Hello everyone. I just couldn't stand it anymore, so I called Rep. Anthony Weiner's NY-09 office then at their request the DC office.
Me: Is Rep. Weiner's Single Payer amendment going to be scored by the Congressional Budget Office?
Nice person: Let me check.
Nice person: Yes, it's being scored right now. The rumor that the amendment will not come to the floor is not true. Any floor item must be scored.
Me: May I post this on DKos?
Nice person: You bet.
NY-09 Nice person: We sure have noticed a lot of comments about Rep. Weiner on the site.
Me: We like his outspoken support and straight talk about insurance companies and Single Payer.
I told them that it wouldn't surprise me if the cost was the best of all the bills on HCR. They both said they sure hope so.
This is a portion of an email letter I sent this August when we thought all was lost...below the fold.
Since then members of Daily Kos have made lists of other possible names:
- Medicare for Everyone
- Medicare for Everyone, who wants it (choice)
- Universal Medicare
- Universal Medicare, opt in
- Americare (let the unpatriotic object)
- Medicare for All
I think you get the idea. There is no reason, your bill should not be the law. You have done a great job.
Can we reframe this? Words matter.
I send You Tube links of your speeches to everyone I know. They sell themselves.
The problems we are having selling this shift are:
- The phrasing and hot button words
- With five bills, no one knows what is going on. We want to help and need focus and simplicity.
Thank you very much. Your staff have been very polite and informed when I have called. Even though I am not in your constituency, they welcome my comments. I wish it was so with every other Senator and Representative especially those on key committees.
This is good news. I thanked them profusely and wished them luck.
I have heard several people such as Jay Rockefeller and Chuck Schumer say that the August teaparty month may have swung the momentum our way. I don't know why I felt that a little more time might help us get our message more focused and strenuous. It seems to be the case. Femlaw's diary encouraging calls today is going great. Check it out and call.
We have been so focused on the Senate, but there is fire from a number of reps in the House, on HCR.
Thank you everyone.
Update: This is my second diary in the world. I think we all need some good news. Would you like a list of all the name options? There are some good ones. I called Rep. Weiner's DC office back to let them know they are getting attention for their work. They are grateful.
SarahLee asked me to remember to add a link to the Daily Kos Health
Care Google Group. Thank you Sarah.
And here is a link for Single Payer Action items. Thank you SarahLee.
And for those who need light reading this evening here is a link to the bill. PDF alert.
Links to Rep. Weiner videos.