Today Is Stupak Day
No, don’t call Bart Stupak unless you live in upper Michigan. If you do, give him some positive feedback for taking baby steps in the right direction.
Phone your own Rep instead. We need to know who might have promised Stupak to help kill health care without his medieval amendment. Even if you’re busy, even if you have never phoned before, please take the time if your Rep is on the TPM list of Stupak’s most likely recruits:
Solomon Ortiz (D-TX) (202) 225-7742
Jerry Costello (D-IL) (202) 225-5661
James Oberstar (D-MN) (202) 225-6211
Steve Driehaus (D-OH) (202) 225-2216
Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) (202) 225-4146
Paul Kanjorski (D-PA) (202) 225-6511
Kathleen Dahlkemper (D-PA) (202) 225-5406
Joe Donnelly (D-IN) (202) 225-3915
Brad Ellsworth (D-IN) (202) 225-4636
Dan Lipinski (D-IL) (202) 225-5701
Charlie Wilson (D-OH) (202) 225-5705
Jason Altmire (D-PA) is also a critical target. (202) 225-2565
That doesn’t mean the rest of you should sit the day out. Ask every Congressperson where he or she stands on the current Senate bill. Encourage him or her to vote YES, and tell them that you also phoned your Senators to keep pressure up for reconciliation (also, do that). Tell Progressives like Raul Grijalva to stop playing John Boehner’s chump. We can improve health care if it gets passed today, or we can let Republicans win and their Congressional majority will find ways to make a bad system worse.
Regarding abortion, ask your Representative whether it bothers them that young women in their district can’t afford health care. Pregnancy complications go especially badly when a mother delays medical attention, like uninsured people do all the time. Does your Representative want those unborn deaths on his or her conscience? Let their staffers know you and your church group cannot wait to write local papers to make that point.
Congress will probably vote this week or next week at the latest. Whether your Rep supports reform or not, pick up the phone and give a shot of confidence.
Switchboard: (202) 224-3121.
Guide for first-timers here.
March 9, 2010 10:30 am
Posted in: 59-41 Senate Minority
46 Comments
46 Responses
Legalize - March 9, 2010 | 10:41 am · Link
Phoned Driehaus (very happy to no longer live in Jean Schmidt’s district any longer), and informed his staffer that President Obama’s agenda is pretty popular in his district and that the Congressman will find little reelection support from Democratically-minded voters if he derails health care over abortion language. The staffer seemed to understand.
Tim F. - March 9, 2010 | 10:52 am · Link
@Legalize: Thanks. That is exactly what we need.
BR - March 9, 2010 | 10:59 am · Link
My wife and I called our rep. We’re in a liberal district and the staff was cagey and kept asking whether we support the public option.
We hammered home that we support single payer but right now it’s not the time for that and the rep needs to pass the president’s plan now, and not only that, stand up and be proud of passing the president’s plan.
Legalize - March 9, 2010 | 11:00 am · Link
As an aside, Obama won Driehaus’ district by a far more comfortable margin than Driehaus did in 2008. It doesn’t take a rocket scientists to understand that Driehaus will require every single Obama voter to push back the local GOP machine year after year.
jakethesnake - March 9, 2010 | 11:02 am · Link
I have to admit, these posts are starting to piss me off. Why are we supposed to be supporting the bull (hehe, that was a typo, but it actually makes more sense) Obama, the insurance companies, and big pharma wrote for themselves? I keep hearing it’s because the democrats tried really hard and it’s not likely they will ever try again if this one doesn’t pass. We should have got single payer, but the insurance companies didn’t like it, so now we are all supposed to get behind this steaming pile of shit, because if we don’t, the republicans will win! If it does pass, these fuckers will claim credit as though they have won a major victory. It’s pathetic. This is what we have come to in America. I’m not calling these mother fuckers, no one else should call either. Helping democrats pass health care is not going to help anyone other that democrats. Neither party represents us, neither party deserves a victory for jack shit. We need to be dismantling both of these parties by what ever means necessary. Calling these fucks and telling them we support something or do not isn’t going to suddenly turn them into concerned citizens who will finally decide, after everything else they have done, that now it’s time to start representing the people. You are wasting your breath and it’s pissing me off. Whew, I feel slightly better now. Thanks for listening.
