The United States Congress is about to put its finishing touches on legislation that will drastically change our Health Care system forever. As Americans, we all would support such a move if it was a step forward with improving a system where premiums are reduced and coverage is expanded for those who need it. However, the two different bills passed by Congress, one in the House and another in the Senate, are both confusing and apparently costly. It contains over two thousand pages. Our nation’s Constitution can be printed on just seventeen.
Right now, Democrats have a clear majority in both houses and some argue that passage is all but assured. It is not.
America has an opportunity to throw a monkey-wrench in this wreckage. On January 19, voters in Massachusetts can change the 60-40 majority to 59-41, changing the supreme power of one party in Washington.
Republican State Senator Scott Brown is running for the Edward Kennedy seat in a Special Election in Massachusetts. If the voters arrive at the polls in 12 days and vote for Senator Brown, they will be sending a clear message to Washington and the White House that this is not the “change we believe in.”
Where is Scott Brown on important issues? His website includes very important issues that we must all consider when voting. In his own words, he contends:
- I am a free enterprise advocate who believes that lower taxes can encourage economic growth.
- I support common-sense environment policy that will help to reduce pollution and preserve our precious open spaces.
- I support choice through charter schools, as well as the MCAS exam as a graduation requirement.
- I have been a vigorous supporter of legislation providing benefits to returning service members, as well as, benefits for the families of those killed in action.
- I support the Second Amendment.
- I believe we need to reduce the number of abortions in America. I believe government has the responsibility to regulate in this area and I support parental consent and notification requirements and I oppose partial birth abortion.
- I believe marriage is between a man and a woman. States should be free to make their own laws in this area, so long as they reflect the people’s will as expressed through them directly, or as expressed through their elected representatives.
- I support a two-state solution that reaffirms Israel’s right to exist and provides the Palestinians with a place of their own where both sides can live in peace and security.
- I support the bi-partisan Iran sanctions bill and believe that until Ahmadinejad gives up his nuclear ambitions he should be isolated from the rest of the world.
- I believe that all Americans deserve health care coverage, but I am opposed to the health care legislation that is under consideration in Congress and will vote against it. It will raise taxes, increase government spending and lower the quality of care, especially for elders on Medicare. I support strengthening the existing private market system with policies that will drive down costs and make it easier for people to purchase affordable insurance.
Senator Brown sounds like the type of Republican both Theodore Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan would embrace with open arms. But will the voters of the Bay State do the same? Right now, the latest Rasmussen poll shows he is 2 points behind the Democrat front-runner. Winning the Kennedy seat is certainly a long shot, but stranger things have happened. This is a good chance for bringing change to Washington to restore some sort of order.
The Republican Party flourished in the northeast for a hundred years after its inception. Today, we are seeing Republicans dwindle in numbers because they are either not changing with the times or have not put forth messengers who can promote a populist agenda.
There’s really nothing wrong with progressive change that we can all believe in. However change doesn’t need to happen tomorrow. And change needs to be debated by the People, not a few elected individuals behind closed doors who offer carrots here and there to get a majority. Let’s all help to slow down change by electing Scott Brown and allowing you and me to know what this change is that Washington proposes.
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Daniel Peterson is President of the New York Young Republican Club, Inc.
