Posts with the tag Health Care

Join us in 2010

Kevin Agnese — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 13:35:58 EST

2009 was a remarkable year for Organizing for America. Moving forward, in 2010, we need your help more than ever.

As our efforts for health insurance reform expand and we continue to fight for President Obama’s legislative agenda for change, volunteers are in need.

Whether you can give an hour a week or three hours a day—every bit helps.

The Senate vote in favor of health reform on Christmas Eve brought us, as the president said, “Incredibly close to making health insurance reform a reality in this country.”

“Our challenge, then, is to finish the job.”

Over the next month we will continue to pour every ounce of strength we have into ensuring reform becomes reality.

So please join us in this New Year.

As President Obama said on Christmas Eve, “Let’s make 2010 the year we finally reform health care in the United States of America.”

Happy New Year from all of us at Organizing for America.

Response to Mitch Stewart

Ray — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 17:34:25 EST

Mitch Stewart's latest email claims "Special interests thought they could steamroll you with hundreds of millions of dollars in lobbying and attack ads." HA! Are you kidding me Mitch? They absolutely steamrolled the administration and Congress and the rest of us. And the worst part is that the President didn't fight for anything. He didn't lobby for single payer or anything else that would be true health care reform. Mitch brags about a million phone calls placed to Congress....So what? Unless you are paying over the phone via credit card, I doubt Congress much cares how many calls they get. It's not like they personally have to answer the phones. And Congress is just as much to blame. Not a spine exists in that entire Democratic body. So what do we have? Expanded care? Maybe. Affordable care? Not likely. The insurance companies has been 3 steps ahead of this entire issue the entire time and I expect they will remain so until someone with a spine and some principles gets elected. I donated several hundred dollars to OFA in 2009 and I got nothing for it....nothing I wanted. You won't get more until I see some spine and fighting for the Democratic principles.

Gregory's an American Helping America in Economic Recovery

Gregory "Gregory" — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 22:05:12 EST

Our lives and amount of time living in America are most likely on opposite ends of the spectrum. You could have a biography that shares a lifetime of life’s achievements and awards for commitment, dedication, and service to all America's people, i.e. Hurricane Katrina evacuees.

Recently, I've relocated to Texas, first to Dallas then to Houston. In the short time in Texas I’ve had several opportunities to understand why everything is big in Texas - in addition to the obvious size of this state. I would like for us to agree on two things right away; 1st size does matter and people are just people, just like you and me.

That being said, America needs the help of all American’s to jump start our current economy. And just like the Dallas Cowboy’s is one of America’s most popular football team. This economic stimulus solution needs to start with the most innovative and biggest entrepreneurial thinkers in the world, Americans in America.

Q: Why? A: Why not! Let’s just say, if the three biggest hospital groups in the US have offered to reduce their costs by $155bn over 10 years in an attempt to make health reform more affordable. What can American Corporations, Government, and the People collectively bring to the table that jumps starts our momentum into a faster economic recovery?

When responding please place your first name as the American that will help America. Let's all remember: John F. Kennedy's quote, "Ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country."

What will it take for Universal Health Care

Sean Morse — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 11:37:59 EST

What It Will Take‏ From: Speaker Nancy Pelosi (dccc@dccc.org) Sent: Sat 12/26/09 2:50 PM To: sean morse (seanmorse_4@hotmail.com) .ExternalClass a {font-weight:bold;} .ExternalClass .ecxtext {font-family:Arial, Helvetica;font-size:12px;color:#000000;} .ExternalClass .ecxbigtext {font-family:Arial, Helvetica;font-size:16px;color:#000000;} .ExternalClass .ecxsmalltext {font-family:Arial, Helvetica;font-size:10px;color:#000000;} .ExternalClass .ecxbreakingtext {font-family:Arial, Helvetica;font-size:14px;color:#cc0000;} .ExternalClass #ecxcontribute {border-left:1px solid #CCCCCC;margin-left:20px;} .ExternalClass #ecxcallout {border-left:1px solid #CCCCCC;margin-left:20px;} .ExternalClass #ecxcallout td {width:215px;padding:5px 0px 5px 25px;} .ExternalClass h2 {font-family:Times New Roman, Serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:bold;color:#003366;} .ExternalClass h3 {font-family:Times New Roman, Serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:bold;color:#003366;} .ExternalClass #ecxcallout .ecxtext {font-family:Times New Roman, Serif;font-size:14px;color:#003366;line-height:20px;} .ExternalClass #ecxcallout .ecxbigtext {font-family:Arial, Helvetica;font-size:16px;color:#000000;} .ExternalClass #ecxcallout .ecxsmalltext {font-family:Arial, Helvetica;font-size:10px;color:#000000;}
sean --

As the New Year quickly approaches, this is a wonderful time to step back and reflect on the past year.

