Here’s how all this doesn’t suck–we take August to unleash a groundswell of grassroots support for a public option. Otherwise, yes, it does just suck.

People, I know that we’ve faced this fact before, but it’s time, right now that we face it again. These sons of bitches aren’t even trying. I don’t know what we are going to do about it, exactly, but we have to make it clear to them that when they’re talking up the big game before doing nothing in the end to win, or even to contend really, is falling on deaf and on fire ears.

These bastards have been taking us all for a ride…getting rich doing it, and we know it.

It’s only 1 committee, let them pass whatever they want and get the bill moving forward so this BS can be cut out before it reaches the floor.

DLC/Clinton “Dem” are not Democrats! The DLC (which is being re-branded as Blue Dogs) movement was created specifically to infiltrate the DemocratIC Party and keep real Liberal reform from happening. Can it be any more clear now? Jeezus, I’ve been saying this exact same thing since about 1995, yet people still play along.

So of course we should continue to work our asses off to elect even more Democrats across America so we can get these infiltrators like Conrad out of there. This is why Blue America is such an important effort and after this year, I hope becomes our main focus again.

We’ve made great progress in making the DemocratIC Party contain actual Democrats, so onward and upward!

let it fail.

fight for what matters, Single-Payer.

the public will align behind and support those with the courage to advocate for real solutions.

those on the (D) side who are now revealed as staunch opponents of seriously needed reform should be treated as the opponents they are, and allowed to fall by the wayside whether by primary challenge, 3rd party challenge, or Republican defeat.

We simply must give up the idea that they will do the right thing because it makes the most sense to us. We must use August to get in their faces everywhere they go, asking them why they won’t pass a public option.

I called my congressman (again) yesterday to “encourage” him to not vote for anything that does not include the Public Option. Do you think that he, McClintock, gave a flying damn what I “encouraged” him to do?

BT

Putting things in perspective, LBJ for all his shortcomings was able to muscle the Dixiecrat Senators to support his civil rights legislation. If LBJ was able to pull that off, this one should be a cakewalk for Obama.

Where’s your testosterone, Mr. President?

Good thing we have fellows like Kent representing us. Now we will have the pleasure of waiting another generation to make real changes to our healthcare system.

I think the progressive community should announce right now that we are going after the Blue Dog seats in the house and senate. With money, volunteers, phone banks, ads on tv and radio, talk shows, EVERYTHING. They are scum and always will be. This won’t be the last thing they stop unless we stop them.

I wonder if there’s any scenario where the president would veto legislation without a public option.. not holding my breath here, but its worth contemplating just how bad of a bill he’s prepared to live with.

They should be told that they will get no money from Dem party and no appearances for them by the prez until they become real Dems. Sick of them.

baucus $2.8M, grassley $2.7M, demint $1.3M
mcconnell$3.3M, boehner $1.6M,hatch $2.9M

Follow the Money: Link

Call Congress and demand, Single-Payer Health Care for All Now!

Sign Single-Payer Petition: Link

SEMPER FI!

more bad news coming out of the House -

so called ‘deal’ with the Blue Dogs – although the Public Option is retained, they now have introduced co-ops in to the Bill’s language.

as I stated downstairs, the only ‘deal’ they really wanted was the August delay – and now Waxman has allowed the lipstick on Conrad’s pig in to the Bill – how handy for the Conference Committee

as I understand it, this is wrong. New Dems (DLC) are not Blue Dogs. Two different mafias. You may not like either of them, and there are a few overlapping members (mostly in the House), but they are separate and distinct. Admittedly, BOTH groups are problems on healthcare reform, but the Blue Dogs seem to be causing the bulk of the problems. The DLCers tend to fall into line at the end of the line… on major issues like this.

New Dems/DLC: http://www.ndol.org/

Blue Dogs: http://www.house.gov/melancon/BlueDogs/

Remember, 22 House DLCers issued a letter demanding on a Public Option, and attacking the Blue Dogs.

No, I don’t think he does. But those daily calls and emails, while I do that, aren’t exactly the kind of movement we need. Nor is the public whip, even though that’s something we should all do every day too. We need a movement. Any progressive change that has happened in this country has not been as a result of politicians doing the right thing for the sake of doing the right thing. Rule of thumb–they never do. Progressive change has only come through mass movements for change. The public has to show its support for the public option. I want single-payer, and if I thought that letting the public option fail would put single-payer on the agenda, then letting this fail would be a good idea. But all that will do is push single-payer further aside.

Obama and the D leadership are no more on the side of progressives than the Blue Dogs.

