As our contentious national debate on health care reform nears its conclusion where are the big ideas that can unite Americans across the political spectrum? There is growing evidence that including the choice of a government run health insurance plan (a “public option”) would significantly strengthen the legislation and advance key principles held by liberals, moderates and conservatives. Here’s why:
1. The Public Option Increases Free Market Competition and Choice
One of the central principles of conservatism is the power of the free markets and consumer choice. Adding the choice of a public plan to compete with private plans will generate more choice and encourage healthy competition with insurance companies to drive down premiums and offer more value and quality to patients.
2. The Public Option Brings Us Closer to Universal Health Care
A core liberal principle is promoting an inclusive society with universal rights. A public plan will bring our nation much closer to the long-held goal of universal health care. It will make affordable health care available to millions of Americans through a public plan without the pressure to increase private profits for shareholders and raise revenues to cover marketing costs and exorbitant CEO salaries.
3. The Public Option Saves Money
"Blue Dog" Democrats and other moderates are committed to the principle of fiscal responsibility. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that the strong public option included in the original House bill (with reimbursements set at Medicare rates plus five percent) would save taxpayers $110 billion by pushing down premiums for health care consumers. A modified version of the public option supported by some “blue dog” Democrats would save $25 billion because it would require the HHS Secretary to negotiate rates with providers independently of Medicare and its larger purchasing pool.
Given these facts about the public option and their consistency with guiding principles across the ideological spectrum, it appears Congressional opposition to a public option must be based on: 1) a commitment to protect insurance company profits and the campaign contributions they engender, or 2) a fierce partisan determination to block strong health care reform to undercut President Obama and gain political advantage going into the 2010 and 2012 elections.
Fortunately, the opposition is losing credibility as the benefits of reform are better understood. Several polls demonstrate that the choice of a public plan is popular and that including it increases overall support for health care reform legislation. For example, a recent New York Times poll found that support for offering “a government administered health insurance plan” to compete with private plans is overwhelmingly favored by 65 to 26 percent, a five point gain in support compared to their poll a month earlier.
Now is the time for reform advocates to push hard on these points as the moment of truth approaches for the public option and the health care reform that America so urgently needs.
Hello:My name is Allie Feldman, and I'm helping Ben Baruch with Organizing for America here in New York. We just wanted to make sure everyone sees the email and video below discussing OFA's next nationwide initiative -- the Pledge Project. Please feel free to contact me or Ben if you have any questions or concerns.Stay tuned for more updates coming by the end of the week!Thanks,Allie--Allie FeldmanVolunteer Organizing for America | New Yorkallie.feldman@gmail.com 908-370-2689
Ben BaruchVolunteer LiaisonOrganizing for America | New York
bennett.baruch@obamaalumni.com
Just over a week ago, President Obama submitted his first budget and made it clear he was ready for the fight to come.The President isn't alone. We're ready for that fight too -- it's what you built this movement for.Watch a video I recorded announcing our new initiative, the Organizing for America Pledge Project:Americans are ready for the bold new direction this plan offers. It's what they voted for in November, and it's needed now more than ever as we continue to face an unprecedented economic crisis.But the special interests and old ways of Washington won't go away easily. In fact, they'll only fight back harder.It's up to you to organize support for President Obama's plan throughout the country. It's the only way we'll get the change this country needs.Take the next step now in our fight to bring change:http://my.barackobama.com/pledgeprojectThanks,MitchMitch StewartDirectorOrganizing for America
Today's youth may not know who Tokyo Rose is, but everybody knows who Sean Hannity is, he's America's second biggest talk radio personality and also one of the richest media figures in the U.S., currently working under a $100 million dollar contract.But is Hannity a hardworking American success story, or has his contentious brand of talk actually deteriorated the quality of public discourse in the country?On the one hand, Hannity addresses the strong demand for right-wing programming, covering the news and events left unreported by the "liberal media". On the other hand, Bush-friendly hosts such as Hannity stand accused of acting as the media surrogates for an illicit White House propaganda operation, spinning news irresponsibly to condition American "hearts and minds" just as they did to the Iraqis.
