I spoke with an office rep at senator wyden's office today and he explained Dems need Republican support because Byrd and Kennedy can't be counted on.
Today I called senator Wyden's office to register my concern about his middling health dare position. Wyden's recent tack, to join Lieberman, Conrad and others concerns me greatly. Calls
to slow the process I believe are misguided and detrimental to the cause of a public
plan towards universal coverage for all Americans. AND it would be dovrtailing with the AHIC/Republican strategy!
The office aid supported his boss's work saying that Wyden wanted to slow the process to better insure the program is done right. Why doing it right requires joining republicans is beyond me. If I recall correctly, it was the Republicans who wanted to slow and water down the stimulus package to supposedly make sure it too was righ. The result? A half-measure action that many argue now requires a second round of funding to get right.
The aid went on to explain to me that a big reason Wyden is working with repubs is because their votes are needed to pass a bill. No repu support? No bill and why? Because Kennedy and Byrd are too sick to be counted on for the 59 and 60 votes. Has that argument been laid out there in the media? I haven't seen it. Don't you think Byrd and Kennedy would be wheeled to the senate floor, giving heir last remaining breath to fulfill the Democratic
party's decades long dream of providing healthcare to all Americans?
The argument that Wyden must work with Republicans is disingenous and disrespectful. If the concern is ao great then why haven't Dems debate this more openly? If Byr and Kennedy can't vote should we be discussing ways to get their 2 votes on the floor? I don't hear that coming from Wyden. Instead, Wyden joins Senators who want to weaken the public option. I hope Wyden changes his tune in the coming days and weeks. I encurage all Oregonians to press
the senator to stand with the people; nit the republicans, not te insurance companies, not for the senate good ol' boy network, but for the people and universal care. Please contact your senators and reps and do the same!
And all the best to Senators Byrd and Kennedy. May you get well s