While he entertained several viewpoints from what he termed as two sides while he is in the middle. Asking for others to read HR3200, what his problems with it were. Reading a letter the staff said was sent out yesterday dealing with HR 676 which he said was so flawed its not even legislation, he passed over what a unifying force it was. The two sides were get the government out of health care (but don't mess with Medicare, Medicaid, SSI, HSA's and publicly funded hospitals). The other side says its time to cover all people. He is in the middle on what can and can't get done (groans from all side when he mentions the law as it is.)
He discussed the imperfect bills he has to choose to support, because he understands the crisis we are in. As a budget committee member he takes his job seriously, he doesn't think we can go on as it is, but he has reservations about all available options. Outside where the most energetic members of the crowd were. (The PUD room might have been able to hold 200 max according to regulations couldn't contain the crowd of upwards of 500 people.) Signs ranging from historical pictures and qoutes to signs saying hooray for my side, or better fear the future were on display. Some wanted to hear the questions and the answers, others discussed if this was a democracy or not. but it was agreed by consensus sadly, it is not. It would be called by some a Democratic Republic and by others a Constitutional Republic. With democracy we would vote (I suspect many will in 2010) as a Constitutional Republic we vote for reps (they would be the rep in our ubplic) be they Senators, Congresspeople or the Executive. Only one time was someones race even proposed to Congressman Rick Larson (2nd district WA) as a reason to oppose the bill, Mr. Larson quickly told him in no uncertain terms that was over the line, as others outside cheered. More democratic debate formed outside where it was hard to hear many of the questions inside since it was so hot outside. "Larson is a liar", "elections have consequences", 'let the failures fail' if this was aimed at Wall Street or the newly unemployed I couldn't tell. "We have the numbers and we can pass this, or we can try to have a democratic discussion to make the best of the crisis". Democracy might not be our form of Government but the idea is alive and well. "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." That is even before it starts, what sparked "We the People", was another famous preamble. "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."Liberty some say is to keep a choice of private to rival the current Medicare, Medicaid and possible expanded options. While others decry the 47 million Americans who have no right to life if they get swine flu or cancer stricken. This is the crisis of our time (not counting the great recession which is no worse than that due to massive Government support) How can we afford health care reform? Can we afford to stay the course?
I am one who came to support and vote for Barak Obama after first having read his two books. His consistant message of a less polarized, more inclusinve and tolerant politics was primary in its appeal to me.
For too long we have suffered a bifurcated politics that marginalized and demonized any opposition. Being open to dialogue and listening to and working with those with whom we may disagree vehemently on one issue but share common goals on another strikes me a the mature and intelligent thing to do.
Please understand that I firmly support gay rights, including the right to marry. I am pro life. I feel our health care system has been mismanaged by private sector incompetance and needs massive overhaul. I would like to see a massive public investment in our infrastructure, with emphasis on energy efficiency/independance with minimal carbon footprint, conservation, and protection of domestic jobs. I would like to see those who strove to destroy the goodness that America has stood for, prosecuted for their war crimes and usurpation of our Constitutional rights.
The selection of Rick Warren to give the opening benediction seems to be just what I voted for. First, understand that I am a lifelong agnostic (despite having been raised in an observantly religious family) and abhor the inclusion of any religious content in public life. While I find Warren largely repugnant, I recognize that his presence and participation will bring many more people to listen to Obama's inaugural address and perhaps make allies on some issues the need to be addressed. These people can become real allies for many, if not all, of the changes we are hoping to see happen.
For so long political interests have played a take no prisoners stance, where if you disagree on ones key issue there is no possibility for alliance on issues on which you might agree. That has always seemed an immature and churlish way to live and work.
Warren is getting even more flack from the religious right than Obama is from the gay community. I recognized Obama as a moderate by temperment and belief and voted for him as such. I did not hold the fact that he is a believing Christian against him even though i am wary of most who claim to be such. It is time we all got used to a new way. We need to talk with and include those who disagree on one point but can work with us on another. We have to forge all the alliances we can and stop dividing ourselves by this particular issue or that.
It is time to stop behaving like a bunch of cliquish pre-teens, deciding who we will talk to and who is to be excluded. It is time to open our minds and our hearts to each other and work for a better world. I am not saying we should ignore our disagreements, just that they must be kept in a braoder perspecive and not prevent us from helping or finding help in unexpected places.
