Friday, September 25, 2009

Support for Public option in "swing" blue dog districts

So, our Rep, Chris Carney is a member of blue dog coalition (I just checked).

I know that others have done the critical work of organizing and delivering the signatures to Rep Carney (thanks y'all).

Despite the baying on the megaphones, the radial right is not relevant to the debate on health care reform. Sam Tannenhaus discussed this idea with Bill Moyers last week. He said:

Either the Republicans or Democrats have ruled since the Civil War for periods of some 30-36 years. And in those periods, all the great debates have occurred within a single party. So, if you go back to the 1980s, which some would say was the peak of the modern conservative period, the fight's about how to end the Cold War, how to unleash market forces-- were really Republican issues.

Today, when we look at the great questions -- how to stimulate the economy, how to provide and expand and improve a sustainable health care system, the fight is taking place among Democrats.
The chance of a public option, which I think is more about whether a politician can imagine a more radical restructuring of our society versus a kind of apologist, window-dressing, don't-shake-the-table approach, will be fought out WITHIN the democratic party.

So, the health insurance industry is against a public option. Who is for it? The public in 91 swing districts.
The poll, by respected Dem pollster John Anzalone, finds that 54% of these swing district voters support the public option, and makes the case that these voters emphatically don’t want a “trigger,” the compromise of choice in some quarters:
Geeky stats note- that is 54% with a 2.5% margin of error at 95% confidence interval. In plain English- it is 95% likely that the real support is between 51.5 and 56.5%.

The polling memo does not indicate if they can break it out by distircit, but given they covered 91, I doubt it. So, we don't know or sure if our swing district is like the rest of these.

Some polling of specific swing districts found support for the public option (from a plurality to clear majorities) AND LESS for Obama by name. The message: campaign on the details in these types of districts.

Meanwhile, the DCCC raises money for vulnerable "frontline" dems, like the Blue Dogs who almost always get an allergic reaction to progressive ideas, with appeals to health care reform from Bill Clinton:
It’s up to us to prevent the Republican Party and their special interest backers from doing whatever they can to prevent this historic opportunity to make quality health care affordable and accessible to all.
On the bright side, the progressive hosue caucus is holding firm.
For the first time since they formed in 1995, the Blue Dogs have been out-organized by their liberal counterparts. The Congressional Progressive Caucus completed its first survey and began whipping back in the spring. They launched a final whip count last week that will be finished by Wednesday evening.

Maybe they can do so until the Blue Dogs realize that at the end of the day, they want to be on the right side of history here.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Rally Sunday at 1pm by BZ Motors

If you have seen the editorial in today's (Thursday) Daily Item, then you know that what we are doing is making a difference. Please come out on Sunday to spend some time with friends, and support real health care reform. We will be there from 1-3pm by BZ Motors with signs.

We are also going to start the next "phase" of our efforts by setting up "phone booths". Instead of collecting signatures on a declaration, we will have people make calls to their congress people on the spot. Should be fun! Imagine watching someone call their representative for the first time in their lives. Really participating in the democratic process. Our booths at the farmer's market and the post office will start to switch gears in the next week or so.

Come out Sun at 1pm and be a part of this with us.
Thanks-
Chip

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Trip to DC Report

[This was posted in the comments by Chip, but I wanted to bump it up. And if you missed it, there was a really good (I thought) article in today's Daily Item. -JG]

I write to give an update on the United Union CountyCentral Susquehanna Citizens Democratic Coalition.

A group of us went to DC today to drop off the signatures (1,597!) in support of health care reform that we have gathered since mid-July to Rep. Carney and Senator Casey.
It is my sincere belief that what we have already done has made a difference. The comments from both men indicated clearly to me that they understand there is a "silent majority" who support reform, and that this group needs to stop being silent. We have been a small and dedicated group of people. If you are reading this, please find a way to join us for an hour a week. Wed at the Farmers Market; Sat at the Post Office; or Sun at the rally on Rt. 15.

Thanks-Chip

Monday, September 14, 2009

Healthcare Talk TOMORROW

I just heard about this today, but the League of Women Voters is hosting a "lunch forum to discuss health care reform" tomorrow (Tuesday, Sept. 15) from 11:30-1:00 at La Primavera on Route 45. Their speaker will be Professor Amy Wolaver from Bucknell University (who was one of our CSCC panelists at the healthcare forum in May) giving a presentation titled "Health Care Reform 2009--The Issues."

This event is open to the public and the cost for lunch is $12. Call 524-4439 for more info.

I won't be able to go because of work commitments, but if anyone can go, please let us know how it is!

Thursday, September 10, 2009

The Dark Underside of Private Insurers

If you'd like to remember why we need health insurance reform, take a look at some of the things we've been learning from Wendell Potter, who worked for insurance giant CIGNA for 15 years but couldn't take it any longer.

Interview with Bill Moyers

Commentary: How Insurance Firms Drive Debate (how your premiums pay for PR)

Is Obama Planning to Sign Congress' Health Care Reform Bill with Lipstick?

An Apology for Destroyed Lives (from Stand with Dr. Dean)


If you can take it, also listen (via Democracy Now) to the story of Nataline Sarkisyan, a 17-year-old who died waiting for her insurance company (CIGNA) to approve a liver transplant. Amy Goodman interviewed her mother on 9/9/09. (Kudos to whoever is getting Democracy Now on FM radio here in Lewisburg over the noon hour on Wednesday!)

If you missed the President's speech about health care, you can get full text and video here.