Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Urgent food shortage

Dear MoveOn member, 

"I'm sure we're going to run out of food today, before we serve all the people that are in line."

That's Mary-Sharon Howland, director of a food bank near New Orleans.1 But the same problem is plaguing food banks and soup kitchens across America. This winter, a record 49 million Americans are going hungry because of the economy.2

Our country needs change that gets to the root of the problem, but we also need to help people survive the immediate crisis.

Here's a way to help: Feeding America is the nation's leading network of food banks—including one near you, Island Harvest. For every $1 you donate, Feeding America can help provide 7 meals to men, women, and children facing hunger in our country.

Please contribute to Feeding America as generously as you can. Click here to make a tax-deductible donation before the end of the year:

http://help.feedingamerica.org/moveon

As progressives, we share a core belief that we're all in this together. We'll continue to fight for lasting change—and help each other weather this economic downturn.

Thanks for all you do, and happy New Year!

–Justin, Adam, Amy, Anna, Annie, Carrie, Christopher, Daniel, Danielle, Eli, Emily, Gail, Ian, Ilya, Ilyse, Joan, Jodeen, Kat, Keauna, Laura, Lenore, Marika, Matt, Matthew, Melanie, Michael, Nita, Noah, Peter, Scott, Stephen, Steven, Susannah, Tim, and Wes

Sources:
1. "Kenner Food Bank may have to turn away needy," WWLTV Eyewitness News (Louisiana), December 23, 2009
http://www.wwltv.com/news/Kenner-Food-Bank-80023467.html

2. "Hunger in U.S. at a 14-Year High," The New York Times, November 16, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/17/us/17hunger.html

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on December 30, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Write a letter on health care?

Negotiations over what will be in the final health care bill have begun—and while members of Congress are home for the holidays, it's crucial that they hear that their constituents want them fighting for key fixes and real reform. Can you write a letter to the editor of your local paper today?

Write a letter

Dear MoveOn member,

Now that the Senate has passed its health care bill, negotiations have begun over what will be in the final legislation.1

So we've got an important opportunity this week, while members of Congress are home over the holiday break, to urge them to fix the bill and make it more progressive.

With conservatives continuing to push for watered-down reform,2 it's imperative that Congress hears from those of us who want them to fight for the strongest bill possible.

Members of Congress will be reading the local papers while they're home, taking the temperature of their constituents on health care before heading back to Washington. Can you write a letter to the editor about what needs to be in the final health care bill? There are some suggested points to make below, and you can click here to get started:

http://pol.moveon.org/lte?campaign_id=122&id=18436-10220574-zvKnAwx&t=3

While the Senate bill is seriously flawed, the House bill is quite strong. And with informal talks already underway to negotiate the final bill, Congress and the White House need to know what progressives across the country care about most.

The health care fight is heading into its final weeks, so if you've never written a letter to the editor before, now's definitely the time to write your first. Our tool makes writing a letter really simple: you can send the letter right from our website, in only a few minutes.

For background, here are a few key fixes that progressives have identified for the final bill. Since short, focused letters have the best chance of getting printed, just highlight one fix that's important to you in your letter.

  • Give Americans the choice of a public option. Congress should model the final bill after the House version, which contains a national public option—the key to real competition, greater choice, and lower costs.3

  • Make insurance affordable. Both bills require most Americans to have insurance. But even with subsidies, some people could pay up to 20% of their income on health care. The final bill must ensure families aren't required to spend more than they can handle.4

  • Protect women's health care. Both bills impose dangerous new restrictions on women's reproductive health care. While the House version is worse, neither provision can be in the final bill.5

  • Finance health care fairly. The Senate would pay for part of reform by taxing the benefits packages of some working Americans. The House, on the other hand, pays for reform with a small surcharge on the wealthiest Americans—a far better approach.6

  • Hold insurance companies to the same anti-trust laws as other companies. Right now, insurance companies are exempt from laws designed to prevent monopolies and price-gouging. The House bill would fix this, and so should the final bill.7

Can you write a letter today? Just click here to get started:

http://pol.moveon.org/lte?campaign_id=122&id=18436-10220574-zvKnAwx&t=4

Thanks for all you do.

–Kat, Carrie, Ilyse, Wes, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Senate and House in search of health-care compromise," The Washington Post, December 24, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85895&id=18436-10220574-zvKnAwx&t=5

"Senate leaders will return next week to plot health conference," The Hill, December 22, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85901&id=18436-10220574-zvKnAwx&t=6

"Senate Passes Healthcare, Looks toward Conference with House," The Chicago Tribune, December 24, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85896&id=18436-10220574-zvKnAwx&t=7

2. "Centrists set strict guidelines for Senate-House healthcare talks," The Hill, December 25, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85897&id=18436-10220574-zvKnAwx&t=8

3. "Comparing the House and the Senate Health Care Proposals: Public Plan," The New York Times, December 19, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85859&id=18436-10220574-zvKnAwx&t=9

"The House Bill and the Senate Bill," The Now! Blog, December 21, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85861&id=18436-10220574-zvKnAwx&t=10

