Generally speaking, three votes isn't the margin by which a massive transformation of the economy and society should be imposed by the central government.

But that's exactly what the House Democrats did tonight when they voted 220-215 to pass a bill they ill-comprehend, that would impose an authoritarian, $1.5 trillion plan to reorganize American's health care under the auspices of the oh-so-efficient federal government.

Rep. Loretta Sanchez voted "aye" on the Obama-Pelosi plan, continuing her lock-step support of every element of Obama's left-wing policy agenda. it would be refreshing if she would drop the charade, demonstrate some intellectual honesty and resign from the Blue Dog caucus, because there is nothing moderate of fiscally responsible about her.

The next battle ground in this war between liberty and collectivism is in the Senate. In the meantime, maybe Loretta will be willing to have a real town hall meeting in which she deals with her constituents face-to-face, rather than shielding herself with clergy or taking pre-screened questions in a tele-townhall. I would very much like to see her explain to her constituents why she voted to impose an individual federal mandate to purchase health insurance -- or else face civil and criminal penalties of up to $250,000 and 5 years in jail. I'm not holding my breath, Sanchez has shown no stomach for it.

That is an almost unprecedented federal lunge at controlling to lives of American citizens. The only real peacetime comparison is military conscription. It's astonishing, and it blows away the fiction that the American Left cares two whits about individual liberty. In a free country, if I don't want to buy something -- whether it's health insurance or something else -- I shouldn't have to. And I certainly shouldn't face fines and jail time for exercising that right. Unfortunately, Loretta Sanchez and her comrades on the Left, have higher priorities than the liberties of their fellow citizens.

Personally, I think Loretta has signed her political death warrant, and none too soon, in my opinion. Personally, I hope the GOP can avoid a bloody primary fight that only helps this enabler of government paternalism. I think Assemblyman Van Tran has the best shot at taking her out, and maybe this appallingly anti-freedom vote will concentrate some minds on the bigger picture. I also hope the OC business community will wing into gear to help in the effort to oust Sanchez. I understand they will circle the wagons around Democratic state Sen. Lou Correa because he is the mule who carries their legislation in Sacramento. But Sanchez has been a very willing cog in the machinery of government gigantism President Obama is building -- and in her case defending individual liberty and free markets ought to transcend narrow self-interest.

Under cover of darkness, the House voted 220-215 to spend more than 1 Trillion of your dollars on a health care takeover that had to be rushed through after 10:00 PM ET on a Saturday night.

So while the US economy teeters and the unemployment rate soared to 10.2%, the Obama Administration decided that what was needed was more deficit spending and a large scale takeover of a major portion of the American economy.

What implications will this have on your life, on your healthcare, and more importantly, what implications will there be for those who voted for this?

Will this be the straw that broke the camel back in 2010?

Will Quang Pham and Van Tran use this to their advantage in the race against Loretta Sanchez who voted for this despite a lack of local townhall meetings or support?

If this is so important and so desired by the American people, why did Congress slip it through close to midnight on a Saturday? 

This morning I attended the Veterans Day tribute at the Titan Student Union at CSU, Fullerton.  It lasted for about two hours. 

There were traditional ceremonies and songs at the beginning and end, with some speeches in between.  A Scottish bagpipe player served up a good rendition of "Amazing Grace" and Taps at the conclusion.  CSUF Pres. Milton Gordon made some fine remarks, as did an Orange County judge who was master of ceremonies.

Amazingly, the large room was half empty, even though the main speaker was Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez (retired), who gave a good speech.  He's been in Orange County the last few days.  Perhaps the turnout was limited because it was announced as an event to primarily honor Latino veterans who have served during Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.  A few brief tributes were given to other living veterans.

I was a bit surprised that so much emphasis was placed on Latino veterans, instead of just American veterans, regardless of ethnicity.  Isn't that what America is all about?  Folks from a variety of ethnicities have honorably served in the armed forces throughout our history. 

While it's fine to be proud of one's ancestry and original culture, shouldn't we move beyond cultural categories as we honor current and past veterans for their service on Veterans Day and Memorial Day?

Although the celebration was good overall, it would have been far better if there had been fewer references to ethnicity, and more references to liberty and our shared vision of American ideals.  We are all Americans, regardless of our cultural backgrounds.  God bless America and all of our American veterans.   

Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Garden Grove, District 46) just went from Yes vote to Undecided column on the Health Care debate in the U.S. House of Representatives according to Capitol Hill newspaper "The Hill".

How much pressure and phone calls did the Congresswoman get in her district and Capitol Hill offices?  Is she afraid of a tough re-election against Assemblyman Van Tran (R-Costa Mesa, District 68)?

Over at the Press Release Juice blog, proprietor Admin Pedroza galloped fancifully down the conspiracy trail, speculating that Democratic Anaheim Councilwoman Lorri Galloway is behind the 34th Senate District candidacy of Republican Sue Perez. Challenging OC's tax-hiking state Senator is simply impermissible to Correa's Renfield.

Dan Chmielewski over at TheLiberalOC.com helpfully dialed a few digits and asked Lorri Galloway directly if she had anything to do with Perez runnning:

“The speculation that I was involved in recruiting Sue Perez to run against Senator Correa is absolutely untrue. I was just as surprised as others when I heard she was a candidate. Although, Sue and her husband Ed are friends whom I hold in high regard, I have not had a conversation with them about her candidacy.”

As Dan points out in his post, it toook him less time to track down Admin Pedroza's rumor than it did for Admin to cook it up.

I found this bit of news in the Local section of the OCR yesterday.  On Saturday, Nov. 7th, at 10:00 a.m., Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez (retired) will be speaking at the Student Union building at CSUF.  He will make the keynote speech at the event to honor veterans that have served in Afghanistan and Iraq. 

Following the speeches, the General will be available to sign his book starting at noon.  The book is entitled, "Wiser in Battle: A Soldier's Story."  Sanchez was the first coalition forces commander in Iraq following the invasion and liberation of Iraq.  He was succeeded by Gen. Casey, then Gen. Petraeus, and now Gen. Odierno is the current commander.

Latino Advocates for Education and CSUF are jointly sponsoring this event.  For more info, call 714-225-2499, or you can research the event at latinoadvocates.org.  The Student Union is located at 800 N. State College Blvd., in Fullerton.  God bless our military veterans.