Calling All DUers, Calling All DUers, ALL DUers. I Need Your Help/Suggestions

[Dinger]

Russ Feingold is going to be at a listening session this afternoon. I am planning on going. I just found out (Thank you Mr. Dinger!). He went with friends to a state high school basketball tournament, and Mom and I went to see Willie Nelson in Appleton. It was a great day indeed. One of our friends (the wife) is a rwinger. Her husband is a good Democrat. Anyway, this morning I was asking Mr. Dinger "What's new (with our friends)?" He said "Sue" was saying that Russ Feingold was going to be at a listening session, and she wanted to bitch to him about "spending money." Now, she is usually pretty reasonable, and we rarely talk politics. when we do, it is not a problem. She is a rural route carrier and listens to "talk radio" all day, so I pretty much know her views. I am guessing that she is a tea partier, about to come out of the closet. She will be very surprised to see me there. We have had good political discussions, and respect each others' views (at least to each others' face). This is in a very small venue, a town hall out in the country. Also, it is at 3:15 (a little over 4 hours from now), so since that will likely be after "the vote" today, I am thinking it will be very busy. Well, here's what I'd like your help with, and I will give a full report with pictures and video to share afterwards.

1. What questions would you like me to ask? I want to ask about education policy, health care (mandate, public option, single payer, etc.).

2. Do you have any great counterpoints/ talking points to counter bullshit about "socialized medicine" birther horseshit, and other crap
like that. I will take notes before I go and will be prepared., and will use anything I get here.


Now, many of you here know my views, but it is also time for me to REALLY come out of the closet to my friend (She is my friend). I just found out about this, so I hope I can do justice to my views and yours.


P.S> If I'm on your ignore list, you might want to give me a 1-day furlough.

[Dappleganger]

1. LOL, why would anyone ignore you??

*snicker*

If it was me, I'd ask questions having to do with how much money it costs the country as a WHOLE (all of us) to pay for the uninsured. Ask about how the uninsured's numbers have GROWN due to the terrible economy. Ask about how even WITH insurance that people are paying huge amounts of money for co-pays and deductibles, or being denied health care when they do have the money to pay for insurance.

[monmouth]

3. Wow, great questions...I'd stay home, beg illness and watch C-SPAN...LOL...n/t

[ProSense]

2. Are you going to be encouraging him to

vote against reform?

Feingold Statement on the President's Health Insurance Reform Proposal

Monday, February 22, 2010

“Given the bad economy and record deficits, our top priorities must be creating jobs and getting our federal budget under control. One way we can address long-term deficits is by fixing our broken health care system, as runaway health care costs take too high a toll on American taxpayers and businesses.

“I look forward to reviewing the president's proposal carefully. It reportedly cuts the deficit by $100 billion over the next ten years and $1 trillion in the decade after that, but we can and should save even more. It also curbs the worst abuses in the health insurance industry like huge rate hikes and denial of coverage for preexisting conditions. It protects seniors by closing the Medicare donut hole and it preserves choice so Americans can keep their doctor and health care plan if they want. I am also pleased that the bipartisan health summit on Thursday will be televised and out in the open where it belongs. After listening to the people of Wisconsin, it is clear that they want reform that creates competition and accountability for insurance companies and lowers costs for hardworking families and small businesses.”

[proud2BlibKansan]

4. Similar problem here

My friend is a doctor and he shut up when I asked him how he got through med school without learning critical thinking.

In your case does she work for the govt? Call her a socialist. That ought shut her right up:)

[Dinger]

14. She's A Rural Route Carrier

So, yes she works for the government.:evilgrin:

[Luminous Animal]

5. Have you looked at Feingold's senate website?

I'd check it out, then I'd formulate some questions about the bills and amendments that he's backed and that he's backing that have "populist" appeal. That would give him the opportunity to highlight accomplishments.

[Dinger]

15. I Am Doing That Now

Getting questions from DU and from his website.