The extreme financial circumstances we find ourselves in create a once in a lifetime opportunity to do a major overhaul on the way we do business, politics and the entire social contract of America. That chance for change exists in a narrow, time sensative window. It would be a pity to loose that opportunity because we refused to grow up and talk to each other with respect, even in the midst of our disagreements.
Barak Obama is being Barak Obama and for that I, for one, still have hope.
WASHINGTON — When supporters of President-elect Barack Obamahold house parties to discuss ways of fixing the health care system over the next two weeks, they may find some unexpected guests.
The health insurance industry is encouraging its employees and satisfied customers to attend. A trade group representing some of the nation’s largest health care businesses, including drug companies, is organizing several meetings. The American Medical Association and other medical societies are encouraging doctors to get involved.
The Maine Medical Association will convene a community discussion on Dec. 30. Group Health Cooperative of Seattle has sent e-mail messages to 35,000 subscribers encouraging their participation, and one of its doctors plans to lead a session next Tuesday.
The meetings, originally envisioned as a way to make good on Mr. Obama’s commitment to “health care reform that comes from the ground up,” could thus turn into living-room lobbying sessions involving some of the biggest stakeholders in the health care industry.
Stephanie Cutter, a spokeswoman for the Obama transition team, said that more than 4,200 meetings had been scheduled, and more are in the works. The first ones were held on Sunday. Attendance is expected to average at least a dozen people per meeting.
Those who attend are not required to disclose their employers or affiliations. Some Obama advisers have expressed concern that people from the health care industry may try to pack the neighborhood meetings. But Ms. Cutter said they were welcome to attend the gatherings. “These are listening sessions,” Ms. Cutter said. “We are trying to find people who share Obama’s goal of health care reform, even if they disagree on the specifics.”
Some of the people holding health care meetings were volunteers in Mr. Obama’s presidential campaign. Some come from consumer groups like Health Care for America Now or from the Service Employees International Union, a strong, early supporter of Mr. Obama.
Others come from the health care and insurance industries.
Robert Zirkelbach, a spokesman for America’s Health Insurance Plans, the main lobby for insurance companies, said the group was “mobilizing our grass-roots coalitions and encouraging industry employees” to participate in meetings for the Obama transition team.
Mary R. Grealy, president of the Health Care Leadership Council, which represents large health care corporations, said her group intended to hold community meetings in California, Georgia and Oklahoma, among other states. The council is a coalition of chief executives from 40 companies including Aetna, Ascension Health, CVS Caremark, Eli Lilly,Medtronic, Merck and Pfizer.
Before Mr. Obama even takes office, insurance companies are raising questions about a central element of his plan that calls for creation of a new public insurance program to compete directly with private insurers. A public program would, they fear, have inherent unfair advantages.
Insurers are also fighting Mr. Obama’s proposal to cut the Medicare payments they receive for providing comprehensive care to more than 10 million of the 44 million Medicare beneficiaries. Many independent studies have found that Medicare overpays the private plans.
One of the industry’s goals is to galvanize members of its Coalition for Medicare Choices, a group of 750,000 beneficiaries who like their private Medicare Advantage plans.
The industry-sponsored coalition recently told Medicare recipients that if the cuts occurred, “millions of seniors could see their benefits reduced, face higher out-of-pocket costs or lose their Medicare Advantage coverage entirely.”
The Obama transition team has prepared discussion guides for people who participate in the health care meetings to be held in homes, community centers, churches, libraries and coffee shops around the country.
A major purpose of the meetings, as described in the discussion guides, is to identify people with “compelling personal stories that illustrate the need for health care reform.”
People with such stories often make effective advocates and lobbyists, challenging “the special interests” that Mr. Obama attacked in his presidential campaign.
The guides tell discussion leaders how to deal with unruly participants and how to report the results of their deliberations to the Obama transition team. They also provide a summary of Mr. Obama’s plan to “expand coverage to all Americans.” Insurers said they were particularly concerned about Mr. Obama’s proposal for “a National Health Insurance Exchange that offers a range of private insurance options as well as a new public plan option.”
Former Senator Tom Daschle, whom Mr. Obama has chosen to be secretary of health and human services, said the public plan would be “modeled after Medicare” and would have “tremendous clout to bargain for the lowest prices” from health care providers.
