As many of us remember, one of the rising stars in the Democratic Party during the last two election cycles was Darcy Burner, a passionate and intelligent woman who ran for Congress twice in WA-08 against incumbent Republican Dave "I Single Handedly Caught The Green River Killer" Reichert. She lost narrowly both times, and now we here in the 8th are going to pay even more steep a price than we've already been paying.
Quoth Dave:
A $1 trillion proposal that puts government bureaucrats between doctors and patients, raises health care costs for families, and reduces choices is not the answer to ensure that our health care system remains focused on people. Yes, this cost estimate is staggering, compounded by the fact that the section of the bill explaining how $1 trillion worth of changes will be paid for reads, "to be provided." Translation: a government shopping spree using the same blank check that authorized the bailouts.
Now, I know he's a Republican. I get it. He votes party line over 80%. But for a district where he came within a hair's breadth of losing re-election not once, but TWICE to the same challenger, I would argue that a large proportion of his constituents are much more closely aligned to the principles of the Democratic party than they are of those of the "Ownership Society" Republicans. After all, we here in the 8th went with Barack Obama 57-42%.
If you live in WA-08, I strongly urge you to call Reichert and let him know that shit like this is just that: shit.
I will continue to fight against a government-run public plan that could force millions of Americans to lose their health coverage, and instead advance common-sense solutions to transform health care in a way that ensures the American people their freedoms, and their health come before expensive, bureaucratic proposals.