WOW THE EXCITEMENT IS MORE THAN I CAN BARE. GETTING READY FOR THE TRIP OF MY LIFE TIME. WE'LL BE DRIVING TO D.C. . THE THINGS I WILL BE THINKING ABOUT ON MY JOURNEY LOL WILL THERE BE ENOUGH PORTA POTTIES I BOUGHT DEPENDS (LOL) JUST IN CASE. -------WILL IT BE TOOO COOOOLD. WILL IT HAPPEN SO FAST THAT I'LL MISS IT. WILL I BE ABLE TO SEE ANYTHING. WILL I BE ABLE TO GET TO ANY OF THE BALLS AROUND TOWN. I KNEW AHEAD OF TIME TO BUY MY GEAR. WELL I BOUGHT HAND WARMERS, FEET WARMERS, GLOVES, HATS. LOL I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE FAMILY THAT LIVES CLOSE BY. MY COUSIN IS A POLITICAL JUNKIE. SHE KNOWS ALL THE IN AND OUTS OF D.C. THE BEST PART WAS GETTING TWO TICKETS IN THE (PURPLE SECTION) NOT THE YELLOW OR GREEN. BUT I STILL FEEL BLESSED TO HAVE BEEN CHOSEN TO RECEIVE THEM. FINALLY THE DREAM TURNS TO A REALITY. CHANGE IS HERE, NEW DAY IN A NEW WAY. AMERICA RISE THE TIME IS NOW. MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
(THE WORLD IS WATCHING)
WHAT WILL THEY SEE
By Gustav Wynn
A strange thing happened to me when I was creating my bio for this site - I realized that I had more in common with traditional Conservatism then Ronald Reagan, Rush Limbaugh, George Bush, Sean Hannity, Ann Coulter, Dick Cheney, John McCain or the folks running the Heritage Foundation. After reading this article, you might find that you, dear reader, are also far more Conservative then those rich elite and that even Barack Obama, labeled the most "liberal" Senator in Congress is actually more Conservative then any of these other Americans. [Update: Barron's agrees.]
TODAY WAS A GREAT DAY TO GET OUT THE VOTE. WE TOOK A CARAVAN WITH ABOUT 10 CARS INTO THE NEIGHBORHOODS TO GET OUT THE VOTE. I PLAYED THE (CAT STEVENS) SONG PEACE TRAIN. WE HONKED OUR HORNS AND ON THE BULL-HORN YELLED GET OUT THE VOTE. IT WAS LIKE A 60'S MOVIE. IT BROUGHT TEARS TO MY EYES. I KNOW NOW OUR WORK IS NOT IN VAIN. THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ELECTION OF OUR LIFE TIME. IF YOU DON'T VOTE YOU CAN'T COMPLAIN. ALL I'M ASKING YOU IS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. AND GOTV.
White House Blackmails Iraq Ahead of Dec. Expiration of UN Mandate
The recent $70 billion financial bailout was forced onto a skeptical, unwilling American public who dialed in to Congressional offices protesting the plan. The inital NO vote by Congress echoed the feeling by enraged citizens that Wall Street should twist in the wind, choked by it's own greed and irresponsible, unsustainable practices.
The White House got the votes it needed, however, after a few days of tense wrangling in which big finance threatened they'd let the peoples assets get eaten up in their collapse. The White House became salesmen for the deal. Congress saw they were up against impending chaos if the tumbling dominos endangered the life savings of their constituents. Blackmail.
The bailout ensured the Bush White House enough cash and control to see them through to the end of their misbegotten term. That it was unhealthy for the economy in the long-term mattered not - Bush all but doubled the national deficit already, signaling how much he cares about fiscal responsibility.
Now the White House has turned his attention to Iraq. Frustrated for months at the resistance Iraq has shown in signing a Status of Forces Agreement, Bush has ratcheted up the pressure.The SOFA would allow U.S. to continue its "war on terror" in Iraq until 2011 and pave the way for the contracts Big Oil has been long waiting for.
The Iraqi people have been protesting and marching in solidarity against the SOFA which they see as exploitive and imperialist. The blatant greed of the U.S. has brought together Iraqi rivals in common disgust. Prime Minister Maliki, who endorsed Obama's plan for a responsible withdrawal of U.S. forces has stood up to Bush, identifying privatized military forces as a sticking point in negotiations - the Iraqis want Blackwater liable for their actions in Iraqi criminal courts.
