Do you really think ... (0.00 / 0)

Max Baucus bothers his pretty little head with this stuff?  He doesn't care about you or me .. hell .. the guy is fundraising now .. when he just got re-elected .. so you tell me what he's concerned with

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by: Calvin Jones and the 13th Apostle @ Thu Jul 23, 2009 at 19:51:59 PM UTC

Thanks for putting this on the frontpage Davej (0.00 / 0)

We really need to get behind pushing this Bill through. Real votes up or down and finished in Reconciliation. I want a better bill, and if I was 300 Reps and 51 Senators we'd have Single payer, we are going to get what Jane Hamisher and FDL and Working Families party and the progressive caucus can carve from the set of votes we do have.

But only with our help: Working Families Party is slamming hard at recalcitrant reps in New York You can help there:Working families and Fire Dog Lake has ways to help:
http://campaignsilo.firedoglak...
You can call directly to your Senator, and your rep by checking through here.
http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Ele...

Elections have consequences: but elections with committed hard working citizens have better consequences. Things because committed people work hard as hell for them. thats part of the reason why some people are telling to be despairing here. Its to get you to stop working.

The voting rights act: didn't register everyone or stop the republicans from tricks but it was shining leap forward and trophy of American History, Emancipation freed slaves but they stayed share croppers with few rights, the Original constitution didn't have a Bill of Rights.

This is a huge leap forward or the Republicans and blue dogs would be trying to stop it so hard.

America needs your help! This is a huge moment in American history, do your part!

--

The government has a defect: it's potentially democratic. Corporations have no defect: they're pure tyrannies. -Chomsky

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by: HousesofProgress @ Thu Jul 23, 2009 at 20:20:19 PM UTC

A suggestion (4.00 / 4)

I assume that most members of congress who don't permanently live in the DC region--and even some who do, and are leaving the region for their vacation "recess"--depart DC either by plane or train, and that if it's by plane, it's via commercial airline. If so, is there any way to arrange for protesters to hold rallies at Dulles, National airports and Union Station to meet them when they arrive, and perhaps embarass them into staying? Or, alternatively--or both--have constitutents do the same at their arrival airports or train stations in their states and districts? If the other side can "teabag", can't our side hold "Rallies for Health Care NOW!"?

"Those who stand for nothing fall for anything...Mankind are forever destined to be the dupes of bold & cunning imposture" -- Alexander Hamilton

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by: kovie @ Thu Jul 23, 2009 at 21:38:24 PM UTC

Great Idea! (0.00 / 0)

--

The government has a defect: it's potentially democratic. Corporations have no defect: they're pure tyrannies. -Chomsky

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by: HousesofProgress @ Thu Jul 23, 2009 at 21:54:36 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

That's a very good idea (0.00 / 0)

... that single payer folks have been working.

I am in earnest -- I will not equivocate -- I will not excuse -- I will not retreat a single inch -- AND I WILL BE HEARD.  

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by: lambert @ Thu Jul 23, 2009 at 22:28:00 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

If you want to do that (0.00 / 0)

Then you should aim at creating enough of a disturbance that you annoy them by delaying their flights.  I don't think you can hold rallies at transportation hubs without being disruptive, so you might as well go for maximum carnage.

Of course, that will cause some collateral damage by delaying other people's flights, so I'm not really in favor of the idea, I'm just pointing out what the practical extent of such options are.

Why not find out the DC addresses of all members of Congress and harass them at their homes?

Things You Don't Talk About in Polite Company: Religion, Politics, the Occasional Intersection of Both

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by: Anthony de Jesus @ Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 00:19:38 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Delay = Death? (0.00 / 0)

I know this may get me yelled at, but am I the only one who think it is a bit hysteric to say that a delay in enacting health care reform over the August break is a death knell for the effort?

I want it to pass sooner than later, but there appears to be this impression that letting legislators go home for the month will mean they will become even more wavering in their support. I think the exact opposite is true. Talk about your ideal opportunity to re-introduce the fence-sitters to the real consequences of delay! If activists play this smart and essentially hound the wavering at every public event they attend, they could help shore up weak backbones.

Again, I would like this to pass sooner rather than later. But the constant Doom & Gloom I hear from supporters over the possibility of a delay just feels WAY over the top.

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by: Chris Andersen @ Thu Jul 23, 2009 at 22:13:10 PM UTC

You miss the point.. (0.00 / 0)

Several years back Russ Feingold had a host of supporters pumped up against the Patriot Act II before the Christmas Holidays.  During the time off Reid and the DSCC had time to re-instill that red state fear back into them and they ultimately dumped Russ.

Momentum of any kind in the Senate is a big deal and a rarity of late.  With aged and career minded senior politicians - especially our ML, these awakenings are not the time to allow a few of the usual slackers in the Senate get away with destroying all of the progress made by many hard-working legislators.


Nationalism is not the same thing as terrorism, and an adversary is not the same thing as an enemy.

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by: worldlymother @ Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 03:13:07 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

If Dems really want to win... (4.00 / 1)

...our central goal the entire Progressive movement should now be focused NOT on getting more Dems elected, but to get rid of Harry Reid as the Senate Majority Leader.

He simply is not and never has been the man to bear the huge burden of leading a fiery and inspirational Progressive march to progress.  Every good start in the House thankds to Pelosi just gets stomped on why Harr's pathetic leadership.

It's useless to whip an old horse who'd rather have his head in a feed bag.

Nationalism is not the same thing as terrorism, and an adversary is not the same thing as an enemy.

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by: worldlymother @ Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 02:48:43 AM UTC

. (0.00 / 0)

I'm kinda mixed up as to what to say. On one hand, hitting the panic button is desirable because there is still a fight to be had. But on the other hand I don't want people so distressed they give up.

the reality is, if there is no finance committee vote or energy and commerce committee vote before recess THEN I'll probably be more then a little worried. But until then there is nothing to get hysterical about. (that doesn't mean relax, just to keep pushing because the wheels are turning)

The thing i hope people gain appreciation for is just how much political capital this sucks up and how much political will this takes. When people say it's healthcare or X, motherfuckers aren't kidding.

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by: NeonBlack @ Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 08:24:35 AM UTC