ProgressOhio

Below is a letter to the editor that I sent to the Cincinnati Enquirer early this morning.  I know that there are strong feelings within our Party about how Congressman Driehaus should vote on the Health Care bill. 

Like most of you I sincerely hope that his is, in the end,  a yes vote.  But whether you agree with him on his final vote or not please show him and his family greater respect than the Minority Leader of the House does or the folks who used his children in a full page ad did.

And please, at least on our side, demonstrate civility, respect and a willingness to understand that good democrats can have issues on which they disagree. Steve has never hidden his prolife position so we should not be surprised when he stands by it.   

Steve has been a strong supporter of massive improvements in our health care system.  Those of you who heard him in town hall meetings this past Summer know that.     

Here is the letter:

Dear Editor.

My God, what have we come to.

Congressman Boehner, the Minority Leader, carries the debate over health care and Steve Driehaus’ vote to the most  extreme and vicious.  Today’s Enquirer (3/20/10) quotes Boehner saying that if Driehaus votes for the bill “the Catholics will run him out of town.  He may be a dead man.  He can’t go home to the West Side of Cincinnati.”

Make no mistake I am a partisan Democrat.  But I value the ability of those who can, through their respect for the other side and the give and take of good faith political discourse, accomplish things in a bipartisan manner.  Whether used for rhetorical purposes or not, the suggestion that death is an appropriate response to a vote not liked goes beyond any acceptable partisan advocacy.  Shame on you Congressman Boehner.

I don’t agree with Congressman Driehaus on every one of his positions.  I sincerely hope that the final language of the health care bill will win his yes vote.  But I know, if it does not, it will not be because of threats like this, or the misuse of his children in ads, but because of a long held and publicly stated position of conscience.  One which I may not agree with but I have to respect.
 
And Mr. Boehner, I thought you were pro life.

Tim Burke
Chair, Hamilton County Democratic Party

Rep. Betty Sutton will back health care bill

In response to a query from The Plain Dealer, Copley Township Democratic Rep. Betty Sutton just announced her support for the health care bill that's under consideration in the U.S. House of Representatives. Here's a copy of the statement she sent by email:

 "Every year more than 40,000 people die because they don't have health insurance coverage, and in this great nation it should not be that way. The legislation is not perfect and indeed contains provisions that I will continue to strive to improve, but I will vote for the bill. By passing this legislation we will take the long overdue step toward ending the egregious, discriminatory practices of insurance companies that deny care based on pre-existing conditions and impose outrageous premium increases. This legislation will also strengthen the solvency of Medicare, lower drug costs for our seniors, and make health insurance more affordable and accessible for small businesses and individuals."

Cleveland Plain Dealer, March 17, 2010

In this week’s address, President Barack Obama reiterated his call for comprehensive reforms to the financial system including commonsense rules of the road and a Consumer Financial Protection Agency that will advocate for everyday Americans. The President also urged the Senate to remain strong and resist the pressure of those who wish to preserve the status quo.

Watch It:

Transcript of the President's remarks below:

Gil Smart says the video of anti-reform demonstrators mocking a Parkinson's victim is a perfect window into the twisted soul of teabag nation.

Watch It:

CBO Score Released: Largest Deficit Reduction Measure in 17 Years
Final Reconciliation Language Released Thursday

WASHINGTON, DC – After reviewing the CBO score and the final reconciliation bill (H.R. 4872) language, U.S. Congressman Charlie Wilson announced his support of the Senate health reform bill and the reconciliation bill which will make necessary changes to the Senate bill.

Analysis released yesterday by the Congressional Budget Office concludes that the health reform bill with the amendments in the reconciliation bill will lead to a reduction of $138 billion in the federal deficit over a ten year period. In addition, it will cut the deficit by $1.2 trillion over the second ten year period --the largest deficit reduction measure in 17 years.

“This bill is not perfect, but it is a strong step forward,” Wilson said. “I have seen the CBO score and the reconciliation changes for myself. This bill will not add a dime to the deficit. I am confident that the Senate bill will be amended by the reconciliation language and that special deals for certain states, like Nebraska, have been taken out, that affordability for middle class families has been improved and that the harmful excise tax on high cost health plans has been adjusted. For these reasons and for the benefits that this bill will bring to my constituents, I will support the Senate bill with the announced reconciliation changes.”

