Tuesday, September 29, 2009

This is amazing


The Senate needs to hear that everyday Americans support the public health insurance option. Send a free fax to Sen. Gillibrand:

Click Here

Dear MoveOn member,

OK, this is amazing: More people believe in UFOs than oppose the public health insurance option.1

Seriously, it's easier to find someone who thinks aliens are landing spaceships in our cornfields than someone who thinks we shouldn't create a public option to keep the insurance companies honest.

The insurance companies are basically the only ones who don't like the public option—which is probably why their industry is spending nearly $5 million per week trying to fight off health care reform in Congress.2

We need to remind our senators that everyday Americans—not space aliens, and not profit-driven insurance executives—support the public health insurance option. Click here to send a free fax about the public option to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand:

http://pol.moveon.org/fax?tg=FSNY_2&cp_id=1125&id=17382-10220574-M4ELgSx&t=3

Outside of the Senate, insurance company boardrooms, and Area 51, the support for the public option is overwhelming.

At least two thirds of Americans want the choice of a public plan.3 Fully 73% of doctors, the people who see the moral and medical need up close every day, want a public option.4 And a majority of small-business owners, who know firsthand the economic case for health care reform, back it.5

Yet the health insurance companies—and some subset of the people who believe they've seen flying saucers—oppose it.  And somehow, ridiculously, that's put the public option in danger in the Senate.

Can you send this free fax to your senator, Kirsten Gillibrand, to make sure she knows just how popular the public option is?

http://pol.moveon.org/fax?tg=FSNY_2&cp_id=1125&id=17382-10220574-M4ELgSx&t=4

Thanks for all that you do.

–Nita, Stephen, Kat, Peter, and the rest of the team

P.S. Remember last week's email "from" the public option? Well, it turns out the public option now has its own Twitter feed—@im_publicoption—for important updates and miscellaneous observations on the state of the health care fight. Check it out here:

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84785&rc=tw&id=17382-10220574-M4ELgSx&t=5

Sources:

1. "More Americans Believe In UFOs Than Oppose A Public Option," Media Matters, September 29, 2009
http://mediamattersaction.org/blog/200909290001

2. "Insurance and HMO Industries Spend Nearly $700,000 Per Day to Kill Health Care Reform Measures," Public Campaign Action Fund, September 15, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84720&id=17382-10220574-M4ELgSx&t=6

3. "In Poll, Public Wary of Obama on War and Health," The New York Times, September 24, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/25/us/politics/25poll.html

4. "Poll Finds Most Doctors Support Public Option," National Public Radio, September 14, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84786&id=17382-10220574-M4ELgSx&t=7

5."Small Business Owners Say Cutting Health Care Costs, Need for Reform are Top Concerns," Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, December 3, 2008
http://www.rwjf.org/pr/product.jsp?id=36550

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on September 29, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Monday, September 28, 2009

Sen. Schumer fighting for the public option

Sen. Schumer sits on the Senate Finance Committee, where he's fighting for the public health insurance option. Can you call to thank him and urge him to stand strong against the trigger?

Senator Charles Schumer
Phone: 202-224-6542


Report your call

Dear MoveOn member,

There's a big vote on the public health insurance option tomorrow—can you call Senator Charles Schumer's office right away?

Here's what's happening:

The Senate Finance Committee, of which Sen. Schumer is a member, is debating an awful health care bill that doesn't include the public option—the key to expanding coverage and bringing down costs.

Sen. Schumer and other progressives are proposing amendments that would add the public option to the bill, and the committee will begin voting on them tomorrow. But conservatives are countering with a bogus "trigger" amendment that would kill the public option through indefinite delay.

Can you call Sen. Schumer to thank him for fighting for a strong public health insurance option that's available immediately—and urge him to stand strong against the trigger?

Here's where to call:

Senator Charles Schumer
Phone: 202-224-6542

Then, please report your call by clicking here:

http://pol.moveon.org/call?tg=FSNY_1&cp_id=1123&id=17354-10220574-hVWVd.x&t=2

Four other congressional committees have already passed good bills that include the public option, but the Finance Committee has been dragging its feet and considering half-measures—like the trigger—that won't fix our nation's broken health care system.

Make no mistake: the trigger is a Trojan horse designed to kill the public option by delaying its availability and then offering it only in a limited number of states after certain conditions are met.

So we need to send a strong message to the Senate Finance Committee that health care reform must include a strong public health insurance option that's available immediately—not a trigger.

Can you call Sen. Schumer right now to thank him and urge him to stand strong against the trigger?

