Help! Obama is having everyone call MY CONGRESSMAN for his crap HCR bill!!!

[grahamhgreen]

Wow - as a Obama donor and campaigner, I got this email today asking everyone to call my rep John Lewis - the guy who represents exactly what I believe - a very progressive Democrat who is against this bailout for big insurance and FOR Medicare for All, against the expansion of the war in Iraqistan, for prosecution for Bush era crimes, against rendition, etc..

The email was titled "Urgent: Need 1,436 calls from Atlanta"

So it looks like it's down to us progressives here in the south to stop the BIG INSURANCE BAILOUT.

My major talking point has been - if this bill passes, big insurance will take the trillions we force Americans to pay through the mandate and use those funds to lobby to crush the weak reforms in the bill; which will leave us with a mandate to buy insurance that covers nothing.

All we need for the reconciliation package to expand Medicare, or include a public option, or to remove the mandate, OR EVEN just allow the ERISA exemtion so that states can have their own single payer systems, at least - just a simple sentence - we need to get something for his vote.

So, please, if you're of like mind, please call John Lewis, tell him Graham Green from 30307 sent ya!

John Lewis -

DC -[phone]

Atlanta - [phone]

Sorry, Rahm, we are not so "F*ckin retarded" here in the south that we don't know a con job from reform.

Next week - just pass a simple bill to expand Medicare, and drop this turkey that will cost us Democrats the next elections!

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[grahamhgreen]

5. OK, "Pronsyrup", thanks for the input. But the bill is a bait-and-switch con-job.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

6. 5th dimensional chess, eh?

Uh huh.

Sure.

[grahamhgreen]

35. OOPS

[NYC_SKP]

8. PLS explain why Kucinich Grayson Weiner and others support it's passage. TIA nt.

[laughingliberal]

10. Political viability. nt

[Lorien]

27. Threats from boss Rahm. nt

[NYC_SKP]

32. Did Rahm threaten Skinner, too? DAMN, I wish I'd been there. n/t

[bobbolink]

40. Reasonable people can disagree. With something this complicated, different sides are

understandable, and NONE need to be dragged through the judgmental mud.

[grahamhgreen]

31. Threats from the White House - look what Obama did to Kucinich by going to his district!

[Inuca]

33. Please tell, WHAT exactly did Obama do

to Kucinich by going to his district???

[grahamhgreen]

37. In political speech, he threw him a bombshell - basically - we will throw everything we have

against you in the next election if you do not get on board.

[Inuca]

45. Ah! You mean he lobbied him?

He "twisted his arm"? he acted LBJ-like, as so often suggested that he should? OK.

[Arkana]

57. So let me get this straight.

You and yours have bitched--BITCHED--for months that Obama is not more like LBJ. That he should twist more arms, get tougher with members of his own party to get them in line to vote for things.

He does this.

And now you are complaining that he's playing hardball with a holdout on his HCR bill?

Keep moving those goalposts--you look more hilariously desperate every time.

[grahamhgreen]

58. Unfortunatley, he is playing hard ball for right wing neo-con corporatist policies like

Mandatory crapsurance that will destroy sny chance of real reform.

It's a simple bait and switch con - I know it's hard to admit.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

38. He showed that Ohioans wanted HCR.

Quelle horreur.

[Lorien]

26. It sure as hell is. I'm calling to ask for them to vote it down unless in includes

the public option/ medicare for all and kills the mandates.

[Romulox]

12. A new low from Operation Mind Syrup--calling a DUer "fucking retarded"!

:wow:

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

17. Dish out the insult, but can't take them, eh?

What do you think that makes you?

[Romulox]

I've never used a hateful appellation such as that one on these boards.

The delete speaks for itself.

[NYC_SKP]

2. Yes, we must just pass a simple bill to expand Medicare. That's brilliant!

[tallahasseedem]

4. Yeah...

didn't you know that it's so simple? Ugh.

[grahamhgreen]

14. Here is the FULL TEXT of the only bill we need to pass. Grayson's "Medicare you can buy into" act

Or, we could go with the 27 page HR676 - http://www.pnhp.org/publications/united-states-national-health-care-act-hr-676