But President Bush wants a deal now, charging General Odierno with the job of threatening the Iraqis who quickly termed this blackmail. Odierno gave a three page list of "services" that the U.S. military will withhold if Iraq resists further. This includes the security that has prevented Iraqis from killing eachother in the streets as they did for years before the Petraeus era.
(OBAMA SUPPORTERS) YOUR DOING A GREAT JOB. REMEMBER TO STAY POSITIVE. ALL HANDS ON DECK. THE (BARACK OBAMA) EXPRESS TRAIN IS MOVING THROUGHT THE STATION, PICKING UP PASSENGERS FROM COAST TO COAST. REMIND THE VOTERS NO VOTE NO VOICE, AND THAT THERE VOTE DOES COUNT. WE CAN'T AFFORD TO GET TOO COCKY BECAUSE WERE DOING GOOD. WE HAVE TO WORK LIKE WE ARE AT LEAST (20 POINTS0) BEHIND. SO GOTV. (YES WE CAN)
GOP Telegraphing Their Own Fraud By Accusing Dems?
The recent raid of the Nevada offices of ACORN was outrageous to suggest the voter registration organization was illegally registering duplicate voters to aid a candidate who is leading in national polls by double digits.
If ACORN was so stupid to risk their own credibility and muck up an election in which Barack Obama has been pulling away from rival John McCain anyway, they’d have to either be total fools – or perhaps framed to look evil by those actually doing the tampering?
This suddenly stepped-up enforcement of voter integrity issues since McCain has fallen behind in polls is stunning. Since 2000, we’ve seen numerous alarming reports by government agencies and watchdog groups furiously publishing evidence of voting improprieties and have seen nothing done about it.
The bipartisan HAVA recommendations have gone ignored and unimplemented. The 500 page Conyers Report detailed questionable tactics, long lines, intimidation and disinformation robo-calls, deceptive registration cards and most glaringly, hackable electronic voting machines (EVMs)...
was writing a email today and used spell check for a particular word. It ran through the entire email and I kept hitting replace, replace and sent the email. The person sent it back to me asking what I was talking about. Seems McCain comes up as moccasin. Thought I'd share that with all of you!
What a wonderful day we had this past Saturday!! My sister Kimberly and I hosted a voter registration drive at her salon- KiDani Salon- in Harlem. She offered a FREE eyebrow wax service for everyone that registered!! We registered 15 people!!
We had many people from other countries tell us they wish they could vote and how they are rooting for Barack!! We did have one person that did not believe in the system! To him I said- our process may not be perfect, but it is the only one we have!! We had many people inquire about the voting rights of people who have been incarcerated or currently on parole as well. (In NY, you CAN NOT vote if you are currently incarcerated or under parole supervision) Great conversation was had in front of the salon regarding the need for change NOW. Everyone agreed- BARACK OBAMA IS THE CHANGE WE NEED!!
We had an amazing turn out and I would like to thank everyone that participated. Special thanks to my sister, my 11 year old nephew- TaRon, Marvin, Keicha and Brenda. I also want to thank the wonderful volunteers at the Obama Headquarters in Harlem! They provided us with voter registration cards in every language as well as fliers for tonight's Debate Party.
Now, it is one thing to register, but we have to do our part and elect Barack Obama as our next President on November 4th!!
Live, Love, Laugh- Lynette
www.kidanisalon.com
McCain's mastery of deflection and political slipperiness escaped many of us. He eluded being nailed on his dedication to the wealthiest and deregulation, his support for the invasion of Iraq and the idea we need him to call our withdrawal a military victory instead of a growing. spreading financial defeat.
Last week we saw our candidates debating in front of a muzzled audience, encouraging independent thought over partisan cheering and ballyhooing. Indeed, we need to stop, listen and think.
