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Scott Brown's Remarks Following His Swearing-In (Conservatism Alert)
National Review ^ | 2/04/2010 | Scott Brown

Posted on 02/04/2010 2:54:30 PM PST by goldstategop

t's a great honor to stand before you as the new United States Senator from Massachusetts.

I want to express my gratitude and appreciation to many people, starting with my wife Gail, to Vice President Biden, to Senators Kerry and Kirk, to Leader McConnell, and to so many other people who have been generous with their time and their advice.

I especially want to thank the people of Massachusetts who sent me here. I can't promise I'll be right in every vote I make. I'm sure I'll make mistakes from time to time. But I will try to give them my level best every day.

My daughters Ayla and Arianna could not be here, but I felt their presence. The bibles I used for today's swearing-in belong to my daughters, and I stacked them one on top of the other and took my oath on them. So they were both with me in spirit.

People have asked me why I wanted to get sworn-in so quickly after the results had been certified. It's because I want to get to work.

There are a lot of votes pending that I would like to participate in.

Even more importantly, these are urgent times for our nation. The President this week submitted a $3.8 trillion budget. We'll have to borrow 40% of that amount because we don't have the money to pay for all that spending. I'm concerned we're living beyond our means. Also this week, the CIA director said there will be another al-Qaeda attack in the US in the next 3 to 6 months. This is frightening news, and we owe the people of America everything we can do to deter and prevent future attacks on our nation.

So I'm glad to be fully able to participate in the affairs our nation at this critical time.

I also want to extend my appreciation to all of you in the press. I see many familiar faces here and I want you to know how much I respect the work you do, and the patience and many kindnesses you have shown my family.

With that, I'll take a few questions.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Editorial; Government; News/Current Events; Philosophy; Politics/Elections; US: Massachusetts; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: 111th; 2010elections; antiuncleted; conservatism; economy; mamiracle; massachusetts; nationalreview; nationalsecurity; presser; proabort; republicanparty; scottbrown; senscottbrown; waronterror
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To: the invisib1e hand
You seem to have information unavailable to others.

Again, where did you get the information that Brown supports universal healthcare?....or does that refer to MA health coverage?

If so, your comment is misleading in that universal healthcare refers to ObamaCare and I don't think Brown favors that...nor do 78% of those who voted for him.

So, do you have information that Brown supports ObamaCare? If not, it's the old apples to oranges thingy.

41 posted on 02/04/2010 3:49:15 PM PST by lonestar (Obama and his czars have turned Bush's "mess" into a national crisis!)
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To: the invisib1e hand
you're gonna have to do your own homework, champ. I've posted it myself twice; I imagine it's been posted several more times. The problem with the "information age" is that, if you're not pro-active and skeptical, you're gonna get...well, "bamboozled."
Actually the problem with the "information age" are the dimwits that think just because they posted something and then "imagine it's been posted several more times" makes it a fact.
42 posted on 02/04/2010 3:50:22 PM PST by lewislynn (What does the global warming movement and the Fairtax movement have in common? Disinformation)
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To: the invisib1e hand
It sure is reassuring to have you here to keep us ignorant slobs in line.
I guess this is your best effort at a refutation?


In your case, yes.

Tell us you would have voted for Croakley if you had been living in Massachusetts instead of New York State with that superior attitude of yours.
43 posted on 02/04/2010 3:51:57 PM PST by mkjessup
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To: pabianice
I wonder how Paul Kirk liked being Reid’s toilet brush.

LOL, he must have loved it, he didn't want to leave until he was forced to!
44 posted on 02/04/2010 3:53:29 PM PST by mkjessup
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To: the invisib1e hand

Health savings accounts are not “universal healthcare.”


45 posted on 02/04/2010 4:04:10 PM PST by editor-surveyor (Democracy, the vilest form of government, pits the greed of an angry mob vs. the rights of a man)
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To: editor-surveyor
Health savings accounts are not “universal healthcare.”

As has been pointed out extensively, he is on record as in favor of "healthcare for everyone" and denial ain't gonna make him unsay it.

46 posted on 02/04/2010 4:14:09 PM PST by the invisib1e hand (governance is not sovereignty [paraphrasing Bishop Fulton Sheen].)
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To: editor-surveyor
He did mention being concerned about the deficit. This is not something the country can sustain. Its up to the Democrats to change course. They won't.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find only things evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelogus

47 posted on 02/04/2010 4:14:17 PM PST by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
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To: the invisib1e hand

You are the poster boy for shunning.


48 posted on 02/04/2010 4:29:38 PM PST by Carley (Are you better off now than one year ago? HELL NO!!!!!)
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To: goldstategop
Rather see her being sworn in?


49 posted on 02/04/2010 4:43:05 PM PST by shiva
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To: tflabo

” We will be watching his votes. Don’t disappoint us Sen. Brown.”

You’re getting to the nut of the matter. Anyone who holds McCain as his guiding light bears watching; but, I do hope he turns out well and doesn’t disappoint.


50 posted on 02/04/2010 4:44:34 PM PST by izzatzo
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To: the invisib1e hand

>> He’s pro-choice and supports universal healthcare.

There are two major camps that favor these issues. One is desensitized to the value of life, and the other avoids the issues’ true nature. The hard Left is in the first group, and most others in the second.

Both issues are joined in the ‘care’ factor which overshadows the real factors.

Regarding abortion, I believe people can change in favor of the unborn. Economic reasoning can affect views on universal health care.

Abortion not only kills the child, but also the grandchild.