Harry and Nancy: Get the F*ck out of the way and let some real leaders take charge. I’m done with both of you.

Kent Conrad’s saying this, as a way to make us leave him alone. Sherrod Brown is not. Chuck Schumer is not. Pat Leahy is not.

In response to ghostof911@7:

Jesse Jackson snuck in and lopped them plumb off.

Here’s a serious question: why let the co-op plan even get a vote? Why should six Senators determine what can and cannot get through the Senate?

The purpose of the co-op plan is solely to ensure that health care reform fails. It’s something Max Baucus pulled out of his a$$ because the public option was too popular with the public, and would certainly have cost his beloved insurance industry money.

I never understand why the Democrats need to have 60 votes while the Republicans only need to have 40 to get something to a vote.

When it comes to preserving status quo ante and the misery attending that, Congress is at its best.

Kent doesn’t give a crap about anybody but his own special self. He manages to get Cadillac style healthcare paid for by us fools and he even manages to get a special deal on a mortgage loan for an 8-plex apartment complex. Kent can go screw himself. Can’t wait to support his opponent. I don’t care if its a Repub. Might as well get the real thing in the Senate instead of Republican Lite. North Dakota is a cheap state. A small donation goes a long way.

We might as well have elected Mitt Romney president then, eh? And given control of the congress back to the Republicans. Same difference.

Ah, but payback will be a sore spot for these cowardly democrats! It’s already showing up in the polls — their lack of leadership and inability to bring about change is giving America a sour taste, according to the latest polls, anyway. From Political Wire:

July 29, 2009

Republicans Catch Democrats in Generic Ballot
A new NPR poll finds Republicans catching Democrats in a generic congressional ballot test.

“Asked whether they would support a Democrat or a Republican for Congress in 2010 if the election were held today, 42% said they would choose a Democrat and 43% a Republican, a difference well within the poll’s margin of error (plus or minus 3.4 percentage points for each number in each question).”

For several years, Democrats have held wide leads on such questions.

A new Rasmussen Reports survey finds Republicans with a three point lead over Democrats.”

Well, here we go again. Democrats campaign on the promise of “Change”, “Help Is On the Way”, and “Yes, We Can!” and then fail to deliver. Miserably. Due to their own ineptitude. The Republicans have little real power now, only what the Dems give them through their compromises, bipartisanship, and letting everyone come to the table equally. Fool me once, fool me twice, fool me again and again. The Dems are not worth the space they take up.

YSD: If what Conrad is saying is true, he wouldn’t need to be saying it, much less repeating it.

He’s trying to make the House — and the Senate HELP committee — give up on the public option by acting as if his own bill is the only game in town.

Sherrod Brown and Chuck Schumer, among others, say otherwise.

God Damn pricks! The people sent them to do the people’s work and what are they doing?? Betraying all of the 70+% who want a true Public Option! Not some mandy pandy coop crap that the Massachusetts experiment has already shown to be failing the citizens of that state. But of course it was a repuke plan there!! And that is just what the Insurance and Pharma corporations want!! People forced to buy their product so they can milk the public for more profits and bonuses for the CEO’s

Yes, among other things. Can you imagine what medicare would look like if this crowd were trying to get it done?

Exactly. There’s no need to pay attention to a plan that, unlike the HELP plan (which DOES have a public option), isn’t even coming from the proper committee.

Ahem. Rasmussen is a Republican pollster — and a joke, as Media Matters points out. Which NPR should know full well.

Obama must be encouraged to veto any bill without a public option. If the Senators won’t listen, then he should rebuke them and shine light on them to help us more easily replace them in their next election.

No public option, no more support for the Dems, Obama included. Scumbags.

Whispers said:

“I never understand why the Democrats need to have 60 votes while the Republicans only need to have 40 to get something to a vote.”

I am SO with you on that one! Why the hell is Harry Reid AFRAID of letting the Republicans filibuster a reform bill? Let them own it! Make sure that it is in every sound bite given out by every Democratic senator, representative, staffer, the POTUS, everyone every time they speak before a reporter, a camera, or a mic. The Republicans weren’t afraid because they new Reid was terrified of actually doing a filibuster and being held accountable. Let them filibuster away and destroy the crazed remnants of their party once and for all, I say.

I’m really having a hard time processing the notion that the American people gave Democrats control of the House and the Senate in 2006, then gave them even larger majorities two years later while installing a Democrat in the White House — just so we could get Willard’s health care plan.