Senator Charles Schumer
Phone: 202-224-6542

Then, please report your call by clicking here:

http://pol.moveon.org/call?tg=FSNY_1&cp_id=1123&id=17354-10220574-hVWVd.x&t=3

Thanks for all you do.

–-Nita, Wes, Kat, Joan, and the rest of the team
  

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on September 28, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Caught red-handed

Our "Caught Red-Handed" ads are powerful—and will show Republicans that opposing health care reform that Americans want and need has real consequences. But to expand our ad buy, we need to raise $250,000 right away. If 3 MoveOn members in Inwood donate today, we can hit our goal—can you chip in $20?

Click Here to Donate
Dear MoveOn member,

Republicans seem to have just one goal this year: stop health care reform.

And right now, they're getting away with it—hiding behind the right-wing mobs, false arguments, and loud-mouthed pundits.

Luckily, we've got the perfect way to call them out: last week, we launched our hardest-hitting ads of the year, "Caught Red-Handed." The new ads expose Republicans for voting against reform Americans want while taking huge sums from special interests who oppose it.

We hired an independent research firm to poll voters about the ads and whether they were effective, and the results were amazing: they found that, in the context of political thinking and decision-making, "the ad delivers some of the largest shifts against the Republican targets that we have seen." In other words, they do exactly what they're supposed to do.

So we want to expand the ad buy—and fast. If we raise $250,000 immediately, we can take "Red Handed" to new districts and put more Republicans on the defensive.

To hit our goal of $250,000, 3 MoveOn members in Inwood need to donate today. Can you chip in $20?

https://political.moveon.org/donate/red_2009.html?id=17349-10220574-7xej5Nx&t=3

We know these ads work: in 2006, we ran similar "Red-Handed" ads during the election. By running these ads in districts considered long-shots for Democrats to beat Republican incumbents, we helped flip five safe GOP districts to the Democratic column.1

With this new crop of ads, we hired top-notch research and strategic firm Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research to test them. Here's what they had to say:

  • The ads are successful at "turning up the heat against anti-reform incumbents [and] raising the political costs for pro-insurance incumbents." 

  • A net total of 26 percent [of likely voters] are less likely to support the incumbents after watching this exchange...[the ads] produce some of the biggest shifts away from targeted Republicans that we have seen in a MoveOn.org web test.

  • On the traits, incumbents lose credibility on their honesty (20 points!)...we also see big shifts on..."cares more about helping big insurance companies than American families," "helps to make health care more accessible," and "works to lower health care costs."

These ads send Republicans a strong message: if you oppose health care reform, it's going to come back to haunt you when the next election comes around.

If we want to win on health care, we need to take it up a notch and make sure Republicans don't get away with opposing health care scot-free. Can you chip in $20 to support our campaign?

https://political.moveon.org/donate/red_2009.html?id=17349-10220574-7xej5Nx&t=4

Thanks for all you do.

–Kat, Michael, Stephen, Ilyse, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Election 2006: People Powered Politics," MoveOn.org.
http://pol.moveon.org/2006report/?id=17349-10220574-7xej5Nx&t=5

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on September 27, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Friday, September 25, 2009

Update on Dawn

Dawn's story is proof that insurance companies can't be trusted to do the right thing on their own. Dawn is fighting for answers and for a public option, so that insurers who mistreat their customers face real competition. Watch a short video from Dawn and then join her fight.

Watch the Video
Dear MoveOn member,

Last week, over 100,000 MoveOn members stood with Dawn Smith to demand that CIGNA cover the treatment for her brain tumor.

CIGNA had been denying Dawn's requests for two years, but when she went public, with the help of MoveOn members across the country, CIGNA reversed course. They took the first step toward resolving Dawn's case—agreeing to pay for the test she needs to determine her treatment plan. By reversing their denials, CIGNA made it clear that they didn't think their decision would stand up to public scrutiny.

But they didn't offer any explanation for all the previous denials. And they didn't guarantee that they'll approve the next step in Dawn's treatment. And for all we know, they're still doing this same thing to thousands of other people whose stories haven't caught national attention.

That's why Dawn is insisting that CIGNA explain the policies that led them to deny her care for so long. And—for herself and all the others who are suffering—she's demanding proof that they're changing those policies so this never happens again.

