Gov Dean: "You Still Have The Power"

[kpete]

You still have the power
by Gov Howard Dean MD

Mon Feb 08, 2010 at 07:11:23 AM PST

In the face of this frustration, in the face of low Democratic voter turnouts because people are fed up; in the face of friends and allies seemingly giving up; in the face of Democrats losing because they won’t stand up for the values of the Party; I think it's time we took stock of ourselves, our considerable accomplishments, our opportunity to lead, and where we are going with our efforts to change our country.

If we stop for a minute, take a piece of paper and write down our values, for me, it's simple:

• We value a healthcare system that covers all of us.

• We value a Democratic Party that fights for real change, in all 50 states, even when it’s hard.

• We value the ability to compromise without compromising our values.

• We value leaders who won’t quit, and who are willing to take risks. We appreciate leaders like Congresswoman Pingree and Congressman Polis who are still working for a public option.

• We value a good, strong American backbone.

.................

Later this year elections will be held across our country, and there is work being done that will decide the future direction of policies and politics at the local, state, and federal levels.

The Point:

This is not about whether we like the Party or not, it's about getting good people into our political leadership. And there is still plenty of opportunity to make it happen.

more:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/2/8/835050/-You-still-have-the-power

[PHIMG]

1. PO was a compromise to get 60 votes and it failed.

Go for the whole enchilada -- Medicare for All!

First off the public option can be defined almost anyway the insurance companies want it to be. And it will not cover EVERYONE which Dean says is our goal.

MEDICARE FOR ALL is the winner for Democrats.

It's much harder politically for someone to vote against MEDICARE for ALL then vote against the "THE PUBLIC OPTION".

Medicare is one of the most successful government programs ever and it EXISTS today unlike the public plan that the public option would create. Everyone of us knows someone who gets Medicare.

Imagine instead of spending all this time talking about a Public Option the dems had been singing the praises of expanding medicare for all.

MEDICARE FOR ALL pays for itself.
MEDICARE FOR ALL gives everyone a Cadillac Plan
MEDICARE FOR ALL puts conservatives between a rock and a hard place.

http://www.phimg.org/V2/images/flyers/Flyer-bad-policy-bad-politics.pdf

[ChoppinBroccoli]

2. I Agree.........

.............but why has NOBODY in the Democratic leadership taken this and run with it? The theme, the bumper sticker, the MANTRA should be "Medicare For All"!!!!!!!!! EVERYONE has said that that is an uber-effective way of framing the issue. Americans, on the whole, LOVE Medicare. It's one of the most popular government programs ever conceived. Even members of groups that avidly opposed "Healthcare Reform" have said they would support "Medicare For All." So why can't we get ANYONE on the Hill to trot out the phrase "Medicare For All"?

Dr. Dean, we need you to go down there and start snatching some collars again. We can win on this issue, but we have to go with the catchphrase, "Medicare For All." It's a winner. As the previous poster said, it's the healthcare reform we all NEED, and as an added bonus, it paints anyone who opposes it (i.e. Republicans and Blue Dogs) as out-of-touch with the common man and IN touch with corporate profits. If a Republican stood up in public and opposed "Medicare For All," he'd be committing political suicide.

SO WHY AREN'T WE USING THAT CATCHPHRASE OVER AND OVER, AD NAUSEUM!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

We need to start shouting it from the rooftops. And when you discuss healthcare reform with your friends, family, co-workers, or whoever, don't say "Healthcare reform." Say, "Medicare For All" and see how different the conversation becomes.

[laughingliberal]

3. K & R nt