I'm a little behind on this post, but thought it worth noting that Pelosi promised Weiner (through Waxman) that HR676 will be discussed and voted on at some point in the future. I'm very excited to hear that the only bill with close to 100 co-sponsors will actually see the light of day and be considered by Congress.
Progress is being made daily. What can you do to help?
1.) Print out a petition, collect signatures, and submit them to pnhp.org
http://www.pnhp.org/change/HR676-petition.pdf
2.) Write your representatives
3.) Continue to stay informed during the debate this fall and be prepared to respond if Pelosi breaks her promise to have a vote on HR676.
Over the past few months, I have taken the opportunity to meet other activists that are passionate about healthcare reform at various rallies to support either HR3200 (Obama's Public Option plan) or HR676 (Single Payer or what Obama would prefer "if starting from scratch").
Thus far, the main opposition to HR676 from the public option folks has been that they "don't think it has a chance..." so they "will settle for a public option."
The Single Payer option is alive and well and has sufficient congressional support to merit further discussion. I see no downside to discussing this third option alongside the public and status quo options. However, I have heard little serious discussion in the mainstream media and a general tendency for the media to also portray a "massive opposition" to reform thanks to a few dissidents at meetings.
Meanwhile, at healthcare rallies around the country, thousands of real supporters of healthcare reform have received little airtime to discuss the important aspects of either HR3200 or HR676 in a logical and rational fashion. Instead, the jokers, laughers, yellers, and shouters have made a circus of this opportunity to avoid coverage of the most important legislation in the history of America.
I don't want to see supporters of healthcare reform to get divided on the issue of the public option vs. the single payer since our goals are similar, we want real care and we want it now.
So why am I for HR676 over HR3200? Perhaps it's a lack in faith of free market economics... maybe I don't think the corporate interests will be compassionate enough or that the government will leverage the public option hard enough to be successful. With a Single Payer plan, I have faith that with all people covered, that we can eventually achieve a higher quality of life, through greater preventitive care measures that will lead to better health and cost savings.
How will we pay for it? With 31% of every healthcare dollar going to for-profit insurance companies that have a fiduciary responsibility to earn profits for their shareholders, they have little incentive or responsibility to ensure care. To the contrary, it is more accurate to say they have a responsibility to deny care to increase profit margins so they can ensure a return on investment to their stakeholders. Eliminating this profiteering from the system is essential to improving the ethos of healthcare in the US. No one should profit off of someone else's misery.
We've bailed out the banks, insurance companies, the carmakers... when will we help bail out ourselves to ensure a quality of life in the future through improved healthcare?
Please visit www.pnhp.org to learn more about HR676.
Please comment on this post to discuss your real concerns with healthcare for all.
YES WE DID! YES WE MUST:
Þ Protect him from harm both verbal & phyiscal
Þ Stay "FIRED UP" by staying active
Þ Work Bi-Partisan to bring "Change" together
Þ Don't just bitch, get active and stay engaged
Þ Start and join a local "Change" group
Þ Be philanthropic, serve your community, state and nation
Þ Stick by Obama, STOP smears on the Right & the Left!!!! Hold yourself responsible as you hold Barack!
Join the future of this movement!!
http://change.gov/joinus
http://www.communityorganize.com
http://www.ourpresidency.com
http://www.usaservice.org
http://www.whitehouse.gov
Barack's DNC 2004 Speech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWynt87PaJ0&feature=PlayList&p=B1939005B8A4D4ED&index=188
Barack's DNC 2008 Speech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ato7BtisXzE&feature=channel
Barack’s Election Acceptance Speech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wJ-2Zu_Iic&feature=channel
Barack’s Inauguration Speech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjnygQ02aW4
What is Team Change?
Obama community activists, artists, farmers, organizers, educators, doctors, veterans and business leaders wanting to bring hope, change and action to the California Democratic Party, because change brings with us! We are continuing the advocacy of the Obama campaign with a strong and personal commitment to our communities and our issues. With Team Change, You get more than a votes, you get PROVEN & EFFECTIVE WORKER BEES FOR POSITIVE CHANGE!!!
What does Team Change stand for?
¨ Single payer/universal healthcare
¨ Federal & State Funded Stem Cell Research
¨ Fully funding education
¨ Protecting the environment and our natural resources
¨ Equality for all
¨ Taking care of our veterans and their families by honoring our commitments, providing highest level quality programs and services and capacity building to new veterans needs
¨ Greening of business, green energy and products through incentives and regulations
¨ Growing our economy through WPA like programs, small businesses and get Californians back to work with living wages and benefits
¨ Community and national service
¨ Affordable housing, increasing homeowership, government intervention to help individuals and families from foreclosures
¨ Bring more programs and services to our Region
Why come to the Caucuses and vote for Team Change?
