THE STATE’S HIGHEST COURT HAS REJECTED A LAST DITCH EFFORT TO GUARANTEE HEALTH COVERAGE FOR ALL CITIZENS OF MASSACHUSETTS. THE SUIT WAS FILED LAST YEAR AFTER THE LEGISLATURE RECESSED WITHOUT VOTING ON A PROPOSED HEALTH CARE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT. TODAY THE SJC AGREED THAT THE LEGISLATURE WAS REQUIRED TO TAKE A VOTE…BUT THE COURT SAID IT HAS NO POWER TO ORDER THE QUESTION TO THE BALLOT. DONALD STERN, ATTORNEY FOR THE CITIZENS GROUP WORKING ON THE AMENDMENT, CALLS THE DECISION DISAPPOINTING.
We have a clear constitutional mandate, a clear violation by the legislature to vote up or down, but the court saying that there is nothing they can do about it.
SENATOR RICHARD MOORE SAYS A VOTE ON THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT DIDN’T MAKE SENSE WITH MASSACHUSETTS IN THE MIDST OF A SEPARATE EFFORT TO INSURE ALL CITIZENS. HE SAYS THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT DID HELP PUSH LAWMAKERS TO TACKLE THE ISSUE. BARBARA ANDERSON WITH CITIZENS FOR LIMITED TAXATION SAYS THE INITIATIVE PETITION PROCESS FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS IS DEAD BECAUSE NO ONE WILL WORK ON A PETITION DRIVE KNOWING THAT THE LEGISLATURE DOES NOT HAVE TO FOLLOW THE RULES.
Proof positive that it is not only our healthcare system that is dysfunctional, but our democracy as well. Why do we continue to re-elect the same individuals who refuse to do our bidding and uphold the rules of government?
What an incredibly sad period this is for our state and for our country. Do the American people deserve what we are getting from our “leaders”, because, as Ron says, we keep electing them?
I think a political backlash is brewing and when it comes it will be big.
The saying goes “show me the money” is what has happened to our Country.Human lives are at stake and nobody cares.Are there any true American Patriots that care about the citizens?Where are the Teddy Roosevelts?
I was told by my state senator’s aide last week that the Senate and House have “no appetite to change the mandate.” I replied that many residents are being hurt by this law and struggling to survive; that senators and reps are fully aware of this, and I asked her how can they not do what is good and right for the people? Her response was that Senate President Therese Murray thinks the law is a success so no changes would be made to the law but they will work on step 2 which is S2526.
Unfortunately, S2526 does nothing to relieve the current pain and injury this abusive health insurance law has inflicted on low-to-middle income residents. But more importantly, the Senate and House have it backwards – it appears that they have chosen to represent Therese Murray instead of their constituents.
And who is Richard Moore to decide what makes sense for us when clearly he did not have our best interests in mind? The SJC should never have let him off the hook.
The following is an excerpt from a speech “21st Century Economic Strategy” given by John Kerry at Faneuil Hall in fall 2007 when he spoke on familiar Democratic themes:
- We must remember that the proud MA patriots of 1776 didn’t plead for permission to govern themselves, and they didn’t wait to be told what to do by those who misgoverned them. they acted, and so must we. -
Let’s toss this sham health care reform a/k/a Chapter 58 into Boston Harbor so we can move on with our lives. Enough of enforced poverty and penalties thrust upon us by our elected state officals. And let’s make sure these people are not reelected.
“BARBARA ANDERSON WITH CITIZENS FOR LIMITED TAXATION SAYS THE INITIATIVE PETITION PROCESS FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS IS DEAD BECAUSE NO ONE WILL WORK ON A PETITION DRIVE KNOWING THAT THE LEGISLATURE DOES NOT HAVE TO FOLLOW THE RULES.”
Shame on our timid, goose-stepping legislature.