Having a hard time processing? That’s all right. Just keep your nose to the grindstone, call those reps, and don’t forget to elect more Democrats!

That’s the ticket, yup.

Me, I just unsubscribed from BarackObama.com and ALL Democratic party mailing lists. They’re not getting me back, either. The bloggiesfear *must* abandon the oligarchy-supporting political parties and find a new game.

I think their objectives are exactly the same – call yourself a Dem in order to infiltrate the Party, which then allows you to stop real Liberal reform.

Yes, LBJ was able to get big stuff through, but he didn’t have these infiltrators to contend with, which is why the DLCers came up with this strategy in the first place, since they knew how destructive it would be. Dixecrats could be racists, but they were not BigMoney stooges, as the DLC/Blue Dog infiltrators are, and would actually support populist economic policies. DLCers and Blue Dogs will never do this, because that’s completely against their reasons for being in DeeCee.

Couple this with decades of BigMedia conditioning on the masses so they vote against their own self-interest, and we have a much different environment now than what LBJ and others had before.

Well Obama and the dems have been slippin in all the polls I’ve read, partisan or not. Are you claiming that there will be no fallout come 2010? Really? I’m not claiming that this is true or predictive of the future but the Republicans and the MSM are already jumping all over this and proclaiming it as such. Their influence notwithstanding there is generally a loss to the ruling party in midterm elections and I am predicting that this disastrous reform performance is going to cost the Dems votes.

Why is Conrad speaking out now?

Because his worst nightmare just happened: The Blue Dogs and Waxman cut a deal and now are on the verge of passing, in the House, a bill with the public option intact.

Conrad’s trying to say “Resistance is futile!” even as the House is gearing up to reject his co-op crap.

I am so not kidding, either. This was the last straw, the one thing we absolutely had to have, and they’re shitting in our faces.

Public to Sen. Conrad: It’s a given the Senate is dead to the public. See if we don’t exercise the one option we have left on your sorry ass next time ’round.

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Obama is a coward in my opinion. If he had the fortitude balls to actually lead on this he would be calling these idiots like Ross and Conrad out in their own districts by having town hall in their districts, or states instead of these bogus town halls he’s been doing.

Which NPR should know full well.

NPR knows full well to ‘keep it balanced’ by filtering out phone calls from progressives calling them on their tripe day in and day out, program after program. Just queue the snotty sounding music and move on to the next program.

“Ahem. Rasmussen is a Republican pollster”

Hehe. Remember when they had shrub polling at 40 when everybody else was in the high twenties? I do want to note that the term “Republican pollster” appears to be somewhat oxymoronic. Or just moronic.

PW – as usual you cut right through to the heart — doesn’t this mean we should absolutely not leave him alone?

Shouldn’t we all be on the phone to all Conrad’s offices; in his face wherever/whenever possible?

If I lived in DC, I think I’d be on my way to his office right now, and if I couldn’t get in there, I’d dog his steps everywhere the way Mike Stark does. If there were 50 or 100 or so people doing that, letting him know how wrong he is, wouldn’t/couldn’t that have some effect?

If he shows an ounce of courage, his approval rating will go through the roof.

Actually, the polls I’ve seen — such as the DKos poll — show that the slippage is par for the course for the first months of a new president and Congress. In fact, most presidents are at their most popular during the first year of their presidency. The only time in modern memory where a president’s poll numbers were higher at the end than the beginning of his time in office was Bill Clinton.

You’re giving me hope, PW.

I did wonder why we should take what Conrad said at face value.

That’s the way the system is supposed to work. There was blood and sweat paid to put them in the majority, and it’s high time that they start showing some gratitude.

Exactly. He’s hollering now because the House is calling his bluff and getting ready to send the Senate a bill with the public option intact. He’ll keep hollering, and the pro-industry TradMed will keep giving him air time. Doesn’t mean he’s right.

well.. on Countdown didn’t Governor Dean call for protests and mass action? I’m wondering if its time to start planning. If the public outrage is apparent, I suspect that the president will respond. We also need to make it clear in any public appeal that insurance reform without healthcare reform is just more corporate welfare, AIG-style, to a corrupt industry.

I edited my response to you. Am I mistaken in the general trend of the ruling party losing seats at midterm elections? And if the Democratic majority can’t pass anything worthwhile with the majorities they have now what chance is there of passing anything worthwhile with smaller majorities?

