act

Neil organized a small 'reunion' from those of us who canvased for Obama in PA last year to phone bank in support of a public option in the health care reform that will be discussed soon in the Senate. The action was conceived by the group Act Now and consisted of calling Connecticut voters and urging them to call Joe Lieberman's office and request that he not filibuster with the Republicans to kill the public option.

As we made our calls the House debated their version of health care reform which they would pass. A Times article states that 36 million more Americans will be covered who do not currently have health insurance. Republicans bitterly opposed the reform and will continue to fight hard to maintain the status quo (their plan called for insuring only 3 million more Americans).

Will these calls make a difference? It's hard to say. Lieberman is quite a wily and smug politician, even leaving his political party and holding on to his senate seat. In any case, we had reports that the voice mail in his offices was full from the calls. If you live in Connecticut and want to try reaching him on Monday Act Now has posted his contact information here.

Personally it felt good to take action, even to read the script aloud, to say words in favor of reform, progress and a way forward. And every so often, to connect with a voter also willing to take action.