Trap a Blue Dog or Republican with one simple question.

[Tom Rinaldo]

If they oppose "the public option" we must force them to answer:

"Do you support privatizing Medicare, and if not why not, since you oppose even allowing anyone to have a public option under health care reform bills now being considered?"

I believe an aggressive campaign should be started to non stop pepper any member of Congress, Democrat or Republican, with that basic question. We should have a grass roots movement that demands that all of our elected Representatives make their personal views known about Medicare; should it or should it not remain a government run health care program? Don't let any squirm off the hook by saying that Medicare isn't the issue at hand, or by saying now is not the time to consider changes that might disrupt health care services to Seniors. Ask them to at least respond in principle then; do they think that ideally Seniors would be better off today if private insurers provided their health care insurance coverage rather than government run Medicare?

Medicare is not a new small scale social experiment. It has covered tens of millions of Americans for decades. It is completely reasonable to ask Republicans and Blue Dogs whether they believe government run Medicare does as well or better than a privately run program would for our Seniors. If they can't answer that simple question than they are so out of touch about the issue that they should be forced to abstain from voting on any health care insurance issues currently before Congress.

The netroots can force all of our elected officials to state their views on government run Medicare if we make it our priority to do so.

[liberal N proud]

1. Unfortunately many would privatize Medicare

They would turn it into a for profit program telling us all along the way that it will make it more efficient and affordable.

[Tom Rinaldo]

3. Have them tell that to voters faces Now, and watch the reaction of their constituents

They really do not want to go there at this time while they are trying to kill the Public Option. It takes apart all of the their core arguments. If government run health care insurance is such a threat to America, why on Earth have they passively allowing our Seniors to suffer under it for generations? I bet when push comes to shove very few Republicans will gladly tell their voters that they think Medicare should be privatized, though in fact that probably would be their true position.

[rurallib]

4. Most would right now.

[Xipe Totec]

6. Actually they wouldn't. They were given a chance and chickened off right away

Watch Congressman Anthony Weiner put them on the spot:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x345627

[Kelvin Mace]

2. Don't give them any ideas about privatizing Medicare

they would do it in a heartbeat, which they will then charge you $1,000 for, and call it an EKG.

[Xipe Totec]

8. See post #6 n/t

[Tom Rinaldo]

9. They will not do that in a heat beat because...

...that would be even less popular than privatizing Social Security proved to be. Even most of the tea baggers wouldn't stand for it, many of them receive Medicare and LIKE it. The Republicans tried to get young voters on their side regarding Privatizing Social Security, making it a generational war issue, but they can't even try that trick with Medicare. How it is run only effects Seniors and Seniors like it the way it is run and will cry bloody murder if anyone messes with it.

[flor de jasmim]

5. "Would you vote NO on public option if it meant giving up YOUR option as Congressman?"

[sentelle]

7. I think the answer is clear

if Medicare part B and the donut hole is any indication.

[Tom Rinaldo]

10. They try to destroy the public part of anything new proposed

because it is low risk and easy to be an obstructionist when new programs are proposed, but fighting to a program that Tens of millions of Americans already have and like exactly the way it is, that is a completely different political story.