Open letter by Senator Al Franken to liberal activists

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

This week President Obama asked Congress to stand strong and finish the job of fixing our busted health insurance system. I couldn't agree more, and now we've got a plan to get this done.

I'm calling this strategy "Pledge & Pass," and it's a simple, two-step plan for passing meaningful health insurance reform. I believe it's our job as public servants to actually serve the public, and ending the suffering of millions of Americans under our current system is exactly what our constituents expect and deserve.

Here's the plan.

Step 1. United States Senators pledge to fix elements of the bill that are not acceptable to many House members, and the House pass the Senate bill as is.

Step 2. We in the Senate fulfill our pledge to the House, fix the elements that need fixing, and pass this critical legislation through a filibuster-proof budget process known as reconciliation.

As I've said for years, letting perfect reform be the enemy of a good bill would be a tragic outcome for our constituents. Make no mistake about it; people are hurting as a result of decades of dithering on this issue, and it's past time we deliver real change.

Every day, middle class families go bankrupt and lose their homes. Sick folks don't get the health care they need, and as a result they're sicker, they experience pain, and they watch their children experience pain.

Every year, 45,000 people die because they lack health insurance, and it's long past time we put an end to it. It's time get a bill to the President's desk.

Remember the story about activists that went to talk to FDR about wanting to see him enact Social Security? At the time, the President didn't have the votes in Congress to get it done. He said, "I agree with you, I want to do it, now make me do it."

Make us do this.

This is not about House vs. Senate, it's about Now vs. Never. If they pass it, we'll fix it. I didn't run for the Senate to walk away from the health care debate empty-handed, and with your support, we won't.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/3/5...Make-us-do-this.

[Ali G. 37]

As I've said for years, letting perfect reform be the enemy of a good bill would be a tragic outcome for our constituents. Make no mistake about it; people are hurting as a result of decades of dithering on this issue, and it's past time we deliver real change.

Every day, middle class families go bankrupt and lose their homes. Sick folks don't get the health care they need, and as a result they're sicker, they experience pain, and they watch their children experience pain.

Every year, 45,000 people die because they lack health insurance, and it's long past time we put an end to it. It's time get a bill to the President's desk.

Who Cares? Only 405,000 Americans have died due to this reality since Sept 11, yet we debate change. AKA do diddly-squat.

2,973 died on 9/11 and we borrowed and wasted over $1 trillion and another 4,000 + lives simply to avenge their death.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Who Cares? Only 405,000 Americans have died due to this reality since Sept 11, yet we debate change. AKA do diddly-squat.

2,973 died on 9/11 and we borrowed and wasted over $1 trillion and another 4,000 + lives simply to avenge their death.

We don't mind as much when Americans kill Americans.

[Ali G. 37]

We don't mind as much when Americans kill Americans.

Aint that the bloody truth.

Edited March 5, 2010 by Booyah

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Every year, 45,000 people die because they lack health insurance, and it's long past time we put an end to it. It's time get a bill to the President's desk.

fearmongering

If it were true why are they waiting several years to enact the legislature? The taxes start right away but the plan in a few years.

BTW soylent green is people

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

We don't mind as much when Americans kill Americans.

That's the spirit. Like in Tango & Cash - remember this?

You want to cut my throat, huh? Go ahead! You want to cut my fcuking head off and use it for a fcuking basketball? You can bowl with the motherfcuker for all I care, just don't let him do it! I don't want to get killed by this limey, immigrant jerk off! I want to get killed by an American jerk off!

[Kevin and 10]

There is only debate about where the money comes from when it helps citizens. If its for bailing out their WS buddies, more war, or giving government more power, they is no debate.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

fearmongering

If it were true why are they waiting several years to enact the legislature? The taxes start right away but the plan in a few years.

BTW soylent green is people

the exchange will take a few years to set up. that's what starts in a few years.

the medicaid expansion kicks in immediately. so do senator sanders' 14,000 community health clinics. and many other things.

[Ali G. 37]

giving government more power

We don't need to put you on a watch list do we?

Edited March 5, 2010 by Booyah

[Kevin and 10]

We don't need to put you on a watch list do we?

I'm probably already on a .GOV list somewhere. I own firearms and criticize and question .GOV.

[scandal 951]

Al Franken is a funny guy. I really enjoyed "Lies and the Lying Liars who tell them" and "Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot". He nailed it.

[luckytxn 2,264]

Al Franken is still a comedian and will always be one.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Al Franken is still a comedian and will always be one.

He is a voting member of the United States Senate. You aren't.

[Danno 1,228]

Here's the plan.

Step 1. United States Senators pledge to fix elements of the bill that are not acceptable to many House members, and the House pass the Senate bill as is.

Step 2. We in the Senate fulfill our pledge to the House, fix the elements that need fixing, and pass this critical legislation through a filibuster-proof budget process known as reconciliation.

Naturally it had these Key words PLedge and LATER.

Seriously..... do you think anyone is falling for this _sign here and we will take care of these problems later... we even pledge it.

Is this suppose to provide cover somehow?

"Had I known then what I know now, I would have never voted for it."

[scandal 951]

Al Franken is still a comedian and will always be one.

He certainly is. He's also a United States Senator. Some people really are able to walk and chew gum at the very same time. Who knew?

(I'm told Orrin Hatch belts out a mean tune, and is an accomplished songwriter. Pity about his voting record.)