Some very interesting numbers calculated by BrowniesAreGood over at DailyKos – In fact damn amazing. For Example:

* For 38 of 65 congressman, we provided > 2% of their TOTAL dollars
raised this cycle.

* For 41 of 65 congressman, we juiced their fundraising rate > 300%

* For 43 of 65 congressman, this SINGLE ActBlue page is a Top 10
Contributor. We’re in the Top 5 for 22 of them!

If there’s one thing Rahm understands, it’s money.

He ought to be taking a hard look at this and reconsidering which “team” he wants to be on.

Thank YOU Jane.

XLNT

Thanks again, Jane. Your leadership has brought together a truly amazing team that breaks new ground every day in this battle.

WooHooo!!

This is fascinating and exciting to watch. The sense of finally having real power is palpable. If we can pull this off (and there is a long fight ahead), then the next few years should be bright.

Well, we could show them the money or they could show us a public option…still waiting.

Thanks, Jane!! You’ve been playing an incredibly smart game, and I’m glad to see you’re getting some media exposure finally, and kicking Rahm’s ass in the process.

Question for Obama: We had 8 years of Karl Rove, why would you think we’ll sit thru another 4 years with more of the same?

Jane you are so damn incredible. You are the perfect spokes person for progressives. Hey if you are looking for a few hours of rest and relaxation Assateague and Chincoteague (not far from D.C.) are incredible. A bit hot right now and the mosquitoes (be prepared) can be insane..but a jump in the ocean …you know can revitalize.

Sept, Oct are great out there. Crowds are down, lots of professional photographers out there with flocks of birds that I had never seen the likes of during migration. Wild Ponies, Sitka deer. Also have done some incredible body surfing there with quite a few dolphins surfing right in the same wave with you. Beautiful restful place

http://www.assateagueisland.com/
http://www.chincoteague.com/index.htm

I agree, thank you Jane, our leader, without whom, this wouldn’t be happening.

Jane, for whom everything is possible, with hard work, grit and resolve.

The word “impossible” isn’t in her vocabulary.

Great work Jane. I like your combination of web savvy combined with old fashioned political power savvy.
I sent a donation and a letter to Peter Welch in Vermont, who wouldn’t take the pledge, telling him I contributed to the campaign of Maxine Waters who is not my representative but who is representing the very progressive voters of Vermont better than he is.

I don’t want Rahm on my team. I like having people I can trust around me. I trust Rahm about as far as I can throw the building I live in.

Thank you, Jane.

Thank you, all the bloggers out there that made this possible.

Fuckin’ A.

Senora, the world needs more like you. Gracias.

Jane is a wise wise woman spreading the credit out where it belongs. We are right behind you Jane. Hope you are taking a bow and doing your victory lap too.

Your choice of words and delivery on health care reform have just been remarkable. The truth that you speak is piercing the bubble…Hell how about blowing a hole in it

I learned about it via Glenn Greenwald’s Twitter feed. Very satisfying to do something more meaningful than rant and rave; thank you for helping make it possible.

Thank you Jane, you are truly amazing! And thank you to everyone else who blogs or calls or donates – as a citizen I owe all of you a debt of gratitude. But of course this fight isn’t over yet I’m sure this is going to be political trench warfare and will just keep getting uglier and uglier until a bill is finally passed.

Just focus on what a glorious day it will be if we get even a halfway decent reform out of this.

If we flex our muscles on this one, maybe the next fight won’t start off with most of what we want already compromised.

I’m sure this is going to be political trench warfare and will just keep getting uglier and uglier until a bill is finally passed.

You betch’um, Red Ryder.

However, the Rethugs are gonna throw mud and shit and we’re gonna use WristRockets and quarter inch ball bearings.

This effort is the equivalent of the first Civil Rights sit-ins. In our time, demonstrations don’t work well. People are too dispersed in suburbs easily to get together except very occasionally. Jane has demonstrated how we can circumvent that problem. Most of you (not all by any means) are too young to remember those first years in the early ’60s. The press and ‘responsible opinion’ were all against the violation of ‘property rights’ and the potential break-down of law and order. It wasn’t as bad as the Village (except in the South), but it was stifling just the same.

This is a break-out moment, and not just for the money. It shows how rapidly we can react now, with the kind of leadership Jand and Eve are giving us.

Thanks.

all against the violation of ‘property rights’ and the potential break-down of law and order. It wasn’t as bad as the Village (except in the South)

The current mantra of the Libertarians in FL. They’ve learned a lot of Frank Luntz’s tricks with code words and such but it still stands out.

Now I really am outta here. Colour me gone.