Ian - March 9, 2010 | 11:06 am · Link
Not sure if anybody’s still using it, but passthedamnbill.com was down for yesteday evening until a couple of hours ago…back now though!
lawguy - March 9, 2010 | 11:10 am · Link
So let’s see we go ahead and deny half of our population certain coverage. Then we pass this bill that is a giant give away to the insurance and pharmacutical industries and pretend that the insurance coverage everyone will be required under penalty of law to get will actually cover people. Then we pretend that this congress and senate will improve it some how. Yeah that will work, I’m sure.
Dennis Kucinich said it: This bill is sand and you can’t build anything lasting on sand.
Xantar - March 9, 2010 | 11:17 am · Link
I guess I should take it as a sign of desperation that all the firebagger trolls are out in force these past few days trying to validate their failure.
ruemara - March 9, 2010 | 11:20 am · Link
What’s with all the anti-bill newbs? Isn’t there a thread at GOS or FDL that need you?
Lurker - March 9, 2010 | 11:21 am · Link
Representative Adam Schiff has “not finalized a decision” yet on whether to vote for the Senate bill as-is and fix it in reconciliation. Argh.
Lurker - March 9, 2010 | 11:26 am · Link
@lawguy:
Dennis Kucinich said it: This bill is sand and you can’t build anything lasting on sand.
The Senate bill would give me access to the same health care that protects Congressmen.
I have been rejected three times by three different health insurers because of a preexisting condition. Please, give me the chance to buy the same crappy health insurance that Denis Kucinich has.
Lurker - March 9, 2010 | 11:27 am · Link
I can’t edit the above comment, but the blockquote’s messed up. The “Denis Kucinich said it” line belongs in the blockquote.
I repeat my request to lawguy: please give me the chance to buy the same awful, inadequate health insurance that protects Denis Kucinich right now.
mamaph - March 9, 2010 | 11:30 am · Link
Phoned Oberstar’s office. Staffer would not give info on his vote. I mentioned that this has been part of the Dems platform for years. I stated that it would be frustrating to see a Dem from my district vote against it because of disagreements regarding reproductive rights. Also mentioned I had friends who recently were unemployed and it would help them purchase insurance. She was polite.
Keith G - March 9, 2010 | 11:31 am · Link
@jakethesnake: Jeebus! Try keeping up.
Go back to here, pour a refreshing beverage, and read.
http://www.balloon-juice.com/2.....hait-said/
Mnemosyne - March 9, 2010 | 11:32 am · Link
I do love how the purity trolls are absolutely convinced that the federal government is hopelessly broken and can’t possibly regulate health insurance if this bill passes and at the same time claim they want to establish a government-run single payer system because apparently the mere passage of a single payer bill will magically fix the government enough to successfully run a single payer system and ponies will be distributed to all.
If the government is so hopelessly broken, WTF makes you think they could run a single payer system?
Tim F. - March 9, 2010 | 11:42 am · Link
@ruemara: Treat them as noise. I have never met a firebagger who was receptive to new information, so any time you spend interacting or worrying about them is lost and never coming back. Use a pie filter if you can’t resist the urge to counter-snipe.
Bryan - March 9, 2010 | 11:49 am · Link
Called Rep. Scott Matheson D-Utah his interns said that he was currently reviewing the bill, and what the congressional leaders want, and then he would make his decision.
Stated that myself and my family encourage him to vote yes.
Scott H - March 9, 2010 | 11:54 am · Link
Tim F. – is it better to call my rep’s Washington office, or his local office? Does it matter?
