I am frustrated.
On issue after issue we hear about Republican filibusters, Republican resistance, Republican efforts to derail health care, Presidential nominations, endless strings of budget issues, etc. Time after time we give them the "well, they're all against us, bastards and fuckers all" then walk away.
That, is stupid.
We need exactly one moderate republican to step over the line on health care, to vote for cloture, and Joe Lieberman can go blow himself in the middle of the Watertown for all I care. Two, and Blanche Lincoln can go join him. We can't give them a pass for sticking together -- that's not governing, its dicking over their constituents.
So, today I'm going to start calling Senator Luger's office to demand that he vote for cloture after debate on the senate floor, and again when the final bill comes back from reconciliation. Party unity is no excuse.
Don't tell me your Republican is too conservative or too much an ass-hat to care, we need to rattle their cages. If we push hard enough to break up their block-headed unity movement once, it will benefit us, and honestly the country, a whole lot.
Here's the e-mail I will send him as well
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Dear Senator,
As an Indiana resident, I have been proud that my Republican senator has a long track record of respectful and moderate debate on the senate floor. I am writing you today to ask that you add to that legacy by voting for cloture on the health care reform bill, including a public option, because we need health care reform desperately in our state.
While I appreciate that your party leadership has signaled that they want all republicans to oppose any cloture vote, they do not represent me and the millions of hoosiers struggling to survive as health care costs consume an ever growing chunk of our take-home pay. You represent us Senator. We need your help.
I trust the health insurers to continue moving their profit margins up, to keep their stock prices healthy, and to take good care of their executive teams. I do not trust them to care for me when I get ill, and neither should you. Please, for the good of our country and Indiana, oppose any attempt to kill this bill. Senator, we need your help.
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