Wilson, who is pro-life, has given serious consideration to the abortion language in the Senate version of the bill. Thursday afternoon, Wilson joined a conference call, along with pro-life Congressman Dale Kildee of Michigan, to discuss the Senate bill with several pro-life religious leaders, including Francis Xavier Doyle, the former Associate General Secretary of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Doyle thanked Wilson for taking a thoughtful and deliberative approach to health reform. Doyle agreed with the other religious leaders on the call that no federal funds would be spent on abortion because of this health care reform bill.

“I am confident that the language in the Senate bill ensures that there will be no federal funding for abortions,” Wilson said. “It is important to remember that according to a Harvard Medical School study, an estimated 45,000 people die each year – that’s one American every 12 minutes – in part because they lack health insurance and access to quality health care. We must value their lives as well. At this point, I am confident that the Senate language upholds all of my pro-life values. ”

Dear Friend,

In the past year, our nation has engaged in a national debate over health care reform. 

It's been a privilege meeting with the thousands of constituents and listening to both sides of the debate. But a central theme emerged over the course of recent months. Both sides of the argument agreed we need reform. The personal stories, from Ashland to Wadsworth and from Wooster to North Canton and from all across the district, relayed to me were the most moving and persuasive arguments for reform.  

I have met too many families and small businesses in our area who are one medical emergency away from bankruptcy. Today, I invited three such families effected by our broken system to come to Washington to tell their stories and stand beside me as I made my commitment to vote in support of health care reform that would protect them from financial ruin while providing them with life-saving health care.

The current cost of health care is breaking the financial back of American small businesses, middle class families, and seniors.  If Washington decides to do nothing our country’s deficit will continue to grow, the health insurance industry will continue to raise premiums, and 32 million Americans will go on without health care.

That's why I'm supporting health care reform. The reform package cuts the federal deficit by 1.2 trillion dollars over the next two decades, gives tax credits, contains cost, reduces existing fraud and waste in the current system, and extends affordable high-quality health care to an additional 32 million Americans - including 414,000 16th District residents.

What does all this mean for the 16th Congressional District.  Working families in the district will receive the largest middle class tax cut in history.  The 9,800 uninsured individuals in the district who have pre-existing conditions like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes can no longer be denied affordable coverage.  Our seniors will see the cost and quality of their Medicare improve while providing new discounts and rebates for prescription drugs.  The new health insurance exchange will offer group rates and more choice for small businesses in the district that provide health care for their employees.  Finally, the 38,500 residents who cannot afford health insurance in the district will receive coverage.

For some this difficult vote has become about politics and reelections. Personally, making sure the folks in our district can afford quality health care is more important than the obsession over politics in Washington.  The National Republican Party from the start has stood with the health insurance industry and other special interest groups as Americans call for action from Congress. 

I want to thank all of you who have shared your stories with me and for those families who came to Washington today to stand with me in support of health care reform. We can only do this together, and I need your help.  I look forward to continuing to build upon what we are building together – a greater Ohio and a greater 16th Congressional District.

Sincerely,



Rep. John Boccieri
(OH-16)

One day after announcing he was postponing an important trip to the Asia-Pacific region, President Obama  today called this weekend's expected health-care vote in the House a "historic" opportunity to do what's "right" for the American people.

The speech at George Mason University was Obama's fourth off-campus health-care event in the past two weeks. In it, he framed the vote as a choice between a victory for the insurers or a victory for the American public.

"We are going to do something historic this weekend," the president told a cheering crowd that frequently interrupted him with chants of "Yes we can". "The only question left is this: Are we going to let the special interests win once again? Or are we going to make this vote a victory for the American people?"

Repeatedly couching the health-care vote in historical terms, Obama compared it to the votes to pass Social Security and Civil Rights legislation. He also invoked the memory of Sen. Ted Kennedy for the second time this week saying the late Massachusetts senator had pushed for reform because he knew it was right -- regardless of how it might play politically.

"In just a few days, a century-long struggle will culminate in an historic vote," he said. "As messy as this process is, as frustrating as this process is, as ugly as this process can be, when we have faced such decisions in our past, this nation time and time again has chosen to extend it's promise to more of its people."

Watch It:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

It was the video that shocked the nation - Tea Partiers mocked a man with Parkinson’s, as he sat quietly.

