Christmas Eve Message from President Obama & a "Thank you"

[Cha]

to the Senators who made this possible..

Cha --

Although it's Christmas Eve, I wanted to share some exciting news: The Senate just passed a historic health reform bill.

In all the back and forth, it's easy to lose sight of what this incredible breakthrough really means. But consider this: This Christmas, there are millions of Americans without health insurance who risk losing everything if they get sick.

There are mothers and fathers who wonder how they'll provide for their children because an illness has wiped out their savings. There are small business owners who worry that they'll have to lay off a long-time employee because the cost of insurance is rapidly rising.

If we finish the job, all this can change. We will have beaten back the special interests who have for so long perpetuated the status quo. We will have enacted the most important piece of social policy since the Social Security Act in the 1930s, and the most important health reform since Medicare in the 1960s.

In Decembers to come, millions more will have access to affordable coverage. Parents will have the security and stability of knowing their insurance can't be revoked at a moment's notice. And the skyrocketing costs plaguing our small businesses will be brought under control.

When you make calls, write letters, organize, this is the change you're making -- a better life for your family and for men and women in every state.

There is still more to do before I can sign reform into law -- a last round of negotiations and final votes in the Senate and the House -- and I'm counting on your help every step of the way. But for now, I hope that as you celebrate this holiday season, you remember that the work you are doing is making our union more perfect, one step at a time. For that, I am grateful to you.

Merry Christmas and happy holidays,

President Barack Obama

P.S. -- Organizing for America supporters are signing a note of appreciation to all the senators who have worked so hard to make this possible. I hope you'll join them:

http://my.barackobama.com/SenateLetter

[Undercurrent]

1. Thanks.

Just zipped off a thank you message.

[Cha]

2. Thanks Undercurrent~

I thought it was a rather nice gesture:)

[Hekate]

6. Here's mine, using the handy link provided by an unhappy critic of the Prez...

Dear Mr. President:

Just a note of appreciation for all of your hard work and the accomplishments thereof. I have been paying attention this year and I have a sense of how far you and we have come.

Health Care Reform is not yet fully accomplished, and given the power of the insurance corporations, it's doubtful when it will be fully done. BUT Congress has made a good start, and I do believe it can be built upon the way other social programs have.

I am sorry that parts of the left-wing blogosphere seem to have lost its collective mind; but all I can say is, most of us voted for you because we trust your judgment and your character, and that is still the case. I do not have to agree with everything you decide to do, in order to still respect your judgment.

I'm glad you made it back home for Christmas with your ohana and aikanes.

Sincerely yours,

>Hekate by another name<

[Cha]

7. That's a great note to the Prez, Hekate~ There's

a link in the OP that Obama provided us to thank the Senators who worked so long and hard to get us this Bill passed to take to Conference. :)

[Hekate]

8. Thanks. Done and sent this...

To the Senators:

> Just a note of appreciation for all of your hard work and the accomplishments thereof. I have been paying attention this year and I have a sense of how far we have come under the leadership of President Obama.

Health Care Reform is not yet fully accomplished, and given the power of the insurance corporations, it's doubtful when it will be fully done. BUT Congress has made a good start, and I do believe it can be built upon the way other social programs have.

Given the sheer number of individuals and families in deep financial trouble and deep health trouble from lack of access to health care, it is very urgent that the final bill be as good as possible for this time, and that a significant portion of its provisions take effect *immediately*. This is not only to benefit those in need but to benefit those of you who will be running for re-election this year, as I am sure you are aware.

Please bend every effort to rein in the power and greed of the insurance corporations. They have the so-called "death panels" and they are literally killing us.

Again I thank you for what you have done thus far. <

[Cha]

9. Thanks, Hekate..

it meant enough to the Pres to ask us to thank the Senators:)

[goclark]

3. How anyone could believe that he would not want the Bill to be even

better os beyond my ability to think about ~ why wouldn't he want to have everything in the Bill that he hoped for during the campaign.

Hello?

He does not control the Senate, he has to work with the deck he was given and there are some mighty mean thugs in there.

[Cha]

4. President Obama is a handy

scapegoat for those who can't be bothered with pesky details.

[Lindsey]

5. Thanks for posting. n/t