I know that I can't post his piece verbatim but in light of the dueling, diametrically-opposed diaires currently on the rec list -- again! -- I recommend that everyone go over to Open Left and read this exceptional piece posted over the weekend by Mike Lux. Here, for your reading pleasure and to whet your whistle, are some key sections:
The end game of any major legislative fight such as what we're going through on health care- when the final deals are being cut on the inside, and the rumors are flying around like starlings- are what I call the crazy season. It's a time that's generally very maddening for all the grassroots activists who have been working on the legislation like crazy, because it really is tough to figure out what is true and what is not. Here are some general rules that hopefully help you understand this season a little bit more:
- There are probably a hundred rumors a day. 90 of them are just flat out false, spread either because someone misunderstood something, or someone is trying to promote some pet project or kill something, or just because rumors spread on Capitol Hill for no particular reason at all. Maybe nine of them have a seed of truth, but the seed is cross-fertilized with a lot of, well, fertilizer. One of them is probably pretty close to true, but you never know which one it is, and it may well not be true the next day.
- Go read the entire piece at Open Left...
- Don't assume any deal is ever done. Everything- every single thing- remains up in the air. The best way to get to a compromise on one important thing may be to change the language on something else in the bill entirely different.
- Go read the entire piece at Open Left...
- Go read the entire piece at Open Left...
- Don't panic over anything, just keep organizing for what you want. A lot of groups are doing list building right now, seizing on real or imagined rumors to try to panic people into signing petitions or giving money. Most of these panic attacks are phony. My advice to activists out there is to just keep working hard on grassroots organizing around the issues you care the most about, and not worry too much over the panic attacks.
I know it is frustrating trying to follow what's going on with a debate like health care. There are tons of movable parts, and the traditional media gets a lot of things wrong. The good news is that millions of activists keep fighting to make this a strong bill, and that we still have a good shot at getting that done.
It would be nice if this practical and sane advice got the same amount of attention here as the ping-ponging (and, yes, I am using that phrase on purpose) diaries currently dominating the rec list.
Just sayin'...
Thanks!