My Message to my Representative re: Health Care Reform

I sent the following message to my Representative today.

Representative **********,

I've tried calling your D.C. office but your phone inbox is full and can't take messages. Ditto the S.D. office phone inbox. I'll bet the conservatives are making a concerted effort to clog the lines so that supporters of reform can't get through to you.

I also looked for info about your stance on health care reform on FB, but couldn't find anything there.

Please vote in favor of health care reform.

And please understand that, even though I am registered as an independent voter, you shouldn't assume you can lump me in with the gullible tea-baggers who believe all the lies fed to them by the ultra right-wing crazies out there.

I am a Registered Nurse, and I know all too well how desperately reform is needed. Under the status quo, the health insurance companies are getting away with murder. Literally. Voting against reform is, IMHO, aiding and abetting them in their crimes.

Do the right thing.

Pat ********

My Letter to my Senators re: Health Care Reform

This is the letter I emailed to my two senators today:
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Senator XXXXX,

My mailing address is in XXXX, but I am a registered voter in XXXX. I am registered as Independent, but please don't make the mistake of thinking that all registered Independents are gullible tea-baggers, easily manipulated by the fear tactics of the Republican machine.

WE NEED HEALTH CARE REFORM AND WE NEED IT NOW! I would prefer a plan that includes a public option. If that's not possible, a plan that provides for a lot more competition between the insurance companies might have to do.

Unfortunately, the Democrats have shown themselves to be incompetent, even with a super majority. And the Republicans are still the Party Of No. One party CAN'T do anything, and the other party WON'T do anything. The business of the American people is being ignored in the heat of political battles. I'm fed up with both sides.

PLEASE DO EVERYTHING IN YOUR POWER TO GET THIS DONE.
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So....if I ruled the world, elected officials would get booted out of office if their voting record even hinted that they were putting their political interests before the business of the American people. I'm sick to death of talking points. I'm sick to death of the special interests having more influence than private citizens.

Socialized Medicine?

I understand that people have different philosophies about health care delivery in this country. There's a wide spectrum of ideas being advocated, ranging from leaving the system just as it is to having the government take complete control with a single payor system. There's a legitimate debate there, and everyone has the right to express their views. So far, no problem.

I do have a problem, though, with the people ranting against socialized medicine while getting their own medical care through Medicaid, Medicare, or the VA system. I'd love to find out what percentage of the anti-socialized medicine protesters fall into that category. I'd guess it's pretty high....

Remember one of the signs a protester held up that said Keep Your Government Hands Off Of My Medicare??????? What the.....? People like that are clueless. And what's really scary is that they vote.

Debate is wonderful. It's part of the rich political heritage of the United States. But I wish the protesters had a real grasp of the issues before taking to the streets to express their opinions.