Dear Friends,

The House of Representatives, on a late Saturday night, when most Americans were driving home from college football games or spending their weekends wth family and friends, passed the Pelosi Health Care Bill 220-215.

Last night, I watched the several hours of debate on C-Span, and was extremely disappointed, saddened, and yes, angered with the final results. Dennis Moore, notably, voted YES, despite 39 Democrats voting no, He has now put himself squarely on the side of socialized medicine, turning aside the very principles which have made our country great. He not only supports a massive federal government, high taxes, and draconian penalties for those who refuse to comply, he is marching right alongside Obama and Pelosi in the march towards socialism, and has made it clear he no longer believes in the free market, states' rights, or protecting the liberty of the people he represents.

I am proud that all but one of the 177 Republicans voted NO. The House Republicans had a real health care reform proposal on the table, but it was rejected. It would have actually put more control in the hands of consumers, improved access, encouraged competition and decreased costs -- all for only a fraction of the Democratic bill, all adhering to basic free market principles. It would have put us down the road of true health care reform.

We must all now turn our efforts squarely on the United States Senate, and continue to put the pressure on conservative Democrats and urge them to reject this bill. I also encourage you to support State Senator Mary Pilcher Cook's "Health Care Freedom Amendment", which seeks to preserve the rights of Kansas to have the freedom to decide their own health care. It is in line with the principles of the Tenth Amendment, an effort Senator Pilcher Cook has also championed. I was delighted to see the wonderful crowd at the rally yesterday morning to support Mary's efforts to preserve health care freedom.

At stake here is not simply another liberal bill out of a liberal Congress. It is our very liberty that is in the crosshairs of the Democrats, and we must remain vigilant to defend it. The House vote means we are one step away from the point where our only recourse will be to reverse what has been done, should the Senate follow the House in approving this legislation.

The only way to do that will be through the ballot box in 2010 and 2012, through the election of a new Congress and a new President. In the House alone, it will take a gain of 41 seats. This means we must not simply pick off a district or two, but win seats from coast to coast, including right here in the 3rd District. That means each one of you has the opportunity to have a direct impact on the future of the country.

If you live in the 3rd District, you can be part of this effort to reclaim liberty and freedom by joining my effort in your own neighborhood. And no matter where you live, you can contribute to my campaign and maximize the ability we have to communicate our message directly to the voters. You can do both on my website, www.patricialightner.com.

The time for waiting is through -- the House has acted, and Dennis Moore has cast his vote. In one year, we will have a chance to cast ours. Let's get going.

Patricia