So why not a statement saying so?

Sister Carol Keehan is upset by a report in the New York times that the Catholic Health Association is split with the USCCB in regards to the health care bill passed by the Senate. Fair enough - anything printed in the NYT is worth closer inspection and large rocks of salt.

"There is not a shred of disagreement between CHA and the bishops," she said. "We believe there is a great possibility and probability that in conference committee we can work toward a solution that will prevent federal funding of abortion."[reference]

Though I would have to wonder why the CHA has made no public complaints of the passed Senate bill? This bill without a doubt provides for federally funded abortions along with a host of other problems. Yet their site has made no statements since the 17th of December. That statement said:

The Catholic Health Association is pleased to learn of the work being done to improve the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2009. As we understand it, the Senate intends to keep the President's commitment that no federal funds will pay for abortions and in addition, provide significant new support for pregnant women.

While we have yet to see the manager's amendment or Senator Robert Casey's final abortion amendment language, we are encouraged by recent deliberations and the outline Senator Casey is developing. It is our understanding that the language now being written would prohibit federal funding of abortion, ensure provider conscience protection and fund programs to provide supportive care to some of the most vulnerable pregnant women in our society.

Especially now that a public health insurance option is no longer on the table, we are increasingly confident that Senator Casey's language can achieve the objective of no federal funding for abortion. We urge Congress to continue its work toward the goal of health reform that protects life at all stages while expanding coverage to the greatest possible number of people in our country. We look forward to reviewing the final language these improvements contemplate.

Well there was more than just a shred a difference between what the USCCB said about the Casey amendment and what the CHA said. That amendment was horrific and a travesty in every way. To support it without seeing the text is extreme naivety. Sen Casey has been more than just wishey-washey when it comes to abortion. There is no way anyone could just take his description of the amendment without seeing the actual text.

The senate bill that passed included the wording of the Casey amendment. So is this a case of the CHA being for it before they were against it? What has changed to make them now against the bill and with the USCCB? Well nothing. The bill is just as toxic as it was on the 17th of December.

So count me skeptical on the CHA's opposition since they have not even taken the time to write one statement in opposition to it. In fact all of their announcements have been generally supportive with only some "concerns."

'Not a shred of disagreement' between CHA, bishops on health reform

cross-posted from A Catholic View

Once again, the NY Times misrepresents Catholic issues.

Despite a New York Times report to the contrary, the Catholic Health Association and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops are working together to achieve health reform legislation that does not expand federal funding of abortion, according to the CHA president and CEO.

Sister Carol Keehan, a Daughter of Charity, told Catholic News Service in a telephone interview Dec. 28 that her organization has never wavered in its commitment to health care that protects "from conception to natural death," as outlined in the CHA document, "Our Vision for U.S. Health Care."

She disputed a report in The New York Times Dec. 26 that a recent CHA statement on Senate negotiations over abortion funding in health reform legislation represented a split with the bishops.


story here

Obama Spokesman: He Prefers Senate Health Care Bill With Abortion Funding

President Barack Obama promised Americans in a speech to Congress that his version of a government-run health care bill would not contain abortion funding. Now his top spokesman confirms that Obama favors the Senate bill that funds abortions over the House bill that bans abortion funding.

In a September nationally-televised speech to Congress, Obama sought to clear up projections from pro-life advocates that his health care plan would fund abortions.

"One more misunderstanding I want to clear up -- under our plan, no federal dollars will be used to fund abortions," Obama claimed.

Since his speech, the House has approved a health care bill that contains the Stupak amendment making it so taxpayer funding of abortions is prohibited in virtually all cases. On the other hand, the Senate bill contains the Reid-Nelson language that opens the door to forcing taxpayers to fund abortions and allowing the Obama administration to force insurance companies to cover them with taxpayers' premiums.

story here

Author of Senate Obamacare bill Max Baucus Drunk on the Senate Floor

Senator Max Baucus, Democrat from Montana, drunk on the US Senate Floor debating National health Care:



H/T: Libertarian Republican

Merry Christmas!

We extend to all our readers a blessed and joyous Christmas. May you enjoy the gifts that the birth of the Infant Jesus brings to our hearts: peace, love, hope, and joy!

Crossing the Rubicon: Michael Voris

 Every civilization reaches a point of no return, a point where the nail is hammered into the coffin. That time is now for the USA.

US bishops: Oppose Senate health care legislation until moral deficiencies are addressed

Catholic Culture : US bishops: Oppose Senate health care legislation until moral deficiencies are addressed

See also:

•Bishops Call Senate Health Care Reform Bill ‘Deficient,’ Essential Changes Needed Before Moving Forward (USCCB)

Rep. Stupak: White House Pressuring Me to Keep Quiet on Abortion Language in Senate Health Bil

The libs and pro-aborts are so determined to ram this socialized medicine through that they have scheduled a stealth Christmas eve vote on it. And none of them have read it.
Call your Senator's today!


Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) said the White House and the Democratic leadership in the House of Representatives have been pressuring him not to speak out on the "compromise" abortion language in the Senate version of the health care bill.