"Why We Need a Public Health-Care Plan," The Wall Street Journal, June 24, 2009
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124580516633344953.html

"Why a public health insurance option is key to saving costs," Economic Policy Institute, June 25, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85866&id=18436-10220574-zvKnAwx&t=11

4. "Assessment of Affordability Provisions in the Exchange in House (H.R. 3962) and Senate (H.R. 3590) Health Reform Bills," Health Care for America Now
http://hcfan.3cdn.net/46590729111c307ccc_lom6b3a6r.pdf

"Finishing Reform Right: Fixing affordability before the President signs a health care bill," The Now! Blog, December 22, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85867&id=18436-10220574-zvKnAwx&t=12

"Comparing the House and the Senate Health Care Proposals: Individual Mandate," The New York Times, December 19, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85860&id=18436-10220574-zvKnAwx&t=13

5. "Comparing the House and the Senate Health Care Proposals: Abortion," The New York Times, December 19, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85862&id=18436-10220574-zvKnAwx&t=14

6. "Comparing the House and the Senate Health Care Proposals: Paying for the Proposals," The New York Times, December 19, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85863&id=18436-10220574-zvKnAwx&t=15

7. "Comparing the House and the Senate Health Care Proposals: Insurance Regulations," The New York Times, December 19, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85736&id=18436-10220574-zvKnAwx&t=16

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on December 29, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Monday, December 28, 2009

Deadline TODAY: Obama needs your help

Dear MoveOn member,

Today is the last day for us to show support for one of President Obama's biggest steps to fight climate change: enforcing pollution limits on dirty coal plants.

So far, over 300,000 people have signed petitions in favor of the plan. Can you help us reach 400,000 by the end of today? Click here to add your name to the petition:

http://pol.moveon.org/bigpolluters/?id=18429-10220574-t35M6qx&t=1

If we hit our goal, this will be one of the biggest responses the EPA has ever gotten. (The EPA is the agency that would enforce the pollution limits.) It'll really show that the American people are behind President Obama when it comes to clean energy jobs and global warming. Check out our original email below to learn more.

Thanks for all you do.

–Steven, Marika, Laura, Anna, and the rest of the team


Clicking here will add your name to the petition:
"I support President Obama's plan to enforce limits on global warming pollution from coal plants and other big polluters under the Clean Air Act."

Sign the petition
Dear MoveOn member,

President Obama recently proposed that for the first time in history the Environmental Protection Agency will enforce global warming pollution limits under the Clean Air Act. The biggest polluters like coal plants and refineries would finally have to do something to cut down their pollution.1

But Big Oil and Coal are standing in the way because they don't want to do anything to clean up.2

The EPA is accepting public comments on Obama's plan for just a few more days. They read these comments very closely to determine if there's enough public support to go ahead. And we can be sure the right wing is sending lots of comments opposing the plan.

We can show them that the public is supporting this if enough of us act. Can you take a minute to sign our petition? Clicking here will add your name:

http://pol.moveon.org/bigpolluters/?id=18429-10220574-t35M6qx&t=5

The petition says: "I support President Obama's plan to enforce limits on global warming pollution from coal plants and other big polluters under the Clean Air Act."

President Obama's proposal would not only help clean up the environment, but also create jobs by making factories and power plants more efficient and helping green technologies like wind and solar.3 And it's long overdue—President Bush refused to enforce these provisions of the Clean Air Act at all, even after the Supreme Court ordered him to do so.4

But the right wing is trying to stop President Obama from taking any action at all on global warming, and they're using every dirty trick in the book.

Last month, they stole the personal emails of climate scientists in England and took a few words out of context to smear these respected researchers.5 Now they're attacking President Obama for even showing up in Copenhagen.6

The good news is that President Obama so far has stood strong, and his proposal to finally act on the Clean Air Act's global warming pollution limits is a big step in the right direction.

We need to show that the American people support President Obama's efforts to fight global warming. You can help by signing our petition urging the Obama administration not to back down. Clicking here will add your name:

http://pol.moveon.org/bigpolluters/?id=18429-10220574-t35M6qx&t=6

Thank you for all you do.

–Steven, Marika, Laura, Anna, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Time to Speak Out Against the Biggest Polluters," Grist, November 17, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85855&id=18429-10220574-t35M6qx&t=7

2. "Lobby Groups to Use Town Hall Tactics to Oppose Climate Bill," The Wall Street Journal, August 11, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85854&id=18429-10220574-t35M6qx&t=9

3. "The Economic Benefits of Investing in Clean Energy," Political Economy Research Institute at the University of Massachusetts, June 18, 2009
http://www.peri.umass.edu/economic_benefits/

4. "Justices Say E.P.A. Has Power to Act on Harmful Gases," The New York Times, April 3, 2007
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84753&id=18429-10220574-t35M6qx&t=10

5. "Science not faked, but not pretty," Associated Press, December 12, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85856&id=18429-10220574-t35M6qx&t=11

6. "Sarah Palin on the politicization of the Copenhagen climate conference," The Washington Post, December 9, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85857&id=18429-10220574-t35M6qx&t=12

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on December 28, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Great holiday video

Dear MoveOn member,

As you gather with friends and family for the holidays, we thought this video of the local MoveOn Council in the Twin Cities would make you smile:

Health Caroling
Watch the video

Thanks to the MoveOn Council in Jefferson County, Washington, for the lyrics and to Representative Keith Ellison (D-MN), a progressive champion who is standing strong for real health care reform.

