by Paul Rondeau
At 12:30 p.m., December 8, 1941, Franklin D. Roosevelt declared to Congress that the Japanese sneak attack on Pearl Harbor the day before would remain “a date which will live in infamy.” All the while planning war on our freedom, he said, the enemy had “deliberately deceived the United States by false statements and expressions of hope.”
Seventy-one years later, August 1, 2012, we face a far greater and far more devious threat to our freedom—an attack from within.
The Obamacare HHS Mandate went into effect today. It compels virtually all citizens and employers to pay for insurance that include free contraceptives, sterilization, and morning-after abortion pills. This event is not limited to a pro-life versus pro-abortion debate, or interpreting religious freedom, or even the Catholic Church. These are just dramatic harbingers.
Over two hundred years ago, James Madison, in 1788, speaking to the Virginia Convention said: “Since the general civilization of mankind, I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachment of those in power, than by violent and sudden usurpations.”
Certainly, the Obamacare HHS mandate redefines religious freedom. Cardinal Donald Wuerl, archbishop of Washington, put it this way: “Even Mother Teresa wouldn’t qualify” for a religious exemption. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice is arguing against a family business that owners cannot be allowed “to impose” their personal religious beliefs on their own company. But that is tip of the iceberg.
In 1961, Ronald Reagan explained, “One of the traditional methods of imposing statism or socialism on a people has been by way of medicine. It’s very easy to disguise a medical program as a humanitarian project . . . behind [socialized medicine] will come other federal programs that will invade every area of freedom as we have known it in this country.”
The Hyde Amendment bars the federal government from funding most abortions. So, Obamacare circumvents that by mandating almost $1 billion in insurance premiums to fund abortions.
Obamacare also undermines parents’ rights and family tradition. It orders that minors be automatically enrolled for free abortion coverage, which kids can then use without knowledge or permission from parents. And, it bans employers from telling employees up front which plans include the pill, sterilization, and abortifacient drugs.
“Sexual equality” language is used by Eric Holder’s Department of Justice to help justify the HHS mandates while Democrat mayors attack Chick-Fil-A, a family-owned mega-company whose owner exercised his free speech in defending the traditional definition of marriage. There can be little doubt that HHS regulatory mandates and penalties to advance same-sex marriage are on the horizon.
The jaw-dropping Supreme Court ruling written by Chief Justice Roberts on Obamacare implies government has the power to tax or penalize even lawful activities. Obamacare doesn’t actually deny freedom of religion; it just taxes you for exercising it. What tax penalties might apply in the future to freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of association, freedom of assembly or the right to petition the government?
President Obama and other foolish ideologues might see August 1, 2012, as Fundamental Transformation Day.
It would be better known as Usurpation Day, a date that may well live in infamy.