Today I called the offices of my senators and congresswoman (all Democrats) and expressed my concern regarding the stimulus bill. I said I was especially concerned about the health provision/health rules aspect in the stimulus bill and asked that they consider voting no on the stimulus plan in its current form. (I also said there were a number of other concerns about the package, but the health provision was especially concerning.) All took name and addy info, and indicated they would relay my message to the senators and congresswoman, respectively.
The woman I spoke with in one senator’s office said that the govt. would not be involved in medical care decisions— the senate bill prohibits that. I said that from what I could tell, it opened the door, and I would rather not have it in there. I’ll probably get a letter from that senator going on and on about the safeguards, yadda, yadda, in that calm tone of ‘nothing to see here’ this should allay all your concerns because I’m doing what’s best for the citizens.
For good measure, I also decided to call Arlen Specter’s office. Got through on the second time, but had to hold about 5 minutes. When the person came back on I said that I had a question about the stimulus package. I said I had heard Senator Specter being interviewed where he seemed a little surprised about the health provision nested in the bill— that that was understandable since it seemed as though most didn’t know about it being in there given the bill trying to be rushed through. I continued, “Senator Specter said that he would get this provision clarified, that he made a commitment, and that he wasn’t going to go back on his word and on a commitment. Now that the bill has been revised and is to be voted on again, how has the health provision been clarified?”
She didn’t answer the question. She just said she would relay my comments to the senator. I said to please tell him that if the provision has not been clarified, then to vote no on the stimulus package in order to keep his commitment. She said she would relay my comments. Did not ask for my name or addy, maybe she saw my area code and knew I wasn’t from PA...
(The Specter quote re: the health provision/clarification commitment is from http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2182612/posts )
Thank you very much, green pastures!!