Working Families Support a Public Option
Recent polling confirms what we are hearing in the community: there is deep and broad support for a public health care option among Americans, as long as it is explained clearly. The best polls show that at least 56 to 62% of Americans support a public option. That sounds about right, based on the consistent, positive response we are getting in all kinds of communities.
We are knocking on doors in quite conservative areas in states across the country. We’re talking to people in places like Zanesville and New Philadelphia, where Rush Limbaugh and his imitators rule the airwaves. We don’t cherry pick who we talk to. We talk to everyone we can reach. When we talk to people about health care costs and the public option, well over half actually take the time to write a personal letter in support. Even more are supportive, but are too busy changing baby diapers or making dinner to write.
Pundits love to imagine that the world is made up of liberals, conservatives and moderates. They make it sound like politics is a tug-of-war between these factions. But when you leave the world of the professional chatterers, you realize most people are too smart to think that the world reduces to a couple of stark ideological positions. In reality, we all care about what works, what makes sense, and what helps all of us keep our heads above water. Right now in America, that clearly includes a public health care option. If only the pundits spent a little time talking to real people, they’d figure that out real quick.
Tags: Health Care
