Many readers have pointed out that perhaps the best way to thank your Rep is through a letter to your local newspaper. This is emphatically correct. Do you know anyone whom the new law will help? Of course you do. Tell their story and commend your Rep for his or her brave vote. Send it in today to catch the news cycle while it’s still hot.
Also, take the poll. This is multiple choice so check every box that applies to you (e.g.: I phoned…my Representative…around once a week).
Joey Maloney
From TPM, here is a list of the 34 Dems who voted no – along with how their districts went in 2008.
ellaesther
Thanks Tim F.!
I’m going to be bold and re-post the sample letter I posted in an earlier thread, because I know a lot of folks feel a little uncomfortable writing a letter to their paper.
To the editor:
I just want to say how grateful I am to Congressman/woman XXXX for voting “yes” on healthcare reform. I know that not everything in the bill is perfect, and I know that the Representative faced a lot of pressure not to support it, but I believe that we had to start somewhere, and I am deeply thank to Rep. XXXX for putting the needs of this country, as well as our future, before the demands of politics. [If you have a personal story of needing HCR, this would be a good place to put it in]
Sincerely,
name, title [if it gives you more gravitas!], address, phone
Protips:
1) These are just ideas. Whatever you say in your own words is best.
2) It’s always best to keep letters to the editor to less than 200 words.
SGEW
My quote for the day:
“If I were in Congress, I’d probably hold my nose and vote for [health care reform legislation], because the alternative of not passing it is worse, bad as this bill is. Unfortunately, that’s the reality.”
– Noam Fucking Chomsky
Unity pony indeed, my friends.
Sue
I emailed several times too, and called and emailed the White House.
Tom Hilton
It can’t be said enough times by enough people: well done, TimF, and thank you for your efforts.
ellaesther
@ellaesther: Shoot!
Protip #3: Make sure you write any letters to the editor in the next day or two. The letters page in daily newspapers moves on pretty quickly.
Joey Maloney
OK, that was weird. When I clicked “Submit” I got an error “duplicate comment – it looks like you already said that”. Unless I’m having mini-strokes or fugue states, not so. But when I used the “back” button, by golly, my comment had in fact already posted. And now I have no edit button, which is a gosh-darn shame, because I was going to point out that the list shows how each district went in the Presidential ballot, including the percentages.
So you can say that perhaps Taylor of MS (whose district went for McCain by 67/32) had more of an excuse than Davis of AL (whose district went for Obama 71/29) even if the latter spineless weasel is running for Governor. Though why anyone would want to be Governor of that shithole is beyond me. Graft and hookers, I guess.
Underdog
On the other side of the spectrum, I created a blog to list the stupid things people say.
http://absurdletterstotheeditor.blogspot.com/
David in NY
I want extra credit: I am arguably the resident of two districts and called both representatives (though early on to Yvette Clarke (D-Brooklyn) only once, since she was doing whatever Nancy Pelosi said). Scott Murphy got extra attention and came through. I will praise him in due time.
Eric U.
I was disappointed to see that Rick Boucher voted against. He is the congressman from the district I grew up in. Then again, McCain won his district 60%-40%, so there must be some republicans voting for him.
David in NY
Do the statistics in the poll make any sense at all???
Tim F.
@David in NY: It’s a multiple choice poll. Every answer could theoretically reach 100% and the poll would still be “valid”, at least as valid as any online poll with zero respondent selection, question randomization or really any scientific controls at all can be. The most important number for me is the last answer: at least 95% of >2,500 respondents did something.
22state
I also did a LTE last year – one that got published :-)
Shade Tail
Uh, just for the record, don’t stop phoning your reps, guys. The Reich Wingers certainly won’t. I just talked to my Rep’s office 20 minutes ago to say that I supported last night’s legislation (which he voted for), and to urge him to support Alan Grayson’s ‘Medicare You Can Buy Into‘ bill.
I’m rather determined not to give up on a real public option.
General Egali Tarian Stuck
Silly me. Turned on the teevee and it seems Tiger Woods passed historic healthcare legislation last night, or loves his wife, or something. I think I’ll take a small news vacation.
gbear
Question: Does sending a postcard to a congressman’s office do as much good as a letter? I would force us to keep the message short, and there’s less work, time, and worry involved for the staff with a postcard (no mysteries inside of the envelope). You also get to choose a picture to show your appreciation (say, a photo of your happy kids).
gizmo
Whatever the merits of the healthcare bill, its passage has caused the Republican party to bare its soul, and man, it’s ugly in there. I’m starting to think it was worth passing this piece of legislation simply for its political value.
