This is gonna be a short and sweet diary. I am on the Moveon.org list for targeted calls.
UPDATE: Vote this one please! I think I'm going to send it right back to the Staffer I spoke to today. A nice poll and commentary would do some good. Get after it people! Right now, it's 5 to 1 in favor of PUBLIC OPTION
Basically, they bring me an issue for advocacy consideration. I do that, and they also bring me the contact info and ask that I support their effort.
After considering the position they are wanting me to advocate for, I make the call, or not, and report back to them how that call went, what I learned, if I could get through, etc...
Frankly, I like this a hell of a lot. It's been the most effective and simple to do advocacy drive ever. I know what the purpose is, I know I can feed info back, and it's handed to me on a plate, ready to go.
What did the Wyden staffer in his Portland Office say to me today?
After introducing myself, I got right to it. I stated my extreme displeasure with both the delay and Senator Wyden not supporting a NATIONWIDE PUBLIC option that anyone could buy into.
The first thing that staffer did was try to convince me that Wyden was for a public option, by not being opposed to it. WTF?!? I thought for a minute and stated that was not support.
UPDATE: I asked the "does the senator support a public option?" question multiple ways. At no time did I get any statement of positive support. Somebody in the comments noted the technicality of "on the record". Just so everybody is clear, I asked that question several times in several ways. The answer was no support, only a statement not to oppose.
With some minor discussion about that little mess, I flat out asked:
CAN I GET YOU ON RECORD SAYING THAT SENATOR WYDEN SUPPORTS A NATIONWIDE PUBLIC OPTION?
Answer: NO.
Read that again:
NO. That's NO PUBLIC OPTION PEOPLE.
I then asked:
CAN I GET YOU ON RECORD AS TO WHAT SENATOR WYDEN PREFERS TO DO?
THE SENATOR WOULD PREFER TO PASS HIS HEALTHY AMERICANS ACT.
That was the end of the call after exchanging some pleasantries with the staffer.
So, the nuts of it is this. Wyden isn't interested in actual reform. He's interested in making everybody happy, and that means making the insurance companies happy and that means convincing us to be happy with what we get left over after making the insurers happy.
I'm sorry Senator. That is simply not fucking good enough. We didn't replace Gordon Smith, with a fine Senator Merkley who gladly will push for a NATIONWIDE PUBLIC OPTION, just so that you could continue the Oregon game of passive aggressive two faced politics on your own. We thought Smith was the cause of that. Is it you too?
Do I actually have to consider a challenger this coming primary season? You tell me, a very long time and loyal supporter that I have to do that in order to get some actual reform after fighting for so long and so hard, Senator.
UPDATE: I really want single payer for all. The only reason Public Option is being discussed is that is where the momentum is. If there is any movement toward single payer for all, I'm there. And, BTW Wyden wouldn't be. Think about that.
UPDATE: I borked the poll. The question should read:
Will you support a bill that does include a NATIONWIDE PUBLIC OPTION THAT ANYONE CAN BUY INTO?