Thanks for all you do, and happy holidays!

–Justin, Noah, Emily, Annie, and the rest of the team

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on December 24, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Five things you need to know

Dear MoveOn member,

Tomorrow morning, the Senate will vote on its health care bill, and then House and Senate leaders and the White House will meet to negotiate the final bill.

While the House bill is quite strong, the Senate health care bill is seriously flawed. And with negotiations about to begin, we have one last chance to fight for key fixes in the final bill.

Here are five key problems with the Senate bill that must be fixed. Please check this out, then pass it on! Click here to post on Facebook, or here to post on Twitter.

Five Critical Flaws in the Senate Health Care Bill

The Senate bill would:

#1—Deny Americans the choice of a public option. In contrast, the House bill contains a national public option, the key to real competition, greater choice, and lower costs.1

#2—Leave insurance unaffordable for some lower income and working people. Both bills require virtually all Americans to buy insurance. But even with the subsidies provided, some families could have to pay up to 20% of their income on health care expenses.2

#3—Impose dangerous restrictions on women's reproductive health care. Unfortunately, both bills do this and the House provision is worse. Both versions would be a dangerous step and neither should be in the final bill.3

#4—Tax American workers' health coverage to pay for reform. The Senate would pay for part of reform by taxing the hard-won benefits packages of some working Americans. The House, on the other hand, pays for reform with a small surcharge on only the wealthiest Americans—a far better approach.4 

#5—Allow insurance companies to remain exempt from anti-trust laws. Under current law, insurance companies are actually exempt from laws designed to prevent monopolies and price-gouging. The House bill would fix this, but the Senate bill leaves it in place.5

Of course, these aren't the only problems with the bill. Most glaringly, both the Senate and House bill would leave millions uninsured,6 a far cry from the vision of universal coverage so many of us have fought for. That remains a long-term goal.

But these five things need to be fixed immediately—and we need to spread the word to make sure House and Senate leadership and the White House get the message we're counting on them to craft a final bill with these key fixes.

Can you spread the word? Forward this email, and click here to post on Facebook, or here to post on Twitter.

Thanks for all you do.

–Kat, Carrie, Michael, Joan, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Comparing the House and the Senate Health Care Proposals: Public Plan," The New York Times, December 19, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85859&id=18404-10220574-tNXWsOx&t=5

"The House Bill and the Senate Bill," The Now! Blog, December 21, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85861&id=18404-10220574-tNXWsOx&t=6

"Why We Need a Public Health-Care Plan," The Wall Street Journal, June 24, 2009
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124580516633344953.html

"Why a public health insurance option is key to saving costs," Economic Policy Institute, June 25, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85866&id=18404-10220574-tNXWsOx&t=7

2. "Assessment of Affordability Provisions in the Exchange in House (H.R. 3962) and Senate (H.R. 3590) Health Reform Bills," Health Care for America Now
http://hcfan.3cdn.net/46590729111c307ccc_lom6b3a6r.pdf

"Finishing Reform Right: Fixing affordability before the President signs a health care bill," The Now! Blog, December 22, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85867&id=18404-10220574-tNXWsOx&t=8

"Comparing the House and the Senate Health Care Proposals: Individual Mandate," The New York Times, December 19, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85860&id=18404-10220574-tNXWsOx&t=9

"The House Bill and the Senate Bill," The Now! Blog, December 21, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85861&id=18404-10220574-tNXWsOx&t=10

"Senate health bill is launch pad," Jacob Hacker, December 22, 2009
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1209/30871.html

3. "Comparing the House and the Senate Health Care Proposals: Abortion," The New York Times, December 19, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85862&id=18404-10220574-tNXWsOx&t=11

4. "Comparing the House and the Senate Health Care Proposals: Paying for the Proposals," The New York Times, December 19, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85863&id=18404-10220574-tNXWsOx&t=12

5. "Comparing the House and the Senate Health Care Proposals: Insurance Regulations," The New York Times, December 19, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85736&id=18404-10220574-tNXWsOx&t=13

6. "H.R. 3962, Affordable Health Care for America Act," Congressional Budget Office, November 20, 2009
http://cbo.gov/doc.cfm?index=10741

"Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act," Congressional Budget Office, November 18, 2009
http://cbo.gov/doc.cfm?index=10731

"REPORT: How the Senate Bill Compares to Other Reform Legislation," Think Progress, November 19, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85670&id=18404-10220574-tNXWsOx&t=14

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on December 23, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Obama's BIG step on climate

Clicking here will add your name to the petition:
"I support President Obama's plan to enforce limits on global warming pollution from coal plants and other big polluters under the Clean Air Act."

Sign the petition
Dear MoveOn member,

Following last week's historic climate meetings in Copenhagen, President Obama is pushing forward strong new steps to cut U.S. climate pollution. If enacted, this plan would be the crowning environmental achievement of his first year in office.

