America is faced with a democrat-crafted plan for healthcare reform that does not reform healthcare, destroys a working healthcare system which supports 85% of the population, is filled with special deals and unknown pitfalls ... and is dishonestly being promoted as the largest jobs creation and deficit reduction program in the history of the United States. Both demonstrable lies.  So in consideration of the potential passage of this bill, I decided to pick out the person who I believe typifies the type of fraud, corruption, special dealing and arrogance of the democrat party. A man whose jovial character and articulate ability to discuss the matters of the day mask a dark and dangerous political philosophy.

If I had to pick one single democrat that represents the face of the current democrat party, I would select Alcee Hastings …

To me Hastings is the poster boy for democrat corruption and special dealing …

“Alcee Lamar Hastings (born September 5, 1936) is a member of the United States House of Representatives representing Florida's 23rd congressional district”

“A Representative since 1993 and a Democrat, Hastings was previously a lawyer and judge. He spent ten years as a federal judge (1979–1989), but was impeached and removed from office for corruption and perjury. He was the sixth federal judge to be impeached and removed from office in American history.

It’s all for sale …

“In 1981, Hastings was charged with accepting a $150,000 bribe in exchange for a lenient sentence and a return of seized assets for 21 counts of racketeering by Frank and Thomas Romano, and of perjury in his testimony about the case. He was acquitted by a jury after his alleged co-conspirator, William Borders, refused to testify in court (resulting in a jail sentence for Borders).”

“In 1988, the Democratic-controlled U.S. House of Representatives took up the case, and Hastings was impeached for bribery and perjury by a vote of 413-3. He was then convicted in 1989 by the United States Senate, becoming the sixth federal judge in the history of the United States to be removed from office by the Senate.”

When the deal goes down; all this talk of rules, we make them up as we go along …

“With President Obama scheduled to visit House Democrats today, the debate over his health care reform effort rages in Congress.”

“The House Rules Committee is meeting now to determine the official rules for the debate -- a day ahead of the expected House vote.”

“CNN reports on an ‘particularly spirited portion of the meeting,’ quoting Rep. Alcee Hastings as telling Republicans who are vowing to block the bill: ‘You all in the minority continue to say what the American people think. You don't know what all of the American people think. And you certainly don't know what those in my constituency think.’"

“Sounds like a heck of a meeting: The National Review quotes Hastings as suggesting Democrats are making it up as they go along: ‘There ain't no rules here, we're trying to accomplish something. . . .  All this talk about rules. . . .When the deal goes down . . . we make 'em up as we go along.’"  <Source: Miami Herald>

Perhaps Alcee is unaware of the current polling which shows that the vast majority of Americans want healthcare reform – they just do not trust or want the democrat’s vision of Obamacare. Or perhaps, Alcee is unaware that the great deal of Americans hold Congress in contempt, rating it below the favorability ratings of used car salesman.

In his own words …

This demonstrates the absolute arrogance and disregard for the American people posed by Congressional democrats.

Update: (3/21/2010) – There seems to be some controversy over the selective editing of this quote by political operatives who remain unknown. Here is the full quote in context so you can judge whether or not Alcee Hastings is getting a bum rap.

While the enhanced quote reads a little better, it still puts Alcee Hastings – and most politicians – in a poor light.

Here is a longer view …

 Bottom line …

We need honest brokers to represent the people’s interests at a time when we are fast reaching a tipping point when political corruption is enabling those with a toxic political ideology and agenda to advance legislation that will severely impact the character of America and impose greater burdens on American citizens.

And before anyone cries “racist” and “bigot” because this fine, upstanding member of the Black Caucus is being attacked – let me remind you that I am against political corruption no matter what its color, race, gender or political ideology. In this case, Alcee Hastings represents, at least to me, the very worst of a corrupt democrat-led institution and the sheer ignorance and stupidity of those who voted this man into office.

-- steve

P.S. Someone asked me who my second choice was. It is my own representative in California, Henry Waxman, whose hyper-partisan contentiousness made it an easy choice. But Alcee took the prize for his prior impeachment on charges of corruption and perjury.

Reference Links:

Alcee Hastings|Wikipedia