So, people, are we going to sit around just mocking the Rs today or are we

going to perhaps start lighting a fire under the feet of some Blue Dogs? Perhaps we can start compiling a list of items we agree upon to be part of healthcare reform and then push it in an organized manner with a little less drama? Hows about we focus here?

It's called HR676.

Why reinvent the wheel?

:)

We have work to do.

I met with the county chair of the party yesterday. People in our area are having group meetings throughout August, and getting things done. It would be good to coordinated grass roots efforts across the country.

for your meetings that I can take to our county chair as well?

one of NYS's rural upstate counties, which is highly republican. Our numbers are relatively small; hence, most of our meetings have a brief formal arrangement, followed by the more informal (and usually more productive) periods.

One of the things that we view as important is a focus on LTTE at this time. Just as in the month before a presidential elections, the editorial page becomes the "most read" (and LTTE are of top interest), any time there is an important, contested issue in politics, LTTE become more important.

Most people are willing to sign a "basic" letter, even if they are not comfortable penning one. Hence, in group settings, we focus on a strategy to approach each paper. This includes taking close notice of what points the opposition is taking in LTTE; editoial positions; and our area's elected officials' positions. Then we determine (often in a small group) what approach to take: what specific point we want to make; how many to send per point; anticipating the opposition's counters; and how to "layer" the wave of letters.

I am fairly good at talking to any person who wants to sign a letter, but isn't big on writing one, and putting together a LTTE that sounds like what they would write. (I'm a pretty fair speech-writer, too.)

We also take a similar approach to contacting elected officials. Being in a rural area, we have disadvantages. I've learned to use them to our advantage. I'm not sure if this approach translates well to larger, more populated areas, as I've almost always lived in "the country."

I participated on a DU:GD thread recently, in which I proposed having an on-going discussion here about organizing grass roots efforts. Not a centralized effort per say, but one in which everyone can contribute their thoughts and experiences, so that we can all benefit from the collective experiences. Again, I see DU as having the potential to be a "hedge school," where we are all teachers, and all students.

I wish I had a better answer for you.

I've heard very little from those in favor of health care reform/single payer system. Does anyone know of petitions to sign? I've seen very few of those either.I do think something needs to be done!

I did write both my senators regarding health care, but have to plead guilty to spending most of my time cussing the news media and town meeting whackos.

campaign--all across the party spectrum. Now is not the time to cling to sacred cows. If we cannot arrive at some meaningful healthcare proposal WE agree on and back, then it will not happen and the nation will continue it descent into the abyss and no one will be able to access affordable healthcare except for the wealthy.

We have work to do, lots of it and quickly.

Sign Petition for HR 676...and See Site Mad As Hell Doctors for Single Payer
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6301255

The petition is at http://www.healthcare-now.org/petition

healthcare than there is by doing it.