Where are the details of how to get involved?

How about a list of Senators to call to break the filibuster ...

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

The public option should be stronger. But for now this will do. In my state, Virginia, Senator Mark Warner writes that he doesn't care for the public option but he is an elected representative who was sent to Congress by the Virginians and not the health insurance companies. To vote against the PO means that he will become a one term senator. To vote for it means that he may be in Congress for decades or as long as he would like. The loss of his one vote for the public option would mean the loss of one vote that has voted for a democratic candidate since the 1970s. As a liberal I believe we can do this.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

...version of single payer.

Single payer is the only way to go.

In any event, whatever is passed MUST be the same health care plan that CONGRESS has.

Then and only then, will you see health care that is the same for the aristocracy and the common man.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Reid hasn't delivered anything to anybody but the CBO. He sent multiple versions of a bill containing something he calls a "public option" to the CBO for scoring. He'll make final decisions on the details of the bill once he determines which version guarantees the biggest profit for the insurance industry.
And Nancy Pelosi is Speaker of the House of Representatives. This is a Senate proposal. The only thing Pelosi has delivered is a commitment to Anthony Weiner and Bernie Sanders that the last chance for true comprehensive reform will be debated on the House floor.
Reid's presser was nothing more than an attempt to score polling points back home, and get Rahm and Obama off his back.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

This isn't "a comprehensive health care plan". Single payer is the only plan that will provide "comprehensive" health care to ALL!!! A public option only means that those that are poor and have no money still won't have healthcare because they can't afford to pay for the option just like they can't pay for insurance now.
Why do you all want to "settle" for this....demand single payer or nothing.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Claire McCaskill: "I'm not sure that everyone understands that a public option will only be available to those who don't have insurance coverage, not everyone"
http://tweetcongress.org/people/claire-mccaskill

I have "no" insurance, yet I am not in favor, why should American Taxpayers have to pay for those of us who do not carry insurance coverage.
The end result is only going to cost us more money in other areas, products we purchase, higher taxes on our "non-essential" purchases, such as soda pop, etc.
I look for it to "not" pass, when the Dems through Snowe in the front of the bus, it ended any support she would have given.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

You are not eligible for the public option if you have insurance through your employer, even if the public option is cheaper.

States can opt out.

This isn't CHANGE, this is a joke!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

.... to pushing yhis health care reform issue over the goaline. Will he step up to his moral moment in history or play the usual Washington politics?

Progressives are carefully watching

LEAD MR.PRESIDENT - LEAD

Dr. Rick Lippin
Southampton,Pa

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Don't think for one minute anything these parasites pass will benefit you and I. The contrary, this healthcare bill will only benefit the insurance companies, the pharmaceuticals and big businesses.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Make me do it.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Where is the option where I am not mandated to spend the money I have left after paying Federal, State, sales, property, and various other hidden taxes?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

This isn't the art of politics this is the result of bullying by people who were unwilling to compromise on anything. The Democrats softened their stance, not because they had to but reflexively, as timid yet venal types do.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I sent this to the DNC on their web site today...
We need to put pressure on the whole party to do something the Republicans are famous for...working as a unit with a single focus and goal.

It was said that the Democratic Party is famous for snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

---------------------

Democrats,

The ball is in your court. If you guys botch health care reform you will have played right into the hands of the right-wing and, after decades of failures, will finally be responsible for killing reform once and for all.

If you guys blow it...again...I will leave the Democratic Party and never again make a contribution or campaign for another Democrat.

We want meaningful reform...we want it now and won't accept hidden "gotchas" like triggers or opt-out or any number of tricks to undermine reform or to provide welfare to the big insurance companies.

This fight is where you lock your doors to lobbies. This is where you concentrate on only one promise...the one made to the American people to bring health care to everyone regardless of their financial status or medical condition.

You need to make this clear to every Democrat in Congress that they need to take a page from the Republicans and beat them at their own game by uniting FOR the PEOPLE instead of AGAINST the people as the right is doing.

Can you do it? Do you have the stones to drag your people into line for once or will the Democrats go down in history as having been the party that had the chance then blew it while playing footsie with one or two Republicans for votes you don't really need?

I am watching you...if you blow it, you may blow the next election along with it...failure is not an option.

----------------------

I suggest anyone who want's reform should post their own letter to the DNC by clicking here

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Mr. Lux, it's actually a better "progressive strategy" to play one's trump cards and not continually lose ground and accept setbacks. And it is no progressive strategy at all to fail to take the time to explore what trump cards one has available.

"Now Let's Get This Done" sounds familiar. But the phrase works better in another context, this E-mail sent to the White House through Press Secretary Robert Gibbs' E-mail address, reminding President Obama of the trump card dedicated progressives would have him play:

"President Obama will rarely enjoy greater advantage or exercise as much control over a public-policy outcome as he can on health-coverage reform right now. He needs to take matters by their smooth handle, as President Thomas Jefferson advised, and suggest to Democratic judicial appointee Ann Aiken in the Oregon District that she made a mistake and that she should concede, by way of corrective action on the judicial-misconduct complaint filed against her, that equal health protection is, indeed, a Constitutional right for uninsured taxpayers required to pay for the government health benefits of others, and complete strangers no less, while they are forced to do without. He needs to exercise leadership and be done with health-care reform.

"There are a whole slate of public-policy matters coming up for consideration ... , and he cannot afford to have health-coverage reform monopolize his time...."

The reference is to Rule 11 (d) of Judicial-Conduct Proceedings prescribed by the U.S. Judicial Conference.

