I sent this message to my U.S. Senators, Udall and Bennet, as well as the neglibible person who succeeded Pat Schroeder to represent my district in the House.

Senator,

I have watched with dismay as the Democratic caucus has consistently hidden from the majority we voters gave you. It's embarrassing to see all of you hang back and wait for the president to somehow work some magic.

It's time to grow a collective backbone and force a vote on health policy reform. Even the Republicans know that something has to happen, and the options have been chewed over ad nauseum. Step up and speak out for the right sort of change that delivers health coverage to marginalized Americans.

The package you pass needs to expand coverage and prevent denial of benefits just because someone gets sick. You must widen the gerrymandered risk pools based on the random variable of who works for the same company, which the insurers use to manipulate statistics in support of artificially inflated premiums. Instead, the risk must be spread across all who need coverage, and let the insurers compete on the basis of efficient service and attractive offerings.

And any package must include a basic public option to keep the private insurers honest. Possibly they can form a consortium to reinsure the public option and participate in the solution, just as they routinely provide that benefit to one another. But the public option is a nonnegotiable baseline.

If the Republicans really oppose this basic good sense, then let them stand up and say so. Force the filibuster, and let them be seen as the obstacle they are. Face them down and let them decide to join a coalition for progress or stand in public opposition to it.

Either way, it's time for you and your timid little colleagues to turn a steady gaze across the aisle and see if you have the courage to hold up the flag.