“They think I shouldn’t be expressing my views on this bill until they get a chance to try to sell me the language,” Stupak told CNSNews.com in an interview on Tuesday. “Well, I don’t need anyone to sell me the language. I can read it. I’ve seen it. I’ve worked with it. I know what it says. I don’t need to have a conference with the White House. I have the legislation in front of me here.”

The Michigan Democrat succeeded last month in getting 64 House Democrats to join him in attaching his pro-life amendment to the House version of the health-care bill. The “Stupak amendment,” as the provision is known, would prohibit the federal government from allocating taxpayer money to pay for any part of any health insurance plan that covers abortion except in cases of rape, incest, or when the life of the mother is in danger.

story here

Senate Clears Major Health Care Vote 60-40

This socialized "healthcare:

• will cost over a Trillion dollars
• is over 2,000 pages
• will fund and greatly expand abortion:
• was voted on at 1 a.m. this morning
• will have a stealth vote on Christmas eve
• is being written behind closed doors
• has not been seen by anyone except Harry Reid's inner circle

CALL YOUR SENATORS TODAY!

The U.S. Senate voted 1 a.m. Monday morning to close debate on the manager's amendment to the health bill, delivering a critical victory to Democrats who had worked furiously to hold together 60 votes for the bill's most significant vote yet.

Senators remained at their desks for the vote - a procedure reserved for only the most solemn occasions - to vote along strict party lines for cloture on the amendment, 60-40. The vote is generally considered a litmus test for securing the success of the bill in the remainder of Senate votes.

The cloture vote begins a series of votes that is expected to stretch until late Christmas Eve. Democrats are preparing for a prolongated battle with Republicans, who have sworn to use every tactic possible to delay the passage of a massive bill they say they have been allowed no say in crafting.

Nebraska Democrat Senator Ben Nelson, who had been the last major Democrat-caucusing holdout against the bill over its massive federal abortion funding, suddenly capitulated following Friday night negotiations, settling for a watered-down compromise that leaves the funding intact.

story here

Is Senator Nelson another Judas Iscariot?

Is Senator Ben Nelson another Judas Iscariot? There are many people who are feeling betrayed by Nelson these days, among them pro-life Nebraskans.

Via Julie - Schmitt-Albin, Executive Director of Nebraska Right to Life:

"Senator Nelson had a chance to ensure that the longstanding principle of the Hyde Amendment against federal funding of abortion with narrow exceptions, would be placed in the Senate healthcare legislation. He dashed any hope of that with his late-night agreement with Senators Reid, Boxer and Schumer on unacceptable language that he claimed would address pro-life concerns." said Julie Schmit-Albin, Executive Director of Nebraska Right to Life (NRL).

"Senator Nelson and his Chief of Staff, Tim Becker, called me last night at 7:30 p.m. Central time as a matter of 'courtesy', to let me know that he was pitching alternative language to Democratic leadership. We spoke for about 40 minutes." said Schmit-Albin. "When I asked them at the outset of the conversation to include National Right to Life in the call they declined and said they were going with the language. Senator Nelson claimed that their newly-drafted concepts/language was Stupak-plus and that it would pass pro-life muster. When I countered that we had no assurance of that because we were not allowed to review the language, I was reminded that this was merely a courtesy call, not a call for our input or approval."

"There is no pro-life Nebraskan more devastated by Senator Nelson's actions than myself." said Schmit-Albin. "I have defended his record to Nebraskans and believed that he would stand on pro-life principles as he has on numerous occasions in the past. I have had a good relationship with Senator Nelson and his staff throughout the years . I personally met with him on healthcare in July and in mid-November and have been in frequent contact with his staff over the past six weeks. Just Wednesday afternoon, I was apprised of the Casey language by his staff and I urged them to strongly relay to him that we could not support it. When he rejected the Casey language we were bolstered by that action and believed he would hold firm to his commitment to vote against cloture if Stupak language was not included."

" Moreover, NRL Political Action Committee gave Senator Nelson a sole endorsement in his re-election race in 2006 based on his record and actions both as Governor and Senator." said Schmit-Albin. "It is a very sobering day for myself personally and for pro-lifers across Nebraska and the nation. Senator Nelson obliterated the hope of pro-life Americans who saw him as the last man standing between expansion of government funding of abortion and the Hyde Amendment."

"Nebraska Right to Life follows the lead of National Right to Life in opposing the passage of healthcare legislation containing such bogus abortion language and looks forward to NRLC 's scoring of all cloture votes on the issue." said Schmit-Albin.

Related Information:

Nelson's 11th hour call to NE Right to Life assured secreted compromise language was "Stupak-plus"

Sen. Nelson Sold Himself 

Ben Nelson caves on health care vote

Be Heard: Tell Senator Nelson what you think

Huckabee leads rally in Omaha to try to change Nelson's mind

 Via Omaha.com:

The health-care reform bill expected to win passage in the U.S. Senate is an attack on “liberty” in America, said Mike Huckabee, a former Republican presidential candidate from Arkansas.

Huckabee was the star of the show at an Omaha rally held Sunday against President Obama's health care initiative. He opposes the mandate in the bill that will require all Americans to have insurance.
Huckabee said in an interview prior to the rally that the bill requires Americans to “put their liberty in the hands of government.”

