Wake Up, Senator Murkowski: A Post by Conservative Girl with a Voice

It is very apparent that Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski is down-right jealous of Sarah Palin. What other republican politician draws standing-room-only crowds? What other republican politician has the gift to connect with members of any party? What other republican politician has polarized the nation and re-energized a party? Yeah, I'd have to say that Sarah Palin is a pretty hard act to follow. Money and power should not be criteria to becoming the senator of a state. In appointing his daughter to the senate in 2002, Former Governor Frank Murkowski basically was telling the good people of AK: "I don't think you all can make a good decision, so I'm going to make the decision for you." In appointing his daughter, voters were robbed of performing their civic duty to choose for themselves the senator whom would best represent them, but it is important to point out that she was elected two years later in 2004. I have a lot of negative feelings toward individuals who unfairly appoint others to political office and also for those who accept the apointment, but this is a story for another day. Recently, Murkowski did a good thing in holding a townhall (unlike Senator Mark Begich). Yet, it is some comments she made during this townhall that have my blood boiling. During this event she commented on the recent comments Sarah made regarding her belief that the health care bill includes "death panels" (see my post: "Sarah's Right, Again" for more on this). Here's a portion of what Senator Murkowski said:

"It does us no good to incite fear in people by saying that there's these end-of-life provisions, these death panels.... Quite honestly, I'm offended by that terminology because it absolutely isn't (in the bill). There's no reason to gin up fear in the American public by saying things that are not included in the bill."

Well, Senator Murkowski, the information isn't in the bill, anymore- thanks to Sarah (but remember, folks, it could always end up back in the bill)! I have to wonder if Senator Murkowski has even sat down and read the entire bill. Not only was this information, at one time, in the bill, but Sarah was clearly accurate in her descriptions of "death panels." Once again, we have an illustration of another republican who is jealous of Sarah Palin- jealous because so many Americans agree with her. Well respected people such as Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Michael Savage, as well as countless others agree with her on this issue. Perhaps Senator Murkowski is forgetting that right after Sarah posted the following statement on her facebook account, the "death panel" language (provision 1233 of HR 3200) was immediately removed from the House version of the bill:

"The provision that President Obama refers to is Section 1233 of HR 3200, entitled 'Advance Care Planning Consultation.' With all due respect, it’s misleading for the President to describe this section as an entirely voluntary provision that simply increases the information offered to Medicare recipients. The issue is the context in which that information is provided and the coercive effect these consultations will have in that context. Section 1233 authorizes advanced care planning consultations for senior citizens on Medicare every five years, and more often 'if there is a significant change in the health condition of the individual ... or upon admission to a skilled nursing facility, a long-term care facility... or a hospice program.' During those consultations, practitioners must explain 'the continuum of end-of-life services and supports available, including palliative care and hospice,' and the government benefits available to pay for such services."

Well written, Sarah. If Sarah was so wrong in her findings, why did the house immediately remove this provision from the bill? Once again, people like Senator Murkowski prove just how out of touch they are with the American people. When are our those who have been elected to represent us going to actually start doing so? When are they going to start telling the truth? We could give Senator Murkowski the benefit of the doubt-maybe she didn't read this part of the bill, but that's kind of hard to believe since this topic has been analyzed on every channel and in every newspaper. After Senator Murkowski made this statement during the Townhall in Anchorage, Rush Limbaugh addressed her statements on his radio show. Like Sarah, he KNOWS that the "death panel" language was in the bill. Thank God for people like Rush Limbaugh who are not afraid to call people out when they are wrong in their assertions. Like Sarah, he is more aware of the legislation than those serving us in Washington.

Perhaps Senator Murkowski has lost her way and forgotten whom she was elected to serve? Has she forgotten that SarahPAC recently donated money to her re-election campaign? With the hostile way Senator Murkowski has treated Sarah over the course of their relationship, she should be thanking Sarah for all Sarah has done for her. It is one thing to call someone out if he/she is misrepresenting aspects of an issue, but it is totally uncalled for to accuse someone of using fear tactics when the person is absolutely correct in his/her assessment. Shame of Senator Murkowski for accusing Sarah of making things up. She could learn a thing or two from Sarah. Once again, this yet another example of turning a political issue into a personal issue. It is well-known that Murkowski and Palin are not the closest of friends, after all, Sarah beat Lisa's daddy in the last Gubernatorial election. So, whatever Sarah does is scrutinized by Senator Murkowski. Instead of being cordial for the good of the party, Senator Murkowski can't seem to get over the issues of the past.



Sarah has many on her side when it comes to the "death panel"debate. Just today, the New York State Senate announced that they would hold hearings on elderly care and "death panels," and they have invited Sarah to testify September 8th. New York State Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz, a conservative democrat, is heading the hearing. Sarah quoted Diaz in her facebook note about "death panels," and according to Diaz:

"Section 1233 of the House Resolution 3200 puts our senior citizens on a slippery slope and may diminish respect for the inherent dignity of each of their lives... It is egregious to consider that any senior citizen... should be placed in a situation where he or she would feel pressured to save the government money by dying a little sooner than he or she otherwise would, be required to be counseled about the supposed benefits of killing oneself, or be encouraged to sign any end of life directives that they would not otherwise sign."

So, let me get this straight, not only do conservatives agree with Sarah, but a democrat too? This just goes to show that this is a moral issue, not a political issue. Not only has Sarah been invited to speak, but a variety individuals, (including
Betsey McCaughey who is the former Lieutenant Governor of New York and head of the Committee to Reduce Infection Deaths) who specialize in elderly care will be there to testify as well. It is my hope that Sarah will testify at the hearing because when she speaks, people listen.


We are living is very scary time, and it is only a matter of time before the goverment takes full control over our lives. It is hard to name a single institution under government control that has succeeded free and clear of problems. It seems to me that the government screws up everything it touches, everything it controls. I sure as hell don't want them controlling my health care decisions. It is time for us all to stand up and speak out on this important issue! While I applaud Senator Murkowski for holding a townhall, it is unfortuate that she did not correctly inform her constituents on what is really going on with the health care bill in terms of the "death panels." This is why it's so important that WE educate ourselves! Go online and research the health care bill, contact the representatives and senators from your state, and just stay informed. Educating is the best way to really make a difference for ourselves and our children.



(I'm a Conservative Girl with a Voice!!! Visit my blog and become a follower: http://conservativegirlwithavoice.blogspot.com. Follow me on Twitter too @rachellefriberg.)