That’s what this is all about, really. He’s trying to pretend that his co-ops are a done deal when they are not.

i am getting a headache, because right before i read blue texan’s post above, i read this at daily kos:

And as for Max Baucus’ idea that being last would make him the most relevant person in the debate, and therefore akin to a health care reform dictator? It seems that Baucus and his Republican cohorts have waited too long, and have alienated key players in the Senate and the House. Salon reports:

“Many Senate Democrats also still seem to prefer a public insurance option, rather than a co-op. Even lawmakers who were skeptical of the public option to begin with admit that the co-op idea is only picking up steam now because the Finance Committee is focusing on it. That might not be enough to carry it through. So lawmakers who aren’t involved in the talks aren’t quite willing to write off the Finance Committee’s compromise without seeing it. But they’re starting to run out of patience

so i am getting a headache.

Mainstream Dems need to put out the word that filibustering the party’s biggest priority is tantamount to treason, and will carry severe penalties. Democracy calls for 51 votes, not 60, and Conrad is free to vote against a final bill if he doesn’t like it.

But any Democratic senator who filibusters health reform should be treated as an independent, and no longer as a Democrat. No DSCC funds. No committee chairmanships. No influence.

If there is any way possible, please help us in Pennsylvania dump that piece of detritus Singleshot Specter.

yeah, this is why I just love PW

Ayep, that was my first thought, too. Conrad’s trying to run the table but I think it’s still too early in the game.

The August delay could end up being a good thing for progressives and the public option. Yes, we can put pressure on our Reps and Senators, but we also have to devise a political angle to the strategy-that there will be a political price for no public option and political dividends for including one. Like it or not, deals will have to be cut.

Going to be difficult. I’m sure Hapless Harry promised him complete support from the Dems if he would switch parties. I like Sestak and donated money to his original campaign.

your comment about “they’re talking up the big game before doing nothing in the end to win, or even to contend really” inspired me to prank the dnc.

i called up and told them my parents died and they left me a substantial sum of money.

me: “we’ve been lifelong democrats, and i;d like to give.. well, how does $5,000 sound?”

DNC person: “That sounds AMAZING. can we do this on the phone?”

me: “sure, let’s get started. i love the democratic party and the promise of change.”

I begin giving them a fake name and address. as she’s getting ready for the credit card, i said “by the way: this donation is contingent on a public plan coming out of the house and senate. do you know when that will be?”

pause. longer pause. very long pause.

dnc: “um… i don’t know when that’ll happen. but if you give the money now–”

me: “no, not until it passes. then i will give some money. can you tell me when it will pass?”

dnc: “no, but here is my direct line in case you change your mind or for if it passes.”

I did exactly what the Democrats are doing to us: I got their hopes up and then I dashed them. It felt pretty good.

Taking your ball and stomping home, huh? Susan B Anthony, Gandhi, and MLK would be so proud of you.

Look, we’ve made incredible progress in a few years. We kicked Lieberman out of the DemocratIC Party. We’ve made historic gains in the last two elections for the DemocratIC Party. Blue America and similar endeavors have had some tremendous successes in cleaning House (and Senate). Obama built an organizing group never seen before, and got new generations engaged at levels not seen in decades.

There is a ton of momentum in our favor right now. Yes, lots of leftover infiltrators, who happen to have seniority now which really mucks things up, but why stop here?

We have stopped the bleeding of America. It’s like all y’all who are pouting constantly, many of whom have been since before Obama even took office I might add, just want to make more cuts because you’re pissed the scab hasn’t gone away yet. It takes time.

I can’t understand why all the 3rd Party proponents, or those around here who suggest joining forces and finding common ground with the Teabaggers (yes, quite a few here seriously propose this), don’t just go do that, instead of sticking around and complaining constantly at site devoted to improving the DemocratIC Party.

I so dearly hope you are right. I know I am not the only one who wants this Pres. to succeed….but I want that really, really bad. I want him to be the man we voted for and hailed at his Inaugural. I want him to be our hard-charger against the dino repubs (Kristoll, Hannity, Rush, Ingraham, et al & al & al)so it will be along time for their erroneous arrogance to be exposed. Please. Let him get a bill that puts us on track for more progress even if it is not a perfect bill…for some of us, in the name and for the sake of Sen. Kennedy.

Any grassroots groundswell will be for the government staying the hell out of the way of nationalized healthcare. The only reason the dems want to push this thing through is because each passing day means that this bill is one day closer to death. They do not want to go back to their consituents and listen what they REALLY think.

You’re talking about the party that controls the White House having some slippage in midterms, right? That’s correct — which is why the whole “if the Dems lose seats in 2010 it’s because Obama himself caused it!!!” is such horsepucky. It happens all the time.

