Here is a preliminary version of a list that reader mcc put together based on the calls that you have done so far. So many Congressmen are clearly on the fence over the Senate bill that I think your calls can have a real effect. Keep it up.
Been a Long, Long Week
I feel like I am in a holding pattern because my shoulder hurts like hell, but I know the recovery won’t start until I have surgery on Tuesday. It just feels like these are wasted days, gimping around in a sling wincing every time I take a step.
On top of that, watching the news is no longer an option. Feh. On the upside, there is a First 48 marathon on A & E.
Comment Of The Day 2
Genine writes:
If any of you in favor of health care reform live in Diana DeGette’s district in Colorado, give her a call. I called her office today and was told that I was one of few positive phone calls they’ve had and the only one today. Her office has been flooded with angry phone calls against healthcare reform, which is weird for my town.
I’m thinking this must be due to both firebaggers and teabaggers because my district is pretty liberal. Or, maybe, a lot of people are taking for granted the fact that our district is liberal and it’s not worth the phone call. Anyway, the woman thanked me for being pleasant and supportive.
Let’s give more positive reinforcement!
Even if readers have already called your Rep, call him or her yourself. Positive reinforcement can only help.
Reconciliation
Our of the 38 Reps called so far, if any general theme exists it is a sense that Democratic Reps are furious at the Senate for dumping the responsibility and blame in their lap. A lot of Reps, a surprising number in fact, seem to be holding out for the Senate to improve their bill, presumably through reconciliation.
That obviously seems like a pipe dream. Or is it? What do your Democratic Senators think? Email me or use this thread to report whether your Senator will commit to the idea. The intern who answers will also appreciate knowing what you would like your Senator to do and how strongly you feel about it.
The Senate switchboard is (202) 224-3121.
Comment Of The Day
From reader Max.
Just talked to my congresswoman’s office – Barbara Lee.
When I asked what her position was on passing the Senate Health Care bill, the guy said it is “up for debate at this point”.
I registered my wish for Ms. Lee to vote for the Senate bill. He took my info.
Look folks, if Barbara Lee, the only no vote against the AUMF following Sept 11th, is “up for debate” then call call call your representatives.
Here is how you do it.
(1) Use a phone. Email has nigh on zero impact. Trust me on this. Letter mail gets read, but you don’t have time. Reach the House switchboard at (202) 224-3121 .
(2) Remember, this person works for you. You pay his or her salary and you voted for them. You’re the boss here, or at least one of them, and it’s they who should worry about what you think of them.
(3) Identify your name and the town or neighborhood where you live. If you are not a constituent, save your phone bill and yell at the TV.
(4) State the issue. This is easy: pass the Senate bill or the party gets it. We can (and certainly will) fix the shortcomings later.
(5) How strongly do you feel? Don’t apologize about feeling passionate or pissed off. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
(6) What are you going to do about it? Again, squeaky wheel. Will you reward good behavior with money or volunteers? Support a primary challenger if you feel let down? Stay home in November? Do you belong to a group who listens to your opinion or feels the same way you do? This part will get their attention and get the message passed on. Do not forget it.
One last, important point. We want to track where Representatives are swinging on this and who is willing to commit. However your Rep’s intern responds about the Senate bill, please email me or post it in the comments. We are most interested to know who is voting yes, who will vote no, who will not commit and whether the abortion language is a problem with conservative Dems.
Roll Call
So far you guys have gotten through to sixteen Congressmen. One (Van Hollen) will vote yes, one will vote no (Neal, MA) and fourteen either won’t commit one way or the other or have staffers who cannot answer the question. Neal’s staffer suggested that he opposes because Medicare payments to Mass hospitals might go down.
Interpret that how you want. I see a ton of leeway for voters to make their voices heard.
When you call, try not to let them foist you off on waiting for the conference report, or preferring the House bill or splitting up reform or any other ploy. For various reasons none of those things can possibly happen. House Democrats can pass the Senate bill or they can fail.
Keep calling.
***Update***
Twenty-four offices contacted. One yes, several more seem genuinely unsure about what to do. Call them and make a suggestion.
From the Comments
This:
I’m not an “activist” in the classic sense of the term, and I don’t have my own blog. I am not a bagger of any kind, Tea or Fire. I am a professional political operative in Washington DC who tries to elect Democrats for a living. I have spent many late nights and many early mornings working for people and causes I believed in, and I’ve moved to faraway cities away from my friends and loved ones for low pay in order to get people elected who I thought at the very least shared my instincts for moving the country forward.
And if the House doesn’t pass health care, modified in reconciliation or not, because Scott Brown beat Martha Coakley, I am fucking done. That is it. To see my party abandon the most important domestic goal of the past fifty-odd years right as it sits on the one-yard line because Blue Dogs took a fraidy-pee and progressives took a snit is more than I frankly can handle. It’s awful to feel as if my professional and personal commitments have been so cavalierly pissed on because of overreaction to some colossal stiff beating a shitty candidate in my home state.
I’ve been saying this since day one on every measure that matters, whether it be DADT, or what, the problem is Congress. The Democrats have too many internal divisions, and the Republicans have too much unity to simply oppose, and they all know they have a golden parachute in lobbying or on Wall Street no matter what happens.