With all of the peripheral items being discussed, I just wanted to...

[rasputin1952]

update people on the Senate HCR Bill.

I have been on the phone, e-mailing and handwriting letters/memo's to my sometime D Senator, Ben Nelson(NE); well, he's going to vote for debate of the HCR Bill on the Senate floor.

Now I'm not claiming that it was me alone that pushed him into a rational position, but I helped. I have no idea how he'll vote in the end, perhaps discussion and debate will make an impression upon him, enough to get some form of HCR passed, but the real point here is that the people of NE have spoken to Nelson, and he broke away from his Insurance supporters just long enough to deal with an important issue.

We can all do this, I'm stuck w/Senator Johanns(R) as well, and he is a goomer from the word go; but I've received a positive letter from him, after I pressed home the point that people, including many children, were dying while he climbed up on his pedestal, and I find this unconscionable, it seems that that may have had an impact. I stopped short of calling him complicit to manslaughter, but it was on my mind when I wrote to him...I can tell it had some kind of impact.

So call, write, e-mail, fax anything you can to your Senators, whether they have an R or a D after their names, don't let others frame the debate, make sure your voices are heard beyond the confines of DU...Stand Up and make that stand we need to take. Express yourselves, regardless of where you stand on some issues in the Bill, it is imperative that a Bill be passed and put into law.

Now I know that many DU'ers find aspects of the Bill less than "golden", we all have things we'd like to see taken out or put in, the point is, these things often take time, and it certainly takes effort. Make your views known, but don't sink the ship, there will not be another ship for a long time if this goes under. It is far easier to amend a law than produce a new one. We need to get things moving, we cannot allow the R's to have a "win"; they are out of power for a reason, they suck. Don't allow them to "win" anything, take action. You'd be surprised what can happen when you do.

Thanks for reading this, now please...get in touch with your Senators and fire them up!

:patriot:

[AllentownJake]

1. PA is covered

Though, I'm not that happy with this bill.

Arlen needs to make himself appear like he's been a democrat his entire life and Bob Casey enjoys his basketball games with the President.

[rasputin1952]

4. I'm not overjoyed w/it either...

but it really is easier to amend a law as opposed to starting one from scratch.

We can't let the R's gain at all, they need to fracture and get the crap beaten out of them again in 2010, then amendments can start, and we can get a better Bill...:)

[AllentownJake]

6. 2010 is going to be a tough year

I think there are going to be pick-ups in Ohio and Florida, but I think there are going to be losses elsewhere.

I believe the Senate is going to be maybe a seat loss of one net and the house is going to be about -20 all blue dogs who have been doing nothing but obstructing to cover their own asses, people aren't going to buy it, you rise and sink with your parties agenda when in power, and diluting it always results in the most vulnerable members going...who were the people who diluted it out of fear of losing their seats.

Can't explain that to the stupids though.

[rasputin1952]

10. The stupid burns...

All 3 of my Reps are R's, Fortenberry being the worst, (what a stupid man, makes JD Hayworth of AZ fame look like he's Mensa material, and Hayworth is a true idiot!)

If HCR passes, we will pick up seats, people will come around, just as they did for SS, Medicare and Medicaid. The old R argument of "socialism!" has been proven time and again to attract only the most incredibly stupid people.

[AllentownJake]

11. I think we could lose PA and Nevada

Specter is in trouble in the primary, and the Sestak operation...well no one likes it, if he wins the primary, hopefully the DSCC sends someone in who isn't nuts. Toomey beat up on Sestak really bad in a debate I saw in Allentown, scared the shit out of me. Hopefully Pat blows up.

Reid is going to be in a tough fight.

Health Care reform will not be what this election is about....

[rasputin1952]

13. I've always like PA, and the Eastern part of the state is pretty...

blue.

2010 will certainly be about more than HCR, but it will be a part of it...:hi:

[AllentownJake]

14. Toomey's state headquarters is 3 blocks from my house

I've already gone in there and tormented his staff once pretending to be interested in Pat's positions.

[rasputin1952]

15. ...

:evilgrin:

[amandabeech]

49. What's Sestak's problem?

I used to live near Harrisburg and had to put up with that idiot Gekas for a few years.

The thought of voting for Specter wouldn't be pleasant. I can't imagine much worse, actually.

