I replied to my Congressman's letter. - Updated

Here is part of what he said:

Most significantly, I hosted a Health Care Town Hall meeting on Aug. 22nd. A thousand constituents attended the meeting and many more watched online. This forum, along with one-on-one conversations with voters across the district, highlighted that the single most important topic on people’s minds is health care. You can watch the forum online by clicking here.


I believe the time to reform our health insurance system is now.

Today, I’m heading back to Washington to fight even harder for health care reform that:

• Guarantees choice in health insurance – including a robust public option;
• Covers all Americans to control health care costs; and
• Ends immoral practices such as denying patients coverage due to pre-existing conditions or dropping your coverage when you get sick.

[My coverage of the town hall meeting is here.]

I responded to his campaign staff first (a chap I know from church). The critical lines:

Anyway, I want to thank Martin for the stance he takes in the e-mail that just went out. I like what I read.

I would LOVE for him to join those pledging no public option = no vote. Any chance he can go that far?

This is what I wrote to his formal congressional site:

Dear Congressman Heinrich:

I appreciate what I read in the e-mail you sent out today. I am glad you are fighting for us in Washington.

I especially, and vigorously, support you in pushing for a strong public option in health care.

May I ask if you will join the Progressive Caucus in pledging not to vote for a bill that lacks a strong public option?

I realize this is a lot to ask someone from NM01 but it is what I very much want to see.

Again, my thanks for your service.

Y'all cannot imagine how glad I am we elected him to replace Bush-enabling Heather Wilson. Martin is the first Dem to represent NM01. Some of you will remember me touting my "homeboy" back during the election season last year.

Today is the day Jane R is urging us all to write to our elected officials about health care. I hope you have done or will do before the evening is over.

1 down, 2 to go.

UPDATE:
Martin has an August 9 op-ed piece at the Albuquerque Journal.
--the BB

While I'd love to see the play again....

... my Congressman is holding a Health Care Town Hall this coming Saturday at 3:00 p.m. I think I need to be there, not off enjoying myself.

If you live in NM-01, this invite's for you:

Health Care Town Hall - Saturday, August 22, 2009, 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
U.S. Representative Martin Heinrich will host another town hall meeting on the critical issue of health care reform with constituents in the First Congressional District. The event will bring together New Mexicans from across the district to ask questions as Representative Heinrich works to address the health care crisis in our country.

Where: UNM Continuing Education Building, 1634 University Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131

I just sent Martin an e-mail tonight too, reminding him of my advocacy for a strong public option and hoping he will stand firm for us.

Public Option is among his principles, btw. Just want to keep them there.

My principles for health care reform

I have some key principles that I am keeping in mind as we work through this debate:

Create Stability – stable coverage, stable costs and stable quality
Contain Costs – Slow the growth rate of premiums and invest in prevention
Guarantee Choice – If you like the doctor and plan you have now, you can keep them
Improve Quality – Ensure people get the treatment they need when they need it
Ensure Coverage – Reform must put us on the path to cover all Americans
Public Option – Give the insurance companies some competition and the public an option

--the BB

Remember my endless tirades around FISA?

Well, this is one reason (and there are others) why I stand by my homeboy Martin Heinrich running for NM-01 as a proud Democrat. (I've also forked over a chunk of change to help him fight against Darren White and the other Repugnican weasels White represents. I am not home to do legwork but I do what I can.)



Yours for a BLUE NEW MEXICO!

btw, NM is a thinly populated state. We are scattered far and wide in many senses. It takes a lot of effort and money to reach out to everyone. If anyone wants to help us turn the state a solid blue, you can chip in at True Blue New Mexico ActBlue Page. Check out fbihop's post for more info on all the races. Thanks!

h/t to fbihop
--THE BB

My homeboy's new ad

The latest SUSA poll has him up over White (the repugnican). It's still going to be close.
h/t to Daily Kos

More from my homeboys

W is coming to Albuquerque next Tuesday. Ugh. Moral pollution has been high enough in a state notorious for corruption (sorry, but the truth). We don't need him around.

But we do have a new ad from Martin Heinrich to run while W's in town. I hope my contribution helped make it happen.



And, on the senatorial front, Tom Udall, a NM representative running for Pajamas Pete Domenici's seat. He got another chunk of my "stimulus check." I want to stimulate a renewal of this nation, not just the economy.



There's an interview with him in the NM Independent. Here is one of two new ads from his campaign.



NM has a chance to replace both Heather Wilson and Pete Domenici this year. I think that's pretty exciting.
--the BB, blogging from his home in New Mexico this weekend!

One of the few Democrats running proactively against warrantless wiretaps

A new video from Martin Heinrich's campaign for NM-01:



See Firedoglake today for more on Martin's campaign.

UPDATE:
Yesterday I sent $100 of my "stimulus" check to Martin's campaign. I want to stimulate constitutional democracy and this seems like a reasonable investment in that. Got any progressive Dems in your part of the woods for whom you might like to do the same?

--the BB

NM-01

I am so looking forward to having a progressive Democrat in the seat now occupied by the Bush-enabling repugnican Heather Wilson.

When I get my tax rebate, some will go to Martin Heinrich for Congress.

--the BB

My home boy - updated

I live in NM-01, the district long held by Bush-enabling Heather ("don't let my children see Janet Jackson's tit on TV") Wilson. Now we have a real candidate to replace her, one faced by an even worse Bushie than Heather.

I am proud to introduce y'all to Martin Heinrich.



Vote blue this fall!

h/t to Howie Klein at Crooks and Liars and at Firedoglake.

Here is Martin's campaign site.

Since he is the current champion for my district, I consider him to be this week's nominee for prince blogging.


UPDATE:
In the comments Jane R said "Holy WOOF!" Yes, Martin was voted the hottest man in US politics. AND his politics are good too. Now we just need to combat Darren White's GOP scare tactics.

Jane, dear, have you checked out Scott Kleeb in Nebraska?

--the BB