One of the best known participatory moments in Western theater would have to be contained in the play Peter Pan. Almost everyone knows of it, even people like me who have never seen the play. Peter's fairy companion Tinkerbell, drinks poison meant for Pan and quickly begins to sicken and die. Peter exhorts the audience that Tink' will only get better if people believe in fairies, and that they can show this belief by clapping as loudly as they can. Well I can only imagine what it must be like, to sit in the audience and hear all that clapping, to feel the energy as for a few moments at least disbelief is suspended. In a few moments perhaps cynicism will reassert itself, but for at least a moment people do believe.
Well a similar moment is at hand for the public option.
I know it's hard to believe that there is even the remotest chance of a public option. It went from being a sure thing, to be so essential to any meaningful reform that Nancy Pelosi swore she would not allow any bill to go forward that did not have it. Then the Senate bill was finalized and the public option was removed to get the vote of Senator Palpatine, er I mean Lieberman. Then Scott Brown won Ted Kennedy's old Senate seat and everyone assumed that health care reform was deader than... well old Teddy (What? Too soon?). Some people have talked about passing health care reform including a public option using reconciliation, while others insist that's not possible. Either way the public option appeared to have swallowed a large amount of poison, with no one around willing to risk their political well being to save it. But recently something amazing has happened.
Over the past couple of days a small handful of Democratic Senators have signed their names to a letter expressing support for not only Health Care Reform, but also for a Public Option. From what I've been able to find there are at least eight Senators, possibly as many as fourteen. And here is where my inner cynic wakes up and starts pacing the cage of my better nature. "Well of course they're supporting it now. They know health care reform is actually dead and so it's safe to support it because they won't have to actually buck their corporate masters. Hell probably none of them except maybe Franken even actually gives a rats ass." And I don't blame that part of myself for thinking that. Let's face it, this has been a long, slow, and dirty fight, and we've been betrayed at almost every turn, often by those we thought we could count on. Several times we've been betrayed not out of principle but out of naked ambition or greed. To believe that those senators are sincere requires an incredible act of faith. Kind of like believing in fairies.
clap clap Clap Clap CLap CLap CLAp CLAp CLAP CLAP
It's time for every one of us to tell our inner cynic to sit down and be quiet for a while. It's time for us to put a little faith in those selected to represent us. Come on everyone, clap with me. And once you are done clapping go to the telephone, or your computer, if you don't know who your Representative or Senator is, then look them up. Then call them, email them, if they are one of the ones supporting the public option, thank them and tell them to keep it up.
Hmm. I see by the faces in the imaginary audience that some of you have questions. Alright, you first, the handsome man in the Green Lantern t-shirt, nice fashion choice by the way, "Well what if the person from my state is a Republican?"
Well in that case you call or email or heck do both, and explain to them that you want the public option, and that if they are truly a servant of the will of the people they will pay attention and listen carefully to what you are saying. And then remind them that Scott Brown's victory wasn't because the people of Massachusetts wanted a Republican over a Democrat, but because they were tired of political business as usual. And that obstructionism and politicking are the very acme of business as usual. Tell them that if Ted Kennedy’s seat is not safe, then neither is theirs.
Okay I see someone has their hand up. The curvy young lady with the long red hair, you have a question? "What do I do if my person is a Democrat but they don't or won't support the public option? I mean I shouldn’t threaten to vote Republican next election should I?"
Excellent questions. First of let me say that you should under no circumstances at any time threaten to vote Republican. Every time someone votes for a Republican candidate God kills a puppy. A really cute puppy. And I know you don't want that on your conscience. Fortunately there is a solution that will allow you to offer a convincing threat but will not endanger any furry cuties. Simply explain to them that you want meaningful health care reform and that it must contain a public option, and that you want them to get it done by any means necessary. And if they won’t do that, well there are a lot of other Democrats who would just love a shot at serving the people of your state, and your coalition would be happy to give them that chance.
Alright I need to wrap up but I have time for one more question. You sir in the back? "Um yeah, thanks. Listen I get most of what you’re saying but.... what coalition?"
Well you see, in my observation these days politicians often only pay attention to people who are speaking on behalf of a larger group. So it seems like where they might ignore an individual citizen, they may actually pay attention to the spokes person for a coalition. Now I can hear all the other questions coming. Let me just say that if they are allowed to lie to us, I say it's only fair if we lie to them. If you are asked what coalition, pick a name that is healthcare related and has the word Peoples or Citizens in it. Or if you prefer look for a coalition and join it, or just drop their name. Or if you are feeling really really ambitious form one.
Bottom line, don't just sit there clapping like a nut job. Get up, get to the phone and call. Go to your computer and write. NOW! Don't let George do it, you do it. Now come on what are you waiting for a limber young boy in green leaf shorts to ask you to? Don’t look at me for that one, at thirty six and two hundred fifty pounds I can assure you it ain’t gonna be me.
Keep The Faith My Brothers And Sisters!
(This article originally appeared at The One About...)