If the so-called debate about health reform has shown us anything over the past few weeks, it's that the tree of liberty (which apparently must be watered with the blood of patriots rather than good old H20) sure has a lot of nuts.

It's important to understand that every one of these nuts planted at town halls like human I.E.D. stinkbombs has been to some extent, if not entirely, paid for by the opposition. Aghast at the mere idea that our health care system should smell more of compassion than of money, the corporate establishment (which, to their mild surprise failed to purchase enough votes to prevent Barack Obama from being elected) has pulled out all the stops--and all the crazies--in a very serious effort to prevent him from getting anything done while in office.

In short, they have two goals: make the public doubt Obama, and make elected representatives doubt public support for Obama.

So, in addition to the usual tactics of using fear about guns, church, choice and race to bring out every cheaply-bought nut in town, the lucrascenti (new word!) has upped its game. They've doubled down on using campaigns known as astroturf to manufacture fake voter participation on this issue and others like it. (How bad is it when fake constituent letters are ok, but forged fake constituent letters are going too far?)

Of most concern has been their ability to neutralize the house and senate majorities by making it look to centrist democrats as if they'll face massive disapproval from their constituents if they so much as think about voting with their party.  

Once again we're discovering that it's easier to raise a mob than to educate a movement, but we knew that all along. Now it's time to figure out what to do about it so that we can get the Democrats to use their House/Senate majorities. Here are some suggestions.

1. Call all your elected reps, Democrat and Republican. Point out that while the tree of liberty has many nuts, it has a lot more leaves, and people are tired of corporate-run health insurance and health care. Point out that once people come to understand the issues, they generally break in favor of reform. Point out that time is not on the side of those who fail to stand up for what's right.

2. Call your Democrats and tell them what we'll do if they continue to waver. And what we'll do is: refuse to contribute to or campaign for them. I figure the "Green Panthers"--the principled, energetic progressives who campaigned hard for Democratic politicians in the last election delivered many more votes than their own. Point out to these reps that if they're going to try so hard to get the approval of Republicans at the expense of Democrats, they might as well try to get Republicans to work on their campaigns and vote for them in the next election. Make it very clear that deciding to actively support Green Panther (formerly "Progressive") initiatives will be good for them--procrastinating or refusing to support us will cost them votes when votes count the most.

(It will be important to stand behind this one--if your Democratic rep doesn't come out in favor of health care reform immediately, you will need to get your friends to send him or her a letter for the next week, saying something like "I talked with Sally Smith and I want you to know that I won't be campaigning for you either. You can expect to receive more letters just like this one.")

For the specifics on why we need a public option and how important it is, please refer to Bob Reich's excellent article on the subject, and please refer your reps to it as well.

I guess my point is, if we want more than 60 votes, we're going to have to help get them. Harry Reid can't do all the kitten-herding alone. And a little more-than-gentle persuasion might come in handy here.

Right now, we're all wearing ourselves out responding  to the nuts. What we need to do is remind our elected representatives that the leaves are counting on them.