http://grayson.house.gov/UploadedFiles/Public_Option_Act.pdf

.....................................................................
(Original Signature of Member)
111THCONGRESS
2DSESSION
H. R. ll
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for an option
for any citizen or permanent resident of the United States to buy
into Medicare.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Mr. GRAYSONintroduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on
llllllllllllll
A BILL
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide
for an option for any citizen or permanent resident of
the United States to buy into Medicare.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
1
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
2
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
3
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Public Option Act’’
4
or the ‘‘Medicare You Can Buy Into Act’’.
5
VerDate Nov 24 2008 01:09 Mar 09, 2010 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 C:\TEMP\GRAYSO_059.XML HOLCPC
March 9, 2010 (1:09 a.m.)
F:\M11\GRAYSO\GRAYSO_059.XML
f:\VHLC\030910\030910.001.xml (461322|4)
2
SEC. 2. UNIVERSAL MEDICARE BUY-IN OPTION. (a) INGEN-
1
ERAL.—Part A of title XVIII of the Social Security
2
Act is amended—
3
(1) in section 1818(a), by striking ‘‘or 1818A’’
4
and inserting ‘‘, 1818A, or 1818B’’; and
5
(2) by inserting after section 1818A the fol-
6
lowing new section:
7
‘‘UNIVERSALBUY-IN
8
‘‘SEC. 1818B.
9
‘‘(a) INGENERAL.—(a) Every individual who—
10
‘‘(1) is a resident of the United States;
11
‘‘(2) is either (A) a citizen or national of the
12
United States, or (B) an alien lawfully admitted for
13
permanent residence; and
14
‘‘(3) is not otherwise entitled to benefits under
15
this part or eligible to enroll under this part;
16
shall be eligible to enroll in the insurance program estab-
17
lished by this part. An individual may enroll under this
18
section only in such manner and form as may be pre-
19
scribed in regulations, and only during an enrollment pe-
20
riod prescribed in or under this section.
21
‘‘(b) ENROLLMENT; COVERAGE.—The Secretary shall
22
establish enrollment periods and coverage under this sec-
23
tion consistent with the principles for establishment of en-
24
rollment periods and coverage for individuals under sec-
25
tion 1818, except that no entitlement to benefits under
26
VerDate Nov 24 2008 01:09 Mar 09, 2010 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 C:\TEMP\GRAYSO_059.XML HOLCPC
March 9, 2010 (1:09 a.m.)
F:\M11\GRAYSO\GRAYSO_059.XML
f:\VHLC\030910\030910.001.xml (461322|4)
3
this part shall be effective before the first day of the first
1
calendar year beginning after the date of the enactment
2
of this Act.
3
‘‘(c) PREMIUMS.—
4
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The provisions of sub-
5
sections (d)(1), (d)(2), and (d)(3) of section 1818
6
insofar as they apply to premiums (including collec-
7
tion of premiums) shall apply to premiums and col-
8
lection of premiums under this section, except
9
that—
10
‘‘(A) paragraphs (4) and (5) of section
11
1818 shall not be applicable; and
12
‘‘(B) the estimate of the monthly actuarial
13
rate under section 1818(d) shall be computed
14
and applied under this paragraph based upon
15
costs incurred for individuals within each age
16
cohort specified in paragraph (2) rather than
17
for all individuals age 65 and older.
18
‘‘(2) AGECOHORTS.—The age cohorts specified
19
in this paragraph are as follows:
20
‘‘(A) Individuals under 19 years of age.
21
‘‘(B) Individuals at least 19 years of age
22
but not more than 25 years of age.
23
‘‘(C) Individuals at least 26 years of age
24
and not more than 35 years of age.
25
VerDate Nov 24 2008 01:09 Mar 09, 2010 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 C:\TEMP\GRAYSO_059.XML HOLCPC
March 9, 2010 (1:09 a.m.)
F:\M11\GRAYSO\GRAYSO_059.XML
f:\VHLC\030910\030910.001.xml (461322|4)
4
‘‘(D) Individuals at least 36 years of age
1
and not more than 45 years of age.
2
‘‘(E) Individuals at least 46 years of age
3
and not more than 55 years of age.
4
‘‘(F) Individuals at least 56 years of age
5
and not more than 64 years of age.
6
‘‘(d) TREATMENT.—An individual enrolled under this
7
part pursuant to this section shall not be treated as en-
8
rolled under this part (or any other part of this title) for
9
purposes of obtaining medical assistance for medicare
10
cost-sharing or otherwise under title XIX.’’.
11
VerDate Nov 24 2008 01:09 Mar 09, 2010 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 C:\TEMP\GRAYSO_059.XML HOLCPC
March 9, 2010 (1:09 a.m.)
F:\M11\GRAYSO\GRAYSO_059.XML
f:\VHLC\030910\030910.001.xml (461322|4)

[ProSense]

20. Here is the reason such thinking is uninformed

here and http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=7942227&mesg_id=7942227">here.

[grahamhgreen]

30. I thought we were now passing the bill because it is a 'political win' NO ONE is claiming the Senate

bill is a good bill - it's a bad bill that we all have to stomach.

And if you don't like the Medicare bill - let's go with HR676.

[Schema Thing]

29. That's ridiculous. Even Alan Grayson doesn't claim that.

Go sell crazy somewhere else.

[NightWatcher]

3. shut the hell up and get in line

let the John Lewis bashing begin. Party Uber Alles


signed a fellow fucking retard

[grahamhgreen]

7. LOL!

[bobbolink]

44. I know that's funny.... why does it make me want to cry?

I grieve for what is left of the Democratic Party.

The hatefulness is ....beyond words.

thank you. :pals:

[ProSense]

9. What's the likelihood that John Lewis already supports the bill?

March 16, 2010: Rep. John Lewis Statement on Health Care Reform

Washington--Rep. John Lewis made this one-minute statement today on the House floor today during debate about the need for health care reform:

"Madam Speaker, The time is always right to do what is right. And that time is now. The spirit of history is upon us. We must pass health care. There are those who have told us to wait. They have told us to be patient. We cannot wait, we cannot be patient.

