Action Alerts

#1: Tell Obama: Let us fight for the public option.

Tell Obama: Let us fight for the public option.

During most of the health care fight, we were told that the public option was supported by a majority of senators but lacked the 60 votes necessary to overcome a filibuster.

But now that reconciliation is on the table and the public option can be passed by a majority vote, the White House is saying the votes aren't there to pass it.

The fact of the matter is that aside from a few well-known public opponents, there aren't many Democrats who actually want to be held responsible for the demise of the public option.

Our polling shows that the public option remains overwhelmingly popular in state after state. It also shows that the version of health care reform passed by the Senate, which doesn't include a public option, is very unpopular.

So you might think that Senate Democrats would jump at the chance to incorporate the public option into their bill.

That's what 35 members and counting of the Democratic caucus in the Senate have said they'd like to do, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and his top two lieutenants: Chuck Schumer and Dick Durbin.

Furthermore, just a few weeks ago, Obama's Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius told Rachel Maddow if the Senate leadership put the public option in the Senate bill, the White House would fight for it.

But now the message coming out of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is that majority support for the public option has evaporated -- but they won't tell us who's switching sides.

Tell President Obama that it's time for some transparency. If he doesn't think the votes are there for the public option in the Senate then it's time for him to name names.

#2: HAPPY HOLIDAY!

HAVE A SAFE & HAPPY HOLIDAY

SEE YOU IN THE NEW YEAR!

#3: Health Care for America Now!

URGENT: Public Option Amendment Vote is Tuesday!

The Senate Finance Committee is expected to vote on amendments to add a choice of a public health insurance option to Max Baucus's bill on Tuesday. It's urgent that you call your Senator on the Senate Finance Committee right now and ask them to vote for a public health insurance option.

Give your Senator a call immediately and tell them to vote for a public health insurance option! Click here to call.

The Senate Finance Committee is the most conservative committee in the Senate, itself the most conservative house of Congress. And yet, even in the Finance Committee we have a lot of support for a public health insurance option, and you can help us build more.

Call now!. The voting will happen on Tuesday, so contact them today!

As Senator Rockefeller said, "There is no alternative to the public health insurance option, the only alternative is the status quo."

#4: Do you remember the Patriot Act?

Do you remember the Patriot Act? Rushed through Congress in October 2001 with little debate, this flawed legislation curtails your fundamental freedoms.

And now, just like in 2001, legislation is moving through Congress quickly.  But this time, we have a chance for genuine Patriot Act reform.

Senator Russ Feingold and nine other senators have introduced the JUSTICE Act, a bold piece of legislation, which effectively reins in the out-of-control government powers embedded in the Patriot Act. We now need your help to gather more support for this comprehensive legislation.

Ask your senators to co-sponsor the JUSTICE Act.

#5: Tell Senator Nelson you're not stupid!

Senator Nelson finally took a stand and demonstrated that he prefers to represent the insurance companies rather than his constituents.  Read article.

Its time that we bombard Bill Nelson with the message that his desertion of his constituents will have political consequences when he is up for re-election in 2012.   Make your views known by writing and calling his office today.

800-828-0498  OR   202-224-5274   OR  561-514-0189

FAX A LETTER TO  561-514-4078

#6: America Can’t Wait

A message from Howard Dean... 

We've worked together since the beginning of the healthcare debate to draw a line in the sand -- the choice of a public option must be included in any reform bill passed this year. And every time Republicans have tried to kill it or the insurance industry has claimed it's already dead, we've stood up and proven them wrong.

The new line from opponents of reform is that Congress doesn't have the votes to pass a public option.

Once again, thanks to you, we've proven them wrong.

We've asked everyone in Congress where they stand. At least 218 House and 51 Senate Democrats have said they would vote for the final healthcare bill if it included the choice of a public option rather than vote against the bill and kill reform. That means Congress has the majority votes needed to pass a public option -- TODAY.

Now is the season for action. The majority of Americans want it. Majority votes in Congress will pass it. Join President Obama in calling on Congress to get the job done this year.

ADD YOUR NAME NOW

#7: Labor Day Solidarity Rally

Teamsters Local 769  Labor Day Solidarity Rally
(All South Florida Unions and friends of Labor are invited to show support)
(Food and Drink provided)

Monday, September 7, 2009
12:00 NOON UNTIL 2:00 P.M.
6185 NW 18th St Bldg 716-A
Miami, FL 33126-7335
www.mapquest.com
 

The Rally is in support of workers who are currently on strike fighting deplorable working conditions: no bathrooms in the airplanes, no food or water on flights, forced to work up to 18 hours per day. Crew members are docked 2 days for each sick day.

FAMILIES ARE WELCOME. LETS TEACH OUR CHILDREN WHAT LABOR DAY IS REALLY ABOUT !!!
IN UNITY THERE IS STRENGTH!

#8: Take Action On the No Brainer of the Week: Fire Rove's Prosecutors!

#9: What you can do right now

From Arshad Hasan, Executive Director, Democracy for America:

The energy this week has been incredible. The media tried to convince you that the public option was dead and that progressives were powerless. They're wrong and we've been proving it all week.

It's all because of you and the work we've done together.

It started with 400,000 thousand signatures of Americans drawing a line in the sand, demanding that the inclusion of a public option in healthcare reform is non-negotiable. Then over 10,000 people delivered these petition signatures to every single member of Congress, sometimes to multiple offices. Governor Howard Dean capped it off with a public delivery event in Washington D.C. that drew over 10,000 supporters.

Congress got the message. At least 64 House Democrats have pledged to vote against any bill without a public option. We need to thank our House Healthcare Heroes. Tell them to stand strong against pressure from insurance industry lobbyists.

#10: Let’s shake up the 18th

 Let's shake up the 18th

As legislators across the entire country hold town halls and discuss the future of health reform in our country, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fl 18) has decided to cut and run. In accepting a lobbyist funded trip to Israel, Ros-Lehtinen has found a way of escaping face-to-face discussions about the concerns and opinions of her constituents.

Since the Congresswoman has gone to another continent, we hope that she'll hear from her aides here in Florida what her constituents want.  Of course since her largest donor this election cycle is Leon Medical Centers and after receiving over $650,000 from the health care industry, she may not be able to hear the voices of her constituents over those of the insurance lobby.

Ileana's Miami Beach Representative goes there every Tuesday, so DFAM is leading a pro-public option rally, in collaboration with the Miami Beach Democratic Club, VFP, and the FIU College Democrats.  All health care reform activists welcomed! We want discussion not disruption!

 CITY OF MIAMI BEACH CITY HALL ANNEX, 777 17TH STREET, SUITE 402-B

MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA 33139

TUESDAY AUG 25^TH

11 AM-2 PM 

COME OUT & LET OUR VOICES BE HEARD!