Reform for you, not for some.

Dear Congresswoman Betty Sutton,

The health care reform bill you helped to move into law requires members of Congress and their office staffs to buy insurance through the state-run exchanges it creates – but we are learning that it may exempt senior staff members in the leadership offices and on congressional committees, essentially exempting those senior Democrat staffers who wrote the bill from being forced to fully participate in the same way as other Americans

How is this possible?

Ms Sutton, why would anyone deeply involved in the process of writing this historic Health Reform bill be motivated to exclude themselves?

During your one and only public forum on Health Reform, the  Tele-Town Hall, you told us that you were a lawyer and that you read and understood the entire bill.  If true, then you must have known about this absurd loophole found on page 158. Why did you allow something so outrageous to go unchallenged before you voted to make it law?

What other loopholes did you miss as you carefully examined the entire bill?

We the people have made our opinions clear and Congresswoman Sutton continues to ignore us.  Not long ago, one of our readers shared a comment made by Nichole Francis Reynolds, Sutton’s Chief Of Staff, during a phone conversation:

Betty Sutton is so drunken by her lust for power that she blindly follows the Speaker with no regard for the best interest of OH-13.

Unable to pass health reform in the light of day under honorable methods,  Congresswoman Betty Sutton plans to wholeheartedly support the use of a  Constitutionally questionable procedural rule to achieve her power grab.  The  congresswoman and her democrat colleagues are conspiring to vote on a package of amendments to the Senate version of the health care bill which passed that chamber on Christmas Eve.

Under the rule written by Speaker Pelosi and Rules Committee Chair Slaughter, passage of this amendment will “deem” the Senate version of the health care bill to have passed the House – WITHOUT an actual vote on the bill.

Resorting to parliamentary tricks to pass a trillion dollar entitlement program is the perfect example of Sutton’s lack of integrity.  This maneuver has nothing to do with helping the American people.  It has everything to do with grabbing power for government.   If passed, Sutton’s health reform will take the control of one-sixth of our nation’s economy from the people, and hand it to the federal government.  Sadly, Sutton has become so drunken by her lust for power, that she cannot step back to see the damage she’s doing.

We sent Congresswoman Sutton to Washington as a representative of OH-13, but somehow we’ve ended up with a xerox vote for Speaker Pelosi.

Betty,

Be warned, the time for change is near.

Representatives Betty Sutton and Denny Kucinich Pledge to Vote Against the American People.

Received with far less fanfare than the Kucinich announcement, Representative Sutton (OH-13) has committed to a yes vote on the latest version of health reform.

“Every year more than 40,000 people die because they don’t have health insurance coverage, and in this great nation it should not be that way. The legislation is not perfect and indeed contains provisions that I will continue to strive to improve, but I will vote for the bill. By passing this legislation we will take the long overdue step toward ending the egregious, discriminatory practices of insurance companies that deny care based on pre-existing conditions and impose outrageous premium increases. This legislation will also strengthen the solvency of Medicare, lower drug costs for our seniors, and make health insurance more affordable and accessible for small businesses and individuals.”

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported yesterday that a number of Ohio’s Democrats are actually waiting to read the final bill before making their decisions.  Who has time for that?  There is no reason to actually know what you are voting on.  Words be damned, the President and Speaker said it was a good plan, so it must be a good plan.  Right, Betty?

Well, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey, Americans disagree.  In fact, only 43% of Americans actually favor the health care plan Sutton and he cohorts are forcing upon us. 53% oppose it. These findings include just 23% who strongly favor the plan and 46% who Strongly Oppose it.

Betty, you are running on the wrong side of this issue, and using made up facts to support your stance.  And, just like your vote on Cap And Trade, you are pushing forward on a plan that you have openly acknowledge to be flawed.  You were elected to represent the people of OH-13, not to be a lap dog for house leadership.

Betty has a plan...

Is your healthcare freedom worth a few hours of your time?  We are all tired.  We are all frustrated.  This is our hour and it is critical that we turn up the heat.  Take control,  join your fellow patriots for the “Save our Healthcare” rally at Betty Sutton’s Akron office.

The event, which is running in conjunction with other Patriots’ events nationwide, is your chance to let Sutton and her staff know that “We the People” do not want government-run healthcare.

Michele Bachmann said it best, “…this is asking a lot in the next two weeks to go and visit these congressional offices, it is actually a very small price to pay, when you consider that we’re on the precipice of losing the finest healthcare system that has been created…”

Friday, March 12, 2010 from Noon to 2PM

Betty Sutton’s Office, 39 E. Market St. LL #1, Akron, OH

If you cannot make an appearance at the event, please voice your concern by phone.

Washington: (202) 225-3401
Akron: (330) 865-8450
Lorain: (440) 245-5350

"Survey Says..." - Betty Sutton misreads constituents, again.

