Dear Mr. Kucinich,
You have been a loyal advocate for working people, the poor, the disadvantaged and the under privileged for your entire public career. Your efforts have helped lift millions of people from the prison of poverty to help them live a productive, happy and stable life in the middle class. I know and understand the short comings that you view in the house bill that you voted down in November and more so in the Senate bill. I have read your summary of HR 676, a very strong piece of legislation that I strongly favor but does not command a majority of votes. I have called both my Senators here in Michigan to support the inclusion of the public option in the reconciliation fixes. However, I am asking you, today, to be a part of this history making health care reform legislation. I am asking you to support the Senate Health care bill and the side care reconciliation fixes.
I am asking for your support in this hour of America's need. I am asking you to take the long view. You know as well as I do that the health insurance business model is on the brink of collapse. The insurance industry is raising its rates by 39% to 57% in some areas not only through their blind greed but also because they are panicking. Their model is falling apart and they don't care how many people drop their insurance as long as the few who remain keep paying their outrageous prices. But these crazy prices, without reform, will also be met with claim denials, rejection by preexisting conditions and a slew of other insidious practices meant to maximize profits and deny coverage.
I urge you actively involve yourself with the writing of the reconciliation fixes. Help expand the community health centers that Bernie Sander's fought and won inclusion into the current legislation. Help expand opportunities for the average working American and the working poor families who can not afford $900+/month for individual health insurance when their employer does not provide coverage. Help the Americans who are working to the best of their ability and yet still only bring home enough income to pay for food and shelter. You know as well as I do that these Americans are very proud and are not asking for anything for free. They want to pay their fair share for basic health care service. The constitution promises Americans the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Skyrocketing health care costs that exclude millions and millions more Americans every year, deny Americans this promise.
I have family and friends that live or used to live in the house district you represent. I am not asking you to compromise your principles but I am asking you to support an historic piece of legislation that will help stabilize the service of health care throughout America. You must take the long view on this situation. Without health care reform, the industry will collapse creating a crisis, a crisis that will cause the suffering of thousands or perhaps hundreds of thousands of people. We have seen how the markets and government reacted during the housing crisis. It is far wiser to act now, while cooler heads prevail (well, if we can call these cooler heads).
I hope you carefully weigh your decision. I hope you will support the passage of health care reform in the coming weeks.
Respectfully,
Gaspare
You can call Dennis at the phone numbers below. I ask that you be polite and respectful, the goal is to win his support not berate his office.
2445 Rayburn House Bldg
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-5871
14400 Detroit Ave
Lakewood, Ohio 44107
(216) 228-8850
Parmatown Mall
7904 Day Drive
Parma, Ohio 44129
(440) 845-2707
P.S. Although specific to Dennis Kucinich, I hope this letter is also read by other congresspeople who have voted no or are considering voting no, except for Bart Stupac who's kind of a jerk.