SAVE HEALTHCARE REFORM: Send a letter to Washington D.C.

Dear HUDDLER,

Final decisions are being made right now in the House and Senate about health care reform, and today we need you, as one of our top activists, to do something a little different.

We need you to write a personal letter in your own words to your senators and representative in support of real health care reform.

Usually, we give you a draft letter that you are free to edit. But at this moment, to maximize your impact, it is imperative that senators and representatives hear from you in your words, not ours. On the action page, we have provided talking points to help you draft your unique message, but remember, your personal explanation will be most powerful and effective.

Write a personal letter in your own words to your senators and representative in Washington, and tell them now is the time to pass real health care reform.

To keep insurance companies honest and control skyrocketing health care costs, it is critical that the final bill includes a strong public health insurance option. The bill also must require employers to pay their fair share, and it shouldn’t make workers pay more for what they already have.Insurance companies and their lobbyists are working day and night to stop health care reform. Why? Because in the current system, health insurance companies win and the rest of us lose. We need your help to counter these lobbying efforts. We can’t afford to let the insurance companies win.

What are you going to do today to help pass health care reform?

Speak out today: Send a personal message to your senators and representative in support of real health care reform.

Insurance companies, drug makers and other private health industries have spent more than $126 million on lobbyists this year alone, and we can’t let them kill reform. The American people want real health care reform. It’s up to you to keep the pressure on your members of Congress to do the right thing.Together, we can ensure that everyone in America has access to quality, affordable health care.

In solidarity,
Marc LaitinAFL-CIO Online Mobilization Coordinator

P.S. Health care is at the top of the agenda in Congress. We need you to make your voice heard right now. Contact your members of Congress today.

KNOCK... KNOCK..

Like a bad knock knock joke, alot of campgains start and win with a knock at the door. The HUDDLER keeps odd hours, and rarely gets a knock at the front door. (the huddler has a special huddler only entrance similar to the "bat cave" only with a lot less space)

So during the election cycles the HUDDLER patiently waits near the front door, much like Charlie Brown waiting by the mailbox for a Valentine from the little red haired girl. The HUDDLER is waiting for a candidate or even someone so excited with a candidate that they will canvass to approach the HUDDLER for his vote. Now the HUDDLER is a SUPER democrat. In Pittsburgh that is like a cougaran when it comes to voters. However for some reason rarely does someone knock on the door or even leave behind one of those cute little door cards? The HUDDLER has a few steps.. but it is not like they have to climb Mt Everest to reach the door.

The HUDDLER started on this rant today while reading about Kevin Acklin and his quest for the office of Mayor. Apparently Kevin has lost 30 pounds, and three pairs of shoes due to all of the door knocking he has done. Why hasn't Mr. Acklin knocked on the HUDDLER's door? The HUDDLER has lots of questions - for example how does he intend on hiring 200 more cops, save the pension system, not lay anyone off, and still not increase taxes ???

The HUDDLER read Mr. Acklin's plan via his website but to the HUDDLERS amusement there was no spreadsheet outlining these campaign promises.

In the mean time the HUDDLER will be waiting by the door, hoping for a potential candidate that will support working families, and if they don't show up, the HUDDLER would settle for his or her designee. On the other hand, the HUDDLER had a great chat with a Working America canvasser last fall, and even had a couple beers with the guy. Until then the HUDDLER will be using all of that junk mail from candidates as kindling this winter.

VOTE JUDGE JACK PANELLA - PENNSYLVANIA SUPREME COURT

October 1st has come and gone. Another boring off year election cycle. Although next year's primary for governor seems to be front and center?

The HUDDLER would like to bring candidate Jack Panella for the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania to the burgosphere. Judge Panella is an excellent judicial candidate.

Rather than copy and paste Judge Panella's resume over from his website. Here is the LINK. BE SURE TO GET YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY to vote for JUDGE JACK PANELLA FOR THE PA SUPERME COURT !!