About 1,800 people packed the lower level of the Omaha Music Hall for the rally. Many of them said they came to show their disappointment with Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson, who is providing Obama the crucial 60th vote to get the bill passed.

Watch the video clip of Huckabee's speech and read the entire article here.

It's never too late to pray for a Christmas miracle: Prayer for the unborn and the health care reform

O God our Father, we praise you for the work of your hands and for the precious gift of life. Grant your protection to those who are yet unborn. Inspire those who govern us to advance policies which protect the unborn child in the womb and preserve the conscience rights of all.

Jesus, Divine Healer, may our legislators find the courage to advance needed health care reform that protects the conscience rights of health care providers and does not promote or fund abortion.

Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of elected officials with the desire to save lives, not destroy them.
Father, we ask this through Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Is Obama's $789 billion buying votes instead of jobs?

Studies show 'stimulus' spent on Democrats, not unemployment

A pair of studies analyzing U.S. jobs and the effects of President Obama's American Reinvestment and Recovery Act suggest the so-called "stimulus" bill has boosted partisan interests far more than employment figures.
White House projections in February claimed the $789 billion in spending would "create or save 3.5 million jobs over the next two years" and that over 90 percent of those jobs would be in the private sector.
One year into the two-year projections, however, the studies show that not only has the money failed thus far to deliver on either of those promises, but it also has been doled out disproportionately to districts with Democrat representation.
The first study, conducted by the Republicans of the House

Ways and Means Committee, compares the White House's projections to actual U.S. Department of Labor statistics on a state-by-state basis.
The numbers show that 49 of the 50 states have actually lost jobs since the stimulus was passed in February, and that the only state to gain jobs, North Dakota, still has more than halfway to go to meet White House projections.
And while calculating how many jobs the stimulus package has "saved" is highly contentious (the administration estimates it has created 640,000 jobs), the Republicans compare the promised 3.5 million jobs the stimulus package was supposed to boost to the net 2.6 million jobs the U.S. has lost since the ARRA was passed.


Read the rest here. 

Isn't it interesting how our taxes are being spent on motivating the Democrats to pass Obama death care, rather than to create jobs?

Ben Nelson gives in, becomes #60

cross-posted from A Catholic View

Its amazing that we didn't have enough Senators with the spine to stand up for babies.

Senator Ben Nelson announced today that he will become the crucial 60th vote that Democrats need to pass a government-run health care bill. Nelson has been holding out because of the massive abortion funding in the bill, but said today he will give the measure his support.

Nelson outlined his support for the government-run health care bill in a press conference Saturday morning after he reached a deal with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on abortion and other unrelated issues.

Under the compromise, Nelson said it prohibits abortion funding in a way that earns his vote.

"We have an agreement that the plan with not use federal dollars to fund abortions," he said. "I believe we have accomplished that goal. It's clear I wouldn't have voted for this bill without these conditions."

The compromise Nelson agreed to with Reid makes it so states could disallow abortion coverage in the new health insurance exchanges.

story here

Health Care Alert: Don't Give Up!

I just received the following message from Mike Hukabee and feel that it's important to pass on to you.

The Democrats continue to push their health care scheme. They continue to craft a bill in secret, behind closed doors, while telling the rest of the Senate and the American people that they will pass a bill before Christmas.

It's not too late!!   Don't give up the fight. The Senators listed below are important to the Democrat's chances of success. Call them now!  Tell them to vote against the secret health care bill!  Tell them not to invoke cloture!  And while you are at it, remind them that the American people are paying attention and watching. If Congress doesn't heed the words of the people now, they surely will come November!

Call:

Blanche Lincoln, Arkansas               202-224-4843         202-224-4843
Ben Nelson, Nebraska               202-224-6551         202-224-6551
Olympia Snowe, Maine               202-224-5344         202-224-5344

Your prayers and kudos are needed for Senator Ben Nelson

You can't help but admire Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) -- he is a politician with integrity.

Please pray for and send kudos by email to Democrat Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson as he ALONE is fighting to prevent government -funded abortion in the Senate health reform bill, being rushed--sight unseen--to a vote. The supposed accommodation the Senate majority leader designed for Nelson's approval is not acceptable to National Right to Life. The House version prevents abortion funding under the Stupak-Pitts amendment, supported by 3 dozen pro-life Democrats but in the Senate, Nelson has his finger in the dike, so to speak.

Please use the following address to email U.S. Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE)showing your support for his efforts to keep government-funded abortion out of the health care bill:

http://bennelson.senate.gov/email-issues.cfm

For the latest update on Senate Ben Nelson and the Healthcare Reform Bill read: Ben Nelson’s Long Day Continues – No Deal Yet at Fox News.

Thank you, Senator Nelson! God bless you and guide you in all that you do!

Reminder: Only 2 more days to vote for Catholics Against Obamacare

I received this email from Katie Walker at American Life League today:

Dear Pro-Life Blog Award Nominees,

The 2010 Pro-Life Blog Awards are down to the wire with just two more voting days left. Several of you are neck in neck for Best Overall.

Please vote for Catholics Against Obamacare today. Just click the in the icon above to vote for both blogs.

Thank you!

God bless you!

Senator Casey, Filibuster, Health Care and Abortion: Pro-Lifers to Hold Vigil at Senator Casey's Home in P.A.