Obama's plan would use the Clean Air Act to set the first-ever limits on global warming emissions from factories and power plants. The Clean Air Act is one of the most successful laws in U.S. history, and Obama's plan would both help the environment and boost clean energy jobs.

But Big Oil and Coal lobbyists are doing everything they can to stop him, spending millions on lobbyists and questioning proven science.1 If we don't act now to show that we support President Obama's efforts on global warming, the administration might cave in to right-wing pressure.

You can help by signing our petition to the Obama administration today. The official deadline for submitting petitions on this issue is in just a few days. Clicking here will add your name:

http://pol.moveon.org/bigpolluters/?id=18389-10220574-7C3JJ6x&t=4

The petition says: "I support President Obama's plan to enforce limits on global warming pollution from coal plants and other big polluters under the Clean Air Act."

The Environmental Protection Agency, which is taking the lead on Obama's proposal, closely monitors the public responses they get on major proposals. Our petition will make a real difference at this critical moment.

For years, weak enforcement of the Clean Air Act has allowed the oldest, dirtiest power plants to keep running years after they should have been replaced. These ancient plants—some literally over 100 years old—dominate the electricity market and crowd out wind and solar.2

With pollution limits on these plants, the least efficient technology will be replaced, and the market will open up for cleaner energy sources like wind and solar.

But Big Oil and Coal lobbyists are pulling out all the stops, saying that clean energy will hurt jobs and the economy—when just the opposite is true.3 In fact, wind and solar create twice as many jobs as coal.4

We need to show that the American people support President Obama's efforts to fight global warming. You can help by signing our petition urging the Obama administration not to back down. Clicking here will add your name:

http://pol.moveon.org/bigpolluters/?id=18389-10220574-7C3JJ6x&t=5

Thank you for all you do.

–Steven, Marika, Laura, Anna, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "U.S. Chamber Spent a Record $34.7 Million on Lobbying in Past 3 Months," The Wall Street Journal, October 19, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85026&id=18389-10220574-7C3JJ6x&t=6

2. "Dirty Kilowatts," Environmental Integrity Project, July 26, 2007
http://www.dirtykilowatts.org/

3. "U.S. Chamber Warns of Unintended Consequences of EPA Endangerment Finding," U.S. Chamber of Commerce, April 17, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85335&id=18389-10220574-7C3JJ6x&t=8

4. "The Economic Benefits of Investing in Clean Energy," Political Economy Research Institute at the University of Massachusetts, June 18, 2009
http://www.peri.umass.edu/economic_benefits/

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on December 22, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Counting on Rep. McCarthy

Can you call Rep. McCarthy right now? Tell her that you're counting on her to fight for the real reform that the House passed—including the public option—when the Senate and House health care bills are merged.

Representative Carolyn McCarthy
Phone: 202-225-5516


Report your call

Dear MoveOn member,

At one o'clock this morning, the Senate health care bill cleared its last big hurdle, putting it on track to pass on Thursday.

Unfortunately, the Senate bill was badly weakened by conservatives. It doesn't have a public option, doesn't do enough to make insurance affordable, and doesn't create real competition for insurance companies.

The House bill is much better. So as the two bills get merged, we need House Democrats to insist that the best pieces of the House bill are included.

Can you call Rep. McCarthy right now and ask her to demand that the key elements of real reform—including a public option—are in the final bill before the House and Senate vote on it?

Representative Carolyn McCarthy
Phone: 202-225-5516

Then, please report your call by clicking here:

http://pol.moveon.org/call?tg=FHNY_04&cp_id=1218&id=18377-10220574-HIxpe3x&t=3

The House health care bill included vital provisions that were dropped in the Senate. Unlike the Senate bill, it has a public option to keep insurance companies honest. It does more to make health insurance affordable for the lowest income Americans. And it pays for these reforms with a small surtax on the wealthiest Americans. (The Senate bill taxes many middle class families' insurance benefits instead.)

All these differences will be worked out between House and Senate leaders and the White House during the "conference" process.

We've already seen that progressives can exercise real leverage when they make it clear that their votes can't be taken for granted. Senator Bernie Sanders just won billions of dollars in extra support for community health clinics in the final hours of negotiation in the Senate. But House Democrats will be under intense pressure to give in to the demands of conservative senators who are threatening to hold the process hostage again.

So we need Democrats in the House to insist on real improvements before agreeing to vote for the final bill.

Can you call Rep. McCarthy right now and tell her you want her to fight for the public option, for making insurance more affordable, and for other progressive priorities in conference?

Representative Carolyn McCarthy
Phone: 202-225-5516

Then, please report your call by clicking here:

http://pol.moveon.org/call?tg=FHNY_04&cp_id=1218&id=18377-10220574-HIxpe3x&t=4

Thanks for all you do.

–Kat, Ilyse, Daniel, Lenore, and the rest of the team


  

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on December 21, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Friday, December 18, 2009

No deal

Sens. Gillibrand and Schumer have been vocal supporters of the public option. Tell them that their constituents are counting on them to oppose the latest watered-down version of the Senate legislation, and keep fighting for real reform with a public option. Can you send a message on Facebook and Twitter right away? Click here to let us know.