I can clearly remember Betty Sutton and her representatives telling us that most of her constituents wanted the health reform she was so diligently working to pass.  Once again, polling data shows Sutton to be  – WRONG.

Ohio Right to Life has just released the results of an interesting survey.  The Wenzel Strategies telephone survey of 1001 Ohio registered voters found that 52 percent of respondents oppose the national health care reform plan currently moving through Congress.

In general, do you favor or oppose the health care reform plan under consideration by President Obama and Congressional leaders?

• Strongly Favor 21.1 %
• Somewhat Favor 18.6%
• Somewhat Oppose 7.9%
• Strongly Oppose 44.1%
• Not Sure 8.4%

The Survey also found that 65 percent of respondents oppose provisions for taxpayer funding of abortions included in any reform package.  Of course, it is not possible for federal tax dollars to fund abortion, right Betty?

Do you think that health insurance that is paid for or subsidized by taxpayer money should include coverage for abortions, or should abortions be excluded from coverage in such situations?

• Should Cover 22.1%
• Should Not Cover 65.0%
• Not Sure 12.9%

The poll questions were asked in conjunction with the Ohio Cultural Index. These results are available in their entirety  at www.ohiolife.org. The Index will be released on January 25. The survey was conducted January 8-12, 2010, and included 1001 Ohio registered voters contacted by phone. The poll carries a 95% confidence interval and a margin of error of +/- 3.07 percentage points.

H.R. 3962 Sutton's Plan

Well, she did it again.  Congresswoman Betty Sutton came down in the last hour just as we would have expected, against the best interests of the district, and worse yet, against the will of the people.

In a H.R. 3962 “fact” sheet posted on the congresswoman’s website, Sutton tells us this bill will cut the deficit by more than 30 billion dollars over the next decade and will continue to create a budget surplus over the next 20 years.

A Budget surplus?!? Wow, that sounds great!  Suddenly Betty is interested in fiscal responsibility.  Where was this idea when she and her cohorts spent us into the largest deficit in our nations history?

Now Rep. Sutton comes to us with a “Budget Surplus”.  Does she think anyone will actually believe this?  Even if it were true, Sutton and her band of merry men will quickly waste the “surplus” on other irresponsible spending sprees.  How about a tax cut for every American to prove that this surplus will really exist?  The tax cut can be effective immediately upon the final passage of health reform.

Sutton also tells us the cost of health care reform under the legislation is fully paid for by cuts in services and an additional surcharge on 550 households in the district.

——-

Surcharge?  Betty, are you trying to mislead people again.  The word is TAX.  You are placing an additional TAX on 550 families in OH-13.

I’m not as smart as you, so let me see if I have this right – You are raising TAXES on OH-13 residents to pay for a plan that will create a surplus?

Betty Sutton, You Might Want To Take Notes.

The people of OH-13 have spoken out loud and clear at rallies and events throughout the district.  But our representative, Betty Sutton, pretends not to hear us.

We are now staring down the barrel of a health care reform proposal that will literally destroy our health care system.  With a price tag of more than a trillion-dollars, this government spending spree by Betty Sutton will bring our economy to its knees.

What does Betty Sue want to give us?  Bureaucrats, rationed care, higher individual costs, reduced standards, longer waits, denials of coverage, and less choice.  Her road map to get us to this point has been filled with misinformation, half truths, and lies.  On top of that, she has ignored our questions, avoided our meetings, and and outright refused to engage in dialog.

Betty Sutton, you were elected to represents the people of OH-13, the people do not want this reform.  Vote for us, not against us.

Patriots at Betty Sutton's Akron Office

Stop Messing With The Sign

What happened to the Lorain “NO Government Health Care” sign?

An OH-13 constituent of Congresswoman Betty Sutton has been leading his own quiet protest of government health reform.  For the second time, this man’s “NO Government Health Care” sign has been mysteriously transported to a nearby dumpster!

Was this an act of community beautification?  Not likely since litter near the sign’s original location was left behind for all to enjoy.  It seems more likely to have been another attempt to “clear up any misinformation” surrounding Betty Sutton’s health care reform activities.

We may never discover  the perpetrator of these dastardly deeds, but one thing is for sure:  Involvement in political decent is growing.  The powers that be can take our signs, bar us from entry to their palaces, hang up on our phone calls, ignore our questions, and call us childish names – but they cannot slow the growth of our movement.  Our voices will be heard.

Betty, it’s time to make nice with your constituents.  Vote no on the new health care reform bill.

There we go.  I knew it was only a matter of time before overwhelming proof of Sutton’s abortion lie would surface.

Tele-Town-Hall 2009

Constituent – Joe from Avon:

60% of Ohioans oppose abortion. 70% of Ohioans oppose the use of taxpayer dollars to pay for abortions.  Both H.R. 3200 and the senate, that is the Kennedy bill, contain provisions for federal subsidies for abortion.  Will you refuse to vote for any healthcare bill that does not explicitly exclude federal funding of abortion?

