Health Care Vote Proves the Liberal Democrats Not Listening to South Louisiana

The vote on health care in the U.S. House is proof positive that the liberal Democrat leadership in Congress is not listening to the will of the people, said Jeff Landry, the Republican candidate for Congress in the 3rd Congressional District seat being vacated by Congressman Charlie Melancon. “Americans, including those who like me participated in the Tea Party rallies, have repeatedly said that we want health care reform that lowers costs and improves care not the big government health care plan pushed by Obama, Pelosi and Reid. South Louisiana families want health decisions made by doctors and patients, not by government bureaucrats. Many realize that this is one more step toward government controlled, socialized health care in America. Americans do not want this plan. The liberal Democrats who pushed this plan will pay a price with the elections in November,” said Jeff Landry.

Landry noted among his concerns about the plan the following provisions included in the liberal Democrat’s plan:

Massive New Government Spending: The Congressional Budget Office estimate of costs for just the first 10 years is nearly $1 trillion dollars, or $940,000,000,000.00. Liberal Democrats claim it will lower deficit spending but only a career politician would commit to spend nearly a trillion dollars and say it will save money.

Harmful New Tax Increases: Just when our economy is trying to recover, this bill includes $569.2 billion in tax increases proving that old time politicians can’t help themselves when it comes to taxing and spending.

A Huge Expansion of IRS power: Many Americans do not know that this bill will require IRS agents to verify if you have “acceptable” health care coverage. If they decide that you do not, the IRS has the authority to fine you up to $2,250 or 2 percent of your income (whichever is greater) for failure to prove that you have purchased “minimum essential coverage.” To pay this fine the IRS can confiscate your tax refunds. Reports are the IRS may need to hire as many as 16,500 additional auditors, agents and other employees to investigate and collect billions in new taxes from Americans; and that nearly half of all these new individual mandate taxes will be paid by Americans earning less than 300 percent of poverty.

Federal Funding of Abortion: Some Democrats say that the President will later work to ensure that the federal government does not begin funding abortions. However, this bill when signed into law puts the steps in place to allow the federal government to fund abortions with taxpayer dollars. I firmly oppose this move.

Landry also noted that more than 130 economists sent a letter to the White House explaining how the Democrats’ health care legislation is a job-killer. The letter was signed by more than three times as many economists as a separate letter cited by the White House last week in support of the liberal Democrat’s bill.

Jeff Landry is a leader who has been a successful small businessman, a Republican aide in the Louisiana Senate, and a Sheriff’s Deputy. He is a Republican activist, veteran and attorney working with south Louisiana employers. Last week he announced for Congress to replace Congressman Charlie Melancon who is vacating the 3rd Congressional District seat. As noted in published news reports, Landry has been the frontrunner Republican in fundraising support.

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