The Senate starts debating health care next week. But if it passes without a public option, there's only one person to blame: Harry Reid.
As the majority leader of the Senate, the power to pass a public option is squarely in Reid's hands. Will Reid let three or four corrupt Senators owned by the insurance industry hold the public option hostage? Or will he use the reconciliation process to allow a simple majority vote on a public option?
The choice is Reid's and Reid's alone. Let's make sure he knows it.
Sign our petition to Harry Reid: Get lobbyist-owned Democrats in line, or use reconciliation to pass a public option.
During debate in the Senate this weekend, a handful of corrupt Democratic senators like Blanche Lincoln and Mary Landrieu, who have taken big donations from insurance companies, promised to vote against health care if it included a public option.[1]
If Harry Reid can't get them in line for a simple procedural vote, then
he can use "reconciliation" and call for a majority vote on the public
option. Otherwise, Harry Reid is using his power as Majority Leader
to allow a handful of corrupt senators thwart the democratic process. We can't let that happen.
Let Harry Reid know the public option rests on his shoulders. Click here to sign our petition:
http://action.firedoglake.com/reconciliation
We know who the corrupt Democrats are working for -- the insurance
companies want to kill the public option once and for all. Goldman
Sachs expects insurance stocks to rise by 59% in 10 years if there is
no public option, but drop by 36% if there is one. That's what happens
when nobody likes your product. Their fat profits depend on being the
only game in town.[2]
The American people understand that. That's why 72% support a public option, to end insurance monopolies, increase competition and control the crushing burden of health care costs for American families.[3] A majority in the Senate understands that, too -- that's why 51 have said they will vote for a bill with a public option.[4]
It comes down to a simple question: will Harry Reid allow for majority
rule? Or will he let corrupt members of his own caucus block a
majority of the public and Congress who want a public option?
Sign
our petition to Reid: whip the corrupt ConservaDems into line, or use
reconciliation to give Americans what they want and pass a public
option.
Click here to sign: http://action.firedoglake.com/reconciliation
Thanks for all you do.
Sincerely,
Jane, Ben, Eve, Jon, Lowell, Michael, Noelle, and the rest of the FDL Action team
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