Lizzy L
My Congressman, George Miller (D-CA) strongly supported the bill — he’s one of the very good guys — so I called his local office this morning to thank him and his staff for their hard work. The staffer I spoke to was quite surprised at being thanked, and very appreciative.
Brian J
I don’t know if anyone has posted this yet, but Steve Benen describes how instrumental Pelosi was. When the president was thinking of backing down, she held his feet to the fire. I especially liked these comments, from Benen:
That’s some mother fucking leadership right there, my friends. And she succeeded.
Yes, she can, and yes, she did. Bravo, Madame Speaker!
Zifnab
@Tim F.:
I wouldn’t weigh to hard on the percentage. If you didn’t contact a Rep, there’s less of a chance you’ll fill out the poll.
More importantly, you got no less 95% of 2500 (ie, 2375 people) to push their Congresscritters. That’s phenomenal in and of itself. If I could get 2375 people to do anything, I’d be pretty proud of myself.
Tom Hilton
OT: The Hill has today’s funniest headline: “McCain: Don’t expect GOP cooperation the rest of this year”.
Yeah, that’ll be totally different…
suzanne
My mom, my husband and I made a collective call to Harry Mitchell to thank him yesterday. The staffer was cracking up, because all three of us were on speaker, hooting and hollering and yelling “THANK YOU!”. The mood was, understandably, jubilant. :)
And I agree with Gizmo. It’s been both hysterical and extremely telling to see all these douchebags LOSE LOSE LOSE.
Tom Hilton
@Lizzy L: George Miller is a hero–“one of the very good guys” indeed. He’s among the most liberal Representatives, but (more importantly) he’s also really effective.
David Moisan
@SGEW:
That’s our Chomsky! Waiting for him to talk about the narrative of oppression…or whatever.
David in NY
@Tim F.: OK, maybe. (I sense some internal inconsistency there, but, hell, the bill passed, right? Thanks once again for all your efforts!!)
ria forsyth
my representative is Scott Garrett who is representing the Insurance Industry. He voted against Schip and does not represent the people of his district,who are evenly divided. Unfortunately he gets reelected since no one ever gives him a challenge and exposes his record.
This morning I called to vent this vote (god knows why) and I got a brilliant idea, I told him our new Rep. Gov Christie has riled up the entire democratic party in NJ cutting aid to schools entirely , muncipalities, property tax relief to the elderly, why its Garrets “waterloo” lol
catclub
My Rep is Gene Taylor. Consistent democratic vote against almost anything the majority of democratic Congress members favor.
I really don’t know why he bothers with the Democratic label.
He never even on the list of those that might switch.
South of I-10 knows about it.
catclub
s/He never/He was never/
Svensker
@ria forsyth:
Mine, too. Isn’t he the most repulsive little git imaginable? I wish the Dems would actually mount a challenge to him. The “blind rabbi” could have won last time, I think, if the Party had spent a few bucks on him. Damn machine, anyway.
Sue
Here’s a question – should we be starting to call our Senators?
Paul in KY
My rep is Ben Chandler & he is turning out to be a bit of a pussy.
Liz
Does anyone have any suggestions of what I can say to my Rep who voted NO??? (Yeah, I’m looking at you, Stephen Lynch).
Dr Dave (a different one)
Usually a lurker here, and my rep (Patrick Kennedy, RI-1st) was never in doubt, but I still sent an e-mail today thanking him for standing firm and his staff for putting up with the ranting of a vocal (and often poorly-informed) minority of his constituents.
It’s the ignorance (sometimes willful) and dishonesty of the other side that have really gotten to me of late, and I truly hope that the Dems continue to work hard to get the facts out there and expose the falsehood and hypocrisy that pass for “policy” on the other side of the aisle.
Mark
Here’s my letter:
“I attended Congresswoman Jackie Speier’s health care reform town hall meeting in Montara during the darkest days for health care reform in August. She spoke eloquently in favor of reform while some in the crowd accused her of treason. Today, we have her, Speaker Pelosi, and hundreds of elected representatives around the country to thank for taking the first step in eliminating some of the most shameful aspects of our medical system. I am happy to have Ms. Speier as my representative.”
slag
@Zifnab:
Not only that, but this kind of post-mortem polling may have a positive impact on future efforts. Being able to answer affirmatively to Tim’s polling questions may, in fact, be an additional incentive for people to get involved. I know that I, for one, would not want to have to answer “I didn’t contact anyone” next time around. Even if I lived in a Republican district.
