Winning Just 5 of these 8 races Gives Us the Senate!

Winning 5 of these 8 races gives us the Senate!

Sunday at church was like a funeral. Everyone with long faces, heads down. Everyone was fearful and disgusted by the Kavanaugh confirmation. The pain and disappointment are real, but we cannot let them have the last word. We are so close to regaining control of the Senate. It is within reach. There are 8 U.S Senate races that can be won by Democrats. If we win 5 of those 8, we control the Senate. If we control the Senate, we can keep a lot of bad stuff from happening between now and 2020. Most importantly, if Democrats control the Senate, then we don’t have to worry about another Brett Kavanaugh going on the Supreme Court. Democrats winning the Senate will mean that at least one part of the federal government will be working for us and not just for corporations and the extremely wealthy. We will have a body who can stop legislation that would harm women, people of color, children, immigrants and the LGBTQ community.

Please do everything you can to elect these eight candidates.

 

Leaning D	Democrat Senate Candidate	On Twitter
Arizona	Kyrsten Sinema	@kyrstensinema
Toss Up
Nevada	Jacky Rosen	@RosenforNevada
Missouri	Claire McCaskill (incumbent)	@McCaskill4MO
Florida	Bill Nelson (incumbent)	@SenBillNelson
Leaning R
Texas	Beto O’Rourke	@BetoORourke
Tennessee	Phil Bredesen	@PhilBredesen
North Dakota	Heidi HeitKamp (incumbent)	@SenatorHeitkamp
Likely R
Mississippi	Mike Espy	@espyforsenate

These race assessments are from the 538 Senate Forecast https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2018-midterm-election-forecast/senate/?ex_cid=rrpromo

 

7 Races That Can Turn The Senate Blue

Blue Wave 2018

Turning the U.S. Senate Blue

 

We all know that if we are going to hold on to the improvements the Affordable Care Act made in our health care system, we must vote Democrats back into control of the Senate and the House. We also know that if we are to make any serious progress on providing Medicare for all Americans, we must vote Democrats back into control of the Senate and the House. We also know that if we are going protect and preserve Social Security and Medicare, we must vote Democrats back into control of the Senate and the House.

If 5 out of 7 of the Democratic Candidates for U.S. Senate listed below win their races, then Democrats will most likely have regained control of the U.S Senate. If Democrats win all seven races, they would hold a 53 to 47 majority in the U.S. Senate. All seven of these races are winnable. By the same token, they are all also losable. That is why it is so important for all of us to do everything we can to help Democrats win! The only way the Blue Wave happens is if every one of us does what we can do to make it happen.

Lean Republican
Beto O’Rourke	Texas	@BetoORourke
Phil Bredesen	Tennessee	@PhilBredesen
Toss Up
Heidi Heitkamp (i),	North Dakota	@SenatorHeitkamp
Jacky Rosen	Nevada	@RosenforNevada
Lean Democrat
Bill Nelson (i),	Florida	@SenBillNelson
Kyrsten Sinema	Arizona	@kyrstensinema
Claire McCaskill	Missouri	@McCaskill4MO

 

Simple ways we can all help:

Follow these candidates on twitter.

Retweet posts from their twitter feeds.

If you want to do more:

Volunteer to door knock

Volunteer to phone bank

Donate to one or more of these candidates.

Information about volunteering and donating will be available on the candidates’ campaign websites.

Finally, thank you for any and everything you do to #ProtectOurCare and make America the country we all know that she can be.

The possibility of winning the above races is based on information at: https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2018-midterm-election-forecast/senate/?ex_cid=midterms-header

Republican Elites Are Scared of @PhilBredesen

When the Knoxville News-Sentinel needs someone to give voice to the extreme right-wing of the political spectrum, Greg Johnson is the writer who often gets the job. He has an opinion piece up on the News-Sentinel website about Democrat Phil Bredesen’s run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Republican Bob Corker.

Two things are evident in Johnson’s piece. First, he cannot stand the thought of Tennesseans sending a Democrat to the U.S. Senate. Second, he respects, perhaps even admires Bredesen. The worse thing he can think of to say about him is that some Democrats might not like Bredesen’s pragmatic, common-sense approach to governing.