 Steven Ertlet at LifeNews.Com reports:

Pennsylvania lawmaker Bob Casey is increasingly a man without a country as the self-declared pro-life advocate won't get on board with the rest of the pro-life members of the Senate in opposition to the pro-abortion health care bill that could result in hundreds of thousands of additional abortions.

The abortion divide is so large that it has prompted fellow Democrat Ben Nelson to oppose the bill and join Republicans in filibustering it.

Casey proposed a compromise but it retained the abortion funding, was rejected by Nelson and pro-life groups, and is earning him a pro-abortion tag by some pro-life advocates.


Casey has seen pro-life advocates fill his office in protest, but, on Thursday, the Catholic politician still would not commit to opposing the bill. [Read the entire story here]

What are pro-lifers doing about it?

Beginning this evening, December 18, pro-lifers from P.A. will hold a daily vigil at Senator Casey's home in the Scranton area until the vote for cloture.

The "buzz on the hill" is that Casey will vote for cloture - which is a vote against a filibuster, and a vote to end the debate - which would pave the way for a simple majority vote to pass the bill. He would then vote against the bill, and tell his constituents that he voted against the bill. This is double-talk and deceit.

Diana Roccograndi - from Wilkes-Barre P.A. - states: "Mr. Casey is trying to deceive voters; he knows if he votes for cloture, the bill will pass. If that happens, he will be responsible for causing the death of millions of babies by abortion - payed for with our tax dollars. Such an act from him would be treachery of the highest order against God, the babies, and the voters of Pennsylvania.

"We will not cease our vigil until Mr. Casey votes against cloture, or clarifies his position. We will not be fooled by double-talk and deceit."

Diana Roccograndi is the Team Leader of Insurrecta Nex (Latin for "Revolution against the slaughter of innocent human beings"), which is based in Washington DC, and has affiliates around the nation.

Diana Roccograndi recently led a "Cathedral Tour" to 13 Catholic Cathedrals, calling on Catholic Bishops to withhold communion from Catholic Senators who vote for child-killing in the health care bill. [Via Christian Newswire.]

Minister: Obamacare kills African-American babies

 Charges president has become 'the face of black genocide in America today'


A black minister who founded a website called BlackGenocide.org charges the Obama administration's health care reform legislation is designed to increase the number of abortions in the African-American community.

"It's sinister, but President Obama has become the face of black genocide in America today," said Rev. Clenard H. Childress Jr., senior pastor of the New Calvary Baptist Church in Montclair, N.J.

According to Childress, about 35 percent of the nearly 4,500 abortions performed each day in the U.S. are on African-Americans, even though African-Americans are only about 13.5 percent of the population.
Childress said 52 percent of all African-American pregnancies end in abortion, and three out of every five African-American women will obtain an abortion.

He estimated 16 million African-American babies have been aborted since the passage of Wade v. Roe in 1973.

Read the entire article here. 

Cross-posted at Catholic Fire, listing related articles for reference and further information.

Fr. Barron comments on Abortion and Health Care

Your Calls Needed Now to "Kill the Bill!"

The tide of public opinion has turned against the attempted takeover of America’s health care industry. Sixty-one percent of Americans oppose the Senate health care bill, according to a CNN poll, but President Obama and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid aren’t listening. They’re pushing harder than ever to pass Reid’s 2,000-page monstrosity through the Senate before Christmas. The bill is being jammed with "incentives" for wavering senators. And even though the so-called "public option" was scuttled by Sen. Joe Lieberman’s refusal to go along, Reid’s massive bill is still very bad medicine for the nation and will push us far down the road toward socialized medicine. Here’s the good news. There are so many problems with this bill that there is a very good chance to kill it if people continue to call their Senators – even if you have already done so. CALL NOW! Calls and emails are needed now more than ever to stop ObamaCare in its tracks. Please call your senators now and tell them simply to "Kill the Bill," not try to amend it. The Senate switchboard is (202) 224-3121. To reach your senators direct by phone or email, please click here: U.S. Senators.   Here’s a quick review of what’s wrong this dangerous bill to give Uncle Sam final say on who gets what care when. The Senate bill is a chamber of horrors that includes: New tax-supported subsidies to purchase private health plans that cover abortion on demand; Watered down abortion federal funding restrictions; Many new taxes, including taxes on medical device makers, a 5 percent tax on cosmetic surgeries, and penalties on American households with incomes over $200,000; A fine or jail for all Americans who fail to purchase the government-mandated plan; A mandate for employers to offer insurance or pay a fine, which will spur many to pay the fine and end employee insurance plans; $500 billion in Medicare cuts for older Americans, thus introducing rationing; Subsidies for "end-of-life" counseling. A raft of pro-homosexual provisions long sought by homosexual activists. This bill contains "onerous rationing provisions," according to Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK), a physician who has practiced medicine for 25 years. "Every American, not just seniors," Coburn wrote in the Wall Street Journal, "should know that the rationing provisions in the Reid bill will not only reduce their quality of life, but their life spans as well." "Kill the Bill!" Please call your senators now and urge them to "kill the bill!" Again, the Senate switchboard is (202) 224-3121. To reach your senators direct by phone or email, please click here: U.S. Senators. God bless you!

