COLUMN: A matter of principle

After all, this bill has been the centerpiece of President Obama’s agenda since the earliest days of his campaign. Even Vice-president Joe Biden acknowledged that the administration would have been dead in the water had they not succeeded in ramming this bill through Congress. The last thing they want or need is a serious Republican challenge which could possibly succeed in overturning this law.

For them, this is not a matter of whether or not the new law costs too much and does too little. It is not a matter of whether or not personal liberty is threatened. And is certainly not a matter of whether or not the government should have such broad reaching powers over one-sixth of our economy.

It is simply a matter of power. They have it, they want more and they know they have the votes to get it.

While Republicans have done plenty through the years to expand government, party leaders do apparently understand that this law has broken through all previously established boundaries of federal control.

After months of voicing opposition to the bill, they now have three choices: wait until the next election, continue fighting or surrender.

The only principled thing to do is continue fighting.

Republicans cannot afford to wait until the midterm elections to rejoin this battle. After the Democrats’ huge legislative victory, who knows what they might succeed in doing next? Cap and tax, financial industry regulation, immigration reform and Obama’s 2011 budget are just a few of the agenda items which could result in economic disaster for the country if passed.

If the Republicans intend to take a stand, now is the time.

It is a simple matter of principle. Either their opposition to the bill was for concrete reasons or it was for political show. They either oppose higher taxes, bigger government and reduced freedom or they are ok with it as long as they get reelected. It is time to back up their political rhetoric with action.

The left is screaming the effort is futile and nothing but more political shenanigans. I hope they are wrong.

Already, at least 13 state attorneys general are suing to overturn the health care bill based on Constitutional issues. These officials say the health care law violates the tenth amendment which grants Congress no powers beyond those expressly granted by the Constitution.

Several other states, including Georgia, are planning to mount their own legal challenges.

Gov. Sonny Perdue announced his intent to take up the fight last week after the General Assembly failed to muster enough votes to pass legislation which would have guaranteed that no Georgian was forced to buy health insurance or fined if they chose not to do so.

Perdue has done the only principled thing he could do.

How many others will stand on principle?

If you oppose the health care law, or if you support it, you have a responsibility to make your voice heard.

If your principles tell you this law is unconstitutional, if you are worried about higher taxes, unfunded federal mandates and loss of liberty, call or write Gov. Perdue and let him know you support his efforts.

Visit http://gov.georgia.gov to complete a contact form, call 404-656-1776 or write to Gov. Perdue at:

The Office of the Governor
State of Georgia
203 State Capitol
Atlanta, Georgia 30334

Complacency has been the enemy of this country for far too long. Complacency has allowed our government to slowly evolve from a country conceived in liberty to an all encompassing, far-reaching bureaucratic monstrosity.

It is time to take a stand. Will you stand for your Constitutional rights or will you stand by complacently and watch your freedom erode?

Kristi Reed is a reporter for the Barrow Journal. She can be reached at kreed@barrowjournal.com.