The Freedom Bulletin

Photo credits: McMaster, Lynch, McCollum (top L-R), Otter (bottom left) - public domain, McDonnell (bottom right) – Gage Skidmore, CC ASA 3.0

In the battle leading up to tomorrow’s vote on “health care reform” legislation, I have noticed a few brave people standing up for what they believe in. Despite several Democratic congressmen, including Dennis Kucinich, capitulating to President Obama, the following people have taken a stand for individual liberty in some way or another, and I salute them for it:

• Henry McMaster and Bill McCollum, Attorneys General of South Carolina and Florida – They are planning to file a lawsuit, if the bill passes, challenging the constitutionality of both the “cornhusker kickback” exempting Nebraska from paying Medicare costs and the individual mandate requiring all Americans to buy health insurance. McMaster calls the bill “the most egregious, unconstitutional legislation that we can remember.” While I think the Durham-Humphrey Amendment is worse, “ObamaCare” is certainly right up there in terms of egregiousness and unconstitutionality.
• Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA) – He plans to vote “no” over concerns about the un-democratic process being used to force the bill through Congress. Although he does not oppose the bill for the reason I do (the individual mandate), I admire him for being brave enough to do the right thing, even though it will certainly make him unpopular with a lot of people and perhaps even cost him his seat.
• The Idaho state legislature and Governor Butch Otter – Idaho became the first state to pass a law outlawing the individual mandate. Gov. Otter signed the Idaho Health Freedom Act into law on March 17. It blocks any attempt by the federal government to force people to buy health insurance and gives Idaho the power to sue to fight the mandate. Similar efforts are underway in 36 states. Utah has passed on such law which is just awaiting the governor’s signature, and Arizona’s legislature has also approved one, but it must be approved by voters this November before it becomes law. Which brings us to…
• The Virginia state legislature and Governor Bob McDonnell – Virginia’s legislature became the first to pass a bill banning the mandate, and Gov. McDonnell plans to sign it. As far as I know the bill hasn’t officially become law yet, which is why Idaho gets that honor.

Props to all these people and everyone who opposes “ObamaCare” and its unconstitutional individual mandate!