Win Without War!

I’m writing to ask you to oppose the supplemental appropriation for the war in Afghanistan, and to co-sponsor Rep. McGovern’s bill requiring a timeline for the withdrawal of US troops, H.R. 5015. As a senior advisor to Gen. McChrystal admits in this week’s issue of Rolling Stone Magazine “If Americans pulled back and started paying attention to this war, it would become even less popular.” Our top Commander in Afghanistan, Gen. Stanley McChrystal, and his staff know the hard truth – that our surge strategy is failing. Earlier this month Gen. Stanley McChrystal called the escalating conflict in Marja a “bleeding ulcer.” A public affairs exercise designed to sell the surge to Americans and Afghans alike, this offensive has instead exposed the weaknesses of the surge strategy. Violence has increased, the vast majority of the local population, 71%, want NATO troops to leave and 61% feel MORE NEGATIVE about NATO forces than they did before the offensive began. A majority of the American public know it is time for the US military to begin leaving Afghanistan. Spending over $100 billion sending nearly 100,000 troops half way around the world to defend against what the President’s National Security Advisor Jim Jones admitted is less than 100 members of al Qaeda in Afghanistan doesn’t make sense and it doesn’t make America any safer. I strongly encourage you to oppose the supplemental appropriation for the war in Afghanistan, and co-sponsor Rep. McGovern’s bill requiring a timeline for the withdrawal of US troops, H.R. 5015.

HR 5143

I believe that our nation’s criminal justice system is in dire need of repair. The United States is home to just five percent of the world’s population, but it hosts 25 percent of the world’s prison population. Over the past four decades, the war on drugs has led to an astonishing and unacceptable increase in the number of Americans behind bars.

I am so sick of hearing that child molesters and rapists are being let walk the streets so that pot smokers can instead take their places! Its time to get smart with our financial resources and get our priorities straight. Then consider all the drug war is doing to our borders. This is simply a case of a few politicians and drug lords making money while the greater majority of us pay all the expense and get nothing in return. If you tax pot and use the money to cure common diseases I think our country will be much better off. These laws doing nothing except make bad matters worse.

A criminal justice approach to illicit drug use has resulted in arrests for low-level, nonviolent drug crimes on a massive scale, and lengthy mandatory minimum prison sentences have stripped judges of discretion and cost state and federal governments many billions of dollars. Because of these failed policies, families and communities are torn apart every day, and communities of color have been disproportionately impacted.

It’s time to reexamine the United States’ criminal justice system. The National Criminal Justice Commission Act of 2010 (HR 5143) would create a national commission to evaluate every aspect of the criminal justice system, including drug policy, and set the groundwork for the reforms we so desperately need.

I urge you to join the call for criminal justice reform by supporting HR 5143.

Pass this healthcare overhaul now!

It was a very close vote but the momentum of compromise is overturning a century’s past flawed health-care policy. Pre-existing conditions are of top concern and as such have “In addition to creating the so-called public option government run insurance program, the House-passed bill would bar insurers from denying people coverage because of pre-existing conditions and set up health care ‘exchanges,’ or marketplaces, where consumers could easily shop for coverage.” This is a much more fair system where I can get affordable insurance that covers my own medical needs.

Republicans argue that this will do nothing except increase the size of government. I was a Republican for a long time and dont see why they wouldnt want to see this happen. They like the government to get involved and bailout big banks and insurance companies who made risky investments with our money. In a country of multi-million dollar bonuses and bailout funding I see no reason why they cannot fully support policy change for banning pre-existing conditions.

There is hope. After Republicans got their compromise on funding abortion limitations, (which I agree with), they gave a signal that they would pass the bill. The revised bill states now “The change would permit abortion coverage for people receiving federal aid for their insurance only in the case of rape or incest or where the mother’s life is endangered. That change is consistent with a 1970s-era federal law governing public funding of abortion.” The only people that can use insurance for an abortion are people who pay for their own insurance privately. I do not feel abortion should ever be used as a method for birth control and certainly I myself do not wish my taxes to be used to fund this type of irresponsible behavior.

To the Blue Dog Coalition of 52 Dems I say the price is worth it. However, after looking at things, I dont think it will actually cost anything, I truly believe this new system will be much more efficient and save taxpayers money. The system today has indigent people everywhere going into hospitals and never paying a dime. Who has to pay that cost, we all do. And, its alot more expensive that way. Whats the old saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

I am all for giving it a shot. What do we have to lose by trying something different other than the status quo. Its time Americans stood up for Americans and take pride in our country with the knowledge that we take care of our own. To see the roll of votes click the following link http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll887.xml

You know, really, if the Republicans had a plan for insurance reform they had plenty of time to pass it whilest they were in office. In truth this is not of concern for them because they have plenty of disposable money to pay for their own medical care costs.

This plan is for the working class, both middle and lower. I would think if most of you really knew what was going on you would see that this restructure is in the best interest of Americans as a whole. Please spend time reading the actual bill and get a conscious for doing the right thing for everyone in this land of the free and home of the brave.

Put your vote where your mouth is. So many people want to complain about whats wrong in our government. Well here is your chance to fix some of these wrongs. Get out there and press your Senators to pass this healthcare overhaul now.

 

Call for Action NOW!

Michael —

This is the moment our movement was built for.

For one month, the fight for health insurance reform leaves the backrooms of Washington, D.C., and returns to communities across America. Throughout August, members of Congress are back home, where the hands they shake and the voices they hear will not belong to lobbyists, but to people like you.

Home is where we’re strongest. We didn’t win last year’s election together at a committee hearing in D.C. We won it on the doorsteps and the phone lines, at the softball games and the town meetings, and in every part of this great country where people gather to talk about what matters most. And if you’re willing to step up once again, that’s exactly where we’re going to win this historic campaign for the guaranteed, affordable health insurance that every American deserves.

There are those who profit from the status quo, or see this debate as a political game, and they will stop at nothing to block reform. They are filling the airwaves and the internet with outrageous falsehoods to scare people into opposing change. And some people, not surprisingly, are getting pretty nervous. So we’ve got to get out there, fight lies with truth, and set the record straight.

That’s why Organizing for America is putting together thousands of events this month where you can reach out to neighbors, show your support, and make certain your members of Congress know that you’re counting on them to act.

But these canvasses, town halls, and gatherings only make a difference if you turn up to knock on doors, share your views, and show your support. So here’s what I need from you:

Can you sign up to attend an event near you?
In politics, there’s a rule that says when you ask people to get involved, always tell them it’ll be easy. Well, let’s be honest here: Passing comprehensive health insurance reform will not be easy. Every President since Harry Truman has talked about it, and the most powerful and experienced lobbyists in Washington stand in the way.

But every day we don’t act, Americans watch their premiums rise three times faster than wages, small businesses and families are pushed towards bankruptcy, and 14,000 people lose their coverage entirely. The cost of inaction is simply too much for the people of this nation to bear.

So yes, fixing this crisis will not be easy. Our opponents will attack us every day for daring to try. It will require time, and hard work, and there will be days when we don’t know if we have anything more to give. But there comes a moment when we all have to choose between doing what’s easy, and doing what’s right.

This is one of those times. And moments like this are what this movement was built for. So, are you ready?

Please RSVP for an event in your community to build support for health insurance reform:

http://my.barackobama.com/AugustAttend
Let’s seize this moment and win this historic victory for our economy, our health and our families.

Thank you,

President Barack Obama