To be certain, Greg writes a nice article. To his credit, he uses the first paragraph to remind Tennesseans what a truly great job Bredesen did as governor of the state. Where Johnson misses the boat is his understanding of what Bredesen’s common-sense pragmatism would mean for working class Tennesseans. Greg writes an article each week for the News-Sentinel, but most of his time is spent working as a financial advisor for Edward Jones

Greg does an outstanding job helping Tennesseans with portfolios of upwards of $500 ,000. The problem is most Tennesseans don’t have portfolios quite that large. Greg also likes politicians who cater to folks who have plenty of money to invest. That may be the real reason he does not want Tennesseans to send Phil Bredesen to Washington. Greg knows that Bredesen will work just as hard for working class Tennesseans as Greg does for those with ample investment portfolios.  Greg also knows that Bredesen would likely oppose any GOP scheme to privatize Social Security and Medicare.

We already have enough politicians in Washington who are using their offices to pad their pockets and the bank accounts of their donors.  In fact, the GOP candidate that Greg favors, Marsha Blackburn, already has a cozy arrangement with the pharmaceutical industry.

Greg and Marsha will be fine regardless of who wins this November’s race. The same cannot be said for middle and working class Tennesseans. They need a Senator who is going to be on their side. Phil Bredesen is the common sense choice for all Tennesseans.

 

Chicago physicians favor single payer over ACA by a 2 to 1 margin #ProtectOurCare

Survey: Physician Attitudes Shift To Single Payer Chicago Medical Society, June 13, 2017 Nearly four in five Chicago area physicians are opposed to the American Health Care Act (AHCA) under consideration by the U.S. Senate as increasing numbers of physicians support a single-payer “Medicare-for-All” form of health insurance. A survey of more than 1,000 physicians…

via Chicago physicians favor single payer over ACA by a 2 to 1 margin — PNHP’s Official Blog

The Russia Scandal Is Distracting Democrats From Trumpcare #ResistGOPCare

Earlier this year, as the Russia scandal heated up, a number of commentators bemoaned Washington’s “obsession” with the story. The Independent’s Andrew Buncombe, noting that “there remains no evidence that the Trump campaign colluded with the Russian government to influence the election,” wrote that “the Siberian Candidate theory is so dangerous is that it is a distraction from…

via The Russia Scandal Is Distracting Democrats From Trumpcare — New Republic

WARNING! When the #GOP Talks about Dismantling Healthcare, You Better Believe it

Most Americans were shocked and disturbed when Raúl R. Labrador, a Republican Congressman, said, “Nobody dies because they don’t have access to health care.” Most people would like to think that such a comment would be an anomaly, but then we remember that Todd Akin, who tried to convince us that there was such a thing as “Legitimate Rape,” was also a GOP Congressman. Maybe extreme thoughts and ideas are not outliers in the Republican party. Perhaps harsh and cruel are at the core of the GOP agenda for America. The party has certainly given America plenty of reasons to think that is the case.

Now, the Senate Republicans are working on healthcare. When what they might do is taken with what House Republicans have already approved and what 45 is proposing in his budget, America’s vulnerable populations (women, children, seniors, working class and poor) are in trouble if the GOP gets its way.

Americans who desire a just and fair healthcare policy will get a chance to vote for leaders who support such a policy in 2018 and 2020. Now, the only recourse is to contact members of Congress and  ask them to #ProtectOurCare!

AHCA Hurts the Medicare Trust Fund #ProtectOurCare

The solvency of the Medicare (Part A Hospital Insurance) Trust Fund turns in large part on Congress. Democratic leaders extended its life when they passed the Affordable Care Act and imposed additional payroll taxes on the wealthiest Americans. Now, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Republican leaders in the House have voted…

via AHCA and the Medicare Trust Fund — JustCare

Rogers ( @MikeRogersAL )says he’s heard no complaints about healthcare vote, no public appearances scheduled

The Anniston Star reported yesterday that Alabama Congressman Mike Rogers has heard no complaints about his affirmative vote for the American Health Care Act. The article is behind a pay wall, but the headline begs for explanation from Congressman Rogers. We know that he has receive complaints because we have called to complain. Either he is not getting the messages from the folks who answer his phones or he is just not listening, maybe it is a little of both.

