Dear Senators, Is your August recess so important that you would delay health care reform?

[Writer]

Cancel your town hall meetings, vacations, fund raisers and other public appearances and FINISH YOUR JOBS.

That's what Americans do. You can do that, too.

[villager]

1. according to Reid, today: Yes

n/t

[Orsino]

2. I think they have some socialized medical appointments to take care of that month. n/t

[berni_mccoy]

3. Thousands of Americans will die because they can't afford healthcare while the Senators vacation

[karynnj]

6. Do you think the implementation date will be different if it is done in September vs August

Rather than whine because they are leving, why not use it. Demand that your Senators and Congressperson have town halls on this. If 70% of the people back it and are passionate about it because it is their health, demand they face their constituents.

People fear that this gives the opponents a month to advertise and get their talking heads everywhere, but the Democrats can use that time and we have the President who they have to cover! This would be different if it were something where the Republicans really were the ones the public supports, but that is not the case.

If we are out speaking to our officials, there will be more of us than there will be the tea bag nuts.

[berni_mccoy]

9. The delay jeopardizes passing the reform this year (there are only 21 days after recess left)

If that happens, the start date of the policy will likely be delayed.

[dflprincess]

4. On the other hand,

as a rule at least part of the recess is used to connect with voters. Around here most the connecting takes place at parades, county fairs and the state fair.

It's one thing for us to write and call but if they see enough of us in person that really gets a message across. There are some of us who are hoping to arrange one of our "meet-ups" at Amy Klobuchar's state fair booth. (A couple years ago she and her staff got an earful from the public about her first FISA vote - and that vote changed the next time FISA came up.)

As long as they'll still be debating the issue in September, we need to use this opportunity to let them know that what we really want is single payer and we expect any public option passed this time to be a meaningful step in that direction. And, to make it clear that it is not acceptable for it to be years before the public option is open to everyone. (Also, let 'em know that we're well aware that they have great taxpayer subsidized healthcare and ask why we can't have the same thing.)

[oviedodem]

5. They don't want a bill b/c industry says so.

[old mark]

7. You all are acting like they give a fuck.

If they did, we would have had this 50 years ago.

They are in it for the money, and the money is with the insurance companies.



mark

[Sebastian Doyle]

8. Thom Hartmann just pointed out something interesting

He says the President has the constitutional authority to demand that the House or Senate or both stay in session under extraordinary circumstances.

But will Obama play that card?

Article II, section 3

He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information on the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of the United States.