The American people need health care, and they need it now. Will we stand with the American people? Or will we stand with the big insurance companies? We have a moral obligation to make health care a right and not a privilege. We cannot wait a moment longer. We must pass health care and we must pass it now."

Black Caucus set to back healthcare bill

[laughingliberal]

13. I'm surprised the President would want to tie up the phone lines of Representatives

whose support he is already sure of.

[ProSense]

16. Reassurance from their constituents.

Who cares if people tie up the lines? The opposition will be.

[laughingliberal]

24. Good try. I don't think the opposition matters if the vote is secured.

Especially not to John Lewis

[frazzled]

21. It's to offset all the negative calls that strong supporters are getting

Look, John Lewis is going to vote for the HCR bill on Sunday. So is my representative, Danny Davis (Chicago). The emails I've gotten from OFA ask me to call him and THANK him for his continuing support and to say we stand with him. I'm pretty sure that's the letter the OP got for John Lewis, too.

[grahamhgreen]

46. According to his Chief-of-Staff who I just spoke with - he is not on board.

[FrenchieCat]

11. I hope you exhaust yourself soon.

At some point you will have to understand that you and yours lost on this one, period.
Sorry about that, but we will keep moving on from there.....
meanwhile you can continue your charade and post here about how everything is horrible....
and until you are revealed as being extra divisive and nothing more, that is your right.

[grahamhgreen]

19. Apparently, I agree with the White House on one thing - they not believe they've won.

Funneling trillions to cash rich corporations is the opposite of reform.

[joycean]

15. I got the same email

but instead it said that 173 calls were needed. The bill is going to pass, and it is crappy. At least it will take care of some of the worst offenses of health insurers. At least, and I mean it was the very least congress could have done without doing anything. In my opinion.

[Pirate Smile]

18. I'll call and tell him to vote yes.

[grahamhgreen]

23. C'mon, don't I deserve representation?

[PopSixSquish]

49. Well I'm a Constituent of the Honorable Mr. Lewis as Well

So what makes you so special that he should listen to you rather than me or more importantly rather than the people of his district (and you know that there are many) who will be helped by this bill?

I will call his office right now and ask him to vote for the bill...

[WeekendWarrior]

22. Let's face it

There are people who are "fucking retarded" in both parties. More on the right, to be sure, but I can't disagree with Rahm.

[Dawgs]

25. Oy!! This southerner is calling his Georgia rep right now.

I'll help. You can sit on the sidelines and cry.

[dionysus]

28. OH NOES!!1 ELEVENS!!1!!!

[CBR]

34. Really?!? He is whipping votes!! I cannot believe it... shocking! nt

[grahamhgreen]

36. He does NOT have the mandatory crapsurance bailout in the bag, apparently.

[onenote]

39. instead of john lewis listening to you, maybe you should listen to john lewis

From a column written by Lewis in today's Hill newspaper:

"If we are honest with ourselves, we must admit, there is brilliant man in the White House, who understands the issues and challenges before us. We should take advantage of the opportunity his intelligence affords us as legislators....We are Americans first. Barack Obama is our president. As the people's choice, we owe him our respect, candor, and all the support we can give. THe sick, the poor, and the elderly in this nation are suffering. Some will die today because healthcare is not accessible. We have the power to change that, and we should."

[HipChick]

47. +100..I'll call

and tell him to vote for the bill

[grahamhgreen]

52. It's a mistake. You'll be giving trillions to big insurance that they will use to crush the meager

Reforms in the bill.

Let's get rid of the mandate or get the ERISA waiver for this vote. Why not?

[grahamhgreen]

51. We elected him to represent us, not the other way around. That's how we do it down here in the 5th

District.

Now at least give us the Kucinich ERISA waiver! What is so hard about that?

[bobbolink]

41. Thank you for the good info. I agree with you completely about Medicare and ERISA.

I went out to my car in a terrible snow storm (and about got hit by a driver who can't seem to understand that someone on foot needs to cross the parking lot, while they are snug and warm inside their car!), to get my phone, and am making the call because its the right thing to do.

Thank you.... I will bring this post to the attention of others.

K&R! for John Lewis, and his loyal constituent!

[bobbolink]

42. Toll-free Capitol Hill Numbers...for those (like me) who can't afford the charges

1-800-828-0498

1-877-851-6937

1-866-338-1015

1-866-220-0044

Thank you for calling.... Democracy is not a spectator sport!

[NNN0LHI]

43. Who did the email come from Mr. Green?

If you don't mind me asking?

Don

[grahamhgreen]

48. David Plouffe

[LWolf]

50. k&r

[ncteechur]

53. Help nothing. I am for the bill. Rep. Lewis should vote YEA!

[grahamhgreen]

54. At least let's get the ERISA exemption added!!! Is that too hard????

[krawhitham]

55. Medicare for all does not have the votes

not even close

[Arkana]

56. 1. Rahm did not call you "fucking retarded". Learn reading comprehension.

2. You have lost this fight. Get over it.

[spanone]

59. .