House Democrats have begun to deliver on a New Direction for America. Working with President Obama, we have passed key legislation on economic recovery, clean energy, affordable health care and Wall Street reform. More must and will be done next year.

As proud as I am of all that we have achieved together this year for America, I am concerned that our great progress will be at risk next year.

In just five days, the final FEC fundraising deadline of 2009 will be upon us and Democrats will have to report out our year-end fundraising totals. This is the last opportunity you will have this year to stand up for President Obama's agenda for America's future.

That's why I have set a goal of raising $1 million before year-end in our Million-Dollar Year-End Challenge to ensure the strongest showing possible.

Contribute $35, $50 or more before Midnight December 31st, and your gift will be matched 2-to-1 by a group of committed Democrats. If you give today, a group of Democrats will match your gift with two dollars of their own.

The world is closely watching. Opponents of President Obama and those who would seek to protect the status quo will use our year-end fundraising totals as a measure of our chances for success in November 2010.

The extreme right of the conservative movement has captured the Republican Party. Their goal is to take control of Congress and restore the failed policies from the last eight years of Republican rule.

It's going to take the dedication and sacrifice of every committed Democrat to stand up to Republican special interests and the multi-million dollar media campaign they've launched against courageous Democrats. That's why I need you to stand with me today.

Contribute $35, $50 or more before Midnight December 31st, and your gift will be matched 2-to-1 by a group of committed Democrats. If you give today, a group of Democrats will match your gift with two dollars of their own.

This will be one of the most expensive and challenging midterm elections in history. By making a special contribution today, you can help the Democratic Party build the momentum we'll need to carry us into 2010.

Thank you and I want to wish you and your family good fortune in the New Year.

Sincerely,

Nancy Pelosi
Speaker of the House

my disdain for republicans and the status quo

Dana from Riverdale, GA — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 15:15:24 EST

i hate sarah palin. i hate republicans, period. and this has not always been the case for me. being catholic, i have always voted with my church, supporting the prolife candidate. NEVER AGAIN! why do republicans deny science? why do republicans think they have a monopoly on patriotism? why do republicans think they have god on their side? they justify everything they do or say, based on a prolife stance. as long as your prolife, god is with you. president obama does not deserve to be dimissed due to this one iota in his core beliefs. choosing to support a woman's right to choose does not make him BAD, EVIL or irrelevant. whenever anyone invokes the name of GOD for their actions albeit, terrorists, republicans, priests, ministers or just plain civilians, i cringe. it makes me want to run as fast as i can. so many, use GOD as an excuse for their ugly rhetoric, disrespect and bigoted beliefs. i'm sick of it! so sick of it! i would have some modicum of respect for the teabaggers if they had been out marching during the bush administration. everything they are against, bush created. By the time George W. Bush was inaugurated in 2001, the National Debt stood at $5.7-trillion. He ran up more debt faster than nearly all of his predecessors combined: just under $4.9-trillion. The National Debt stood at $10.6-trillon on the day Barack Obama took office. due to corporatist republican politicians, doing away with rules and regulations, our financial sector took this nation to the brink of collapse with bush instituting the massive bailouts. we are such an instant gratification type personality, as a nation. no one has any patience. here is our new president, dealing with a crisis caused by others before him, and the world is critical as HELL. corporate america bled 700,000 jobs a month. republicans ushered in this bleeding of jobs and now have the audacity to attack our president on job creation. the president can't make the private sector start hiring. the ones whom are responsible for bringing our nation to near collapse and there are many, including politicians, should be held accountable for their reckless, careless and selfish actions. republicans claim to be all for the family, but their not. if republicans were really family oriented peoples, quality of life would not have diminished as much as it has during their reign. corporations don't get it! republicans don't get it! any time you improve someone's quality of life, everything improves. i hired on, into a male dominated job, surrounded by republicans, that were life long members of the" good ol' boys club". in this "good ol' boys club", women were disposable, minorities were shunned and the white man ruled! these so called family value republicans made me fight for everything! their is no support system for working women. it is difficult as hell to hold a full time job, run a household and raise a family. if i got in trouble for one thing during my career, it was attendance, when my children were young. society makes demands but builds no support system to help meet these demands. i sacrificed for a long time to put my children in private school. eventually they were all integrated into public schools because tuition became cost prohibitive. the republicans never sent anything down the pipeline to help me help my family. republicans are against spending money on education. republicans are against spending money on alternatives to oil. republicans are against spending money to clean up the environment. republicans are against spending money to fix our health care system. they are content with the status quo. they are content with trickle down economics. they are content with our consumption of oil. they are content with schools that fail miserably. they are content with our health care system. they want business as usual. i want to shake the hell out of all of them. if they were really family value politicians, their actions would reflect such. republicans actions have harmed families. they wrap themselves up in the prolife, family values banner, presenting themselves as the righteous party and they're just the opposite. they are wolves in disguise. i shan't ever vote republican again as long as i live and regret the role i played in history, for the votes i cast in the past. i will never forgive myself for being fooled by the deceptive, god wielding, right wing party in this nation. i hope we NEVER have business as usual. i hope the democrats can pull it together and intervene, while we are on this precipice and right, so many wrongs. REAL health care reform with a public option. we HAVE to lower premiums. if we don't lower the cost, what's the point? we need strong legislation to stop the fleecing of americans. tell me why an elderly woman, whom has lived in a home for over seventeen years, refinances and winds up losing her home? we've got to do better! if screwing this woman out of her house is ok with republicans, that must be why they are so against some simple consumer protection laws and regulations reapplied to the financial sector. republicans are whom my grannie used to warn me about. they are the devil in a sunday hat! the next time any of them invoke the name of GOD to further their cause or rally their base, i'm running as fast as i can, the other way! dana lewis