Senator and Dr. Tom Coburn on why this healthcare plan is hazardous for your health

My 25 years as a practicing physician have shown me what happens when government attempts to practice medicine: Doctors respond to government coercion instead of patient cues, and patients die prematurely. Even if the public option is eliminated from the bill, these onerous rationing provisions will remain intact.

Dr Coburn details, point by point, the provisions in the bill which will undermine the doctor-patient relationship, and access to doctors in the first place. This is without the public option. He uses statistics and his experience as a family physician who has saved lives.

This bill must be buried once and for all, for the lives of the most fragile among us, which could be you someday.

Questions anyone?

Read the entire article in the Wall Street Journal online.

Casey at the Bat

~ Via Catholic Vote Action.

Jill Stanek: The 1 man who can stop publicly funded D.C. abortions

Jill Stanek has a super article posted at WND today. Here is one of my favorite quotes from that story:

"Obama appears to be thwarting his own intentions by increasing access to abortion in an obviously abortion-vulnerable population, like giving an alcoholic a drink or taking a gambling addict to the casino."

Read the entire story here.

George Weigel on why the health care bill is unacceptable to Catholics

 Weigel's article goes through the pending health care legislation point by point with Weigel's irrefutable logic, explaining why abortion is not the only reason why Catholics should oppose the current health care plan.


It violates many Catholics prinicples; solidarity with the elderly (whose Medicare will be substantially cut) and the principle of subsidiarity (which warns us not to place too much power in the hands of the federal government) and poses a danger to our well being.

If you are Catholic and are not fervently fasting and praying for the defeat of this dangerous legislation, start now. Lieberman caved into pressure and only Ben Nelson is standing against this bill's passage. He is being cajoled and threatened by a president who wants to end this year in triumph.

We are in iminent danger of losing our rights to health care to a panel of pro-death friends of Obama. No matter what the bill says, that's who will be running the health care program, taking away the privacy and security of the doctor-patient relationship.

Weigel has proposed some solutions to the problem of uninsured Americans;.
"For all its virtues, today’s American medical system does not afford access to needed care for some, so it fails the tests set by Catholic social doctrine. We can meet those tests and fix the system’s gravest problems by working incrementally, testing results as we go: changing the liability laws that distort insurance costs, reforming the insurance industry to mandate portability and coverage of pre-existing conditions, lifting the ban on interstate competition in health insurance, and covering the uninsured by tax credits and small business reforms. That would be health-care reform that satisfies Catholic principles across-the-board."

IF the Democrats were interested in truly reforming health care, then they would take their time, and look at some of these excellent suggestions. They have been suggested by many other before this. What is wrong with taking our time to reform the problems, one by one? What could be more important than getting health care right?

Or is health care really the issue?

Karl Rove was right when he said on Fox News this morning, that Obama knows that 61% of the American people oppose this legislation, and that, if he wants to grab a fifth of the economy and claim triumph by passing this bill, he'd better pull out all the stops, and ram this bill through the Senate ASAP.Before the sleeping giant awakens.

Is this bill merely a means to an end? Once we are dependent upon the government for health care, will be dare raise our voices in protest when our freedoms are stripped away? Just how much more of the economy does Obama have to control before we are considered a socialist state/

Don't miss your opportunity to make history. Call your senator now.
Pray.
Fast.
Stop this dangerous health care bill.
Read his entire article at the Denver Catholic Register on the Archdiocese of Denver website.

Will Ben Nelson be #60?

Ben Nelson Reviewing Compromise on Abortion Funding in Senate Health Care Bill

Ben Nelson is beginning to be considered the 60th vote Senate Democrats need to stop a filibuster against the pro-abortion, government-run health care bill. His objection to the bill is over the massive abortion funding currently contained in it, and he is now examining a proposed compromise.

The current Harry Reid health care bill paves the way for considerable taxpayer funding of potentially hundreds of thousands of abortions annually through the public option and affordability credits.

Reid has a manager's amendment with changes to the bill that will be approved before the vote on the filibuster and bill itself are taken.


Pro-Life Groups: Casey's Abortion-Health Care Compromise for Nelson No Good

Pro-life organizations say the so-called "compromise" that Sen. Bob Casey presented late Wednesday to Sen. Ben Nelson to get him to vote for the pro-abortion government-run health care bill is no good. The National Right to Life Committee says the language keeps abortion funding in the bill.

As LifeNews.com has reported, Nelson is quickly becoming one of the few remaining linchpins for the health care bill.

The sponsor of an amendment to gut the abortion funding under the legislation, Nelson said he would support the filibuster of the bill if the abortion funding is not removed.

UPATE: Nelson Rejects "Compromise" on Abortion Funding in Senate Health Care Bill

Listen and Act Now to Stop Obamacare

PRECIPICE: [pres-uh-pis] noun.

1. An overhanging or extremely steep mass of rock,
   such as a crag or the face of a cliff.

2. The brink of a dangerous or disastrous situation:
   on the precipice of defeat.

(Source: American Heritage Dictionary)

Yesterday, President Obama asserted that he and
Democratic leaders in the Senate were "on the
precipice" of achieving the government takeover of
health care that would mandate taxpayer funding of
abortions and provide the failing abortion industry
with a massive bailout.

