Dear Sen. Reid - if any Senator votes for filibuster of HC - strip their committee chmnship

[grantcart]

On Countdown yesterday Senator Sanders made a very important distinction about the few Democratic Senators who appear likely to vote against a reconciled bill that includes a strong public option.

His point was that while the vote against the bill was difficult to accept it would have little to do with the actual passage of the bill.

What would have a much more significant impact would be if they joined with the Republicans to uphold a filibuster.

Obviously most of us here want a single payer, let alone a public option.

In order to try and have an impact on Caucus discipline we should start pressuring Majority Leader Reid to strip any Senator of his Chairmanship or key committee assignments if they were to side with the Republicans and vote to uphold the filibuster.

Certainly this position has to be held by 90% of the party.


You can add your voice by sending a message to Senator Reid here (very convenient - you don't even have to email):


http://reid.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm

Here is my comment:



Dear Majority Leader Reid,

It has been very distressing to see the lack of caucus solidarity when it comes to the public option part of health care reform. Part of the reason that it is so distressing is having lived abroad and experienced single payer health care and discussing the subject with doctors in those countries about how effective that system is I am distressed that Americans have to settle for second best.

The Public Option is the compromise and without it the health care system will be adjusted but it won't be reformed, and you will be back at square one year after year after year.

Every 30 years the Democratic Party is able to do something big that really helps the country. Health Care Reform is that issue and it will be what you will be remembered for.

I would like to join those who are asking you to instill more caucus discipline by reviewing the committee assignment, including any chairmanships, for anyone voting against the reconciled bill.

MORE TO THE POINT - ANY SENATOR WHO JOINS WITH THE REPUBLICANS IN SUSTAINING A FILIBUSTER AGAINST THE BILL SHOULD HAVE THEIR CAUCUS PRIVILEGES SUSPENDED, THEY SHOULD BE STRIPPED OF THEIR CHAIRMANSHIPS AND COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS.

Respectfully

[ananda]

1. That is a good idea!

Of course, Reid himself would have to get a spine first.

[liberaltrucker]

4. Like THAT would ever happen

:banghead:

[grantcart]

6. a few thousand emails could help

[havocmom]

2. absolutely

[grantcart]

11. thanks for sending a message

[redqueen]

3. Excellent idea.

K&R

Thanks for this.

[grantcart]

12. thanks Redqueen

[WI_DEM]

5. Does Harry have the balls to do it?

[grantcart]

15. No that's why we have to send a ton of messages

[Joanne98]

7. GREAT IDEA!

[grantcart]

18. thanks for sending a message

[Cant trust em]

8. It needs to be shown that there are consequences to rebuff the President. nt

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

9. I can get behind that. (nt)

[BlueDemKev]

10. Agreed

Any Democrats who votes to sustain a filibuster of the health care bill should be kicked to the curb by the party's leadership. This is a case in which toughness is called for.

[Cant trust em]

13. E-mail has been sent!

Thanks, GC.

[grantcart]

14. thank you

[beac]

16. Just sent my email-- though I couldn't bring myself to use "Respectfully." n/t

[grantcart]

17. lol thanks but we are trying to persuade lol

[beac]

19. I ended up using "Sincerely," after toying with "Hoping you will grow a pair, "

;)

[tritsofme]

20. I believe this would require a new organizing resolution, and would face a cloture vote.

So it may not be as easy as shouting.

[grantcart]

21. Why it would be a reconciled bill out of conference - nothing unusual about that

But the point is that as long as they don't vote against invoking cloture.

[tritsofme]

26. I was speaking about stripping a senator of their chairmanship. nt

[Union Yes]

22. Damn straight. knr

[grantcart]

23. tks

[Union Yes]

24. My pleasure, email sent too!

:patriot:

[Jakes Progress]

25. Democrats with guts. Now that would be interesting. nt