Senate Passes Historic Health Reform Bill

Kevin Agnese — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 12:31:03 EST

The United States Senate passed a historic health care bill this morning.

Thank you to our OFA Maine Community Organizers and volunteers that worked tirelessly to make today a reality.

Happy Holidays from all of us at Organizing for America.

Disappointment clobbers hope

Liz from Columbia, MO — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 20:15:43 EST

I graduated from high school in 1976. After Vietnam and Watergate, many of my generation hoped that better times were around the corner. They were not. Instead of retiring McCarthyism and the "Love it or leave it!" blind adherance to the edicts of authority, we got the "Moral Majority" and "Trickle Down" economics. The ultimate effect has been boom and bust economic cycles, judgmentally moralistic intrusion into personal and family matters, and for-profit medicine which answers only to shareholders and insurance company bureaucrats. We have utterly failed to achieve gender equality. Racism is as prevalent as Wall Street's greed. We have the highest prison population of any nation or empire in history, whether you consider percentages or absolute numbers. And prisoners get out, having supposedly paid their debt to society, unemployable, unwelcome, like toxic waste. Too many were convicted of the victimless, non-violent crime of smoking a plant that never killed anyone except for when woven as executioners' rope.

President Obama now says that during his campaign he never supported a Public Option as a part of health care reform. Well, he shouldn't have promised then what he doesn't support now. Today on Democracy Now (http://www.democracynow.org/2009/12/23/headlines) it was reported, "As a presidential candidate, Senator Obama touted the benefits of a public option. On his own campaign website, Obama promised that under his health plan, 'any American will have the opportunity to enroll in [a] new public plan.' As President Obama said in his weekly address that any plan that he signs must include a public option."

I voted for change. I cannot adequately express my disappointment in President Obama's backtracking on the Public Option. Yes, we may actually (finally) be getting "a Patients' Bill of Rights on steroids," but mandating that people buy policies from insurance companies, already chafing at the regulation to come, without the genuine threat of competition from a public plan, is ludicrous! If we are to cut costs anyway, then let these for-profit entities prove that the market can compete with the type of public option that was originally proposed! That proposal was not a complete single-payer system. Just a safety net.

President Obama cannot be blamed completely for this state of affairs. The filibuster has allowed individual senators to hold bills hostage to their demands. And the "Blue Dog" Democrats might as well be Republicans. They like to vote with them anyway.

I just had to express this incredible welling of disappointment. President Obama's reversal on even claiming to have previously supported the Public Option is like the proverbial straw. After the long drought of Nixon, Reagan, Bush 41, the "Contract with America," Dubya-n-Cheney...this camel's back, and heart, are breaking!

Fed up with obstructionists in congress?

Michael from Cottontown, TN — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 21:09:08 EST

How do you feel about the actions of the obstructionists in congress? Angry! Fed up! While those of us without access to 'Medical care', congressional repugnicans are doing anything and everything on every level, to block debate of 'Health Care Reform'. To demonstrate our anger at these obstructionists, I propose we organize a 'delay event' nationwide...

