I sent the below letter to my new VA Senators yesterday to urge them to withdrawal their support from the bloated and obscured bill that will likely be up for vote tomorrow afternoon. Merry Christmas Virginian’s, your state senator’s cast a vote to show that they have done something for the reason that something needs to be done, not becuase its right and the change will be beneficial. You can read both their statements at their respective websites (Senator Webb) and (Senator Warner).

I am writing to ask you to withdrawal your support for the Senate Health-Care Bill. This bill will soon come to a vote in the state senate and for reasons outlined below I urge you to withdrawal your support.

Deal making is career breaking
No matter how appropriate the majority of a bill is, deal making of the type thrown within this bill will never be accepted by VA citizens. It is utterly inappropriate to support a bill that provides support and monies to other states in the manner that this bill does. It is extremely inappropriate that Senators’ Nelson, Baucus, and Dorgan received last minute deals, among other Senators.

Unknown Costs
There is no reliable study on the exact implications on the costs or savings of this bill. In fact you mention in your support statement that it will, “reduce the deficit by more than three-quarters of a trillion dollars over the next 20 years.” Whereas your colleague Senator Webb states, “will lower the federal budget deficit by $133 billion over the next ten years, and by more than $1 trillion over the decade following.” It is insightful that not even a member of your same party elected in your same state can agree on the projected savings.

Reform Yes, but not this type of reform
Your statement also correctly identifies that our current system is not sustainable, “Most importantly, the status quo of our present system, which is damaging our national economy at many levels, is unacceptable.” However, voting for a change because a change is necessary is an extremely weak position. How about voting for change that is right, that correctly fixes the issue (a position I think only a fine minority in your party would state about this bill).

The passing of this bill will affect the ability of democrats to get elected in the next election cycles. Mainly because (1) people don’t like last minute deals (2) people really don’t like to pay for something in year 1 that may or may not save money 20 years in the future (neither young people nor old people) (3) the bill doesn’t actually put in place reform that is favorable.

People are smart, and they are getting smarter, they understand that senators want to show their constituents that they did something that helped, but they are smart enough to analyze if what was done actually helps and prefer to support people who make the right decision not those who just make a decision.

This letter went to Senator Warner whereas a similar letter was sent to Senator Webb.