Organizing for America | Eugene Lillge's Blog

By Gene - Dec 2nd, 2009 at 5:57 pm EST

Also listed in: 8 groups

President Obama did an excellent job last night explaining his way forward in Afghanistan. Today, Secretary Clinton, Secretary Gates and Admiral Mullen did a great job expounding on details before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (0) | Report Objectionable Content

Need to Bridge Gaps

By Gene - Dec 1st, 2009 at 6:07 pm EST

Also listed in: 9 groups

I encourage all to read the Congressional Record, which each day provides a transcript of speeches and other proceedings for the previous legislative day. The Congressional Record for Monday, November 30, in the Senate included the various speeches regarding the health care reform bill. In reading the speeches, one would believe the Democrats and Republicans were speaking of two different pieces of legislation. Where one sees white, the other sees black; where one sees up, the other see down; where one sees friend, the other sees foe. Almost all agree on the need for change, but the means to achieving the end are significantly diffferent and mostly philosophical. Why can't Democrats accept the need for tort reform? Why can't Republicans accept the need for some public option? Unless such gaps are bridged, there will not be the health care reform we need.

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (0) | Report Objectionable Content

Why Troops in Europe?

By Gene - Nov 29th, 2009 at 10:49 am EST

Also listed in: 7 groups

Giving the European reluctance to robustly support the NATO mission in Afghanistan, one has to ask why the United States continues to have thousands of troops in Europe.

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (0) | Report Objectionable Content

Happy Thanksgiving

By Gene - Nov 26th, 2009 at 9:01 am EST

Also listed in: 10 groups

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (0) | Report Objectionable Content

Copenhagen

By Gene - Nov 25th, 2009 at 7:27 pm EST

Also listed in: 6 groups

It is good that President Obama decided to attend the UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen. Yes, his opponents will grumble that he's neglecting "more important" domestic issues. They don't understand that climate issues affect the globe's long-term existence -- what could be more important. Besides, unlike many, he can chew gum and walk at the same time.

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (0) | Report Objectionable Content

Procedural Vote

By Gene - Nov 20th, 2009 at 5:18 pm EST

Also listed in: 7 groups

I am looking forward to Saturday's procedural vote on health care reform in the Senate. It appears there will be the 60 votes needed.

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (0) | Report Objectionable Content

Seeds of Change Planted

By Gene - Nov 18th, 2009 at 5:59 pm EST

Also listed in: 9 groups

Just 10 months into his presidency, folks on the left complain President Obama is not doing enough and folks on the right complain he is doing too much. The change we need and voted for just 12 months ago was never going to happen quickly. President Obama has planted the seeds -let’s nourish and tend to these things and watch them grow and mature. The 24-hour news cycle has created a need for instant gratification. The ever-present talking heads on radio and cable television thrive on controversy. They’re not willing to talk about – and for the most part are not capable of explaining – the details or complexities of policy changes. So take a breath and relax. If you want to help advance the Obama change agenda, write or call your Member of Congress and Senators. Tell them we need health care reform, education reform, energy technology programs and the other items President Obama has outlined to provide for the long-term needs of this country.

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (0) | Report Objectionable Content

Successful Asian Trip

By Gene - Nov 17th, 2009 at 1:31 pm EST

Also listed in: 6 groups

President Obama's Asian trip has been a success to date.

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (0) | Report Objectionable Content

Misrepresentations

By Gene - Nov 11th, 2009 at 5:49 pm EST

Also listed in: 7 groups

In her column today, The Washington Post's Ruth Marcus did a great job of highlighting some of the misrepresentations from Republicans during the health care reform debate Saturday. Check it out at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/10/AR2009111013406.html?hpid=opinionsbox1

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (0) | Report Objectionable Content

One Step Closer

By Gene - Nov 8th, 2009 at 8:41 am EST

Also listed in: 8 groups

The House has passed a health insurance reform bill. Certainly, this is an historic step. But it is only one step. It is now up to the Senate to act. I remain hopeful that comprehensive health insurance reform will be enacted by year's end.

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (0) | Report Objectionable Content

Endorsements

By Gene - Nov 6th, 2009 at 3:46 pm EST

Also listed in: 7 groups

The AARP and AMA endorsements will, hopefully, help when the House votes Saturday on health care/insurance reform.

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (0) | Report Objectionable Content

From a Distance

By Gene - Nov 3rd, 2009 at 5:53 pm EST

Also listed in: 6 groups

President Obama will be in Madison tomorrow to talk education reform. Unfortunately, the closest I will get to the president will be watching from my office window as Air Force One flies in and out.

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (0) | Report Objectionable Content

Get out in Front, Mr. President

By Gene - Oct 30th, 2009 at 7:36 pm EDT

Also listed in: 7 groups

I don't know what President Obama is doing behind the scenes, but it seems to me that he ought to more out front in supporting specific aspects of the respective House and Senate health reform bills, especially as it deals with the public option.

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (0) | Report Objectionable Content

President Obama is Coming to Madison

By Gene - Oct 28th, 2009 at 6:00 pm EDT

Also listed in: 6 groups

President Obama is coming to my adopted hometown, Madison WI, next week to talk education policy. Hopefully it will be a public event so I can attend. More hopefully, I'd like to get my photo with the president since he wasn't able to meet with volunteers after his February 2008 Madison event.

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (0) | Report Objectionable Content

Outta Here

By Gene - Oct 27th, 2009 at 6:07 pm EDT

Also listed in: 9 groups

So, Senator Lieberman says he'll vote with the Republicans to filibuster a health care reform bill which contains a public option. Leader Reid should be very clear with Lieberman that such a vote would be a ticket out of the Democratic caucus.

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (0) | Report Objectionable Content

Opt Out Option

By Gene - Oct 26th, 2009 at 6:03 pm EDT

Also listed in: 7 groups

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says the health care reform bill going to the Senate will include an opt-out public option. That's a significant step. Now Senator Reid needs to get those 60 votes needed to prevent and filibuster.

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (0) | Report Objectionable Content

Victory is Near

By Gene - Oct 24th, 2009 at 5:09 pm EDT

Also listed in: 10 groups

Unlike some of my friends, I believe the Obama administration has managed health care reform legislation very well. They gave republicans the opportunity to be defined as the party of no and the friend of the big health insurance lobby. He let them use their own rope to hang themselves. Now we're close to victory. The legislation is not likely to be perfect, but it will certainly give hope to millions and it will serve as a solid base for future improvements.

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (0) | Report Objectionable Content

Respond with Vigor

By Gene - Oct 22nd, 2009 at 6:02 pm EDT

Also listed in: 8 groups

I am glad that the White House, through Robert Gibbs and others, is forcefully responding to the false claims and statements of Dick Cheney, the cable chatterers and others. I trust they will continue to do so.

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (0) | Report Objectionable Content

Pick-Me-Up

By Gene - Oct 16th, 2009 at 2:11 pm EDT

Also listed in: 9 groups

For those who haven't done so, go to the White House site at www.whitehouse.gov and read President Obama's remarks from the Democratic fundraiser in San Francisco. It is a real pick-me-up.

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (0) | Report Objectionable Content

Anti-Trust Review

By Gene - Oct 15th, 2009 at 5:59 pm EDT

Also listed in: 7 groups

It is certainly appropriate for Congress to review the anti-trust exemption enjoyed by the health insurance industry.

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (0) | Report Objectionable Content