This Is Reform?

Ken — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 13:57:58 EST

A windfall for the health-casino operators maybe, but a boon for the American people? I am not convinced.

This Is A Bipartisan Bill

Lou — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 23:50:16 EST

The senate bill looks pretty damn good! Frankly I'm surprised. It’s bipartisan without getting a single Republican vote. What in high hell am I talking about?

1. It’s bipartisan because voices in both parties hate it!

2. It does not include a public option. In other words it does not socialize the healthcare industry. It is true to capitalism and uses non-profits to accomplish the same goal.

3. Its pro-life. It does not provide federal funding for elective abortions.

Aside from that I don't hear a single Republican saying anything of substance in opposition. Just whining that its so bad, it costs so much, blah, blah, blah. It’s going to cost those making over 200k a year. But I got a ways to go before making that paycheck, I don't know about you?

Fact is that democrats should be applauded for this bill which goes against the progressive (extremists) liberals and provides a centered approach. Another fact is that there are many democrats who are voting against their beliefs and are essentially compromising on republican ideals. I believe it addresses the concerns of both party's ideology and arrives at a compromise that will be good for America.

Universal health care is a socialistic idea. Regardless, most decent human beings, republican and democrat, know in their hearts that no American should be without healthcare. The problem was addressed using private markets which is capitalistic! That’s why the stock market jumped on news of the senate's vote. Republicans better get specific if they are going to convince the center that this bill is bad for America after that.

The extreme liberals start screaming, "Ah, it’s a give away to big healthcare", "it’s a conspiracy", "all the politicians are bought off" Blah, blah, blah. Naturally, if you make everyone buy a product because you think they need it, the industry that makes the product is going to benefit. We all want to profit, why blame the industry for the mandate? You just need to regulate them a bit more for the gov't handout.

You don't need Republicans to vote for the bill, for it to contain bipartisan ideas. I was disappointed with Republicans for not following their values during the Bush years so why should I trust them to follow their values now. After I hear them say things like if we sink the bill it will be Obama's waterloo. That’s pretty damn un-American and demonstrates bad faith.

The bill is not perfect and I hope it gets better. The cherry on top would be a provision to end the anti-trust exemption for the health insurance industry. We can only hope for a little more bipartisanship from Democrats!

Promises broken.

Nesha from Randolph, VT — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 18:45:51 EST

The U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and the rest of the American Possession were not included in the Health Care Reform bill, dispite being promised. I feel betrayed. I fought for this President. But now I am not being treated like my other U.S. Citizens. Is there really Hope?

Senate Ddebate-Health Care Reform Bill

Tom Rodgers — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:36:08 EST

I am watching the debates daily. It realy Irks(Nice Word) me that repeatedly the opposition continues to say they have not seen bill,ammendment, etc.

Well I say to all of these Senators that state this.You need to teach your staff how to do their JOBS. Actually you should FIRE everyone of them because either they are not doing their jobs are you are Damn Liars.

Everything that you Senators Discuss,All the papers,Bills,Ammendments are recorded Daily here: http://senate.gov/legislative/Congressional_Records/Daily_Digest.htm Then your staff can find Health Care Bill and all ammendments on the Thomas system of the Library of Congress. Yes it takes time to look this up,to print and submit,But hey your staff is getting a paycheck to do their JOBS.

What are the taxpayers of America paying you and your staff to do if you keep saying you have not seen bill,ammendments,etc In my opinion a senator that states He/She has not seen anything should resign immediately,and then the newly elected Senator can hire a staff that will do their job.

Tom Rodgers,Founder T&C Services http://tomrodgers723.community.officelive.com

Leaving the base behind

Rich Gardner — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 18:18:00 EST

The base voters are the folks who worked the hardest to get the current administration into office, the folks who support the President when he's down and the folks who have his back in tough times. There are times when Presidents turn their back on their base and go running off to see if they can capture voters from some other persuasion. Clinton did this quite a bit and Obama appears to be doing it now with the health care bill.

These aren't the 1990s anymore (Thank heavens!) and the base voters aren't as apathetic or disorganized as they were back then. We've got a voice today and we're going to be urging our Senators (The House bill is satisfactry) to vote NO!!!! on the Senate bill.

After Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT, but still part of the Democratic Caucus) and then Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) tromped all over the health care bill wth muddy, hobnailed boots, well, there's just not much of anything left that's worth supporting. And we haven' even gotten to the Maine Republican who won't vote for the bill, but wants to "improve" it still further!