Also, does the pie filter work with Chrome?
– Scott H, Oh-1
JasonF - March 9, 2010 | 12:00 pm · Link
I called Rep. Schakowsky’s office. I asked where she stands on passage of the Senate health care bill. Her staffer said she supports having the Senate pass the public option through reconcilliation. I said that sounded great and I would love to see a public option but I didn’t think it was realistic at this stage and I would hate to see the Senate bill not pass at all because we were chasing after something even better. I said I would prefer that the Senate bill be passed through the House and then make whatever improvements can be made through reconcilliation. If that includes a public option, I would be very happy, but even if it doesn’t, I would rather see the Senate bill as-is passed than no bill.
The staffer told me he would pass my comments along to Rep. Schakowsky.
JasonF - March 9, 2010 | 12:02 pm · Link
@Scott H:
Last time I called, I called the local office and the person there took my comments. This time, as soon as I asked about a specific position on the pending legislation, I was told that was a question for the D.C. office and was transferred there.
Tim F. - March 9, 2010 | 12:18 pm · Link
@Scott H: Why not call them both?
ThatLeftTurnInABQ - March 9, 2010 | 12:22 pm · Link
@Mnemosyne:
I’m starting to wonder if some of the kill the bill comments are coming from GOP ratfuckers. It’s either that, or some of our erstwhile allies on the left are as shamelessly dishonest about spreading lies and BS, and are as ruthless about shouting down with abuse anybody who doesn’t toe the line as defined by them, as are their counterparts on the right. Which is one of the more depressing realizations to come out this debate.
ellaesther - March 9, 2010 | 12:23 pm · Link
@Tim F.: I just posted in Ta-Nehisi’s Open Thread about this, will Tweet it, will mention it on my blog, and will make the call to my Senator (I just called Danny Davis the other day, for the third time. I think I’m good there).
Again, I encourage everyone to spread this as far as they can.
Also @jakethesnake: I hear what you’re saying but the reality is what the reality is. We are not in a position to tear it all down and start afresh today—but if we don’t do this, more people will be in a position to die.
Like with Civil Rights, we start with something imperfect, and make it better. But if we don’t start, there’s no way to go forward.
Tim F. - March 9, 2010 | 12:27 pm · Link
@ellaesther: Thanks for doing this, elle. I wish like hell that other major bloggers also understood how much leverage they would have if they just got their readers to phone phone phone.
Well, Jane Hamsher gets it. For what little that’s worth.
BillCinSD - March 9, 2010 | 12:30 pm · Link
I think Schakowsky is right. The House passing the bill before the Senate will likely mean that the Senate will not go through with reconciliation, or did you all forget the NAFTA fiasco?
jackie - March 9, 2010 | 12:32 pm · Link
Lipinski IL 3 is still unhappy with the abortion language but both staffers I spoke with asked that people who support the bill, who think that passing healthcare for already born people is a priority, need to contact the congressman and let him know how we feel. Make the point that some women abort because they have no healthcare and can’t afford a pregnancy. I have always had better luck getting through on the ill resident toll free number the above number is frequently voice mail full.866-225-5701. They also say that faxes help if you can’t get through.
ellaesther - March 9, 2010 | 12:34 pm · Link
@Tim F.: (My pleasure, of course, but mostly I just like that this could be read to imply that I’m a major blogger…! We used to dream of being a major blogger! [Monty Python? Anyone?])
MJ - March 9, 2010 | 1:01 pm · Link
Okay, that’s it. Seeing the purity trolls come out in force on “mah tv” (Michael Moore, Bill Maher & Dennis Kucinich) and on “teh internets” has pissed me off and spurred me back into action.
I called Congressman Ed Towns’ office (NY-10), Brooklyn. His staffer said that he supports the strongest bill possible. But when I pressed her for specifics, the staff member came out and said that he will vote for the Senate bill.
