By THE WASHINGTON TIMES

If the complete government takeover of America’s health care system is to be stopped, the battle will be over federal funding for abortion. That important fight could still prove the stumbling block for the Democrats’ socialist health care bill.

The pressure is now back on the House of Representatives. Eleven of the Democrats who voted for the House version of the health care bill have repeatedly stated that they did so only because the bill contained firm language banning use of taxpayer funds to support abortion. Indeed, those 11 signed a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi stating that they “cannot support any health care reform proposal unless it explicitly excludes abortion from the scope of any government-defined or subsidized health insurance plan.”

There is also one Republican, Louisiana Rep. Anh “Joseph” Cao, who voted for the House health bill but who will now oppose it without a prohibition on government-funded abortions. Read Full Article!

By Lydia Saad

PRINCETON, NJ — The increased conservatism that Gallup first identified among Americans last June persisted throughout the year, so that the final year-end political ideology figures confirm Gallup’s initial reporting: conservatives (40%) outnumbered both moderates (36%) and liberals (21%) across the nation in 2009.

More broadly, the percentage of Americans calling themselves either conservative or liberal has increased over the last decade, while the percentage of moderates has declined.

Since 1992, there have been only two other years — 2003 and 2004 — in which the average percentage of conservatives nationwide outnumbered moderates, and in both cases, it was by two percentage points (in contrast to the current four points).

“The proportion of independents calling themselves “moderate” held relatively steady in the mid-40s over the last decade, while the proportion of Republican and Democratic moderates dwindled.” The rather abrupt three-point increase between 2008 and 2009 in the percentage of Americans calling themselves conservative is largely owing to an increase — from 30% to 35% — in the percentage of political independents adopting the label. Read full article!

The Young Conservatives Coalition will be awarding 10 young professional conservatives who’ve made a significant contribution to the conservative movement at large or in their home state at the next Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in February 2010.

These awards will recognize the unique contributions young conservatives play in the movement and will highlight their successes, while also honoring William F. Buckley Jr. – a conservative movement leader/icon who founded National Review and wrote God and Man at Yale all before the age of 30.

Nominee Requirements:

1. Must be between the ages of 18-40;
2. Must be nominated (nominees can nominate themselves);
3. Made a significant contribution to the conservative movement at large or in their home state by (one of the following):
a. Leading and/or organizing a significant grassroots and/or media initiative;
b. Contributing meaningfully to an influential election (on staff or volunteer);
c. Utilizing new techniques and/or technologies to advance the conservative cause;
d. Displayed courage under fire

Please scan/email nomination form to Info@TheYCC.org or mail to YCC, 801 15th St. South, #1609, Arlington, VA 22202. All nominations must be submitted by Friday, February 6, 2010.