Actions must have consequences.

Your message to the Senate Democratic leadership:

Any senator who filibusters the public option does not deserve a chairmanship and should be removed from his or her post.

The Senate Democratic leadership needs to stand up to Lieberman.

Dear Friend,

We all knew this was coming. We warned the Senate Democrats not to trust Sen. Joe Lieberman. Nearly 50,000 CREDO members protested when Democrats moved to make Lieberman the Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee. Now, our fears have have been realized. Sen. Lieberman has indicated he plans to join with Republicans to filibuster any health care bill that contains a public option. Alone, the Republicans don't have the votes for a filibuster. So by joining with them, Lieberman would be tipping the balance of power in order to sink health care reform.

Tell the Senate Democratic leadership to stop putting up with Lieberman's antics. Actions must have consequences. Any senator who filibusters the public option does not deserve a chairmanship and should be removed from his or her post. Click here to automatically add your name to the petition.

We need to push the leaders of the Democratic caucus to take a tough stand against Lieberman. Last year, the New York Times quoted an anonymous "member of the Senate Democratic leadership" who said about Lieberman:

"We need every vote. He's with us on everything but the war."

Those who had been paying attention knew better. Lieberman wasn't just wrong on Iraq, he was wrong on torture, and he was wrong to not hold the Bush Administration accountable for the excesses of FISA. And now Lieberman is wrong, very wrong on health care reform and the public option.

Joe Lieberman announced this week that he will vote to filibuster any health care bill that contains the public option. As he explained:

"Just take this government-created, government-run health insurance company that will cost the taxpayers, premium payers and the debt a lot of money — take it off the table." He added, "We can come back in three or four years if the reforms — the other reforms we adopt are not working. But I think they will. And so, that's — that's my position, and I'm sticking to it, because I think it's best for our country and my constituents."

Cost the taxpayers? The public option SAVES money (over $100 billion) according to the Congressional Budget Office. Best for his constituents? Among likely voters in Connecticut, 68 percent favor a public option versus 21 percent who oppose it. Perhaps he only counts the insurance lobby as his "constituents"?

Now is the time for the Senate Democratic leadership — Senators Reid, Schumer and Durbin — to stop making excuses for Joe Lieberman. Harry Reid has shown great leadership in writing a health care bill that includes the public option. But Joe Lieberman is not "with us" on everything but the war. Joe Lieberman's position is against Senate Democrats, against his constituents in Connecticut and against the will of the American public.

Tell the Senate Democratic leadership to stop putting up with Lieberman's antics. Actions must have consequences. Any senator who filibusters the public option does not deserve a chairmanship and should be removed from his or her post. Click here to automatically add your name to the petition.

Thank you for working to secure real health care reform.