Dawn recorded a short message for MoveOn members. Can you watch the video and then add your voice to a statement of support?

http://pol.moveon.org/dawnsmith/?id=17338-10220574-_7a7Nux&t=5

Since Dawn went public, we've heard from hundreds of others who have been hurt by CIGNA. The stories range from simply frustrating to absolutely heartbreaking. If you or someone you know has been denied needed coverage by CIGNA, or by another insurance company, please share your story with us at:

http://pol.moveon.org/healthcare/survey/?id=17338-10220574-_7a7Nux&t=6

All of these stories paint a picture of an insurance company that, as one former CIGNA executive pointed out, has every incentive to deny coverage. 

  • In the case of Nataline Sarkisyan, CIGNA denied a liver transplant—reversing themselves only when public pressure became too intense. Unfortunately, their decision came too late for Nataline, who died.
  • Christopher Hanna told us the story of his wife's battle—she had to spend "hours every week browbeating [CIGNA] over the phone," fighting to get treated for the ovarian cancer that would eventually take her life.
  • And of the stories we heard, there were a stunning number where CIGNA authorized a procedure but then came up with an excuse—any excuse at all—to not pay. 
It's clear that Dawn's experience with CIGNA isn't unique—in fact, it isn't even out of the ordinary. And even though CIGNA would love for Dawn to just go away, she isn't backing down. She's demanding answers and proof that CIGNA is changing their policies so that their mistreatment of her and their other customers comes to an end.

Will you watch Dawn's video and sign the statement of support?

http://pol.moveon.org/dawnsmith/?id=17338-10220574-_7a7Nux&t=7

Thanks for all you do.

Justin, Ilyse, Kat, Daniel, Laura, and the rest of the team

P.S. If you have a story about CIGNA or another insurance company denying needed care to you or someone you know, please share it with us at:

http://pol.moveon.org/healthcare/survey/?id=17338-10220574-_7a7Nux&t=8

P.P.S. To read more about Dawn's struggle, check out her blog at:

http://www.itcouldhappentoanyone.com/

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on September 25, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Sen. Schumer

Hi, I'm the public option, and I need your help. Can you call Sen. Schumer to thank him for his support and urge him to keep fighting against the "trigger" proposal?

Senator Charles Schumer
Phone: 202-224-6542


Report your call
Hi, I'm the public health insurance option.

People have been saying all sorts of untrue things about me lately, so I decided it was time to stand up and set the record straight.

First off: the reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated. I'm happy and healthy. And I'm proud to play a starring role in four of the five health reform bills currently on the table.

Second: I have a lot of friends. President Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi support me—as do 77% of the American people.1 In fact, I'm feeling pretty popular.

But there is one area where I could use your help. Your senator, Charles Schumer, sits on the Senate Finance Committee, which is considering a "trigger" proposal that could kill me through indefinite delay.

Sen. Schumer is a strong supporter of the public health insurance option. Can you call to thank him and urge him to keep fighting against the "trigger" proposal?
 
Here's where to call:

Senator Charles Schumer
Phone: 202-224-6542

Then click here to report your call:

http://pol.moveon.org/call?tg=FSNY_1&cp_id=1120&id=17306-10220574-wQJ_52x&t=2

A "trigger" that would make me wait to become available is just a trap designed to kill me. As Sen. Schumer himself has pointed out, "any reasonable criteria for triggering a public plan has already been met" because insurance companies have already failed to rein in costs and expand coverage.2

Here are some other things you might not know about me:

  • I like candlelit dinners, overseas travel, and long walks on the beach. Whoops, sorry—wrong email.
  • Some people say they don't like me because I'm too expensive, but that's just a flat-out lie. Keeping me around will actually save money—I'd cost 10% less than the typical private plan.3
  • I'm the best way to keep insurance companies honest. Like my friend Senator Jay Rockefeller has said, "Without the steady, positive influence of a public plan option in the marketplace, we will never truly solve the health care crisis in this country. Private health insurance has a long history of cutting people off or charging too much for too little."4
  • Over 60 House progressives have publicly pledged to only vote for a bill that has me in it.5 So without me, health care reform doesn't have enough votes make it through Congress.
And I'm counting on your help to make it through the Senate. Can you call Sen. Schumer today?

Senator Charles Schumer
Phone: 202-224-6542

Then click here to report your call:

http://pol.moveon.org/call?tg=FSNY_1&cp_id=1120&id=17306-10220574-wQJ_52x&t=3

Thanks for all you do.