The man with Parkinson’s from the video, sat down with ProgressOhio yesterday.

Watch now and find out what he was thinking during that fateful moment and why we must pass health care now.

Watch It:

For a year now, they’ve mocked and they’ve lied and tried to stop us. This weekend, we win.

Send this to a friend now!

See Also: The Columbus Dispatch: Parkinson's patient gains national attention from health-care rally confrontation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsHZnc9qcMQ Bob Speaks Part II

The original video is available here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ik4f1dRbP8

If you haven't witnessed the individual throwing money at a Parkinson's Disease victim earlier this week, you really must see it.

Turns out with stop action he is shown holding the corporate astroturf sign of Americans For Prosperity or tea party central.

Chris Mathews: Tea Party protesters hacked and humbled a man with Parkinson's Disease at a health care reform rally held by reform supporters and a counter protest organized by affiliates of the Tea Party.

Tim Phillips, President of Americans For Prosperity responds:

Watch It:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Our District 17 Representative, Tim Ryan, is one of our strongest allies in Congress - he's been unwavering from day one in his fight for quality, affordable health care for all Americans.

Rep. Ryan made us all proud last November when he cast his YES vote for health care reform, and we know when the next vote comes he's going to stand up for us again.

Friday, the Tea Party will be targeting Rep. Ryan with rallies, and the media will be there covering them.

Are you available Friday - either during your lunch hour or toward the end of the workday day, to show your support for Rep. Ryan and his upcoming YES vote?

We know Tim Ryan isn't going to cave in to this pressure from the right. But at times like this, it's important to let him know his friends will stand with him - just like he has stood with us on this and so many other important issues.

We we can count on Representative Ryan in this fight. Can he count on you?

The Dispatch video has been played widely on television and can be seen here: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/multimedia/video/video.html?video=949486.

Congresswoman Kilroy

“I believe that a great strength of our democracy is our first amendment.  It allows for the robust exchange of ideas and opinions.  I welcome that.  I want to hear what my constituents are thinking, what concerns they have—concerns about how health care will work for them.  I want to listen to them about their lack of health care and how that affects their lives or the high cost of health care and how they’re coping with that.

“I have held town halls, round tables, small groups—over twenty meetings in my district over health care.  And this week demonstrations for and against health care reform were held in front of my district office.

“Unfortunately, some of those opposing health care reform went too far.  Instead of making their arguments against the bill they engaged in abusive language directed at one of my constituents who suffers the terrible ravages of Parkinson’s disease.  They treated him like a beggar.  They threw dollar bills at him.  They did not respect his humanity.  They did not respect his right to give his opinion on the health care bill.

“This type of protest goes too far.  It has crossed the line.  The health care reform debate is about respecting each other’s rights as human beings and, when it comes to needed medical care respecting our rights as citizens to express our opinions.” 

The video of Kilroy’s remarks begins at 10:22 and can be seen here:  http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/292588-1.

ProgressOhio Video:

Tea Partiers Mock Apparent Parkinson's Victim from Progress Ohio on Vimeo

The Ohio Center for Progressive Leadership's 2010 New Leaders Program (NLP) application opened last week - this is a great opportunity for diverse young people to get training, coaching, mentoring and networking opportunities while pursuing a career in progressive political and policy change. The program is for 20-30 year olds with 0-2 years professional experience interested in social justice work.

Click here for more details on the program.

You can apply today, or nominate young, diverse leaders that are up and coming! The application deadline is May 2nd.

Training for the NLP will focus on core leadership skills from time management to fundraising, as well power analysis, progressive values and messaging, and more. This is a part-time program with components that will begin in June and go through September, and it is built for folks who are working full-time jobs. The cost for the program is only $100, and scholarships are available so that this is not an issue for anyone.

Read about past participants from 2008 and 2009, and contact Gavin Leonard at gleonard@progressiveleaders.org or 513 381-5680 with any questions.

Here's to growing the progressive movement!

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama has signed into law a package of tax breaks and spending designed to give the nation a jobs boost.

In a sunny Rose Garden ceremony, Obama said the legislation will help the private sector start hiring again.

It is the first of several jobs measures promised by Democrats this year. Obama called it essential but "but by no means enough."

