It’s about Americans vs. Insurance Companies

Charles Chamberlin: 

"If you’re not angry you’re not paying attention"

I’m paying attention... and I am angry. Any real progressive following healthcare should be.

Yesterday, the media was filled with reports that Washington insiders called Governor Dean "irrational." They said that he’s throwing a "tantrum" and he’s "irrelevant to the entire healthcare debate."D.C. insiders want to frame the fight for real healthcare reform as Howard Dean vs. the White House -- but this isn’t about Dr. Dean and it isn’t about the White House.

It’s about Americans vs. Insurance Companies and Governor Dean is working to make sure American’s win.

While the Washington establishment is working hard to throw Dr. Dean under the bus, what they don't seem to understand is that Governor Dean speaks for you and me.

Progressives who stand for the principles we believe in and will not compromise their values. Gov. Dean is giving all of us a strong voice and there is no questioning they can hear him loud and clear in D.C.  

The problem is -- they aren't listening.

So we're going to turn up the volume until they do.

CONTRIBUTE RIGHT NOW TO GET HOWARD'S BACK AND FUEL OUR CAMPAIGN FOR REAL REFORM

If there is any question where the Governor stands, I’ve included an excerpts of his statement to the Washington Post below:

Health-care bill needs major improvement to be worth passing
By Governor Howard Dean, M.D. for the Washington Post—December 17, 2009

If I were a senator, I would not vote for the current health-care bill. Any measure that expands private insurers' monopoly over health care and transfers millions of taxpayer dollars to private corporations is not real health-care reform.

Ah... like he said!! The Gov. goes on to say:

The bill was supposed to give Americans choices about what kind of system they wanted to enroll in. Instead, it fines Americans if they do not sign up with an insurance company, which may take up to 30 percent of your premium dollars and spend it on CEO salaries -- in the range of $20 million a year -- and on return on equity for the company's shareholders.

Exactly! Without the choice of a public option, forcing Americans to buy health insurance isn't just bad policy, it's political disaster for Democrats -- a ticking time-bomb for years to come.

We must act fast. Both Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid and Democratic Senators need to hear from you. Please stop whatever else you are doing and make the calls right now.

Senator Harry Reid
DC: (202) 224-3542
Carson City: (775) 882-7343
Las Vegas: (702) 388-5020
Reno: (775) 686-5750

Call your Democratic Senator too -- Senate Switchboard: (202) 224-3121

REPORT YOUR CALL AND TELL US HOW IT WENT

The mandate is toxic and Democrats will own it. The message is simple: No public option? No Mandate!

And as Howard says:

From the very beginning of this debate, progressives have argued that a public option or a Medicare buy-in would restore competition and hold the private health insurance industry accountable. Progressives understood that a public plan would give Americans real choices about what kind of system they wanted to be in and how they wanted to spend their money. Yet Washington has decided, once again, that the American people cannot be trusted to choose for themselves.

The good Doctor isn't giving up on Healthcare Reform. But, as always, he closes his statement by telling it like it is:

I know health reform when I see it, and there isn't much left in the Senate bill. I reluctantly conclude that, as it stands, this bill would do more harm than good to the future of America.

Insiders attack Governor Dean because they are afraid of him and the power we represent. Now is the time to remind them why and back him up with the resources to lead the fight for real reform.

GOVERNOR DEAN SPEAKS FOR ME -- CONTRIBUTE TO GET HOWARD’S BACK RIGHT NOW

This isn't about Joe Lieberman, the White House, or Governor Dean. This is about not making our healthcare system worse for average Americans and getting the best healthcare bill possible.

Posted via email from Jim Nichols