Sorry, Mr President, but you've left your base behind. I can no longer support the health care bill as it stands. Unlless there are VERY drastic couse corrections and unless the Senate bill is brought back closer to the House bill, I'm no longer on board with your administration and don't see that I will be in the future.

Obama Losing His Base

Ruth from Boone, NC — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 15:10:02 EST

Here is a post from Watauga Watch, the blog written by the secretary of the Watauga Democratic Party that helped winning North Carolina for Obama:

Friday, December 18, 2009Obama Losing His Base It's his fault. It's President Obama's fault. What ... he thought he could rev up a coalition that wanted real reform and then betray it with a sell-out to corporate money and to Joe Lieberman? Apparently, he and his advisors naively thought that everyone would just fall right into step behind The Insurance Company Bail-Out Act of 2009, that his fans would accept any bill rather than a good one.

The web-based Obama troops, 13,000,000 of us on the Organizing for America (OFA) listserv, received e-mails on Wednesday, asking us to phonebank our senators to support the Joe Lieberman version of health insurance reform. We contacted Kay Hagan, all right, but not to urge her to support that piece of garbage. Politico sez the revolt is widespread and going viral:

One leading OFA volunteer in Florida blasted an email to a statewide listserv urging activists to "just say no" to the phone-banking effort -- uncorking a torrent of frustration from Florida Democrats -- while some OFA subscribers replied directly to the call-to-action email with angry messages and others asked to be removed from the list entirely.

Dave Hearn, an optician in Iowa who helped organize for Obama's campaign said that the president "is taking for granted that the volunteers who worked so hard for him were going to buy in to whatever strategy he chose to pass his major legislative initiative .... What am I going to say: 'I hate this bill, but we're Obama people, so let's do it?' "

That ain't working. Ain't working on any number of levels, and it's Obama fault for not fighting for what he said he wanted, both during the campaign and right regularly since he took office.

"If this bill passes, it will be because Joe Lieberman threw a hissy fit and was allowed to control what went into the bill," said Susan Smith, an OFA activist from Tampa. "That means that in the end, he had more power with President Obama and Senator Reid than we do. If he is rewarded, this tactic will be used over and over again to kill the progressive agenda."

Susan's got it right. Obama's got it wrong. It remains to be seen if this president can be a leader and a reformer or merely a jet-setting speech-maker.

I think Dean gets it. Obama certainly does not.

Richard in Toronto - Still American After All These Years — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 00:33:37 EST

Congrats to the president for striking a deal with China on climate change. That's about the only thing he's done in months that makes any sense.

It's incredibly dishonest to compare teabaggers and other noisemakers on the right to progressives who are justifiably angry at the president's betrayal of our hopes for meaningful health care.

On the right they say the bill is a government takeover. That's a lie.

On the right they say the bill will ration health care. That's a lie.

On the right they say the bill will raise costs. We don't really know yet, but we know doing nothing certainly will. That's a lie.

On the right they say the bill will kill grandma! That's a lie.

The noise from the right consists entirely of stupid lies being repeated by ignorant fools or the shrewd self-serving charlatans who manipulate them.

The noise from the left is anger:

NO MANDATE WITHOUT A PUBLIC OPTION

Orel from Miller Place, NY — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 13:21:30 EST

I called my senators, Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, and the White House to say that without a public option, the current Senate "health care reform" bill will be toxic to the Democrats and the American people. Forget 60 votes! The president has the majority he needs (51 votes) to expand Medicare via budget reconciliation. We need to put the pressure on Congress and the White House to do just that.

Those who dine with lobbyists keep sending us the bills.... bad bills! The current bill is not a victory for health care reform, but for the private insurers who are gouging us all. If the President celebrates this bill (should it pass) as a victory, I will be withdrawing from OFA. Many of us, who worked hard for his campaign, will, sadly, feel we have no choice but to do so. He is wrong about this one and needs to start using the power he has to make the changes we need. Many politicians opposed Medicare in the sixties, but Johnson stood firm. President Obama needs to do the same. At the very least, states should have the right to "opt in" to Medicare for all. Under the proposed bill, states with progressive health care systems they fought for (like Vermont) will be forced into a system worse than the one their taxpayers rejected. People will be forced to buy insurance from the private insurers (leeches) who are bleeding us all! Write and phone your Senators, Speaker Pelosi, Harry Reid, and the White House.

What happened?

Patti — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 01:25:38 EST

Where is the change? We have been patient, waiting for the great strategy. Ending the wars? Nope. Health care for all? Nope. Transparency in government? Nope. Find and stop corruption and waste? Nope.

