Friday, September 04, 2009

A public option, or else

By Michael J.W. Stickings

Yes, yes, yes.

It's time for Democrats to take a stand, even with other Democrats. Here's Greg Sargent:

In a letter delivered to the White House [yesterday afternoon], the two leaders of the bloc of House progressives bluntly told President Obama that they will not support any health care plan without a public option in it — and demanded a meeting to inform him face to face.

The not-yet-released letter — the first joint statement from progressives since news emerged that Obama might not address the public option in next week's speech — is their sharpest challenge yet to the president, given the extraordinary sensitivity of this political moment. The letter urges him to mention the public option in his speech.

And here's Nancy Pelosi herself (via Brian Beutler):

A bill without a strong public option will not pass the House.

It's quite simple, isn't it? Democrats, at long last, need to fight for what they believe in and not let themselves be pushed around by obstructionist, anti-reform Republicans or fellow Democrats of the center/right who have no interest in meaningful reform and certainly not in a public option.

Like Creature, I'm no fan of "lockstep marching," but enough is enough.

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1 Comments:

  • If the plan doesn't at least have a strong public option, I will call my Senators and demand they vote against it. If either of them vote for it, I will punish them the next time they run for election by voting Green.

    It is my inalienable right as an American to have government provided healthcare. I will fight back against any corrupt politician who tries to deny me my basic right.

    Whose side is Obama on anyway? The HMOs or the middle class Americans who get murdered by the HMOs every year?

    By Blogger libhom, at 10:30 PM  

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