Dan Maffei is attacking Ann Marie Buerkle because he is a desperate politician who is afraid to have his own record scrutinized. The truth is Ann Marie Buerkle has never voted to redefine rape. In fact, she has never voted on any piece of legislation that contains the words “forcible rape”. The Bill HR3 that is cited in these shameful television ads, was actually a bill designed to prevent tax payer funding of abortion.

When HR3 was initially introduced it contained the phrase “forcible rape.” Ann Marie Buerkle lobbied and supported the removal of this language. To insinuate that Ann Marie would ever weaken criminal rape laws is simply unconscionable. Ann Marie is the mother of four daughters and has four granddaughters. Additionally she was a pro bono legal attorney for over 16 years at Vera house, a local shelter that helps women who are victims of domestic violence. Ann Marie has personally counseled victims of rape and domestic violence and would never support weakening criminal rape laws. Rape is rape.There is no variation.

Dan Maffei is using women as pawns for his own political gain without any concern for their emotional pain. One courageous women named Mary, came into our office to find out the truth. She was a victim of rape and is traumatized every time she has to view one of these shameful commercials. Dan Maffei owes an apology to Mary and to every other women in this district who is a victim of rape.

Watch Congresswoman Buerkle’s Debate Remarks About This Here

Did you know:
A number of Democratic Members in previous Congress’ have co-sponsored or voted for legislation that included the term “Forcible rape”?

For example; Senators Hillary Clinton and Chuck Schumer both cosponsored S. 940 (107th Congress) which uses the term “forcible rape”.

Senator Christopher Dodd was the lead sponsor of the “No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, which contained a Juvenile Accountability Block Grant program in which “The term `part 1 violent crimes’ means murder and no negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault as reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for purposes of the Uniform Crime Reports.”

Dan Maffei’s claim that ,”Ann Marie Buerkle would end Medicare as we know it,” was rated by Poltifact, (a non partisan, Pulitzer Prize winning fact check organization) as the 2011 Lie of the year!

Dan Maffei is running false ads attempting to scare seniors into voting for him. The truth is Ann Marie believes that Medicare is a promise to our seniors that must be protected. When Dan Maffei voted for the Affordable Care Act, he voted to cut benefits to current Medicare recipients by 716 Billion dollars.

Ann Marie Buerkle does not support any changes to Medicare for any current recipients or those nearing retirement. Her own mother is 91 years old and depends on Medicare. For Ann Marie, Medicare is not a political issue, it’s a personal issue. And because Medicare is so important, Ann Marie believes that we must strengthen and preserve it so that when our grandchildren retire, it is there for them also.

Watch Congresswoman Buerkle’s Debate Remarks on Medicare Here

As the mother of six children and grandmother of thirteen, Ann Marie Buerkle is an unwavering supporter of Public Education. Ann Marie believes that in order to give our children a world class education, we must keep education decisions with our state and local governments. As well as with the teachers and parents who know best about the educational needs of their children.

The bureaucrats at the Department of Education in Washington know nothing about what is best for Syracuse City schools or the other schools in our District. Unfortunately, Washington bureaucrats are currently using unfunded mandates to force our children into a one size fits all mold that is not attentive to the individual and unique needs of our local school districts. Ann Marie has met with both Administrators and teachers and heard their countless frustrations in meeting the educational needs of their students because of these mandates.

The truth is, the Department of Education is adding jobs in Washington while our school districts here in Central New York are forced to cut our children’s teachers. Dan Maffei supports the current status quo in education, which is quickly eroding America’s education system and failing our children.

The truth is, The Affordable Care Act is not reasonable reform, but an attempt to increase the role of government at the expense of private insurers and healthcare providers. Medicare will face $716 billion in cuts by 2014 when the Affordable Care Act goes into full implementation. Healthcare services and access will be greatly reduced as healthcare professionals find it impossible to stay in business due to these cuts.

Simply stated, an increase in government involvement in the American people’s healthcare decisions does little to serve the interests of the people. Instead, practical, step-by-step measures should be implemented that would reform the system and provide greater access and affordability. An overhaul of healthcare is simply a takeover. This is not reform.

Some elements of the existing health care law are good. These would include not denying coverage for pre-existing conditions, allowing children to remain on a parent’s insurance plan until they are 26 years of age, and maintaining the medicare prescription drug “donut hole” fix. However, these are only a few reasonable proposals within a multi-thousand page bill that has more to do with expanding government bureaucracy than helping the people of our nation.

Real reform should allow the competitive selling of insurance plans across state lines. This would break the government-sanctioned monopoly of insurance carriers in specific regions and states. Rational Tort Reform can further control costs by allowing for patient’s rights yet eliminating frivolous lawsuits that drive up the cost of healthcare through expensive malpractice fees.

Healthcare reform is a priority for the United States. The Affordable Care Act, passed by the Democrats in Congress in 2009 with Dan Maffei’s help, is not true reform. At present, there are over 1300 waivers that have been granted by the Federal Government to companies, unions, and municipalities that are aligned with the political authors of this act. This is not a fair application of U.S. law. If the Affordable Care Act is good law, why should waivers be granted to anyone?

Congresswoman Buerkle voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act and will continue to vote to defund it.

Click here to read More on where Ann Marie Buerkle stands on Health Care