David Axelrod seems fine with illegal aliens receiving health care

In yet another bit of hypocrisy, Barack Obama’s senior adviser, David Axelrod went on CNN’s “State of the Union” to discuss the health care bill. During his appearance, he criticized addressing illegal immigration and abortion in the health care bill:

“The president’s view is that this is not the vehicle to address immigration issues…this is not the place for this, this is not the place to resolve disputes over abortion,” he said. “I believe that as the week goes on, these issues will clarify themselves…We have to resolve the larger questions, which is the status of undocumented workers…we can’t resolve it within the context of this debate.”

Axelrod’s words might have had some credibility if the health care bill weren’t being used to expand the federal government’s role in higher education. Student loans have nothing to do with health care, yet they are part of the debate. On the other hand, the debates surrounding illegal immigration and abortion concern who is eligible for benefits and what procedures are covered. The last time I checked, those were both central issues that would need to be discussed in any reform plan.

In regards to the undocumented workers illegal aliens David Axelrod referred to, his position is a harbinger of things to come. By ignoring any prohibition on illegal aliens, he’s essentially hoping to extend benefits to the law-breakers. Maybe I’m wrong, but wouldn’t health care costs be reduced if we deported the 12 million or so illegal aliens who burden the United states financially?

Ben Nelson sells his health care vote to Harry Reid

Senator Ben Nelson “negotiated” some changes to the Senate Health bill that have were needed to gain his support. One change stipulated that federal money wouldn’t be used to pay for abortions, while the others are nothing but freebies for Nebraskans. Here’s a brief summary:

Nelson secured full federal funding for his state to expand Medicaid coverage to all individuals below 133 percent of the federal poverty level. Other states must pay a small portion of the additional cost. He won concessions for qualifying nonprofit insurers and for Medigap providers from a new insurance tax, and was able to roll back cuts to health savings accounts.

“I know this is hard for some of my colleagues to accept and I appreciate their right to disagree,” Nelson told reporters at the Capitol, of the many changes made at his behest. “But I would not have voted for this bill without these provisions.” » read more

Barbara Boxer twists the truth on the abortion debate

Sometimes, I wonder if Barbara Boxer ever listens to herself speak. While debating an amendment to the health care bill which would block women receiving subsidies for a public health plan from having abortions covered, she had this to say:

“Why are women being singled out here? It’s so unfair,” Boxer said on the Senate floor Tuesday. “We don’t tell men that if they want to … buy insurance coverage through their pharmaceutical plan for Viagra that they can’t do it.”

Will someone please tell Barbara Boxer that this isn’t an attack on women. If someone were trying to block payments for hysterectomies, then she would certainly have a point, and the Viagra comparison would be suitable. However, her comparison of of abortions to Viagra is laughable. If an abortion isn’t performed in the case of rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother, then the procedure is nothing but birth control for the wreckless. Viagra is used by men attempting to restore a function that has been lost. How can she compare the two? » read more

Chris Matthews misses the point on Patrick Kennedy

Bishop Thomas Tobin appeared on “Hardball” to discuss his decision to ask Rhode Island Congressman Patrick Kennedy to refrain from receiving Holy Communion. The funny thing is that Thomas Tobin is criticized in this clip, even though Patrick Kennedy began this nonsense by criticizing the Catholic Church’s stance on abortion, then brought up a conversation he had with the Bishop 2 years ago, when he was asked not to receive Communion.

In the interview, Chris Matthews seems thoroughly confused. Part of it may be due to him attempting to reconcile his prochoice stance with his life as a Catholic. He continually criticizes the Bishop and essentially demeans him by asking how he would write particular laws, and attempts to make him look incompetent. » read more

Catholic bishop: No communion for Patrick Kennedy

According to Congressman Patrick Kennedy, he was asked not to receive Holy Communion by Bishop Thomas Tobin of the Providence Catholic Diocese. This won’t be a popular decision among many Catholics, but it is about time.

I’m amused by how many people present themselves as Catholics, then live their lives counter to the church’s teachings. You shouldn’t be able to pick and choose which aspects of a religion you like, and which aspects you don’t. If a particular religion doesn’t suit your particular view of the world, then find another one. For too many, their religion is nothing but a habit. If that’s the case, isn’t it better to just stop attending mass and stop living a lie? » read more

I’m pro-choice, but I don’t want to pay for abortions

Have you checked out John Boehner’s blog lately? I saw this little tid bit today:

Beginning on line 7, p. 118, section 1303 under “Voluntary Choice of Coverage of Abortion Services” the Health and Human Services Secretary is given the authority to determine when abortion is allowed under the government-run health plan. Leader Reid’s plan also requires that at least one insurance plan offered in the Exchange covers abortions (line 13, p. 120).

What is even more alarming is that a monthly abortion premium will be charged of all enrollees in the government-run health plan. It’s right there beginning on line 11, page 122, section 1303, under “Actuarial Value of Optional Service Coverage.” The premium will be paid into a U.S. Treasury account – and these federal funds will be used to pay for the abortion services. » read more