The end of the long process of passing health care reform appears to be in sight. And, while the process has been turbulent so far to say the least, this week as you’re coming down the home stretch looks to be possibly the hardest part of the over year-long process.
Apparently, the House has to pass the Senate bill (“Cornhusker Kickback” and other deals, flaws and all), with President Obama quickly signing it into law. Then, the House passes a fix it bill that makes the appropriate changes to the (now law) Senate bill, with the Senate passing the fix it bill through reconciliation with 50 + 1. Is that about right?
Looking from the outside, this seems like about as messy a process as you can get without dead people voting. Luckily, some you are actually making plans to help your public perception this time by talking about the actual substance of the bill instead of the process. After all, when it comes down to it, most all law-making can at be a hard-to-watch sausage-making process that no one likes when all is revealed. With health care reform, while it’s been a long, ugly process, the possible product could be the culmination of decades of work by the Democratic Party. The possible product could mean real and lasting health care reform that would cover millions and actually save lives. After health care reform becomes law, the millions that are no longer one hospital visit away from bankruptcy will not care one damn bit what the process was that helped get them health care.
It’s time to make the choice. To make the vote of your political careers. To sacrifice your political careers, if need be, for the sake of 46 million people. This is the week where you will be able to make history. This week will help to complete the social floor the Democratic Party has been working towards building for decades. And it is all up to each and every one of you — even you, Dennis Kucinich.
History is looking to you. Please let the weight of history and the good of the country be the ultimate pressure and decider. While there may be some, it is hard to find a Democrat that voted for Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid and regretted it. His or her political career may have regretted it, but the millions of people that have received the help of their fellow man could not be more grateful. Do not let all the political capital that you have burned to go to waste. Do not go through all of this process with nothing to show for it. Voters will reward action as it has been proven they punish when a bunch of talk leads to nothing.
At your feet lies the prospects of real and lasting health care reform. With your vote, health care costs can stop going up exponentially, and people will not be denied health care coverage by actually becoming sick. Put aside your one-issue mindset, and realize you’re voting for health care reform for all instead of against a single-issue which shouldn’t be the test for everything. Instead of fracturing and keeping millions in their fear of being economically ruined by simply becoming sick, come together to help those millions receive access to affordable health care. Ignore the political handicappers and make your vote about courage instead of political survival. Now is the time to do something instead of your usual nothing. Make us proud by not living up to your reputation of just being a bunch of self-serving politicians.
Be the statesmen you’re capable of being, at least this one time. If there was ever a time to be leaders, this is the week, on this issue. 46 million uninsured and the wallets of those with decent and affordable health insurance (for now) are depending on you.
OurBoyBlue
This Cause is Worth Your Political Career
by OurBoyBlue | March 16th, 2010 | View Comments
Dear House and Senate Democrats,
The end of the long process of passing health care reform appears to be in sight. And, while the process has been turbulent so far to say the least, this week as you’re coming down the home stretch looks to be possibly the hardest part of the over year-long process.
Apparently, the House has to pass the Senate bill (“Cornhusker Kickback” and other deals, flaws and all), with President Obama quickly signing it into law. Then, the House passes a fix it bill that makes the appropriate changes to the (now law) Senate bill, with the Senate passing the fix it bill through reconciliation with 50 + 1. Is that about right?
Looking from the outside, this seems like about as messy a process as you can get without dead people voting. Luckily, some you are actually making plans to help your public perception this time by talking about the actual substance of the bill instead of the process. After all, when it comes down to it, most all law-making can at be a hard-to-watch sausage-making process that no one likes when all is revealed. With health care reform, while it’s been a long, ugly process, the possible product could be the culmination of decades of work by the Democratic Party. The possible product could mean real and lasting health care reform that would cover millions and actually save lives. After health care reform becomes law, the millions that are no longer one hospital visit away from bankruptcy will not care one damn bit what the process was that helped get them health care.
It’s time to make the choice. To make the vote of your political careers. To sacrifice your political careers, if need be, for the sake of 46 million people. This is the week where you will be able to make history. This week will help to complete the social floor the Democratic Party has been working towards building for decades. And it is all up to each and every one of you — even you, Dennis Kucinich.
History is looking to you. Please let the weight of history and the good of the country be the ultimate pressure and decider. While there may be some, it is hard to find a Democrat that voted for Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid and regretted it. His or her political career may have regretted it, but the millions of people that have received the help of their fellow man could not be more grateful. Do not let all the political capital that you have burned to go to waste. Do not go through all of this process with nothing to show for it. Voters will reward action as it has been proven they punish when a bunch of talk leads to nothing.
At your feet lies the prospects of real and lasting health care reform. With your vote, health care costs can stop going up exponentially, and people will not be denied health care coverage by actually becoming sick. Put aside your one-issue mindset, and realize you’re voting for health care reform for all instead of against a single-issue which shouldn’t be the test for everything. Instead of fracturing and keeping millions in their fear of being economically ruined by simply becoming sick, come together to help those millions receive access to affordable health care. Ignore the political handicappers and make your vote about courage instead of political survival. Now is the time to do something instead of your usual nothing. Make us proud by not living up to your reputation of just being a bunch of self-serving politicians.
Be the statesmen you’re capable of being, at least this one time. If there was ever a time to be leaders, this is the week, on this issue. 46 million uninsured and the wallets of those with decent and affordable health insurance (for now) are depending on you.
Sincerely,
Those Who Voted For You
Posted in Commentary | Tags: HCR