An appropriate word choice. Today -- even as a new
NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll revealed that now
only 32% of Americans support the abortion-laden
health care takeover -- it is clear that our nation
is indeed "on the brink of a dangerous or disastrous
situation."

But pro-life Americans are not sitting idly by!

In an effort to prevent millions of unborn children
from being thrown over this "cliff" tens of thousands
of people joined together for last night's Stop the
Abortion Mandate "Senate Crisis" webcast to:

 * Learn the latest breaking news straight from
   Washington, D.C.
 
 * Hear from a panel of nationally respected pro-life
   and pro-family leaders, gathered at a conference
   table just around the corner from the White House
 
 * Discover what pro-life Americans must do RIGHT NOW
   to keep our nation from going over this precipice
 
The entire event was recorded and the audio is now
posted online for you at:

http://www.StopTheAbortionMandate.com

During the recording, you will hear from dynamic
presenters including:

 * SEN. MIKE JOHANNS, U.S. Senator from Nebraska
 * ABBY JOHNSON, Former Planned Parenthood director
 * CHARMAINE YOEST, Americans United for Life
 * MARJORIE DANNENFELSER, Susan B. Anthony List
 * TONY PERKINS, Family Research Council
 * KRISTAN HAWKINS, Students for Life of America
 * DAVID BEREIT, 40 Days for Life
 * WENDY WRIGHT, Concerned Women for America
 * DOUGLAS JOHNSON, National Right to Life Committee

Listen now at:

http://www.StopTheAbortionMandate.com

As you heard last night -- or as you will hear on the
recording -- if the health care bill passes in its
current form, it will be the largest expansion of
abortion on demand since Roe v. Wade.

THIS week is CRUCIAL!

If you haven't called your two Senators and
Representative this week -- do it now.

If you haven't e-mailed your two Senators and
Representative this week -- do it now.

ACTION ITEMS:

1.) Listen to the Stop the Abortion Mandate webcast
    recording at:

http://www.StopTheAbortionMandate.com

2.) Contact your Representative and two Senators and
    tell them to remove all abortion funding and
    mandates from health care reform. Contact your
    elected officials here:

http://www.StopTheAbortionMandate.com/contact

3.) Pray for our elected officials. Pray that our
    nation -- founded on the inalienable right to
    life -- does not allow its government to fund the
    destruction of human life.

Obamacare: B.O.'s lies, fear mongering, reckless spending, and promotion of the culture of death lead to one thing...

Barack Obama appeared in an interview with ABC's Charlie Gibson trying to scare the American people into supporting Obamacare. In the span of 1 minute he spins many lies and uses fear mongering.



If Obama's horrific bill does pass most of his dire predictions will come true and more. Obama has already spent way too much of taxpayer's money through his wasteful and ineffective stimulus package. Now, he wants us to pay taxes for several years on a plan that will not go into effect until 2014, but that will also allow the federal government to: dictate which doctors we can see, decide how much and what type of health care we need, if any, and determine whether we live or die. Under Obamacare, the federal government will force us to pay for: abortion, death panels, and euthanasia. Under Obamacare, healthcare conscience protection rights will be non-existent. Authentic healthcare, as we have known it in our lifetime, will be non-existent. What's more, I am convinced this horrible plan will drive our country into the black hole of bankruptcy. I personally think B.O. is trying to destroy this country with all the reckless spending he is doing. Anyone with the least bit of common sense knows that you don't keep spending money you don't have to get out of debt. It might be a different story if he had spent the stimulus money on something useful or invested it in the future well-being of this country -- but what he has used it for is to promote the culture of death! Where are the jobs that it was supposed to produce? They are non-existent! If we allow him to keep spending our money to promote his culture of death, what kind of country will this be? Non-existent!

"Who Shall Live" The Bob Casey Legacy

Sen. Bob Casey was a courageous co-sponsor of the Nelson amendment, but now is looking to abandon his pro-life principles with a vote for pro-abortion health care reform.

Now is not the time to play politics with the lives of the unborn. Tell Senator Casey—one attempt to protect children and their mothers is, simply put, just not good enough.

Urge Sen. Casey to follow the unyielding pro-life leadership of his father, former Governor Bob Casey, and honor the consciences of pro-life Americans. Keep taxpayer funded abortion out of health care reform!

~ Via Susan B. Anthony List

Head of Christian Doctors Group Quits AMA Over Pro-Abortion Advocacy

The doctor who is the chairman of a national organization for Christian physicians and medical workers has resigned from the American Medical Association. Dr. David Stevens, the head of the 17,000-member Christian Medical Association, says the AMA has become a pro-abortion advocacy group.
 
Stevens told LifeNews.com on Tuesday that he is canceling his membership in the American Medical Association as a way of publicly protesting what he says is the AMA’s control by special interests that do not represent most physicians.

The AMA has come under fire for endorsing healthcare overhaul legislation after closed-door negotiations with legislators even though it contains the largest expansion of abortion funding since Roe v. Wade.

“I can no longer associate with or support an organization that is unscientific, unprofessional and controlled by special interests,” Dr. Stevens asserted in a letter sent earlier this week to the AMA.

