What a difference a day makes. Sunday morning there stood Bart Stupak, the epitome of courage, standing up to his party and sticking to his guns because of his beliefs. And by Monday afternoon Bart Stupak couldn’t coherently explain why he sold his integrity down the river for a non-binding executive order from a President who hasn’t kept his word yet. So what happened? Sunday the sanctity of life was THE issue in the bill of paramount importance to him but by Monday the only thing that mattered to him was a piece of paper that isn’t worth the paper it is written on. Why?
That member of congress who shouted out, “[it’s a] baby killer!” said what I truly believe all people who looked up to Bart Stupak felt. When this man who we all thought was truly honorable cast that yea vote for health care we all felt the same frustration and betrayal. Bart Stupak became the Benedict Arnold of our time. Bart Stupak became a proponent for the very thing that he adamantly professed to abhor. And there is nothing he can ever say to change that fact.
I truly hope it was worth it. I truly hope that the price paid by Bart Stupak will be worth whatever it is he is getting in return. My bet is that this deal, when it comes out, will put all the others to shame. Because, you see, selling one’s soul along with one’s sacred honor doesn’t come cheap.
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