Dear Mrs. Butler:(My emphasis)
Thank you for writing to me in support of H.R. 3962, the "Affordable Health Care for America Act of 2009." I appreciate hearing from you on this very important issue. Although I believe that improvements need to be made to our nation's health care system, I was unable to support the House health reform bill on November 7, 2009. Despite all of my efforts, and those of my colleagues, the latest version of the House bill failed to address many of the concerns I presented to the House leadership earlier this summer.
I remain concerned about how the bill will affect individuals and small businesses in south Louisiana. I believe the primary focus of health care reform should be on insurance market reforms that will control costs, increase value, and improve access for Louisianians.... Blah, blah, blah.
As a fiscally conservative Blue Dog Democrat, I am also concerned about the long-term costs of this bill for the American taxpayer.... Blah, blah, blah.
Forget the Blue Dog and focus on the Democrat, Charlie.
Even though there are portions of H.R. 3962 that I support, overall I believe the House bill does not work for Louisiana. I can only support health care reform that will lower costs for Louisiana families and businesses, increase the quality of care provided, and improve access to coverage and care for every Louisiana citizen.... Blah, blah, blah.Yeah, yeah, yeah. The public option would work, Charlie.
All of us are paying more and getting less, and that needs to change. Health care reform needs to provide stable coverage you can count on, coverage that can not be taken away through life's ups and downs. Health reform proposals also need to control costs, so rising premiums and out-of-pocket expenses do not eat away at your paycheck and put coverage out of reach.
In closing, let me say that serving as your representative in Congress is a great privilege.... I take your viewpoints and suggestions very seriously and look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Charlie Melancon
Member of Congress
I tried to answer the email, but mine bounced back as undeliverable. If I send him another email, it will take a month or so to get an answer, so I'll answer at Wounded Bird. Here's what I said:
Charlie, I well know your position, and I am quite disappointed. This is a historic moment for our country, and I'm sorry that my representative is on the wrong side of history.
One of your people called me yesterday bragging about your position, and I gave him a piece of my mind and asked him to pass my words on to you. Perhaps you could concentrate more on the Democrat in your description of yourself and less on the Blue Dog. What's the point of voting for a Democrat, if you act like a Republican? DINO is, indeed, the proper description.
As to your fiscal conservatism, people are getting sick and dying and going bankrupt because of our dreadful health care system. Does that concern you at all? The I-have-mine-and-I-don't-want-you-to-have-what-I-have attitude is shameful and should not be encouraged. No one will be forced into the public option, and you know that. If folks like what they have in the way of health care, they can keep it.
I just wish that you represented me a little more, Charlie.
Regards,
June Butler
Now that's the way to respond to *&^*^ form letters. You tell him, Mimi!
ReplyDeleteI used to get stuff like this from Dianne Feinstein when I lived in California. I told her she would never get my vote again. I moved but if I still lived in CA she would not get my vote for love or money.
Hard to believe they have the nerve to send out such drivel.
Oh, I like that response!
ReplyDeletePaul, I know Charlie, and I once thought he was a nice guy. Maybe he was and changed after he moved into a position of power. He voted against the anti-torture bill, too. Nice, eh?
ReplyDeleteI wonder if he is capable of telling us what he really thinks...probably not, too many ¨complicated¨ angles to go over that don´t boil down to ¨just be a Democrat.¨
ReplyDeleteThanks Mimi.
Leonardo
Catherine, thanks.
ReplyDeleteLapin, a better term? Ya think?
Good job, Mimi!
ReplyDeleteLapin, why?
Mimi, did I misread your reply or have you missed the perfect opportunity to tell him that because of his vote, he won't have yours the next time around and that you will work for his defeat?
ReplyDeleteWhat an ass he is!
Len, it seems that Charlie won't just be a Democrat. It's quite true that outside of New Orleans, Democratic officeholders are an endangered species, but that doesn't stop me from calling him to account.
ReplyDeleteSusan, next time around, Melancon is running for the Senate seat held by David Vitter.
I said a politer term, not a better.
ReplyDeleteA visitor from the US House of Representatives checked out the post. Perhaps I should communicate from my blog more often with those who "represent" me.
ReplyDeleteSorry, Lapin, I got that wrong, didn't I?
ReplyDeleteHmm. As an outside observer from Canada, I think that those who plead 'fiscal conservatism' as an excuse for not providing proper health care for their citizens, and then turn around and support the spending of hundreds of billions of dollars on useless overseas wars don't actually have a lot of moral credibility.
ReplyDeleteBut then again, maybe I don't understand the complexities of the US political system...
Tim, you understand the complexities quite well. Charlie's stance is a crock. At a time like this, it comes down to a choice between right and wrong, no matter what pressure you get from your constituents.
ReplyDeleteI'd still trade you my Charles for your Charlie Boy.
ReplyDeleteBut I'm less and less confident of the wisdom of that offer with each passing day. The substance of the form letter responses you get from Melançon is no less dodgy or very different from that in those I get from Boustany (or Landrieu, for that matter).
Crapaud, no. No trade. I ain't stoopid, ya know.
ReplyDeleteI see no need for a politer term.
ReplyDeleteYes, Tim understands our system very well.
Mimi, I love you for speaking truth to power.
Paul, I love you back.
ReplyDelete