Conyers' petition to demand a "serious reformer" instead of "trial balloon" Sanjay Gupta for SG

[cascadiance]

A new email is being sent out from Conyer's office to ask us to question whether Gupta should be the nominee for Surgeon General. We really need to get through Conyers' single payer plan bill through the house, and I sense he feels that Gupta will be a roadblock to this happening!

A Serious Reformer Needed for Surgeon General

Dear (Me):

Earlier this month I raised concerns about the trial balloon floated for Surgeon General, Dr. Sanjay Gupta .

The doctor is a health commentator for CNN who dispenses medical advice with a breezy style appropriately suited to the brief two-minute segments of television.

While he has earned praise for his television persona, there are undeniable drawbacks that would limit his effectiveness as an advocate for the comprehensive health care reform this country urgently needs.

We need a Surgeon General serious about health care reform.

The TV Doctor has been criticized by many for his close ties to the pharmaceutical and health care industries and for not disclosing the sources of his speaking fees which command up to $50,000 per appearance.

His strong criticisms of reform beg the question whether his cozy relationships with the health care industry would compromise his ability to lead the U.S. Public Health Service and serve as a vocal advocate for change.

Act Now. Demand a Serious Reformer for Surgeon General.

Too many questions linger about the qualifications of Sanjay Gupta for him to lead our Public Health Service. Please send a message that we need a serious reformer for Surgeon General.

Thank you again for your commitment to a better democracy.

Your Friend,

John Conyers, Jr.

[BlooInBloo]

1. The man's mastery of the Sternly Worded Letter literary form will be the stuff of legends.

[trashcanistanista]

2. Well, at least he did the SWL, can we expect a

few more supporters? A few more SWL's? I don't want Sanjay either, so, uh, thanks John.

[Sirveri]

3. Maybe he should focus more on impeaching Bush

Than bitching ineffectually about a public relations position appointment. If he will argue the way Obama wants him too, that's his only job. He doesn't make policy, he's just a happy face for the happy sheeple to look at.

[LibraLiz1973]

7. If the Surgeon General is so meaningless, perhaps Obama should appoint YOU.

[Sirveri]

10. naw, I'm not very personable.

Plus I'm fat, nobody likes a fat guy telling them to eat healthy and get exercise.

[WeDidIt]

4. Ya know what?

FUCK Conyers on this one.

Yeah, FUCK Conyers on this one. I said it. I'm proud I said it. I unsubscribed to his emails over this.

[LibraLiz1973]

6. Why? Because he didn't bend to the Presidents will? Gupta is a joke.

[WeDidIt]

11. Gupta is BAR NONE, the ABSOLUTE BEST choice for SG at this time

There has never been and never will be a better choice.

[Oak2004]

12. Do you *know* Gupta?

I do. And he's an awful choice.

[renate]

19. are you able to give us any details? how do you know him?

Except for his response to "Sicko," I've liked him, but that's a pretty big "except for".... I think he'd be good at getting public health messages across, but if he'd stand in the way of health care reform, that's a much bigger deal. Do you think he's genuinely opposed to reform, or was he just saying what CNN wanted him to say? Could he be as assiduous at carrying out Obama's orders, if he got a new boss?

Also, if you know him personally, I'm just being nosy. :)

[Oak2004]

21. I have weighed whether and how to answer your question

and I can't think of how to do so that won't identify me and cause a small tempest I don't want to find myself at the center of.

So I'm going to decline. Sorry.

[depakid]

15. Personanally, I prefer honesty in my physicians and public health officials

and for the Surgeon General- an MPH would also be appropriate.

[LibraLiz1973]

16. are you out of your mind?

[WeDidIt]

20. No, are you? n/t

[cascadiance]

8. That was a constructive response. Do you also say the same thing to bill H.R. 676?

Would you rather to continue to have the corporate middlemen raiders stealing all of the money spent on healthcare that costs us our livlihoods and companies paying for it's competitiveness?

http://www.johnconyers.com/healthcare

Gupta looks like a poor choice to help support getting this put into law. And that is why I believe Conyers is pushing Obama on this one. There ARE better choices out there. Obama is supposed to be about change, not maintaining the status quo.

If you have a good reason for your feelings, it might help to explain them to us.

I don't think anyone here is in a "shoot down Obama" game. I certainly am not. I welcome him over Bush or McCain any day! But he does need to be reminded when we feel he can make better choices in some cases.

[LibraLiz1973]

9. I agree. IMHO, Obama was the best choice for the time. That doesn't mean that

he is not 100% accountable for the choices he makes.
Public servants are only as good as the people force them to be.

[ShortnFiery]

18. Yes, Leave SANJAY alone while he kisses the HMO's butts!?!

:evilgrin:

Sanjay Gupta Admits He Lied About Michael Moore's Sicko Fact

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bf3bp72G3Y&feature=related

[LibraLiz1973]

5. Sanjay Gupta is a JOKE, and I am more than disappointed with Obama for even considering him.

Add that on to my complete disgust with the stimulus he is shoving and you have a giant clusterfuck.

[kiteinthewind]

13. Thank you, J.C.! Kickety kick!

:bounce:

[Enthusiast]

14. I signed it.

I pray Obama will consider our concerns.

[ShortnFiery]

17. It's not fair, but Sanjay Gupta reminds me of the "Chad" character on the Alltel commercials

"Body and Soul" ... Chad's/Sanjay's just TOO cute :puke: ... 100% butt kisser to the ruling elite. :shrug:

[xchrom]

22. good. -- gupta is a joke. nt

[Thrill]

23. How about he worry about Rove and investigating Torture instead of making a big deal out of

a fucking potential Surgeon General. He's in the House. He has nothing to do with who Obama picks.

Thats one of the problems with the Democrats in these leadership roles in Congress