It will be interesting to see how many of these “pledged” progressives will cave before it’s all over.

have you seen this
Mad as hell Doctors take to the road. Hope the MSM covers these folks. They may be to well behaved. Maybe they should pack some guns so that they get coverage
http://pdamerica.org/articles/…..iances.php

This is great news. Thanks to Jane and thanks to all who have contributed. What is the possibility of doing something like this to raise money for potential primary challenges?

Been done and you can be sure Jane/all will do it again
http://www.actblue.com/page/blueamerica

this fight isn’t over yet I’m sure this is going to be political trench warfare and will just keep getting uglier and uglier until a bill is finally passed

People Get Ready . . .

Eve Is In The War Room w/ Your Marching Orders

Battle Stations !!!

That might be so, but I don’t know if I’d want Rahm pretending to be on my/our team. The guy is [insert your denigrating word of choice here].

Baucus’s Bunch are out in the WAPO claiming they are scaling back the reform package, scuttling the Sept. 15th deadline, and have learned a whole lot from their town halls (youtubes are out to take me away).

Another point of concern is Daschle is meeting President Obama this morning – I am certain Tom will be pushing for a robust public option – Yeah Right. He probably will be coming with a big old insurance deal in a red bow.

Extraordinary effort Jane. Thank you.

Good morning Cbl.

I don’t think that this effort will do anything to bring clarity, honesty or transparency to the debate until Dems and the President openly admit that the so-called ‘public option’ is intended to lead us to a single payer, government administered, taxpayer funded program.

When the President drops his ‘if you like your plan you can keep it’ lie, as well as the lie that this plan will not raise taxes on ALL Americans, then we can begin to have a real debate.

The President is trying to create a ‘uniquely American’ solution but he refuses to believe that a solution can exists without a large, government run entitlement.

To create a truly patient-focused health care system that provides the highest quality care possible, we have to give patients the financial power to hold doctors and hospitals accountable. A market-based system where consumers have the ability to take their money elsewhere if they are dissatisfied with how they are being treated. The government can provide appropriate oversight of the marketplace, but, fundamentally, it needs to be driven by consumers selecting the kinds of insurance and medical care arrangements they find most satisfactory for the prices that are charged.

To design a health care/health insurance reform policy that creates more Mayo Clinics, and the like, the President and Congress need to recognize and respect the ability of individuals, independent and self-reliant, to act in their own best interest and that they can organize locally to solve a common problem.

A ‘uniquely American’ solution is NEVER a top down, one size fits all government funded entitlement or mandate.

mornin’ baby

I HEART Jane Hamsher.

Jane and Christy started FDL which was a platform for political discourse and analysis basically from a left (fact based) perspective.

It became the gathering place for those who wanted to express their opinions and connect with like minded people.

And then Jane steered this energy with Howie Klien to activism by raising funds and supporting progressive pols. This certainly helped and Donna Edwards was elected largely from the support of progressives.

Now she is taking this up to the next level of activism as our ranks grown and community becomes a cohesive force to be reckoned with. Jane and FDL are now being noticed and given a platform in the MSM at least on MSNBC. Rachel Maddow from AAR is a rising start from the progressive side in the MSM. The message (truth) is starting to make its was into the public discourse.

But the old guard is not going to go way when confronted with facts. We need MORE people, MORE activism, MORE action, MORE support of the right policies, MORE calls to critters, MORE letters to the editor.

Jane has shown incredible wisdom and strength and gets better at what she does every day. She and Christy are treasures, and very humble human beings, examples to all.

I am looking forward to her next avenue of political activity.

It will be the people who steer the change in this nation, not the congress on their own. The people united cannot be divided or defeated.

Good Morning Ms Eve –

you and Slinky have also been inspirational – can’t tell you how many times your work, bottomless, authentic passion and tireless resolve have busted up a perfectly good pout and had me again reaching for the phone or typing another LTE

mad gratitude to you

Just curious, when has the free market really worked well for consumers?

These are the things that are impressive about this effort:

It has been much less than a week
The numbers are in the range of single corporate donors
The average donation has been $60

Thank you Jane; I think you’ve discovered that the key to buying our country back is to act strategically and not just during the runup to elections.

You, slink, and Eve have led us so well.

Thank you.

We wil prevail!

Eve, TomP here (the name was already taken here).

You are fantastic! Jane, you, and slink are showing how to make the netroots matter.

You don’t talk about crashing gates; you do it. And that makes all the difference.

Ew too .

What a group of heavy and effective hitters.

Rahm E. when he leaves his current position will walk right into a 6 figure lobbying position. Tiny Dancer has his future all planned out.