In fact, there are only two times in recent memory when it didn’t happen: 2002, when Bush and the GOP coasted on 9/11 wagon-circling to devastate the Democrats, and 1998, when public disgust with the Republican impeachment witchhunt against Bill Clinton led the Dems to hold their own in the Senate (they lost Carol Moseley-Braun, and Republican George Voinovich took retiring Dem Senator John Glenn’s seat, but took out Lauch Faircloth and Al D’Amato, two of the biggest impeachment backers in the GOP) and pick up five seats in the House — and without even really campaigning very hard.

Brendan, this is why Conrad’s yelling “Resistance is futile!” so loudly — because he’s losing ground.

The BASTARD Arlen Specter needs to be hung for his association with the murders of Jack Kennedy.

There was more than one?

Can’t the exposure of his Countrywide racket be some kind of leverage to get him to back off and shut the fuck up? Why is this crook speaking for the Democratic Party?

I reject Max Baucus’ compromise proposal with Republicans for health care reform legislation.

Who is his whip anyway that’s informed him that any bill that includes public option can’t make it out of the Senate? Is there any job in the senate that Baucus is not accomplishing single-handidly at this time?

President Conrad is just representing what his constituents want, right? /s

This whole “duhhh…I’m just representing my constituency” argument sure is becoming popular all of a sudden, and it’s such a crock. Easy line to hide behind.

The Senator is acting like a crook. He has taken a million from the companies he now represents in the house of congress that he uses as a whorehouse. The Senator is a whore, ladies and gentlemen. He knows the price and he pays it. I put it to you this way Senator; Are you taking bribes to kill the people of this country? Do you profit from insurance companies and pharmacological dealers, both criminal and just in the normal corporate mafia?
I do hope the people of your pathetic state are listening. Do they have you back Senator?
I believe someone is going to need to arrest him for bribery. It is easy to prove and a jury is going to convict. See Senator, they don’t have your health plan. Do you understand what is going to happen yet? I know you are cheap date for numerous companies you vote for, how about your own people Senator?

I’m certainly not as intelligent and inside the game as you are PW so I’ll just keep quiet and stop complaining about this disastrous rollout even if it does seem to be so controlled by the Clinton missteps of oh so many years ago (yet, I worked on that one too) and idiotic mistakes I’ve seen the Democrats repeat over and over in the 35+ years I’ve been an active and working member.

You are right — it won’t mean anything if the party that keeps claiming they don’t have the votes to get anything done lose a few more votes or have a public perception problem as being unable to accomplish anything. Why would that have an effect at all? Everything is just the way they want it to be and we are going to get an absolutely amazing bill out of all of this kabuki. I’m sure of it because I keep being told so by all those who slap me down every time I dare to complain about the Democratic party or President Obama. You did it to me last week and now you are doing it again — thanks! I am a fool, proven so by PW! You win.

CNBC. quelle suprise. did everyone see Howard Dean smash Maria Bartilomo (sp?). it’s posted on c&l.

I like Twain’s idea of start booting this blue dogs out NOW. Make a personal visit with family during August…Jam the offices.

How were all of those demonstrations organized during the 60’s and 70’s? Oh, I remember, the news media was sort of telling the truth and reporting the demonstrations. How do you get the word out? Why do people just stay home? Why do my neighbors who understand what is going on with health care just stay home? Sometimes I feel like making my own little sign and driving down to the capital (Sacto) and walking around the building. Would people eventually join me?

Unless, of course, your “constituency” is made up solely of health insurance industry lobbyists…

waxmen’s committee has their mark-up scheduled at 4 today. will we live-blog on campaugn silo?

If Kennedy and Byrd are too sick to vote why don’t the resign and get progressives appointed WHO can vote and give them a leg up for the next election?

Translation: I will filibuster the public option

IIRC, LBJ was the one who said “never trust anyone until you have their ****** in your pocket”.

That’s how he got stuff through congress…

Let me be clear – Dems simply don’t deserve votes from us if these idiots can’t get real health care reform passed with a public option. We should be holding EVERYBODY’s feet to the fire here, including Obama’s. No excuse for no public option at this point. They have the majority – get the stupid thing passed. If the Senate can’t / won’t do it, Obama should use budget reconciliation.

“The opera ain’t over until the fat lady sings.” I don’t know who the fat lady is at this point?

All I can contribute are three observations. Firstly, and with 100% confidence: the CoOp Plan will NOT be competitive with a BCBS in term of lowering premiums. In fact, it may be more expensive. CoOps at the state level do not have the market leverage to drive prices down through competition.

