For about two weeks now, I've been looking for an authentic healthcare hero in Congress.
I've been on a search for a person willing to stand strong and unwavering on healthcare for the American people. You'd think this would be a straightforward mission--right?
Well think again. Based on the Democrats I've met, a definitive statement to oppose any bill which does not contain a public option, is more difficult to obtain than a million dollar mortgage.
Finally last night, I found a leader named Yvette Clarke.
It's an honor to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with a great American like Yvette Clarke. But it also requires us to wonder, if Yvette Clarke can be so strong and resolute--to the point of standing up to the president, what's wrong with the rest of them?
While you were here debating me, slinkerwink, Jane Hamsher, "the strategy", your like or dislike of Firedoglake, some of the comments were laying me a bit low, so I took my hefty paycheck bought a Metrocard, and rode the number 3 train through two thirds of Brooklyn to yet another town hall.
This was my fifth or sixth event, I've lost track. And in the Brooklyn Jewish Children's Museum, I met the person I've been looking for.
The question you need to ask is, "why has it taken so long?"
Yvette Clarke is a healthcare hero. Representative Clarke is not just a hero, she is a healthcare warrior and a healthcare super star.
This good woman represents the 11CD in Brooklyn. Once in a while in life, you've got to make the hard decisions and do the right thing, seems Yvette Clarke recognizes this, but far too many of her colleagues don't.
LISTEN TO HER COURAGEOUS WORDS. IF CONGRESSMAN CLARKE CAN DO THIS, WHY CAN'T OTHERS IN VERY SAFE DEMOCRATIC DISTRICTS DO THE SAME THING?
What Congresswoman Clarke would say to President Obama.
"I respect our president so much, and I know in his heart what he's really trying to accomplish, and I'd have to be honest with him and let him know that what he's trying to accomplish cannot in my mind, and in the minds of of all, of many of my constituents, cannot exist without a robust public option".
What Congresswoman Clarke would say to Steny Hoyer:
"I hope that the majority leader will re-think his position. I will make my position clear, he will have to add up his numbers from there, to determine whether in fact we're meeting the mandate of the American people".
Congresswoman Clarke: "We look forward to meeting with Firedoglake", and we at FDL look forward to seeing you again soon, and supporting you and the Congressional Black Caucus in any way we can.
I have no doubt that Representative Clarke knows full well that you can't just pass a bill with a bunch of provisions that in theory look reasonable on paper, but don't cause any real positive change in the lives of the American people. In reality, legislation which does away with certain egregious insurance industry abuses (pre-existing conditions, age discrimination, etc), but fails to include a public option, could make things worse-- OMG! even higher premiums, exploding deductibles, mandates for all of us to purchase useless junk insurance.
Without real competition in the form of a public option, things could get worse at a more alarming rate than is happening now. A strong public option is the critical third leg of the table, without it the table collapses.
Contrast, if you will, Yvette Clarke to Anthony Weiner. If Yvette Clarke can come out swinging, why can't Anthony Weiner--he too is in an ultra safe Democratic district?
Anthony Weiner: "I'm not drawing lines in the sand on Eastern Parkway".
Why, Mr. Weiner? Your colleague Yvette Clarke, is drawing a line in the sand on Eastern Parkway, with the President of the United States, why won't you?
We have a gift for you!
The first person who secures a pledge from a member of Congress, to vote against any bill through conference with no triggers, co-ops, gets a Flip Cam direct from FDL Action.
This is not a gimmick, it's a plea. There are still town halls to attend and if you can get to one, please do so. If you can get a commitment similar to the one Yvette Clarke made last night. email it to us. If it's a genuine statement of intention, the first person will receive a Flip Cam courtesy of FDL Action.
USE THE EVENT TRACKER TO LOCATE A TOWN HALL NEAR WHERE YOU LIVE.
And if you doubt anything I've written, I urge you to read It Is Possible To Pass A Public Option Now, Chris Bowers makes the case, that if we don't, we have ourselves Democrats to blame
In both branches of Congress, Democrats already have the votes and procedural options in place to pass a public option on health care reform. This means it is possible to pass a public option now. It also means that if a public option does not pass as part of health care reform, it will be a because of a political calculation made by the Democratic leadership, not because there was no way to pass one.
. . .This is a choice. Democrats can pass a public option if they want to. If all goes awry, don't let Democrats tell you after the fact that they had no other options. Tell them that there was a viable path to the public option they could have followed, but they chose not to follow it for political reasons.
In closing, I owe Jane Hamsher a huge debt of gratitude. I want to thank her for her tireless support and encouragment. She was the one who urged me to go on the road and search for the truth from those we elect to do our business. It was Jane who got me to put my little Flip Cam in my knapsack, and bring all these statements back for you to judge.
I may be heading to a town hall in New Jersey later today, and on Thursday, I'll be in Connecticut.
AND WE'RE STILL ASKING YOU TO SUPPORT THIS WORK.
THERE ARE A BUNCH OF EXTREMELY HARD WORKING PEOPLE TRYING TO SECURE A PUBLIC OPTION. WE RECEIVE VERY SMALL STIPENDS (FOR LIVING EXPENSES), BASED ENTIRELY ON YOUR GENEROSITY.
PLEASE DONATE WHATEVER YOU CAN. WE RELY ON YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT, AND YOU HAVE BEEN AMAZING.
THERE ARE 22,OOO LOBBYISTS, THEY ARE DESCENDING ON WASHINGTON DC. TO STOP HEALTHCARE REFORM
Please help us continue this fight for the American people and against the FAKE PROTESTORS, THE MOB VIOLENCE, the insurance industry lobby and its August campaign of fear.
Lobbyists and wealthy Republican donors are spending $1.4 million a day to insure that healthcare reform dies. We are beginning to win this battle--literally see daylight, where before there was darkness, thanks to your generosity.
https://secure.firedoglake.com/...