[gateley]

6. Is he not going to be at the vote - or is this at another time? nt

[grantcart]

8. Today is the House not the Senate

[gateley]

9. I knew that, but it got lost in my confused frazzled brain. Thanks! nt

[grantcart]

7. Tell Russ that you are deeply disappointed that the media has been saturated

with so many lies about our proposals.

But the key issue is with the abuse of the filibuster (the first filibuster was in 1841 - 1 in 60 years) and with the population drift (California with two Senators has more people and only 2 Senators while the smallest 20 states have 40 Senators) is distorting the original compromise that was the foundation for the Senate (protecting small states) why not have the Senate change the rules for the next Senate.

At the time of the constitution small states could stop legislation with votes from 30% of the population. Now they can stop it with only 17% of the population. With the filibuster Senators from small states can stop the legislation with only 10% of the population.

The Senate can adopt new rules and eliminate the filibuster (100 years ago it was reduced from 66 to 60) with 51 votes.

The filibuster does not exist in the constitution and in fact doesn't even exist in Senate rules.

This thread on making Senators stand in the well for filibuster http://journals.democraticunderground.com/grantcart/241

Facts about the filibuster: A modern invention that allows veto by 10%.
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/grantcart/234

Final bit of advice forget about your friend being there and just concentrate on communicating with the Senator. You will have other chances to discuss with your friend. If you want to keep your friendship I suggest that you pick a subject that you have done a lot of research on and talk to her one on one. Listen to her points and keep correcting her on her factual mistakes. If she is willing to listen to facts and consider them then the friendship can be saved and you can agree to disagree. If she won't listen to facts then she really isn't the friend you thought she was.

Good luck

[Dinger]

16. I Am

concentrating with the Senator. Dang, I met one of my U.S. Senators yesterday, and will meet one today! I'm getting dizzy (er).

[waiting for hope]

10. Definitely education ..

Ask him if there is justification for NCLB since all of the schools are struggling and eventually, all will be the bottom 5% ..

[CTyankee]

11. You might want to employ a little of the Socratic method.

A simple question might be "How can you call it health care when insurance companies can refuse to cover you if you get sick?"

Then just fall silent and let her answer. Don't let her wriggle out of the question. Don't let her change the subject. You can say "But, Jane, you didn't answer my question. I really want to know how you can call it health care." Again, fall silent.

This sort of questioning can be done nicely but firmly...I doubt if she'll walk away hating you and you might get to thinking a bit harder...

[dembotoz]

12. just be supportive and vocal if the tea baggers show up.

[jotsy]

13. My three swings.

On health care; If we're liberators, is there any way to liberate doctors from the insurance industry and shouldn't that mandate a profit free system?

On education; can we make the most of our future using the current model? (which really can't be characterized because of its constant state of flux) If the concentration at schools is restricted to core academics fail to feed the body's need or fill the creative void, doesn't it make sense to support more networking between parks departments and school districts? Is there any way to stop the powers that be from considering the U-scan approach as a substitute for teachers?

And lastly, without the equal application and enforcement of the rule of law, what point is there abiding by it? Wall St and Washington have engaged in an enormous embezzling endeavor that has eaten the entire economy and will get bonuses/campaign contributions. Meanwhile, a man in California goes to prison over a 4 pound block of cheese? Has the truth ever been so far flung from what is just?

Forgot one, where's the plan to return my bill of rights? Is there one? Shouldn't there be one?

Perhaps questions better for a meaty dinner rather than coffee and pie conversation.

Have a good talk.

[Dinger]

17. So Far, This Is What I Have:

I have to go soon. Wish I had more time. Thank you everyone.

Questions/Comments For Senator Feingold

Health Care
1. How much money does it cost the country as a WHOLE (all of us) to pay for the
uninsured?

