If the mainstream media had any conscience whatsoever it would be applauding the congressman from New Orleans for doing what he believes is right no matter the consequences. But they won’t. So we will.
Rep. Anh “Joseph Cao announced today that he’ll be voting against ObamaCare because…he’d rather save his soul. Yeah, that’s right. A politician interested in saving his soul.
Here’s the key quote and this one will knock your socks off. Cao, according to CNA, said:
“I know that voting against the health care bill will probably be the death of my political career,” Cao said, “but I have to live with myself, and I always reflect on the phrase of the New Testament, ‘How does it profit a man’s life to gain the world but to lose his soul.’”
Wow. Big CMR huzzahs to Rep. Cao.
But be assured that conscience comes at a price. Because of his stance the Democrats are targeting Cao. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced that Cao will be one of seven Republican members of Congress targeted with radio ads that will play on radio stations with largely African-American audiences, urging him to support Obama’s health reform efforts.
Cao, the only member of the Louisiana House delegation who had not weighed in on where he stands on the health reform bill, told the Times-Picayune on Saturday that he cannot support any bill that permits public money to be spent on abortion.
“At the end of the day if the health care reform bill does not have strong language prohibiting the use of federal funding for abortion, then the bill is really a no-go for me,” said Cao, who spent time in formation to be a Jesuit priest.
“Being a Jesuit, I very much adhere to the notion of social justice,” Cao said. “I do fully understand the need of providing everyone with access to health care, but to me personally, I cannot be privy to a law that will allow the potential of destroying thousands of innocent lives,” he explained to the Louisiana newspaper…
Let’s just compare Cao with Tennessee’s congressman who proved himself the most easily bought and paid for congressman in D.C. when he voted for an amendment to the health care legislation that would essentially prohibit the government from imposing requirements for abortion coverage. Rep. Bart Gordon of Tennessee who is often described as a “conservative Democrat” was the decisive vote for the amendment.
But then a few hours later, committee chairman Henry Waxman pulled a fast one by invoking some odd House rules that allowed him to bring up the amendment for a second vote. And Gordon switched his vote to no, dooming the amendment to the trash heap and allowing abortion to be included in the health care bill.
So just compare and contrast the two. America desperately needs more Cao’s and less Gordon’s.
August 5, 2009 at 4:27 am
I'm just surprised that there is a Jesuit with a conscience. Maybe that's why he decided in favor of politics against being a Jesuit priest (anless sleazy option).
August 5, 2009 at 5:52 am
Regardless, it is a brave choice for him to make regarding the health care bill.
August 5, 2009 at 12:20 pm
I like this post. Can you add a picture of Cao – in case I see him.
August 5, 2009 at 12:32 pm
What a bunch of bologna. Cao knows he got lucky and won't win again. He's just angling for a more lucrative job on K street when his short-lived political career ends in 2010.
August 5, 2009 at 1:15 pm
1. Competence gets you to K street.
Conscience gets you to pearly gates. (Cao has both.)
2. Going to K street is not a step back. You make 20 times more than being a civil servant.
3. Where did you learn to read minds and hearts? Only God knows the motives.
August 5, 2009 at 1:28 pm
As a resident of the state of Tennessee, I can tell you that Bart Gordon will SURELY feel the pressure from his unhappy constituents. 😉
August 5, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Wow… today I'm starting to see more of our reps standing up for truth. A rep in CA told Emmanuel to back off the Chicago thug-tactics, Cao voting against the bill… I'm impressed and starting to get a little hope for our country yet. I just pray the rest of the State Reps get a true earful from their constituents and vote according to what the majority of their constituents want. And if they don't… I pray those constituents remember this when they vote in their state elections and get those people OUT of Congress.
August 5, 2009 at 3:05 pm
"What a bunch of bologna. Cao knows he got lucky and won't win again. He's just angling for a more lucrative job on K street when his short-lived political career ends in 2010."
Craig, I would not be so cynical especially after looking at the history of CAO. He spent 6 years thinking of being a Priest. A good many of those helping the poorest among us in foriegn countries. With his law degree he teaches ethics at a Catholic School, worked as an Advisor for the U.S Bishops(for free) and basically works to help the local Vietnamese community
He is the real deal
August 5, 2009 at 3:58 pm
An aside: A political committee spends money on radio ads targetting specific congressmen and that's acceptable. Constituents give their reps a difficult time with questions/dissent at a townhall meeting, and they're labelled lobbyists and accused of working for K Street.
So anyone who doesn't follow the political agenda is a K Street tool? How exactly does that work?
August 5, 2009 at 6:37 pm
Good for him! If only more Catholic politicans would follow his lead…
August 5, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Proof that there are still some good Jesuits left.
August 5, 2009 at 11:59 pm
Craig have a bit of cheese with your sour grapes. Just because Cao had the courage to stand up and a) run for office (and win) and b) do what is moral while you sit on your fat butt sniping from your computer. Bitter are we?
All you'll get from constantly targetting those who have risen higher than you is a sore neck from looking up.
August 6, 2009 at 1:45 pm
God bless Rep. Cao and his beautiful family!! People like him make me proud to be a Christian (and Reps like him standing up for what's right make me proud to be American)!
We could use more upright moral men like Cao in our legislature:).
August 6, 2009 at 5:42 pm
I'm really impressed by this man, and if you are, too, I think it would be prudent and inspriing to let him know. I just sent a quick email to him to thank him for standing up for the Prolife viewpoint, even though I'm not from his state and I'd never heard of him before a few days ago. It's important to remember that he is taking a chance, and he is human, which means that taking that chance might not be as easy as some of the more skeptical readers here seem to think. He has a family and likely is concerned about providing for them, but he is putting his job on the line (or, if you're skeptical about that, at least his politcal credability or acceptence)to support the Truth.
If you want to email him or contact him by mail, you can google his name and "contact" or:
Washington Office
2113 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-6636
Fax: (202) 225-1988
New Orleans Office
4640 So. Carrollton Ave. Suite 120
New Orleans, LA 70119
Phone: (504) 483-2325
Fax: (504) 483-7944
I can't get the emai page to post, but at least this is one option.