The bottom line is this: we, who live in the real world, all know that the Romney/Ryan voucher plan kills medicare. We know that the $6000 voucher is not enough to pay for an insurance premium for most families and people of a certain age. We know that, in fact, it's only because of Obamacare that a 56 year old man with high blood pressure or diabetes could even deign to purchase insurance on the "open market" at all.
We know this.
We must make sure people between the ages of 45 and 54 know it too. We aren't trying to reach everyone, here. We are targeting those between 45 and 54 who would will be immediately effected by the "Romney/Ryan Kill Medicare Plan - Health Insurance Vouchers" for middle-aged Americans".
So we need as many people participating as possible. Can we get 1000 Kossacks to do this? The plan is to create a social media buzz first, then move it into television and on-the-ground activism, particularly in the battleground states, like Florida. If we can move even a small percentage of the 45-54 vote our way by telling the ugly truth about the Romney/Ryan Kill Medicare Plan - Health Insurance Vouchers for middle-aged Americans, we can run up the score.
I don't know about you, but by mid-October I want 10+ point margins in OH, FL, PA and VA. This is our first shot across the bow. Follow me below the squiggle to find find out how.
There are two ways you can can help. But time is of the essence. I'm self-insured. My rates are affordable. But I'm 44 and healthy. At least I think I'm healthy. Going to the doctor is scary when you're worried that an insurance company could double or triple your premiums if they find something "wrong".
My husband is on Medicare. He's 50 and was retired from law enforcement after having a stroke at work. He has a terrible medical history and is literally uninsurable (and would have been uninsurable even before the stroke). Medicare is our lifeline. Without it, my husband is dead.
This is a simple assignment.
You can help in two ways:
1) If you're between the ages of 45-54 and you already get private insurance, ask your insurer for a printout of your annual or monthly premium cost. Alternatively, just look at the monthly bill. Take a picture of your actual annual premium costs and of the mock up vouchers below. Be sure to redact sensitive personal information.
or
2) If you don't have insurance, call to get a quote. Call any of the big insurance companies and tell them you need coverage. As soon as you get the quote in writing, follow the instructions above.
Once we have the plain evidence in sight, with the numbers to show that this 'voucher plan' leaves people in the lurch, and that the cost of a private policy will be greater than the value of the voucher, we begin the media flood.
Let's set a target date of September 3rd - the first day of the democratic convention. We will all unleash these photos in social media such as Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook and Reddit as well as blogs and other popular media sources. If you're inclined, and want to make a rant video, go for it. The idea is to make this an issue that can be covered in the larger media. The idea is to MAKE this the story: Angry, panicked middle-aged Americans are worried that the Romney/Ryan Voucher Plan won't cover their health care costs. We can expect a major assist from two sources: Democrats who will highlight this during the convention and Republicans who will undoubtedly be protesting outside the convention.
And that's where our power lies. If you are going to be in Charlotte seek out protests where news media cameras are evident. Take a small group of others with you. And take your mocked up vouchers too. Make a stink. It will get covered. But only make a stink where the cameras are. Of course, you can take your own cameras and send any dust ups to the media.
We're going to press this and press this and press this. Our goal is get other people between 45-54 worried and anxious about the Romney/Ryan Voucher Plan for Health Insurance and furious about the loss of their 25+ years of contributions to Medicare that they will lose under the Romney/Ryan plan. We want to make it personal. We want them to rethink any idea they might have had about voting for this clueless duo.
Now the real key is to target key states. There will be many opportunities to get in front of the media in those states over the next two months. Florida is the first and obvious place to start. But these tactics can be used in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virgina and Colorado. Reporters should be contacted with these photos.
But everyone can help, even if they aren't in the target age group. Perhaps suddenly you're
worried and you're writing your LTE about yourself or your friend whose insurance quote was really high. You can comment in local newspaper threads. If you're a canvasser or phone banker, use the vouchers and your "own story" as proof. If you have the stomach, you can call conservative talk radio. If you are active in your local DEC, print multiple copies and leave them on people's door steps, or pass them out at registration drives or other outreach drives and challenge people aged 45-54 to call an insurer and get their own quote to "see for yourself that the voucher plan won't work for you". If you like protests, print them out and meet Ryan or Romney on the campaign trail (and get some local media attention in the process). If you're active in a large organization like DFA or OFA or PCCC or MoveOn, get the word out and bring them on board. If you're on social media, spread it. Pin it, Tweet it, FB it, Reddit it. If you have a blog, write. If you know prominent bloggers, bring them on board. If you can write a press release, do it. If you can make a video, go for it. If you can reach the Current or MSNBC or the MSM, don't waste a single second! We will the create and build the momentum for this, this
theft of earned contributions and
destruction of our hard-earned benefits, until we see the results we get the coverage we want. The evening news is a great goal to have, one that I believe we can meet.
We can manipulate the media. We can create the stories we want covered. There's nothing dishonest about this. We are finding ways to get our stories heard and to amplify the issues in critical places at critical times in easy to digest soundbite-friendly ways. We are educating the public in a REAL WAY.
This is how we begin this long fight. This is how we win.
*******
Check out my weekly Media column on your iPad at the GOS Weekly Review!