Pinocchio Betty Sutton:

Thank you very much Joe. Um, let me, let me just first address something that you said in your, in the course of your question.  H.R. 3200 DOES NOT provide for the use of taxpayer funded, ah tax payer dollars to fund abortions.  And in fact it is federal law, ah that taxpayer funds are not allowed to be used to fund abortions.  Under the bill, that remains in tact.  Under the bill, federal funds will not be permitted to fund abortion.  So, I hope that that ah will, will clear up any misperception that exist that it is well understood in federal law that you can’t use taxpayer funds to fund abortion.  Thank you very much for the question.

So, Betty, if it’s “well understood” that taxpayer dollars cannot be used to fund abortion, why is the funding of abortion being discussed on the hill? Why was Rep. Lois Capps’ amendment included, but Stupak’s was eliminated?  Better yet, why did you vote yes on Capps, but no on Stupak?

Congressman Bart Stupak: And we’re just saying maintain the law that’s been on the books for 35 years and let’s live up to the President’s word.  No public funding for abortion in the health care plan, and we’re all happy, and we can go away.

CNS: Earlier on Thursday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the nearly 2,000-page-long final text of the House health-care bill. The bill envisions creating “exchanges” in each state that would be the only place people receiving federal health insurance subsidies would be allowed to buy insurance. It also includes an amendment by Rep. Lois Capps (D-Calif.) that would require that at least one health insurance plan in each of these exchanges cover abortions. Stupak’s proposed amendment would nullify Capps’ by stating that no federal money could pay for any part of any insurance plan that covers abortion.

NPR – Rep. Jan Schakowsky: “Comprehensive health care does include reproductive health care, prenatal and maternity care, screening for breast, cervical and other cancers or [sexually transmitted infections] abortion, contraceptive services. That these are basic health care for women [emphasis added] that we have a right to by virtue of our reproductive organs and our right to control our own bodies.”

Sounds like a lot of people missed your Tele-Town-Hall.

Catholic Online – Kristen Day, DFLA Executive Director: “I want to be clear, pro-life Democrats want to help pass health care reform but our coalition can in no- way support reform that includes tax payer funded abortions. If the leadership will remove that language, we feel confident that we can deliver enough votes to help put this much needed reform over the top in the House.”

“We believe in a big-tent Democratic Party, but to not allow Hyde language to be included in health care reform would force some pro-choice and pro-life Democrats to vote against health care reform. If we add this language, we believe we can help Speaker Pelosi get the votes to pass this legislation.”

OneNewsNow – Marjorie Dannenfelser: “It does this by funding premiums from private insurance plans that do cover elective abortions. Current law says that no federal funds may go to subsidize private health plans for elective abortion.” She concludes that “this bill would change all that.”

Earned Media: Democrats For Life of America (DFLA) announced today that they have 40 votes that will vote against the House health care reform legislation if tax payer funded abortion language is not removed from the bill.

I understand that killing children in our poor communities is right up your alley, but why go to such lengths to mislead your constituents.  Just say it like it is.  Here, I’ll help you. Repeat after me.

I, Betty Sutton, support the killing of poor children in OH-13. I promise to vote yes on any bill that will promote and or fund the elimination of poor children.

There, that wasn’t so hard.

Congresswoman Sutton, the good old days when you could freely lie and mislead the people of OH-13 have come to an end.  We are not going away.  We will hold you accountable for your words, and your action.

For the record, you never answered Joe’s question. What a surprise.

Further reading on this issue

An excerpt from : Tax Dollars Shouldn’t Fund Abortion – Wall Street Journal – Charmaine Yoest

WSJ: The Capps Amendment would side step the Hyde Amendment and other provisions in federal law. If it becomes law as part of health-care reform it would make abortion coverage a part of the public option, funnel tax dollars to private health plans that cover abortion, and ensure that every area of the country will have at least one health insurance plan that covers elective abortion. If this should happen, for the first time in more than 30 years the federal government would be in the business of funding the destruction of unborn human life.

The Capps Amendment sets up an accounting mechanism that is supposed to make sure that federal dollars do not directly pay for elective abortions. But this is a dodge. Federal dollars would still subsidize insurance plans that pay for abortions.

Here’s the actual amendment voted on by Betty Sutton’s Subcommittee on Energy and Environment: Capps

SUMMARY: A “compromise” amendment backed by committee chair, Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) that yielded some ground to pro-life concerns about mandated abortion coverage in private plans, preemption of state abortion laws, and retention of federal conscience laws. However, it weakened the application of the Hyde Amendment funding restrictions and had provisions to ensure that abortion is included in the public plan.

In favor of Capps with a YES vote, our very own Betty Sutton!  The congresswoman’s yes vote came prior to the Tele-Town-Hall.