2. How and why is it that the unsured’s numbers have GROWN do to the terrible
economy?

3. How is it that even WITH insurance, people are paying huge amounts of money
for co-pays and deductibles, or being denied health care when they do have money
to pay for insurance?

4, If we're liberators, is there any way to liberate doctors from the insurance
industry and shouldn't that mandate a profit free system?

5. What will happen to people who do not buy health insurance (mandate)?

6. Please explain how a robust public option or single payer health care could
save the taxpyers money.


Education

1. What is your position on charter schools? Merit pay? RTTT has a seek and
destroy mission on public schools. Also, with it’s narrow focus (blame teachers),
can’t there be a more broad and comprehensive approach to save public educaiton?

2. How do you feel about the decision for all the teachers to be fired in Cenral Falls, RI? The closing
of schools across the country?

3. Teachers have had little input on current proposals on educaiton reform.
I find it very discouraging that Obama and Duncan support the idea that
funding for education should be a competition and not a right for all children.
The way that schools are funded here in Wisconsin is not fair for all students.
I want to hear the needs of rural schools, particularly rural schools districts
with a high poverty rate, be addressed. Much, if not all, of what I hear
addresses urban schools, which have issues, but our (rural) issues are not the
same. They are unique. What can you do for rural schools districts in
Wisconsin and across the contry?

4. Since by process of elimination, all public schools will eventually be in the lowest
5% ... , how do you justify NCLB since it was designed to fail the public school
system?



Filibuster

1. Invoke Standing Senate RuleXXII
In current practice, Senate Rule 22 permits filibusters in which actual continuous floor speeches are not required, although the Senate Majority Leader may require an actual traditional filibuster if he or she so chooses. This threat of a filibuster where no floor speech and no quorum is required may, therefore, be more powerful than an actual filibuster, which would require attendance by a quorum of Senators as well as the physical presence of the Senators speaking.

Previously, the filibustering senator(s) could delay voting only by making an endless speech. Currently, they only need to indicate that they are filibustering, thereby preventing the Senate from moving on to other business until the motion is withdrawn or enough votes are gathered for cloture.


2. Leave the issue on the agenda indefinitely.

A filibuster can be defeated by the governing party if they leave the debated issue on the agenda indefinitely, without adding anything else. Indeed, James Strom Thurmond's own attempt to filibuster the Civil Rights Act was defeated when Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield refused to refer any further business to the Senate, which required the filibuster to be kept up indefinitely. Instead, the opponents were all given a chance to speak, and the matter eventually was forced to a vote.


5. Schedule the Senate to meet 7 days a week and no holiday breaks.

Simply schedule the Senate to meet in permanent session - No Thanksgiving breaks, no Sunday breaks and no Christmas breaks.
The result of these three steps would mean that the Republicans and the traitor known as Lieberman would have to maintain a 24/7 filibuster.
No other Senate business, including funding for the government, the war, or their own pet projects could be considered.
When it comes to an actual physical filibuster these scoundrels don't last long. Strom Thurmond's filibuster of the Civil Rights Act of 1957 lasted only 24 hours and 18 minutes.
This would have numerous benefits. It would result in a public humiliation of the traitor Lieberman and it would show that the Republicans are paper tigers - they are willing to blow hard but they will not be actually sustain a filibuster that ruins their schedule with their mistresses.
It would also bring attention to the ludicracy of the filibuster, the relatively modern misuse of it and the extraordinary power small unpopulated states have that have resulted in the Senate becoming increasing less democratic in principle.
Short of tar and feathering it is the best way to expose them and humiliate them on a large stage.

[grantcart]

18. On the filibuster

Go for the fences - in the next Senate can write its own rules with only 51 votes.

Specifically Senator Udall and others are saying write a new set of rules with simple majority rule



http://newmexicoindependent.com/45162/udall-wants-senate-to-decide-on-the-filibuster

[eridani]

19. Ask him what justifies charging older people three times as much for crappy insurance n/t