Pelosi’s Office Sends Another Helpful Memo To GOP Freshmen

by Sandi Behrns

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi’s office has been reaching out to freshmen Republican legislators this week. Following their historic vote to end Medicare as we know it™, these freshmen members (who rode into office on charges that the Affordable Care Act and Democrats were “slashing Medicare”), have been taken aback by similar, more well-founded, attacks on themselves. In fact, they’d just as soon let “bygones be bygones.”

On Tuesday, Pelosi’s office issued a memo to GOP freshman clarifying, just in case they didn’t get it, that  “The Truth Hurts — You Did Vote to End Medicare as We Know It.” On Wednesday, Pelosi’s office reached out yet again:

We know it’s hard for you to accept the anger over your vote to end Medicare as we know it, but holding a press conference to ask the American people to ignore your irresponsible vote is, frankly, a bit puzzling. You defended your vote just two weeks ago, but you didn’t like what you got back from your constituents. It’s time to take responsibility for your actions.

The Democratic leadership realizes the tough spot in which these newly-minted GOP representatives now find themselves. And in a spirit of camaraderie, Democratic leaders today issued yet another memo to help them better handle their visits home. (From an email I received today, but available here.)

MEMORANDUM

 

To:  GOP Freshman

Fr:   Democratic Leader’s Press Office

Da:  May 13, 2011

Re:  Facing the Music – Suggested Songs for Your Trip Home

As you go home to face the music of your vote to end Medicare as we know it, we know you’re worried about what your constituents are going to say…for good reason. Here is a suggested playlist for your trip:

• Think – Aretha Franklin (1968)
• Desperado – Eagles (1982)
• Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word – Elton John (1976)
• Hard to Say I’m Sorry – Chicago (1982)
• I’m Sorry, So Sorry – Brenda Lee (1960)
• You Can’t Always Get What You Want – Rolling Stones (1969)
• You Got Another Thing Coming – Judas Priest (1982)
• Mama Said – The Shirelles (1961)
• Sorry (I Ran All the Way Home) – The Impalas (1959)
• Cryin’ – Aerosmith (1993)
• Who’s Sorry Now? – Connie Francis (1958)
• Lost Cause – Beck (2002)
• I Learned the Hard Way – Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings (2010)
• Not Ready To Make Nice – Dixie Chicks (2006)
• Bad Day – Daniel Powter (2005)
• Troubles – Alicia Keys (2001)

When the music stops, you should try listening to the American people.

Sometimes, politics is just plain fun.

By: Sandi Behrns

Sandi Behrns is a noted policy nerd, new media & web developer, and consultant to progressive organizations and campaigns. She is a senior contributor to Liberaland, and the Executive Editor of Progressive Congress News.