DOK'S CAMPAIGN FINANCES - Don't leave the burg without your American Express

As Bram reported in earlier comments, it sounds like YES DOK was at the luxurious Bedford Springs Resort during the G20 Summit. The question now is how did DOK pay for it?

Bram reported that DOK used American Express award points. The HUDDLER is asking where did these points come from? If they came from an american express card outside of the campaign, these points and or the services purchased with them are campaign contributions and should be reported.

The HUDDLER finds it difficult to believe that the "campaign" has been out there swiping the AMEX cards since announcing with such volume to constitute AMEX points that will pay for 350$ a night lodging at a swanky resort?

American Express has a program that let's one donate AMEX points to thier favorite charity. The HUDDLER has used it in the past. Perhaps those donut points neeed to go to charity instead of spa services for Pittsburgh's favorite little rich kid?

The HUDDLER will be waiting to check out DOK's finance reports to see exactly what the campaign has been up to? The real question is do they need volunteers? Because the HUDDLER could use a trip to Bedford Springs!

Whats up with that DOK ?

It appears Harris for Pittsburgh is trying to do some damage control? This video was pulled off you tube last night. Not sure how long it will be around? Here is the resort's website ....



Allegations of Franco "DOK" Harris being at a 350$ a night resort during the G20 Summit... The HUDDLER hopes that this isn't true. Life styles of the "Rich and Famous" with Franco "DOK" Harris ?? If bloggers only had expense accounts we could do some hardcore investigative work on these allegations !

HOMECOMING 2009

Starring:

Chief Executive Dan Onorato as Dean Vernon Wormer

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl as Douglas Niedermeyer

G20 - DUMB STUPID CITZEN ISSUE

Like most of the City of Pittsburgh, the HUDDLER debated to either skip town, or ride out the G20 summit in an undisclosed bunker. But that isn’t how the HUDDLER rolls.

The HUDDLER went to the clean energy jobs concert-rally Wednesday night. Very light turn out. This was the first time the HUDDLER realized that the city would become an occupied police state during the summit. Not sure if this is a good thing or bad thing. We could list the pros and cons but won’t.

Thursday – The HUDDLER unlike most of the city went to work. Duty calls. Relatively quiet. First reaction is that the City of Pittsburgh Police (including all those from other agencies who were deputized) did a hell of a job along with the other public safety departments in showing restraint and enforcing the law.

The HUDDLER witnessed the stand off down in the strip between protesters and police, and the cops did a great job. There is no doubt that they saved property damage, not to mention protected a key logistical center a few blocks away. If rolling a dumpster down the hill at police is peaceful, the HUDDLER is afraid of what thier definition of violence is.

The HUDDLER wanted to puke after coming home and watching the footage from outside Ritter’s Diner and the students in Oakland. Some of the HUDDLER's favorite stupid citizen video includes the idiot outside Ritter’s that grabbed a cop from behind, and the 110 pound chick who threw her bike at the cops up in Oakland.

The HUDDLER is appalled at the damage, and was dismayed at some of the targets. Hey if they were only busting out windows of some of the larger chains we might forgive them. But busting out the window of the Irish Design Center and other small businesses? (more stupid citizens)

The HUDDLER hopes that someone has footage of these attacks, and the actors are quickly apprehended and held accountable. Some out there have been quick to blame the cops for provoking students? The HUDDLER wonders what the hell they are thinking?

Clearly the bad apples are giving the good citizens who are out to peacfully protest thier cause of choice a bad name. Most of those participating are law abiding God fearing good people. It's a shame that the nation will watch the same video footage and think Pittsburgh.

The HUDDLER will say a Rosary today for all of the protesters and police, for a peaceful protest today. But someone will probably ruin it, the HUDDLER figures that there is probably a better chance of the world's leaders solving the world's financial problems than some idiot not breaking out another window before the end of the summit.