Nathan Scandella (personal)

Letter to Representative Jim McDermott (D-WA)

Dear Congressman McDermott,

I'm writing to express my extreme disappointment with the way the Democratic party is conducting the current health care reform process. Recent news suggests that the plan on the table, already watered-down to the point of barely being an improvement at all, is likely to soon be stripped of any public option.

This is appalling. The argument for a Medicare-like public option is trivially easy to make. As caregiver for an elderly parent, I am responsible for interacting both with Medicare and private insurance plans, and by far, I get better results with the public system. The overwhelming difference in overhead costs, and the obvious corporate greed exhibited by the insurance industry, at a time when public tolerance for corporate greed is running low, should make this an easy plan to sell.

That the Democrats, beneficiaries of large voter-supplied majorities, and historically low standards as a result of incompetence in the previous White House, cannot push through real reform, is a testament to the party's inability to get anything done.

After winning in 2006 and 2008 Congressional elections, and the 2008 Presidential elections, Democrats have allowed the war(s) in the middle east to continue to receive more and more government resources. Despite financial sector bailouts being originated prior to the recent election, since taking office, Democrats have stepped up the pace at which taxpayers have given away future tax revenues to Wall Street, with hardly a concession in return. Health Care Reform is the last chance for your party to show that it's worthy of retaining its seats in 2010.

In 2000, I criticized progressives who voted for Ralph Nader, and opened the door for Bush to win the election. But last fall, I voted for Nader,
because of what I see as a complete divergence from progressive values by the Democratic Party.

http://www.enscand.com/roller/personal/entry/why_i_didn_t_vote

If Democrats let Health Care Reform die, or live without a public option, 2008 will be the last time I voted for ANY politician affiliated with the Democratic Party. I'll blog about it, I'll lobby my friends about it (most of whom vote Democrat), and I'll work to see that a 3rd-party candidate next represents Seattle in the 7th district.

It's time to show results.

Sincerely,

Nathan Scandella
Seattle, WA

Posted at 11:57PM Aug 18, 2009 by Nathan in Politics  |  Comments[0]