No, President Obama; We Should NOT Shut Up About Health Care Reform
An Open Letter To President Obama From An Uninsured American.
Mr. President,
According to the Washington Post, you're asking health care reform advocates to stop attacks...
In a pre-holiday call with half a dozen top House and Senate Democrats, Obama expressed his concern over advertisements and online campaigns targeting moderate Democrats, whom they criticize for not being fully devoted to "true" health-care reform.
I was a supporter of yours in the election and for the first time in your Presidency, I'm totally and completely at a loss trying to understand your words. Like many progressives, I've tried to be patient with disappointments such as your heel dragging on granting equal rights to gay men and women or your continuation of some Bush policies.
I have reserved judgment on these issues for two main reasons. First, it's still early in your term and you've done much good. Second and even more important, I felt that the single most important issue today both for my country and for me personally is health care reform.
I've tried to put my money where my mouth is. I'm a video producer and a few weeks ago I embarked on a project making as many videos on health care reform as I could. I've produced close to twenty different videos on the subject, which I'll link at the bottom of this post.
Most of my videos are, in one way or another, 'attacking' moderate Democrats because as I say in one of the videos, they are the people who represent the biggest threat to real health care reform for reasons both simple and obvious; people like Senator Baucus, Lieberman and the rest receive large amounts of money from the health insurance and drug company lobbyists.
This is why I'm so confused by your statement, Mr. President. One of the main reasons I supported you was because I wanted to see real health care reform and another major reason was because you said - over and over - that you would stop the culture of this open corruption created by the influence of lobbyist money.
A quick note about the phrase 'real' or 'true' health care reform here as well. Almost all of my videos are strongly in support of The Public Option. That was in deference to your support of it, sir. It's a compromise, however, for real health care reform - namely, a single payer, universal health care system like every single other wealthy industrialized country on the face of the earth has.
But progressives have been told over and over that single payer was a pipe dream; a political impossibility. So I fell in line for the more 'realistic' public option. Now that we're seeing the compromise on that compromise, perhaps this was a mistake.
Finally, a personal note since this IS a personal issue for people like me and my uninsured friend Bob Cesca, who recently urged you to 'throw down' against the corrupt and spineless politicians who are on the take.
I have two kids right around the same age your daughters Sasha and Malia - Jack is 8 and Olivia is 10. My wife Lauren is three months pregnant. We live in a hotel room, Mr. President. None of us are insured. It's a risk I took because the steady job I had working in television no longer paid the bills since the TV network I worked for cut all our overtime a couple of years ago. I was working fulltime in California and couldn't afford insurance.
My wife and I both have pre-existing conditions. While I'm struggling to build my video production business, I've taken the time to produce these health care videos because the issue resonates on so many levels for me and nearly everyone I know.
I don't mention this for pity but to point out that producing these videos is actually a struggle which is why your words stung, Mr. President. I believed in you and now I am not quite sure what to believe about you.
It's nice that you hug people with cancer, Mr. President but we don't need hugs. Friends of mine, my family and I need the same common sense approach the health insurance that everyone else in the modern world takes for granted.
Don't tell us to shut up and not take on the politicians who are paid off by the health insurance lobbyists. Step up and lead, Sir. That what we elected you to do.
Regards,
Lee Stranahan
UPDATE: Thanks for comments and support. I've launch Operation: Rick!
Here's the videos
And here's a previous Huffington Post article I wrote that has another 10 videos in it.
Follow Lee Stranahan on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Stranahan
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The Public Option for Health Care cannot be a red herring. If it is not tied to true economic revitalization and true growth it will only be a cost savings measure. Obama must not go down the path of Herbert Hoover. He must be innovative and aggressive like FDR. He is too cautious right now and it is starting to bite him. Keep the pressure. It is healthy.
Lee, you speak for so many of us. But, until I hear Obama say he won't fight for a public option, I will continue to have confidence in him.
My 65 year old husband lost his job in February. We have been uninsured since March. My twenty year old kids have no access to health care either. Its really, really scary. You are doing the right thing by making these films. Lets hope that the stupid "centrists" rise to the occasion and Obama grows a stronger backbone. If the public option is submarined, I think he'll be a one term president. I hope not.
Believe what you want but this is the real reason that Health Care Reform is not going to do anything but make the Insurance Companies richer.
