Day 6 preparation for "Call Harry Reid and Max Baucus" day on July 22, 2009.

[PretzelWarrior]

Well, This is going to be a long battle. Obama has moved the emphasis from "legislation passed in both houses by August" to "major legislative action by August recess". He's focusing on "Health care reform legislation passed and signed into law by end of year.

That means we need to be organizing whether here in DU, with our local advocates, or national efforts including marches to Capitol Hill. The United States citizens have the ability to be a tsunami the politicians cannot ignore. This is one of those issues.

ANYTHING WE CAN DO in the next MONTH to put pressure on.....see how things go....and then hit it big time in September/October will be key. By far the earlier we call the more likely we get our voices heard at a time when there's still something to negotiate.

UPDATES: I have emailed contact emails for CBS News, NBC News, ABC News, The News Hour with Jim Lehrer, New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today, LA Times, Huffington Post, and Daily Kos.


Here is contact information for Max Baucus:

Max Baucus Phone [phone]

Max Baucus Fax [phone]

Here is contact information for Harry Reid:

Harry Reid Phone [phone]

Harry Reid Fax [phone]

Some great resources for you to get info back to Obama team on how your call went as well as other ways to get actively involved in Health Care debate.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/health-care-action-center/?source=feature

Important points about calling these senators' offices that I reworked from the information on the "Organizing for America" website:

----------------------------------------
Be polite, respectful and clear.
Introduce yourself to whoever answers the phone and let them know you are aware of their leadership roles in the health care debate.

Tell them you are calling to say that you strongly support President Obama’s three principles for health care reform in 2009. Congress must pass a plan that reduces costs, guarantees choice – including the choice of a robust public insurance option – and ensures quality care for every American.

Ask if Reid/Baucus also supports these three principles. And ask that they take the lead in fighting entrenched and wealthy interests who wish to see meaningful health care watered down or doomed.


Friday's 3rd post on the subject

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/PretzelWarrior/17

2nd Post on the subject

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/PretzelWarrior/16

1st Post on the subject

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/PretzelWarrior/14

[pinto]

1. And if two different bills (a House version and a Senate version) exist at recess,

see your Congressional representatives at home over the break and make your voice heard.

Representatives and Senators will surely be scheduling office hours in-state, and the distractions will be fewer than in DC.

:kick:

[PretzelWarrior]

2. VERRRYYY good point. I will be trying to find out about September actions in D.C. and elsewhere...

but getting to a Q&A with your congressperson or Senator or some other function where you can let your voice be heard is a powerful idea. Especially if you videotape it and your Republican senator calls you macaca. ;)

[PretzelWarrior]

3. Here's Congressman Wu's schedule upcoming

WU HOLDS TOWN HALL MEETINGS THROUGHOUT 1st DISTRICT

Congressman Wu is holding town hall meetings throughout the 1st Congressional District this summer to answer your questions and discuss ways he is working to create jobs, improve education, and strengthen our economy.

Join Congressman Wu at the town hall meeting that's most convenient for you:

June 30, 6:00-7:00

Tualatin Hills Nature Park Interpretive Center; 15655 SW Millikan Way, Beaverton
July 1, 6:00-7:00

Sherwood Police Department; 20495 SW Borchers Drive, Sherwood
August 10, 5:00-6:00

McMinnville Police Station; 121 SW Adams Street, McMinnville
August 11, 12:00-1:00

Good Samaritan Hospital, Building 2 Auditorium; 1040 NW 22nd Avenue, Portland
August 13, 4:00-5:00

Seaside Public Library; 1131 Broadway, Seaside
August 14, 4:00-5:00

Columbia Learning Center; 375 South 18th Street, St. Helens

http://www.house.gov/wu/

It is very easy to google your congressperson's home page and find info on their planned town hall activities in the upcoming break.

[pinto]

4. LOL. Like doubling the coupons at your local supermarket.

But series...

I think at this point Obama *is* looking to push the House and Senate to wrap up their versions of a health care bill, go into recess, and complete a final to pass before the end of the year. It's a good tactical approach, imho.

[PretzelWarrior]

5. you may be right about their intent to push like August was the big deadline

then give the congressmen a chance to push back a little and still "give ground" despite getting what they probably wanted as a target all along--health care by end of 2009.

If that is the case, it will be a great thing for us as Americans who contend with expensive health care and diminishing returns for what we pay out...it will also be great politically for the Democratic Congress to have this legislation in place for 2010. Also, the height of stimulus package should be kicking in that year.

[PretzelWarrior]

6. shameless self kick

I must admit I am surprised these posts or types of activities aren't more important to "activists" on places like DU. Just interesting.