We are down to the wire. President Obama came out once again yesterday supporting the public option despite disappointing voting results on both the Rockefeller and Schumer’s public option amendments. It was another embarrassing display of the dysfunction that has become the mainstay for Democratic Party discipline.
Why is it so incredibly hard for Democrats to work out a unified message behind closed doors and come out as a vigilant force for the American people? Is anyone else not completely, if not insanely, infuriated by how much this is damaging our collective chance of passing legislation that will include a public option?
I personally have called and emailed all members of Congress who have a direct impact on this legislation. I started a Facebook page. I have written blogs and form letters to any relevant friend, organization, and rhinoceros I thought would make a difference. I have gotten in mad arguments with self-proclaimed conservatives. I have supported campaigns. I have done what so many others have done – in this I know I am not alone.
Yet, here we all are. I feel a tense, nervous condition mounting inside me as I see each vote come and go without a conclusive sign the public option will indeed pass. There is speculation it will come together in committee under the Democratic leadership there. Don’t get me wrong; I have a lot of faith in several members on the HELP committee, especially Patty Murray (D-WA). However, the fact it is coming down to the 11th hour and their hasn’t been Democratic solidarity up to this point, I don’t feel an overwhelming sense of confidence either.
Five Democratic Senators voted “No” today without a clear explanation as to why they were not supporting the public option. Please keep them on your phone and email lists:
- Bill Nelson D-Fl
- Blanche Lincoln D-Ark
- Kent Conrad D-N.Dak
- Max Baucus D-Mont
- Tom Carper D-Del
With rogue Democrats on the loose, especially the unabashedly selfish Senator Max Baucus, are these political players capable of sidelining the most important piece of legislation in this century? Can a few corrupt people hold an entire system hostage? Joan Walsh made the point yesterday in her piece, “Baucus didn't vote against the public option despite the fact that it would ‘hold insurance companies' feet to the fire, but because it would.”
Nothing will feel worse than having legislation pass without the public option included. It feels like many Americans are now just waking up to how intense this situation really is, either because they have been buffered until now, or the media attention has become intense enough they are now being forced to look.
The question I keep asking myself is, "what more can I do?"
I DON’T WANT TO BE A LAME DUCK CITIZEN!
As much as I despise the methods behind the madness of the Republican Party, I can say one thing in their favor, for better or worse, they know how to enforce party discipline. I’m not sure this is the best virtue to have above all else, but right now it would certainly help Americans if Democrats had a little more of it.
In the comment thread to Joan’s article, I suggested a March on Washington akin to a Martin Luther King, Jr. march, like the freedom march in 1963. Several people on the forum asked me to name the date? It wasn’t the first time I had mentioned gathering like this; but I was shooting from the hip in response to Joan's post. Then I thought, "if this isn’t the time to let politicians who are resting on their laurels in their finely-clad-offices-decorated-by-insurance-industry-payoffs, know Americans will not quit until they receive the Public Option they deserve, when will there be a better time?" This unified message needs to come to them.
I believe we need to put our futures back into our own hands to insure ourselves with “Change We Can Believe In”. As Obama once campaigned, we need to bring the change to Washington, not sit back and wait for these comfortable politicians to do a job they seem all to willing to ignore. It seems we may have a few political stragglers in the herd we need to lasso in.
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your problem is, you don't live in a democracy, and the other people don't want to be citizens, they are content to be serfs.
incidentally, the democrat party is not a football club. each elected politician seeks his personal advantage, which often involves a wide variety of actions regarding any particular public question.
worse, every politician literally must lie to succeed in the profession. this corrodes every character, and most are crooked to begin with.
the structure of american society limits the possible actions it can take. the people are not citizen quality, the politicians are corrupt, corporations ultimately run the place with both eyes on the next quarterly report. in short, don't get your hopes up.
For legislation that is important to industries that funnel money to Congress, concerned citizens are locked out. The only thing I see that would have a chance would be to form a PAC, raise money, hire one of the big K Street lobbying firms, and start funneling your PAC's money to the key players.
" Hearings On Health Care Reform at Impasse"
" Megan Fox's Views on Exposing Her Health..how health care reform will effect cosmetic surgery."
My bet is the latter will generate more coverage and sympathy and sad to say more readers. Sorry about that. Generation of a groundswell of public support will not happen, it is a perpetual cycle. Somebody, somewhere, keeps electing and re-electing them. Maybe not, not all of us can be confused at once.
I think I'll contact each of the five listed above and see how much of a donation I would need to make in order for them to support the public option.