But Karen M. Ignagni, president of America’s Health Insurance Plans, and H. Edward Hanway, the chairman of Cigna, said the proposed new public program could lead to higher costs for people who already had private insurance.
Like Medicare and Medicaid, they said, a new public program would probably underpay doctors and hospitals. To make up for the underpayments, health care providers say, they charge more to consumers and employers who buy commercial insurance.
“A new public program similar to Medicare would exacerbate cost-shifting, which already adds $1,500, or 10 percent, to the average premium for a family of four,” Ms. Ignagni said.
Alissa Fox, a vice president of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, asked, “Why do you need a new public program?”
Insurers said last month that they would accept all applicants for coverage, regardless of illness or disability, if Congress required everyone to have insurance. Without such an individual mandate, insurers say, many people will not buy health insurance until they need it.
But Richard J. Kirsch, the national campaign manager of Health Care for America Now, the consumer group, said a new public program was essential.
“Public plans like Medicare do a better job of controlling costs,” Mr. Kirsch said. “Private insurers are always looking for ways to avoid paying claims or covering sick people. Their mission is not to provide health care, but to increase shareholders’ profits.”
Election Day has finally come. Tune in all day on Tuesday as I will travel to staging locations, polling locations, visibility sites, and ultimately our election night headquarters to share with you stories from the ground. I will talk to voters about their stories, and shoot video of volunteers getting out the vote. So check out this blog all day to see what is going on. And be sure to leave us a comment to tell us your story as well!
Until then, watch this video of Washingtonians across the state getting out the vote:
It’s a well-known fact that Mother knows best, and this old adage holds true when it comes to the presidential election. The “Mamas for Obama” are dispensing their motherly wisdom by rallying on the streets of Belfair, WA. “We are from a small town where a lot of people are still hesitant about change - but we are proud to be part of a large number of voters in Belfair that support Barack Obama. So proud that we have stood on one of the only sidewalks in Belfair on multiple occasions greeting motorists and enthusiastically spreading our joy and support for Obama,” says Kristina Atencio, one of the organizers of “Mamas for Obama” and the wife of an Iraq war veteran.
The “Mamas for Obama” are comprised of a group of local military wives and their families. “We are all so crazy about Obama and are just trying to encourage other young women, 'mamas', and military families to vote for Obama,” explains Kristina.
She describes the experience as “great. There were many people driving by and honking, giving us cheerful thumbs up signs, waving, or even dancing in their car, while driving, and cheering for Obama. Just down the sidewalk from us were about 5 McCain/Palin supporters who didn't get nearly as many honks and waves as we did!”
Military wife and “Mama for Obama” Shannon Walker supports Barack Obama “because I am middle class America. My husband is in Afghanistan right now and I know personally that McCain and Palin do not speak for all military families - this military family supports Barack Obama."
Stephanie Shumaker, another “Mama,” states, "Barack Obama is much more that just a political figure - he stands for something that our generation can believe in and support whole heartedly. He isn't supported by big business, insurance companies, and oil companies, he's supported by you and me - the people who REALLY need change."
Kristina Atencio supports Barack Obama “because now is the time for our generation to have a voice - to be heard - and to have an advocate in the White House. Obama stands for what we need right now: hope. He wasn't born into a long line of military officers or big money; he relied on his country and government aid to go to college– just like I did. He had to work hard every day to achieve what he has– just like I am. In Barack Obama I see real change and I see hope for myself. He is setting an example for all who are willing to watch and inspiring me to reach higher every day. We are all 'Mamas for Obama' and can't wait to see what our future holds with him in the White House.”
Listen to your mama and do your part to help Barack Obama win on November 4th! Please join our Get Out the Vote activities taking place from now through Election Day. It’s easy to do– no experience is required. Sign up here: http://www.barackobama.com/splash/volunteer.html.
The most common reason that people don’t vote is that no one asked them to. The second most common reason is that they don’t know how.
Here is what every registered voter in Washington state needs to knows about voting in this election:
Who can vote? All legal residents of Washington who were registered to vote by October 4 via mail or October 20 in person and are 18 years of age are eligible to vote.
How do we vote? All counties except for King and Pierce County vote by mail. Voters in King and Pierce County go to the polls or vote by mailing in absentee ballots.
Where do I vote or turn in ballots? Find your Washington State ballot drop or polling location here: http://www.voteforchange.com/
What is the deadline for vote by mail? If you live in a vote by mail county or if you vote absentee, ballots must be postmarked by November 4 before the last mail pickup.
