! That being said, it is truly unacceptable that any member of Congress would vote on any bill without reading it. If they haven’t read it, their votes are clearly either because they “owe” someone a favor or they are voting along straight party lines. Neither of those excuses is reasonable! We have a responsibility to monitor what our elected officials do in Washington, and IF they aren’t fairly representing the wishes of their constituents, they NEED to be voted out!!! Let’s take this responsibility seriously and pay attention to how our Congressional leaders vote. Our apathy is exactly how things in Washington have gotten so far from what the founding fathers agreed to when drafting the Constitution.

NO MORE APATHY!!! If we don’t turn away from the path we’re on as a nation, there will be serious consequences to pay. This is not some televangelist rambling and “fear-mongering”…this is an ordinary woman who simply wants to see some Common Sense in our government!


What Needs to Change?

The very first “change” we need in this country is to STOP giving a free ride to illegal aliens! I am NOT anti-immigration by any means…but if you are not in this country through legal means, you need to go back where you came from and file the appropriate papers and come here legally. Our government is spending literally hundreds of billions of dollars a year providing for the medical, educational, housing and grocery needs of people who have never paid one cent into the public coffers! That is the most outrageous thing I’ve ever heard!!!

When an illegal shows up at the Emergency Room, IF they are truly in a medical emergency, of course we must provide appropriate care for them, BEFORE SENDING THEM BACK TO THEIR HOMELAND. If it is not truly a medical emergency, they need to be sent back IMMEDIATELY. No excuses, no patting them on the head and saying, “I know you didn’t mean to break the law”. BULL!!! They made a conscious choice to come here outside the law, and if you or I make a conscious choice to break the law, WE face consequences…they must do the same.

When an illegal alien has a baby in this country, the baby is considered a US citizen, and the parents are allowed to remain here to raise them. That’s outrageous too! Give the baby dual citizenship with the country of the parents origin and the US…but with the stipulation that they can ONLY remain here IF their parents are willing to do whatever is necessary to be here legally! No more free public education to children whose parents have never paid a penny of taxes in the US. NO MORE, I say!!!

No more food stamps or WIC or section 8 housing for illegal immigrants! Enough is enough! We (as a nation) could easily meet the legitimate needs of American poor families if we stopped throwing billions of dollars at providing for people who aren’t here legally. If you want to be an American, fine…fill out the papers and wait your turn. We offer a home to millions of people who’ve come here legally, and I embrace them as Americans. But those who come here illegally are criminals plain and simple…and I don’t mean we should pay to support them while they’re incarcerated here…send them back home!!! Period. End of discussion.

Anything Else? (You’re afraid to ask, huh?)

Why are we rushing to throw out what is recognized worldwide as the BEST healthcare system in existence???

Yes, there are many Americans without insurance. Keep in mind, though, that many of those people are without insurance because they CHOOSE to be. Not because they can’t afford it. So, for those who have no health coverage & WANT it…

Why not simply expand the qualifications for Medicaid programs, which are already in place, to include the currently uninsured, for a discounted rate (as opposed to paying full premiums for regular insurance)? That wouldn’t change the coverage you or I have, and it wouldn’t create a whole new bureaucracy that we truly do NOT need. It would address the problem that exists without destroying the best system of healthcare in the world.

Another thought on the healthcare debate:

Students come from all over the globe to study in our medical schools. We have the most advanced medical diagnostic systems available anywhere. We have more money going into medical research and testing, to find new and better ways to improve and extend our lives. The current healthcare reforms proposed would change the structure of our medical schools and could severely reduce the amount of innovation & research happening in this country. Is THAT a change we want? I don’t think so!!! Yes, we should provide incentives to doctors and nurses who are willing to serve in currently understaffed areas of the country, but not by making it mandatory.

Oh, and while we’re on the subject…We MUST provide medical professionals the option refusing to participate in procedures they feel are morally wrong! Going back to the Constitution again…Freedom of Religion! If I say that I believe abortion to be morally wrong, the Constitution says I have the right to not take part in it. Let’s go back to respecting the document this nation was built upon.

I guess I’ve ranted long enough now…and I hope you’ve found some food for thought in my comments. As I said, if you disagree, that’s your right. The greatest thing about America is that we ALL have the right to express our ideas and our elected officials are SUPPOSED to listen, and act based on what the majority of their constituents want. If they don’t, let’s remember that when they come up for re-election!

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Have a great day and Be Blessed!
Jennifer Phillips
phillipsjennie@hotmail.com