To continue the advocacy of the Obama campaign with the leaders who made our movement so successful here locally and nationally. Team Change activists and organizers did not stop on November 4, they continue the fight for positive change everyday in their personal lives, careers, community and philanthropic endeavors. It is important to have these leaders lead the fight for change at the state-level. That’s why we respectfully ask for your vote! This vote is just as important as Nov. 4th, because President Obama will need strong leaders and worker bees for change inside the California Democratic Party to move our Platform foreward!
Where to vote for Team Change?
AD 73 – South Orange County & Oceanside – Saturday, January 10 at 10 am
San Clemente Community Center – Fireside Room
100 N. Calle Seville
San Clemente, 92672
AD 74 – North County San Diego – Sunday, January 11 at Noon
CWA Local 9511
1525 Simpson Way, Escondido, 92029
AD 75 – Central San Diego – Sunday, January 11 at 11 am
SpringHill Suites – Scripps Room
12032 Scripps Highlands Drive
San Diego, 92131 (Scripps Ranch)
AD 76 – Downtown San Diego & Beaches – Saturday, January 10 at 9 am
Belmont Park Community Room
3115 Mission Blvd
San Diego, 92109 (Mission Beach)
How to vote for Team Change?
Pre-register for the Caucus at www.cadems.org on the right side of the page. Come to the Caucus meet Team Change delegate candidates and they will hand you a slate card. Then proceed to the Registration Table to get your ballot.
Team Change Delegate Candidates
AD 73
Erin Gilligan-Morin
Raad Ghantous
Anna-Maria Mannino
AD 74
Benjamin Bates
Martha Sullivan
Rachel Rott
Carla Mays
Charles “Charlie” Imes
Fabio Marchi
Gabriel Mendez
Nanci Oeschle
Rebecca Leo
Rick Hall
AD 75
Michael "Mickey" & Holly Foster
Drs. Robert and Yvonne Frisby
Maurice and Roma Weaver
Gerold Firl
Gerry Senda
AD 76
Dr. Michael McQuarry
Gail Mackler
Mike Russell
Larry and Donna Dawson
Greg Bolian
Brian Polejes
The folks at internet radio company Slacker have created a radio station based on the favored music of Barack Obama and his campaign.
Obama Radio includes Senator Obama's personal song picks (as detailed a recent Blender Magazine article), tracks from his favorite artists (specified in articles in Rolling Stone and others), music heard at Obama events and several tracks from the Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement CD. Many of the tracks from that CD include portions of Obama's speeches mixed into the songs.
You'll hear Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Nina Simone, John Mellencamp, James Brown, Ben Harper, John Mayer, India.Arie and many more.
Check it out here: http://www.slacker.com/?sid=prog:1277 and spread the word. It's a great addition to any Obama party, phone bank or just good listening.
YES WE CAN!
We've all seen the callous political smears put forward by John McCain and his cronies this week. We know it's only going to get worse in the days ahead, and unless we act, we risk surrendering this election to the fear-mongering and divisive Bush/McCain politics of the past. That's why hundreds of people throughout your community are standing up this week to say, "Not this time, not this election." Together, we're reaching out to voters in battlegroud states to let them know the truth. But with only days left, and with thousands of voters left to contact, we can't do it alone; we need your help. Will you join us?Don't worry, making a difference is easy. All you need to do is come to the nearest Call for Changeevent (listed below) with your cell phone and charger. Our team will welcome you at the door, and set you up with everything else you need to be a force for change in this election.
Please find phone banks labeled "Phone Bank for Change" or "Big Phone Bank for Change" on your group MyBo pages. We are hosting these in San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Redlands and Rancho Cucamonga. In your area, we are hosting these events Saturday the 1st of November through election day, the 4th. Please use the following Mybarackobama.com links below to sign up:at:
South County Democratic Headquarters. 380 Third Ave., Suite 205, Chula Vista, CA 91910
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gprzsy
Unite Here Union Hall - 3737 Camino Del Rio South, suite 300, San Diego 92108
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gprzs8
San Diego Obama for America Headquarters - 1744 Euclid Avenue San Diego, CA 92103
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gshjdj
Making a difference is easy, and you can do it right in your own neighborhood. All you need to do is come to the nearest Call for Change event (listed below) with your cell phone and charger. Feel free to bring with your friends, family or anyone else that is willing to make calls. If you would like to bring potluck style food for everyone to share, that would also be much appreciated. Our team will welcome you at the door, and set you up with everything else you need to be a force for change in this election.