[rasputin1952]

50. Specter is a strange character...

Way back during the hearings on the JFK assassination, I thought he was a little weird. While things have changed over the years, his "Magic Bullet" scenario was incredulous at the time.I always thought his getting to be Senator was some kind of "pay back" for that, today, I just think he's a complete loon that will do virtually anything to retain his seat. I find him unscrupulous...x(

[babylonsister]

2. You are a gem, and thanks for the encouragement! nt

[rasputin1952]

5. Thank you! You are the one's who will make a difference...

we can do this, and then work on changes...:hug:

[sandnsea]

3. We're the only ones who can do it

Maybe it'll work, maybe it won't. But there sure isn't any other way to get this bill passed. Thanks!!

[rasputin1952]

8. We can do this...

it takes time and effort, then we can put pressure on to make changes, but if goes down, we're screwed for a long time.

Seeing Nelson change was a good deal, it was a hard fight, and who knows what he'll do in when the vote comes down. He's sure going to know how I feel about this though. There are 400,000 citizens in NE that lack any insurance at all. I find that heartbreaking, no child should have to go through illness that can be treated early, no child should have to die because they could not get the care they needed. No adult should either, but I find it horrific that children have to go through some of these things...things that are treatable...:(

[eleny]

7. K&R - Take a bow for doing your part!

[Clio the Leo]

9. My GOPer........

..... stood before the American people and LEAD the "everyone stand around and lie about the bill" party.

I'm counting on all of YOU because there is NO WAY Senator Alexander will change his mind and Bob Corker wont go against him and no one from another state will entertain my thoughts.

[rasputin1952]

12. I know your frustration...

I once wrote to my old Congressman, Fortenbery(R) and told him I would do everything in my power to ensure he wasn't re-elected. I actually got a call from DC from him to talk about my letter. I was adamant though, and told him exactly what I thought of him and his voting record. Red state here, so he got back in, but only by some 5%, the first time, it was 45%, he took a drubbing the last election, he's too stupid to realize he's sitting on a bomb though.

Rarely do I get a call from an elected official, but I must have made a damn good impression on him for him to actually call me at home...:D

[jillan]

16. Thank you for the encouragement - I have Kyl and McCain

alot of times I don't bother, but you are right - I should.

[rasputin1952]

17. McCain is pretty bad, Kyl is just plain awful...

I used to live in Kingman AZ.

I actually liked Goldwater after he retired. There was an interview just before he died on the local channel, it was live, and my respect for Goldwater skyrocketed when he was asked about the "new" Republicans of the time...his answer, (once again on live TV), "these aren't Republicans, they are shitheads."

One thing about Goldwater, he called it like he saw it...:rofl:

[mascarax]

18. Wow - what did Fortenbery say to you?

I'm curious what he asked and said...obviously you made an impression.
I'm surprised he called.

(Also appreciate what you're doing!)

[rasputin1952]

20. He asked me why I was so disappointed in him...

that was the first question. I had bookmarked Congress.org and I read off the list of his voting record, pure GOP and nothing for the country as whole, just a puppet AFAIC.

He was actually very surprised I could rattle off his votes and discuss the Bills/issues with him, he didn't expect that. Once he actually realized how I truly felt, he actually became somewhat conciliatory, he knew he wasn't just talking to some clod out of the fields of NE...:D

He pretty much stuck to his script, but I could "feel" he was little nervous. like I said he took a 40% drop when he was re-elected...I wonder if thought of me after the election...:rofl:

[Cha]

19. Thanks, Ras..this is what President Obama

was talking about and it's only logical that that's how we get things done.

In my District in New York we all wrote and called our Blue Dog and he came through in the House.

[Clio the Leo]

22. Oh if I ONLY had a Blue Dog.....

.... I'd feed it and pet it and give it a good home! lol

[rasputin1952]

24. They drool and bark...

not much else until prodded...;)

[Clio the Leo]

25. Yeah, but at least they dont pee up your leg and tell you it's raining...

.... as this guy did to me yesterday.

[rasputin1952]

26. ...

:D

What a world we live in, I wonder if anyone has any sense anymore...;)

[Cha]

27. Blue dogs just need to know

who's in charge..tough love.

Our Congressman won his seat 3 years ago when a republican of long standing retired ending a reign of 50 years of republican rule. More bush blowback.

