Segmented representation on health care reform
Legislators are generally beholden to a number of constituencies, including just plain citizens. But far too often loyalties lie with other segments of constituents, such as lobbyists, party and other special interests. Thus my interests go unrepresented unless I belong to a special interest group. In the case of health care reform legislation, my Republican senators and Republican U.S. Representative ignore my needs. The Democratic Party, my party is split into liberals and conservatives. I often feel left out of the Blue Dogs' stance. I cannot afford a lobbyist. But I do belong to some special interest groups: Democracy for America, Organizing for America, Social Workers, and the AARP. And I am a part of the liberal blogosphere community.
So who will represent me in this? All my special interest groups are doing a good job so far, but their power is limited. For example, DFA's Howard Dean has been unflagging in his optimism regarding the future of truly comprehensive health care reform that includes a public option. But he is not in the inner circle of legislative power. Thank goodness, however, he has been seen smiling and firmly pro-reform on several TV news shows recently including Rachel Maddow on the night of August 20. Rachel's tweet cited a recent poll supporting the public option that Dean referenced during his interview.
The group at the fulcrum of change right now numbers 6. The only committee with work left to do is the Senate Finance Committee. What they are considering is some sort of nonprofit cooperative as the public option. The six "negotiators" plan to meet occasionally during the recess. And these senators represent only a very small number of the American people. Following are the 2008 estimated state population figures along with the percentage of the total U.S. population (source Wikipedia). The senators include:
- Finance CommitteeChairman Max Baucus (D-Montana, Est. pop: 967,440 - .31%)
- Charles Grassley (R-Iowa, Est. pop: 3,002,555 -.98%)
- Mike Enzi (R-Wyo, Est. pop: 532,668 - .17%)
- Olympia Snowe (R-Maine, Est. pop: 1,316,456 - .43%
- Kent Conrad (D-N.Dakota, Est. pop: 641,481 - .21%)
- Jeff Bingaman (D-New Mex., Est. pop: 1,984,356 - .64%).
These figures total only 8,444,956 people or 2.74% of the total estimated population of the entire United States and its territories. By sheer force of numbers, not to mention politics, there is no way these six could be considered to be representative of all of us or our wishes. First I do not live in any of these states and second, nor does 97.26% of the rest of you.
The House of Representatives' position right now is the closest match to my own views on what reform should look like. Here, courtesy of Michael J.W. Stickings' tweet, is a Bloomberg story on what House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is planning when Congress comes back into session. To quote: "U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she won't be able to pass health-care legislation in her chamber if the measure doesn't include a government-run insurance plan to compete with private insurers."
So now we wait for Congress to come back in session. We wait for the next report of a disrupted town-hall meeting. We wait for President Obama's next speech to clear up misrepresentations put out by other special interest groups. We wait for Labor Day. And we wait to see what the Senate leadership will decide about legislative tactics that will get us health care reform without the Republicans participating. How about a cool drink while we wait?
It's kinda cool where I am this morning, Carol. Mind if I make mine hot tea?
Waiting. It's so dang hard to do sometimes. On one hand, we must make a noise so that the 77% of the people who want HCR are not ignored by the legislators. On the other, we have to wait for these legislators to get their poop in a group and make a bill...which is maddening.
Yep. Waiting is hard.
August 23, 2009 10:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hot tea sounds good. Make mine Constant Comment. Waiting is hard, but I think it will happen, mostly as we wish. And my wish is that Senator Kennedy lives to see it. Thanks for stopping by. :-)
August 23, 2009 5:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
God I love that picture. Really beautiful.
That was Reich with the initial question about the six representing 350 million. And you just did a fine job demonstrating the real figures. Well done.
And we have our own people. fathead dobbs would call them socio-economic ethnocentric interests. He is mad at them which shows me they are accomplishing something, for sure.
And, of course, I get their 'circulars' all the time, I duly sign their petitions and authorize letters to my representatives although all three of my representatives are good solid liberal democrats.
Thank you, a nice easy read on Sunday morning.
August 23, 2009 11:03 AM | Reply | Permalink
DD, I love the photo, too. Thanks for letting me know that Reich had the original idea. Now I know I am on solid ground. Dobbs hasn't been on soldi ground for forever; can' watch him.
I envy your being represented by Democrats. Texas is still very Red, and too often an object of ridicule.
Thanks for your comment, my friend.
August 23, 2009 5:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT when someone takes the time and care to work up something as thoughtful and concise as this (yes I love the photo, too). You give the rest of us so much respect when you write this way that I can't begin to tell you how valuable you are to me, and I'm sure not only to me.
I answered Reich's rhetorical question in a somewhat similar vein...but emphasizing seniority and relating that to the safety of seats in states with small, homogeneous populations.
One thing I noticed then which I didn't pay much attention to was that Grassley and Baucus were freshmen in the Senate together...both members of the class of '77. That give them a very long history with each other. One of the reasons I liked Mr. Smith Goes to Washington so much was the behind-the-scenes peeks at the clubby nature of the Senators and their business allies. Anyone who ever saw that movie should have a surprise factor of zero considering the Senate today.
August 23, 2009 7:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
amike, thanks for your more than generous words. I appreciate being able to communicate what I want to. Of course, that's a lovely privilege, here at TPM, one I've cherished for a very long time.
I did not know why Baucus and Grassley were friends. And I, as a social worker ought to be sensitive to personal relationships as having much importance. Thanks for reminding me. And finally, we often learn great lessons from great films, huh?
August 24, 2009 10:39 AM | Reply | Permalink