Click Here

Dear MoveOn member,

The latest Senate health care bill has no public option. No expansion of Medicare. And it does too little to guarantee that uninsured Americans will actually be able to afford the coverage they'll be required to purchase.1

Former insurance executive Wendell Potter put it best: the bill is "a big bailout to the [health insurance] industry."2

But it's not too late to fix the bill. And as Joe Lieberman has shown, just one senator willing to stand in the way can force legislation to be changed dramatically.

Senator Bernie Sanders, a strong proponent of the public option, has already made clear that he's opposed to the legislation in its current form—and he could decide to block it until it's fixed.3

But there's enormous pressure from all sides to pass a bill quickly, no matter how weak it is. So we need to show leading public option supporters, like Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles Schumer, that we're counting on them to block this version of the bill—and we'll get their backs if they do.

Many senators pay close attention to what voters are saying on Facebook and Twitter. So can you send Sens. Gillibrand and Schumer a message on Facebook and Twitter urging them to block the Senate health care bill until it's fixed?

Facebook walls:
http://www.facebook.com/KirstenGillibrand?v=wall
http://www.facebook.com/chuckschumer?v=wall

Become a fan, then write something like this on their walls:

The Senate health care bill has turned into a massive gift to Big Insurance—and it needs to be stopped from passing until it's fixed. Will you commit to blocking the bill until it's strengthened, and work to make sure America gets real reform with a public option?

Twitter:
Follow @SenGillibrand, then tweet something like:

@SenGillibrand Pls oppose the latest Senate #hcr bill—it's a massive gift to Big Insurance. Fight for real health care w/ a public option!

(It's even better if you write your own words, and speak from the heart.)

Then, please let us know you did by clicking here:

http://pol.moveon.org/call?tg=FSNY_2.FSNY_1&cp_id=1195&rc=fb.tw&id=18360-10220574-5ePD4Jx&t=4

Despite this latest setback, we can still win the health care fight. The House has already passed a strong health care bill with a real public option. It would cover millions of uninsured Americans, offer real competition to the insurance companies, and reduce costs in the long run.

MoveOn members overwhelmingly support the House bill. But it's clear from member feedback and surveys that the majority of MoveOn members oppose the Senate bill as it now stands.4

And recent polls show growing opposition among grassroots progressives generally—the very folks Democrats in Washington count on to volunteer and donate to their campaigns.5 One found that one-third of Democratic voters will be less likely to vote next year if Congress doesn't pass a public option.6

So to get real reform, we need to immediately send a powerful message to public option supporters in the Senate that we're counting on them to block this bill until it's fixed.

Can you send a message to Sens. Gillibrand and Schumer on Facebook and Twitter right now?

Then, please tell us you did by clicking here, so we can track the success of this campaign:

http://pol.moveon.org/call?tg=FSNY_2.FSNY_1&cp_id=1195&rc=fb.tw&id=18360-10220574-5ePD4Jx&t=5

Thanks for all you do.

–Kat, Joan, Michael, Ilya, and the rest of the team

P.S. When you finish, please click below to become a fan of MoveOn on Facebook:

http://facebook.com/moveon

And click here to follow MoveOn on Twitter:

http://twitter.com/moveon

Sources:

1. "ANALYSIS: House Bill More Affordable Than Senate Legislation," Think Progress, October 30, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85097&id=18360-10220574-5ePD4Jx&t=6

"Side-by-Side Comparison of Major Health Care Reform Proposals," Kaiser Family Foundation, November 23, 2009
http://www.kff.org/healthreform/sidebyside.cfm

2. "Senate Bill a Big Win for Insurance Companies," Countdown with Keith Olbermann, December 16, 2009
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/#34455097

3. "Sanders Could Still Vote No On Cloture," WhoRunsGov.com, December 17, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85817&id=18360-10220574-5ePD4Jx&t=7

4. MoveOn Members' Views on the Senate Health Care Bill
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85818&id=18360-10220574-5ePD4Jx&t=8

5. "Poll: Loss of Public Option Causes Big Increase in Opposition to Health Care Bill," Talking Points Memo, December 16, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85808&id=18360-10220574-5ePD4Jx&t=9

6. "Poll: One Third Of Dems Less Likely To Vote In 2010 If Public Option Dies," WhoRunsGov.com, December 14, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85816&id=18360-10220574-5ePD4Jx&t=10

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on December 18, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

P-SPAN: Joe Lieberman socks!

Dear MoveOn member,

Joe Lieberman's behavior over the last few weeks has been outrageous and inexcusable. But too many people still don't realize how destructive Lieberman has been to the cause of health care reform.

Fortunately, some friends of ours put together a video with sock puppets—yes, sock puppets—that makes his role clear. We think it's kinda funny, and surprisingly accurate. Check it out, then share it on Facebook and Twitter if you like it:


Watch

After you watch, call Congress and the president and tell them not to let Joe Lieberman hold reform hostage. Then pass the video on.

Thanks for all you do.

