The first amendment to the United States Constitution reads;
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Ratified 12/15/1791
In direct contradiction to that right, here is part of a press release from the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services, issued Sep 21, 2009;
"Medicare today called on Medicare-contracted health insurance and prescription drug plans to suspend potentially misleading mailings to beneficiaries about health care and insurance reform. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently asked Humana, Inc. to end similar mailings. Humana has agreed to do so."
The problem started when the huge insurance company Humana, Inc. had the audacity to send an informational letter to its health insurance customers. Humana is the company that manages health plans for Medicare beneficiaries. In the letter, the customers were informed that "millions of seniors and disabled individuals" could lose "important benefits and services" under the reform proposals being considered by Congress. The customers were urged to contact their congressional representatives over their concerns.
Well, that explains it. We can't have all the common citizens running around all over the place with actual information. They must accept what they are told by Washington and be happy with it.
These are private companies, owned and operated by private American citizens. The federal government has told those companies, operated by those United States citizens, to shut up. Apparently the first amendment doesn't protect their speech, unless that speech agrees with the government.
Media Research Center President Brent Bozell asks - "Where is the outrage from the media on this abuse of power? Here we have an orchestrated and deliberate attempt to keep American citizens in the dark, particularly vulnerable seniors. Their very health is at risk, yet all but ABC have chosen to keep their audiences in the dark about this abuse. If they aren't willing to probe and at least question the administration on this blatant offense, what else are they shoving under the rug"?
I can't believe this is happening here in the Land of the Free. America had better wake up in a hurry.