When are the polls open? In King and Pierce County, polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. All voters in the parking lot of the polling location at 8:00 p.m. have the right to vote.
What should I bring to the polls? Voters voting at polling locations may be asked to provide identification. Approved forms of identification include: driver's license, state ID card, student ID card, tribal ID card, Voter registration card, Utility Bill, Bank statement, Paycheck, Government check, or another government document. If you do not have these documents, you can still vote by requesting a provisional ballot at your polling location.
What if I have problems at the polls? If you encounter problems with the polls or have any questions, please call 1-877-WA-CHANGE or seek out a Democratic Party voter protection attorney at the polls.
We’re almost there. Please help us spread the word on voting in Washington state and encourage your family, friends, and co-workers to get out there and vote.
Thank you so much for your all your support.
Last Sunday, supporters in Bellevue and Lynnwood came out by the hundreds to join Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius, Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano and Washington Governor Chris Gregoire for a Canvass Kickoff rally. Washington Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, Congressman Jay Inslee and Congressional Candidate Darcy Burner were also in attendance. The event began with powerful speeches from the special guests who discussed why Christine Gregoire and Barack Obama will bring the experience and change we need to Washington State. Volunteer Carolyn Shlafer said, “Governor Gregoire’s speech was so inspiring. She’ll be the ideal partner for Barack Obama in Washington State. I loved listening to all these strong female leaders. You really get a feeling for their personality and their values.”
Volunteer Darshan Rauniyar was also moved by her party’s leadership saying, “We’re so fortunate that the Democratic Party has such strong, competent women leaders.” Washington State pride filled the venue as attendees cheered on the speakers. “The energy in the room was incredible,” stated one volunteer. Darshan Rauniyar agrees, “We’re so lucky that Washington State is in a better economic situation than other states. That’s due to Governor Gregoire’s leadership. In these tough economic times, it’s vital that she be able to continue her work to keep Washington State strong.”The rallies were also a time for community members to connect with each other. Dan Burnett said, “It’s cool to see everybody out. The Obama Club from Edmonds-Woodway High School is here to canvass; young and old are really coming together. It’s great to see the community join forces to support such an important cause.” The event was a huge success with canvassers knocking on almost 8000 doors to discuss Senator Obama and Governor Gregoire’s message of change.If you would like to help bring change to Washington State, please join our Get Out the Vote activities taking place from now through Election Day. It’s easy to do -- no experience is required. Sign up here: http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/WAGOTVShifts/
In the last couple of weeks, you might have noticed an interesting visual display—a trio of adorable basset hounds riding on a mini-trailer sporting a “Bassets for Obama” sign. You might be asking yourself, “Who? How?” We have the exclusive scoop from Steve McElhenney, proud owner of two of the bassets.
Seattle resident Steve McElhenney was steeped in politics from an early age, thanks to his mother’s job as a political speechwriter. A lifelong Democrat, he was “blown away” by Obama at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, and has been itching to cast his vote for the Illinois senator since then. He proudly declares, “I’m 44, and I’ve voted in almost every election, but this is the first time I’m voting for two people that I truly believe in. Obama-Biden is my dream ticket!”
Steve also has another passion: his beloved basset father-son duo, Buddy and Barkley. Reluctant to leave them home alone, he came up with the idea of building a wagon-style trailer from friends, and often takes Buddy, Barkley, and Barkley’s mother Charlee (who belongs to a friend) on motorcycle rides. When Steve’s district leader asked him to be a neighborhood leader, it gave Steve the idea that he could reach more people by driving around with his bassets. In response to some people’s “Pit bulls for Palin” slogan, he created a “Bassets for Obama” sign and put it on the dogs’ trailer. Steve was thrilled to be able to combine the two disparate passions of his life.
Steve racks up frequent motorcycle miles as a Seattle park steward, which has been great for “Bassets for Obama” visibility. In fact, he’s so dedicated to this cause that he’s made a great video clip, which you can view below.
As voting begins across the state, the Seattle’s Pike Place Market Fish Mongers speak out about the importance of this election. Watch their stories and then sign up to Get Out the Vote in Washington.
There are still LARGE numbers of people who have not yet turned in their vote by mail ballots. It's not too late to benefit from this.
