A Message to Alaskans about the Stimulus Veto and the Health Care Town Halls

The following entry from Governor Palin’s FaceBook Page was written August 9, 2009 at 10:33 PM EDT:

Tomorrow begins an important week for Alaskans (Palin, 2009, ¶1).

On Monday, state lawmakers will meet to override my veto of stimulus funds. As Governor, I did my utmost to warn our legislators that accepting stimulus funds will further tie Alaska to the federal government and chip away at Alaska’s right to chart its own course. Enforcing the federal building code requirements, which Governor Parnell and future governors will be forced to adopt in order to accept these energy funds, will eventually cost the state more than it receives. There are clear ropes attached, and Alaskans will soon find themselves tied down by codes which will dictate how we build and renovate homes and businesses. The state has hundreds of millions of dollars already budgeted for conservation, weatherization and renewable energy development. Legislators don’t need to play politics as usual and accept these funds and the ropes that come with them (Palin, 2009, ¶2).

Also this week, Alaskans will join Senators Murkowski and Begich in town hall meetings to discuss the current health care legislation. There are many disturbing details in the current bill that Washington is trying to rush through Congress, but we must stick to a discussion of the issues and not get sidetracked by tactics that can be accused of leading to intimidation or harassment. Such tactics diminish our nation’s civil discourse which we need now more than ever because the fine print in this outrageous health care proposal must be understood clearly and not get lost in conscientious voters’ passion to want to make elected officials hear what we are saying. Let’s not give the proponents of nationalized health care any reason to criticize us (Palin, 2009, ¶3).

- Sarah Palin

Commentary

First regarding the stimulus money Governor Palin rightfully vetoed…she states her case for doing so succinctly, eloquently, and clearly. There really is nothing to add to or amplify her points — that $28.6 million involves breaching the Tenth Amendment and amounts to little more than a pyrrhic victory for those who want it, because it will cost a lot more than the amount received to derive its alleged benefits. The legislators pushing to override her veto are doing so only out of political pride and to align themselves with Obama — on the backs of the Alaskan citizen.

Governor Palin provided sage advice regarding these health care town hall meetings. We already know that Obama’s thugocracy has attempted to turn these events into town brawls. It is very easy to get caught up in the moment and for tempers to flare. Understand also that if an Obama Democrat is conducting the town hall meeting, the event will most likely be structured to favor his supporters — and to create troublesome circumstances for those of us against this atrocity of a health care bill. This is not to suggest that we should stand down, be cowards, be intimidated, or stay home (Well….if you have a hot temper and are easily provoked to getting physical — it probably is best that you sit these out and express your opinion by some other means), but you should understand that Obama’s supporters are using these events to goad us into phyiscal violence, then blaming it on us. We know this, because it’s already been done several times! Do not take the bait. If you see a confrontation brewing, get away from it — do not involve yourself in it.

Do bring evidence to support your case. Governor Palin provided her references on her FaceBook page. The facts are on our side. Here is the link to her statement and the reference list:

References

Palin, S.L.H. (2009, August 9). “A Message to Alaskans about the Stimulus Veto and the Health Care Town Halls.” FaceBook, Sarah Palin. Retrieved August 10, 2009 from: http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=114345578434#/notes.php?id=24718773587

Tagged as: alaska, health care, stimulus