In the 2008 election cycle, the sector gave $90.7 million, or 54 percent of the total, to Democratic candidates and party committees, compared to $76.6 million to Republicans. That difference is even more pronounced in the first three months of 2009, when Democrats collected 60 percent of the total $5.4 million in contributions*. Obama, who made health care reform a large part of his presidential election platform, brought in $18.8 million from the health care sector in the 2008 election cycle--far more than any other presidential hopeful. Money follows power as the industries ride the tides of Obama-styled change.
http://www
What does this man mean when he says obama's "done much good?" I sincerely would like to know. I think he is the worst president in history and has done so much damage to the economy and for our safety that we may never recover. I read the posts here in support of him and am truly at a loss. I don't see it. Can someone explain the things that he has done that are considered good for the country? I really would like to understand. Maybe I am judging him too harshly.
For one thing, Obama's very popular with other world leaders. I consider it a good thing when much or most of the rest of the world *doesn't* despise us.
Stop watching FOX for a week and you might have a different perspective.
"I think he is the worst president in history...
~And you're serious when you state this? I didn't realize we've jumped to 2012 to where anyone can judge the presidency of Barack Obama. Where were you from 2001 to January 2009?
"...has done so much damage to the economy."
~Same as above.
"I read the posts here in support of him and am truly at a loss."
~I'm still at a loss regarding your "worst president in history" claim.
"Can someone explain the things that he has done that are considered good for the country?"
~For starters, one that's important to me, reversing Bush's ban on stem-cell research; but then, that may not be good in your view.
"Maybe I am judging him too harshly."
~I think so. No disrespect, but it's only been 6 months. I'm not in agreement with some of his decisions -- his treasury secretary pick, taking a cue from Bush by lending more TARP funds to financial corporations, keeping Joe Lieberman in the Democratic caucus, issues concerning the LGBT community, and seeming dismissal of single payer health care option and its supporters -- but I'm trying my best to believe that he will actually listen to people like us, the ones who fought hard to get him into the White House to make changes happen, and stop playing Pelosi/Reid politics by wanting approval from many Republicans who will never accept the new president nor any of his decision makings.
Thank you, classof89. I really appreciate you taking the time to help me understand what you see as the good in his presidency so far. You did help alot. You are exactly the kind of person I hoped to encounter here on the huff site - someone who is not afraid, too angry or prone to immature attacks on any dissenting opinion. We definitely are on opposite side of most of the issues. Re: the economy: he quadrupled the deficit; I hate that he is increasing spending exponentially when it is common knowlegde that you don't do that in a recession. I don't like obama's "apology tour" he is taking world-wide. America is a great country that has basically protected the world in both defense and humanitarian efforts for many, many years. And, there are small countries around the world that only exist because the United States does. Remember Kuwait. Obama needs a history lesson. Re: LGBT community: he can sign an order to close (naively & prematurely) gitmo and, free a terrorist but he can't sign an order to end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell?" Broken promises, lies, cap and trade, etc. Those are a few of the issues I have with him. In 2001-2009, I was grateful for a President with integrity that was tough on terrorism. Again, thanks for your perspective. You're a class act.
He has changed the tone of world politics and eased the tension on the world stage. Not a bad start after the flaming hatred of Americans generated by Bush/Chene
I appreciate you sharing your opinion. No disrespect, but the only tone he's changed is that now there are more counries with no respect for the American president. Eased tensions? Hardly. Iran just beat to death some of it's own and is more focused than ever to eliminate Isreal - now with impunity from obama. North Korea is openly threatening and firing missles at the U.S. - and obama has done nothing! That kind of inaction is not respected - just the opposite; he is viewed as weak and not respected, especially in the middle east. And, no offense, but it is naive to think that America is "hated" because of Pres Bush. If you recall, two major terrorist attacks happened when Clinton was in office. 9/11 was planned on Clinton's watch; it was just implemented shortly after Bush took office. My guess is that terrorists
For those losing faith in President Obama ... no disrespect but your confidence cannot hinge on just one issue. You have to view things with a wider scope.
http://www
Sorry, but this is THE issue. Once we're all insured, we can relax and move on to any and all other things. We won't be much good to the nation or the world until we can stop living in fear of bankruptcy or death.
Pick your battles. I once read that it is better to pick and issue and put all your energy into it, than to spread yourself over the myriad of issues that are important. That way your chance for success at change is more assured and you accomplish more in the grand scheme of things.
