This weekend, the Obama administration appeared to back away from insisting on a strong public health care option in the face of teabagger pressure. First, Obama said in a town hall last week that the public option "is not the entirety of health care reform. This is just one sliver of it." Then yesterday, Health and Human Services Director, Kathleen Sebelius stated the public option was "not the essential element" in any reform.
I've heard from a lot folks in the last 24-hours who are very discouraged to hear this. This was a typical comment,
Patent waiting for services
at the RAM/LA free medical clinic
Tell your reps:
Here's are some crucial Health Care Town Halls coming up this week in the Los Angeles area. Don't live in the LA area? Click here for a complete list for the entire state. We also have some important phone banks coming up.
"Hi. I want to unsubscribe to Venice For Change. The reason is that I just heard that Obama is going to cave on the public option and I see no reason to waste my time and energy trying to effect change without the help of the Democrats. I'm tired of beating my head against a wall for a party that has no spine and will not stand behind my efforts."
I understand, believe me I understand. If we end up with health care reform that just forces people to buy health insurance they can't afford, you can put a fork in me, I'm done. No more phone banks, no more calls to our representatives, no more donations to the Democratic Party, and no more Venice For Change.
But folks, we have a choice. If the agenda of the President or of anyone else in his administration changes in ways we don't like, we can continue to support the agenda we believe in and pressure him to return to it.
We have to make sure our representatives know that we require a public option, whether the White House draws a line in the sand or not.
I'm not ready to throw in the towel yet. In fact, I'm mad as hell, and ready give some hell.
Who's with me?
MAKE FOUR PHONE CALLS!
White House: (202) 456-1414
Senator Dianne Feinstein: (310) 914-7300
Senator Barbara Boxer: (213) 894-5000
Your Congress member - click on this link to find out who they are
and how to contact them.
Tell your reps:
Health care is a basic human right.
Support a strong public option as part of health care reform.
Support a public health care option that is available to ALL Americans on Day One. No "trigger," no delay.
Support a public health care option that is national, available everywhere, and accountable to Congress.
Support a public health care option that can bargain for rates from providers and big drug companies.
SCHEDULE AN OFFICE VISIT TO MEET WITH YOUR SENATOR OR CONGRESS MEMBER
WE NEED YOU TO ORGANIZE SUPPORTERS TO ATTEND TOWN HALL MEETINGS AND PHONE BANKS!
Here's are some crucial Health Care Town Halls coming up this week in the Los Angeles area. Don't live in the LA area? Click here for a complete list for the entire state. We also have some important phone banks coming up.
Wednesday, August 19
South Bay Phone Bank
6-9pm
207 S. Poinsettia
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
30 Barack Phone Bank
6:30-9pm
6615 Melrose Avenue Loft 2
Los Angeles, CA 90038
ATTEND A TOWN HALL MEETING!
Friday, August 21
Henry Waxman
10am - 12pm
UCLA - Anderson School
Korn Hall, 3rd Level Building C - Entrepreneurs Hall
Climate Change Forum
We need folks outside the hall to counter the teabaggers!
Saturday, August 22
Maxine Waters
1pm-3pm (get there as early at 12noon to get a seat!)
Los Angeles Southwest College (Los Angeles, CA)
The Little Theater
1600 W. Imperial Hwy.
Los Angeles, CA 90047
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