Watch the video that shows how to vote by mail. http://wa-democrats.org/vote
or for the same video on vimeo:
http://www.kingcounty.gov/elections/voting/absentee/howtoabsentee.aspx
Chinese: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yF1M2Mn75nE&fmt=18
Hearing impaired: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JnFoeZgwOA
If you live in a vote by mail county or applied for an absentee ballot, you should have received your ballot by now. If you have not, call 1-877-WA-CHANGE.
Watch this video from Senators Murray and Cantwell to ensure that you fill out and mail your ballot properly and then send this video to your friends: While vote by mail and absentee ballots must be postmarked by election day, DON’T WAIT! Fill your ballot out and get it in the mail as soon as possible to ensure victory for Barack Obama, Chris Gregoire, and Democrats up and down the ballot.
On Sunday, October 26th, please attend a Canvass Kickoff rally with Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius, Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano and Washington Governor Chris Gregoire.
After the Governors talk about why Christine Gregoire and Barack Obama will bring the experience and change we need to Washington State, join the Washington Campaign for Change to help get out the Democratic message by knocking on doors.
Here are the details:
Washington Campaign for Change Canvass Kickoffs
with Governors Sebelius, Napolitano, and Gregoire
Sunday, October 26th
Bellevue Community College – Carlson Theater
3000 Landerholm Circle SE
Bellevue, WA 98007
12:30pm
Special Guests: Senator Patty Murray, Senator Maria Cantwell, Darcy Burner
RSVP Here
Lynnwood Convention Center – Ballroom 2E
3711 196th Street SW
Lynnwood, WA 98036
2:30pm
Special Guest: Congressman Jay Inslee
If you cannot make this event but would still like to volunteer for the campaign, please join our Get Out the Vote activities taking place from now through election day. It’s easy to do -- no experience is required. Sign up here: http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/WAGOTVShifts/.
Finally, I've voted for Obama/Biden. Since my initial curiosity in 2004 until today Sen. Obama hasn't dissapointed. He's run as smart a campain as I've ever seen. He's maintained his ideals. He's right about the issues. Now I have two weeks of convincing my racist grandmother (lifetime democrat) to vote for Barack.
It feels really good to have voted for someone I wanted to vot for instead of voting against someone I despised.
B
For many students, this is the most important election of their generation. Senator Obama has energized students across the country to get involved and to take this election into their own hands. Watch this video of students talking about why they support Senator Obama:
If you are a student and you want to volunteer, sign up now at http://action.barackobama.com/page/s/newvolunteer
15 years ago, Roberta Riley found out that she had cancer. While she was fighting to live, her health insurance company decided to drop her from coverage. 15 years later, Roberta talks about her support for Senator Obama and his plan to make health care accessible and affordable for all Americans regardless of preexisting conditions. Watch her story here:
The Seattle PI wrote this editorial about why Senator Obama is the best candidate to the be the President of the United States. Read excerpts of the endorsement here:
If the country ever needed new direction under a fresh, steady, calm president, this is the time. Sen. Barack Obama is the country's hope, the kind of promising, intelligent leader who comes along perhaps once in a generation. Obama is the best candidate for president. He has the vision, patience and fortitude to put America on a track to recovery after an eight-year run of financial irresponsibility, aggressive adventurism abroad and mismanagement, secrecy and dissembling on numerous fronts.The issues and the superiority of the Obama-Joe Biden team have become clearer than ever in the past few days. Obama spoke the unvarnished truth when he called the need for a record-breaking economic rescue plan a "final judgment." It was a sweeping verdict not just on the disastrous presidency of George W. Bush but also on the Republican deregulatory obsessions that Sen. John McCain has shared broadly.
If the country ever needed new direction under a fresh, steady, calm president, this is the time. Sen. Barack Obama is the country's hope, the kind of promising, intelligent leader who comes along perhaps once in a generation. Obama is the best candidate for president. He has the vision, patience and fortitude to put America on a track to recovery after an eight-year run of financial irresponsibility, aggressive adventurism abroad and mismanagement, secrecy and dissembling on numerous fronts.
The issues and the superiority of the Obama-Joe Biden team have become clearer than ever in the past few days. Obama spoke the unvarnished truth when he called the need for a record-breaking economic rescue plan a "final judgment." It was a sweeping verdict not just on the disastrous presidency of George W. Bush but also on the Republican deregulatory obsessions that Sen. John McCain has shared broadly.
Read the full endorsement here.