Read the rest of the story here.

The Multi-faceted Evils of Federally-Funded HealthCare

If you think Federal healthcare is A-OK if only we can block funding for abortion, think again. Sometimes we get so caught up in the battle over abortion funding that we forget what else is wrong. Consider, for example:

• Other intrinsically immoral procedures;
• Coercive participation in such procedures;
• Violation of the principle of subsidiarity, to the detriment of human freedom, responsibility and dignity;
• Serious economic danger, including piling up debt for the next generation;
• Predictable decline in quality, innovation and rapid availability of key medical procedures.

Some of these are debatable; most are morally deleterious givens. The majority of citizens want improved coverage without a Federal takeover. But do the politicians have their own agenda? 

Read Phil Lawler's In Depth Analysis, The Catholic case against health-care reform.

Related Information:

Carl Olson at Inisght Scoop: Is the pending health-care reform legislation "a grave evil"?

Judie Brown at American Life League: SEVENTY-FIVE MILLION REASONS TO JUST SAY NO TO HEALTH CARE REFORM

Senators on ObamaCare

cross-posted from A Catholic View

Call Your Senators today!

The Lieberman Pincer: Key Senator "Ready" to Vote for Healthcare under New Deal

Furious backroom negotiations and last-minute deals are putting enormous pressure on two key Democratic senators to end their opposition to health care reform and pass the Senate version by President Barack Obama's Christmas deadline. Both Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) are the last public non-GOP holdouts to the current Senate legislation, but the latter has indicated he is now "ready" to vote for health care reform if Senate Democrats follow through on a deal that eliminates the government-insurance mandate.

Last night, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Senate Democratic leaders signaled they would drop entirely the public option and the Medicare buy-in as part of a deal to get Lieberman's vote.

Bob Casey Will Likely Back Senate Health Care Bill Despite Abortion Funding

Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey, who claims to be one of two pro-life Democrats in the Senate, made it appear today that he will likely vote for the Senate's government-run health care bill. He would do so despite the massive abortion funding found in the bill that could result in tax-funding of hundreds of thousands of abortions.

Casey voted for the Nelson amendment to remove the abortion funding, but said today after a White House meeting with President Barack Obama and Senate Democrats that the process needs to move forward.

Casey did not directly say he would vote for the bill, but his comments were the most forward-looking yet in terms of him giving an indication of how he will vote.

Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson Says He Does Not Back Pro-Abortion Health Care Bill

Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson is holding out against the Senate health care bill because it funds abortions.

Nelson has pledged to filibuster the bill if his demand to remove the massive abortion funding, which could lead to tax-funding of hundreds of thousands of abortions, is not removed from the bill.

He sponsored an amendment to do that, but the Senate defeated it.

In recent comments, Nelson remains firm on wanting the abortion funding removed and his commitment to filibuster if that doesn't happen.

"I'm not blockheaded and I'm not stubborn," Nelson said in an interview on Monday with the Associated Press. "I've carved out what I can live with and what I can't live with."

"I can't get there [to vote for the bill without the abortion funding ban]," he said.


Roland Burris May Put Kink in Obama-Democrats' Plan for 60 Votes on Health Care

On a day when Democrats emerged triumphantly from a meeting with President Barack Obama appearing to have won the vote of Joe Lieberman for their pro-abortion health care bill, they may not be ready to celebrate yet. The Lieberman vote appeared to allow Democrats and Obama to secure 59 votes.

The only holdout left appeared to be pro-life Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska who says he won't vote for the bill because it funds abortions.

Political observers need to hang on to their hats because pro-abortion Sen. Rolland Burris of Illinois, ironically the lawmakers appointed to take Obama's seat until the next election, may throw the Senate for a loop.

Burris says that now that the public option has been emaciated to get Lieberman's support, he may very well vote no on the bill.

Obama Calls Democrats for Meeting as Pro-Abortion Health Care Bill Implodes

President Barack Obama is calling on Senate Democrats to come to the White House for a meeting on Tuesday to discuss the imploding fortunes of the pro-abortion health care bill. The meeting comes one day after Obama had scheduled a meeting with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

It also comes as some Democrats are seen as falling away from supporting the bill.

Sen. Joe Lieberman has renewed his pledge to filibuster the legislation over the inclusion of the public option. Sen. Ben Nelson has said he will oppose the bill as well because of the abortion funding contained in it.

And other Democrats are sounding negative themes and members such as Blanch Lincoln, Mary Landrieu, and even Jim Webb of Virginia, are seen as potential no votes.

The meeting also comes as reports have surfaced showing the White House supposedly telling Reid to cut a political deal with Lieberman to salvage his vote.

story here

Knockout blow for ObamaCare? Take action now!

The Senate version of ObamaCare is in deep trouble, and with your help we may be able to derail the disastrous government takeover of health care this week.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, a division of the Department of Health and Human Services, says that if the bill currently before the Senate becomes law, Americans will spend $234 billion more on health care over the next ten years than if the Democrats do nothing.
The Mayo Clinic, the American Medical Association and hospital associations everywhere are all opposed to the current bill's plan to expand Medicare, saying it will drive hospitals out of business, talented Americans out of the medical profession, and result in rationed and inferior care for the American people.

