From: ellmyer@macsolve.com
Subject: Constituent Respect - Democrat Beliefs
Date: January 27, 2005 3:56:23 PM PST
To: sen.margaretcarter@state.or.us, rep.garyhansen@state.or.us
Cc: andy@bria.org, info@theskanner.com, chair@multdems.org, chair@dpo.org, Reviewnewspaper@comcast.net, jimrobison@aol.com, steve@weirscyclery.com, tgriffinvalade@ci.portland.or.us, 47leader@multdems.org, samadamspdx@comcast.net, Rob_Manning@opb.org, cornelius_g@msn.com

Senator Carter, Representative Hansen:
You are my representatives in the Oregon legislature. It is not clear to me why neither of you have submitted legislation written by me entitled, Oregon Community Health Care Bill*. If you were afraid of taking personal responsibility for legislation that could bring affordable health care to all Oregonians then you could have easily avoided that "onerous liability" by submitting a "personal" or "constituent" bill by adding "this bill submitted at the request of Richard Ellmyer." Nor can I understand why neither of you had the courtesy to simply acknowledge my request. This behavior is unprofessional, highly disrespectful and insulting to a constituent with legislative and local government experience, almost thirty years of political activism, high credibility and an audience of 5000 Oregonians interested in health care reform. Many of whom live in North and Northeast Portland.

Perhaps because both of you got a "free ride" this last election you think that you are so overwhelmingly loved and supported by the voters in your districts that you needn't make such gestures. This may not be the case.

Perhaps because both of you got a "free ride" this last election you may think that the Multnomah county Democrats would not notice that when given the opportunity to introduce and support a bill which could bring affordable health care to all Oregonians, similar to the intent of a national health care policy articulated by former Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry, you both said "NO."

Perhaps because both of you got a "free ride" this last election you may think that your constituents who are uninsured, underinsured and at the edge of losing their health insurance will not notice that when given the opportunity to introduce and support a bill which could bring affordable health care to them you both said "NO."

There is no "free ride" when it comes to health care policy. If both of you do not get on board the Oregon Community Health Care Bill* bus soon you are very likely to find an ever increasing number of your constituents asking you why not?


Richard Ellmyer
North Portland Constituent. Voter. Affordable health care for all Oregonians advocate.
* http://www.goodgrowthnw.org/health.html