I have yet to follow this advice, but I'll admit, it's good advice. :)
Well said, Lee.
I appreciate Obama's attempts to tear down political fences, but caving to politicians who have been bought by pharma and corporate health insurance companies is a bargain with the devil.
Obama is compromising too much in an effort to be all things to all people. People with cancer don't need a hug, they need a President that's not "all show and no go." Great speeches need to be followed by the same conviction as from the voters who elected him.
I am working with an 90 year-old grandmother on a fixed income whose insurance company just raised her copay on a drug from $25 to $40/month: this is legal extortion. Tell me, in God's name, how does anyone, anywhere, raise a fee 60% and get away with it if this is a fair market system? If it was, she would have had some other choice than to compromise her health.
Health care shouldn't be based on profit margins for shareholders.
Health Insurance isn't gonna be free. Even the government option is going to have be paid for if you can afford it. If you don't buy it (even from the government) you're gonna be fined. If you have insurance at work, and like it, that "perk" is going to be taxed. The problem with healthcare in this country is that it's just too expensive. Obama has expressed a willingness to discuss tort caps, which is a start.
What's wrong with profits>
Profits drain money from health services.
Profits exploit workers.
Profit incentive distorts health care, thereby, lowering the quality and accessibility.
A profit-based health system can never be democratically controlled.
Medical Committee for Human Rights..Bi
P.S. Lee: If you want to kick ass, our Legislature would be a good start; let's get these 60 Democrats seeing straight!
How do you propose to do that? Just charge in and start yelling at them?
Dear Lee: I understand your frustration, but hear this ---- Obama will do what can be done in this U.S. of A. of ours. Yes, he needs to hear from all of us and I believe he has heard. Obama will do everything POSSIBLE in our time to make health care a universal right for all Americans. In the meantime Lee, If you've got someone up your sleeve that will dedicate himself more faithfully to the American people, I suggest you run him/her in '12.
Until then, please don't scapegoat Obama for not overturning a culture of reaction, repression and greed that has held sway for genrations in this country; it took a long time to create our current mess.
Obama will accomplish the possible, but not the impossible. And believe it or not, he has already (constructively) accomplished more in these 5 months that Bush did in his entire 8 years.
Wake up and smell the coffee: Obama is already 5 or 6 chess moves ahead of the rest of us; sit back and enjoy the ride.
WELL PUT -- I agree with you 100% and have made this argument (and others) to those anti-Obama whiners I run across more times than I care to discuss here in Georgia.
I have never understood why people (even my own husband) seem to think he's a one-man band. I believe in the man and feel he will do, as tyrdofwaitin just wrote, what is POSSIBLE and further the causes that he KNOWS are important to so many.
Will we end up disappointed? Maybe. But I continue to believe he is doing everything he can at this moment in time.
And I am also in the boat of people who are not insured and have given up a way of life that wasn't all that much to start with. Each day is a struggle I never saw coming.
Surely, Obama is smarter than any of you ungrateful people who want him to mean what he said. Stop worrying. Obama is so smart he knew he had to tell you what you wanted to hear to you to get into your pants and pull out your wallet. You wouldn't have spread open your financial hive without his King Bee act.
Is Obama smart? Sure. Can he lead? Apparently not well enough to unite the Democratic party. He is managing to unite the Republican party better than Bush. The more sycophants who complain about criticisms of Obama from the left the more we will speak up.
Obama enabled the entrance of the youth into the arena and the youth does not respect those who want compliant, fantasy-driven adoration from activists. Issues and results. Not personality and cultism.
Criticizing the writer for his wife's pregnancy is tacky beyond belief. It makes no difference why, when, or how his wife got pregnant (ie, accidental or intentional). The purpose of having a public option is so that everybody has healthcare when needed, including all women who are pregnant, regardless of circumstances.
The writer's wife's condition is relevant in the sense that it shows how the current healthcare system deprives us of all sorts of freedoms, like the freedom to change jobs or move to another state, or even stop working to care for our children rather than paying someone else to care for them. That is the point people should be taking from this story, not that the writer and his wife are somehow irresponsible because he made a career decision and she subsequently became pregnant.
I disagree, CattieM. Lots of people make choices about childbirth, but that doesn't mean other people can't have an opinion about that choice.