We hope you will join us. With only days to go, this is our last chance to make a difference in this election and to turn the tide against the Bush/McCain politics of division. Together, yes we can.
Best Always,
Rick Sheinin
Deputy Field Director, Region 7 California (volunteer)
We've all seen the callous political smears put forward by John McCain and his cronies this week. We know it's only going to get worse in the days ahead, and unless we act, we risk surrendering this election to the fear-mongering and divisive Bush/McCain politics of the past. That's why hundreds of people throughout your community are standing up this week to say, "Not this time, not this election." Together, we're reaching out to voters in battlegroud states to let them know the truth. But with only days left, and with thousands of voters left to contact, we can't do it alone; we need your help. Will you join us? Don't worry, making a difference is easy. All you need to do is come to the nearest Call for Changeevent (listed below) with your cell phone and charger. Our team will welcome you at the door, and set you up with everything else you need to be a force for change in this election.
An Open Letter to John McCain
Dear Senator McCain,
As a combat veteran from the Vietnam war, I was disgusted by your lip service in the debate to the men and women who fight and die in the service of this great country. You used us for your own political gain, like we were so many bumper stickers to be scraped away at the end of the election. You claimed by your words to watch out for us, when in truth, your actions over the past few years say differently.
While it is true you continuously exploit your own service as you would a 30 second commercial, we don’t appreciate you exploiting ours. Your voting record in the Senate tells the whole story: you use veterans, you don’t support them. Remember when you recently lied to the Veterans of Foreign Wars? Remember how you tried to take credit for the new GI Bill recently passed by the congress? Why didn’t you tell those veterans the truth? Why didn’t you tell them you thought the benefits of the bill were too good for veterans? Why is it that you lie to us and try to take credit for a bill you actually tried to kill. Why didn’t you tell them you didn’t even have the guts to show up for the vote?
Why did you tell the American people in the debate that you are supported by veterans? You said, "I know the veterans. I know them well. And I know that they know that I'll take care of them. And I've been proud of their support and their recognition of my service to the veterans." Senator, you dishonor us and our service with such words; and most veterans know the opposite is true. While we respect your service as a fellow veteran, we know you vote against funding health care for veterans, and against most other veteran benefits.
We know you got a "D" rating from the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Association who has tracked 155 of your votes since 9/11. We know while no senator earned a grade of "A," at least Senator Obama got a "B ." We also know that Disabled American Veterans - with over 1.4 million members - maintains a "Federal Vote Scorecard." Your score from disabled veterans in the last congress was 20%. In other words you voted against my disabled brothers five times more than you supported them. Oh, and by the way, Senator Obama’s score with disabled veterans was 80 percent; yet he didn’t have the need to use it, or us, to get elected.
If you still wish to dishonor your own service by blustering and boasting, fine. Most real veterans don’t feel the need. But please, stop using us and our service for your own personal gain. It cheapens us, our service and our country....and Senator, we do not appreciate it.
Stephen D. Lemish
47th Infantry Platoon (Scout Dog)
101st Airborne Division, RVN 1971
We already know Senator John McCain picks up where President Bush leaves off. He voted with Bush 90-95-100 percent of the time in the last three years, respectively. But now, McCain has added another Bush-like to the ticket: Governor Sarah Palin. The perky short-term governor from Alaska is not what she seems...she is just another extension of the people who brought us a false war, abuse of power, no accountability, bankruptcy and foreclosure through deregulation and anti-thinking, anti-science agendas.
Palin has so much to answer for, on so many issues, that she is no longer taking any interviews from the press, and not answering any questions from the American people. Sound familiar? How many times have you heard this administration use the phrase, "we don’t comment on ongoing investigations?" Well, they may not comment on them, but they are quick to defuse them.
Now, the McCain campaign is sending people to Alaska to stop, halt, fix and otherwise derail the investigation into Palin’s abuse of power. See this week’s Newsweek story at http://www.newsweek.com/id/157439. She has yet to answer any questions on the subject other than "denying" her own accountability; and now the McCain campaign is going to ensure we never get an answer.
