| In Wednesday's edition of the Washington Post, business columnist Steven Pearlstein will call for an end to the talk of a public option, arguing that it is a "political litmus test imposed on the debate by left-wing politicians and pundits who don't want to be bothered with the real-life dynamics of the health-care market."
Of course, Mr. Pearlstein is wrong. The public option isn't merely a litmus test, nor is it that we as "left-wing politicians and pundits" are living in a dream world where we can provide a Medicare-style program to those who would choose government coverage over private coverage. This isn't about politics or "real-life dynamics", but rather providing people with a choice: Their own private health insurance or a strong public option.
 That is why rewarding those who support a strong public option is necessary. The Republican Party is united in its opposition to health care reform. They would not like to see a public option. Anything other than the current system to them is "socialized medicine."
The support for a public option has been up in the air. There have been indications that while he is supportive of a public option, President Barack Obama is having trouble getting support for it among leaders in the House and Senate. If those leaders think they can pass health care reform without a public option, they have a big shock coming.
The reality is this: Without a public option, any bill that supposedly reforms our health care system won't pass the house. The Republicans will oppose essentially all health care reform with or without a public option. Without a public option, you will lose at least 64 House Democrats, including eight representatives from New York.
With FireDogLake's leadership, we are fundraising for those progressive members who are standing up for real health care reform. The goal is $150,000, but more is welcome and necessary. It is time to recognize those who will stand up for a public option. Without those representatives in the House, real reform won't be realized. We don't need watered down legislation. We need Democrats to start being Democrats. That is why we need to reward those who have stood alongside a public option.
It is time that the progressive members of the Democratic caucus in the House get the same attention as the Blue Dog Coalition. We need to continue recognizing those who stand up for reform instead of those who stand in the way of it. Let's make sure we reward good behavior by helping the Democrats who are standing with the Democratic Party.
Here are the representatives who will stand for nothing but a public option:
Albio Sires (NJ-13) Alcee Hastings (FL-23) Andre Carson (IN-07)
Barbara Lee (CA-09) Barney Frank (MA-14) Bennie Thompson (MS-02)
Bill Delahunt (MA-10) Bill Pascrell (NJ-08) Bob Filner (CA-51)
Carolyn Kilpatrick (MI-13) Carolyn Maloney (NY-14) Chaka Fattah (PA-02)
Chellie Pingree (ME-01) Corrine Brown (FL-03) Dennis Kucinich (OH-10)
Diane Watson (CA-33) Donald Payne (NJ-10) Donna Edwards (MD-04)
Earl Blumenauer (OR-03) Ed Towns (NY-10) Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX-30)
Elijah Cummings (MD-07) Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05) Eric Massa (NY-29)
Pete Stark (CA-13) Grace Napolitano (CA-38) Gwen Moore (WI-04)
Jackie Spier (CA-12) Jerry Nadler (NY-08) Jesse Jackson, Jr. (IL-02)
Jim McDermott (WA-07) Jim McGovern (MA-03) John Conyers (MI-14)
John Olver (MA-01) John Tierney (MA-06) John Yarmuth (KY-03)
Jose Serrano (NY-16) Judy Chu (CA-32) Keith Ellison (MN-05)
Laura Richardson (CA-37) Linda Sanchez (CA-39) Lloyd Doggett (TX-25)
Lucille Roybal-Alard (CA-34) Luis Gutierrez (IL-04) Lynn Woolsey (CA-06)
Marcia Fudge (OH-11) Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) Maurice Hinchey (NY-22)
Maxine Waters (CA-35) Mazie Hirono (HI-02) Mel Watts (NC-12)
Michael Honda (CA-15) Mike Capuano (MA-08) Nydia Valezquez (NY-12)
Peter DeFazio (OR-04) Phil Hare (IL-17) Raul Grijalva (AZ-07)
Robert Wexler (FL-19) Rush Holt (NJ-12) Sam Farr (CA-17)
Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18) William Lacy Clay (M0-01) Yvette Clarke (NY-11)
Hank Johnson (GA-04)
It should also be mentioned that Congressman Anthony Weiner, who has been an outspoken advocate for a public option, doesn't appear on the list but is someone who is a strong supporter of a public health insurance option.
This is a key fight. We need to make sure those who are with us on that fight are being congratulated. |