–The public health insurance option (and the MoveOn team)

Sources:

1. "New Poll: 77 Percent Support 'Choice' Of Public Option," The Huffington Post, August 20, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51799&id=17306-10220574-wQJ_52x&t=4

2."A 'trigger' for the public health insurance option? Already triggered." NOW! Blog, May 20, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51443&id=17306-10220574-wQJ_52x&t=5

3. Letter to Rep. Charles B. Rangel, Congressional Budget Office, July 14, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84763&id=17306-10220574-wQJ_52x&t=6

4. "Rockefeller Unveils Public Plan Option," Office of Sen. Jay Rockefeller, June 10, 2009
http://rockefeller.senate.gov/press/record.cfm?id=314224

5. "60 Members of Congress Say 'No Public Plan, No Conference,'" Firedoglake, August 17, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51784&id=17306-10220574-wQJ_52x&t=7

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on September 23, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Post on Facebook?

Dear MoveOn member,

Earlier today, we sent you a funny video featuring Will Ferrell talking about the plight of insurance company executives—the "real" victims in the health care fight.

The video is catching FIRE! Already over 600,000 people have seen it, and it's on the verge of going truly viral. Can you help make sure it does by posting this as your status on Facebook, with a link to the video?

No health insurance company should have to lose one cent of their billions in profits just because sick Americans need health care. If you agree with Will Ferrell, please post this as your status for a day: http://bit.ly/kNKpA

You probably saw a couple weeks ago when a similar—but serious—status update went viral on Facebook. Let's make it happen again, this time using the power of snark to continue to spread the word about how crucial health care reform is.

And watch the video if you haven't yet! It's pretty darn funny, if we do say so ourselves. ;)

–Kat, Laura, Stephen, Marika, and the rest of the team

P.S. If you're on Twitter, can you tweet this, too?

RT @MoveOn Will Ferrell's sticking up for the "real" victims—the super-rich health insurance executives: http://bit.ly/sW8uN #sickofit  

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on September 22, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Will Ferrell

Dear MoveOn member,

You have to check this out: Will Ferrell on health care reform, along with Jon Hamm from "Mad Men," Donald Faison from "Scrubs," Olivia Wilde from "House," and a whole cast of amazing, funny actors.

Watch the video here:

Click here to see the video—and if you like it, pass it along to your friends:

http://pol.moveon.org/insurance_execs/?id=17290-10220574-sGF0Ajx&t=2

Thanks for all you do.

–Kat, Laura, Stephen, Marika, and the rest of the team

P.S. Special thanks to all the actors who participated in this video: Will Ferrell, Jon Hamm of "Mad Men," Olivia Wilde of "House," Thomas Lennon of "Reno 911," Robert Ben Garant of "Reno 911," Masi Oka of "Heroes," Jordana Spiro of "My Boys," Linda Cardellini of "ER," and Donald Faison of "Scrubs."

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on September 22, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Tomorrow: "Big Insurance: Sick of It" Rally in Melville

Come to a "Big Insurance: Sick of It" Rally in Melville tomorrow!

Big Insurance is fighting to stop real health care reform. Tomorrow, we're gathering at rallies nationwide to send a strong message that we're sick of Big Insurance—and we demand a public health insurance option, now! 
Rally


Where: United Healthcare in Melville (in Melville)

When: Tuesday September 22nd at 10:45 AM


What: We'll hear stories from individuals who are suffering under our broken health care system, and deliver a letter to Big Insurance, demanding that they stop denying us care.

 

Can you make it to the rally tomorrow?

Click here for more details and to RSVP:


I can come.


Sorry, I can't make it this time.

For more info and to find other rallies in your area, click here.

And don't worry, this email was sent through the MoveOn system, so your personal contact info is kept private.

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on September 21, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Friday, September 18, 2009

New York unemployment hits 9.0%

Clicking here will sign your name:
"With unemployment on the rise, it's time to pass President Obama's clean energy jobs plan now and create 1.7 million new jobs."

Sign the petition

Dear MoveOn member,

This morning, the government announced the New York unemployment rate hit 9.0% in August.1

New York needs the 1.7 million jobs in President Obama's clean energy jobs plan now.2 But momentum in Congress for the plan has slowed.

Can you sign this petition urging Sens. Gillibrand and Schumer to fight for quick action on the Senate clean energy jobs bill?

Clicking here will add your name to the petition, and you can also use this link to send them a personal message:

http://www.moveon.org/pac/enoughunemployment/o.pl?id=17255-10220574-xZQMoex&t=3

Here's the text of the petition: With unemployment on the rise, it's time to pass President Obama's clean energy jobs plan now and create 1.7 million new jobs.

On the heels of this morning's news, Congress will already be feeling the heat to do something about the jobs crisis. We'll deliver the petition today, while the news is hot off the presses.

The right choice is clear. Clean energy sources like wind and solar power create two to three times more jobs than old, dirty sources like coal and oil.3 That's why it makes so much economic sense to switch to clean energy—not to mention the environmental benefits.

