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Annotations & Elucidations

Jesus’ Home Found?

Not much regarding state news today. So slow, in fact, that even Barack “Barry from D.C.” Obama had time to call in to WTOP radio to chat up Governor Tim Kaine. So we’ve loaded up, mostly, on what everyone is talking about: the health care bill — and the News Stand is loaded today, complete with news, analysis and commentary on health care, but other topics, too, including some thoughts on Christmas. In addition, Matt Friedeman, at Rightly Concerned Blog, takes a look at an archaeological find in Nazareth that could be a home in the village in which Jesus grew up! Pretty exciting news at any time, especially now, especially with all that is going on. 

One reason for the large News Stand is that it will take a break after today until January 4. So read up! Starting then, we’ll have all the news concerning the countdown to General Assembly session as well as the pending inauguration of the McDonnell-Bolling-Cuccinelli administration. Until then, we’ll continue to update the blog with comment and content throughout the Christmas season, with the expected breaks here and there to enjoy the Holy Season.

News:

Senator Newman to propose infanticide law change (BearingDrift.com)

McDonnell to announce Connaughton as transportation secretary (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog)

Mark Warner Falls 31 Points Among Republicans And 43 Points Among Independents In One Year (NotLarrySabato.com)

‘Barry from D.C.’ calls WTOP to thank Va. Gov. Kaine (Washington Post Politics and Policy Blog)

National News:

Jesus’ Narareth home found? (Matt Friedeman/Rightly Concerned Blog)

Abortion could still roil the health bill (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Reid brags about deals cut for votes in Senate health bill (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Democrat’s special deals life blood of health care bill (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Senate gears for second critical health vote (AP/OneNewsNow.com)

Sunrise vote nudges health care bill forward (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Blacks say Obama notdoing enough for them (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Europe feels left out in cold on climate deal (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Analysis:

Concessions Democrat lawmakers won in health care bill (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Worst reporting of 2009 — who made the cut? (OneNewsNow.com)

Abortion — a ‘choice’ issue for Democrats (OneNewsNow.com)

Senator Nelson ‘betrayed’ pro-lifers back home (OneNewsNow.com)

Healthcare mandate: Get insured . . . or else (OneNewsNow.com)

Commentary:

Obamacare Hazardous to America’s Health (David Limbaugh/GOPUSA.com)

The ‘Science’ Mantra (Thomas Sowell/GOPUSA.com)

Al Gore and the Wizards of Climategate (Tom Borelli/GOPUSA.com)

A Cool Wind Braces theHot-Air Crowd (Debra Saunders/GOPUSA.com)

The Realities of Christmas Time (Richard Olivastro/GOPUSA.com)

‘Tis The Week Before Christmas (Henry Lamb/GOPUSA.com)

The War on Christmas — it’s a Commie thing (Matt Barber/OneNewsNow.com)

Away with the manger (Chuck Norris/Rightly Concerned Blog)

When All Else Fails, Accuse Opponents of Being Racists (Bobby Eberle/GOPUSA.com)

A Tasty Recipe for Conservative Victory (Bobby Eberle/GOPUSA.com)

Should GOP Adopt a Conservative Litmus Test (Bobby Eberle/GOPUSA.com)

Fast and pray until Christmas Day (Janet Porter/Rightly Concerned Blog)

Minister tells his flock to go steal (Matt Friedeman/Rightly Concerned Blog)

Sen. Gregg: ‘A government run by community organizers has taken over’ (Matt Friedeman/Rightly Concerned Blog)

Reid bought off votes with $1.2 billion in kickbacks (Elijah Friedeman/The Millennial Perspective, Rightly Concerned Blog)

How to stop the healthcare bill (Matt Friedeman/Rightly Concerned Blog)

Below is the text of a news release issued today from the office of Lt. Governor Bill Bolling concerning the votes by Senators Warner (contact here) and Webb (contact here) in favor of a procedural motion that will allow the Senate health care bill to proceed to a final up or down vote, where it is all but assured of passing. The text of the letter referenced in the news release is posted here.

BOLLING CALLS ON WARNER AND WEBB TO VOTE AGAINST FEDERAL HEALTHCARE LEGISLATION

RICHMOND – Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling today sent a strongly worded letter to Senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner expressing outrage over special concessions given to certain states to obtain support for federal healthcare legislation from their Senators and asking them to oppose this legislation, which Bolling called “misguided.”

“As you know, one of our major concerns with this legislation is the potential impact it could have on the cost of Medicaid for Virginia’s state government,” wrote Bolling. “Many reports have suggested that this legislation could result in much higher Medicaid costs for state governments across the nation, costs that state governments simply cannot bear.”

In his letter, Bolling cited reports from this past weekend that the Senate’s Democratic leadership had made concessions to Senator Ben Nelson that would hold his home state of Nebraska harmless for any additional Medicaid costs that might come about as a result of the enrollment of new Medicaid recipients after 2017, while all 49 other states would be required to pay a portion of the increased costs. This reportedly would save Nebraska $45M per year, while passing these costs on to other states.

Additionally, similar “sweet heart deals” were reportedly made to Senator Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and other Senators to obtain their support for the healthcare bill, while the citizens of Virginia and other states were not afford the same benefits.

