Reconciliation = Majority Rule

[Joanne98]

By Jane Hamsher (about the author) Page 1 of 2 page(s)

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For OpEdNews: Jane Hamsher - Writer

The Senate starts debating health care next week. But if it passes without a public option, there's only one person to blame: Harry Reid.

As the majority leader of the Senate, the power to pass a public option is squarely in Reid's hands. Will Reid let three or four corrupt Senators owned by the insurance industry hold the public option hostage? Or will he use the reconciliation process to allow a simple majority vote on a public option?

The choice is Reid's and Reid's alone. Let's make sure he knows it.



Sign our petition to Harry Reid: Get lobbyist-owned Democrats in line, or use reconciliation to pass a public option.

Click here to sign: http://action.firedoglake.com/reconciliation

During debate in the Senate this weekend, a handful of corrupt Democratic senators like Blanche Lincoln and Mary Landrieu, who have taken big donations from insurance companies, promised to vote against health care if it included a public option.<1>

If Harry Reid can't get them in line for a simple procedural vote, then he can use "reconciliation" and call for a majority vote on the public option. Otherwise, Harry Reid is using his power as Majority Leader to allow a handful of corrupt senators thwart the democratic process. We can't let that happen.

Let Harry Reid know the public option rests on his shoulders. Click here to sign our petition:

http://action.firedoglake.com/reconciliation

We know who the corrupt Democrats are working for -- the insurance companies want to kill the public option once and for all. Goldman Sachs expects insurance stocks to rise by 59% in 10 years if there is no public option, but drop by 36% if there is one. That's what happens when nobody likes your product. Their fat profits depend on being the only game in town.<2>

The American people understand that. That's why 72% support a public option, to end insurance monopolies, increase competition and control the crushing burden of health care costs for American families.<3> A majority in the Senate understands that, too -- that's why 51 have said they will vote for a bill with a public option.<4>

It comes down to a simple question: will Harry Reid allow for majority rule? Or will he let corrupt members of his own caucus block a majority of the public and Congress who want a public option?

Sign our petition to Reid: whip the corrupt ConservaDems into line, or use reconciliation to give Americans what they want and pass a public option.

Click here to sign: http://action.firedoglake.com/reconciliation


http://www.opednews.com/articles/Reconciliation--Majority-by-Jane-Hamsher-091123-723.html