Political Discussions

Political Discussions » General Discussion

What can we do to push for health care reform?

Posted by satijournal • 6/26/09 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: health care, politics

Robert Reich wrote that it's up to the public to push for health care reform; otherwise, it may not happen.

A new president -- even one as talented and well-motivated as Obama -- can't get a thing done in Washington unless the public is actively behind him. As FDR said in the reelection campaign of 1936 when a lady insisted that if she were to vote for him he must commit to a long list of objectives, "Maam, I want to do those things, but you must make me."

We must make Obama do the right things. Email, write, and phone the White House. Do the same with your members of Congress. Round up others to do so. Also: Find friends and family members in red states who agree with you, and get them fired up to do the same. For example, if you happen to have a good friend or family member in Montana, you might ask him or her to write Max Baucus and tell him they want a public option included in any healthcare bill.
tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/blogs/robert_reich/2009/06/what-can-i-do...

I haven't heard of much public action directed at this, even though the majority is in favor of reform. We've become too complacent. Maybe we should look to the Iranians for inspiration.

User Comments

6/26/09

cooper

I know I've written all my reps and Senators and even my governor who has his own health care issues going on. I do a cursory " I'm watching the dialog and don't expect my vote if " kind of thing.

I stumble or digg articles on health care quite a bit.

crooksandliars.com/john-amato/blue-americas-new-campaign-health-care

www.actblue.com/page/healthcarechoice

Esra Kline, now at WaPo, despite his age, does a good job of keeping up with the health care dialog, as well.

[reply]
1. 6/26/09
  
  satijournal
  
  That's good! I have to admit, I don't really do anything proactive. I've only recently been convinced that a public option is viable, though.
2. 6/30/09
  
  rxvette
  
  Thanks for listing the links you did. I'm all for getting the public option in place but the key to reducing overall costs is actually dependent on choices you and I and everyone else makes everyday. Feel free to read my blog article to learn more. And feedback is always helpful whether you agree or not with me. I welcome all views rxvette.blogspot.com
6/26/09

cooper

I believe it is more than viable it is necessary but without feedback we are going to end up with the same coercive industry practices.

[reply]
6/30/09

rxvette

I've actually took the liberty of writing Obama along with all 100 U.S. Senators about my specific ideas on reforming health care. I submitted my letter via their webpages and I also wrote a handful of House members in my current state of FL. I've published a blog article on some great ways to reduce overall costs and it also addresses reform to the current system. Part II of the article is what I submitted to Obama and all 100 U.S. Senators. I've also tried to spread the word by sharing this blog article.

Here it is if anyone is interested in learning some great stuff:

rxvette.blogspot.com/2009/06/biggest-key-to-health-care-reform-in-us.html

[reply]