[rasputin1952]

31. They need to be held to account...

thee is no reason for them to act the way they do, they need to be principled and not beholding to a few groups that tend to put financial pressure on them...:hi:

[Cha]

44. Yeah,

that's what I'm talkin' about:hi:

[rasputin1952]

23. We can do this...

we might actually get some R's over if they get a little scared. I'm of the mind that since bi-partisanship was offered and rejected, screw 'em, just steamroll them into the tarmac, completely destroy them, hit them on 16 different fronts and expose them for the frauds they are.

It should be easy, they are in disarray, and for whatever reason, (they never gave D's bi-partisanship when they had the power), some D's think they need GOP votes. Just crush them once and for all, they have nothing, we know it, they know it. Calls to R Senators letting them know they have nothing can really hurt them, they emboldened by the silence from the left...they are getting a few positive responses from their constituents, and they think that's how others feel.

I say call 'em and rip 'em up...:D If anything, it'll rattle them.

[saltpoint]

21. Recommended.

:thumbsup:

[rasputin1952]

Thank you...

Today would be a good day to call your Senators...the vote is today, make them get moving...:hi:

[ChicagoSuz219]

28. I heard that...

THANK YOU!!

[rasputin1952]

33. Thank YOU...

we can do this if we all work together...even R's cringe when they gte their feet held to the fire...:hi:

[firedupdem]

29. Rec'd...I've been writing to Ben as well. Let's keep the pressure on! n/t

[rasputin1952]

30. Where are you in NE?

I was in Norfolk, but moved to O'Neill a few months ago...:hi:

Long story as how I got here, I'll spare you the details, but I'm originally from NYC...this is a serious culture change...:eyes:

[firedupdem]

34. Beatrice....about 30 mns from Lincoln....

I'm from Chicago/Detroit...

Very Serious Culture Change!!!!!!!

:crazy:

[rasputin1952]

35. At least your somewhat close to Lincoln...my city/town has...

3335 human forms, and most of them are in seriously disastrous shape...:D

The only "good" thing is that while the car is down, everything is w/in walking distance...;)

[DU GrovelBot]

32. ## PLEASE DONATE TO DEMOCRATIC UNDERGROUND! ##

This week is our fourth quarter 2009 fund drive. Democratic Underground is
a completely independent website. We depend on donations from our members
to cover our costs. Please take a moment to donate! Thank you!

[mkultra]

36. i dont understand why we havent been going after our congressmen more aggressivley

THe focus should have always been on these people. Instead the incessant bitching focused on Obama allowed these fools to skate along thinking they had no resistance.

[rasputin1952]

37. I agree wholeheartedly...

I'm after mine all of the time.

Johanns once wrote and asked me why I contact him so often. To which I replied, "you work for me and the rest of the Nebraskans, we'll ask the questions, you better have damn good answers."

He's written me back on every item I've brought to his attention since that exchange...:D

I have no problem at all letting them now they can be replaced.

[mkultra]

39. my reps are all Republicans but i dont let that stop me

i call them up and complain constantly. I think i qualify for crank status in their offices. i wish i had some dems. I would probably camp out in their office if i did.

[rasputin1952]

41. Even cold hearted R's hate to be told they are wrong on so many levels...

Even if you can't get them to change their minds, make them account for their themselves. They stumble whenever challenged, they have nothing...fight the good fight...:patriot:

[mkultra]

45. everyday nt

[saltpoint]

38. A kick for good advice at a crucial time.

[rasputin1952]

42. Once we lose that primary communication tie, we won't get it back...

communication is essential..one other thing, when thye do right thing, let them know that as well...it really is a 2 way street, and they need to know they hav esupport when they actually do something worth y of praise...:patriot:

[saltpoint]

47. Agree on all counts. There's a hard debate coming on this bill,

but it is a bill worth the fight.

Excellent thread, rasputin.

[rasputin1952]

48. Thank you...but it's the members that deserve the kudos...

I see many doing their part to push for changes. It warms my heart to see so many active people, looking out for others, as well as themselves...:grouphug:

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

40. K&R Thank you for the good post and the good work

[rasputin1952]

43. We can do this...

we can even scare the crap out of R's, but we have to do it with overwhelming numbers...:D

[Mithreal]

46. K&R