Something Wicked This Way Comes: Reid Creates Defensive Perimeter on Healthcare

Republicans have been licking their chops over the seemingly perverse desire of Democrats to jump off a cliff to advance Obamacare. Privately, key Republicans seems to be envisioning the potential to run on a "Repeal the Bill" mantra next year in the 2010 elections. But WHAT IF the Democrats make it impossible to "repeal the bill"? From the Weekly Standard:

Senator Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) pointed out some rather astounding language in the Senate health care bill during floor remarks tonight. First, he noted that there are a number of changes to Senate rules in the bill--and it's supposed to take a 2/3 vote to change the rules. And then he pointed out that the Reid bill declares on page 1020 that the Independent Medicare Advisory Board cannot be repealed by future Congresses:


there's one provision that i found particularly troubling and it's under section c, titled "limitations on changes to this subsection."

and i quote -- "it shall not be in order in the senate or the house of representatives to consider any bill, resolution, amendment, or conference report that would repeal or otherwise change this subsection."

this is not legislation. it's not law. this is a rule change. it's a pretty big deal. we will be passing a new law and at the same time creating a senate rule that makes it out of order to amend or even repeal the law.

i'm not even sure that it's constitutional, but if it is, it most certainly is a senate rule. i don't see why the majority party wouldn't put this in every bill. if you like your law, you most certainly would want it to have force for future senates.

i mean, we want to bind future congresses. this goes to the fundamental purpose of senate rules: to prevent a tyrannical majority from trampling the rights of the minority or of future co congresses.

Read this entire post.

And watch the video. The Democrat leadership appears to be setting a stage toward the long term transition of our healthcare from the flawed but innovative system we have to one run by government bureaucrats. And if Harry Reid's bill passes, you won't be able to change it if you don't like it.

Constitutional? Maybe not. But how long before it could be overturned. Ask yourself a question New Jersey. Have judges done the right thing with Abbott Schools? No. Both parties have known it for some time. Change it? It takes a recession. Think about this before it gets done. There is a right way to improve our healthcare system. And this is clearly not it. Not for unions. Not for you. Not for anyone.

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