For the People

"It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." (from Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address)

Yesterday was a big day. The people of Massachusetts elected a Republican senator to replace the recently deceased Ted Kennedy. This was significant for a number of reasons. One is that Massachusetts is possibly the most liberal state in the union. Since 1973, every person they have sent to Congress have been Democrats. It was significant because special elections usually have a low turnout, and this one huge, in spite of bad weather. It wasn't just a small victory either: he won by a 52-47% majority.

But the biggest reason it was significant is that it will break the Democratic party's 60-vote, filibuster-proof majority in the U.S. Senate, posing a big problem for Obama's healthcare plan and other bills he is currently trying to push through Congress.

The people have spoken. They don't like his agenda, which is really more socialist than liberal. And if this ultra-liberal state (the only state which gets to speak in the form of an election right now) doesn't like it, that makes it pretty clear how the majority of the country feels.

Still, in the news today I read that Obama and Congress are plotting ways they can shove the healthcare plan through anyway.

Is this a government "of the people, by the people and for the people"? It doesn't sound like it to me at all. It sounds like our leaders want power. They want their own agenda, not that of the people they represent.

I only hope they will reconsider. I have written my congressmen multiple times to make my voice heard (incidentally I am proud that both of our Senators from Tennessee voted against the healthcare plan, though my Represenative voted for it). I pray that God will remove or change the heart of any our leaders who are in their positions for the wrong reasons. And I pray that He will have mercy on us all.