For what it is worth, I also praised some of his work on the Credit Card Reform Act and told the staffer that his support on both of these issues will make it much more likely for my family to support him in the fall.
I’m also going to drop by the OFA website today to throw them a little financial support. Anyone with me?
Houstonian - March 9, 2010 | 1:06 pm · Link
Just got off the phone with Sheila Jackson Lee’s office (D-TX-18). I’ve been calling for weeks now and her office has been a bit vague about where she stands, although it’s been relatively clear she would vote for the Senate bill. Today, however, I got a straight answer. Her staffer told me she’d vote for the bill. Thank goodness!
After I explained to the staffer that I supported the Congresswoman’s vote for the bill, she (the staffer) became rather chatty and admitted that they were getting tons of calls where people were yelling at them about the bill and shouting that Congresswoman Lee shouldn’t vote for it and repeated rightwing talking points and lies. Apparently it gets pretty heated and unpleasant, according to the staffer.
So the staffer was pretty happy to get a call from someone supporting the bill. Said they aren’t getting tons of those calls. And we had a long conversation about why it should be passed, what the ramifications are of not passing it, etc. She really was happy to talk to someone who was for the bill.
I encourage anyone who has a Congressperson out there who is voting for the bill to phone them and let them know you appreciate their vote. If Congresswoman Lee’s office is any indication, the staffers are having to deal with some pretty irate constituents. It’s genuinely appreciated when they get a call in support. Plus, it’s a good idea to let your Congressperson know that those of us who support the bill really are out here.
fasteddie9318 - March 9, 2010 | 1:14 pm · Link
Altmire? That’s my former congressperson. He’s bought and paid for by big insurance. Call if you like, but he knows where his bread gets buttered.
lawguy - March 9, 2010 | 1:33 pm · Link
A couple of points. First, this bill will not give anyone access to the same coverage congress has, if you think it will———- well I’m not sure what to say.
Second, I am far from a purist, although I want single payor, I would be happy with a decent public option. I would certainly demand that our government and the rest of us have the option of importing drugs to cut the cost and have at least a real ability to control the cost of the insurance I will be required to buy. This “the best is the enemy etc,” is B.S. and a straw man.
Also, sorry I haven’t commented before now, however I will get in the WayBack Machine with Mr. Pebody and correct this problem as soon as he gets back.
Xecky Gilchrist - March 9, 2010 | 1:43 pm · Link
@Bryan: Likewise. Staffer said Matheson was undecided but I could look at his voting record. I said I was sadly very familiar with his record and urged him to support it this time instead.
Mnemosyne - March 9, 2010 | 1:48 pm · Link
@lawguy:
Not the exact same coverage as members of Congress (even most people who work for private companies don’t get to have an MD available at all times on their worksite), but the same coverage that federal employees get, which is pretty darn good. You do know what the Office of Personnel Management is and what their role is in the Senate bill, right?
Mnemosyne - March 9, 2010 | 1:51 pm · Link
I don’t really have the kind of job where I can make a lengthy phone call from my desk (heck, I don’t even have a cubicle) but I can very easily write and fax a letter to my rep, so that’s what I’m going to do.
AnotherBruce - March 9, 2010 | 1:51 pm · Link
Phoned Congressman Jim McDermott’s office, Washington 7th district (Seattle) the intern was non-commital, saying that McDermott wanted to see the final bill before voting on it. (I’m guessing he wants to see what the possible abortion provisions are going to look like, next time I call I will ask about this.) I told the intern that I strongly supported the bill and mentioned that we might not get another chance at health reform for a long time if this bill fails. She said she would pass on the message.
I really encourage people to do this, it feels good when you make an effort.
satby - March 9, 2010 | 2:01 pm · Link
I called Lipinski’s office, and told the woman answering the phone (who wanted my name and address, not just zip code) that in spite of Lipinski’s “strong prolife views” that it didn’t seem very prolife to let 44,000 people die per year because they didn’t have adequate insurance for health care.
