Sorry for the Seinfeldian headline, but for purposes of this post, call me George. And yes, I'm pissed at the cacophony here at TPM, the nihilism and the scattershot messaging about health care reform.

Excuse the blunt trauma that may be incurred:

1. SHOVE the whiny "Congress won't pass Single Payer so I won't attend a town hall to boost the legislation that is on the table." This fight isn't about Single Payer vs public Option. Both are important goals, but they are on different time lines. This is the result of Single Payer's (a) inept leadership, (b) too-late mobilization, and (c) unrealistic expectations among those who came late to the party.

SO GET TO A FUCKING TOWN HALL AND SUPPORT THE GOVERNMENT-RUN PUBLIC OPTION!!

Why? Here's why:

2. Gregor raised an interesting question about why the insurance lobby opposes reform, but his answer was incorrect. He surmised that insurance companies would rather gouge existing customers than fool with 47 million new ones on a government fee schedule.

The correct answer is this: By killing the government-run Public Option but including a personal mandate to purchase insurance, the insurance companies will FORCE those 47 million onto their rolls, reaping huge profits at the expense of taxpayers. Under their plan, you will be REQUIRED to buy their products.

Now do you have a reason to attend a town hall?

And for fuck's sake, PLEASE read my RIPPER'S DC TRIP, Pt. 2 post in its entirety and rec it! Yes, it's long, but dammit, I worked very hard on it to offer everyone here clear tips for direct action.

Do NOT lose sight of the target here, folks! George is very, very ANGRY!!!