Secondly- a prediction within the margin of statistical error: the critical attributes of Health Care reform (Public Option, mandated coverage, portability, affordability and non-exclusion for pre-existing conditions) will only survive- only- if that much-heralded filibuster-proof Senate bellies up to the bar (unlikely.) The President is ultimately going to have to make a choice: sign a symbolic but impotent bill, or use his veto power.

And lastly,nobody on the Hill is reacting to the chorus from the blogosphere. They don’t fear retribution in the mid-term elections.

I say we hit the streets in the hundreds of thousands in D.C. when the shills return from the vacation or mistresses.

He also said “when you have them by the ***** their hearts and minds will follow.” He wasn’t perfect by any means but he was really tough when it came to handling Congress.

YES YES YES. GET ALL BLUE DOGS VOTED OUT (assuming the alternative in the area is not a right-wing republican loon).

The Blue Dogs and Republicans will be so flush with corporate money they have nothing to fear. They believe that money alone will preserve their seats.

Because that would make sense.

Whoa man. Imagine all the hookers and blow in that district!

Why don’t they fear retribution? If not elected in the dem primary would they simple pull a “Lieberman” ?

Here’s Health Care — Republican Style

For those of us who know ’single payer’ is the only way, it’s over.

The president refuses again today to say he won’t sign a bill without a strong ‘public option’, – translation = I give.

It is over folks for meaningful health care reform. What is left is a giveaway to the pharmas and the insurance corps by forcing everyone to purchase worthless insurance from these anti-American corporatists traitors.

We can only hope there are enough progressives to block these healthcare bill from ever leaving the floor.

I don’t understand the right wingnuts for opposing Obama as he has proven to be Bush3 and the biggest gift to them imaginable. What a colossal disappointment this guy and his administration and well, the entire democratic congress has turned out to be.

Third party is the only answer, get ready and don’t give a dime to the democratic party ever again.

Also change your party affiliation(to independant) and send the democratic party a copy, I intend to do it today.

Great! Where do I sign up and where are we gathering?

Oh, and we did that several times in recent years against the Iraq Occupation, and BigMedia virtually ignored it.

Maybe we need to picket Big Media. Maybe our strategy sucks. Or picket DC and Big Media. They must live just down the street from one another.

Yeah, that whole becoming America’s first melanin-enhanced President thing in a country with a large percentage of violent racists…yea, what a coward!

Oh and taking down the DLC/Clinton Machine and Repub Party, all the while having BigMedia do everything possible to stop you…yea, just luck. Some pretty contentious legislation already signed and 1 for 1 on Supreme Court nominees.

Crazy idea I know, but perhaps Obama anticipated this kind of fight and might have some plans already working or ready for when it’s time to vote?

first and foremost, because there are few candidates with the enormous wealth of Ned Lamont who can and will pose a competitive challenge; coupled with the fact that issues before voters in a particular region tend to have a shelf life of about a week.

Not only must the shills in Congress be targeted with mass protests on the streets but the corporate headquarters of the MSM. Most probably in New York. Simultaneous demonstrations in D.C. and New York cannot be ignored. They will go viral on the internet and you can bet Olberman, Maddow and Schultz will cover them. I don’t expect Brian Williams or Charlie Gibson to do likewise. It’s about time that people began an alternative to the print media. Leaflets, posters, letters, etc.

damned straight. God knows America needs a LBJ-like leader right now.

Maybe our strategy sucks.

In many cases, I think this is true. Organizing is a fine art that people go to school for. Rosa Parks did before she refused to move on that bus. Obama went to various “organizing” camps over the years. Perhaps we need to learn the difference between organizing and activism. Both are great and I love the stuff going on around here, but I do think the balance is off and not enough attention or respect is paid to organizing as skill.

I, for one, believe the nation is at the inflection point where civil disobedience must be a viable alternative.

Obama is beginning to make Neville Chamberlain look like a paragon of courage, strength and fortitude.

Who was it that said there will be change?

Third party is the only answer, get ready and don’t give a dime to the democratic party ever again.

PW, whaddaya think? A “Green Party” activist here?

jasper my man, get it set up and come back and give us link. You’ll have a lot of takers. We’ll be waiting.

David Bowie?

Okay! Let me know where to show up and when, and I’ll be there!

When does FDL, TPM, Daily Kos, Hullabaloo, Think Progress, Crooks and Liars, Huffington Post, Move.On, the Nation, Mother Jones et al call the people out to the streets? It’s time, if not past, to get out from behind our keyboards and telephones and faxes and hit the streets!