–Nita, Laura, Peter, Daniel, Kat, and the rest of the team

 

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on December 17, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Bush economy

Fed chair Ben Bernanke spent trillions to bail out Wall Street, but he's turning a blind eye to regular Americans. Now he's up for a second term. Can you ask Sen. Schumer to vote against confirming Bernanke unless he explains how he'll help middle-class folks struggling in this economy?

Senator Charles Schumer
Phone: 202-224-6542

Click Here
Dear MoveOn member,

One of the key architects of the Bush economy, Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke, has been nominated for another four-year term by President Obama. But there's bipartisan momentum building to hold up his confirmation until he shows that he's willing to help regular folks—and not just big banks.

Bernanke presided over the biggest Wall Street bailout in history, making trillions of dollars of loans to big banks with no oversight. But as Paul Krugman points out, while Bernanke was willing to take extreme measures to save the financial system, he displays a "curious mix of complacency and fatalism" when it comes to tackling the massive unemployment problem.1

This is really problematic, because ensuring "full employment" is explicitly part of his mandate as Federal Reserve Chair. And it's not like there's nothing he could do. Major economists have proposed several initiatives that the Fed could launch immediately to help the broader economy recover, but Bernanke isn't interested.

Your senator, Charles Schumer, is on the Senate Banking Committee and there's a key vote coming up on Bernanke's nomination tomorrow. Can you ask Sen. Schumer to vote against confirming Ben Bernanke unless he explains, in detail, how he'll help middle-class folks struggling in this economy?

Senator Charles Schumer
Phone: 202-224-6542

Then, please report your call by clicking here:

http://pol.moveon.org/call?tg=FSNY_1&cp_id=1211&id=18320-10220574-ADT67wx&t=3

Given the questions swirling about Bernanke's conduct, progressive Sen. Bernie Sanders and conservative Sen. Jim Bunning have placed a hold on Bernanke's nomination, citing numerous concerns about his conduct.2 And economists have joined the call to delay Bernanke's nomination—from progressives like Dean Baker to right-wingers like Grover Norquist.3 They agree that Bernanke's actions as Federal Reserve Chair deserve far more scrutiny before the Senate votes.

Progressives are particularly concerned because even though millions of Americans have just seen their retirement savings disappear, Bernanke told Congress that they should propose cutbacks in Medicare and Social Security to lower the deficit.4 When Sen. Jack Reed asked Bernanke whether imposing new taxes on Wall Street could be another way to achieve the same goals, Bernanke wouldn't agree.

At a time when so many Americans are hurting, we can't afford to have our monetary policy guided by someone who's mainly looking out for Wall Street. If Ben Bernanke thinks that lowering the deficit by cutting Social Security and Medicare should be the Federal Reserve's top priority right now, rather than lowering unemployment, then he doesn't deserve a second term.

The Senate needs to hold more hearings regarding Bernanke's views before rushing to reconfirm him for four more years.

Please call Sen. Schumer today—ask him to vote against confirming Ben Bernanke unless he explains how he'll help folks on Main Street.

Senator Charles Schumer
Phone: 202-224-6542

After you call, let us know here:

http://pol.moveon.org/call?tg=FSNY_1&cp_id=1211&id=18320-10220574-ADT67wx&t=4

Thank you for all you do.

–Daniel, Noah, Ilya, Kat, and the rest of the team

Sources:
1. "Bernanke's Unfinished Mission," The New York Times, December 10, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/11/opinion/11krugman.html

2. "Sanders Puts Hold on Bernanke," U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, December 2, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85803&id=&id=18320-10220574-ADT67wx&t=5

"Bunning places second hold on Bernanke," The Hill, December 3, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85807&id=18320-10220574-ADT67wx&t=6

3. "Coalition of groups on left and right want delay on Bernanke vote," The Hill, December 15, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85804&id=18320-10220574-ADT67wx&t=7

4. "Bernanke Channels Willie Sutton In Assault On Social Security: 'That's Where The Money Is'," The Huffington Post, December 4, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85802&id=18320-10220574-ADT67wx&t=8

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on December 16, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Lieberman

Joe Lieberman is single-handedly gutting health care reform. It's time to hold him accountable. To make it happen, we need to raise $400,000 right away. That'll take 3 contributions from Inwood. Can you chip in $5 today?

Click Here

Dear MoveOn member,

First, Joe Lieberman helped President Bush invade Iraq, and the Democrats in Washington forgave him. Then, he endorsed John McCain, and they forgave him again. Then, he personally attacked Barack Obama at the Republican National Convention, and still the Democrats forgave him.1

Now, Joe Lieberman is single-handedly gutting health care reform. The time for forgiveness is over. It's time to hold Senator Lieberman accountable.

First, we're going to launch a huge ad campaign to make sure every last Connecticut voter knows that Senator Lieberman is blocking strong reforms. Then, we'll push Senate leaders to strip him of his chairmanship and seniority. Finally, we'll work to defeat him in his next election.

