"Getting a child to see a doctor should not be a political decision"

Friends,

We just held the largest press conference of this cycle to demand that my rubber stamp opponent vote to override George Bush's veto of children's health care tomorrow. I apologize for being brief, but I'm off to visit with more supporters in the district and I wanted to share this with all of you.

Thanks again for your support,

-Eric Massa

•  Go get 'em Eric!

  We need to support progressive, straight forward candidates like Eric!

  by xxzabriskiexx on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 02:09:46 PM PDT

  •  Give 'Em Hell!

    by justiceleague on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 02:13:35 PM PDT

  •  The damn rethugs need to get nailed INDIVIDUALY

    on this one if they vote it down again. We're in an Election year!

    by elwior on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 03:18:47 PM PDT

    •  And if it is a political decision...

      ... the answer damned well better not be NO.

      George Bush has run the national debt up from $5.6 trillion to over $9 trillion in just seven looonng years.  The idea that this evil buffoon can even pose as being concerned about deficits without having rotten tomatoes hurled at him is scandalous.  The fact that he's doing this at the cost of the health of children should be felonious.

      Eric Massa is a strong supporter of single payer health care.  It's one of the many reasons I've adopted him for monthly ActBlue donations.  If Kossacks have a few bucks they're wondering what to do with, they could do far worse than putting this man in Congress.

      by Dallasdoc on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 04:26:08 PM PDT

      •  Thanks for the reminder

        My contribution goes off tomorrow, with the hope that it plays even a small part in "putting this man in Congress."  I enjoyed meeting and interacting with him in Chicago/ he's straightforward, honest and seemingly indifatigable.  Go Eric!

        by vigilant meerkat on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 07:15:59 PM PDT

        •  Single payer will have Congress kicking and

          screaming to try and block it as there are so many vested interests against it.

          But it is the only way to achieve adequate cost effiencies so all Americans can have good medical care, regardless of income. That is a major plank in any progressive's platform: to insure that all Americans receive good healthcare.

          Thank you for taking up this fight, Mr. Massa!

          by 4Freedom on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 07:37:31 PM PDT

•  Okay to be brief

  If you've got something to say!

  Thanks, Eric.

  by javelina on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 02:11:30 PM PDT

•  We need more like you!

  by justiceleague on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 02:11:39 PM PDT

  •  I am with you, justiceleague

    We need more like Eric - progressives fighting tooth and nail for us!

    Three kossacks come quickly to mind:

    Gilda Reed  LA01

    possum  DE-01

    CanYouBeAngryAndStillDream  CA-42

    Let’s back up our progressive candidates in any way we are able!

    gab

    by gabriella on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 05:00:00 PM PDT

•  Too busy is great!

  I'll have to wait until after the taxes are back, but I'll be sure to help you spread the word. Thanks for keeping up the fight!

  by blueintheface on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 02:23:00 PM PDT

•  Great job and keep up the good work

  Wish I were in your district - you'd sure get my vote.

  by moodyinsavannah on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 02:29:06 PM PDT

•  Keep the pressure on him, Eric!

  Thanks for all you do.

  by mcjoan on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 02:42:48 PM PDT

•  Go for it -

  Keep on fighting - keep this issue alive!!!

  Keep the presidential candidates from sucking all the oxygen out of the room with their petty meaningless squabbles.

  This is real news.  

  by Patience is Not a Virtue on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 03:10:44 PM PDT

•  I called several relatives in your

     district last election and they were already energized to go out and vote Democratic/Progressive.  Hope you get the few hundred that you need to tip the scales this time.  Good Luck.  and Thank You.

  by oceanview on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 03:15:23 PM PDT

•  I didn't even know it was coming back up!

  Does anyone know what the prospects are? Maybe I'll put a bug in the ear of my Representative, Congressman Shithead (Cambpell) from the fighting 47th in Orange County.
   I love to bug that prick!

  by elwior on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 03:17:09 PM PDT

•  Recommended, n/t

  by Mr SeeMore on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 03:18:26 PM PDT

•  great message

  n/t

  by pollwatch on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 03:20:49 PM PDT

  •  Clear and direct -- to the point.

    "70% of Americans support this bill."  Keep hammering on this issue.

    "Rubber Stamp Robots" -- a good phrase. We should hear it a lot.

    by Fiona West on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 04:05:37 PM PDT

•  Unite For Massa!

  Eric Massa is one candidate we can all unite FOR!  As the primary wars rage on, let's not forget great candidates like Massa!

  by howardpark on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 03:52:38 PM PDT

•  Go Eric!

  Once I get my tax refund, you're getting another contribution!