I think the aclu has an organizing school. I am going to find out.

If Obama didn’t have that sellout Rahm as his COS, he and Rahm would be using the month of August to go all LBJ on these clowns. They’d be giving out ultimatums – you want anything in your district, then support my plan my way…..you want any DNC assistance, then…. You want me to give a speech for you, then…. Oh Kent, about that airbase you wanted, forget it…

And so on. We sent these guys to DC, with the majorities they said they needed to give us the health care reform we demand….single payer or at least a robust public option. If we wanted the Republicans in charge, we would have left them in charge.

I say it’s high time for good old civil disobediance….picket their offices, sit ins, etc. Enough Mr. Nice Guy…..

Let me know what you find out. I might be interested in that.

Here’s one of the places Rosa Parks attended:
http://www.highlandercenter.or…..-parks.asp

And lookee there…MLK went there too. I’d say whatever they learned was awfully effective.

You know, you are on to something there. If a big crowd gathered right outside a TV news studio, even if said studio ignored the protest, all others would certainly cover it! I choose CNBC. This is citizens against the corporatocracy after all.

Oh please, his race has nothing to do with him being a coward in my opinion in his fight for heath care reform.

Oh and taking down the DLC/Clinton Machine and Repub Party, all the while having BigMedia do everything possible to stop you…yea, just luck. Some pretty contentious legislation already signed and 1 for 1 on Supreme Court nominees.

WOW, lets just give up and not try to take them on. If health care reform is not the issue to take these idiots down then what is? 76% of the people want this.

Crazy idea I know, but perhaps Obama anticipated this kind of fight and might have some plans already working or ready for when it’s time to vote

I don’t think he anticipated this, and if he did, and this the way he’s planned on handling it, the whole debate has gotten out of control. In my opinion, he’s lost control of the debate and the message.

I’m glad you support him, and that’s great. It doesn’t mean I have to.

I think the only way to not get ignored by the media is to target the media for protests. Surround the corporate offices of the big networks and if you can’t make it to NYC surround your local TV stations. Let them try to ignore us when they can’t get in or out of their buildings.

And we need to find allies. Not just the lefty usuals. Doctors, nurses, etc. I know my church is working on this issue at the denominational level. We need a real groundswell.

In some basic way the problem with online activism is that when you aren’t online there is no there there. I think we have done an amazing job given what the odds are. I get really fired up and then I go yell my frustration at Ron and come back to the computer. Although, I have made speeches, gone on health care reform tours, been on the teevee machine it only took a small bit of time relative to the magnitude of the problem. So, here I sit sitting. I could go picket my congresscritter. He is just down the street but he is (gag) Dan Lungren. And it is lonely out there with your sign and your water jug.

Our black brothers and sisters were victorious in their efforts to have meaningful civil rights legislation passed by LBJ. It was not done by letter writting or telephone campaigns. They put their life and limb on the line by marching in the streets. The same can be said for our union brothers and sisters in the early 20th Century who occupied factories, marched and battled back scabs and company goons to have organized labor recognized by management. No progressive movement can prevail without a grassroots movement that mobilizes the people.

Huge crowds would be great in DC but 20 people in front of a Congressional office in his hometown would get a lot of public and LOCAL attention. Have a 1 page flyer with the information voters need to have to hand out. We need to educate the voters as much as possible.

When are they going to put people that represent a large part of the country in charge of these high leadership committee jobs?

They put Senators that represent a few farmers from a state in charge of ALL of America’s healthcare plan, where as state as small as of Rhode Island has way more people than this Farmland Senator.

Conrad is trying a Farmer Co-OP plan, as if the rest of us are all farmers.

And what are any of these Blue Dog “democrats” doing on any “KEY” committee. Put them in charge of the “Janitor Assignment” committee or anything that doesn’t have a big impact to the rest of the US, while the REAL Dems get the legislation passed the way the people want it.

regrettably Neil, that is exactly when I have to go to work.

hope you have some help.

I unsubscribed, wrote a little congrats note to Mr. President, and have closed every account I have so that no money leaks out for the Democrats. God, I really fell for it this time. God Bless the United States of Goldman Sachs.

Where is Conrad from? N. Dakota, S. Dakota? People in his state need to hit the streets. Protest outside of his offices with flyers and bullhorns exposing this corporatist as an enemy of the people.

I was simply highlighting that he is not a coward, and knows how to succeed.

Considering there is so much behind-the-scenes that we don’t know about, and the fact that Obama has proven to be very brave and capable, I’m guessing he’s working it on a number of levels. Of course, only time will tell.

