Time to Be Bold- 51 Votes for a Public Option!
Why is it that with an 18 vote majority in the Senate (even with Brown winning) Democrats cannot get any of their legislation passed? Bush, who had a much slimmer majority, passed whatever he wanted; but for Democrats it appears that 60 is the new 50.
Republicans are setting a historic high in their abuse of the filibuster and for some strange reason the Democrats don't seem to think this is worth noting. In all of the 19th century it was used just 24 times, during Eisenhower's 8 years, it was used twice, during the sixties it was used 8% of the time, but with the current 110th Congress, Republicans have used it an unprecedented 112 times. A majority of Americans voted for change, but a minority of 41 Senators are denying it.
Some are calling for Democrats to call the opposition party's bluff. For example, do Republicans really want to talk for days on end to prevent insurance companies from being subject to antitrust laws like every other industry, or to block a consumer financial protection agency that would stop Big Banks from gouging us with hidden fees and usurious interest rates, or to prevent legislation that would ensure we will not suffer a second and worse economic meltdown. I think it would be great- it would give us plenty of time to focus on the issues and expose those who are blocking progress on behalf of the profiteering corporations.
Republicans are trying to make the Brown win be a referendum on health care, but the people in Mass. already have reform and poll after poll shows that the American people want it too! They are fed up with the greedy insurance companies raising our premiums and denying us care- they want competition, choice and reduced costs- they want a strong Public Option.
What is most telling is that those who stayed home in the Mass election said by 6 to 1 that the current health care legislation does not go far enough! Eighteen percent of people who voted for Obama voted for Brown and 82% of them support a strong public option (one could debate why they would pick such an anti reform candidate such as Brown to show their frustration) and 86% of those who stayed home want a Public Option. (boldprogressives.org)
The Senate could deliver by going to reconciliation that requires just 51 votes. Please note- this is not the same thing as the nuclear option. The Bush administration used reconciliation to pass tax cuts for the richest Americans in 01 and 03 and for other measures. Let your Senators know what we expect! Tell them- this is the time to live up to your promise and to stand for the people (if you expect the people to stand by you!) 202 224-3121.
Republicans are setting a historic high in their abuse of the filibuster and for some strange reason the Democrats don't seem to think this is worth noting. In all of the 19th century it was used just 24 times, during Eisenhower's 8 years, it was used twice, during the sixties it was used 8% of the time, but with the current 110th Congress, Republicans have used it an unprecedented 112 times. A majority of Americans voted for change, but a minority of 41 Senators are denying it.
Some are calling for Democrats to call the opposition party's bluff. For example, do Republicans really want to talk for days on end to prevent insurance companies from being subject to antitrust laws like every other industry, or to block a consumer financial protection agency that would stop Big Banks from gouging us with hidden fees and usurious interest rates, or to prevent legislation that would ensure we will not suffer a second and worse economic meltdown. I think it would be great- it would give us plenty of time to focus on the issues and expose those who are blocking progress on behalf of the profiteering corporations.
Republicans are trying to make the Brown win be a referendum on health care, but the people in Mass. already have reform and poll after poll shows that the American people want it too! They are fed up with the greedy insurance companies raising our premiums and denying us care- they want competition, choice and reduced costs- they want a strong Public Option.
What is most telling is that those who stayed home in the Mass election said by 6 to 1 that the current health care legislation does not go far enough! Eighteen percent of people who voted for Obama voted for Brown and 82% of them support a strong public option (one could debate why they would pick such an anti reform candidate such as Brown to show their frustration) and 86% of those who stayed home want a Public Option. (boldprogressives.org)
The Senate could deliver by going to reconciliation that requires just 51 votes. Please note- this is not the same thing as the nuclear option. The Bush administration used reconciliation to pass tax cuts for the richest Americans in 01 and 03 and for other measures. Let your Senators know what we expect! Tell them- this is the time to live up to your promise and to stand for the people (if you expect the people to stand by you!) 202 224-3121.
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