Our goal is to raise $400,000 in the next 24 hours, to send a deafeningly loud message that we've had enough of Joe Lieberman. That'll take at least 3 donations from Inwood—can you chip in $5?

https://pol.moveon.org/donate/lieberman.html?bg_id=hpc5&id=18299-10220574-VRiYjfx&t=3

Sen. Lieberman has been one of the biggest obstacles to real health care reform with a public option all year. But over the past two weeks, he's taken it to a dangerous new level.

First, he demanded that the public option be removed from the bill. Then, last night, he killed an expansion of Medicare—an idea that he himself championed just three months ago and that was added to the bill specifically to satisfy him.2

He's shown that he can't be reasoned with. Most of all, Joe Lieberman can't be allowed to stay in the U.S. Senate.

We can do this. Connecticut is a solidly blue state, going 60% for Obama in 2008. Polls in Connecticut show he's in trouble. Thirty percent of Lieberman voters in 2006 said they would not vote for him again, and, in another poll, he trailed one possible Democratic opponent by a whopping 44 points.3

We've had enough of Joe Lieberman. Please help raise $400,000 in the next 24 hours to send him home for good. To get there, we'll need 3 people in Inwood to help out. Can you contribute $5 right away?

https://pol.moveon.org/donate/lieberman.html?bg_id=hpc5&id=18299-10220574-VRiYjfx&t=4

Thanks for all you do.

–Nita, Carrie, Wes, Steven, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Thompson, Lieberman attack Obama in red-meat speeches," McClatchy Newspapers, September 2, 2008
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/251/story/51461.html

2. "Lieberman Rules Out Voting for Health Bill," The New York Times, December 13, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85794&id=18299-10220574-VRiYjfx&t=5

3. "Connecticut's Rell Is Queen Of The Hill At Midterm, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Dodd Has Worst Approval Ever," Quinnipiac Polling Institute, December 17, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85796&id=18299-10220574-VRiYjfx&t=7

"Connecticut Voters Back Same-Sex Marriage, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Rell Approval Holds As Dodd, Lieberman Scores Drop," Quinnipiac Polling Institute, December 17, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85795&id=18299-10220574-VRiYjfx&t=8

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on December 15, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Stand up to Joe Lieberman

Can you call Sens. Gillibrand and Schumer right away? Ask them to stand up to Joe Lieberman, and insist health care reform include a strong public option this year.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
Phone: 202-224-4451

Senator Charles Schumer
Phone: 202-224-6542


Report your call

Dear MoveOn member,

I don't remember electing Joe Lieberman President.

But lately it seems like we might as well have: news broke last night that Senate Democrats, under pressure from White House staff, cut a tentative deal to drop yet another piece of their health care bill—the Medicare buy-in—to make Joe Lieberman happy.1

First the public option, now the Medicare buy-in—what's next?

This terrible "deal" isn't final, though—and like each of the times conservatives have tried to gut reform, we need our progressive leaders in the Senate to stand up and fight.

Can you call Sens. Gillibrand and Schumer immediately? Ask them to stand up to Joe Lieberman, and insist health care reform include a strong public option this year.

Here's where to call:

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
Phone: 202-224-4451

Senator Charles Schumer
Phone: 202-224-6542

Then, please report your call by clicking here:

http://pol.moveon.org/call?tg=FSNY_2.FSNY_1&cp_id=1210&id=18287-10220574-KF03Bax&t=2

This latest bad "deal" is nowhere near final.

In these final, intense weeks, it's more important than ever to fight back against attempts to gut health care reform. Our senators need to hear just how outraged voters are over this latest "deal," and the ongoing gutting of health care reform. 

No one even knows if this latest deal has 60 votes—and that means all of us, and our progressive allies in Congress, have an opportunity right now to stand up to make clear that continuing to weaken health care reform is just unacceptable.

Can you call Sens. Gillibrand and Schumer right away? Make sure they know you're counting on them to stand up to Joe Lieberman and fight for real health care reform.

Thanks for all you do.

–Kat, Eli, Lenore, Peter, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Senators move to remove Medicare expansion, public option from healthcare bill," The Los Angeles Times, December 14, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85791&id=18287-10220574-KF03Bax&t=3

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on December 15, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Here's the catch

It's time for progressives to stop negotiating with themselves. Can you call Sens. Schumer and Gillibrand right now and tell them to do whatever it takes to pass real health care reform with the public option that the majority of Americans want?
 

Senator Charles Schumer
Phone: 202-224-6542

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
Phone: 202-224-4451


Report your call
Dear MoveOn member,

Last week a handful of senators announced a deal on health care. Here's the catch: Almost no one knows what's in the deal yet—the only thing we do know is that it kills the heart of reform, the public option.

Rumors are flying about what exactly is in the deal, but lots of folks have latched on to the idea that the deal might allow some people over the age of 55 to buy into Medicare. The problem is, nobody knows if the Medicare premiums will be affordable and the program could be limited to very few people, so it's dangerous to assume it's great news. 

Moreover, allowing a few folks to buy into Medicare won't accomplish the main goal of the public option: to provide competition to keep insurance companies honest and lower costs.1

The worst part? Democrats gave away the public option to appease conservatives. But Joe Lieberman and Ben Nelson are already threatening to block this watered down deal.2

It's time for progressives to stop bargaining with themselves. We need Senate Democrats to fight for the majority of voters who want a public option—and not let a few out-of-touch conservatives gut real reform. Can you call Sens. Schumer and Gillibrand right now and tell them to do everything in their power to pass a bill with a public option and not to let a few senators hold health care reform hostage?

