I did, today...
I wrote my first Kos diary sometime before the election. If I'd spent more time on the site, I'd have known better. Yes, I wrote a 'concern' diary. I was convinced the Repugs finally found the magic bullet that would bring Obama down and I wanted consolation. What I got was worth the embarrassment I endured.
The Kos feedback in a nutshell: The cure for concern is action. So I got up off the sofa & walked into Obama HQ...
But in recent weeks, concern again reared it's ugly head. I let myself fall into soporific despondency over health care reform. I don't like the way it's shaping up. Look at what's being taken off the table... Are we seeing compromise or capitulation?
Last night I half-heartedly responded to an email from Organizing For America (OFA) about a phone conference on health care reform. Mdmslle wrote an excellent diary with a summary of the conference call: President Obama Called Me Today. It was just the kick in the pants I needed. There's work to be done. There's work we can do.
Here's what I liked about the conference: No specific health care program was mentioned. The focus was building support for health care reform within our communities, which means building support for what the people in the community want... not the plan Congress wants, not the plans of the interest groups... it means helping the people in our communities clarify what they want in health care & helping them be heard. It may not track altogether with what I want, but I'll take that chance.
I'll just highlight the a couple of points that really energized me:
There will be a Health Care Organizing Kickoff. The fate of health care will not dangle like a piñata waiting to be whacked by every passing saboteur. We will have a framework for action.
There will be a national day of service focusing on health care reform with events such as free health screenings, walk-a-thons, etc. These activities don't have to be limited to one day. Diane Robertson, an organizer in NC, said that her group has been setting up tables at farmers' markets. What a wonderful opportunity to talk to people about the issues they face. What a great chance to point out that nobody is proposing government controlled health care...
This diary isn't about the specifics of a health care plan. It's about reform itself: Will we get reform? Do you want it bad enough to work for it, even if you're cynical?
We still have time to make it be what we want it to be.
The cure for concern is action.
More info here: President Obama on Call to Volunteers: "We need you to stay involved"
UPDATE:
Rescue (YaY!)
I purposely avoided discussing specific plans, but if you want to get fired up, check out this diary: The Lion Roars! Kennedy Health-Care Plan Has Public Option