Today President obama hit the road to promote his vision of health insurance reform in Shaker Heights, OH. In a town hall meeting that lasted a little more than an hour Obama reiterated his vision for health insurance reform and the principles that are manditory for his approval. It is clear that the intrests of big insurance are beginning to work there way into the Senate and into the broader public. With ads running decrying the "big government" takeover of the nations health care system it is very clear that reform is struggling.
Even more troubling is the news from the Senate today that Sen. Harry Reid announced which is that there will be no bill coming out of the Senate before the summer recess. This opens the door even wider to the big monied intrests opposed to reform. With an additional six weeks to work their misinformation and scare tactics into the main stream American concousness for the first time it is beginning to look like health insurance reform is not anywhere near a done deal. Even with Democratic majorities in the House and Senate and a popular Democratic President they insurance companies may win.
We simply cannot allow that to happen! Sen. Durbin and Sen. Burris need phone calls everyday to remind them where there supporters are on this so that hey do not feel that there is wiggle room. Even our Congresspersons need to by reached out to and reminded if you have a good one, and if you have a fence sitter or a bad one then the effort needs to be doubled. Everyone should be concerned about this because it is impossible to escape these reforms having impact on your life, but I am calling on those who are most effected to be the most active.
If you have no insurance you need to get on the phone and call these elected officials. If you have a chronic health care problem you need to get on your computer and email these elected officials. If you are chosing between medication and food or rent then you need to get out a pen and some paper and write to these elected officials. If you are a prisoner stuck in a job you want to leave but can't because of your health you need to reach out to your local newspaper and send a letter to the editor. And when your are done doing that you need to start telling people why this is important to you, your partner or your children and parents. Sharing your story helps those who are not concerned with this issue see it as a real problem and affecting someone they know personally.
The President does not enjoy the popularity nor have the authority to make this happen by himself. It takes the Senate and the House to be supportive and to be his parners in this vitally important reform. It is time to do your part. Those on the otherside will be spending millions over the next few weeks to do everything they can to tryand protect their intrests. If you don't stand up for yours them you are letting them win. That isn't just a loss, it could be life altering for you at some point and will be life altering immediately for someone you know.
Sen. Dick Durbin
http://durbin.senate.gov/contact.cfm
(312) 353-4952 - ph
(312) 353-0150 - fx
230 S Dearborn St. Suite 3892
Chicago, IL 60604
Sen. Roland Burris
http://burris.senate.gov/contact/contact.cfm
(312) 886-3506 - ph
(312) 886-3514 - fx
Chicago, IL 60604
Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky
http://www.house.gov/schakowsky/contact.shtml
Phone: (773) 267-5926
Fax:
(773) 267-6583
3742 W. Irving Park Rd.
Chicago, IL 60618
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