Archive for November, 2009

Now we hear about a tax to pay for the build up of troops for the war in Afghanistan. Maybe it’s time to get out – none of us can afford it – none of US!

President Obama – it is time to take ownership for your promise of change – change we can believe in. It appears to us that politics  in Washington is being conducted no different than before President Obama came into office.

The so called amendment to the Health Care Reform bill that appears to appease a Senator from Louisiana who was “on the fence” about voting to move the bill forward to debate – is that change we can believe in?

The credit card companies that are increasing interest rates while limiting credit and imposing additional charges before legislation goes into effect – is that change we can believe in?

The health insurance companies increasing rates at 30% year-over-year rate in anticipation of legislation – is that change we can believe in?

Those fortunate enough to have something left in a retirement fund have seen it erode by as much as 50% – is this change we can believe in?

And now a war tax? Is this the change we voted for? How much more can we take? People can’t get jobs; their home value is less than the debt on their home; and we keep getting hammered by the credit card and health insurance companies! 

President Obama – we don’t have much left. It is now time to stand up for the American people and give US the leadership we expected. It’s time to give direction to Congress – the American people are losing their hope for change and their trust in the elected Representation in Washington.

If we really want something to be thankful for this Thursday – it would be that Washington truly become responsible to WE THE PEOPLE.

With the heat turned up in the Senate, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders is still working his tail off for Health Care Reform that is meaningful.  Congress is getting on with it and we are now reading the bill – is that a lot to digest!

Thanks again Senator Sanders for your efforts on behalf of We The People.

 Sanders: Much Work Remains on Health Care Bill

WASHINGTON, November 19 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said today that he would cast one of the 60 votes needed in the Senate on Saturday to advance health care reform, but he added that his vote on final passage remains uncertain.

“My vote for final passage of this bill is not at all guaranteed until I see a final bill that is strong and effective for working families and taxpayers in Vermont and America,” said Sanders, a member of the Senate health committee.

A strong advocate of a Medicare-for-all single-payer approach, Sanders said he will continue his fight to give states the opportunity to go forward with their own single-payer program.

“While this bill makes some very important improvements in our health care system, I continue to have a number of concerns,” Sanders said. The legislation should be strengthened to:

•     Fund a major restructuring of primary health care in America to greatly expand the number of community health centers and primary care doctors, dentists and nurses.

•     Let more people participate in new insurance exchanges and other measures to bolster the public option.

•     Make certain that health insurance, including out-of-pocket expenses, will be affordable for working families and the middle class.

•     Make certain that there are cost-containment provisions which control soaring health care costs in the country.

•     Ensure that that the $800 billion to $1 trillion needed to pay for the program over 10 years is raised in a fair and progressive way.

•     Eliminate the so-called doughnut hole gap in coverage under the Medicare prescription drug program.

•     Lower the cost of prescription drugs for all Americans.

•     Make certain that a woman’s right to choose is not weakened.

“I intend to play an active role in making the bill as good as it possibly can be,” Sanders said.

Contact: Michael Briggs or Will Wiquist (202) 224-5141

As Congress continues to debate Health Care Reform, the Senate works on their Health Care Bill.

In response to a member’s submittal, below is Illinois Senator Dick Durbin’s response.  Once again we see another reason why we need true health care reform that includes a public health care option. Thanks again Senator Durbin for your support. 

Sincerely,

As Congress continues to debate Health Care Reform, the House moved forward with their bill this past Saturday.

Now it’s the Senate’s turn. Will the 100 people we elected be responsive to their constituents or to the pressures of the lobbyists? We petition every Senator to ask the people in their State what they want in Health Care Reform. We petition you, the people to let your two Senators know what you want in Health Care Reform. 

Our elected are spending so much time and money going at each other over this issue we are losing sight of what is really critical – getting a system that is effective and efficient while reducing costs.  It needs to be done, they all agree. Let’s get it done and implemented now, not in 2013. If we allow them to drag this on, the insurance companies will likely do the same thing the credit card companies did – make changes affecting every one of US before legislation goes into effect.

Look what just happened on the credit card “protection” legislation -  our elected had to get together again on this legislation to change the implementation date because of what the credit card companies are doing to their customers. Is this efficient? Is this productive? Don’t they owe US the responsibility to think this out before a bill is passed? Let your Senators know how you feel.

We would like to thank our Illinois Representative Bill Foster for his support on Health Care Reform – thanks Bill!

The House Health Care Reform Bill is coming up for a vote real soon. It’s time for each and every one of US to call, e-mail or write our Representatives in the House and let them know how we want them to vote on this bill.

If you care, don’t allow the lobbyists to dictate how your Representative will vote - be your own lobbyist!