WE ELECT THEM! They are in the minority of a vast majority of citizens who want this to pass. Their constituency are some of the very places which need this bill to pass - they simply are too uneducated to realize it. The likelihood that Blanch Lincoln will be reelected is slim to none. Look at the polls. While I appreciate your analogy it isn't a football club, I think that is a far cry from party discipline when we are talking about ethical reform from lobbyist intervention (party of what Obama claimed to want to change in Washington). However, I will borrow the metaphor - these Senators like Blanch Lincoln need to take one for the team - the time is now!
@MarkK - Thanks for your input. I believe we tried that with MoveOn.org. They sold out their "movement" status to those key players and now those players are voting rogue. I think it needs to come independently from the citizens themselves - free from ties to people who want to gain something within the "system."
@Scanner - AMEN! HALLELUIA! ::BROTHER IN ARMS::
@Older/Exasperated - I know you...you are not ready to give up hope that easily!!! Come on now...I have my best cheerleading hat on (and I despise the site of that). Seriously though, points well taken, but I am putting my money on hope.
@Dave - I know, huh??? It leaves a bit of a sour feeling in the stomach.
I think the best thing we can do is pass realy campaign finance reform and go for public funded electioneering. It's the only way. Of course they'll never pass it. Catch 22.
I say I'd like to believe that, because I sure don't. Votes are for sale at every level - with the right lever, you can move a mountain. :(
The job of the Congress is to represent the People on their way to bettering the situation of everyone. Yes we have lost our voice, not because we arent shouting from the treetops, but because we are trying to sing Peter Paul and Mary tunes at a Black Sabbath festival. We are just drown out.
So, the last thing we can do, and I mean this - The Last Thing - left is the march. We need to march in numbers that say what we want in a collective voice louder than the voice United HealthCare can buy (and lord knows they can buy a really loud voice, amplifiers and all).
A march needs to be in 2 stages. Organize one locally. Make the local news. Every city on the same day, like the first Earth Day. Then one massive march on Washington.
I'm in. I am going to start looking for possible organizations and venues tonight. Anyone else? We can use Kate's FB page as a meeting place.
Frame the march in terms of “We want our Government Back” and propose the Swiss type healthcare (as mentioned by Steve Blevins) in which the government does not run or own the insurance program, but rather HEAVILY regulates it, along the lines of a public utility. ( While we the People become once again able to HEAVILY regulate our currently unresponsive “Representatives” ( you guys are beginning to notice that too, huh?))
I’ll help organize my side. We the People strike again.( Maybe we need a literal “Strike”)
@Stella - thanks. Loved the speech by Rep Grayson - it was magnanimous. There are a few people in Congress working for us - he is another example along with Senator Rockefeller. His apology to the "Dead" - loved it.
@John - anything which requires self-generation within Congress at this point is dead. I think the point has been made - we are already owned, it's time to fight back. But, I do like the sight of Max looking that way - he looked like a crooked trial lawyer for sure on Cspan. Asswipe (I've resorted to cussing again - in print only though).
@Jeri - you are so right on "the right leveler". I have had my mind working on that concept for weeks now.
@Tim - I'm in. I will do the same. I will spend tomorrow coming up with some talking points and we can flush them out together. Then I will come up with a post for Friday (and a date). I like the idea of keeping this party neutral, the more I dig in, the more I realize this is about Americans, not about Dems/Repubs. I think too many sides have sold out at different times. This is one thing many of us are standing together on.
@Token - First, Nice2MeetU. I found you at DennisLoo's Blog. He does good work. I like your points for the most part. I think if we can leave pundits at the door all the way around, and previous "movements" with any affiliations, we may be able to talk. The problem with the tea bag movement is some of the people it was affiliated with (Dick Armey for one). Whether the rationale is real or not, their reputations are in question just as much as the legislators. So, this has to be a citizens only movement.
I am completely for coming from both sides of the aisle. Completely. Always have been. If Americans can't do it, I don't know why we think our Congress will, who have much more to gain by not doing so, whereas we have much more to lose.
If you can agree to that, then I say "let's do it." I'll put a post out there and see who else might be in.
Nice to meet you too. I found you at Dennis Loo’s blog as well, I don’t always agree with him, but I have found that anyone who reads him is generally worth reading.
I don’t propose that the march proclaim itself a “Tea Party” or claim affiliation with any “Tea Party” association. The name “Teabagger” is itself a very good example of the divisive nonsense that the media throws into the mix to provoke (extremely coverable) conflict. Speaking as someone who knows people who went to Washington 9/12 and supported why they were going, the majority just wanted to tell the government to stop “Helping” them. (as in we’re from the government and we’re here to help) That doesn’t mean that they don’t see a role for government, they just don’t trust a government that never consults them and shoves one hare-brained scheme after another down their throats.
