everyone who went to NJ and who called Pallone's office DID make a difference, even if that is difficult to see right now.
because of voices raised, Pallone was forced to go on record as an ally of the IDSA. his kind of cowardice and amorality prefers to act under cover of the dark of night.
instead, y'all have made sure the light of day isshining on him.
TIME TO MAKE HIM PAY.
those of you who are in NJ- this is YOUR battle to keep on fighting. organize!!!
what groups can you call that might have a common interest in taking Pallone down? CALL THEM!!
any media that has been critical of him in the past? CALL THEM!
what organizations/groups of people- private or otherwise, does Pallone associate with that might respond to public pressure/ research who they are and CALL THEM!
MAKE PALLONE PAY!!!!!
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
He is up for re-election this year... this fall.
How about campaign signs all over the state... in yards.. along roads etc... telling just how he took care of those who are suffering?
He HAD the chance to do right.. make a difference... and he chose not to do it. SHAME on him.
Posted by Anneke (Member # 7939) on :
Great idea Tincup! It would be a sad day if this wimpy jerk get re-elected!
I always love to see your screen name!
Anneke
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
tincup, outstanding idea!!
get all those signs ready now so they are ready to go up 60 days i believe is correct....before nov. election.
check with your county courthouse to find out correct date and all their LEGALITIES of where it can go on YOUR private property; *************************************
not STATE OR COUNTY PROPERTY!! ------------------------------
start writing letters to editor in ALL of his ENTIRE district he representS; tell them what took place and IDSA paid him off by electing him there! Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :
How about this?
Pallone equals IDSA's puppet.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posted by AliG (Member # 9734) on :
Perhaps we can find out who might run AGAINST him & align their support? We could provide their campaign with signs reminding of his neglect of important patient rights & distribute them locally.
If we can take Pallone down, perhaps the next Chairman of the Health Subcommittee might think twice about ignoring us.
Fear of loss is the greatest motivator, more powerful than the desire for gain.
I am trying to point out in comments on the articles that our numbers are much greater than the CDC statistics reflect. When the politicians think there are such a small number affected by Lyme, they don't feel they need to be concerned with us.
Can't we put signs stating our disgust with his stance on this on our lawns now? It's OUR lawn & it wouldn't be an "election campaign sign" as long as we are not mentioning voting, right?
If our references are to Health Subcommittee Chairman Frank Pallone, not Rep.Pallone, that would not be campaign because we can not elect a Committee Chairman.
Still he gets the negative public exposure and other potential Committee members will see the signs too.
Ali
Posted by Michelle M (Member # 7200) on :
He's a real sweetheart.
I recall the other people I called were nice; Pallone's minions were NOT nice. Big clue.
What's interesting? He gets most of his campaign funds from the healthcare industry.
In other words, influenced mostly by doctors, not by patients.
How lovely that he can make time to meet with the IDSA to help them spin this (he did meet with them immediately following the AG's decision), but absolutely REFUSES to this day to meet with a lyme patient.
He does not deserve to hold this office. He should take a lesson from Mr. Blumenthal on the ethics of public service.
Michelle
Posted by docjen (Member # 7510) on :
Find out as quickly as you can who is running AGAINST Pallone in the election, and start campaigning like hell for that person.
And be sure to let Pallone know you are doing it.
Posted by docjen (Member # 7510) on :
Forgot to add....be sure to let the Democratic National Committee know that there are thousands and thousands of lymies mobilized to help overturn Pallone's seat and put a sympathetic Republican in his seat in Congress unless a hearing is scheduled. People motivated by power are ALWAYS motivated by threats to their power.
Posted by hurtingramma (Member # 7770) on :
The head of the Democratic National Committee is Howard Dean, a DOCTOR. I just don't know what kind and I do not like him one little bit. He is our ex governor.
Posted by docjen (Member # 7510) on :
Local Democratic committee would be better. He is an incumbent and the Republicans running against him have little to no chance. Just rattling some sabers wouldn't hurt, though!
Posted by lymemommy (Member # 12495) on :
ok, I did my home work.
Frank Pallone has been in the House of Reps since 1988 and is indeed up for re-election this year.
One of those rate-your politician sites described him as a "hard-core liberal."
There are 3 other people running for seats in the 6th district:
James Hogan Republican (no further info)
Robert McLeod Republican (former judge, ect in Keyport, no major political offices beyond being a judge)
Peter Cerrato Republican (no further info)
Frank Pallone is the only Democrat. He ran for Corzine's senate seat in 2006, but conceeded to Menendez, who now holds the seat.
I agree that pressure on the Dem party should be applied, as Pallone is the only Dem running in his district, and Monmouth county has a pretty strong republican base.
I'm sure if I dig further, I could find more info on the opponents.
If I were to put a sign on my yard, it would say:
Frank Pallone does NOT care about my child.
I'm pretty sure that one of the 'planks' in his campaign is childrens healthcare.
