Dear Senator Nelson,
There's an old saying I first heard come out of my dad's mouth when I was in grade school: "If you're digging yourself into a hole, the first thing you need to do is stop digging."
Senator Nelson, you've dug so hard the shovel is almost glowing red hot at this point. All this triangulating you are doing over the Public Option is not serving the state, it's not serving your constituents and it's not serving you personally.
You will find yourself taking heat every day between now and November, 2012 from every side. Progressive Democrats in Nebraska, like myself, are a growing force in the party. You need look no farther than the recent endorsement of the public option by the leadership of the party when they met in Omaha.
We will not accept your support of a Republican filibuster over health insurance reform. You'll find the water in your next primary kettle mighty hot, Senator.
And, if you believe for one minute that your triangulation over health insurance reform is placating Nebraska conservatives, you're wrong about that, too. Republicans are increasingly seeing you as a man without any principles -- not conservative, not liberal. Just a political hack looking for a way to cover his butt on an issue that stirs passion in everyone else. Nebraskans don't care for politicians who spend all their time watching the weather vane to see which way the wind is blowing.
Ultimately, your responsibility is to the million and a half individuals you represent. People who are, by and large, wage earners working for small to medium size companies. The kind of companies that are the first to reduce or drop benefits like health insurance when times get tough.
You know, in your heart, that the insurance providers exploit these smaller businesses. You know, in your heart, that the business model of health insurance is not about providing a good product for the lowest possible price. It's about maximizing profit by reducing service and increasing premiums.
And, you know, in your heart, that only a public option will provide competitive pressure to reduce the cost of health insurance in places like Nebraska.
When you refuse to stand with wage-earning Nebraskans; when you refuse to even commit yourself to a cloture vote, and in so doing stand with the defenders of an unsustainable status quo; when you support Republicans who salivate at the thought of a filibuster; you are showing a face I can no longer support.
If I can't find any air between your votes and those of Mike Johanns, I might as well have two Republicans mis-representing me. At least I wouldn't waste time and energy hoping for a pseudo-Democrat to show some backbone. In 2012, my efforts, my money and my vote will go to anyone who is ready to defend the interests of the middle class. In other words, a real Democrat.
It's too bad. In the times I've had the chance to speak to you, Senator Nelson, you've seemed to be a smart and engaged man. But, you are utterly tone-deaf on health insurance reform. It seems clear that your insurance background, and your insurance sponsors are your sole concern in this debate.
Good luck to you. You'll need it.
Sincerely,
A Pissed-Off Nebraska Democrat