I loathe the guy, and it may have been apparent from my tone though I was trying hard to be neutral. I did say I’ve been unhappy with his previous votes and that he wasn’t representing me or my two adult unemployed sons if he voted against the bill. But he’s a republican-light douche, so who knows what he’ll do?
He only stays in Congress so he can have great insurance for his brittle diabetes.
BetsyD - March 9, 2010 | 2:11 pm · Link
Costello is my rep. I called his office, and posted a note on Facebook encouraging other local friends to do so as well. Unfortunately, he usually runs unopposed here, so I’m not sure how much influence we can have.
acallidryas - March 9, 2010 | 2:51 pm · Link
FWIW, MoveOn has a poll about whether or not they should support the bill. I said they should and added my arguments. Others might want to do the same. http://www.moveon.org/healthca.....x&t=1
mcc - March 9, 2010 | 3:08 pm · Link
This is really neat news. I updated the balloon juice whip count spreadsheet (though it’s almost the only modified row in weeks).
I wonder if it’s worth it at some point to start intentionally pressuring the people on the spreadsheet who specifically said things like “I’m waiting to see what the leadership does”. The leadership is asking and we should expect the next week to be the time when all the noncommital reps have to start taking one position or another.
On the other hand maybe I should just forget the spreadsheet, the important thing right now is probably the Stupak faction or other swing votes…
Comrade Mary - March 9, 2010 | 3:12 pm · Link
McNerney (D CA) has flipped to a no.
1. Doesn’t Obama’s set of tweaks dump the individual state deals?
2. Inadequate number of Senators who would vote for even this weak public option. Deal, already.
3) Jesus fucking Christ, he wants to be the poster guy for “the perfect is the enemy of the good”. 30 million covered is just not enough for him. Dickwad.
(Y’all should be glad I’m Canadian and can’t call any of these guys. I just wouldn’t be able to keep calm.)
Mnemosyne - March 9, 2010 | 3:14 pm · Link
Hey, where are Nick and CalD? I’d like them to explain why, if primary challenges are completely useless, Blanche Lincoln is changing her tune on healthcare?
It’s almost like politicians will change their stance on things that are popular with their party if it looks like they might get pushed out of a job. Funny, that.
mcc - March 9, 2010 | 3:20 pm · Link
@Comrade Mary: That statement was made on February 18. I don’t think it should be assumed to represent McNerney’s current thinking. Many House members made statements like that but showed willingness to change their minds on the condition that the Senate bill is followed up by reconciliation fixes.
This said I actually live near his district, I will try to email some people and suggest prodding him…
cintibud - March 9, 2010 | 3:25 pm · Link
@Legalize:
I also called Steve Driehaus’s office and expressed my strong support for the bill. The staffer mentioned in so many words that Driehaus was still undecided since he didn’t have the exact text of the bill yet. I just told him I couldn’t see that voting No on health care reform would gain him any votes in Nov but it could sure cost him a lot of support of those who actually put him into office.
Mnemosyne - March 9, 2010 | 3:31 pm · Link
@mcc:
I just faxed a letter over to Adam Schiff’s office specifying that, though a public option would be nice, we need to PTDB now and worry about a public option later. Hopefully that will be a nudge in the right direction.
I just realized that I didn’t put my phone number on the letter, just my address. Oh, well, I’ve e-mailed them enough in the past that I’m probably in their database already.
mcc - March 9, 2010 | 3:42 pm · Link
I’ve been calling Zoe Lofgren’s office for weeks… I called them again today. Every time they ask for my name and email address and say they’ll get back to me. They haven’t yet.
nurunr - March 10, 2010 | 1:29 pm · Link
Congressman Lipinski expressed “reservations about the Senate bill since it doesn’t have the Stupak language.” I stated the concern regarding the fact that abortion IS legal, and the Senate bill does continue the Hyde restrictions on federal funding. Requested that Lipinski vote YES. (dagnabbit!)