After Betsey Markey's disappointing vote on Health Reform, I sent a short message expressing my displeasure. I’ve copied it below the fold along with her response.
I would like to respond back and I thought it might be fun and helpful to solicit some feedback from the blogosphere.
Since I am a constituent and she will actually accept my messages, I wanted to open it up to you for suggestions.
I would like to respond with a set of specific questions regarding her position on health care based on her letter and current position. If you have any ideas, I would certainly welcome them and will include them in my response.
Thanks!
Here is my original message sent after the vote:
Dear Congresswoman Markey,
I am saddened by your extreme cowardice with regard to the health care bill. The fact that you voted against the bill indicated to me that you are more concerned with protecting big health insurance companies at the expense of people like me.
I was excited to support you in the last election and get rid of Marilyn Musgrave, now I realize that you are not much better. I can no longer support you and in the next Congressional election I will leave my vote blank.
I wish you had the courage to actually stand up and do the right thing with regard to health care. The fact that you hide behind the budget issue to justify your vote is pathetic and hypocritical.
Sincerely,
Your Angry Constituent
Below is Congresswoman Markey's response:
Dear Angry Constituent,
Thank you for contacting me about the health care reform legislation that passed the U.S. House of Representatives on November 7th. As your representative, I strongly value and need your input so that I can best represent the people of Colorado's Fourth Congressional District.
After carefully reviewing this legislation and hearing from thousands of Coloradans across my district, I could not support this bill. This was not an easy decision to make, because I know only too well that America's health care system is in dire need of reform.
This bill provides new coverage for millions of Americans, but it simply does not do enough to cut the health care costs that are crushing our businesses and families. It's critical that we control rising health care costs, increase quality and value within our health care system, and improve access to health care and affordable health insurance coverage.
Some people had asked me to vote with my party on this bill and to disregard the reservations that I have. I know that this bill is supported by many of my own supporters in the 4th District and many organizations around the nation. Before I vote, it is my duty to every person in the district I represent to consider the multitude of issues involved. Sometimes, as with this bill, I know that my vote will be controversial. However, I cannot let that dissuade me from doing what I know is right for the nation and right for the 4th District of Colorado.
This was not a vote on the idea of health care reform; it was a vote on one specific bill. I remain optimistic that with the House and Senate working together with the Administration, we can achieve a bill that meets the goals of affordability and coverage, improved access, and is also fiscally sustainable in the long-term.
Please feel free to visit my website (http://www.betsymarkey.house.gov) where you can share your ideas with me, learn about the services I can provide to you, and sign up for my periodic email updates on what I am doing to help Colorado's Fourth District.
Sincerely,
Betsy Markey
Member of Congress