Of course, it could be even worse. President Obama's economic stimulus package, which included over $60 billion for clean energy, is already making a difference. Even the conservative Wall Street Journal reported recently: "U.S. Economy Gets Lift From Stimulus."4 But things are still bad, and Congress needs to do more.

But with so many still hurting, we need Congress to pass President Obama's clean energy jobs plan immediately.

Can you sign this petition and urge Sens. Gillibrand and Schumer to fight any further delays to President Obama's clean energy jobs plan? Clicking here will add your name to the petition and, if you like, you can also send them a personal message at this link:

http://www.moveon.org/pac/enoughunemployment/o.pl?id=17255-10220574-xZQMoex&t=4

Thanks for all you do.

–Steven, Anna, Ilyse, Kat, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Employment Situation Summary," September 18, 2009 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84748&id=17255-10220574-xZQMoex&t=5

2. "The Economic Benefits of Investing in Clean Energy," Political Economy Research Institute at the University of Massachusetts, June 18, 2009
http://www.peri.umass.edu/economic_benefits/

3. "Green Recovery: A Program to Create Good Jobs and Start Building a Low-Carbon Economy," Political Economy Research Institute at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, September 2008
http://www.peri.umass.edu/green_recovery/

4. "U.S. Economy Gets Lift From Stimulus," The Wall Street Journal, September 2, 2009 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51828&id=17255-10220574-xZQMoex&t=6

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on September 18, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Sens. Gillibrand and Schumer can fight for the public option tomorrow

Senate Democrats are having a critical meeting tomorrow on health care. Can you call Sens. Gillibrand and Schumer and tell them to speak out for the public health insurance option?

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
Phone: 202-224-4451

Senator Charles Schumer
Phone: 202-224-6542


Report your call

Dear MoveOn member,

We've just learned that Senate Democrats are meeting tomorrow about health care—and so Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles Schumer have a big opportunity to continue the fight for a public health insurance option.

The Senate Finance Committee released its health care bill this morning. It was supposed to attract support from Republicans, but not a single GOP senator is backing it so far.1

Even worse, it doesn't include a public option—so many progressive Democrats aren't willing to support it either.

This caucus meeting is the best chance for supporters of a public option to make their voices heard and show Majority Leader Harry Reid that a bill without it is unacceptable.

Thankfully, Sens. Gillibrand and Schumer strongly support the public health insurance option. Can you call and ask them to tell Majority Leader Reid that a real public option is critical to real health care reform?

Here's where to call:

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
Phone: 202-224-4451

Senator Charles Schumer
Phone: 202-224-6542

Then click the link below to report your call: 

http://pol.moveon.org/call?tg=FSNY_2.FSNY_1&cp_id=1116&id=17239-10220574-1e5Qxkx&t=3

The Finance Committee bill has gotten a lot of press attention, but it actually has very little support on Capitol Hill—even from Democrats.

Just yesterday, a key Democrat on the committee pledged to oppose the bill. Sen. Jay Rockefeller said, "I have sat beside Max Baucus for 22 years in the Finance Committee. I'm probably his best friend on the committee. But I cannot agree with him on this bill."2

Several other senators have indicated they have problems with the bill. And in the House, over 60 progressives whose votes are needed to pass any bill have said they won't support legislation that doesn't include a public option.3

Can you ask Sens. Gillibrand and Schumer to speak out strongly for a real public health insurance option at the meeting tomorrow?

http://pol.moveon.org/call?tg=FSNY_2.FSNY_1&cp_id=1116&id=17239-10220574-1e5Qxkx&t=4

Thank you for all you do.

–Nita, Michael, Kat, Lenore, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Sen. Jay Rockefeller Dumps on Baucus' Bill and No Snowe Yet," ABC News, September 15, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=84723&id=17239-10220574-1e5Qxkx&t=5

2. Ibid.

3. "60 Members of Congress Say 'No Public Plan, No Conference,'" Firedoglake, August 17, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51784&id=17239-10220574-1e5Qxkx&t=6

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on September 16, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

You're invited: Film premiere with Thom Yorke of Radiohead


Don't miss this important, one-time-only U.S. screening of the global warming docudrama, The Age of Stupid.

September 21, 2009
7:30 p.m.
College Point Multiplex
28-55 Ulmer St
Whitestone, NY, 11357

Click Here to Purchase Tickets

Immediately following the film will be a special event simulcast from New York, featuring a performance by Radiohead's Thom Yorke and comments from Kofi Annan, James Hansen, Moby, as well as leading climate experts and activists.
Dear MoveOn member,

On Monday, September 21, MoveOn members in the Inwood area have a special opportunity to watch the one-night-only premiere of an important new film called The Age of Stupid.

