Doctors Join Barletta, Former NY Gov. Pataki In Calling For Repeal Of Healthcare Law

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Shawn Kelly, Communications
Friday, October 15, 2010 HQ: (570) 501-8683

HAZLETON – Local doctors joined U.S. Congressional candidate Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta and former New York Gov. George Pataki in calling for the repeal of the new healthcare law.

Dr. Victor F. Greco, one of Pennsylvania's most respected voices for quality health care during and after his distinguished 30-year career as a general and thoracic surgeon, and Dr. Mark Puffenberger, a 20-year family practitioner in the Wilkes-Barre area, said the new healthcare law will dramatically affect patient care. Also participating was Donna Baver Rovito, a longtime advocate for quality health care in Pennsylvania who served on the board of the Pennsylvania Medical Society's political action committee and as legislation chair for the Pennsylvania Medical Society Alliance.

“We are going to see the word ‘cost-effective’ play a bigger role in healthcare decisions,” Dr. Greco said. “I’m very concerned about the lack of primary care physicians when you add 32 million new patients. The shortage means physician’s assistants and nurse practitioners will take over healthcare. They do great work, but they don’t have the background and training a doctor has.”

Dr. Puffenberger said, “I’m very concerned that patients are going to spend a lot of time waiting to see a physician. The thought of having coverage for everyone is a great thought, but there is already a primary care physician shortage, and this law will make that worse.”

Gov. Pataki said, “Today, our freedom is in danger again. It is in danger because we have politicians in Washington passing laws that are taking away our freedoms. We need to repeal Obamacare and replace it with true reform. Under this law, more than four million senior citizens will see their Medicare Advantage taken from them. That’s what this law does.”

Gov. Pataki also criticized Lou Barletta’s opponent, 26-year incumbent Congressman Paul Kanjorski, saying, “ I guarantee you that he today could not tell you what’s in Obamacare. I encourage everyone, regardless of party, to vote for Lou Barletta.”

Lou Barletta thanked the doctors and Gov. Pataki for his support. “We are at a crossroads in this country’s history and time is running out. We thought our voices were heard about this healthcare bill. Citizens from coast to coast opposed this bill. But the administration and Paul Kanjorski didn’t stop. They didn’t pause. They passed this bill anyway, against the will of the people.

“The new healthcare law must be stopped before it does any more harm. It should be defunded, if not repealed entirely. I support parts of the law – allowing children to remain on their parents’ policies through age 26, and extending coverage for those with pre-existing conditions. However, the final law overreaches and isn’t worth the cost – either in its tax increases or in the $500 billion cut to Medicare. Healthcare decisions should be made between a patient and a doctor, without government interference,” Barletta added.

Red Skelton's Version Of The Pledge Of Allegiance

He was prophetic in 1969 with these words.

They Are Terrorists, Not Soldiers of War

The United States of America is not at war with Iraq or Afghanistan. We are in a security battle with terrorists. The bleeding hearts can cry all they want about their treatment, their incarcaration, and their quality of life. Who is defending the innocents they slaughter and continue to slaughter.

Soldiers proudly wear a uniform of the country they represent. They don't hide in mosques. They don't hide their ammunition in mosques. They don't hide in elementary schools. They take their fight to the enemy.

This following conversation has been the subject of many emails. Judge William Youncg couldn't have said it any better in 2003.

"This is the sentence that is provided for by our statutes. It is a fair and a just sentence. It is a righteous sentence. Let me explain this to you.

We are not afraid of any of your terrorist co-conspirators, Mr. Reid. We are Americans. We have been through the fire before. There is all too much war talk here. And I say that to everyone with the utmost respect.

Here in this court where we deal with individuals as individuals, and care for individuals as individuals, as human beings we reach out for justice.

You are not an enemy combatant. You are a terrorist. You are not a soldier in any war. You are a terrorist. To give you that reference, to call you a soldier gives you far too much stature. Whether it is the officers of government who do it or your attorney who does it, or that happens to be your view, you are a terrorist.

And we do not negotiate with terrorists. We do not treat with terrorists. We do not sign documents with terrorists.

We hunt them down one by one and bring them to justice.

So war talk is way out of line in this court. You're a big fellow. But you're not that big. You're no warrior. I know warriors. You are a terrorist. A species of criminal guilty of multiple attempted murders.

In a very real sense Trooper Santiago had it right when first you were taken off that plane and into custody and you wondered where the press and where the TV crews were and you said you're no big deal. You're no big deal.

What your counsel, what your able counsel and what the equally able United States attorneys have grappled with and what I have as honestly as I know how tried to grapple with, is why you did something so horrific. What was it that led you here to this courtroom today? I have listened respectfully to what you have to say. And I ask you to search your heart and ask yourself what sort of unfathomable hate led you to do what you are guilty and admit you are guilty of doing.

And I have an answer for you. It may not satisfy you. But as I search this entire record it comes as close to understanding as I know.

It seems to me you hate the one thing that to us is most precious. You hate our freedom. Our individual freedom. Our individual freedom to live as we choose, to come and go as we choose, to believe or not believe as we individually choose.

Here, in this society, the very winds carry freedom. They carry it everywhere from sea to shining sea. It is because we prize individual freedom so much that you are here in this beautiful courtroom. So that everyone can see, truly see that justice is administered fairly, individually, and discretely.

It is for freedom's seek that your lawyers are striving so vigorously on your behalf and have filed appeals, will go on in their, their representation of you before other judges. We care about it. Because we all know that the way we treat you, Mr. Reid, is the measure of our own liberties.

Make no mistake though. It is yet true that we will bear any burden; pay any price, to preserve our freedoms.

Look around this courtroom. Mark it well. The world is not going to long remember what you or I say here. Day after tomorrow it will be forgotten. But this, however, will long endure. Here, in this courtroom, and courtrooms all across America, the American people will gather to see that justice, individual justice, justice, not war, individual justice is in fact being done.

The very President of the United States through his officers will have to come into courtrooms and lay out evidence on which specific matters can be judged, and juries of citizens will gather to sit and judge that evidence democratically, to mold and shape and refine our sense of justice.

See that flag, Mr. Reid? That's the flag of the United States of America. That flag will fly there long after this is all forgotten. That flag still stands for freedom. You know it always will. Custody, Mr. Officer. Stand him down."
Mr. President Obama, please remember these words.