Move-on.org: Holding Health Care Hostage

[FrdmLvr]

I received the following email message today from moveon.org because I'm on their mailing list. As you can see, they're pretty upset that Republicans are holding health care hostage, even though they have the numbers but can't get the votes!

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Dear MoveOn member,

Why are Republicans holding health care hostage?1

More importantly, why are Democratic leaders letting them?

The chair of the powerful Senate Finance Committee, Max Baucus, is refusing to release a bill until he can reach a deal with Republicans2—who are ideologically opposed to a public health insurance option and are stalling as much as they can.

And instead of taking the reins, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid "gave his blessing" to Baucus' latest delay.3

Tomorrow, Senate Democrats are gathering for a special meeting to talk health care.4 It's the perfect time for your senators, Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin, to speak out and tell Sens. Reid and Baucus that allowing Republican obstruction to stop health care reform is just unacceptable.

Can you call Sens. Stabenow and Levin right away? Ask them to tell Sens. Baucus and Reid that allowing Republicans to hold health care hostage is unacceptable.

Senator Debbie Stabenow Phone: 202-224-4822

Senator Carl Levin Phone: 202-224-6221

Report your call

Dear MoveOn member,

Why are Republicans holding health care hostage?1

More importantly, why are Democratic leaders letting them?

The chair of the powerful Senate Finance Committee, Max Baucus, is refusing to release a bill until he can reach a deal with Republicans2—who are ideologically opposed to a public health insurance option and are stalling as much as they can.

And instead of taking the reins, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid "gave his blessing" to Baucus' latest delay.3

Tomorrow, Senate Democrats are gathering for a special meeting to talk health care.4 It's the perfect time for your senators, Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin, to speak out and tell Sens. Reid and Baucus that allowing Republican obstruction to stop health care reform is just unacceptable.

Can you call Sens. Stabenow and Levin right away? Ask them to tell these two Senate leaders that allowing Republicans to hold health care hostage is unacceptable.

Here's where to call: Senator Debbie Stabenow Phone: 202-224-4822

Senator Carl Levin Phone: 202-224-6221

Then click the link below to report your call:

http://pol.moveon.org/call?tg=FSMI_2.FSMI_1&cp_id=1067&id=16719-10389527-cEdaRKx&t=3

All eyes are on Baucus's Senate committee this week—the last of five congressional committees that needs to produce a health care bill. For weeks, he's been saying that he'll have a deal any day now, but he changed his tune last week to say a bill won't be ready until after the Senate August vacation.5 He's delaying the entire health care debate.

Why? Senator Baucus says he won't move forward without Republican support on his committee—and his Republican counterpart, Senator Chuck Grassley, has said he'll only move forward if a Republican like Mike Enzi of Wyoming comes along.6

Senator Enzi—who represents less than 0.2% of the American people7 and is ranked one of the most conservative senators in America8—is effectively in control of the Democratic health care effort.

It's patently ridiculous. Democrats have a 60-vote caucus in the Senate, overwhelming public support for real reform with a public health insurance option, and a progressive president on their side. So why are Republicans able to hold up health care reform?

Can you call Sens. Stabenow and Levin today? Ask them to tell Senate leadership to stop letting Republicans hold health care hostage. Then use the link below to let us know how it went:

http://pol.moveon.org/call?tg=FSMI_2.FSMI_1&cp_id=1067&id=16719-10389527-cEdaRKx&t=4

Thank you for all you do.

–Nita, Kat, Eli, Matt and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Sen. Enzi: No deadline for healthcare talk," The Hill, August 3, 2009 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51710&id=16719-10389527-cEdaRKx&t=5

2. "Politico: Baucus Says No Bill By August Recess," Talking Points Memo, July 31, 2009. http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51709&id=16719-10389527-cEdaRKx&t=6

3. "Sen. Enzi: No deadline for healthcare talks," The Hill, August 3, 2009. http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51710&id=16719-10389527-cEdaRKx&t=7

4. "Senate Dems look for healthcare unity in final week," The Hill, August 3, 2009. http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51707&id=16719-10389527-cEdaRKx&t=8

5. "No Senate Finance bill before recess," Politico, July 30, 2009. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25648.html 6. "Politico: Baucus Says No Bill By August Recess," Talking Points Memo, July 31, 2009. http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51709&id=16719-10389527-cEdaRKx&t=9

7. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for the United States, Regions, State, and Puerto Rico," U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved August 4, 2009. http://www.census.gov/popest/states/NST-ann-est.html

8. "2008 Vote Ratings," The National Journal. http://www.nationaljournal.com/2008voteratings

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.

[popdonnelly]

These people don’t even know what it is they’re supporting. Just feel a need to spend Soro’s money.

[La Lydia]

Another direct hit on the last nerve, this time MorOn.org’s last nerve.

[SusaninOhio]

Let me get this straight: The arrogant Dems have enough votes to pass a cow patty without any help.

What do they care what the little people think?

I don’t understand why they are so hysterical. One would think, when one has complete control of the presidency AND both house of Congress, one would sit back, have a cigar and take over the country.

It certainly is a puzzle.

[nufsed]

5 or 6 of them are afraid of not being re-elected and thus having to get honest work.

[randita]

Be sure to be a snitcher and forward that email to flag@whitehouse.gov.