Under Rule 11 (d), the judge under examination can take corrective action to satisfy the reason for the complaint and, in the specific case at hand, concede that equal health protection certainly is a Constitutional right for uninsured taxpayers and their family members compelled to pay for the health protection of complete strangers, out of their family budgets. Also, the chief judge can suggest to that judge that the previous ruling was not Constitutionally sound! And President Obama, as a constitutional lawyer, can legitimately and privately convey to that Democratic judicial appointee that she made a mistake that she needs to correct. All three have been Democrats. The matter is entirely in the hands of Democrats!

Why do you want to tangle with Blue Dog Democrats and Republicans when there is no need to do so. True progressives are entitled to work smart, too. Besides, you undoubtedly sense where Democratic supporters, family members and friends stand on universal health care. When a course is right, simple and easy, they expect that course to be taken.

Your resume is impressive. You should put your influence to good use. This solution holds the line at an effective date for health-coverage reform of February 20,2008. So far, you've endorsed hand-to-hand combat with Blue Dogs, Republicans and private insurance industry, with the effective date sliding further and further into the future and with uninsured taxpayers--such as those whose gross wages are reduced by Medicare payroll-tax withholding--losing additional days, weeks and months of potential health-care coverage.

In January, 2007, Mr. Obama said he was an enthusiastic health-reform supporter. Later, he recommended health care equal to what members of Congress receive. Since he was ready to support health-care reform in January, 2007, fixing on an effective date of February 20,2008, based on the Constitutional claim made for equal health protection, (for those that needed it and could benefit from it now) would not be an unreasonable compromise for him. Therefore, you are urged to use your influence and work your contacts toward adoption of this sensible approach.

Thank you.

Charles H. Savage/Editorial Columnist
Continental Features/
Continental News Service, Inc.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Really? I don't see single payer on the horizon. Even if there is a public option, those of us in the middle of the middle class will not have the option of selecting it. Insurance companies will continue to exist and continue to screw us. The only difference is that we will be forced to choose our poison. Congress will pat itself on the back for a historical win and call it a day. It's sad. As much as I care about the issue of healthcare, I stopped paying attention to the maneuverings of our elected officials long ago. They don't work for us and it's hopeless. Sorry to be such a pessimist about it all.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

It's a trojan horse to completely sidestep the giveaway of mandated insurance. The public option is recontacted back out to insurance companies and in the end takes more per person than private insurance would.

Best case scenario, some people will get subsidies, most will have to have insurance, those that try to insurance themselves more will get taxed on it, and medicare gets gutted.

Worst case scenario, it gets worse.

Single payer, a universal fee schedule to prevent individual extortion or something that actually addresses the cost of health core or helps most would be worth fighting for.

I am not getting fired up and fighting for a lie that is a neat trick to shut liberals up, and they can pretend this is a fight against the health insurance industry.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

And I'll say it now; Obama is a gradualist. He likes to do things one baby step at a time.
Maybe this is a good idea with the health care issue, maybe not.
Maybe the insurance and pharma racketeers can be lulled into a false sense of security until a single-payer universal health care system can be slipped by them.
In my opinion, they should've been told in no uncertain terms that universal health care was on the way, their participation was not wanted, and that ANY resistance to a REAL not-for-profit health care plan would be met with swift and sure criminal prosecution.
One thing at a time, I guess.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I don't care for the opt-out clause that makes it possible for states to decline participation in the public option, but there is a silver lining...

By making it possible to opt out, the next state-wide and local state elections will probably boil down to a referendum on the Public Option. Some states, such as TX, may opt out only to see a further decline in health care and an increase of health care industry abuses. This will highlight the failure of GOP policies and may eventually turn red states blue.

In fact, GOP senators and state legislatures will feel immediate pressure and may be forced to support the public option before it even comes to an election.

I think that the ability to opt out will highlight the true support a public option has even in red states, and will expose the basic weakness of the GOP's hold on these states. In the end, setting up a referendum on the public option may very well create a strong Democratic majority similar to the one created by the New Deal.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

They created this phony battle...the good gummerment against the nasty corps. We gonna get you your public option. A slogan and a con.

They could simply create a public health program out of tax revenue. Instead they'll create theatre and get you thinking they actually did something for citizens by mandating how they spend thier remaining cash they haven't already grabbed via taxes and fees (government) or high interest and arbitrary fees ( financial institutions).

When are people gonna wake up to the fact that the gangs that produce nothing bully and con wealth from us all. They make up all sorts or rules and create all sorts of false choices and produce all sorts of slogans (like a "free speech zone") to hide the truth and keep you down.

We're nothing but landless serfs paying rent to the nobility. Think not? .....try to not pay taxes on your house.

We own nothing and have to hustle to come us with cash for one thing after another for the gangsters.

Land of the free and home of the brave? Don't think so.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

This is the fight of our lives, and after all the preliminaries, we have made it to the finals. Reid and Pelosi have delivered. The White House is ready to roll. Now let's get this done.

What a crock that is.

"Fight of our lives" ? More like a whimper and cave-in of the sheep. This is a "public option" like AlterNOT is a real challenge to the status quo.

There is no "public option". Full stop. Like what Senator Max Cleland said of the 9/11 event and so-called investigation "IT'S A SCAM" and "NATIONAL SCANDAL". Like our government and media controlled by WALL ST. corporate crime mobsters it's all owned by petty monopolist tyrants that have their boot on a mindless herd too foolish to know they've been had. Again.

And again.

And again.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmoTtw9794A&feature=player_embedded#

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]