They aren’t idiots. They know health care could be improved. They have just had enough of the government sitting down with the big money interests and snatching another part of their freedom to run their own lives. I’ve personally discussed the notion of healthcare as a regulated public utility with quite a few “Teabaggers” and the general reaction has been “Why isn’t the Government trying to do something like that instead of take over another private choice?”
Will such a combined “Give us back our government” march ever take place? I don’t know. But it somewhat amuses and somewhat distresses me that the first “Protests” I ever participated in were in the ‘60’s and it was “We the People” of the Left demanding that Johnson give us back our government. It’s funny how “Our Government” seems to have past from Right to Left in that space of time without once ever actually being in “Our” possession
I sent you a PM, but I wanted to publicly say this is a perfect example how if we all just simmer down a bit and talk rationally to one another, we can see we have much more common ground than we realize. And, when we don't, it's no need to throw in the towel. Compromises can be made. Our civility had been hijacked by a few, and I say it is time to take it back. I think that is what this march will be about more than anything. We have decided to move forward.
I am so fed up I want to burst. After reading Nanathey, I just feel overwhelmed by how angry I am.
I totally agree with you, but if it fails, I'm not sure that is reason to bail out on Obama. (Goldwater was still trying to repeal social security) While we may disagree as to whether his strategy has been correct, at least it is clear what side he is on.
"A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy." --Samuel Adams
Civil liberties and Civil Rights both require Civil Discourse and Civility.
Sine qua, non
Civil liberties can only be preserved by moral government.
I need to think on how best to approach demanding a return to civil discourse,
And the return of the power of Government to it’s rightful owners, The People.
And how to define “Moral” government, which is kind of on the order of : for those who recognize the need of it, no explanation is necessary, for those who think Government is by definition, amoral, no explanation is possible.
These are 2 things that I believe the Adults among both the “Liberals” and the “Conservatives” can agree on, if we can only get everyone to quiet down enough to consider their common good.
It’s perhaps too much to hope for much else, but it’s a start.
My problem is “translating” that for My People, the Rural Individualists (Rednecks)Who by definition take a dim view of “City People”(and vice versa)
( civil= Latin “civis”, a city, rural= Latin “rus, rustica, rural” Country- the differences in attitude are of long standing)
It is heartening that you people of this blog “got” my reference to “Lord of the Flies”,
( I’m not accustomed to that- references to such things around my parts mostly gets me a look like a dog watching “Monty Python”)
( which isn’t to say the dog is “dumb”, just, it’s kind of like “So?”)
To help you guys understand “Dog Talk” ( Redneck) I would like to recommend two things. One, my take and what I believe the generalized “Redneck” attitude is, concerning the “Powers that Be” is close to the “Power Elite”
(see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Power_Elite-This is not meant to be definitive, I’m writing my own take, working title “Godless Capitalism”)
The other thing, without turning this into a Cinema Arts class, I would like to be able to discuss the Clint Eastwood movie “Gran Torino”, and I recommend it as a very well thought out presentation of the distinction between Rural Individualism and Racism, in the context of teaching boys to deal with the unfairness and problems of life on the way to becoming “Men”
( You’ll just have to go with the notion of Clint Eastwood being an Ideal Archetype for Redneck Manhood in any of his movies- and he plays the role with an awareness that he is playing an Archetype, not an actual “person”) Renting the video is best, but there are clips on the internet- most instructive are “the barbershop” and “ Get off my lawn” clips)
I recommend this, knowing that many of you will be so offended by the “Racism”, that you will come away more appalled by Rednecks than before, and that’s too bad, but better you should see it in a movie than try to march on Washington with it holding one end of the Banner of Civility- which is gonna be like trying to herd a mixed lot of Bulls and Bears anyway- and I mean real Bulls and Bears, not the wall street variety.
Better you should know what you’re getting into. Realize that most Redneck “Civic Awareness” begins with “Get off my lawn”
Me? I’m not so sure it wouldn’t be better to herd the Bulls in one day, and the Bears the next, and I’m not too sure that a “March” at this stage of mutual understanding isn’t both too much to expect and a disaster waiting to happen, but because I know and like both “Bulls” and “Bears”,(Liberals and Conservatives) and know them both to be decent and caring peoples, it remains an interesting notion.
That, and the current misunderstanding and lack of civility among We The (Factioned) People will tear our Nation apart, unless we all agree that we can be, if nothing else, civil and moral in our discussions.