A CNN poll from just last week revealed that 61% of voters oppose the government takeover of health care. The more they find out about this monstrosity and its lurch toward socialized medicine, the less they like it. Now is the time for our senators to hear from us once more.

Take Action
Call your two senators today!  Please politely but firmly urge him (or her) to vote "No" on the government takeover of health care.

Click Here to get the direct telephone number for your two senators, along with suggested talking points for your call.

Pope Benedict's Treatment of the Sick and Elderly Vs. Obamacare and The Non-Treatment of the Sick & Elderly

"If Obamacare becomes law, expect Medicare – which represents 15 percent of the federal budget, consumes 11 percent of federal taxes, and has a future unfunded liability of at least $60 trillion (yes, trillion) – to be cut immediately."

~ From Obamacare: Will Seniors Have a Duty to Die? by George J. Marlin, the author of The American Catholic Voter: Two Hundred Years of Political Impact.

"If Obamacare is passed, the same insidious protocols — "Advance Care Planning" — will be set into place to cut the cost of his massive government healthcare program. Our senior citizens will receive mandated appointments for counseling that will determine if they receive minimal medical treatment or are told to go home and die. They will be offered assistance and instructions on how to take their own lives."

~ Judie Brown, President of American Life League

"For those of you who are  over 65, this bill (health care reform) in its present form might be lethal for you."

~ Zane F. Pollard M.D. in Obamacare and Me

Reminder: Join the National Webcast to Stop Taxpayer Funded Abortion

Sunday evening, the U.S. Senate passed into law an omnibus spending bill that uses taxpayer dollars to fund abortions in the District of Columbia.  Since the Nelson Amendment that prevented taxpayer funding of abortions has been killed, the Senate Health Care Reform Bill is looking to do this on an even more massive scale nationwide.
Despite the fact that the American people do NOT want our government to pay for abortions with their money, the Senate has caved in to pressure from Planned Parenthood and the abortion industry lobbyists.
The Senate health care reform bill -- which is on the verge of being passed into law -- would result in a MASSIVE government-funded bailout of the abortion industry and the largest expansion of abortion since Roe v. Wade!
To respond swiftly to this crisis, the 70+ pro-life and pro-family organizations that make up the Stop the Abortion Mandate Coalition are joining together next TUESDAY NIGHT, December 15th on a huge nationwide webcast -- and your attendance is crucial:
http://www.StopTheAbortionMandate.com/webcast
Here are the details:
-- WHAT: Stop the Abortion Mandate Urgent Webcast
-- DATE: Tuesday, December 15th
-- Time: 9 PM Eastern, 8 PM Central, 7 PM Mountain, 6 PM Pacific
Register now at:
http://www.StopTheAbortionMandate.com/webcast
During the live webcast, you'll hear the latest breaking news from a panel of nationally respected leaders gathered together in Washington, D.C.
Expert presenters include:
-- MARJORIE DANNENFELSER, Susan B. Anthony List
-- TONY PERKINS, Family Research Council
-- KRISTAN HAWKINS, Students for Life of America
-- CHARMAINE YOEST, Americans United for Life
-- DOUGLAS JOHNSON, National Right to Life Committee
-- KRISTEN DAY, Democrats for Life
-- WENDY WRIGHT, Concerned Women for America
-- DAVID BEREIT, 40 Days for Life
During the live event event, you will discover:
-- The LATEST UPDATES straight from our nation's capital
-- The shocking implications of the bill that the abortion industry is trying to ram through the United States Senate RIGHT NOW ...
-- Why respected leaders, national organizations, and pro-life people everywhere are joining together in record numbers to BLOCK this attempted power grab ...
-- How YOU can make a difference at this crucial moment ...
-- ... And much more!
Register for the important webcast now:
http://www.StopTheAbortionMandate.com/webcast
We look forward to talking with you Tuesday night!
P.S.- Even if you can't participate in the live webcast, go ahead and register because the entire event will be recorded.  Our system will automatically allocate your spot to someone else, and as soon as your recording is ready (probably shortly after the end of the webcast) you will be notified by email.

Vote Now for Catholics Against ObamaCare!

Catholics Against Obamacare has been nominated for this year's Pro-Life Instigator Award for Activism. From Dec. 14-20 a popular vote will be held to select the winner in each of these categories. All nominees are also automatically eligible for Best Overall Pro-Life Blog (as determined by maximum number of votes). The process for voting has changed quite a bit this year to a popular vote.

Pro-Life Blog Award Voting Now Open!
Cast your vote for Catholics Against Obamacare now!

Rep. Michele Bachmann: "We're going to kill socialism"

From the Minnesota Independent:

U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann urged her supporters to fight health care reform by calling Congress “every day, when you wake up in the morning and comb your hair and take your vitamins.”

Democrats are purposely pushing health care legislation at holiday time, Bachmann charged during a nationwide conference call Thursday. “It’s intentional that they’re doing this at Christmas time and Hannukah.”

“We’re going to kill socialism,” Bachmann vowed during the call, which was hosted by the Republican National Committee. “They can’t have our country. We’re not going to let them win."

H/T: Libertarian Republican