Let's double down---put it all on the table.

[Atticus]

It seems to me that most of us know that the health care issue OUGHT to be a no-brainer. Virtually all the polls not controlled by Fox News or the insurance industry show that a large majority of Americans want a robust public option to be included in any health care reform legislation. Hell, even 50% of REPUBLICANS want a public option. Yet, I've just heard that "well-informed Senate aides" are saying that Senator Reid's office expects that the Senate version will NOT include a public option.

This cannot be the Democratic Party. The party that, for decades, was the conscience of this nation cannot abandon the passion and principles that defined it as the party of the common man. On countless picket lines, in countless marches and demonstrations, good people who needed help in defending themselves against the greed and power and arrogance of the powers that be KNEW that they could count on Democratic Congressmen and Senators to take their side and to carry their banner into the battle.

But, today, many of us are wondering what more could be necessary to let the Democrats know what we, their base, want them to do. Is it possible that they just really don't understand how important---no, essential---we believe the public option to be if there is to be meaningful and effective and efficient health reform?

No, it is not possible.

They understand. But, they're still "considering their options". And, that brings me to my point: If this is what the Democratic Party has come to, what the hell do we have to lose by issuing an ultimatum? If there is no public option in the health care reform legislation, why should we not conclude that the party which many of us have remained loyal to through thick and thin for decades has abandoned us?

If this goes wrong, if 60 senators and a 70-something vote advantage in the House plus the White House don't produce a health care bill that favors people over insurance companies, why should we continue calling ourselves "Democrats" and investing our hearts and cash in a Party which apparently believes we have no place to go?

[grantcart]

1. "well-informed Senate aides" were not well informed

[msongs]

2. can you pay them off with $$ millions in brib...er campaign contributions? that's what counts for

too many of these politicians. they want to keep the perks and cash rolling in and you can get sick and die. they have a great public health plan n u....nah

Msongs

[saracat]

3. Right on. If not NOW,WHEN? We need healthcare NOW.

[Tim01]

4. What are you going to do? Vote for the republicans?

Or just not show up and allow the republicans to win?



BTW The republican voters have their backs against the same brick wall.

[Atticus]

6. So, we should just continue sending in those checks and voting for anyone with a "D" after their

name?
I couldn't bring myself to vote for the likes of Joe Lieberman or Max Baucus. That doesn't mean I'd vote for a Repub, but I'd write in my own name or that of a liberal friend before I'd whore myself out in the name of "party unity".

As for the supposed Repubs with their backs against some wall, they signed up for that shit when they allied themselves with the forces of darkness. I didn't.

[Tim01]

11. What I am talking about.......

is the repubs voting for people with a R after their name because they have no other choice, even if those people don't reflect the repubs point of view.

Forces of darkness.:eyes:

[Nay]

10. Prob vote third party, or not vote at all. I realize many ppl think this is

too drastic, but I believe it is too dangerous to allow the Democratic Party to go this far right. I'd rather break it and start over, and that may mean more years of idiot Republicans.

[Tim01]

12. I wish I had a better solution.

I wish I had ANY idea that I thought was a viable option to the dem/repub back and forth that we seem to be trapped in.
But I don't. I think the corporations are firmly in control.

[peacebird]

5. If the Dems cannot bring a plan to Obama which includes a ROBUST public option

Then the "Dems" have lost my family. We will at that point actively support alternative candidates.

It is not that we are not Dems - we have been active Dem supporters since the 30's (my folks) until the present, but the "Rahm" policy and the DLC have brought so many "centrists" and repuke-lites into the mix that true Democratic change is lost. The Dem party has been moved too far to the right.

If health reform is killed by the Blue Dogs then I must assume that the values of the Democratic party I support no longer matter, and at that point I will no longer vote Dem. If I want to be screwed by the repukes, then I might as well vote for repukes.

I hope it does not come down to that.

[NoSheep]

7. I think it would be more constructive to work towards finding worthy opponents for the DINOs

[Nay]

8. I'm with you, peacebird. Mr Nay and I will do the same thing. Frankly,

if we're to have Pub policies, I'd just as soon the damn Pubs vote the shit in. I don't want to hear for 10 years about how "the dems did it toooooooo!!11!!

For me, it's all or none. The time has come for REAL change. If the Dem Party doesn't want to be in the forefront, well, so be it.

[Atticus]

9. Thanks, We're on the same page. nt