Attention Blue Dogs
The group of "Blue Dog" Democrats sent this letter to Nancy Pelosi yesterday demanding changes to the Health Care bill currently being worked in the House:
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/documents/2009/07/blue-dogs-we-cant-support-health-care-reform-without-significant-changes.php?page=1&ref=fpblg
In this they actually demand "Bipartisanship" and state that "The American Public is looking for us to work together, regardless of party affiliation, to pass comprehensive health care reform".
Now, I'm completely over this idea that even though the American people in the last two election cycles have overwelmingly chosen to put Democrats in office in both houses of Congress that Democrats are supposed to allow the minority party which has absolutely no desire to meet in the middle on this or any bill like it to water it down to the point it no longer does was the American People need it to do. Simply put just like the stimulus package, Republicans want to change the bill but then won't vote for it anyway; so what's the point?
This country NEEDS a public option if not full Universal Coverage and needs it fast! Families are drowning in medical premium costs that may or may not actually cover us if God forbid we suffer from a catastrophic illness or injury. If I wasn't spending over 10K a year just in premiums for my family; I would almost certainly be stimulating the economy with a lot more spending and so would you and again that's just my premium (I'm an independent contractor).
Blue Dogs, I know you think that you are securing your votes in your conservative districts back home but health care is an issue that you need to rise above getting reelected and consider that we are in a unique position where we can finally make this happen in our country and if this Congress can save the American People from this Health Care monster we are currently facing then it will be an historic Congress. Over 75% of the American People want a Public option; don't let the small percent of partisans that would never support the bill to control the agenda and more importantly to water down a bill that is worthless if if doesn't get us the coverage that we so desperately need.
Sincerely,John Hodson
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/documents/2009/07/blue-dogs-we-cant-support-health-care-reform-without-significant-changes.php?page=1&ref=fpblg
In this they actually demand "Bipartisanship" and state that "The American Public is looking for us to work together, regardless of party affiliation, to pass comprehensive health care reform".
Now, I'm completely over this idea that even though the American people in the last two election cycles have overwelmingly chosen to put Democrats in office in both houses of Congress that Democrats are supposed to allow the minority party which has absolutely no desire to meet in the middle on this or any bill like it to water it down to the point it no longer does was the American People need it to do. Simply put just like the stimulus package, Republicans want to change the bill but then won't vote for it anyway; so what's the point?
This country NEEDS a public option if not full Universal Coverage and needs it fast! Families are drowning in medical premium costs that may or may not actually cover us if God forbid we suffer from a catastrophic illness or injury. If I wasn't spending over 10K a year just in premiums for my family; I would almost certainly be stimulating the economy with a lot more spending and so would you and again that's just my premium (I'm an independent contractor).
Blue Dogs, I know you think that you are securing your votes in your conservative districts back home but health care is an issue that you need to rise above getting reelected and consider that we are in a unique position where we can finally make this happen in our country and if this Congress can save the American People from this Health Care monster we are currently facing then it will be an historic Congress. Over 75% of the American People want a Public option; don't let the small percent of partisans that would never support the bill to control the agenda and more importantly to water down a bill that is worthless if if doesn't get us the coverage that we so desperately need.
Sincerely,John Hodson
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The only point of joining a political party is to be partisan. The Republicans are grownups (even if they don't act like it). They can make their own partisan arguments. We don't need a faction in the Democratic Party organized around the principle that it is their job to make Republican arguments.
July 10, 2009 5:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Blue Dogs know (unlike you) that they were elected in republican districts because they convinced voters they will handle the economy better than the Republicans they replaced.
Given how quickly Democrats are losing to Republicans on issue after issue only 5 months are an "historic" election, it's only a matter of time before Blue Dogs are voted out of office - unless they actually represent the voters who elected them. They know it and that's why they sent that letter.
Tough choice: be hyper-partisan and self-destruct or be a centrist and retain the majority.
July 11, 2009 10:19 AM | Reply | Permalink