U.S. Chamber To Launch Campaign Fighting Public Option
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce will launch an anti-public option campaign tomorrow featuring print ads and Internet banner ads with the slogan, "Don't Drag Down Health Care Reform."
The campaign will also include local events throughout the August recess, according to a conference call this afternoon with Chamber officials. They're starting with five states -- Louisiana, Arkansas, Colorado, Maine and North Carolina -- where they built up strong grassroots organizations during the 2008 election cycle.
The Chamber is aiming to boost support for House members and senators who have questioned the need for a public plan. The Chamber opposes a public plan, saying it would eventually put private insurers out of business. Its main concern is preserving the employer-supplied health care system and bringing down costs.
The organization does support an individual mandate, forbidding insurers to deny coverage to people with pre-existing conditions and guaranteeing that policies cannot be revoked. It also supports a nationwide marketplace so individuals could keep their policies if they move from state to state.
The August events will include independent rallies at town halls and other forums that members of Congress plan to hold during the recess.
Josh
Matt
Eric
Brian
I hope the hell they get close to Asheville so I can lead a major rebellion against these unamerican assholes!
July 21, 2009 3:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here's just one damned good reason to deny Congress their August recess if they simply cannot pass healthcare in both houses. Bush is gone and there's no reason to "go to Crawford" (defined as "all my hard work of de-ciding things requires frequent vacations at taxpayer expense."
July 21, 2009 3:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Morons. Insurance costs are dragging down THEIR MEMBERS yet out of blind ideology they side with the bloodsuckers.
July 21, 2009 3:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not Wal-Mart
July 21, 2009 4:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Excellent and important point, Steve.
July 21, 2009 6:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Great, support an individual mandate without providing a public option. In other words: force people to buy crappy insurance whether they want to or not.
July 21, 2009 3:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good opportunity for some highly publicized dissents/defections from Chamber members -- as happened with their opposition to the climate legislation.
July 21, 2009 3:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
right, what we need is a mandate to purchase for-profit health insurance. ha! good one!
July 21, 2009 3:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
I can not stand the Chamber of Commerce, these are the same yahoo's who support shipping jobs overseas, not enforcing labor laws when shipping those jobs oversees, and the same guys and gals who oppose any sort of legislation geared towards reigning in Global climate change/energy policy.
The good thing is that I always thought the COC was against Obama and now him and his constituents know another enemy.
July 21, 2009 4:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Single Payer Health Care Rally July 30th.
Be there or FAX it in!
Please check out www.kristyRay.com
July 21, 2009 4:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Their slogan is "Don't Drag Down Health Care Reform"? How cynical, since that is exactly what they are intending to do.
July 21, 2009 4:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Individual mandates are a stupid idea promulgated by stupid people who are so stupid they think an individual will actually comply with a mandate. How is a family on food stamps supposed to buy insurance. How is the homeless schizophrenic supposed to buy insurance. How is a guy who has been laid off from GM supposed to buy insurance. I don't know if anyone in the White House reads all the drivel that gets written on these blogs but if they do they need to know we are counting on them to get this done soon.
July 21, 2009 5:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks, runfastandwin. Perfect.
July 21, 2009 5:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Whoo hooo, this means a letter to my local chamber and one to the national. They need to be told exactly what it is they're sticking up for. If we remain silent, they'll think they've been given a pass.
Get busy, people. Keep the pressure on. See Runfastandwin's comment for your talking points!
July 21, 2009 5:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Health care reform is good for American business. Who do these douche bags really represent? Are they so partisan that they can't act in a way that supports their supposed mandate?
July 21, 2009 5:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
A letter in the newspaper would be more helpful because people associate the Chamber of Commerce as supporting the people. If we could get letters in the newspapers all across the country against them that will hurt their campaign.
July 21, 2009 5:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes!
July 21, 2009 6:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Democrats between rock and hard place
via Pollster.com
July 21, 2009 6:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Of course the chamber would oppose a public option and support a mandate for all us us to buy private. Insurance companies, agencies and agents pay them a bundle. Why would they want something that reduces their income?
I just hope the pols know we may not be able to contribute as much financially but without our combined vote, they're toast. I'd sooner vote for a repub than a turncoat dem.
July 21, 2009 6:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
If the health care system in this country does not get reformed, a lot of the blame will be placed at the feet of the media. Has a single news anchor said anything positive about a public option?
Not to mention, all they do is let Republicans get on T.V. and spew misinformation. A perfect example is when they say the United States has the best system in the world.
Watch here:
http://progressnotcongress.org/?p=2240
July 21, 2009 6:37 PM | Reply | Permalink