Someone is trying to scare you. Forced euthanasia, illegal immigrants, abortion mandates; during the town hall meetings and rallies, we've heard so many baseless rumors that Rep. Brad Miller has had to post this page on his committee website to dispel them.
It seems like some people will repeat any threat as a last ditch attempt to resist yielding to change. Why should these voices be taking center stage; how are these factions drowning out common sense debate?
When it comes to change, fear is more common than courage. Thus far, the biggest public demonstration on this issue in Nebraska has been the rally led by The "Americans for Prosperity" national bus tour (which is funded by corporate interests). Mustering up many "birthers", alarmists, and categorically anti-government contrarians, the bus tour staff--along with State Senator Tony Fulton and Representative Adrian Smith-- led an uproar about the supposed threats and scares of reform, yet offered almost no solutions toward making health care more affordable.
We don't need fear, we need solutions.
We need to support the 220 Nebraska families that lose their health insurance coverage every week, thanks to the back-breaking costs of health care.
We need the moral courage that changes our world - so that 100 Nebraskans will no longer die every year because they have no access to health care.
We need leadership, not political talking points, from all of our Members of Congress. Leadership that compels insurance companies to live up to the terms of their policies, and not escape them through technicalities when the time comes for them to cover our care.
We voted for President Obama under the banner of change. Now is the time for Nebraskans to stand our ground with our President on reform that sets in motion the greatest change toward a more perfect union in generations.
Any health insurance reform plan must help reduce our long-term national debt. The reforms in question are the beginning, not the end, of reform. This year is our best chance in a generation for bipartisan reform - let us begin.
Our voices must not be stilled by fear - lest we fear to begin.
Nebraskans: Let's stand up on August 25 and show that we're not afraid of change; that we're not afraid to guarantee a gentler world for our grandchildren. Let's have the courage on August 25 to stand for a legacy of a more just and safer society, free from the threat of devastating health costs.
Leave fear far behind and and begin the change Nebraska needs on August 25.
