In these trying times, we ask you, our good congress to do what's best for everyone - to get your families into the fantastic private sector health care plans and to pay out of pocket. Don't worry, it really isn't as bad as some people say. Those people are socialists who exaggerate. Sure, you may not be able to pay for your kids college, or that new car, but you still have your health.

What's that you say, Mr. Congressman? you have previous existing conditions? I'm sorry, you are not qualified. But your kids and your wife are.

Does that cause you stress? Worry? Lower your quality of life? Oh, don't worry about that. Those are just little details that don't mean much.

Mr. Congressman, your families premiums just went up by one third. Reason? They don't tell us the reason, Mr. Congressman. This is a great country, so why would we be suspicious? We trust they are doing the right thing. I assume you are having no problems paying cash for your own medical services, Mr. Congressman? At least the rest of your family is covered.

I'm sorry to hear that you don't feel well and had to leave your job, former Mr.Congressman. Private insurance doesn't cover that, and since you are no longer working you can't afford to pay for the insurance that covers your family. Soon the repo agencies will put a lien on your home, and recover material assets because you had to pay for hospital visits with credit cards. Now your family has no insurance, and one of your children just became very ill from an undiagnosed problem. You have no way to pay for her care or your care.

What's that former Mr. Congressman? You need to take care of your elderly sick mother too? Sorry former Mr. Congressman. None of these things can be done. I wish you the best of luck. I hope you were served well by the private insurance corporations of our great nation. I'm sure they are doing the right thing, because this is America.

Good luck and Godspeed, former Mr. Congressman, in this great country of ours.

I'll make sure my flag pin is nice and straight in your honor.

--------

I'm calling for a petition to remove the current health care programs for the United States congress, and to replace them with private sector, self employed insurance programs.

This is the only way for them to see the light.

Updated with important link to support public option.

Maybe something really good can come of this, maybe more than the good intentioned cheerleading that often fades into the cool fall night.

Thanks for reading this diary and the great comments. I felt like I really had to say something tonight, especially considering my situation and many others out there across this land. It's way past time for greatly improved health care. Everyone reading this knows it, most of the country knows it. However, congress doesn't seem to get it at all.

For those of you out there sick and helpless, may tomorrow be a good day.

edit: if anyone is interested I put up a site after all the great replies last night. I'm tinkering with the idea of putting together an ad buy and consulting with a media group for "bringing congress back to reality" on health care. Push Reality