  Donate here:  Eric Massa for Congress

  by hockeyrules on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 04:01:35 PM PDT

•  Go Eric!!!

  Keep speaking truth to power.  Send Rubber Stamp Randy packing.

  by mikepridmore on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 04:04:14 PM PDT

•  Bush said

  "In a civilized society, the strong protect the weak"

  What he neglected to add was... "Except when it costs money, especially from the pockets of my cronies."

  by gooderservice on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 04:04:57 PM PDT

•  Children should not be pawns in the political

  process.

  Bring Kuhl and his boss man Bush down. Support Eric.

  Noel

  by noelschutz on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 04:37:38 PM PDT

  •  no but anymore it seems like the whole world

    are pawns for politicians  just another weapon inthe arsenal for them  

    by testvet6778 on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 04:39:58 PM PDT

•  SALUTE go get'em Eric

  by testvet6778 on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 04:40:33 PM PDT

•  Go get em, Eric!

  You are a credit to the Democratic Party.

  by SaneSoutherner on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 04:42:39 PM PDT

•  Not just children...

  Adults get sick too. Good diary though!

  by Snud on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 05:00:11 PM PDT

  •  Hear! Hear!

    Thanks, Snud!

    gab

    by gabriella on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 05:01:56 PM PDT

•  A transcontinental backpat . . .

  . . . from someone who wishes I had a congressman like you here in CA-36.

  by keikekaze on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 05:42:24 PM PDT

  •  I don't remember the districts in Calif I lived

    in Riverside back in the 60s and 70s  and part of the 80s  went in the Army in 73 got out in 1982 at Fort Irwin  moved to Ga in 85, my parents are buried at Riverside National

    by testvet6778 on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 06:34:12 PM PDT

    •  The numbers would have been different then, . . .

      . . . but now CA-36 runs from Venice through the South Bay to Torrance, southwest of L.A.  It's  Jane Harman's district.

      by keikekaze on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 12:10:56 AM PDT

•  All right

  You are slowly chipping away !!  I heard on WXXI (the Rochester, NY NPR affiliate) about this.. They mentioned your press conference, and stated that you have asked Kuhl to support the override of the Veto.  Good job !! good press !

  Also, thanks for you insperation speach last summer in Honeoye Falls !!  In a district 2 'R's for every 'D', we took it back.. Democat town supervisor, and 2 Democrat town board members.. Eric told us last summer that the tide was turning, and indeed he was right !!

  by bgrenn on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 05:44:24 PM PDT

  •  Eric isn't just about DC

    Eric has walked door to door with local candidates running in village elections in the district. He wears an FDR button on his lapel. There are just so many ways this guy gets it.

    by Historical Pessimist on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 07:00:47 PM PDT

•  What Democrats are about

  This diary represents what will keep the Democrats ahead of the curve. Here you have a strong local leader snagging a powerful soundbite on a national issue. We have to focus on the local people who are driving new ideas. That's how you build a permanent progressive majority.

  -fink

  by fink on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 06:03:21 PM PDT

•  This is how a real progressive talks!

  I heard Eric speak in Albany last year, and he is even better in person.  

  Here's something people may not know (and I write this as someone who does not live in his district) but Eric went out last Autumn canvassing door to door for down ballot candidates.   When did you last hear of a Congressional candidate doing something like that?   Usually it's help me and then... nice knowing ya, you're on your own!   This is the kind of Democrat we need in every district!  A real party builder who honestly and truly appreciates and engages the grass roots!

  by tea in the harbor on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 06:29:13 PM PDT

•  Shouldn't be a political decision.

  Nor decided by corporate bean counters, cutting expenses to gain their bonuses.

  by deben on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 06:44:27 PM PDT

•  It was great seeing you again

  Still insisting upon the truth and doing the right thing.  We need you Eric, so keep fighting.

  by vigilant meerkat on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 07:07:41 PM PDT

•  Somewhere along the road those backing our

  politicians decided they could make more money from war than from peace, and gain greater control over our population at the same time. Hence our manufactured "wars". The blood, death and cost are real, the motivations for going to war are manufactured.

  It will take leadership like Massa's to help our country heal and to understand the lies our citizens have been sold.

  by 4Freedom on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 07:48:56 PM PDT

•  Wish I could vote for you!

  Well done Eric.

  America needs to take better care of its sick, especially children, and George W. Bush is one of the worst things to happen to children in this country since its founding.

  I wish I could cast a vote for you, but since I can't, I'm happy to chair any efforts of yours in the Chicago area! :)

  by GirlZero on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 09:48:15 PM PDT