Arkansas Blog

As number 34 on the receiving end of health insurance money and having a hubby who is AMA

I wouldn't be betting on Blanche to vote for the people for anything UNLESS Wal-Mart makes it clear that's what they want done. What's good for WalMart is good for America and for Blanche.

Likewise, don't place your hopes and dreams on The One as he was Numero UNO on the political
payroll for health insurers, Big Pharma, and medical groups.

.

You said it, eLwood...

Elwood that is exactly what the hold up is on these Senators and Rep.'s voting on health care reform. They are either heavy invested in health care stocks, or have spouse's who are CEO's, or Chair-person's on there boards. It's as a comedian once remarked on Larry King, I think these lawmakers should be required to wear jackets like race-car teams with all their sponsor's decals on it.

Maybe not left, but if she continues to ignore the needs of average Arkansans, she'll be moving out of the Senate office building soon enough.

Americonio,

I don't think it is investments in health care stocks or wives as CEO's, I believe it is the fact that they are bought and paid for with campaign contributions from Big Pharma and Insurance.

I believe only voting age American citizens should be able to donate to political campaigns. No corporations, PAC's, unions, churches, clubs, etc.

It is a free speech issue when people's speech rights are drowned out by nonliving nonbreathing entities.

What chance do any of you think my idea has of coming to pass?

From my mailbox-

Dear Elwood

Our nation finally appears on the brink of meaningful health care reform.

Today, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette published my guest editorial where I make it clear that I believe Arkansans deserve better.

We can stabilize existing coverage so annual premiums aren't rising faster than wages. We can offer a quality public or a non-profit option that is affordable and available to the uninsured. And, finally we can remove the burden that is currently shared by taxpayers to care for uninsured patients at hospital emergency rooms.

Click here to read my health care editorial and to send in your comments or questions. I will be responding to your concerns on our campaign website.

We cannot afford to do nothing. By opening a dialogue within our grassroots community on our website, I hope to learn from your suggestions and hopefully, address any questions that you might have.

I will need your help during these last weeks and months of debate on the final version of health care reform. I hope you will read my editorial and join our online conversation.

Thank you,

Blanche Lincoln

Paid for by Friends of Blanche Lincoln

.

On behalf of Consumer Reports:

Who cares about the rising cost of health care? You do. The money goes out of your pocket and into the pockets of big insurance, the drug companies, hospitals and eventually to the people who actually care for you.
Do the people getting your money really want less of it? No. They've already reneged on offers to cut costs voluntarily. Right now, they're spending $1.4 million per day on lobbyists to make sure your Senators hear exactly why they need more of your health care dollars.
This week is critical. Recess is over and your Senators have just returned to Washington to work on the health care legislation. Dozens of nonpartisan organizations have asked their volunteers to make a call today and tomorrow (July 7th and 8th) so Congress hears from thousands and thousands of people right before they make major decisions about what kind of reforms will get a vote.
You can counter the lobbyists who work for drug and insurance companies with a simple phone call. We're making it easy with a toll-free number.
If we are really going to reduce costs, we need to do a lot of things differently--create incentives for preventive care and early detection, make insurance companies compete on cost and service, reduce preventable infections and errors that bloat the cost of simple treatments.
You are the one who benefits the most if reforms designed to reduce costs and give you better options end up in the final bill, so you are your best advocate. A phone call makes a big difference, because your lawmaker knows you only pick up the phone if you really care.
We've provided a few talking points, or just tell your Senator about your own experience with the health care system we have now.
Take just a few minutes right now. Use our toll-free number and tell your Senator to vote YES for real reform.
Thank you so much for everything you do and for everything you will do to improve our health care system this year.
Sincerely,
DeAnn Friedholm
PrescriptionForChange.org
A project of Consumers Union
101 Truman Ave.
Yonkers, NY 10703

Since the rest of us are out here working or looking for jobs or caring for children or our parents, that leaves the Big Pharm and Insurance lobbyists to speak for us ... Pitiful.
The "sponsorship" jacket idea was hysterical. Voters (constituents) should demand transparency in contributions and "giveaways" including dinners, "seminars" and "educational trips". The lobbyists RARELY live and VOTE in the states and districts of the Members they lobby so let's lift our voices often and loudly.
$1.4 million a DAY --- a lot of children could be fed, housed, clothed and educated on that lobbying $$$$.

"I believe only voting age American citizens should be able to donate to political campaigns. No corporations, PAC's, unions, churches, clubs, etc." Citizen1

C1- I agree and would like to go even further than that. I would like campaign contributions to be limited as follows: Donations could only be made by individuals and only to candidates in elections those individuals can vote either for or against.

In other words every eligible American voter (not registered to vote means no donations) could donate to presidential campaigns and party primaries since we are all eligible to vote in national elections, but no more corporate, union, etc. donations. If you don't cast a vote, you don't donate.

And we Arkies could only donate to the campaigns of our 2 U.S. Senators when there is a vacancy or when either Senator stands for reelection. We could not donate to Senate campaigns in other states. As a resident of the 2nd District I could not donate to candidates/races for the other 434 U.S. House seats.

What gives me a superior right over voters in other states and congressional districts to influence those elections with my campaign money when those elected officials will not be representing me in Congress? Until money in politics is cleaned up and the courts approve of tighter campaign finance laws (which they have famously refused to do), we will all get the representation we deserve.

calmwriter: "Maybe not left, but if she continues to ignore the needs of average Arkansans, she'll be moving out of the Senate office building soon enough."

The sad problem is that tons of average Arkansans ignore the needs of average Arkansans when they vote. The corporations have become most adept at convincing people to vote against their own interests. P. T. Barnum was reincarnated in corporate advertising.

I sure hope I'm wrong but I have a better chance of winning our first Powerball than witnessing Blanche vote for REAL healthcare change...especially any sort of the universal healthcare that most of the country wants. Sure, she's talking/sending out lots of nice emails; but they're nothing but un-specific generalities designed to make us think she isn't the Judas turncoat that her pro-Republican voting record indicates she is.

I'll be delighted to send Blanche an apology if she goes against the insurance/pharmaceutical lobbyists and stands up for the average Arkansan.