The debate discussion at times delineated policy or philosophy differences, but descended into something different. I saw last night's debate as a microcosm of the country's polarization on the Iraq war, the biggest concern to voters for half a decade, until overshadowed by more recent economic turmoil. Obama unemotionally explained the many ways the war was impacting the U.S. economy and people, refusing to ignore that it was a historically enormous mistake in the first place. McCain urged it was most important to "win" so our troops can enjoy the idea of "victory" .Though Jim Lehrer and Obama acknowledged war and economy were directly related, McCain was lost in the idea that earmarks were the biggest cause of our financial woes. Obama and Lehrer also seemed to have McCain cornered on the idea that he simply catered to rich folks. More...
WOW LOOKS LIKE WE ARE TAKING A NOSE DIVE INTO A DEPRESSION. THE ECONOMY IS WHAT WE SHOULD BE FOCUSING ON. THE REALITY IS THAT THIS CONCERNS ALL AMERICANS. WHEN OUR CANDIDATE (BARACK OBAMA) GET INTO OFFICE HE IS GOING TO HAVE TO CLEAN UP THE LAST 8YRS OF THE PRESENT ADMINISTRATION, BEFORE HE CAN EVEN BEGIN. AMERICANS NEED TAKE INVENTORY ON WHERE WE ARE AND WHERE WE WANT TO BE. HOW DOES THIS ECONOMY EFFECT YOUR FAMILY. GAS, ECONOMY, MORGAGES. STAY FOCUS. THIS IS WHY WE NEED ALL HANDS ON DECK. IF YOUR NOT PART OF THE SOLUTION YOUR ARE PART OF THE PROBLEM. SO MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND BE A HELPING HAND.
PASTOFUTURE.ning
PASTOFUTURE.ning.com
BARACK OBAMA, TO THE WHITE HOUSE
KISS FM. A RADIO STATION IN NY HAD (GOV. DAVID PATTERSON) ON THIS SUNDAY MORNING. HE WAS ON TO COMMENT ON THE (GOV. PALINS) STATEDMENT. OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZER. SO WHO IS USING THE RACE CARD (GOV. PALIN.) SO I GUESS WE ARE JUST COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS. (YES WE CAN) WE ARE THE LOWEST OF ORGANIZERS YOU SEE COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS ONLY PIMP THE POOR COMMUNITY OF IT RESOURSES, FROM POOR BLACKS AND LATINOS. WHO CARE ABOUT THEM ANYWAY. BUT IF HE JOIN THE ( PEACE CORPS) THEN HE WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE ACCEPTED, BY MAIN STREAM AMERICA. SCARY WELL I'LL BE A MOOSES UNCLE. AS A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER I HAVE BEEN WORKING MY BUTT OFF AND THE ONLY LIGHT I SEE IS THAT (WE) HAVE CHOOSEN THE BEST CANDIDATED. SO GET OUT THE VOTE (YES WE CAN) (YES WE MUST) WE CAN'T AFFORD ANOTHER 8YRS OF OF THIS PRESENT ADMINISTRATION. ( YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY ORGANIZER).THANK YOU. GET OUT THE VOTE. ALL HANDS ON DECK
WHAT WILL THEY SEE.
BARACK OBAMA TO THE WHITE HOUSE. STAND UP FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN BECAUSE YOU CAN FALL FOR ANOTHER 8YR OF THE SAME. EACH VOTE DOES COUNT. AS A GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION WE ALL HAVE TO DO OUR PART. THIS CAN'T BE DONE BY ANY ONE PERSON. WE NEED THE VILLAGE. THERE ARE TIMES IN OUR LIVES WHEN WE CAN JUST SIT BACK BUT THIS IS NOT ONE OF THEM. SO PLEASE SHOW THE WORLD WHAT WE ARE MADE OF. AND GET OUT THE VOTE. NO VOTE NO CHOICE. (YES WE CAN)
After 19 months of grassroots efforts, Barack Obama has given us all hope. Heck, I've never given money to a political campaign and I've given twice and gone to events to help fundraise even more. I did this all because I believe in Barack Obama, believe he is the right person to be president and care about my country enough to fight for him.
But now it's time for Barack to fight for us. Please stand up to these Republicans and tell the American people the truth. You don't have to smear them--you just need to tell the truth. The good things is the truth is on your side.
Arianna Huffington wrote a post yesterday stating the same and since I'm not eloquent, I'll let you read for yourselves what she had to say.
Please Barack, fight back and fight hard--the country is depending on you.