What is clear from his inattention to his 03 district voters and his voting record is that he is not a reliable advocate for healthcare needs of the people living in his district. If he has not heard yet, then we need to call more.

Congressman Rogers needs to now that we oppose the passage of the American Health Care Act for  many reasons, not the least of which are:

1. Preexisting Conditions. We have them and the AHCA will make it possible for insurance companies to refuse to cover people with preexisting conditions.
2. AHCA weakens Medicare by reducing it’s solvency to 2025 from 2028
3. The Affordable Care Act has the Medicare Part D “donut hole” on schedule to close in 2020. Repealing the Affordable Care Act could force Medicare participants to cover much of the prescription medication needs out of their own pockets.
4. The AHCA is bad for women in ways to numerous to name in this post. The Kaiser Family Foundation does an excellent job of spelling out the problem in Ten Ways That the House American Health Care Act Could Affect Women

Congressman Rogers can be reached at the following numbers:

Washington, DC
Phone: (202) 225-3261
Fax: (202) 226-8485

Anniston, AL
Phone: (256) 236-5655
Fax: (256) 237-9203

Opelika, AL
Phone: (334) 745-6221
Fax: (334) 742-0109

Call him and make your voice heard. However, don’t be surprised if he acts like you never called. Many people in his district have been trying to get him to listen for a while now. He just seems to ignore them. Here are some examples of letters to the Anniston Star, one newspaper in his district

On Monday, I telephoned Rep. Mike Rogers’ office to find out when he planned to have a town-hall meeting or time for meeting face-to-face with constituents during next week’s recess. I was told he would be doing “committee work” and will be unavailable to meet with anyone next week.

On Tuesday, I heard Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, announce that he had held five town-hall meetings in the last two weeks. He wanted his constituents’ input on the very important legislative actions that are coming up soon.

If Walden can make time for his constituents, why can’t Rogers? The 3rd congressional district elected him to represent us (and to get paid by our tax dollars for doing so). Isn’t it important to meet with us and listen to our wishes and concerns? I urge Rogers to change his plans and make time for the people he represents.

Anne Kerr

February 15, 2017

 

Re “Residents hold town hall, minus Congressman Rogers” (News article, March 8):

As a follow-up to our group’s Rep. Mike Rogers Town Hall in Absentia last week in Anniston, I wanted to add that U.S. congressmen are scheduled for numerous recess periods throughout the year for the purpose of returning them to their districts to meet with constituents. Rogers has already spent an eight-day recess period in February on other committee travel. Congress is scheduled for another two-week recess in April for district work and meeting with constituents.

We have no idea if Rogers plans to meet with large numbers of constituents during that time. His office will only say that he will plan town halls later in the year. What does that mean?

I contacted Rogers’ office last fall during a similar recess period and was told then that he was on committee travel. Perhaps Rogers is involved on too many committees. If he spends the bulk of his recess time throughout the year on committee travel, then how is he to know what his constituents are concerned about? Remember, he is our representative. He should be accountable to us.

Please call his office to let him know we want him to hear our concerns now, not later in the year. His Anniston office number is 256-236-5655.

 

Karen Barwick

Pell City

March 12, 2017

 

I am 80 years old. I have to use a walker. Due to an operation, I cannot speak. I don’t go out at night. But I would go to a town-hall meeting of Congressman Mike Rogers, representative of the 3rd congressional district of Alabama, if he would have one.

O.C. Brown

Auburn

April 14, 2017

 

In March, frustrated voters finally decided to have a town hall meeting whether Rogers showed up or not.  Residents hold town hall, minus Congressman Rogers No, he did not attend.

The people of the Alabama 3rd Congressional District are persistent. In April, they were back in the streets raising awareness of Congressman Rogers lack of availability.  Protesters in Anniston say they want town hall with Mike Rogers

To our knowledge, the citizens of East Alabama are still waiting on Congressman Rogers to host a town hall meeting. However, Congressman Rogers has managed to meet with donors and potential donors. Case in point, Thank you to the Montgomery Chamber for having me this morning for Eggs and Issues!