51 posted on 02/04/2010 4:52:49 PM PST by Gene Eric (Your Hope has been redistributed. Here's your Change.)
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To: the invisib1e hand
Hey, find your perfect candidate and get him/her elected. And good luck. You don't really get the impact of a Republican being elected in Massachusetts, do you?

Below is a letter from the Arlington, MA Advocate. I believe it says it all because it reflects Scott Brown's views.

Many have speculated why the Independent voter chose Scott Brown. It was a few things.

Power corrupts. Any political party or ideology with too much power is dangerous.

We believe the Bill of Rights protects our citizens, not foreign terrorists.

While we believe in the workers’ right to unite, we don’t support unions forcing companies or municipalities into bankruptcy.

We don’t believe that “Bush brought down the Towers.” It was Islamic terrorists trying to destroy the U.S.MO

While we want affordable health care for all, we don’t want the government as our health care proxy.

We respect each other’s opinion on difficult issues like abortion. We don’t use them as litmus tests or means to vilify.

We believe government is inefficient. We are outraged when property taxes double in eight years and we still have huge deficits.

We believe in a progressive tax system, but know that excessive taxation stifles the economy.

We believe in capitalism and don’t admonish prosperity. We call it the American Dream when a local kid goes to Tufts and BC Law, builds a good career and attains financial success.

We cherish diversity, but expect immigrants to enter the U.S. legally.

We like an underdog. It’s inspiring when someone believes in themselves when nobody else does.

While we are grateful for his service, we never thought it was “Ted Kennedy’s Seat.”

We don’t believe our military is occupying Iraq and Afghanistan or savagely killing innocent people. We thank them for fighting the savages that killed thousands of Americans and millions of Iraqis and Afghanis.

We believe that government is there to protect us, not to provide for us.

We generously support Haiti because we are a good nation, not because George Clooney lectures us.

While we believe in the separation of church and state, we don’t believe it means we can't have a Menorah in public, Halloween party at school, or recite “One Nation Under God.”

And finally, while we love omelets, we realize that raising chickens on a 6,000 square foot plot is a health hazard and not fair to our neighbors.

I guess it’s fairly easy to understand why so many pundits and editorialists were blindsided. They're always asking “What side of Mass Ave are you on, The Left or The Right”? For most Americans, it's simple — in the middle. —

52 posted on 02/04/2010 4:55:41 PM PST by Stars&StripesNE (Go Scott Brown. It is the People's Seat -- not Kennedy's Seat.)
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To: Perdogg

I don’t understand some of these people. Please see my reply to the invisib1e hand, above.


53 posted on 02/04/2010 4:56:22 PM PST by Stars&StripesNE (Go Scott Brown. It is the People's Seat -- not Kennedy's Seat.)
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To: the invisib1e hand

And you’re using your personal definition of “healthcare for everyone” instead of the one he has been pushing?


54 posted on 02/04/2010 5:05:23 PM PST by editor-surveyor (Democracy, the vilest form of government, pits the greed of an angry mob vs. the rights of a man)
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To: the invisib1e hand

Libs have used incrementalism quite ably to nudge the country their way, but if you suggest conservatives try the same thing to turn the tables an inch at a time, it becomes heresy.


55 posted on 02/04/2010 5:09:29 PM PST by HiTech RedNeck (I am in America but not of America (per bible: am in the world but not of it))
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To: the invisib1e hand

We already do have that, we call it Medicaid.


56 posted on 02/04/2010 5:10:28 PM PST by HiTech RedNeck (I am in America but not of America (per bible: am in the world but not of it))
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To: Stars&StripesNE

Your post was quite enjoyable to read. I just don’t get the pessimism of some on this forum. I say, give Scott a chance. I think some of these people on here would destroy the right, thus, keeping the left in power for an eternity. NO one lives up to their fantasy candidate.

Scott is very strong on national issues, such as military, fiscal responsibility, lower taxes, etc. We aren’t all going to agree 100% on everything, but, to some, if the candidate doesn’t agree with their pet issues, they are to be kicked to the curb.

Thank God Scott won that election, or we’d have healthcare passed already.

And, earth to some FReepers - there are 100 Senators in Congress. Its a very small club. Of course, Scott is going to hang out with fellow Republicans, and shock, of all shocks, probably some DEMRATS as well. They all do, after they leave the Senate chambers. They go out for drinks and dinner together, regardless of whether they are Republican or DEMRAT. Its just the way it is. I’d sure hate to have the conservative party destroyed because of the close-mindedness of some people. Our hope is that the RINO’s begin to tilt more to the right, but, we can’t afford to kick everyone out if they disagree with one or two issues.


57 posted on 02/04/2010 5:30:06 PM PST by Catsrus
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To: Carley
You are the poster boy for shunning.

Whatever.

I thought I was just conveying what Sen. Brown himself has said.

58 posted on 02/04/2010 5:57:50 PM PST by the invisib1e hand (governance is not sovereignty [paraphrasing Bishop Fulton Sheen].)
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To: the invisib1e hand
I for one support Scott Brown even though there are several issues to disagree with.....

I want fiscal conservatism to be legislated and social conservatism to be encouraged....

Good luck , Mr.Brown!

59 posted on 02/04/2010 6:49:02 PM PST by cherry
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To: the invisib1e hand

You cannot run for state-wide office in Massachusetts and win if you are pro-life. That is reality.

Maybe you are in Alabama , or Utah , or Louisiana where being pro-life is an option. It ain’t that way in Mass.


60 posted on 02/04/2010 6:51:08 PM PST by MarkAccord
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