Cross-posted at Blue Jersey.
A week ago, we made history. This is what a mandate looks like -- a real mandate for change. It is undeniable that Barack Obama's victory last Tuesday not only changed our nation's electoral map but also expanded our progressive majorities in the House and Senate.
As Chair of the House Subcommittee on Health, I look forward to helping our next President deliver on this mandate. Since health care is one of the most fundamental pieces of our new progressive agenda, I believe that we should hit the ground running in 2009. That’s why I want and need to hear from you - your ideas, your concerns, your priorities. Together, we will turn the promise of Barack Obama’s historic campaign into real change for the American people.
During the campaign, President-elect Obama laid out his vision for health care reform quite clearly. With the support of the American people, we will make it a reality in the years ahead. If the refrain of the past few months has been "Yes We Can" in response to the question of whether or not we can get our country back on track, we must now declare "Yes We Will" to those who challenge our ability to make that change a reality.
The Democratic Party embodies the idea that a united people, organized by a government that represents them and their interests, can be a powerful force for good in our country. The Bush Republicans do not agree. They view government as a hindrance, an obstacle, and too often, an enemy. For the past eight years, we have seen what happens when those who fundamentally do not believe in government take control of the reins of power. The American people have bared witness to this paradox and declared in a unified voice, "Enough." Over 66 million people declared their support for President-elect Obama’s agenda for change. Together, we will bring about the change that our nation so desperately needs and deserves.
Often the best ideas don’t come from "inside the beltway," but from real people, living real lives. That’s a why I recently launched a new website at PalloneForNewJersey.com/Health. Already, a number of people have stopped by to share their stories and their ideas about health care reform. Whether it is concerns about finding affordable insurance plans or worries about transparency in medical billing, I’m hearing from New Jerseyans about their problems first-hand. It's clear to me that everyday-Americans are already well-aware of the problems that exist in our health care system and they’re ready for the change we need to solve these problems with real solutions.
Winning the election was only half the battle. We have our mandate for change. Now, together, let’s make it a reality.