Fort Apache

Sometime this evening as we are all aware, Harry Reid will call for a vote to begin debate on the Senate's version of the Health Care Bill.

As of yesterday Reid was confident of 58 votes. Two Democrat Senators were undecided, Lincoln of Arkansas and Landrieu of Louisiana. Both Senators are up for re-election in 2010, and both have unfavorable ratings at home. One would think, an overall negative opinion on pending legislation by their constituents would be sufficient grounds for a no vote. They are in Washington after all to represent We The People, who sent them there. We The People shall see around 8 pm Eastern on Cspan.

We view Obama's vision of Health Care as something dangerous, something to be given a wide berth. Few of us if any walk the tight rope. I recall a time one summer going into my junior year of high school, I was hanging out with some of the seniors, our new football stadium was 99% complete. The structure was about 5 stories high and the only thing lacking was the railing going up the sides and at the top. Well boys being boys, 3 of our group decided to walk along the ledge at the top. On one side was safety, the other a sheer drop below to the asphalt parking lot and certain death. They made it, laughing as they tightroped along, one even did it a second time, backwards. Me, I watched. Being daring for a reason is one thing, risking your life for nothing is stupidity.

Reid has a popularity rating in the 30's in Nevada, his chances of re-election are as they say, slim to none, and Slim just left town. Why Harry? Why are you flying your Kamikaze into the Statue of Liberty? Do you hate the American people? We are not a herd of ignorant sheep. Yes, there are some morons out there, but I believe in the collective genius of America. There is true wisdom from the many, we have debated millions upon millions of scenarios, we have looked at this from every angle. We do not want this, not this Bill for sure.

Reid may have something else lined up for his Senate afterlife in Obama's regime. Landreau I've heard has some Federal funds promised for a yea vote and Lincoln may have the same deal, but what good will it do them, their voters back home know some beads and shiny mirrors, are a poor bargain in exchange for Manhattan. What Landrieu and Lincoln do is not daring, it's political suicide. After their fall from this lofty ledge, they will not be around for the mourning that will surely follow, but it will not be for them we mourn, but for our children.

Is there yet a ray of hope? Possibly. This vote is after all just a vote to begin debate. Debate in the Senate is unlimited, there is no mandated cut off. This is where we move into the realm of the Filibuster. To end debate or to kill a Filibuster, a Cloture vote must be taken, again it must have 60 votes. Lieberman (I) Connecticut and Sanders (I)Vermont plus the 39 Republicans are enough to control Cloture. Why don't they just kill things today then? That's a good question. This vote to open debate, may be a Republican political trap. Landrieu and Lincoln are being smoked out. They are going to have to finally climb down off the fence in plain view of America. To minimize their chagrin Reid is holding a Saturday night vote when America is away from the TV on date night. What if Reid's gamble lose's tonight, does that Kill the Bill? No the Bill would remain alive, subject to future attempts, most likely in an altered form. We are witnessing some extreme political hardball being played out today in Washington.

The sense of the Senate was calling for a vote some time shortly after January 1st. Obama knows November 2010 approaches. The longer the Republicans can hold Fort Apache, the less damage Obama can do to us. Can the Republicans holed up in Fort Apache fight off the crazed Communist Obama and his Lunatic Left Banshees? Will the November relief column arrive in time to save Fort Apache? Stay Tuned.

Steve