Elections Have Consequences

Last fall Alaskans cast their votes in a very important election to elect a new senator. Democrat Mark Begich was elected to replace Senator Ted Stevens, who had become the senior Republican in the Senate. Senator Stevens lost the election because he was indicted and convicted on charges that were later dropped. I believe that the whole deal was trumped up by Democrats to get Stevens out of the Senate. I am sure that many Alaskans voted for Begich because they thought it would "look bad" if Alaska elected a felon. I didn't like the idea of voting for a felon either, but I voted for Stevens in order to keep the seat Republican. I believe that it is important to keep a balance in our government and was concerned about the Senate having a super majority of Democrats - like we now have. I also assumed that we could force Stevens out of office after the election if need be. The results of that election in Alaska had an effect in the Senate on Saturday night. The Senate voted 60-39 along party lines to bring the health care bill to the floor for debate. The Democrats needed 60 votes, and Begich provided one vote. The Democrats don't seem to care that only 38% of voters favor the health plan. Only 21% of voters strongly favor the plan while 43% of voters strongly oppose the plan. Other figures from the Rasmussen Reports tell us that 16% of Americans believe the bill will lower health care costs while 54% of Americans believe it will raise health care costs. The Democrats in Congress must be trying to please the members of their party because 73% of Democrats favor the bill while 83% of Republicans and 70% of independents oppose the plan. Democrats understand that bringing the bill to the floor for debate puts them in a position to push the bill through until it becomes law. Even though there are still hurdles to jump over to accomplish the Democratic goal, I believe that this bill will be forced upon unwilling Americans and will destroy more of the liberties granted to us by the Constitution. Begich voted for this bill. He talks a good talk about doing what's right for Alaskans - but he votes with his party. If our nation gets stuck with an out-of-control health care bill that enslaves America even more, we can "thank" Begich for the problem. I sent an email to Begich asking him to vote NO. He sent back a long "form letter" email spouting the Democrat lines. I have no hope of his opposing any health bill that comes to a vote. The election in the fall of 2010 will be a very important election. I encourage all of you to inform yourselves about the candidates and their platforms. I hope that you will really listen to their words. [Please remember that Obama's promise of "hope and change" has become "we hope we still have a nation when he gets through changing it."] I encourage you to be registered voters and to go to the polls to cast your vote. America needs an educated and informed electorate. America needs you to be a responsible voter!