Archive for November, 2009

I was reminded recently of an experience I had several years ago which I wrote about for the Ogden Standard Examiner. I still believe in the message, and I thought it would be appropriate to share this again with you.

Shortly after I was first elected to the Senate, I was privileged to attend the Fifth Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service sponsored by the National Conference of Christians and Jews at the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake. The evening included a greeting from President Gordon B. Hinckley of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and scriptural readings from the Old Testament, the New Testament, the Koran, the Book of Mormon and other sacred works. The highlight, however, of this inspirational evening was the message delivered by Rabbi Fred Wenger of the Congregation Kol Ami.

Rabbi Wenger focused his remarks on two things we traditionally attach to our idea of this holiday called Thanksgiving: family and food. However, the Rabbi spoke of a food quite different from the turkey, stuffing, yams and fresh cranberry sauce which come quickly to mind on mention of this day. The sustenance of which the Rabbi spoke is the nourishment available to all of us through the unity of a nation, the goodness of its people and the strength of its families. As those blessed to live in this country, this is the real food on which we feast.

I was moved by Rabbi Wenger’s remarks and reminded again that Thanksgiving truly is a uniquely American holiday. It also is the only national holiday which, while centered on giving praise and thanks to God, is not rooted in a specific religious affiliation or denomination. In our desire to acknowledge God as the source of all good things, and giver of the necessities which sustain life, we transcend ecclesiastical barriers and unite as a nation to give praise and gratitude for that which we have.

Thanksgiving also continues to hold a place different and apart from other national holidays. It remains, for the most part, free from many of the secular, commercial trappings which have come to define so many other annual celebrations — the wearing of Easter fineries, the purchasing of fancy Christmas gifts, or the carving of bright jack-o-lanterns. It has escaped attempts by many to cash-in commercially on its historic significance as the oldest American holiday. It is as if we recognize that giving thanks, in and of itself, is reward enough.

Following Rabbi Wenger’s remarks, as I left the warmth of the Tabernacle and stepped out into the cold, crisp night, I realized I had something else for which to be thankful. While mingling in the warm spirit of those in attendance, Utahns of all ethnic and religious persuasions, I realized what a unifying and healing holiday Thanksgiving has become. To the long list of things for which I give thanks, I am happy to add this new perspective.

My hope during this season is that we may all renew our dedication to these ideals and remain mindful of them throughout the year — that we can be fed and sustained both by our diversity and our unity, that the vessel can and should be filled with our love for each other. May peace and happiness be with you and yours on this significant day.

Since the health care vote on Saturday night, I’ve received a large number of phone calls and messages from people who are understandably concerned about this terrible bill. (You can read many of them posted as comments to my previous blog post. ) The vast majority of those who have contacted me have been supportive of my position, and those who write often say the two following things:

1) We want Senator Bennett to keep up the fight against this bill.

2) We want to know what we can do to help.

Let me assure you that I will not back down on this. I am firmly opposed to government-run health care, and I will continue to oppose it.

But I want to take a moment to address the second question: what can Utahns do to help?

The fact that we have a shot at defeating this bill demonstrates that your opposition to government-run healthcare has already made a difference.

Public opinion is weighing quite heavily on several of the Senators who voted in favor of Saturday’s motion, and at least one – Joe Lieberman of Connecticut – has stated that he will vote “no” on any further motions that advance a bill with a government-run option. If that holds steady, then we have the chance to kill this bill before it reaches a final vote. Several other Democrats, who are wary of voting against the wishes of their constituents in an election year, are showing signs of weakening.

You can help by continuing to speak out. The most powerful weapon we have in this battle is information. The more the American people learn about this bill, the less they like it. Start a blog; engage with your Facebook friends; share the facts. Let people know what’s in this bill – a $2.5 trillion price tag, huge cuts in Medicare, higher taxes and insurance premiums. As the word gets out, this bill stands an increasingly likely chance of collapsing under its own weight.

I’ll do everything I can to stand with you on this. Follow me on Twitter and become a supporter on Facebook. And you can join Team Bennett and run as a delegate at your local caucus meeting. The more united we are, the stronger we will be as we confront this challenge.

Health care reform should focus on free market solutions, not government bureaucracy. If we’re going to accomplish anything that will improve the situation, we have to scrap this current proposal and start from scratch.

Friend,

Tonight in a rare Saturday session of the Senate, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has scheduled a vote to proceed with discussion of his health care reform legislation. His bill is an unmitigated disaster that will raise taxes, raise insurance premiums, and gut Medicare. This is just step one on a long road before final passage, and I will oppose it on every turn.

Here’s what’s happening,

Tonight’s vote is an attempt to shut off initial debate. If it fails, that means the bill won’t even be allowed to come up. All forty Republicans have committed to vote “no!” A single Democrat defection to our side would be enough to deal a powerful blow to the Democrats’ dreams of government-run health care.

But what happens if the Democrats hold together and win tonight’s vote?

All they will have won is the authority to proceed with debate about Senator Reid’s health care bill. They will not have won final passage of the bill itself. In order to do that, they will have to hold another vote requiring 60 supporters. That vote will take place at a time when it will be more difficult for Democrats to avoid the consequences of voting against the will of their constituents, the majority of whom do not agree with the principles and practices in this legislation.

We will fight this bill with every weapon we have, because even with the Republicans’ diminished numbers, there is still a chance we will succeed.