Watch It:

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Passage of health care reform could come down to just a few votes, and CONGRESSMAN STEVE DRIEHAUS could be the deciding vote - he needs to hear from you!

• Improve coverage for 394,000 residents with health insurance.

• Give tax credits and other assistance to up to 156,000 families and 13,800 small businesses to help them afford coverage.

• Improve Medicare for 93,000 beneficiaries, including closing the donut hole.

• Extend coverage to 44,000 uninsured residents.

• Guarantee that 10,300 residents with pre-existing conditions can obtain coverage.

• Protect 1,300 families from bankruptcy due to unaffordable health care costs.

• Allow 49,000 young adults to obtain coverage on their parents' insurance plans.

• Provide millions of dollars in new funding for 39 community health centers.

• Reduce the cost of uncompensated care for hospitals and other health care providers by $52 million annually.

ORP Deputy Communications Director Was At Tea Party Rally Where Parkinson's Victim was Mocked

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COLUMBUS - Ohio Republican Party Deputy Communications Director Megan Zaffini was at the Tea Party Rally on Monday that resulted in the bullying of a health care supporter with Parkinson's disease.

Rather than intervene, it appears Ms. Zaffini took pictures with her cell phone and tweeted excitedly about the event.

Yesterday, shocking video taken by a Columbus Dispatch reporter Doral Chenoweth made national news, showing Tea Party protestors mocking a seated counter-protestor with a sign indicating he has Parkinson's disease. They then proceed to hurl wadded up bills at him shouting, "I'll decide when to give you money!"

Watch It:

Yesterday on Hardball with Chris Matthews, Indiana Rep. Mike Pence denounced the mob mentality on display in the video.

"Kevin DeWine and the Ohio Republican Party need to denounce this behavior as Rep. Pence did yesterday," said Brian Rothenberg, Executive Director of ProgressOhio.

"ORP and any other political operatives should feel a duty to either stop such actions on site or denounce them. Ms. Zaffini instead took pictures and tweeted while a Parkinson's patient was bullied and berated, which is shameful."

Transcript:
Narrator: At one point a man who's sign said he has Parkinson's sat down in front of health care opponents.
Tea Partier #1: You're looking for a hand-out, you're in the wrong end of town. Nothing for free over here, you have to work for everything you get.
Tea Partier #2: I'll pay for this guy. Here you go. Start a pot. [Drops dollar bill on man, turns around, then walks back. Bends over, repeatedly jabs finger at man.] I'll decide when to give you money! Here's another one, here you go. [Throws wadded up bill at man.]
Crowd: You love a communist.
Tea Partier #2: No more hand-outs!

Full video from The Columbus Dispatch: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/multimedia/video/video.html?video=949486

The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that the Democrats' revised health care bill will cost $940 billion over the next 10 years, a House Democratic source told CNN Thursday.

The bill cuts the deficit by $130 billion during that period of time, according to the source.

Ezra Klein notes that this means “more deficit reduction than either the House or Senate bill, and more coverage than the Senate bill.”

• It cuts the deficit by $1.2 trillion in the second ten years.

• It reduces annual growth in Medicare expenditures by 1.4 percentage points per year.

• Expands coverage to 32 million Americans.

A third Dem source exults that this is the “biggest deficit reduction measure in 25 years, since the 1993 Clinton budget.”

Yesterday, the Energy and Commerce Committee released an analysis on the impact of the new health insurance reform legislation on families, small businesses, seniors in Medicare, health care providers, and the uninsured in each of the 435 Congressional districts.

For instance, in Minority Leader Boehner’s district in Ohio, the legislation will:

Improve coverage for 427,000 residents with health insurance.

Give tax credits and other assistance to up to 161,000 families and 11,600 small businesses to help them afford coverage.

Improve Medicare for 99,000 beneficiaries, including closing the donut hole.

Extend coverage to 29,500 uninsured residents.

Guarantee that 8,800 residents with pre-existing conditions can obtain coverage.

Protect 1,400 families from bankruptcy due to unaffordable health care costs.

Allow 54,000 young adults to obtain coverage on their parents’ insurance plans.

Provide millions of dollars in new funding for 10 community health centers.

Reduce the cost of uncompensated care for hospitals and other health care providers by $28 million annually.

See how reform will impact your community»

Information on data sources»