I recommend we call it the “Samuel Adams” movement and drink lots of beer.
Token - just so you know, I have never lived in a city. I lived in Alaska for 11 years, I am pretty qualified to understand the type. I had to embrace reverse psychology to survive the business ropes up there. The only way to fail in this is to give up hope, however; I am also realistic about strategy. It has to be simple talking points - no baiting - and as I said, non-partisan. It is about keeping emotions in check to some degree and that is something all of us will have to own if we want to be heard, no matter if the language is "get off my lawn" or "I'll sue you for tresspassing."
More later.
( sophisticated city friends, fundamentalist country family and neighbors) and the distrust is thick between the particular groups of people I know- I was hoping the phenomenon wasn't as general as my experience of it has been, but this is also how the Media is playing it ( another group that doesn't past the shot-putted bus test for trust) Looking forward to your views.
That said, I am not sure I understand the point of the Goldwater reference? Referring to his strategy choices, it does elude to his credibility which is why I think many are beginning to jump ship. I personally am more patient than that. However, people (on the left) heard big promises about war withdrawl and torture transparency and Gitmo closing - none of which have come to fruition. These are life and death matters in real-time. What is also lacking is a clear, consistent message as to why these promises have not been fulfilled. Now, as a first term, first year president, he may not feel he owes any one that. As a human being he absolutely does. Even though I am willing to be more patient, I still expect a common sense approach from my President and he has dropped the ball on human rights which was a large campaign promise.
Do I think there are things I don't see? Yes. Do I think we should just pull out of Afghanistan? Personally, No. Do I think he is legitimizing the war Bush created? Yes and No - I think by necessity that is the result.
So, I've gone a bit off track from my post - but we were covering a couple topics carried over from Dennis' blog.
It is nice2meetu and I think you will find a very agreeable conversation as long as there is mutual respect :)
Flash forward 15 years. Working back in Seattle and walking down the hallway with my new boss. I unconsciously refer to him as "sweetie." He gives me a strange look which I didn't understand at the time. Later, we have this funny roast/potluck thing at a holiday where they give out these mock awards. I got the "diner honey" award. He told everyone the hallway story and it was the first time I realized how much it had become second nature to me, yet, here I was back in button-up Seattle where that wasn't common language (I have worked in cities). Yeah...they kind of came to love that about me I guess. :)
****
So, this is what I'm thinking for a name, as it blends to thoughts nicely between what Tim4Change and you said:
"The job of the Congress is to represent the People on their way to bettering the situation of everyone." -Tim
"And the return of the power of Government to it’s rightful owners, The People." -Token
So - how about, "The People's Strike"?
I like it because it is simple and to the point. We are striking against Congress' inability to provide the necessary change for FAR TOO LONG! I think it takes it away from the conversation of "government as a whole", and focuses it on the politicians who are not doing the job we have elected them to do. The government is setup to support the legislation which is passed, ideally of course, but this switches the conversation around a bit. Words are of important order.
The rest of what I'm working out with Tim I would rather talk about over email. We are hammering out a plan and talking points much like what Steve Blevins blog was about (I just read before responding here). I sent you a PM with my email - it is much easier for me to exchange information with you this way if you would like to be more involved. At this point, I think we need you. Are you game?
the Goldwater reference refers to what it takes to have legislation of the scope of social security and medicare, for instance, passed and the measure of regressive thinking that is endemic to the body politic. They will "cling" for no other reason than they fear change, regardless even of their own best interests. I have relatives like that now without a pot to piss in for no other reason than ignorance are adamantly opposed to health care reform.
The battle now really isn't with the "right" in my view. They have been beaten at least on paper. It is with the close-minded ideological left are already disillusioned because their perfect world isn't coming to fruition soon enough. They are as much the reason the country has remained moribund for the last 40ty years as all the "vested interests" and conspiracies concocted by the right.
Obama was elected because he played to moderates and to think that approach is going to change despite all their "strategies" and hollering is foolish. Obama needs support not a bunch of smart rates undermining his efforts.
I do think Obama has been sold out too easily in the media. However, I don't think this is the case on the whole. I hope we can be patient enough with each other to listen and apply a strategy of hopeful incrementalism (listen to each other, and hope to apply a little bit - increment- of moderate strategy).
I don't think the far left is wrong, I think they are tired. Often, they do not understand the necessity of political moderation - if they here it from their fellow citizens, it can help. I don't think they will get it by people yelling at them, they have their moral high ground (and are often not wrong on those points). My $.02.