Elections have consequences. Really? If so, then why did the mandated health insurance bill pass? I thought when the people of Massachusetts elected Scott Brown he was to be the 41st vote against the ever changing, unread, mandated health insurance bill. Maybe I was just misinformed or confused. Oh, that's right, they changed the rules. Congress decided to go with that nuclear option. I guess that election didn't have consequences. Silly me.
It seems every time I hear of another radical idea, law, policy, takeover or regulation coming from this administration and this congress, they or the political pundits say, "Elections have consequences and we won." Really? Does that give them the right to change our American way of life? Does that give them the right to fundamentally change America? Maybe I am just misinformed or confused. Oh, that's right, we voted for change. Silly me.
This Monday I read in The Minot Daily News a letter to the editor written by Earl Pomeroy, Kent Conrad and Byron Dorgan titled "Right thing for N.D." These three wise men said they know what is right for North Dakota and voted for the mandated health insurance bill. Really? Do you agree that this mandated health insurance law is right for you or North Dakota? Didn't an overwhelming majority of North Dakotans say they were against this mandated health insurance bill? Maybe I am just misinformed or confused. I thought these three wise men represented our voice, not theirs. Silly me.
I want my grandchildren to have the same freedoms, liberties and opportunities for the American dream that I have. Really. I don't want to leave them a country that forces them to buy whatever the government is selling. I don't want them to have to pay for our irresponsible spending. I would like them to enjoy American baseball, hot dogs, apple pie and Chevrolet. The government has taken over Chevrolet and now with the health insurance law they will be regulating our apple pies and hot dogs. Maybe I am just misinformed or confused. What's next government baseball? Silly me.
Oh, well, we still have hope. Really? Let's hope we can stop this government power grab. Let's hope our Supreme Court overturns this unconstitutional mandated health insurance law. Let's hope our great country isn't permanently destroyed by the radical direction our Congress and this administration are taking us. Let's hope our voice will again be heard. Maybe I am just misinformed or confused. I hope "We the people" will stand together for our Independence, Freedom and Liberty and never let an elected official take that away. Silly me.
Let's make this next election really have consequences. Fire those this November who don't represent you and your values. Fire those who insult your intelligence and say you are misinformed. Fire those in power who take away your freedoms. Fire those who want to entice you with their offers of free entitlements, free hand outs and free paybacks. Only a fool would believe it's free. Use your vote and make a difference. Let them know we will not tolerate these elected officials making us look silly again. If we don't, we all will suffer the consequences.
(Cindy Johnson is one of four community columnists for The Minot Daily?News)