Fine. But once the bullet is out of the gun..what is your opinion about health care for the fetus and the mother? Do we want to be first in maternal or infant mortality? Is that a positive goal for the United States?
Okay I have to say I considered posing the question after reading this and then decided to see if anyone else already had. Yours was the first comment regarding the question so I decided to post here before even seeing any more.
I find it strange that a man who says he's "living in a hotel room" with 2 children has a pregnant wife. I'm guessing it was an accident but frankly, I would have omitted that detail from the piece for what I see as obvious reasons.
Best of luck with the impending birth. No disrespect intended.
yeah i don't think the president told anyone to "shut up."
so stop with the hyperventilating already.
Join the voices for single payer health care reform. Every organization like this one:
http://www
LET OUR VOICES SING ACROSS THE LAND... sing for single payer. Make a youtube. Dance, sing, talk, mime, whatever it takes.
Tell President Obama who he REALLY represents as President. Tell Congress who voted for them, not who paid them off.
People keep his pants on. Stop running like your hair is on fire. President Obama made a comment which they state was made in private, which is absurd. There are no private meetings when addressing any member of congress. Anything said will be repeated to the press. President Obama is playing good cop, bad cop. He knows by now that his comments will take off into the blogger sphere. When you want someone as opinionated and obstinate as liberal advocates to do something just tell or forbid them not to do it. This was bait to get the people to put even more pressure on these mod-Dems. Who want to continue receiving the big lobbyists money. That money helps them to maintaintheir summer homes illegal Hispanic housekeepers and builds up their campaign war chest.
President Obama knows we are going to turn the screws even more. The insurance/big pharma/AMA can spend over a million a day to put pressure on these so called moderate Dems to block HCR.
Either you are a mind reader or this is nonsense.
Author has 2 young girls, quits his steady job without lining up a replacement, becomes uninsured, and has another child in the midst of these conditions while living in a hotel room.
Good vids and good points on Obama, but no sympathy from me. Go ahead and take unnecessary risks with your responsibilities and family, but it'd be a better idea not to broadcast your bad choices. You should have solidified your video production business before having another child.
You did not read correctly. The writer had a job before WITH NO HEALTH INSURANCE! typical in California, where 55% of businesses do not provide health insurance for employees. You have no idea whatsoever what it means to be an entrepreneur or freelancer. You are probably someone else's employee. Republicans would call this under any other circumstance, a nanny situation. Great, get your insurance from your nanny/daddy/boss. The rest of us deserve health insurance, too. We work, we pay taxes. If we ALL had access to health care by paying into a huge pool, this argument wouldn't even be relevant.
Well, you asked for it. Looks like you didn't read that BOTH HIM AND HIS WIFE HAVE PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS
Of course, you want to insult me by saying I don't understand that working for yourself means you don't have health care provided by an employer. Pal, if you knew how to conduct your life like I do, you could be retired like I am. And I wouldn't have had to go there if you'd just held him to his choices while concurrently agreeing that we need health care change badly, like I do and said in my previous post.
When I bought my house, I got all kinds of offers for disability and life insurance to pay the mortgage if something happened to me. Whet if that kind of insurance was mandatory in order to get a home mortgage since many people lose their homes due to large medical expenses. I know. I know. People will complain and argue against it as they always decline things that they think they can do without until it becomes necessary. They would rather have a plasma TV and HD premium cable or satellite channels than protect themselves from a possible catastrophe. Ya see. They don't get nothing every month for that small premium to show for the expense. People want things. They need things to fill up their garages with. Where I live most newer homes have 3 car garages yet their cars are parked in the driveway cause the garages are stuffed to the rafters with 'who knows what'. And every block or so there is a foreclosure sale. Yep. Americans are wise consumers. First they lose the motor-home, then the house cause they didn't want to spend money on that which they couldn't see, touch or drive.
You are making erroneous assumptions about a large group of people based on what you observe from your "own backyard". My family own outright 2 over 15-year old cars. We have no debt except for a mortgage and small student loan. We don't use credit cards; we don't go on vacation, we buy our clothes, books and toys from garage sales and thrift stores. But we absolutely cannot afford the over $1,000/month premiums for crappy coverage that is all we can get because my oldest daughter was born with a congenital problem. There are MANY families in the same situation through no such irresponsibility you so blithely describe above.
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