To start, my condolences to the Kennedy family. Ted Kennedy was a living legend and should be the standard for all future Senators. He was a liberal lion, but more importantly, he was a good man with a good soul. Sadly, the dream he spent a lifetime fighting for will have to go on without him -- we'll win.
Now, good news -- really good news:
A new survey commissioned by the AARP asks respondents to what degree they support or oppose "[s]tarting a new federal health insurance plan that individuals could purchase if they can't afford private plans offered to them" -- a public option, in other words. The results are interesting, though not necessarily surprising to those who have been closely following the debate.
All: 79 percent favor/18 percent oppose
Democrats: 89 percent favor/8 percent oppose
Republicans: 61 percent favor/33 percent oppose
Independents: 80 percent favor/16 percent oppose
Despite the traditional media's narrative that real Americans don't support the choice of a public, we know it's rubbish at best. Progressives pushed back hard last week and made it clear the House can't pass a bill without a public option. Now we need to prove the Senate CAN pass a health care bill.
DFA, PCCC, Open Left, and all the usual suspects are trying to identify five more supporters to add to the pot this week and build the momentum that a public option is doable in Washington. We changed the status quo last week and, with the news of Ted Kennedy's death, we can do it again in his honor.
So contact all of the Senator, and ask them to support a public option this week.
Get them to respond and it will steamroll the effort just like it did last week.
What else can you do?
Right now, we need to honor Ted Kennedy's memory. In fact, the Senate and the House should rename the bill "The Kennedy Bill" so we can finally make his dream a reality. The PCCC was WAY ahead of me on this one and already have a petition up asking for just that. From their website:
All the signatures will be hand-delivered to the offices of Sen. Harry Reid and other key senators in Washington DC next Monday, August 31 -- just as the Senate is returning from August recess.
Good. It's nice it's not all list building -- so click here to sign it.
Other than that. Keep up attending local meetings, talking to friends and family, and don't budge a public option. Remember, that was the compromise.
[UPDATE #1: I know this annoys some people, but thanks for all the 'recs.]