What is clear is that Congressman Rogers either does not care about what people in his district think about the American Health Care Act or he just does not care.

The problem is that he will likely never suffer the impact of the bad policies and laws that he votes to approve. We, the people of Alabama will. We have to call. We have to #ProtectOurCare.

 

Tired Of Calling Congress? Call Montana! Let’s Elect A Congress that will #ProtectOurCare

Democracy for America is enlisting volunteers to call Montana voters and encourage them to vote for a candidate who will #ProtectOurCare, Rob Quist!

Voters in Montana are fired up and ready to throw Republicans out of office. And they love Rob Quist.

Check out the great reports we’ve gotten back this week from DFA members who have been making calls for Rob on DFA Dialer:

“I do have to say my experience today with Montana voters was delightful and I look forward to making more calls. People want to engage in conversation and talk about the issues. Listening to people’s concerns helped me to learn more about why Rob Quist is so right for this state.”

“I’ve been making these calls since at least the Gore/Bush election, and I have to tell you, talking to people in Montana is different. I’ve never had so much fun!”

Rob is a true progressive populist — he supports Medicare for All, he’s pro-choice, and he opposes Citizens United. And he is running an incredible campaign right now. He has been holding listening sessions and rallies in counties all over Montana, and his message is clearly resonating.

Rob’s opponent is one of the Republicans’ weakest recruits — a New Jersey tech billionaire and perennial failed candidate who lost in November to a Democratic governor even as Trump won the state. So we know that this race is winnable.

DFA members are having a real impact this special election: Together, we made more than 13,000 calls for Rob Quist on DFA Dialer last weekend alone. Can you hop on DFA Dialer this weekend to help set the stage for a big win in Montana?

Yes — I’ll sign up to make DFA Dialer calls for Rob Quist and help a progressive populist pick off this GOP House seat.

Republicans are getting EXTREMELY nervous this race. Late last week, the Congressional Leadership Fund — a super PAC aligned with House Speaker Paul Ryan — announced a massive $800,000 ad buy to defeat Quist. And that’s on top of the $1.2 million the National Republican Congressional Committee plans to spend in Montana between now and Election Day.

It’s no surprise that deep-pocketed GOP donors are trying to get ahead of the curve on this race, after being taken by surprise by the incredible wave of Democratic grassroots momentum in Kansas and Georgia. They’re not waiting until the last minute — they want to overwhelm Quist’s campaign with a flood of cash and false tv ads now.

But there’s one thing they’re not counting on: The energy, excitement and passion of DFA members who are fighting every day to replace Trump’s Republican allies with bold progressive populists. Can you sign up for a DFA Dialer shift this weekend to help Rob Quist win?

Yes — I’ll sign up to make DFA Dialer calls to help progressive populist Rob Quist win his House special election in Montana.

ACA repeal means higher costs for people with Medicare

ACA repeal means higher costs for people with Medicare

While the ACA primarily is designed to provide affordable coverage to people not yet eligible for Medicare and without employer coverage, it also strengthens Medicare in a variety of ways, bringing down out-of-pocket costs for enrollees and extending the life of the Trust Fund:

• It expands coverage under the Medicare Part D drug benefit. In 2017, the ACA ensures that the millions of people with high drug costs–with total drug costs of more than $3,700–are not responsible for the full $1,250 of their drug costs before the Medicare Part D catastrophic cap kicks in at $4,950 in drug costs. Instead, people are only required to pay 40 percent of the cost of their brand-name drugs and 51 percent of the cost of their generic drugs. And, if this ACA protection remains, the amount they pay in the coverage gap or “donut hole” will continue to shrink to 25 percent of their drug costs by 2020.
• It requires that many Medicare preventive care services be covered in full, without a deductible.
• It extends the life of the Medicare Trust Fund by 12 years to 2029.

The Congressional Budget Office estimated in a June 2015 report that if the ACA were repealed, it would add $802 billion to Medicare’s costs over the ten-year period ending in 2025. The ACA reined in payment rates under both traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans. Specifically, it reduced some provider payments in traditional Medicare. And, it reduced overpayments to Medicare Advantage plans so that they are no longer 14 percent higher than average per person costs under traditional Medicare, as they had been.