My letter to Senators Cantwell and Murray on HC reform. Probably beating a dead horse, but . . .

[mikeiddy]

Congress Deadlocked Over How To Not Provide Health Care

WASHINGTON—After months of committee meetings and hundreds of hours of heated debate, the United States Congress remained deadlocked this week over the best possible way to deny Americans health care.
"Both parties understand that the current system is broken," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters Monday. "But what we can't seem to agree upon is how to best keep it broken, while still ensuring that no elected official takes any political risk whatsoever. It’s a very complicated issue."

http://www.theonion.com/content/news/congress_deadlocked_over_how_to?utm_source=c-section


________________

Even though the above news story is satirical, I believe it accurately describes my perceptions and likely the perception of of the majority of your constituents. This observation was validated by the results of an online poll recently conducted by Bernie Sanders - as of this morning, a sizeable majority was unhappy with the way BOTH Democrats and Republicans were handling the healthcare debate. Another recent poll suggests a majority of the populace would throw you all out and start over if they could.

After the town hall circuses of August, it is time for Democrats to lead; to come up with a real solution to the healthcare crisis. Notwithstanding what the Republicans (and insurance companies) would have you believe, over 70% of Americans support a public option -- and I think if they were well advised would support Medicare for everyone over the current proposals. If you want to hold on to your seats, now is the time to take bold action -- throw the current proposals out and start over with a new bill that will actually provide for affordable health care for everyone, not just more profits for the insurance companies. Draft a new bill with the solution that is proven to work - Medicare for everyone. Our experience with the existing Medicare program demonstrates that it can deliver quality medical care to a very large population at a lower per capita price than the current private system. Experience with similar systems in other countries reinforces this conclusion. The cost savings in lowered administrative cost would go a long way towards covering the additional costs of adding the presently uninsured. Modest targeted tax increases could make up any shortfall.

I recently received literature from your office that suggest you are in the "bipartisanship" camp. Do not be mislead. There is no bipartisan solution. The Republicans are not interested in anything but handing President Obama, and the Democrats a defeat. You cannot negotiate with those who wish only to bury you. Ignoring this insight will lead not only to no health care reform, but to a rout of Democrats at the polls in 2010 and 2012. On the other hand, I think you will do well, and the party will hold power, if only you propose a bill providing Medicare for everyone, twist arms like LBJ to get a cloture vote even from Democrats that oppose some or all of the bill, and allow the bill to be passed on an up or down vote.

Good luck and Godspeed. I hope you earn my support in the coming elections.

mikeiddy