Senator Charles Schumer
Phone: 202-224-6542

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
Phone: 202-224-4451

Then, please report your call by clicking here:

http://pol.moveon.org/call?tg=FSNY_1.FSNY_2&cp_id=1206&id=18265-10220574-6z82fFx&t=3

To be clear, some of the ideas that were floated could be good ones—but in addition to a strong public option, not as a replacement for it. Expanding Medicare could give lots of people an affordable choice for quality care—if it's done right. But that's a big if, and it's a big mistake to embrace a compromise without knowing the details.

Even if all the rumored reforms turn out to be as good as possible (which is pretty unlikely), allowing some folks over 55 to buy in won't provide the competition that a public option will to keep insurance companies honest. And folks under 55—who will be required to buy insurance after reform passes—will still be left with no choice other than the big private insurers.

As long as there are no real consequences for conservatives' obstructionism, they'll keep demanding more and more concessions. It's time for Democrats in the Senate and the White House to be more aggressive by stripping Sen. Lieberman of his committee chairmanship, forcing the conservative senators to publicly stand with the Republicans so voters know whose side they're on, or even pushing health care reform through the reconciliation process, where they'd only need 50 votes.

Sens. Schumer and Gillibrand need to know that voters in New York will have their back if they keep fighting for the public option. Can you call them right now and tell them to reject the "compromise" and do whatever it takes to pass the bill with the public option?

Senator Charles Schumer
Phone: 202-224-6542

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
Phone: 202-224-4451

Then, please report your call by clicking here:

http://pol.moveon.org/call?tg=FSNY_1.FSNY_2&cp_id=1206&id=18265-10220574-6z82fFx&t=4

Thanks for all you do.

–Nita, Marika, Ilya, Kat, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Public Plan Perversion," The New Republic, December 12, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85776&id=18265-10220574-6z82fFx&t=5

2. "Health Care Reform In Peril; Lieberman Threatens Filibuster Over Medicare Buy In," Talking Points Memo, December 13, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85777&id=18265-10220574-6z82fFx&t=6

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on December 14, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

A gift to Big Insurance

Click here to tell leaders in Congress and the White House:
"You must make sure health care reform includes a real public option—it's what the majority of Americans want. Anything less is a gift to Big Insurance."

Sign the petition

Dear MoveOn member,

Hi. I'm Robert Reich, former Secretary of Labor under President Clinton and currently a professor at the University of California.

You've probably heard about a possible "deal" in the Senate to do away with the public option.

I'm here to tell you that this is no deal: it's a gift to Big Insurance, plain and simple.

The details are sketchy. The only thing that's really clear is the deal would drop the public option from the bill. With no public option, there's no guarantee of real competition. And without real competition, health care costs will continue to be out of control.

But the deal is far from done. If voters generate a massive outcry around this and progressive leaders in Congress fight back, we can fix it.

Can you sign a petition to leaders in Congress and the White House right away?

Click here to add your name.

The petition says: "You must make sure health care reform includes a real public option—it's what the majority of Americans want. Anything less is a gift to Big Insurance."

With no public option, the Senate "deal" is a giveaway to Big Insurance—and industry insiders admit it! One recently wrote "We WIN," in an email about the "deal."1

What's in this "deal"? Like I said, almost no one knows the details. That means that progressives who embrace it right now may be giving away the store without getting anything in return.

But here's what we do know: First, it might allow some 55-64 year-olds to buy into Medicare. Second, it might allow those without employer health insurance to buy private insurance the way federal employees do.2

So what's the problem here? A system of only private insurers simply will not control costs. Without competition from a public option, insurance companies have no incentive to compete—just like now.3  

Enlarging Medicare is no answer. The Senate bill slows Medicare's costs only if they're rising faster than total health spending. But with private insurers running the show, total health spending will still be out of control.4 Plus, we have no idea how many people might be allowed to buy into Medicare, or if it will be even close to affordable for them.

Health care reform must include a strong public option. It's key to controlling costs, expanding coverage, and forcing Big Insurance to compete. Without it, we'll end up with a national health care system controlled by a handful of very large corporations accountable neither to American voters nor to the market. And that is not even close to real health care reform.

Please sign the petition to House and Senate leadership and the White House today. The deal is still up in the air. If congressional progressives hold strong—and public demand for a public option is clear—then White House and congressional leaders will have to do what they haven't: put pressure on the few conservative Democrats to get on board and help pass real health care reform with a public option.

Click here to sign your name.

Thank you for all you do.

–Robert Reich

Sources:

1. "Insurance industry insider: 'We win,'" Politico, December 7, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85731&id=18251-10220574-FI8mLJx&t=13

2. "How a Few Private Health Insurers Are on the Way to Controlling Health Care," Robert Reich, December 10, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85742&id=18251-10220574-FI8mLJx&t=14

3. Ibid.

4. Ibid.

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on December 12, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.