The film is a powerful "docudrama" set in the year 2055, after global warming has done massive damage to humanity. Oscar-nominated actor Pete Postlethwaite stars as a historian who "looks back" on real footage from 2008 to try to answer the question, "why didn't we stop climate change while we had the chance?"

In addition to the movie, the theater will simulcast a Hollywood-style premiere event from New York City. 

You can purchase advance tickets by clicking here:

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=69303

You'll get so much more than just a great movie. The premiere event, simulcast live from a solar-powered tent in New York City to over 700 theaters in the U.S. and 50 other countries, will feature such celebrities as Gillian Anderson, Heather Graham, and Moby.

Also, MTV's Gideon Yago will interview Nobel Peace Prize recipient Kofi Annan, environmental scientist James Hansen, and The Age of Stupid director Franny Armstrong. Ending the night will be a special, acoustic performance by Radiohead's Thom Yorke.

The Age of Stupid was number one at the box office in the U.K. this spring, and this one-night event is poised to break the Guinness World Record for biggest simultaneous film screening. You can watch the trailer here: http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51921&id=17229-10220574-TifSBXx&t=1

Check out what critics are saying about this film:

  • "A captivating and constantly surprising film."—George Monbiot, The Guardian1
  • "Think An Inconvenient Truth but with a personality."—Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times2
  • "Political incompetence and inaction can usher in disaster... Rome is burning, and Franny Armstrong is fiddling the right tune."—Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian3
The Age of Stupid looks us right in the eye and asks what kind of future we want for our kids. Be one of the first to see this important film and help spread the word so that as many Americans as possible hear its message. We hope to see you at the theater.

Thank you for all you do.

–Anna, Laura, Steven, Ilyse, and the rest of the team

P.S. When you see this movie, you're really going to be inspired to act. The cool thing is that our friends at Avaaz, an international MoveOn-like organization, are putting together a "Global Wake-Up Call" day of action on September 21, the same day as the premiere of The Age of Stupid. Check out http://www.avaaz.org/tcktcktck/ to get plugged in locally.

Sources:

1. "What are we not talking about now that we will be—or should be—in 2009?," The Guardian, December 27, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51923&id=17229-10220574-TifSBXx&t=2

2. "The Age of Stupid," Los Angeles Times, July 17, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51922&id=17229-10220574-TifSBXx&t=3

3. "The Age of Stupid," The Guardian, March 20, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51926&id=17229-10220574-TifSBXx&t=4

For more information go to: http://www.ageofstupid.net/

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on September 15, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

"You lie!"

Clicking here will sign your name on this message to Congress:
"Don't let right-wing extremists hold health care reform hostage. Pass President Obama's plan, including a strong public health insurance option."

Sign the petition
Dear MoveOn member,

Last night, President Obama challenged Congress to "meet history's test" and finally fix our broken health care system. He pledged to seek common ground between Democrats and Republicans, and assured them all: "My door is always open."

Republicans responded by heckling, booing, and hissing. Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) screamed out "You lie!" as the President defended his health care plan against false right-wing attacks.

We can't afford to let right-wing extremists like Joe Wilson hold health care reform hostage. As Obama put it, "the time for games has passed. Now is the season for action."

Let's send a message to Congress, demanding swift action to pass real health care reform. Clicking here will add your name to the petition:

http://pol.moveon.org/passhealthcare/o.pl?id=17208-10220574-knpgVqx&t=3

The petition says: "Don't let right-wing extremists hold health care reform hostage. Pass President Obama's plan, including a strong public health insurance option."

The plan the president outlined last night was comprehensive, ambitious, and deeply progressive.

It would help the hundreds of millions who already have health insurance by making coverage more competitive and more secure. No one would ever be turned away because of a pre-existing condition or dropped because they got sick. And you'd never again have to worry about arbitrary caps on how much insurance would pay for your care.

For those without insurance, Obama's plan would finally offer quality, affordable coverage—including a strong public health insurance option that would keep the private insurance companies honest. And across the board, his plan would rein in skyrocketing health care costs for consumers and businesses.

Thanks to President Obama's leadership, the path is now clear. But it's up to Congress to act. Sign the petition now to make sure they're not held hostage by right-wing extremists. Clicking here will add your name:

http://pol.moveon.org/passhealthcare/o.pl?id=17208-10220574-knpgVqx&t=4

Thanks for all you do.