It’s imperative that we do, because this bill is perhaps the worst piece of legislation I’ve ever seen.

Here’s what’s at stake.

This bill would create a huge expansion of government in our lives. It will raise premiums for those who have private coverage. It will raise taxes for many individuals and most small businesses. It will reduce payments to Medicare providers.

And it’s ridiculously expensive.

At a time when we’ve added 10% to our national debt in under a year, the Democrats want to add an additional $2.5 trillion in new spending over a decade. They insist that number is wrong, but the bill’s accounting is dishonest. In order to give it a smaller price tag, the Administration starts collecting money four years before they provide any services. That way, they maintain the illusion of lower costs by taking money without paying for anything.

I’m on the front lines of this battle.

The Democrats are trying to obscure what’s really happening here with smoke and mirrors. It’s true what they say – where there’s smoke, there’s fire. In this case, it’s the taxpayers who will end up getting burned.

Sincerely,

Senator Bob Bennett

A Message from Governor Mitt Romney

Dear Friend,

This is a critical time for America. The Obama administration is doing everything it can to expand the reach of the Federal Government into every aspect of our lives. To prevent that, I am doing everything I can to make sure that we send the most effective conservative leaders we have to Washington to fight back.

That’s why I am supporting Bob Bennett for re-election to the United States Senate.

I got to know Senator Bennett during my time working on the 2002 Olympics. He is a man of integrity and intelligence who has shown time and again that he can get things done on behalf of Utah. His efforts in the Senate have been of great benefit to both the State of Utah and the nation as a whole.

Having come to the Senate after a successful thirty-year career in business, he has demonstrated that he is a true fiscal conservative with a pragmatic, first-hand understanding of the free market. He has voted against every one of Obama’s reckless spending proposals, and he continues to champion conservative solutions. In this troubled economy, Senator Bennett’s real-world business experience provides an invaluable resource as we confront the challenges we face.

On the issues that matter most to Utahans, Bob Bennett is rock solid. He is pro-life and a strong supporter of traditional marriage. He has consistently been endorsed by the National Rifle Association for his support of Second Amendment rights.

On these issues and more, Bob Bennett does more than just talk. He gets things done.

I invite you to join me in supporting Senator Bennett by signing up to attend your caucus meeting and run as a delegate to the state convention. The Bennett campaign has made it easy for you to do. Just go to www.bennettforsenate.com/teamromney and sign up. The campaign will provide resources to assist you to become a delegate and will keep you informed on the issues facing our country.

Let’s get Bob Bennett reelected!

Sincerely,

Mitt Romney

The responses on my blog to my last health care message were very helpful. I’ve since prepared a new message where I outline my opposition to Obamacare.

Please watch the video then leave your comments below.

It’s remarkable how quickly the political landscape can change.

Remember when the Democrats took the White House and large margins in both houses of Congress, and the media trumpeted the end of the Republican Party forever? Famed political commentator Barbra Streisand stood up in a concert and goaded the GOP faithful, saying, “How does it feel to lose everything?” Then the president began his attempt to remake America, starting with the health care system.

2008? Actually, I’m talking about 1992.

Everyone was sure that the election of Bill Clinton, a “new kind of Democrat,” meant that the country had abandoned conservatism for good. Of course, the Republicans came roaring back two years later, and Clinton’s attempt to nationalize health care collapsed, and he was compelled to go along with Republicans on a balanced budget, welfare reform, and a host of priorities that he had never considered during his campaign.

2010 is starting to look like 1994 all over again.

In this campaign, I’ve visited with many people throughout the state who have been terrified of what President Obama has been doing and what he intends to do. But now, almost a year into his administration, it’s clear that the Republicans still have plenty of fight left.

Just look at the record.

We stopped him from closing Guantanamo Bay. He expected to have a government-run option for health care through Congress by August, and now near-universal Republican opposition and the defection of several key Democrats has put his liberal legislative agenda in serious jeopardy. His disastrous Cap and Tax proposal is losing support rapidly, and his approval ratings have fallen faster and farther than any new president in history.

And then there were last night’s election results.

President Obama campaigned hard for both of the Democrats running for governor in both Virginia and New Jersey. Republicans had suffered major defeats in Virginia’s past three statewide elections. Yet last night, they won the governorship by 18%. And a Republican governor in New Jersey? In 2008, that would have been unthinkable.

As of last night, it’s now a reality.

Last night’s election returns demonstrate that President Obama’s star is fading. He put his reputation on the line for both of those candidates, and he came up short. And his troubles are far from over.

Frankly, I’m surprised that the president has overreached so quickly. He was smart enough to campaign as a faux conservative – promising limited changes in health care and a tax cut for 95% of all Americans. It’s startling to me that he thought he could ignore his own rhetoric and govern from the far left once elected, and that he thought Americans just wouldn’t notice.

Well, we noticed. And we don’t like it. And we’re making a difference in stopping it.

I’m proud of what Republicans have been able to accomplish over the past year, even with our diminished numbers. President Obama has huge majorities in Congress and still can’t get his agenda enacted, mainly because his priorities are so far out of step with those of the American people.

We won some big battles last night, but the larger war continues. I’m on the front lines, and I’ll keep fighting to make sure that Utah’s values are represented in Washington, because, even in victory, we can’t let up.

The fight is now.