The health care bill as it is now? What a piece of corporate crap. Scrap this bill. It is not what was intended. We are all getting screwed. President Obama, you are a huge disappointment. Where is your backbone? If the health care bill is passed, please do not sign it. We do not want just any collection of words, written by corporate shills, that can be labeled a Health Care Bill. If this bill lands on your desk, just trash can it. Because that is what is is, trash.

Unless there are some big changes and Mr. Obama somehow remembers why we elected him, he will not get a second term. Right now, I sincerely he is eliminated in the primary. We need a strong, democratic candidate who will not pander.

Does the president listen to his constituents or does he just do whatever the right wing nutbags ask of him?

Hold them responsible

Myron — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:47:00 EST

Hello my friends,

As you know, the Senate version of the public option was a weak version but at least there was an option. Thanks to the effort of one Senator, Joe Lieberman, that option has now also been killed in the senate. There are a few democrats that opposed the option from the beginning but they never blind sided the people the way Joe did.

The public option is wanted by the American people by over 60% but over the past few decades, our government has been slowly taken over by big business and the voice of the people, our government, has been shrinking. It's time to take our government back and to make our Senators and Congressman represent us and not themselves or their own interest.

Let's start with Health Care. We need to hold those who WE elect to represent us answer to us. We can only do that in numbers. I ask all of you to sign this petition and pass this e-mail to others so they may sign.

"For the people"

http://livepetitions.us/index.php/publicoptionnow : The actual site address.

Let's show Joe and the other politicians that they will and must represent the people over all else!

I also encourage you to look and see how much money each of your candidates are taking and how they are voting.

OpenSecrets.com

Remember, together we stand, divided we fall.

Thank you,

Myron Fendall

Hold them responsible

Myron — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:45:46 EST

Worthless?

Richard in Toronto - Still American After All These Years — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 22:13:10 EST

To me, President Obama's last minute effort to convince us that there's something identifiable as "reform" in what's left of the health care bill is too little, too late, and sounded completely desparate. What do you think?

The senate is broken. Corporate interests own most of congress. Ignorance owns most of middle America. Who's audacious enough to hold onto hope now? Anyone?

Let's have real reform this year

Nate — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 13:33:53 EST

Dear Senators Cardin and Mikulski,

Let's have real reform this year, one that gives us real choice. Not the A or B, Coke or Pepsi, choices of a rigged private market controlled by an oligopoly of large corporations. This is not cars or stereos, this is whether people live or die. It is simply too important to leave to the private market alone.

I don't need subsidies to funnel more tax payer dollars to private corporations; we've already had $700 billion of that this year. I need a non-profit, publicly run, and publicly accountable option for my health care. One I can afford and trust. And I'd like to have it before the next time I get sick, so I can stop turning to charities for my medical care.

And let's be honest, this shouldn't be hard to do. The majority of Americans (and an even bigger majority of Marylanders) support a public option. So here's a great idea, why don't we give Americans of all ages and incomes the option to buy into Medicare instead of buying on the private market. No new, wasteful, bureaucracy needed, just expand what we have. If a person qualifies for the new subsidies they can choose to apply them to a private plan or a Medicare plan. Simple. Quality, affordable choices. Just like Barack said.

If the fact that I, as your constituent, am 40% more likely to die than you simply because I cannot afford health insurance (whereas my tax dollars pay for yours), and my employer does not offer me health insurance (the hiring freeze in Montgomery County, a result of the recession, means that I have been hired essentially as a permanent temp, instead of a full time teacher, and therefore do not receive benefits), is not enough to convince this Congress to fight for real reform, perhaps it is better we, the people, appeal to your self-interest instead.

So let me make it real simple for you. No strong public option (preferably Medicare open to all ages) = no vote, no canvassing, no phone banking and no donations in 2010 or 2012. And I'm pretty sure I'm not the only Democrat that feels this way.

Trading the public option for an expansion of Medicare by a decade, is of little consolation to the majority of us uninsured who are under the age of 40. Nor does it change the fact that I, and tens of millions of other Americans, will be mandated to buy a product we cannot afford while giving us no new options as to which product is available to us. So please, I beg you, if the public option is to be canned in favor of expanding Medicare, then make open to people of all ages.

So this holiday season, please, bail out the sick and dying, the laid-off and underemployed; don't bail out the insurance industry. Because again, it's simple math: universal mandate + no public option = insurance industry bail out. You would be forcing me to bail out the insurance companies by mandating I buy their over priced, insufficient products. At the end of the day working class Americans, of all colors and creeds, can no longer afford to “pay the bill for every major government program and get nothing or little in the way of return” (Mikulski, 1970).

