XMAS-2009: PUBLIC OPTION "dead" only if *we the people* allow it to die!

[thotzRthingz]

60+ House members said "no public option, no deal" ... please ask them to stand firm ... so far, some say they will ... they need to know that we have their backs!

24 December 2009 - Dem lawmaker: Public option still viable 'if we get loud'
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/73589-dem-lawmaker-public-option-still-viable-if-we-get-loud-

24 December 2009 - 60+ House Democrats Say "Any" Health Bill With No Public Option Is "Unacceptable"
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-sirota/60-house-democrats-say-an_b_403243.html

24 December 2009 - Lee, Woolsey Push for Public Option
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/12/24-2

23 December 2009 - Lawmakers Brace For Conference As House Liberals Vow Not To Give In On Key Issues
http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Daily-Reports/2009/December/23/Conference-and-the-House.aspx


Does anyone know the SIXTY PLUS NAMES? Here's their pledge... we can begin by petitioning the named signatories:

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August 17, 2009

The Honorable Kathleen Sebelius
Secretary, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20201

Dear Secretary Sebelius,

We write to you concerning your recent comments about the public option in health insurance reform.

We stand in strong opposition to your statement that the public option is "not the essential element" of comprehensive reform. The opportunity to improve access to healthcare is a onetime opportunity. Americans deserve reform that is real-not smoke and mirrors. We cannot rely solely on the insurance companies’ good faith efforts to provide for our constituents. A robust public option is essential, if we are to ensure that all Americans can receive healthcare that is accessible, guaranteed and of high-quality.

To take the public option off the table would be a grave error; passage in the House of Representatives depends upon inclusion of it.

We have attached, for your review, a letter from 60 Members of Congress who are firm in their Position that any legislation that moves forward through both chambers, and into a final proposal for the President’s signature, MUST contain a public option.

Sincerely,Raul Grijalva
Co-Chair
Congressional Progressive Caucus

Lynn Woolsey
Co-Chair
Congressional Progressive Caucus

Barbara Lee
Co-Chair
Congressional Black Caucus


source: http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2009/08/17/60-members-of-congress-say-no-public-plan-no-conference/

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[thotzRthingz]

1. do the math... this will be easy... PUBLIC OPTION or NO DEAL!

Pelosi's hand was forced, by these SIXTY PLUS who were committed to a STRONG PUBLIC OPTION... H.R. 3962 narrowly passed by a vote of 220 to 215. We only need a handful of those SIXTY PLUS to insist on a PUBLIC OPTION to be included in whatever compromise will be sent to OBAMA for signature.

People in the senate (such as, SENATOR LIE-BE-MAN) think they've won... let us, and those in the HOUSE who stand with us, show them *we the people* decide (and not BIG CORPORATE BUCKS)!

[thotzRthingz]

2. no public option = no cost containment = reason REFORM was needed to begin with (n/t)

[thotzRthingz]

3. HEALTH CARE-O-LING ... a must see, from moveon.org and youtube.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch/v/ROlp8xifrMI

[thotzRthingz]

4. Think the Senate Passing Health Reform Settles Everything? Think Again:

http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/thegaggle/archive/2009/12/24/after-the-senate-a-blueprint-of-a-final-health-bill.aspx

[thotzRthingz]

5. 23DEC09: Maxine Waters: The House will fight for the public option

http://www.examiner.com/x-24255-San-Diego-City-Buzz-Examiner~y2009m12d23-Maxine-Waters-The-House-will-fight-for-the-public-option

[Echo In Light]

6. K&R

[thotzRthingz]

7. my plea/prayer is a simple one... on this day, let US (you and me) give America the best gift ever:

That is to say: our tireless efforts, petitioning HOUSE MEMBERS and LEADERSHIP to not give in... to INSIST on a PUBLIC OPTION. There's no way OBAMA and the U.S. SENATE will allow this thing to die, they have too much riding on it (especially after celebrating their HISTORIC yet very hollow victory)...

Let us each then, call upon HOUSE MEMBERS to insist upon a PUBLIC OPTION.

The HOUSE passed such a proposal... and there are more than 50 votes in the Senate in support of it as well. If we ACT TODAY, petition CONGRESS, and the WHITE HOUSE... and do not give up... all following generations of Americans will enjoy and remember our gift to them.

What say ye?

[ima_sinnic]

8. rec & kick for a truly optimistic post--even I feel positive after reading it (nt)

[thotzRthingz]

9. thanks for the K&Rs ... however, I find it difficult to believe:

that of so many DUers, so very few are willing to fight on. <...sigh...>

Even of those who celebrate what they call HISTORIC action, by the Senate... are unwilling to put just a little more effort into this? It will not be difficult, but it also will not happen unless *WE* make it so.

OBAMA, the U.S. Senate, and members of the HOUSE await your call... just do it! The VOTES are already "there", in both the HOUSE and SENATE... they just need some prodding, and the knowledge that *WE* have their backs.