I hope this all helps.
kp
ps, when my child first got sick, every person that I talked to about his illness not only knew a kid that had been sick, but they all saw the SAME doc (now retired) and were treated long term (a year or longer).
The local pharmacists also see lyme as needing long term abx, and don't get why the insurance company is now refusing to cover meds.
I maybe wrong, but I think that we have a bigger support base than we realize, because many of these people have kids (or were kids) that have recovered, so they may not even be aware of there being a lyme bill.
I think we need to educate them!!!
kp
Posted by docjen (Member # 7510) on :
Lymemommy...I found a website for James Hogan who is running for 6th District. He seems to have a pretty organized campaign. You might think about contacting his campaign and letting them know your story, and about Pallone's unwillingness to even meet with LDA leadership. This is a local issue, as you said, and I would think Mr. Hogan would be interested to hear your story. Also, healthcare and especially healthcare for children is one of Pallone's platform planks. This is a pretty glaring violation of that I would think.
I agree it is time to go after Pallone. This Lyme brain thinks the best way to do that is to expose him through the media, Now until election day. I know the media is "resistive", but what if we all focus on e-mailing newspapers in Pallone district, NJ's major papers, New york Times. If some one could post links to those sights, I would be glad to e-mail them every day.We could focus on AG Blumenthals investigation, imply,that Pallone is in IDSA's pocket(see above posts), how difficult it is to get treatment etc. With my lack of faith in Washington, I dont even believe our calls and e-mails are on record. I see them in the trash. Money and power. If Pallone is exposed through publication, then it will affect his election. After all he is not working for his constituents. We need to get the public educated, then things will change. Am I too hopeful? Thanks for all you do, and a special gold star to those who demonstrated at Pallone office.
Posted by AliG (Member # 9734) on :
If you have a problem with one of the Republicans, you can be sure to let him know that you will be MORE than happy to offer your information to the other Republicans running against him for their platform. We can target any of them as easily as we can target Pallone.
They could actually stand to garner some campaign support from people outside their district who desire to take "Chairman" Pallone down.
We are not proud when it comes to helping our children and Pallone is apparently WAY TOO COMFORTABLE in his cushy little seat.
I wonder if he's planning to make another run for the Senate? IDSA funds in his pocket could sure help his campaign.
jerk Posted by lymemommy (Member # 12495) on :
docjen, and any nj folks,
I just checked the boundaries of the 6th district, and believe it or not, I live about one block outside of it!!
BUT: for those is middlesex county, a good chunk of that is the 6th district, which extends down through middlesex county then along the coastline in monmouth county.
This of course doesn't mean that we can't give the opponents a call, and educate them on this particular issue!!
The Star Ledger's site is also the link for several smaller papers throughout the state of NJ.
Also, papers have op/ed pages, and FYI May is Lyme Disease Awareness month in NJ, so letters to the editor or opinion letters addressing the contrast between this being our lyme awareness month, and the apparant lack of awareness (or concern) on the part of rep pallone in regards to this serious health threat to the children and adults of this state....
hope this helps some more.
kp
Posted by cs (Member # 15270) on :
PALLONE HATES SICK PEOPLE
or
PALLONE HATES LYME PATIENTS
those would be really catchy phrases for bumper stickers, and just imagine seeing them on cars all over New Jersey. I would think the faster the better, pehaps if the repercussions come about swiftly and strongly, he might rethink his position before the bill dies? Just a thought.. -karen
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
.. ks/lyme mommy, thanks for showing the links of 2 major papers with one having many smaller papers they get the news too!
yes, hit pallone with:
.. letters to editors;
.. yard signs ... REMEMBER, HE'LL PROBABLY BE WALKIGN IN PARADES, ETC. FOR REELECTION .... SO TAKE YOUR YARD SIGNS THERE!!
.. CATCH UP WITH HIM, and give him a piece of your mind on lyme disease and what he's doing to us!!
... yes, contact his opponents Rep.
... yes, contact YOUR state's DEM. CHAIR! **********************************************
good planning everyone! Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
I agree with cs - get going with the bumper stickers. Let New Jersey start reading what's bugging people about their rep.
Unseat Rep. Pallone - unwilling to help Lyme patients!
Unseat Rep. Pallone - no Congressional bill for Lyme patients
[ 09. May 2008, 06:12 PM: Message edited by: Robin123 ]
Posted by MaryL (Member # 11997) on :
How can someone way out here in Iowa help you in New Jersey? Can we contribute funds for making signs or help make signs for you? Let us know as you get closer to election.
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
..
mary, it's great seeing another IOWAN actively involved in activism now!!! way to go mary! *********************************************** Posted by Tracy9 (Member # 7521) on :
YOu can all kinds of stuff made up for free.