–Justin, Lenore, Steven, Kat, and the rest of the team

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on September 10, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

New video from R.E.M. and MoveOn

Dear MoveOn member,

Last week we asked MoveOn members to share photos showing how they and their loved ones are suffering under our broken health care system.

The responses simply blew us away. We showed the photos to recording artists R.E.M., and together we produced this incredibly powerful video.

Watch the video and share it with your friends today.

With the news that some in the White House are considering a "trigger"1—a delay tactic designed to kill the public option—it's more important than ever to get the word out that we simply can't afford to wait for real reform.

Click here to watch the video and send it to your friends today: http://pol.moveon.org/healthcare_cantwait/?id=17196-10220574-z4vonEx&t=3

Thanks for all you do.

–Nita, Laura, Matt, Kat, and the rest of the team

Source:

1. "White House Floating 'Snowe' Trigger," The Atlantic Politics Channel, September 2, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51839&id=17196-10220574-z4vonEx&t=4

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on September 8, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Friday, September 4, 2009

Moral truths

Dear MoveOn member,

Yesterday, a new message of support for health care reform started spreading like wildfire on Facebook, with thousands of people setting their statuses as:

"No one should die because they cannot afford health care, and no one should go broke because they get sick. If you agree, please post this as your status for the rest of the day."

With Congress headed back to Washington to take up health care reform, this is an easy way to bring the focus back to the simple, moral truths at the heart of the debate.

If you haven't already set this as your Facebook status, can you take a moment to do it now?

And if you'd like, you can add "Sign the petition to President Obama today: http://bit.ly/QaT56."

Thanks for all you do.

–Nita, Marika, Carrie, Kat, and the rest of the team

P.S. Are you a fan of MoveOn on Facebook yet? Click here: http://facebook.com/MoveOn.

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on September 4, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

A crossroads

Click here to add your voice:
"President Obama, we're counting on you to fight for bold change on health care—including a strong public health insurance option. It's the key to breaking the stranglehold that private insurers have over our health care system."

Sign the petition

Dear MoveOn member,

News just broke that President Obama will give a major speech on health care before Congress on Wednesday where he'll lay out what he thinks needs to be in the health care bill.

What will he say? This morning, The New York Times reported that the president remains committed to a bold reform plan, including a robust public health insurance option. But the reality is that he is under immense pressure from conservatives in both parties—and some advisers—to drop it.

This is a critical crossroads and our President needs to hear from you right away.

President Obama ran a campaign based on real change—he talked about challenging the status quo, breaking the stranglehold that corporate lobbyists had over our politics, and standing up to special interests.

We know that change does not come easily. But in difficult moments throughout our history we have always looked to our leaders to push beyond politics and do what is right for our country. This is one of those times.

Can you sign this petition and let President Obama know that you're counting on him to fight hard for a bold health care reform bill which includes a public health insurance option? We need to show him we'll fight right alongside him if he does. You can send him a personal message at the link below too.

http://pol.moveon.org/hcobama/o.pl?id=17130-10220574-tvnOLex&t=3

The petition says: President Obama, we're counting on you to fight for bold change on health care—including a strong public health insurance option. It's the key to breaking the stranglehold that private insurers have over our health care system.

Making good on his campaign commitment to bring real change to Washington is the most difficult as well as the most necessary part of reforming our health care system.

HMOs and health insurance companies are fighting to kill the public health insurance option. Republicans have made it clear that they don't intend to help reform health care. And some conservative Democrats are so afraid of standing up to special interests that they are pushing for the weakest version of reform.

But the worst thing would be to pass a big reform bill that doesn't really change things. There's only one thing that's really going to cut costs, provide real security and peace of mind to the millions of Americans who are suffering, and take on the big insurance companies who have complete control of our system. That is the public health insurance option.

During his campaign, President Obama often said that he believed that change had to come from the bottom up—-not from the top down.

So right now, at this critical moment, it is up to all of us to speak out and let President Obama know what millions of Americans across the country want. Click here to tell the President that you're counting on him to do the right thing:

http://pol.moveon.org/hcobama/o.pl?id=17130-10220574-tvnOLex&t=4

The public health insurance option represents the change that Americans everywhere rallied around—it's our best chance to break the stranglehold of a broken, corporate for-profit system and bring true affordable care to all Americans.

Thanks for all you do.

–Justin, Ilyse, Nita, Kat, and the rest of the team

 

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on September 3, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Virtual vigil TODAY, vigil in The Bronx TONIGHT

Across the country and online, we're hosting "We Can't Afford to Wait" vigils for health care. Can you make it to the vigil tonight in The Bronx at 7:30 PM?