A ‘uniquely American’ solution

Does it make you feel all warm and fuzzy and special when you say “uniquely American”, as if there are German folks, Japanese folks, Armenian folks, Canadian folks, and there are guys that play soccer and then there are guys that play that “uniquely American” game, Football, you know, the Real Men!? IOW, what is this “Uniquely American” horse shit of which you speak? Is it this grossly expensive and deadly crappy health care insurance industry that we now have, and that you want to perpetuate? Is that what you mean by “Uniquely American”?

Congratulations! Keep it going, this is so much more effective than the opposition yelling in town halls.

Gratified as I am-and I truly am-to have Texas Kaos included on that list with so great blogging colleagues, I really want to emphasize that without Jane and FDL taking on the lead in this effort, we would not have achieved what we so far have.

Fight isn’t over, by a long shot. Thanks to all of you who helped us get this far, and I am honored to keep fighting beside you.

We. Fight.

Trust Rahm to be Rahm.

Are you serious? This is the problem with progressives who see all corporations and profits as evil. I think that the problem with big business and big government are one in the same. TOO BIG. The expansion and centralization of power in both corporations and governments create entities deemed ‘too big too fail’ and thus requiring greater intervention into the private sector by the federal government.

One need only to look at the Mayo Clinic, or the co-op in Grand Junction CO to see ‘uniquely American’ solutions to quality, affordable healthcare/health insurance delivery and administration. What is absent from these programs? Large scale government intervention. Engaged and empowered individuals make free markets work. When individuals stop relying on their independence and self-reliance, and start looking to others or to the government to take over their personal responsibilities, then exploitation and abuse occur.

then exploitation and abuse occur.

Yeah. I know what you mean. It’s great how the health insurance industry has not exploited or abused us. Isn’t it?

First, ‘uniquely American’ is the President’s phrase. Secondly, I do not share your opinion that our system is ‘deadly crappy.’

Are you serious? This is the problem with progressives who see all corporations and profits as evil. I think that the problem with big business and big government are one in the same. TOO BIG. The expansion and centralization of power in both corporations and governments create entities deemed ‘too big too fail’ and thus requiring greater intervention into the private sector by the federal government.

One need only to look at the Mayo Clinic, or the co-op in Grand Junction CO to see ‘uniquely American’ solutions to quality, affordable healthcare/health insurance delivery and administration. What is absent from these programs? Large scale government intervention. Engaged and empowered individuals make free markets work. When individuals stop relying on their independence and self-reliance, and start looking to others or to the government to take over their personal responsibilities, then exploitation and abuse occur.

Now I know you’re a disingenuous propagandist. This discussion we are having is about the health insurance industry. My comment, “deadly crappy” was in regards to the health insurance industry. There were two reason, at least, for that. One is that it is true. Two is that, as I said, that is what we are discussing. You trying to turn my comment into a catch all is either a gross misreading by you or a straw man lie by you. I suspect the latter.

You are missing the point. Porgressives are looking to the federal government to do something that they cannot do effectively or responsibly on our behalf.

Look no further than the administration’s backroom dealings with Big Pharma to see what the federal government will give us.

Empower and engage NOT on a federal level, but in your own families and communities. Petition the federal government to REMOVE the control of the $$$ from the federal government and BACK INTO THE POCKETS of the consumers!

I do not want to become part a the largest risk pool out there. How will I be assured quality, affordable care when my individual lifestyle/health care choices are diluted and ignored, and my resources, not reserved, but consumed by others who require greater care without regard for the consequences of their actions.

I would prefer to join a health care/insurance co-op where I can be part of a community of individuals who value the benefits of alternative medicine, seek treatment outside the traditional government/heath industry complex, and reserve the right to choose and pay for traditional/conventional treatments that are preventative or required in case of catastrophic incidents. Why should I be forced to pay higher taxes for services that I may or may not value or require.

Just as those eschew inferior, ineffective public education and seek a private education for their children, are we to be forced to pay for inferior, ineffective public health care as well?

What is so great about single payer? It saves nothing, continually costs too much, rewards incompetence and waste while stifling innovation, creativity and competition. I do not wish to see our health care system follow the same path as our education system.

Petition the federal government to REMOVE the control of the $$$ from the federal government and BACK INTO THE POCKETS of the consumers!

Right on, Mr. Norquist.

Look, I think that on many levels the health care industry is bloated and corrupt as any other ‘too big too fail’ corporate entity. But I think progressives are remiss in believing that the federal government can be an honest and effective negotiator and arbiter of cost and quality given the current consolidation of power and greed in the Washington/Wall Street corridor. Obama has shown himself to be as much a part of this ‘axis’ as any other politician. Wake up and realize that we are living in a libertarian moment where our individual and common interests lie not in a dependence on a centralized federal government, but on LIMITED federal government interference and interaction. Greatest choice, more freedom are to be found in throwing off our dependence on the federal government to serve our every need.

