I've called my congresswoman and Senators almost every day for weeks now. I've called and written the whitehouse offering my encouragement and support almost weekly. I've tried to keep my cool;tried to maintain the high ground while resisting the urge to panic at every twist and turn of the congressional negotiations. But to what effect? As much as it pains me to admit this, I fear President Obama and the Democrats we elected with huge majorities in Congress are selling progressives down the river.
I've taken off the kid gloves. It's time to stop being nice. Time to tell President Obama how he's getting his butt kicked by kooks and wingnuts. Here's the letter I sent the white house today...
President Obama,
I worked very hard to help get you elected as president. I was convinced that you were going to support real Health Care reform that included a strong Public Option. As the blue dogs, wingnuts and tea baggers have taken over the debate, I am troubled to hear that your administration is considering dropping the public option in favor of a "bipartisan" effort. I fear that your administration has dropped this public option based on the fear generated by rumors and lies spread by the health care industry, astroturf right-wing groups and the propagandits at Fox News. Mr. President, this bipartisan approach, while noble in concept, has turned out to be a disaster. Many leading republicans have indicated that they will not vote for any healthcare reform, no matter how many ideas and amendments they get passed.
With all due respect, Mr. President, it is time to step into the forefront of this debate and stop negotiating with Republicans whose support we'll never get. They are not negotiating in good faith and have made it abundantly clear that they are going to fight any healthcare reform in an effort to do political harm to your presidency. Enough with the bipartisanship already! We are squandering our majorities in both houses and the Whitehouse.
My healthcare insurance rates have almost doubled in 8 years. My co-pays and deductibles get higher every year, almost to the point where my wife and I cannot even afford our co-pays. A so-called non-profit cooperative that puts more money and power in the hands of insurance companies is not a Public Option! It's a sellout to corporate interests. Why do they have such a loud, respected voice while the voices of over 60% of Americans who support a public option get drowned out in the negotiations?
I realize you've been waiting on the sidelines while Congress wrestles with the legislation, so as not to look as if you are dictating policy, but rather guiding it. Unfortunately, this strategy has left a void that has been filled with lies about "death panels," "Pulling the plug on Grannie," "benefits for illegal aliens" and dozens of issues not even covered in the legislation. Our side has given up the moral high ground to a bunch of wingnut zealots. How can we be losing the debate to people who don't even understand that the Medicare they love is government run healthcare?
My enthusiasm and support for your presidency is giving way to a feeling of dread that you may be abandoning progressive ideals in favor wishy-washy centrism that solves no problems, pleases nobody, and weakens the real reform and, dare I say, CHANGE, we all worked so hard to bring to Washington through your presidency.
Throughout the presidential campaign, I loved your line about there not being a "Blue" America or a "Red" America, that there was only the United States of America. Unfortunately, we now find ourselves in a position not of having a Red and Blue America, but a sane, good-faith, rational America and an insane, irrational, fear-inspired America. Please be the president of the Sane America. Please stop trying to satisfy or negotiate with insane people.
I will continue to fight for your presidency as long as you stand up for the progressive ideals that got you elected.
Thank you for your service, your time and consideration. Please step up to the bully pulpit and give opponents of healthcare the hell they deserve!
Respectfully,
ME