The Bishop and the Butterfly: Murder, Politics, and the End of the Jazz Age
    amike's picture

    ANOTHER Public Service Announcement

    By amike on Mon, 06/22/2009 - 11:07pm |
    I just received this e-mail from Democracy for America signed by Dr. Howard Dean, and I'm betting many of you did as well.  This is the kind of community pressure to which I referred in my previous post.  I've already signed, and I've forwarded the letter to everyone on my political e-mail list.  And I've asked them to send it forward to ten more.  Howard is asking for 10,000 more signatures by Thursday.  Let's surprise him with 100,000 more.


    Michael -

    Even while Republicans fight tooth and nail against allowing Americans the choice of a universally available public healthcare option; the American people continue to show overwhelming support -- 8 out of 10 Americans in the latest NBC/Wall Street Journal poll.

    But for-profit insurance companies and HMO's are working hard to strip it from any upcoming healthcare bill. They don't want Americans to have a choice because they know they'll have to lower costs and provide better care. They will stop at nothing to kill real reform and there are a lot of Senators in Congress looking for ways to help them.

    Republicans have insurance companies on their side. We have the American people on ours. Now that we have the momentum for real reform, we need to make it clear we won't accept anything less than a strong public option.

    We're at 350,000 signatures as of this morning. How many more can we get before I present the signatures this Thursday in Washington D.C.? Please add your name right now or -- if you have already signed -- forward this message to a friend, family member or likeminded co-worker and ask them to join you.

    www.StandwithDrDean.com/LastChance

    We can guarantee healthcare for all if we give every American the freedom to choose between keeping their private insurance - if they have any - and a universally available public healthcare option like Medicare. A public option is the only way to guarantee healthcare for all Americans and its inclusion in any healthcare reform bill passed this year is non-negotiable.

    Our friends in the Congressional Progressive Caucus have stood strong and united, insisting they will vote against any legislation without the choice of a public option. They are working hard to beat back pressure in the House to "compromise" for right-wing special interests. Now's the time to make it clear we back members of the Progressive Caucus up. First we led the way, now we'll have their backs.

    But for the rest of Congress, they still need to decide. Do they stand with the 76% of the American people who want the choice of a public health insurance option? Or are they working for the health insurance industry that will deny Americans the choice of a public health insurance option?

    They will decide. We will hold them accountable.

    Let's see if we can get another 10,000 signatures this week before I present them Thursday morning at the Capital.

    ADD YOUR NAME NOW THEN PASS IT ON

    Working together, we will get healthcare for all Americans. Thank you for everything you do to make it happen.

    -Howard


    If the link doesn't work with this cut and paste job, here it is:


    http://www.standwithdrdean.com/LastChance

    p.s.  Dr. Dean was a little pessimistic.  Since the letter was sent, the number of signatures has passed 367,000.