And who said anything about “have to” anyway? I thought this was a place for debate and people to express their opinions.

It’s been LONG past time for public ourtage and mass demonstrations. Peaceful one’s, of course.

8 years or more, in fact, past time.

Now, even only 6 months into our ‘hope’, we find it being quashed at every turn.

FISA, Bank/Finan Reform, Energy Reform, now HC Reform.

Millions in the streets is way, way overdue . . . . NOTHING will push leverage on the pols for real change but millions in the streets . . . and threats of voting them out of office as part of that millions in the streets.

And I mean MANY millions, not just a few here and there . . . . .

I’d sure like to know more of the DETAILS of that so called public option plan in the House before I get too excited about Conrad running scared . . . but the temptation is great, to view it that way, ain’t it . . *G* Thanks for all your work and posts on theses issues PW . . . keep it comin, we need the hope.

Gimme a day Mary . . . I still have some time on my hands. *G*

Hundreds of thousands didn’t cut it, and won’t cut it. Gonna hafta be millions, this time around, hoss.

Support a Public Option
Current Signature Count: 84,935

Nearly 50 million Americans — one-in-six of our fellow citizens — lack health insurance. Even those families lucky enough to have health insurance have seen their premiums triple in the past decade. America’s health care system is in a crisis, and it’s time to do something about it.

This month, Congress is working on new reform legislation that will make quality health care available and affordable for all Americans. We support a public health insurance option that would foster greater competition in the marketplace, create more choices for consumers, and lead to lower costs and better quality for all. But we know the forces of the status quo will battle us every step of the way.

Please sign this online petition, showing your support of Congress’ work to reform America’s health care system now.

Thank you,

Senator Dick Durbin Senator Patrick Leahy Senator Chuck Schumer

Please sign this petition for a public option to health care reform. http://citizensforapublicoption.com/

I am so angry at the Republicrats in the House watering down the public option. These people are in the pockets of the health insurance industry and don’t gave a rat’s ass about the welfare of the people of this country. If the Senate does the same as the House, I hope Obama vetoes it and lets the chips fall where they may. The damm Blue Dogs will get replaced by Republicans in their next election. At least we know what they stand for – which is nothing. I will not give one red cent to the DCCC. Screw the Blue Dogs.

I like the ideas upthread. When we send in our Independent registration forms to our elected reps..we could make it clear that we will not be voting for the clinton machine.

Don’t know why , but I keep thinking they are holding Obama back thinking she will be a viable contender in 2012.

Um – milly, what planet are you from? You sound so uninformed when you blame the “Clinton machine” for this – Clinton was the person that has been trying to pass health care reform since over a decade ago, and one that looked more like a “single payer” plan than anything Obama has suggested. If reform fails this time around – the buck stops with Obama. He had BETTER get a robust public option as a part of his plan – he can do this with or without the Senate.

Quick question —You “Single Payer” folks , where will go for you heart surgery after waiting 6 months. Maybe Canada , not —

Insofar as a ‘public option’ wouldn’t limit states from creating a single-payer universal plan I can’t imagine how it would prevent them from creating co-ops.

If that’s what they need, then it’s fine. Let’s move forward.

Except of course the financing part. That’s not to say that whatever the Finance committee comes up with wouldn’t be looked at. Good ideas are always welcome. The HELP committee isn’t God on Earth either. But yes, the Finance committee’s take on financing is the key part of their work product.

Pres. Obama has said we need “choice”. Co-ops can offer that as well as the ‘public option’. Bill Frist (Republican former Senate leader) said on Charlie Rose’s show (opposite guest Gov. Howard Dean) that we need a market-driven solution. The idea of offering the public other choices such as a co-op or the ‘public option’ IS a market-driven solution. It offers people a choice other than the private insurers.

Likewise, a single-payer state-run universal system (within a state) should be an option for the people of a state who are dissatisfied with the private insurers. I suspect they’ll be okay with the ‘public option’, but if not then they should have some other choice.

On an issue of this importance that seems like a reasonable position for Dem leaders to take.

Much as he did good that kind of power isn’t really good Democracy.

If co-ops aren’t (or can’t be) competitive, then people won’t choose them or stick with them long. Having them to offer to the public does no serious harm (at least none I know of). However, insisting on a co-op, but no public option would do very serious harm (I believe).

Do you mean they aren’t already (flush with corporate money)?
Jeez, how much does it take already?

Dylan, Bob Dylan, not Dylan Thomas, though he might have suggested it too.