NO WORD from you, means you are willing to allow the FOR-PROFITs to have their way... and I can not believe that is what YOU want. Please, take this VIRAL, make it happen... give a real GIFT to all future generations of Americans.

Peace & Light

[glitch]

13. You should re-post. Early Christmas morning probably not the high volume viewage this deserves. :)

Plus by the time I saw it I didn't get to R it and I would like to.

[cali]

10. Put it in and you won't get the 60 votes you need in the Senate.

The Assholes, LIEberman and Nelson will filibuster with the pukes.

[thotzRthingz]

11. I appreciate and respect your input, however

This only needs 51 votes.

REID can changes the rules anytime he chooses, other Senate majority leaders have done so. And there are more than 50 Senators who will support it. Besides, once this thing comes out of "conference" ... if the SENATE refuses to pass it, they can choose to allow it to die... or they can take the necessary action to PASS it.

It is *we the people* who must decide this... all I'm asking is that the HOUSE "call the Senate's bluff" ... it won't hurt to wait a few more days to see how it turns out (and I believe a public option is destined to be in the BILL which gets sent to OBAMA for signature).

Yes, I know many people "think" that is impossible... and it is that "thinking" which will make it so. All we need do is CHANGE our own thinking, and we can create whatever we want to be manifested.

Have faith... make some calls, write some emails... and watch something truly HISTORIC unfold before our very eyes.

Peace & Light

[thotzRthingz]

12. c'mon folks... we took both houses of congress in 2006, added to that majority in

2008... and put a relatively UNKNOWN freshman Senator in the White House... forcing CONGRESS to do our bidding (i.e., including a public option, and other cost-containment measures such as: generic and reimporting of prescription drugs, and repealing the health insurance industry's exemption from federal regulation) ... is EASY. All we have to do is make our voice heard... our silence allows the voice of BIG CORPORATE BUCKS to remain both unchallenged and dominant.

Let's do this!

[mmonk]

14. We need to kick this all the time until the final bell.

[thotzRthingz]

15. thanks for the bump mmonk (here's an email which I sent to my undisclosed recipients list today)

Subject: Regardless of what is being said, the health care PUBLIC OPTION is not dead!

Greetings all,

Many "talking heads" and some congressional members are telling America that there can be no public option. This is the result of BIG CORPORATE BUCKS buying congressional influence and media air-time. DO NOT believe these mis-informers. What comes out of the HOUSE & SENATE "reconciliation" process CAN and WILL include a PUBLIC OPTION... if *we the people* will only speak up, loudly and clearly!

*WE* only need to continue reminding President Obama, and Congressional members, of their promises and pledges... and also let them know that *WE HAVE THEIR BACKS* (come re-election time)!

More than 50 U.S. Senators support a PUBLIC OPTION (ref: http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20091223/pl_politico/30927)

60 members of the House of Representatives pledged: "no public option = no deal" (http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2009/08/17/60-members-of-congress-say-no-public-plan-no-conference)

President Obama himself, on 17 July 2009, said: "Any plan I sign must include an insurance exchange -- a one-stop shopping marketplace where you can compare the benefits, costs, and track records of a variety of plans -- including a public option to increase competition and keep insurance companies honest."

As things currently stand, there is a real possibility that there will be NO PUBLIC OPTION... but ONLY is *we the people* choose to remain SILENT and allow the health care FOR-PROFITs to have their way. I will not remain silent! I hope that you will join me, and 1000s of others who also will not remain silent.

What should *WE* be doing? Listed below are some suggestions... please FOLLOW THROUGH ... and PLEASE pass this information along to others (friends & enemies alike).

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SIGN THIS PETITION TODAY: http://yeswestillcan.org also consider SIGNING THIS: http://www.gopetition.com/online/30846.html

Repeatedly CALL+WRITE to your elected officials. Here's the CONTACT information for:

House of Representatives: https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml
(contact your Congressional Rep, also contact the following key House members)

Nancy Pelosi - Speaker of the House: http://www.speaker.gov/contact
Raul Grijalva - Co-Chair Congressional Progressive Caucus: http://grijalva.house.gov
Lynn Woolsey - Co-Chair Congressional Progressive Caucus: http://woolsey.house.gov
Barbara Lee - Co-Chair Congressional Black Caucus: http://lee.house.gov

(the latter three signed the letter to Secretary Sebelius, on behalf of 60 Members pledging unwavering support for a Public Option)

Senators: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
(contact BOTH of your Senators, also contact the Senate majority leader)

Harry Reid - Majority Leader: http://reid.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm
(ask him to contact the 50+ Senators who he KNOWS support the Public Option)

President Obama: http://www.whitehouse.gov/CONTACT
(OBAMA can influence "reconciliation" and he WILL NOT allow this thing to fail)


P.S.
Also, not a bad idea (?)... would be YOUR letters to editors of newspapers, and YOUR letters/calls to the major MEDIA (radio, cable, local broadcast stations).

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DO THIS -- AND PASS IT ON ... I thank you, and all future generations of Americans will thank you as well!