On April 30th the Chenango Valley Political Science Club took a trip to Washington, D.C. to get an up-close look at how our government is run. A few weeks before, we contacted a Heather Higginbottom, a former CV student who now works in the White House, to see if she was able to get us into a White House tour. Around 10AM while driving down to D.C. on the 30th, we received a call from one of her aids, Rose, who let us know we’re going to be able to tour the White House. When we arrived in D.C., we first visited the Newseum, but then quickly went over to where the W.H. tour entrance was. Before the tour began, our special tour guide that Heather Higginbottom provided said “This is the secret, we’re going to watch Marine One take off from the South Lawn.” None of the us really expected the president to be on the helicopter, we just assumed it was an empty take off. During the tour, we finally asked “Is the president going to get on the helicopter?” . . . and she said yes.

At this point, we don’t even know how to respond. We’re excited, scared, and really confused at how this was happening to us. After the tour, we back-traced our steps to a door that goes to the South Lawn. Secret Service informed us how to respond if anything went wrong (“Don’t scatter, just come right back here. This is your safe zone.”) and then they let us go out before the rest of the visitors so we could get into the front of the barrier (really it’s only a rope).

We stood on the South Lawn with anticipation, none of us knew what to expect. The tour guide said that he comes over to shake hands every once in a while, but at that point we still didn’t think it was possible. We finally see Marine One fly over the Washington Monument and come towards the South Lawn. We watch it land, turn off it’s engine, and then we waited. Anytime someone moved by the door the president was going to walk out of we all jumped. Finally, President Obama walks out. While he’s walking, he notices Heather Higginbottom who joined up with our group during the tour, so he walks over and says “What are you doing here?” She explains we’re from the school she graduated from, and that we’re visiting the White House. He walks down the line and shakes our hands. Right before he got to me, he started walking away, but I extended my hand and yelled “Mr. President” so he turned around, came back, and shook my hand.

We still don’t understand what happened. None of us believe it. We all called our parents, they only believed us because our voices were shaking. This just isn’t something that happens, but somehow it did.

The Political Science club would like to thank Heather Higginbottom for spending so much time trying to get us into the White House tour and for getting us to meet the President. Her aid, Rose, who spent countless hours on the phone with our adviser trying to figure out how we could get this to work. Our special tour guide, Kamilia, who was very informative – and she was as excited as we were to meet the president. Our chaperone, Mr. Tidick, who provided great humor on the trip there and back. And most of all, our adviser, Mr. Clark who spent hours and hours trying to get this trip planned, and who put up with us using his room to debate.

Nick Butler

Earlier, President Obama announced he’ll sign the health care bill Tuesday (3/23/2010). Once signed it will become he law of the land. It will extend health insurance to 30,000,000 more Americans, end preexisting conditions, allow for kids to remain on their parents health insurance until they’re 27 years old, and also reduce the deficit.

All of these things are great news!

Nick

From MovieViral.com-

Following Sunday night’s health reform vote, Congressman Bart Stupak was speaking to the House when he was interrupted by someone yelling the phrase “baby killer.” Stupak, who is the leader of Pro-Life Democrats, switched his vote from “No” to “Yes” following an agreement with President Obama to ensure that federal funds will not be used to aid abortions. The video has already been picked up by the cable news networks, airing on all three major networks shortly after it occurred. While the identity of the Representative has not been confirmed, the video has already picked up steam on social networks like Twitter.

Trendistic shows that between 11PM and 12PM .40% of tweets included the phrase “baby killer.” As Mashable.com explains, whoever made this comment is bound to become an internet icon much like Joe Wilson – who shouted “You Lie!” during a speech by President Obama in September. That clip spawned hundreds of spoofs, so the reaction to this may be similar. You can watch the clip of an unidentified Congressman shouting “baby killer” below.

Today, March 21, 2010, the most historic bill since Medicare passed the House, to be signed by President Barack Obama. This bill will help insure that 30,000,000 Americans who before couldn’t afford health care or who couldn’t get it because of preexisting conditions be covered under a comprehensive plan.

This will be remembered in history as a great day. And, I couldn’t wish for a better birthday present.

Final Vote:
Yea: 219
Nay: 212

In the news:
HuffingtonPost.com | Change Has Come
CNN.com | Health Care Latest: House Passes Legislation

Nick

What great news! Bart Stupak has announced he’ll vote “Yes” on the health care reform bill later today. This gives the Democrats the 216 votes needed to pass this historic piece of social legislation.

In the news:
Politico.com | W.H., Stupak Reach Abortion Agreement
CNN.com | Latest On Health Care

Stupak: “We’re well past 216″

Nick

The latest on the health care reform is that Rep. Stupak, a key vote needed, is working towards working out a deal with leaders right now. If he votes yes, 4 or 5 other Democrats will also vote yes. As we move forward, it’s clear to many Democratic stategists that they’ll get the votes needed. However, Republicans are planning on pushing this vote late into the evening. We’ll see how it goes.

I’m watching CNN and C-Span right now. I suggest you do the same.

Nick Butler

While I may not fully understand the health care bill that will be voted on today, I do understand that right now there are 30,000,000 Americans who do not have health insurance. It is a critical issue that needs to be solved. The Republicans had 6 – if not 8 – years to pass their own version of the bill, but they put it on the back-burner. Health care reform has been on the back-burner for too long now, and it’s time for change. Everyone in Washington agrees that something needs to be done. To those 32 Democrats who are planning on voting “No” on the health reform bill going to the House today I send a simple message: You have failed. The American people sent you and President Obama to Washington for change, yet you want to continue the old ways for the simple reason that your personal wants were not included in this bill. You could possibly be derailing the most important piece of social legislation since Medicare because you didn’t get what you want.

To those Democrats who are voting “Yes,” but are still not satisfied with the bill I say that there is always room for change. Amendments can happen. What can’t happen is this bill be pushed aside for personal disagreements with the Senate, who wrote the bill. You understand that this is what the people want, and for than, I say thank you.

Today I discovered that my local Congressman, Michael Arcuri (D-N.Y.), is voting “No” on health care. Apparently he believes that the system we have now is better than what the bill proposes. This bill is not flawless, it doesn’t include all the provisions that it should, but it is an important step in the right direction. If this bill doesn’t pass, Congressman Arcuri will be getting more than a few phone calls and letters from me.

I cannot begin to describe my anticipation for today’s upcoming vote. This could be the most important day in American politics since socialized medicare – or it could be the biggest loss in American politics, behind the health reform bill of the 1990′s. But one thing is for sure: This vote will determine the November elections, and possibly the Presidential Election of 2012.

Nick Butler

Me with Congressman Maurice Hinchey

I’ve tried blogging before, but I’ve never been able to keep the site up-to-date. But, with recent revelations in the political world, I’ve decided I need a place to voice my opinion. My blog, created the day before the historic health care vote, will be a place for me to vent out my thoughts on politics, news, and sometimes just life. My first post will be about health care.

I hope I’m more loyal to this blog than I have been to others in the past.

Nick Butler