Health care reform whether you want it or not

U.S. Congressman Mike Pence released this statement today:

"Families across this nation are devastated by the reality of a 26-year high unemployment rate.  It's hard to find a friend or a neighbor who hasn't been touched by today's news that the national unemployment rate is 10.2 percent.  The challenges facing our families and small businesses are obvious to those who are listening. Unfortunately, the Democrat leadership has turned a deaf ear to the concerns voiced by countless citizens, and the American people are paying the price.

"The American people want to know why Congress is forcing through the Pelosi plan for a government takeover of health care instead of a plan that will help create jobs.  Concerned citizens don't understand why their elected officials can't work together to create jobs and bring relief to families hurting in the city and on the farm.  It is time Democrat leaders abandon their endless pursuit of government-run health care and begin working on bipartisan solutions that will put the American people back to work."

One Republican insider explained to Byron York why this is unlikely (H/T Powerline)

"The thing that Pelosi has going for her right now is that a lot of her members are more afraid of her than they are of their constituents," says the GOP insider. He notes that Pelosi has plenty of weapons to make life miserable for members who cross her -- "any benefits the member can have for the remainder of this Congress, the kind of support they'll have going into next year's election, and if they lose, what kind of post-Congress opportunities they will have." All could be endangered by a vote against the health care bill.

When members of congress are more fearful of the Speaker of the House than they are of the constituents that elected them, it's time to throw them out of office.