Note: The following diary will be written like a fanfiction.
It is the first week of August 2009 and Mike Ross is heading home to his lovely house in Prescott, Arkansas. It has been a long summer for the Representative to the House of Representatives what with all the arm-twisting he had to do and not to mention the Ross Amendment to the Energy and Commerce Committee Bill which was basically a way to bleed the public option and make it weaker. All in all, it has been a very productive summer for the congressman who is currently in his fifth term.
(More below the fold.)
Mike Ross entered the living room of his house, surprised that the house seemed to be completely empty despite the fact that his family was expecting him home.
"Hello, Mike, have you had a good summer?" a smooth voice suddenly asked.
Mike Ross then pivoted over and noticed a shadowy figure sitting in the darkness on an easy chair over in the corner.
"Mark White, is that you?" Mike Ross asked.
"Yes, it is I, the President and CEO of Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, and I'm here to express my disapproval of you," the man said as he took out a cigar and lit it with a $100 bill.
Mike Ross, still confused sat down on the sofa facing the easy chair and asked, "But what did I do wrong? I have made provisions in HR 3200 to weaken it and make sure that you can still hold a monopoly."
"Oh Mike, Mike, Mike," the executive said as he shook his head, "But your 'good intentions' were not enough. The public option will still be able to compete on some level with our insurance services and our gravy train is going to be hindered."
"What would you have me do?" asked Mike Ross as he started to fidget nervously.
"We want you to not support a public option at all, Mike. We would rather you push for mandated insurance where people have to buy from us, but what's most important to us is that you come out against HR 3200," Mark White said as he made a smoke ring.
"I cannot do that, Mr. White, I have done too much to irk the leadership as it is and Bill Clinton himself is pressuring me to support HR 3200," Representative Ross said, his hands clenched into fists, trying to contain his panic.
"Bill Clinton is not helping your re-election, Mike, we are, and we are quite willing to make your opposition to HR 3200 worth your while. Name a figure up front and I'll write a check for it as a PAC contribution to your 2010 re-election campaign. How does 10,000 dollars sound?"
"Mr. White, please, try to understand...."
"20,000 dollars?"
"So many people are counting on me to help get this passed...."
"You're quite a stubborn man, Mike, how about 30,000 dollars and not a penny more? You will get more if HR 3200 is defeated," Mark White said firmly.
"Well...alright then, but what should I tell my colleagues when Congress goes back into session?" Mike Ross said in a submissive voice.
"Just tell them that your constituents convinced you to come out against it."
"Well, that sounds believable."
The executive then proceeded to fill out a check for 30,000 dollars and handed it to Mike Ross. "Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Ross, we look forward to working with you in the future."
Mike Ross took the check gingerly and stuffed it into his suit pocket. "Can I offer you a drink, Mr. White?"
"No thanks, I should really be off now," Mr. White said as he stood up and left the house without another word.
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The moral of the story is that although the outlook may be mixed, we cannot stop fighting for real reform this year. Call/e-mail/contact your representatives and senators and ask them to support a robust public option and also ask for the Ross Amendment to be gutted when the House combines the three bills. Stand strong for real reform!
Ask for change we can believe in here: http://www.actblue.com/...
Sign an excellent petition here: http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/...
The phone number for the Congressional switchboard: Congressional Swithcboard: (202) 224-3121
Contact the White House here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/...
WH Switchboard: 202-456-1414
WH FAX: 202-456-2461