Monday Musings: March 22, 2010

Updated on Monday, March 22, 2010 at 09:59 by mavenandmeddler

Well, that was certainly a cliff-hanger worthy of Hollywood. Although I’m not sure just how many of these eleventh hour dramas we really need as a country, at least this one went the right way for the left.

Of course the day was not without its’ moments as GOP stalwarts stood in line to defend the status quo, distort the facts (even more) and defend everything from the Confederacy (WTF?) to unborn babies in the name of denying some 33 million Americans access to affordable health care.

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Public Option may be do-able. Where does your Congressperson stand?

Again, from Howard Dean’s website, Stand With Dr. Dean, let those Congressperson’s who have had the guts to declare their support for the public option - via a yea/nay vote with or without a budget reconciliation vote - know you love them. For they are the one’s with a freaking clue.

Here’s the rollcall of those with a clue (keep scrolling for the clueless):

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Health Care for America NOW: The place to go for facts, not fiction

Health Care for America NOW is a clear, concise website to guide you through the dodges and plays of this pivotal health care debate that is taking place in Congress. HCAN cuts through the demogogery that has filled the news, put there by those who would prefer to maintain an increasingly unsupportable status quo that merely enriches the big insurance companies and their lobbyists.

The process, as it’s reported in the media, can be confusing. The procedural stuff is way beyond what we learned years ago in civics class, and HCAN provides an easy to understand explanation.

Perhaps, best of all, is that HCAN is very clear and upfront with who is a part of their organization and who they are supported by. They are not hiding, like so many of the other front groups opposing reform, behind patriotic sounding ‘foundations’ with shadowy contributors from the far right.

Read their Statement of Common Purpose. I really don’t believe that any concerned citizen can find fault with it.

Friday Fish Wrap: July 31, 2009

It’s been a week of dreams deferred and dreams answered. I’m just grateful that I’ve got a great crop of heirloom tomatos coming along as it takes the sting out of the dreams deferred … healthcare reform denied until at least September when Congress reconvenes.

Here’s the bottom line. They’d better damn well get it done by years’ end, or it won’t get done at all.

I have my doubts, because I believe the summer recess from that ‘special needs’ school known as Congress, will give the finge wingnuts and the Blue Dogs time to truly sink the whole idea. The fringe, having run out of plausible arguements entirely, are now claiming that HR 3200 is mandating euthanasia for old people ( that’s why AARP is supporting it, of course) and abortions. The Blue Dogs, having long forgotten the huge blank check for two unnecessary wars, keeps nattering on about “it’ll cost too much!”

It could drive one to drink. If I weren’t already there.

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Just in from the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada ...

Help us get 50,000 contacts to Congress today!

Call 1-877-264-HCAN (4226)*

The health care reform bill being voted on in the House this week will save you an average of $2,800 per year.1 That bill says those who make more than a quarter of a million dollars a year should help pay for reform by rolling back Bush’s tax cuts by just 1%.2

Can you call your Representative today and tell them to stand up for health care?

Here is a sample of what you can say:

· Press 1 to be connected to your Representative. You will be asked for you 10-digit telephone number, please each number slowly.

· Please be polite. Ask to talk with someone who can speak to the Representative’s position on health care.

I’m calling from Health Care for America Now to make sure that Rep. _____ knows that we need real health care reform in 2009.

The House health care bill, H.R. 3200, will provide quality, affordable health care for all with good benefits and affordable costs.

Health care can’t wait, please vote for H.R. 3200, America’s Affordable Health Choices Act, before you leave for vacation.

* If you are having trouble getting through on this number, try this alternative number 1-888-436-8427

Thanks for the heads up, Bob! I’ve made my call to Rep. Dean Heller’s office.

maven

Dear Congress ... you're not 'off' until we say you are.

It’s business as usual during the dog days in Washington D. C., and the’I’ve got mine’republican led groupwant to run this healthcare bill out so they can go home … hoping of course that by the time they get back the public opinion tide will have turned, thanks to shady front group campaign blitzes.

I don’t know about you, but I get to go on vacation when my boss says it’s okay, not when I feel like it. My work has to be caught up, and I can’t just blast out to the lake leaving everybody in the lurch.

Why don’t we just hold Congress to the same standard?

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Republican torpedo alley ready with cheap shots for Franken

“Franken, the loud-mouthed former comedian, will be the 60th member of the Senate Democratic caucus…”

David Broder

Thank you, David, for that brilliant analysis. And there you have it folks, Franken can take the oath to serve the citizens of the state of Minnesota without one single wisecrack, with all the gravitas and decorum that should be the hallmark of membership in this august club, but there will be some who just can’t let a fella grow past a Saturday Night Live skit.

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Just when you think you haven't got anything to blog about ...

Arlen Specter changing parties! I can’t say that I’m terribly surprised however, since he’s long been dissatisfied with the move by the neo-cons to the far, far right and the anything goes expansion of executive powers. From my own perspective, Arlen Specter has been one of the few Republicans that I couldn’t quite dislike or dismiss out of hand. I admired him - albeit grudgingly at times. When he was diagnosed with cancer, I felt an immediate kinship, since he really seemed to ‘get it.’

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Constituent breakfast with Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid and Sen. John Ensign

This was a great start to a big day back at our nations’ capitol, when my husband Ron and I were able to share some moments with a couple of senators - one on the left side of the aisle and the other from the right side - who epitomize the type of bi-partisan effort that is so desparately needed today.

We  wish they could all stop the bickering, labeling and name calling and be Americans first and representatives of their respective parties second - or even third.

I encourage anybody who visits Washington D.C. to inquire with their representatives staff, and if possible attend these events. You really do get an opportunity to talk to these people, one on one, about those things that really concern you. I was put together with Sen. Reids’ staffers on a couple of issues, and they got things ‘cooking’ for me back in the home state.

You pay these peoples’ wages, so don’t be afraid to make your raves and rants known - and let them help you.

maven