An Open Letter to Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-CA

December 20, 2009 11:20 AM

[The following letter was sent by curiousyellow, a California Twitter friend, to his senator. He also sent a similar letter to the other California senator, Barbara Boxer. — libertyrant]

Senator Dianne Feinstein
United States Senate
331 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510

RE: HR 3962, Affordable Health Care for America

Dear Senator Feinstein:

I am writing you because of a concern with a recent development in the US Senate. It is widely reported in the news that Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska has agreed to vote for the Senate health care bill (which I believe is H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act) in exchange for an agreement that all state Medicaid expenses would be paid by the federal government in perpetuity, an agreement not extended to any other state.

I am therefore urging you to follow the lead of Sen. Nelson and also threaten to vote against the health care bill, unless the same agreement is offered to California.

It is common knowledge that the State of California is in a severe fiscal crisis, and needs the help of taxpayers across the nation, just as Nebraska will benefit from that help.

As I see it, there are three possible outcomes if you take a position similar to Sen. Nelson's:

1. California will have its Medicaid expenses paid in perpetuity, in which case you would keep your end of the agreement.

2. Sen. Reid will not agree to your offer, and you will therefore vote against the health care bill. (I am sure you are aware that DNC chair Howard Dean sees the bill as a threat to the future of the Democratic Party and urges a "no" vote, so you may have considered voting "no" anyhow. You are undoubtedly aware of polls that show a majority of Americans oppose the bill that will be up for a vote in the near future.)

3. Sen. Reid will not agree to your offer,  but you will vote for the health care bill anyway deciding that it is worth supporting. Perhaps not all Senators, except the very first to barter their vote for federal money, as Sen. Nelson did, will be able to secure such an agreement. This should be a lesson for the future for you and for all US Senators.

I am sending you this letter via email and also via the USPS in written form. Your response will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your attention.

Very truly yours,



[curiousyellow]
[locale], California