Happy New Year! (My opinion of the president hasn't changed)

I just realized my last blog was written October 9th. I'm sorry everyone, I just got away from blogging for a while. It certainly wasn't intentional- to those that missed my ramblings, I apologize.

Okay, to begin this 2010 year, I'd like to discuss one of my favorite current topics: heath care.

Since we've last met, both chambers of Congress passed their respective versions of the health care bill, and now they are meeting to hammer out the details of what is to be a reconciled bill. And by "they" I mean a select few. And by "select few" I mean the Democratic leadership.

At this point we don't know if there is going to be a public option, what restrictions (if any) there will be against using federal dollars to fund abortions, or how it will be funded. The specific details aren't really important (yes, it's big government being forced on us, but I've made that point already).

What really gets my blood boiling is the fact that we don't know anything. The major agreements have been held behind closed doors, and Republican influence has been largely excluded. No one has been able to watch how this monstrosity (that affects just about everyone) is being designed.

Wait a second, I hear another one of the president's broken promises fast approaching. Yes, one of Obama's major campaign promises was that the negotiations would not be behind closed doors- they would be on "C-Span." See for yourself. Speaker Pelosi said something to the effect of "there has never been a more open Congress." I beg your pardon!

What's worse, it's these closed-door meetings that are producing the sweet deals that the majority party is using to buy the votes needed to get passage. It was behind closed doors where Joe Lieberman (D-CT) got the Democrats to drop the public option. It was behind closed doors where Mary Landrieu (D-LA) received $300 million for her state. And it was behind closed doors where Ben Nelson (D-NE) was able to get the federal government to pay a share of his state's Medicare costs. All three of these Democrats said they would oppose the bill in its current form, and yet the were instantly on board once these deals were laid on the table.

This is your government, folks!

If you've been paying attention you know that the head of C-Span has urged the White House and leaders of Congress to televise the meetings. They haven't budged.

Until things change, this is what you need to know:

1. No matter what's in the bill it still is the government trying to shove a socialist program down our throats, no matter how much the American people don't want it.

2. We won't really know what's going on, because the meetings aren't made public.

3. The Democrats are willing to make any bribe or concession necessary to change to mind of any lawmaker that is "opposed."

Friends, say "goodbye" to Democracy.

Anyway, don't mind me, I'm just Rambling.

AND HOOK 'EM HORNS!!