RSVP for your local vigil

And there's a virtual vigil going on online right now, where MoveOn members are sharing stories and lighting candles for people they know who can't afford to wait.

Join the Virtual Vigil


Dear MoveOn member,

The health care debate is the biggest political story of the year. 

But what the media and Congress seem to forget is that it's not just about politics or policy minutiae. It's about real people who are really suffering under our broken health care system—and can't afford to wait any longer for real reform.

That's why, today, MoveOn members are holding health care vigils across the country—including a virtual vigil online for those who can't make it to an event. These are shaping up to be our biggest and most powerful events of the year.

Can you make it to the vigil in The Bronx tonight at 7:30 PM? Click here to get the details:

Yes, I'll be there at 7:30 PM

No, I can't make it to the event, but I'll join the virtual vigil from home

And all day today, we're holding an online virtual vigil where you can read about other MoveOn members who can't afford to wait, see their faces, and even hear their stories. Plus, you can add a candle to the online vigil for yourself or someone else you know.

Many of those who need health reform the most can't make it out of the house to attend vigils in their communities. This virtual vigil is a place for everyone to meet up and share stories about why health care reform is so important.

Check out the virtual vigil by clicking here: 

http://pol.moveon.org/vv/?id=17113-10220574-NzCyMrx&t=7

Hope you can join us at one or both events, and thanks again for all you do.

–Nita, Carrie, Kat, Ilyse and the rest of the team

P.S. Can't make the in-person vigil listed above? Here are a few other vigils near you:

We Can't Afford to Wait Vigil
Journal Square Fountain, Kennedy Boulevard, between Pavonia and Sip Avenues, Jersey City at 7:30 PM—RSVP

We Can't Afford to Wait Vigil
Babylon Town Hall, Lindenhurst at 6:00 PM—RSVP

We Can't Afford to Wait Vigil
In the green space on the corner of Weaver St. and Palmer Ave, Larchmont at 5:30 PM—RSVP

We Can't Afford to Wait Vigil
Across the street from State St. Diner, Bloomfield at 7:30 PM—RSVP

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on September 2, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Hey, we're winning

We're actually winning this health care fight. But you wouldn't know it from watching the news. We need turn the story around—fast—and we've got some really hard-hitting ads that could do just that. Can you chip in $20 to help get them on the air?

Contribute

Dear MoveOn member,

After a few weeks of health care craziness, there's good news: we're winning on the ground. Lots of town halls are now dominated by supporters of health care reform. The vast majority of Americans want the choice of a public plan.1 And a powerful bloc of progressives in the House is standing strong on real reform.

The really bad news? The media's still acting like President Obama's health care plan is on the skids.

If we don't turn the conventional wisdom around before Congress begins voting on health care, we could be in big trouble.

We've got a plan to make it happen. It starts tomorrow with major vigils across the country to bring the media's focus back to the real people suffering under the current health care system.

And then we'll shake up the media story again by going on the offensive against Republicans, with a new series of tough ads that call them out for their ties to the health insurance industry.

But to actually make a big splash, we need to raise $185,000 today—and that's going to take at least 3 donations from people in Inwood. Can you chip in $20 right now to help out?

https://pol.moveon.org/donate/healthcare_ads.html?id=17087-10220574-Afu42Cx&t=3

Right now, Republicans in Congress think they can get away with viciously slandering President Obama's plan for a public health insurance option—even though 77% of Americans say they want to have the choice of a public plan.2

These Republicans need a reality check. Every member of Congress should know that opposing health care reform isn't just morally wrong—it's politically dangerous and unpopular.

That's why we're planning some very tough new TV ads. They'll let voters know exactly how much money their representatives have taken from the insurance industry, whose top goal this year is to kill the public option.

These ads are a surefire way to put Republicans on the defensive, and show that Americans want their representatives to stop siding with insurance companies by obstructing health care reform.

To hit our goal of $185,000 and get these ads on the air, we need at least 3 people in Inwood to step up. Can you chip in $20 right now to help out?

https://pol.moveon.org/donate/healthcare_ads.html?id=17087-10220574-Afu42Cx&t=4

Thanks for all you do.

–Nita, Kat, Stephen, Joan and the rest of the team

Source:

1, 2. "New Poll: 77 Percent Support 'Choice' Of Public Option," The Huffington Post, August 20, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51799&id=17087-10220574-Afu42Cx&t=5

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on September 1, 2009. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.