During the primaries, you inspired me early. I called, on my dime, on my phone, on my time, over 30 states to speak to Primary Voters for you. The number on MyBO never fell below 10.
I set and met my fundraising goal for you. I hosted a fundraising dinner for you, in my home, with my money. We made calls to locate out of state volunteers to travel to where they were needed. I spoke with a professor who, while on the phone with me, arranged for a bus to transport a load of student volunteers for you.
Twice a week, I welcomed between 5-25 people, most strangers, into my home as we dispensed advice and materials and canvassed for you under the hot Florida sun.
So why have I not heeded your constant call to my inbox to volunteer to help for healthcare reform? Let my tell you....
Because I have to believe in what I am selling. And I can't spend time away from my family to fight for healthcare reform, only to find out I've wasted my time. I keep seeing events, and I want to attend, but I have this nagging fear... suspicion, that I will work my butt off and be crushed by the results. I don't want to work for what I cannot imagine accepting, and so I stay on the sidelines. The conflicting messaging, the daily back and forth from leadership frustrates me beyond measure.
Mr. President, please, I am dying to be inspired on this issue. I am a volunteer-aholic. I want to help. But I have to have a clear picture of what I'm fighting for.
I WILL NOT fight for a reform that ends up being a co-op.
I WILL NOT spend time away from my kids for a watered-down 'bi-partisan' healthcare bill in the hopes that sometime in the future we can add on a public option.
I WILL NOT spend gas money, cash for long distance calls, take time off of work for you if you will not CLEARLY OUTLINE what you want me to fight for.
So please, Mr. President, in honor of Teddy, can we please have a come to Jesus meeting on this thing. You, Pelosi (leave Hoyer at home) and Reid. Tell us what the minimum you will accept is. Outline clearly what you will not accept; what you will not sign, what it MUST contain. Have a joint Press conference and for crying out loud show the country what the party is made of on this issue .. SHOW US THE WAY.
Outline the dream, and we will come. And history will be kind.
And if its doesn't suck... name if after Teddy, please.
UPDATE: Obligatory, "Wow, first time on rec list!" post and a slight clarification, as I commented below, I just can't support Obama's call to action right now. My heart isn't it for Healthcare reform, when everyday I hear different Democratic leaders issuing conflicting messages on what the item I am supposed to convince people to support will contain.
I am happy to support the Union, FDL and MoveOn's calls to action because I know, in very clear terms, what they are pushing for.
I am just telling my story, I am very happy that it was told in a way that touched so many of you, whether you agree or disagree.