I just sent this note to the White House, through the contact form. Yeah, it's probably kinda late to influence the speech, but I thought it had to be said. As I mention, I've been trying to get through but have been pushed out by robodialers all week.
It says that I really want to help the President, but I just need something to be fighting for. He may not be insisting on the public option, but I am. If it's part of the deal, I'll work for it. If it's not, I stay home, or maybe even hit the streets against it, if it's an abomination like personal mandates with no public option.
Enjoy.
Mr President, I've been trying to call the WH switchboard for two weeks now. Unfortunately I have been unable to get through, probably due to astroturfers on robo-dial or something.
But I do want to say something about healthcare reform, REAL healthcare reform, as you're about to go on and address the nation tonight.
The corporate media are already reporting that you are planning to say that you are not going to insist on a public option tonight. I think that is a tragic mistake. One, for me personally, as I am uninsured because I am self-employed and simply can't afford anything the private insurers offer, and wouldn't trust them to cover my healthcare even if I could afford a plan. So for me it's a public plan or nothing. What about my choices? What about my freedom?
I already pay double for Medicare taxes, on account of the so-called self-employment tax. So why can't I buy into that system? Even at a completely non-subsidized premium rate? That's simply not fair to me, and millions like me. And the tens of thousands who join me on the uninsured count every single day, as jobs are lost, people are downsized, or they "keep" their job as an outsourced contractor.
So I'll pledge to stand with you if you'll stand with us. You may not insist on a public option that will free us from the rapacious ways of the big insurance companies, but I DO INSIST ON A PUBLIC OPTION. I walked and knocked on more doors than I can count for you. All over [my state], yes, and also in [neighboring state], [blue-collar city two states over]. I cut turf for your campaign in Western Ohio, phoned hundreds of people in the Rio Grande valley, and worked at the convention in Denver.
And I'll do it all over again, but only if I have something to believe in. For me, the public option is absolutely the bare minimum that can be done to get meaningful reform. Nothing else that is on the table changes the game, gets cost under control, and gives people like me a dependable choice for healthcare. And many of the options are simply budget-busting giveaways to the insurance industry. I'll walk, knock and call to defeat those proposals if that's what we're left with. But I'd much rather have something to be fighting FOR.
So please, give us something to fight for. We so much want to be fighting on your side.