Accountability is not very favorable to this crowd. Remember the outing of our CIA agent? Remember how no one in the White House was responsible? Remember when Scooter Libby was found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, Bush commuted his sentence so Libby would not squeal like a pig in jail? What about the missing emails or the firings of the U.S. Attorneys. Who was held accountable for that? What about lying about the reasons for war; for the killing of our servicemen and women?
The McCain-Palin ticket is shaping up to be a continuation of the Bush-Cheney years. They screwed up everything from the military to the economy to the middle class. And no one has laid a glove on them. Do you really want more of the same?
Senator John McCain has been searching for a way to keep President Bush and Vice President Cheney away from the Republican Convention. He disparately needs to distance himself from the failed presidency he supports 95 to 100 percent of the time. Thanks to climate change he found it in Hurricane Gustav.
McCain has ordered the convention to eliminate the speeches of both Bush and Cheney from national coverage of the convention. If anyone believes the McCain or Republicans are shorting the first day of their convention out of respect for storm victims, they are buying the shameful spin and the corporate media’s failure to publicly recognize it.
It is now evident why Senator John McCain believes Governor Sarah Palin is qualified to be his vice-presidential candidate. In his sound judgment, McCain must be thinking, "heck, Republicans voted for George W. Bush; certainly Sarah Palin, who is smarter, much prettier and actually has a personality, can get those same people to vote for her." McCain is counting on the evangelical base, who for eight years disregarded experience and qualifications concerns when voting for Bush.
Palin, 44, is inspiring to evangelicals because she would have the federal government outlaw all abortion, even in the case of incest and rape. Other similarities to Bush are also beginning to surface. First, she is an oil person; she has been the governor of an oil state and her family is in the oil business. Second, she evidently thinks there is no limit to her executive power, having her people fire state employees who fail to do her bidding.
Bush and Palin presidencies would have other similarities as both do not believe in science. Palin would have creationism taught in all public schools, taking us back to the days of the Scopes Monkey Trial. She is a little behind Bush on global warming realization, indicating that if there is global warming, people didn’t create it. As oil people, both Bush and Palin are in a frenzy to drill in the Arctic Wildlife Refuge.
The biggest similarities between the two, however, remain their wholly unqualified background, training and experience to be president. In Senator McCain’s considered judgment, Sarah Palin can do just as good a job at running the country as George W. Bush. He is probably right.
A true war hero has the grace and courage to resist a misguided war, especially one predicated on a lie. My parents were such heroes. The president who forged the war was forced to retire in disgrace without being elected to a second term. The full NSA report documenting the lie was finally declassified in January 2008 [cf Wikepedia].
Leland and Margaret Williams in Balboa Park at a 1968 Peace Rally sponsored by the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom
May we all be inspired by their example.
Leland: pastor, school teacher, peace activist. 6/14/1904 - 1/05/1995. Margaret: pastor's wife, school teacher, social worker, peace activist. 5/12/1916 - 8/22/2008
They are sending another 100 next week. I will be doing them this weekend and next week as time allows. These are going to the battleground states. If you are in So Cal I can get you a deal on the postcards, the design is about wind power, you can see the main shot in my video, it's the wide sweeping shot near the end. (The video is kinda grainy, the postcard looks much better.) See the video here: www.youtube.com/windpowernow
The postcard deadline is Sept 20th, more on it here:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/4332
Let's win this!
We have many conservative talk radio shows hosted by people like Michael Savage. It can only be accurately described as "hate-radio." Twenty years ago, the FCC and local standards would have never allowed the language they employ to be used on the airwaves. They promote racism, sexism and hatred. They call for the arrest and imprisonment of people who work for the ACLU, liberals, and other thinking peoples.
It used to be I suscribed to the proposition that there is a "marketplace of ideas." That each opinion, whether hateful, stupid, racist or just plain wrong, should be allowed on the national stage. I believed that through this "marketplace of ideas," free thinking people of the nation could distinguish between the good and bad, the stupid and the smart, and the hate and the love. I believed that letting all the nonsense into the marketplace of ideas was the only way a free people could correctly decide the issues of the day and rightfully discard those opinions or speech which is just hateful rhetoric.
Now, however, I have come to find that the people exposed to the "marketplace of ideas" are they themselves, hateful, stupid, ignorant and racist. How can these people be expected to rationally choose between good and bad ideas? People like Michael Savage prey on these people, their shortcomings, lack of education, lack of self-esteem, etc.
I am in a quandry. Do I continue to defend to the death, Savage's right to spew hate speech? For now, yes, I cannot see the alternative. Smarter minds than mine came up with the marketplace of ideas approach.
What do you think?
