Open Letter to Sen. Baucus: Quit Wasting Time

Dear Senator Baucus:

This probably will fall on deaf ears, I am questioning if you are seriously and permanently out of touch with the majority of American people. I have attached this poll, just released this week:

http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/health-care/wapo-poll-majority-wants-public-option-more-than-bipartisanship-for-its-own-sake/

This latest poll by the Washington Post shows 51% of Americans want a bill with a public option. 52% percent of Independents want a public option, with Republican support. Are you out of touch and/or ignoring this political reality?

The American people have outright rejected a bipartisan effort; this seems to suggest the majority of Americans believe health care reform cannot occur WITHOUT a public option in the final bill. You are wasting precious time on this stunning failure at bipartisanship on this issue.

Here in Montana, the public is tired of time-wasting by our public officials. Indelibly etched in my memory of summer is the long line of Native Americans waiting at the Missoula Indian Center annual Culture Day Observance, on August 22nd. They were waiting for some help and relief before the beginning of the school year; the center usually provides these families some relief to address serious issues of under-employment and unemployment. Many families are the working poor, any bit of help they receive is precious. This year, the center was only able to provide nike bags; there were no school supplies distributed.

The effects of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 have not had a significant impact on these urban Indian families. I am asking you, Senator, to quit wasting time on a lost cause of bipartisanship--to enact legislation CONTAINING A PUBLIC OPTION--and work for the successful passage of this legislation in a timely manner.

Families such as these are hurting in your state, Senator. There has been no active effort to enfranchise them into broader stimulus legislation that will benefit their families and communities. Native Americans in both the urban and reservation communities, as well as those in rural Montana--need you to move on with the work at hand.

I am sure in your tenure as our Senator, you must be well aware of the chronicly high and long term unemployment these communities face. We need real answers in our state, and there seems to be a vacuumin leadership starting at your office. I challenge you to do more; these living conditions of extreme hardship cannot and should not be tolerated.

I urge you to push for a final health care bill and begin to work on the betterment of the dire economic conditions facing Indian Country and the rural and urban areas of our state.