How young people are treated by government today will shape how we vote for decades and generations to come. What FDR and the New Deal Democrats did for my grandparents - the children of poor, east European, immigrant factory workers, both Catholic and Jewish - is the inspiration which you, and I, and countless other Americans carry forward with us today.

Let us not forget that it was the critical support of people like us - the millions of first, second and third generation Americans, and their children, whose political views were laid by the haunting experiences of the Great Depression and the progressive agenda of the New Deal - which allowed Democrats to end segregation, to pass civil rights, and to create Medicare. And it was us, together with a new wave of immigrants, which elected not just our first African-American president, but also only the second in our history to have come from immigrant descent. We have now built the alliance of Asian, Latino, “white and black, white collar, blue collar and no collar based on mutual need, interdependence and respect” (Mikulski, 1970). And this time, with laser precision, our anger is generated towards those who have power.

It is time now that this coalition carry the torch forward for a new generation, and remind the people once again what Democrats are supposed to stand for. That is why the young cannot be left out of any compromise on health care, for so too then will we be left out of the experience which made my family, and your families, Democrats in the first place. The young generation is equally part of this new Great Recession; do we not then deserve to be part of this new New Deal? Let’s open Medicare to young and old, rich and poor alike. Let’s do it for our party and for our country. To honor those who came before us, and to lay the path for those to follow.

Happy Chanukah and Merry Christmas

Dear President Obama,

LisaLi — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 16:50:47 EST

I live with my parents - they are in the space between Medicare and Medicaid - too rich (right) to qualify for affordable home nursing care, and too poor to pay for it themselves. SO I am here to help... As I understand it, with the new health care plan, they will definitely benefit.

Unfortunately, I will not. I am a self employed Author/Artist/Illustrator/Graphic Artist/Teacher and care giver (yes, all that to make ends meet here in good old Ohio) and I have to buy my own health care. I am profoundly disappointed that freelancers/self-employeed are the ones that will see their health care costs RISE. What could possibly be the advantage of making a scapegoat of the very people who are primed to create jobs for others, who are the innovators, the "backbone", where all big companies start?

Please Explain.

Sincerely, LisaLi

Photoshop4ArtistsWorkshop.com
http://www.photoshop4artistsworkshop.com
http://photoshop4artistsworkshop.com/Wordpress_PS4ART/BLOG/

Health Care Reform Debates

Tom Rodgers — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 17:06:34 EST

What I have noticed by watching these debates is that most of the Republican Senators are doing nothing more than Rambling.

They go on and on about what it will cost by 2017 etc. When will they Wake Up and Realize that if they do not pass this bill this year America may not be around in 2017. They should know this bill is the biggest step to rebuilding our economy and most importantly it is Urgently needed now to Save the Lives of The American Citizens.

Rumor

Progressive Observer — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 23:14:30 EST

According to the Almost Pointless news service Democrat in the Senate have tentatively reached a deal with themselves to drop the “public option” from their Private Health Insurer and Pharmaceutical Company Give Away Act. I believe that is what it's called now.

The public option you will recall was the Orwellian fig leaf which was not going to be an option for the vast majority of the public but was named in such a way as to mollify progressives who, being the tree-hugging dewy-eyed idealists they are wanted Democrats to go with the cheapest and most direct and effective way to give health insurance to the American people: Medicare for All. Bastard progressive citizens.

So to give up the fig leaf to so-called moderates, Democrats in the senate who claim to be progressive or liberal must have gotten quite a lot. We can guess then there is an agreement to drop any public mandate. That would be balance, no public choice no government force. And an agreement break private insurance state monopolies, not politely suggest that they break. An agreement to lock in draconian financial loss rates so private companies can no longer make more profit the more they allow Americans to suffer. An agreement to severely regulate patents on medicine because the same senators who believe employers have the obligation to pay workers as little as they can get away with can not also believe medicine makers can continue to charge whatever they feel like for life saving drugs forever. That would just be evil.

Perhaps they did even better than any of that. The clever Democrats.

So we wait for the rest of the story. Well, for the story actually since this is so far a rumor. Don't ask me why it is being published by a service that purports to convey news. It may be complete fiction; a last try by some conservative scumbags to work the country using a willing old media stooge and force their colleagues into the position of appearing to renig on a deal that never existed.

Let's find out together.

