Rep. 'Joseph' Cao - R [LA]. (Photo: AP Photo Alex Brandon)
The first Vietnamese-American Congressman, Anh 'Joseph' Cao, voted an unpopular 'yea' -as far as Republicans go- for the Stupak amendment. The former Catholic seminarian claimed that he had to cast his vote this way due to the needs of his district, in which so many are poor and uninsured. It turned out to be the one and only Republican vote for this amendment.
In all fairness to Rep. Cao, though it is true that his district is predominantly Democrat, his courageous vote required some political tough-skin, for even as he cast his vote another Republican representative -Eric Cantor- refused to shake his hand. However, Rep. Cao explained that his fellow party colleagues were 'very professional and understanding of the needs of his district'.
FOX Interviews Rep Anh "Joseph" Cao
Only GOP To Vote For Health Reform
On the other end of the spectrum, Bart Stupak, a conservative Democrat and also a Catholic, saved the healthcare bill from impending doom by proposing this compromise now known as the Stupak amendment, while a liberal Democrat, and also a Catholic, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi pushed this compromise in order to save the healthcare bill proposal. Millions of Americans may have a chance to have access to healthcare insurance due to this compromise.
To reach this compromise, ProLifers had to concede to abortion funding in cases of rape, incest or danger to the health of the mother, while the ProChoicers had to concede to no funding for abortions -other than in those specific cases- with money from taxpayers. Abortion coverage must be purchased separately from private insurance providers with their own funds.
As a sidenote, another less publicized compromise was reached when the amendment also allowed immigrants to purchase, with their own money, into the low-cost health insurance, though no government funds will be used for this either. The Catholic Bishops have always insisted on access to healthcare insurance for immigrants.
In this case, Catholics, both conservative and liberal, have been influential in carrying out what is traditionally known as Catholic Social Justice Teaching. Though a compromise was needed to pass the amendment, the fact remains that this is the most significant ProLife victory -and abortion setback- in decades. In addition, many lives will be saved by providing healthcare to those without insurance.
The US Conference of Catholic Bishops [USCCB] had come to the aid of this amendment by issuing a joint letter by all US Bishops in support and by publishing an online story under the headline: 'Bishops Urge Passage of Stupak-Ellsworth Anti-Abortion Amendment for Health Reform Bill.' An excerpt from this letter explains the position of the USCCB.
Our Bishops' conference has been working for many years to support health care reform legislation that truly protects the life, dignity, health and consciences of all. Adopting this amendment will help move us move toward this essential national priority and moral imperative. [www.usccb.org]
In the end, after so much controversy, the Catholic Bishops must feel proud of all the Catholics involved. Now, we must pray for the Holy Spirit to guide our Senators for the wellbeing of all.
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A Pro Life victory: the Stupak amendment passed
Comments
I was against democrats due to ProChoice. Pro Lifers see this as a major victory. I now support health care reform.
Thanks for your post - that is precisely what happened to many of us. We need to trust our Bishops, they know our faith & catechism. They also know people are suffering & need our help. We are being called to help.
We need to stay attentive to the USCCB to know when to step into activism by contacting Congress in order to participate & advance this healthcare reform for ALL needy Americans -and the immigrants who are still with us. If not for charity, then think about this: if they get sick, who handle our produce & live among us, so will we. Let's get everyone healthy. It's a good cause! Pax Christi.
Some pro-lifers (not all) were manipulated AGAIN into supporting the criminal Obamacare SCAM. They believed the lies of Obama and his accomplices!
Lies do not change Obama's pro-abortion and pro-infanticide (late-term abortion) stand, nor the aberrant stands (based on eugenics) of Obama's Health Care Czar Ezekiel Emanuel and Science Czar John Holdren.
Obama's Health Care Czar Ezekiel Emanuel, rightfully called "Doctor Death," would make Dr. Kervorkian proud.
Dr. Emanuel has said that "Medical care should not be given to those who are irreversibly prevented from being or becoming participating citizens." As per Dr. Emanuel, your mother suffering from Alzheimer’s or your child diagnosed with Down’s Syndrome SHOULD NOT receive medical care.
Lies do not change the FACT that we are broke and Obamacare will further destroy our economy, our future and our country.
Lies do not change the FACT that Obamacare is another scam to enslave us.
Congratulations to all the courageous Democrats and Republicans who voted against the criminal Obamacare SCAM in spite of all the lies, manipulation, intimidation, coercion and bribery of Obama and his accomplices. We have a debt of gratitude to you and will do our best to get you reelected.
Those who voted for the SCAM (including brainwashed or bribed Cao), on the other hand, deserve not only to be voted OUT but to be shipped with Obama, Pelosi, Reid, etc. to Cuba or another failed socialist country so they can "enjoy" health care in such a country without having to transform the U.S. into a GULAG like Cuba.
ProLife, Obama and his accomplices have lied and manipulated us Catholics time and again. The Obamacare SCAM will force us to pay not only for abortions, but for infanticide (late-term abortion) and possibly euthanasia, regardless of what Obama and his accomplices say.
Just like the Marxists in Latin America, Democrats in the U.S., currently controlled by Marxists, are using, manipulating and attacking the Church to destroy the Church and its principles, and take over.
In Cuba, Venezuela, Ecuador, etc., Marxists first USED and MANIPULATED the Church into supporting their "noble" "help-the-poor" SCAMS. And then they attacked the Church and tried to prevent the Church from speaking against abortion and other evils.
USING AND MANIPULATING the Church, Obama-like Marxist thugs (Castro, Chavez, Correa, Morales, etc.) forced people to submit to socialism/Marxism, which has multiplied poverty, corruption and despair, and destroyed human beings materially and spiritually.
Um, first it's "CantOR" not "CantER." Second, there is no truth whatsoever to your "refused to shake his hand" anecdote.
Fred: Thanks for your post. Since I wasn't there, I have to rely on those who were. Did you watch the video clip of the interview on Fox above? Rep. Cao did everything he could to not accept the fact that it DID happen, by avoiding a direct rebuttal or confirmation, and instead insisting on the professionalism of his Republican colleagues. He is gentleman. I'm not so sure about Rep. Cantor though. Can you prove it did NOT happen?
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