Just to see what he is up to, I checked on my congressman. Is he opposing Obamacare? Well, for the time being, the answer is yes. Here is what is on his webpage.
Wittman Votes to Continue Government Operations, Troop Pay and Obamacare Delay
September 29, 2013
WASHINGTON, DC – Representative Rob Wittman (VA-01) released the following statement after voting to keep the government running through December 15, 2013, and to ensure the military receives their pay regardless of inaction in Washington:
“Last night, the House again took action to keep the government open; I voted to continue government operations and against a shutdown. I do not support a government shutdown,” Wittman said. “I was also pleased to support legislation ensuring the military is paid regardless of the political situation in Washington, and to delay Obamacare. Unfortunately, this legislation does not prevent furloughs for thousands of hardworking federal employees which is disruptive and undeserved for these folks dedicated to service to the nation. It is my hope the Senate can pass legislation to ensure the government does not shut down.”
Congressman Rob Wittman represents the First District of Virginia. He serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Armed Services Committee where he is the Chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee. (from here)
His statement is sort of wishy-washy, but I checked the newspapers. With respect to the continuing resolution, Wittman voted both for the version that defunded and the version that delayed Obamacare.
I also sent a short note to my congressman. Here is the text.
Thank you for your votes opposing Obamacare.
With respect to who is to blame for the government shutdown, please encourage our party to make a stronger case for opposing Obamacare.
When the choice is between economic stagnation due to socialist programs and a partial government shutdown, the choice should be a no-brainer.
My congressman voted for defunding Obamacare, too, which I applauded. However, now that the government HAS shutdown, the pain is spread disproportionately. Furloughed workers (of which our family will be part of if the govt isn’t funded by the weekend–many co-workers are already furloughed) are the ones paying the highest price for 1-the principals of Republicans 2-the stubbornness of Democrats 3-the defiance and non-leadership of our President. I have decided that the appropriations bill was NOT the place to take a stand. Better to have this standoff during the debt ceiling debate or wait until Obamacare caves under it’s own weight, forcing Dems out of office next Fall. A Republican controlled House & Senate is the strongest position of all from which to fight Obamacare. Sacrificing middle-class American families’ much-needed paychecks is not the answer.
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Strategy and tactics is always part of any battle. Unfortunately, we do not fight a chess game. We fight with millions of undependable people lined up on either side.
Some of the soldiers in this battle are physically strong; some are physically weak. Some are valiant warriors committed to their cause. Others sneak around the fringes of the combat, looking only for booty, and they will run away at the first sign of opposition. Too many of the combatants show little understanding of the conflict; these just want the generals to provide them their rations and wonder why we cannot all get along. They don’t want to fight. They just want to watch their TV, sleep, and eat.
Where should we have dug our trenches and fought? Would not the last vote on the debt ceiling have been better? How about last year’s continuing resolution? I don’t know; I just know it did not happen. I just know the next vote on the debt ceiling is quickly coming. I just know our leaders have finally gotten the courage to order us to dig trenches. I just know we have no place left to retreat. I just know the time has come to fight.
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I’m all for the cause, Tom, but I find it a bitter pill that my family has to “take one for the gipper” and most do not.
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Right and wrong is what it is.
Consider any job. Each comes with its own pluses and minuses. If you work for Uncle Sam in some capacity, then you have to put up with the caprices of politics.
If it makes you feel any better, I am in my basement blogging this morning because of the government shutdown. I am just glad my children are grown, and I am not in debt — well, that’s not entirely true. Whether I wanted to borrow that money or not, I do owe my share of the national debt.
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No one hates Obamacare more than I do but there is zero chance it goes anywhere.
Best thing we can do is make them own how bad it is, a shutdown makes Repulicans look worse by the second.
The ONE chance conservatives had to undo this mess was in November 2012 and we blew it because the non-Marxist wasn’t conservative enough.
What is happening now is, in a way, fruit of the conservative statement against establishment candidates made at polls.
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Thanks for the comment.
What the Republicans are doing is not great, but it serves a worthwhile purpose. It allows Republicans to make Democrats own Obamacare, and given that people are just now signing up, that could be a very good thing.
Because of the shutdown, Democrats have made it crystal clear:
— They will not defund Obamacare.
— They will not delay Obamacare.
— They will not give up their Obamacare waivers.
There is also the distinct possibility Obama and the Democrats will overplay their hand. If they do not concede anything — will not even sit down and talk — Democrats, not Republicans could end up looking like the obstructionists. Even the corporate news media can skew the news coverage only so much.
In 2012 Conservatives did not turn out to vote. Why?
— Because too many insisted upon someone better, we did not get good enough. That’s a Conservative statement we don’t need.
— Democrats use the IRS and who knows what else to steal the election.
If the RINOs don’t wise up, their days are numbered. When they have sufficient power, Socialist Democrats will only allow true believers to remain. And heaven help the rest of us.
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