Progress Illinois

Progressives have made it clear that they will fight to include a public option in whatever health care reform package emerges on Capitol Hill. Now they're putting their money where their mouths are. In a show of support for those members of Congress who have pledged to reject any bill that lacks a public plan, activists have raised nearly $400,000 from over 6,500 supporters through ActBlue during the past week. Firedoglake's Jane Hamsher -- who is steering the fundraising campaign along with various other bloggers (under the umbrella organization Blue America) -- describes the financial support as "rewarding good behavior."  The money also applies some pressure to the Progressive Caucus to stand by their pledge if push comes to shove. Blue America explains:

They stood with the American people and ordinary working families when push came to shove and both political parties decided propping up a disastrous health care system and a corrupt Insurance Industry was more important than keeping the promise made over and over to working families [...]

That takes courage, and we need to show them how much we appreciate them for doing so.

Also of note: The list of benificiaries includes three members of Illinois' congressional delegation -- Reps. Luis Gutierrez,  Jesse Jackson Jr., and Phil Hare -- who've pulled in nearly $13,000 combined.