It’s too bad that Pete Townshend pimped that song out to anybody with a dollar because we could really use it as an anthem right now. If you remember the Hillary health care debacle of 1993 (and if you don’t, shouldn’t you be in bed?), you remember Harry and Louise: the fictional couple who derided Clinton’s health care initiative as too much too soon in a series of ads which captured the national zeitgeist, which could best be described as “Do we really have to fix this thing?”

The H&L ads were sponsored by the Health Insurance Association of America, of course, an organization as disinterested in the outcome of the debate as a Yankee at a Red Sox game. But things have changed since then, thank god: the industry has splintered (even the HIAA has changed its name) and while there is much disagreement about what must be done, the consensus is that something’s gotta give. The system as is could bankrupt the nation, and the abstract injustice of nearly 50 million uninsured Americans just got a more tangible face in California, where cuts in the state budget have left two million poor children without health care. And as history has proven, CA leads the way for the rest of the nation. 

Which is why you will see Harry and Louise (a little older but wiser for the years) embracing Obama’s push for reform, even as Congress drags its feet (or several of them: Blue Dog dems are concerned the plan might be too expensive, especially for small business, while some progressives don’t think it will look enough like socialized medicine). The coming month, as Congress takes a recess and constituents give their representatives an earful, will be stinky and not just in NY: the RNC is spearheading the campaign opposing reform and they are getting stupider by the day. Here’s a few things you can do to insure health care reform in the fall:

1) Write your congressman. Seriously. I know you think no one reads those letters (or emails) but they do tally them: up or down, pro or con. They care how their constituents feel about so contentious an issue, because they are looking for political cover — especially if you live in a swing state or district. 

2) Support the president. Tell the White House, and everyone else, that you support Obama’s efforts and try and turn the tide of uncertainty that has been reflected in recent polls. 

3) Stay informed. Don’t turn the page (or the channel) when health care news or opinion appears. Try and stay abreast of legislative efforts and smart opinions, on both sides. (Groups such as MoveOn.org will send you email alerts to help you better follow the bouncing ball.)

4) Talk to your friends and ask them to do the same things. 

5) Mute the ads — or turn off the TV, even. It’s August for chrissakes. Go jump in the lake.

And while you’re at it, tell the Republicans to do the same.