“I am outraged by reports that surfaced this weekend regarding concessions that were made to Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson to secure his vote in support of this legislation,” stated Bolling. “If these reports are accurate, this type of quid pro quo is unacceptable, and you and your colleagues should object strongly to the practice, which I have no doubt the American people will find offensive as well.”

“If the Senate’s leadership is so desperate to obtain votes to secure the passage of this legislation that they would make these types of concessions to these Senators, I would ask that you demand that the same concessions be extended to Virginia, and for that matter, to every other state in the nation,” continued Bolling.

In addition to the outrageous “pay off” tactics employed by Senate Democratic Leadership, Bolling encouraged Senators Webb and Warner to vote against the substance of the legislation, citing concerns that it will result in increased healthcare costs, increased insurance premiums, increased taxes on family and businesses and fewer options for individual patients.

Annotations & Elucidations

The Slow Time

It’s a slow political news cycle this time of year, especially right after a gangbusters election, as things settle down. Soon, however, it will be special election time in Fairfax and Virginia Beach for two Virginia Senate seats (vacated by the elections of Ken Cuccinelli to attorney general and Ken Stolle to Virginia Beach Sheriff). It’s becoming more likely that the new senator from Virginia Beach will be the Republican nominee since the Democrats can’t seem to find a candidate. Bob McDonnell will show his bipartisan stripes and meet with House Democrats, while Ron Villanueva gains another vote in his bid to keep said Dems one seat fewer.

Nationally, the AP reports 10 states face looming budget disasters, while U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is seeking a huge tax increase to pay for the health care bill. Who thinks things will get better soon? Meanwhile, Walter E. Williams is on target as ever in his column about contempt for the constitution, Christopher Adamo offers the GOP lessons from the New York special Congressional election, and Bobby Eberle tells RNC Chairman Michael Steele to knock off the irresponsible racial talk.  

News:

McDonnell to meet with House Democratic Caucus (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Beach electoral board finds extra vote for Villanueva (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

Two Republicans run for Stolle’s seat; another Democrat out (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog)

‘Jane Roe’ honored at LU pro-life conference (Lynchburg News & Advance)

National News:

A Year Out, Widespread Anti-Incumbent Sentiment (Pew Research Center for the People & the Press)

Reid eyes payroll tax hike to pay for health care (AP/GOPUSA.com) 

Report: 10 states face looming budget disasters (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Commentary:

History Is Calling — Will Obama Answer? (Michael Barone/GOPUSA.com)

Constitutional Contempt (Walter E. Williams/GOPUSA.com)

We Win, They Lose (Lisa Fabrizio/GOPUSA.com)

Blind Diversity Equals Death (Michelle Malkin/GOPUSA.com)

Lessons Learned From New York District 23 (Christopher Adamo/GOPUSA.com)

Bridging the Racial Divide Takes a Bridge, not a Chainsaw (Bobby Eberle/GOPUSA.com)

No More Career Politicians! (Bobby Eberle/GOPUSA.com)

Our friend Brian Gottstein at Tertium Quids posted this yesterday about what’s inside the “health care” bill. It’s important that we know what’s in it, since some members of Congress don’t — because they refuse to read it (if you haven’t seen this brief video, please do) — then tell them ourselves (see Congressional switchboard phone number and e-mail info).

Quoting from Peter Fleckstein’s Twitter updates (see his blog), Brian provides the following creepy elements to the bill:

Pg 22 of the HC Bill MANDATES the Govt will audit books of ALL EMPLOYERS that self insure!!

Pg 30 Sec 123 of HC bill —THERE WILL BE A GOVT COMMITTEE that decides what treatments/benes u get

Pg 29 lines 4-16 in the HC bill — YOUR HEALTHCARE IS RATIONED!!!

Pg 42 of HC Bill — The Health Choices Commissioner will choose UR HC Benefits 4 you. U have no choice!

PG 50 Section 152 in HC bill — HC will be provided 2 ALL non US citizens, illegal or otherwise

Pg 58HC Bill — Govt will have real-time access 2 individs finances & a National ID Healthcard will b issued!

Pg 59 HC Bill lines 21-24 Govt will have direct access 2 ur banks accts 4 elect. funds transfer

Pg 72 Lines 8-14 Govt is creating an HC Exchange 2 bring priv HC plans under Govt control.

PG 84 Sec 203 HC bill — Govt mandates ALL benefit pkgs 4 priv. HC plans in the Exchange.

Here’s the bill’s home page, all 1,087 pages!

From a recently received e-mail from Billy Valentine of the Facebook group Catholics in the GOP:

Pence Amendment to De-Fund Planned Parenthood failed, 187-247. We received 20 Dem votes, 3 more than we did last time the amendment was offered two years ago.

Yet, the vote clearly shows elections have consequences, and the need to work hard in 2010 so pro-lifers can take back Congress.

In the meantime, please continue to lobby Congress hard on the health-care bill.

You can send a quick e-mail to your represntatives concerning taxpayer funded abortions, medical professional conscience protection, and other life aspects of the socialized medicine bill through Facebook by clicking here.