So, keep up the polling, Tim!
Mal Carne
I’m moving to Rep. John Boccieri’s (D-OH) at the end of the month. I called to thank him for voting yes, and to volunteer for his reelection campaign. I tend to think that offering shoe leather is a good way to repay a Representative you like. I saw his name as a “no” the first time, “yes” the second on DKos; can anyone fill me in on when and why he changed? I’m in Sutton’s district (I thanked her too!), and I can’t remember the details now. Yesterday’s just a haze of celebratory Merlot…
Socraticsilence
Now that reconcilations in the Senate I can actually do something besides staying on my Senators’ mailing lists, one of the downsides of living in a state with only one rep. and a GOP nut at that is that its pretty obvious when calling is pointless, and you can’t call another in-state Rep. and talk to them.
Tonal Crow
The poll’s missing “Representatives and Senators nationwide”.
Ken
I did multiple calls & emails to Representatives Lee, Higgins & Slaughter to encourage their votes. I followed up this morning with congratulatory calls/emails to Higgins, Slaughter and White House. I’ll deal with Lee later this afternoon.
Technically, Lee is my Representative, but both Higgins & Slaughter have significance presense in western NY. Close enough.
SIA
Slightly OT but watching Morning Joe and David Gregory just said the Dems “are still responsible for a terrible economy”. Uh huh. I knew he was a tool, but didn’t know he was actually joining the Bush Revisionist History Committee. WANKER.
OTOH it’s been lovely watching Joe trying to control his rage while Halperin tells him the Dems WON.
Tonal Crow
@SIA: Didn’t the wingnuts tell us last night that the stock market would tank today?
blackfrancis789
I called my Rep moments ago and thanked them for the yes vote, and pledged my support financially and as a volunteer come re-election time.
They were quite happy to take down my info & pass it along, and I was quite happy to give it.
SIA
@Tonal Crow: Didn’t hear that one. I heard the sun would disappear for 40 days and then the locust would cover the earth.
chris
Speaking of letters to the editor..Get this one from Wilmington NC. This is Mike McIntyre’s district. He was a no vote on HCR both times. I think McCain carried our district +5 or so. He is running unopposed in the dem primary however and has been a shoo-in in the past. He may have gotten a pass from the leadership but I kinda doubt it. Paradoxically this is a fairly safe dem seat. He DID vote to impeach Bill C…for which I have never forgiven him. The interesting part of this letter though is this wingnut’s believe in the infallibility of the free market. Check his characterization of the CBO score..
“This bill does nothing to lower the cost of health care. McIntire voted the correct way for the majority of Americans; however, I can no longer vote for McIntire because it is like voting for Pelosi. We should hold our elected officials to the same standards that corporate executives at public companies are held. If the document scored by the CBO was a filing with the SEC the whole congress would go to jail. If anyone believes this bill will not increase our deficit I know someone that is selling the Brooklyn Bridge and can get you a good deal.
by Mad A Shell”
chris
@chris:
Can haz edit??? Where’d it go?? FYWP
If this bill was an SEC filing–we’d all get gold plated plans and somebody else would be paying the premiums.
Tonal Crow
@chris: “FYWP”? Does that mean what I think it means?
Navigator
Very appreciative staff both at the DC and local offices of my representative, Butterfield of NC.
They confirmed they had been under a blizzard of contacts against. This is the district whose close results kept NC from being called for Obama till days after the election.
chris
@Tonal Crow: I was hoping it meant F&%K you wordpress..There I go trying to act like a regular and screw it up…LOL
Catfish N. Cod
I called Capuano, who represents my university. I didn’t bother Childers (MS-01) as I knew he would get a pass from Pelosi to vote ‘no’ — but I’ll ask his staff about future votes, now that he’s got the monkey off his back. Brown and Kerry for MA and Wicker and Cochran for MS were all givens as well.
Then Capuano announced that his ‘yes’ decision was based on MA not being punished inadvertently for RomneyCare (which is nearly identical to ObamaCare, of course, but Multiple Mitt will never admit it) — and not on the calls he’d received. Thanks for telling me I wasted my time, Representative.