Straight from the Donkey’s Mouth. Notwithstanding a rash of bipartisan rhetoric, leading Democrats remain committed to a thoroughly partisan approach to health care that is unpopular with 58% of Americans. Consider the following:
* Late last week, Speaker Pelosi made clear her continuing commitment to passing comprehensive, government-run health care legislation, stating that despite opposition, “We will go through the gate. If the gate is closed, we will go over the fence. If the fence is too high, we will pole vault in. If that doesn’t work, we will parachute in.”
* On Sunday, notwithstanding polling to the contrary, White House senior advisor David Axelrod asserted that the American people want health care reform, saying, “They want us to act. They would like us to work together to do it.” In fact, the budget President Obama just sent to Congress assumes health reform will pass.
* During the State of the Union address, President Obama called for Congress to press forward on health care, saying, “Do not walk away from reform. Not now.”
* Chairman of the Senate Health Committee, Senator Tom Harkin revealed just how close lawmakers were to achieving government-run health care. Harkin admitted that in the days prior to Scott Brown’s victory in Massachusetts, Senate and House negotiators reached a final deal on health care reform.
They’re Not Giving Up. According to a Senate leadership aide, senators are aiming to make a decision about how to proceed on health care by the end of this week. The stark political reality is that “most Democrats have already voted for the bill, making them more invested in finishing the job.” Unfortunately, for many Democratic legislators, bad policy passed may be better than bad policy abandoned – regardless of how that policy affects most Americans.
Contact the Stupak Supporters. Sixty-four House Democrats supported the Stupak (abortion) amendment – legislation that doesn’t exist in the Senate version and is unlikely to make it through on reconciliation. As such, these House members might vote against government-run health care if convinced. The 64 supporters were:
Altmire,Baca,Barrow,Berry,Bishop(GA),Boccieri,Boren,Bright,Cardoza,Carney,Chandler,Childers,Cooper,
Costa,Costello,Cuellar,Dahlkempe,Davis (AL),Davis(TN),Donnelly(IN),Doyle,Driehaus,Ellsworth,Etheridge,Gord(TN)Griffith,Hill,Holden,
Kanjorski,
Kaptur,
Kildee,Langevin,Lipinski,Lynch,Marshall,Matheson,McIntyre,Melancon,Michaud,Mollohan,
Murtha, Neal (MA),Oberstar,Obey,Ortiz,Perriello,Peterson,Pomeroy,Rahall,Reyes,Rodriguez,Ross,Ryan (OH),Salazar,Shuler,Skelton,Snyder,Space,Spratt,Stupak,Tanner,Taylor,Teague,Wilson (OH)
Sixteen House Democrats opposed the overall bill but voted for it on partisan lines. They’re ripe for well-placed letters, phone calls, emails and member visits.
Eleven House Democrats are self-described moderates. While they supported the bill during Round 1, Round 15 is getting close-and they may be ready for “change we can believe in.”
Call your Representative today and tell him:
* I am opposed to the “Affordable Health Care for America Act,” or any other legislation that broadens government control over health care.
* I ask you to oppose any legislation that cuts Medicare Advantage, raises taxes, creates new federal bureaucracies, or otherwise increases government involvement in health care.
We’re down to the wire on this government takeover of our healthcare industry. Let us all stand and fight once more.
Bamabelle