Posted by lymewreck36 (Member # 4395) on :
I think it is not enough for only those who visit activism to see this. These ideas need to be posted everywhere. Isn't it important enough to break the rule for? ARe other lyme websites on board, running the same idea?
mary in switzerland
Posted by Charlienj (Member # 12017) on :
As lymemommy alluded to, it's a fair share of Middlesex County and most of Monmouth County, including pretty much all of the coastal towns. Also includes Plainfield and part of Franklin Township from Union and Somerset Counties as well.
I grew up in Monmouth County, and while I don't live there anymore, my parents and sister still do and will be contacting Pallone in regards to HR 741. Both of my parents have also corresponded directly with Pallone on legislative issues in the past, and he knows my pops had some "clout" in the past when my dad was dealing with veteran issues on both the local and national level. Also, while it naturally helps for any of us to contact Pallone's office, the more of his constituents that do, the better chance he'll feel compelled to act in fear of losing voters.
As for the major NJ newspapers, the Star Ledger published the following article on lyme, which discusses various aspects of lyme disease including HR 741, this past September so they may be receptive to publishing additional articles and stories on lyme disease: http://flash.lymenet.org/scripts/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=018316#000000 Posted by Limecarnitas (Member # 15449) on :
Hey guys what if we go to his house and fill it up with toilet paper, I don't live in the area, so I won't be able to help. It would be cool if some fellow lymies living close to his house could get organized and get it done. The trick is to have enough people to do it fast and right (lots of toilet paper, maybe perhaps use the double sheet type).
Posted by ldfighter (Member # 9405) on :
Gee Limecarnitas, that's just the kind of nonsensical, threatening behavior that those crazy IDSA types like to accuse Lyme activists of. Hmmmn.
People fighting for truth do things legally and intelligently.
The rest of this thread is great. Love the bumper sticker idea. Pallone should face the consequences of his decision to kiss up to IDSA when he's trying to win reelection.
Posted by snapcrackle (Member # 9977) on :
Sometimes- Thanks for all the ideas.. I did call Pallone's office (I was very polite.. much to the disappointment of shills like McSweegan who want to paint us all as insane "whackjobs")
I'm disappointed at Pallone's decision...
Our whole society has literally been taken over by the big money and we're lying down and taking it like good little girls... Its so good to have a post like yours that sees through all the BS....and recommends constructive action.
I'm a democrat, but I will donate a generous amount to Pallone's Republican opponent (as long as he's not too much of a war monger) This will send a message to all the congressmen out there who fail to care about their constituents in their rush for the big pharma and big insurance money. We are a growing group of people who soon cannot be ignored by politicians.
Posted by ellenluba (Member # 1707) on :
I'm so glad that so many people seem ready to work against Pallone if he doesn't change his mind.
I'm on the LymeRights committee and someone on the committee is working very hard right now to get the website clear so that people can check out what they can do right now..
The immediate issue now is that we need to have an intense push for the next couple of weeks to try to get Pallone to change his mind and put the bill on the calendar by the end of May.
I'm, as usual, feeling a little worried right now because we have not even been able to get volunteers to do even the basics of handing out leaflets in his district. We need volunteers from New Jersey, since all we've been able to do is get two people to travel from Manhattan twice to do this.
If you live in or can get to NJ to hand out leaflets, please go to the LymeRights website www.lymerights.org and sign up for doing this. You can also email me at [email protected].
Also, if you live in New Jersey could you sign up for the yahoogroup New Jersey Lyme just to make organizing easier. write to: [email protected]
I think it would be great also for the long term to contact his Republican opponent and see what mischief we can cause by supporting him against Pallone. I'm confused about there being 3 candidates. , though. is there a primary coming up?
BTW, I think Pallone is so popular with his district right now that Democratic Lyme patients don't even have to worry about working for his Republican opponent, since Pallone will almost certainly win - but helping his opponent will make the campaign harder and more expensive for Pallone which will have an impact on him. Ellen
Posted by ellenluba (Member # 1707) on :
PS It's fantastic that people are writing to local newspapers about Pallone. Thank you so much for doing that. Please keep it up.
Ellen
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
ellen,
yes primary is 2nd tues. in june... *********************************
at least that's why my lyme brain remembers!
i also gave you my idea about having LYME SIGNS IN PERSONAL YARDS; even those used last week for protest, covered in plastic against rain, and have LEAFLETS there too for those walking by.
take protest sign/leaflets in at night so they are NOT STOLEN. got to leave for p.therapy. back late tonight. Posted by ellenluba (Member # 1707) on :
Thanks for the information Betty., and the good suggestions. Ellen
Posted by cs (Member # 15270) on :
Looks like his staff keeps an eye on it - so if anyone decides to add anything, save it to a file so you can repost it if he has it removed. -k
Posted by cs (Member # 15270) on :
http://www.pallonefornewjersey.com/ Here is his re-election website - there is a contact form that might need a lot of messages sent to it...
Posted by cs (Member # 15270) on :
This is the IDSA Wikipedia page - looks like it needs updating with information about the settlement. I would do it, but I am just not thinking clearly enough at the moment - maybe there is a Wiki-expert out there who might like to take these on? -k
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