Just what is it that you hope the federal government will do you your behalf re; health care/health insurance. How can a one size fits all single payer system EVER be responsive and effective for America’s LARGEST minority…the INDIVIDUAL?

My health care/insurance needs unique and different from any other, and until I AM IN CONTROL, no solution will be acceptable to me. The health care industry is in need of reform and that reform lies in breaking the model of employer linked and/or government run health care/health insurance.

How can a one size fits all single payer system EVER be responsive and effective for America’s LARGEST minority…the INDIVIDUAL?

Yes, it works so poorly for our elderly and veterans, you know…

Your naivete’ would be endearing if it weren’t so pernicious.

Just what is it that you hope the federal government will do you your behalf re; health care/health insurance.

Remove the profit motive from the realm of health care. I am not a cost center.

Wake up and realize that we are living in a libertarian moment

ROFL. You kids…

I have been playing both sides of the aisle, giving coverage to single payer (which I strongly support) and the public option. Tried to give you a little coverage of your whip count efforts at my Blog and ePluribus Media too. Not that I am going to get the kind of play on the net as many of the others that are working on this. lol

I love being a progressive blogger right now. Maybe it’ll all go to hell, but so far, we’re winning!

First, our education system has tanked because we have failed to fund it in the last 30 years, not because it is a pubic system. I’m a Californian, I know about this. We used to have the world’s best educational system, a public system that was well-funded for a very long time. Then we stopped paying and now Johnny cain’t rite no more.

Also, it’s not clear that you understand that in any health care insurance pool, it isn’t the well-off who get back less than they put in, it’s the healthy who get back less than they put in. That’s the whole idea – the bigger you make the participant pool, the smaller each participant’s premium has to be because the risk is spread more widely.

Also it’s not clear whether you understand that a public option is in fact an option, nobody would be required to take the public coverage if they prefer and can afford to stay with a private, for-profit health insurer.

You also question what treatments and services will be covered under a public program, rightly. Couple points there. The larger the pool of participants and the better funded the program is, the broader the range of services that can be covered; of course how to fund at an adequate level is a very large tax vs. public health policy discussion. Also, so far as I’m aware, even if you were to opt for the public coverage option, nothing proposed stops you from also participating in additional private insurance programs, co-ops if you prefer, for supplemental coverage if you want that and can afford it.

So I don’t quite understand your opposition to the existence of a public option for those who want it. It doesn’t force you to do anything, and it hardly even affects you directly, except -perhaps- -eventually- raising federal taxes by a couple bucks, a small price IMHO to buy the additional societal stability that better access to affordable health care for everybody is highly likely to bring. Everybody benefits from a healthier public, especially business owners. From a 30,000-foot perspective, health care can be seen as infrastructure cost.

I was sure I asked this question earlier… but I can’t find the question anywhere, and I’ve looked all over FDL and The Seminal.

It’s about Sestak. Friends of mine have pointed out that he said he was in favor of a public plan at a town hall meeting in Philly last week.

However, he is still not on any of the FDL lists, which I consider to be the definitive ones. My opinion is that he has not yet taken the pledge. Am I right or have I misrepresented him?

OT, sort of. Sideways to it maybe.

I just read a quote (Fox via HuffPo) from Kyl (from my native state, sad to say…) saying that no Republican will support health care reform:

“For either the bill that passed the House Committee or the bill that passed the HELP committee in the Senate, I don’t think a single Republican in the Senate would support either of those bills,” he said confidently.

Given that he’s the Rep Whip that could be construed as “I’m telling them NOT to.” So given that three Rs are half of that %#$*&(^ “gang of six”, does this mean he/they have just implicitly moved the left edge (or tried to)? Saying that the HELP and House bills are too far left?

I know that windmill-tilting isn’t the goal, but isn’t there ANY sort of pressure that can be brought to bear on Senate Dems to call foul on this?

Or am I totally not understanding?

We did this. Hear us roar!

I’ve embedded that little thermometer widget at my blog. Hope someone clicks on it.

One thing to consider when talking about Sestak – he’s running for the Senate. Knowing PA’s habit of electing conservative Senators, whatever party they come from, I’m not sure if there’s a desire to pressure him on this issue right now.

Seconded.

You are ALREADY part of the largest risk pool out there. The health insurance oligopoly decided to put everyone on Medicare and Medicaid on the backs of the taxpayers. That left them to skim the cream from the least risky parts of the pool.

Single payer offers much better chances to promote quality.

As far as public schools are concerned, what’s wrong with the University of Michigan or the University of Florida…..?