CHARLESTON, SC, FREE CLINIC INITIATIVE

Donna M. Ellington — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:02:50 EST

CHARLESTON, SC, FREE CLINIC INITIATIVE

Some of us in Charleston, SC, believe it is time to bring a FREE CLINIC of the scope and size of the clinics that have been held in New Orleans, Little Rock, and (this weekend) Kansas City to the Palmetto State.

I believe, that, like the other cities, we can get a donated venue, that over the course of 2 days can see 1000 to 1500 people who do not have insurance to cover exams. The Charleston area, while not centrally located in the state, has many hospitals, a Medical University, and many opportunities for people to follow up their initial care. The Charleston Metropolitan area has 4 free clinics that run on a continuous basis, however, they are unable to see anywhere near the number of people in need.

South Carolina is one of the most medically needy places in the United States. Additionally, with few exceptions, our politicians are not behind healthcare reform, so we are likely to remain among the medically needy for some time to come. Jim Clyburn is one such exception. His district is in the Charleston, SC area.

My facebook friend, Shawn Mitchell, wrote the following letter to Keith Olbermann and to the National Director of the National Association of Free Clinics:

My email is a plea from a concerned citizen of South Carolina. I am asking on behalf of our many uninsured and under insured residents in need of your services. A former co-worker has been in the hospital with cancer because of his lack of health care. He like many people in our state live without health care insurance and no access to physicians. Our state is 46th out of 50 in health care. Many of our employed citizens can't afford health care coverage or work for an employer that does not offer insurance. These are not deadbeat or lazy people. They are waitresses, cab drivers, part-time employees, small businesses/employees, and unemployed citizens. The latest insult to the majority of people, the people struggling with health care costs, is Rep. Tim Scott's waste of a bill. In H.4171, he calls for the "THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA HERBY "OPTS OUT" AND DECLINES TO HAVE THIS PUBLIC PLAN OPTION APPLY TO OR BE AVAILABLE TO THE CITIZENS OF THIS STATE." My fear is as unemployment rises in our state many more will be left without health care coverage. We need your clinic to sponsor a free clinic here in South Carolina. I have asked citizens to write your organization, our Representatives in Congress and SC State Legislature to join my efforts to get the medical help so many of our citizens need. I am willing to help raise the money to bring your wonderful organization to our state. Please consider my request to save thousands of lives here in South Carolina.
Nicole please consider these numbers from a September 24th article in The State Newspaper (http://www.thestate.com/101/story/955860.html)

Nearly one in six South Carolina's don't have health insurance, according to new U.S. Census Bureau data.South Carolina had a 17.4 percent rate statewide. Texas, with a statewide average of 24.1 percent, was at the bottom of the heap. Massachusetts topped all states with 4.1 percent lacking health coverage.Columbia ranked 292th with a 16.6 percent uninsured rate. Charleston was 206th with 14.1 percent; Rock Hill, 352nd with 18.6 percent; and North Charleston, 481st with 25.1 percent.

Also here is a link to a grassroots video to illustrate the folks that need your help here in the Low Country of SC one of the poorest areas of the country. "I have to sacrifice me." That is the way one Charleston, SC area resident describes her inability to pay for health care insurance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoFp_7US1Ts&feature=player_embedded

These are REAL South Carolina residents who need your help--Can you help them? Will you help them?

Thank you for your time and I hope my campaign to get your services here proves fruitful.
Shawn Mitchell

I sent the letter as well, including to the South Carolina State Director.

Our current status is that we are currently under consideration for a Clinic for some time next year along with a host of other states. I answered the response on their fb site with the following:

"We are putting together a group of committed members in the community that would be more than happy to help. What we need to know is what we can do to help you make this happen, at the earliest possible opportunity. Thanks...You can see the group we are putting together at our brand new page: Charleston, SC FREE CLINIC Initiative. This page has been up less than 24 hours. Until then, I was directing everyone to this page. We added AT LEAST 250 members to this page over the past 2 weeks."

http://apps.facebook.com/causes/412455 This is the link to the cause: Charleston, SC FREE CLINIC Initiative.

Also borrowed from Shawn Mitchell: "Here are the links to National Association of Free Clinics:
http://www.freeclinics.us/
Nicole D. Lamoureux, Executive Director
National Association of Free Clinics

MSNBC's Countdown email address:
Countdown@MSNBC.com

Please let's make this viral. Send letters to NAFC, MSNBC, YOUR CONGRESSMAN and SC Government Officals NOW!

"We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek."
President Barack H. Obama "

And, finally, my son's comments sum up the need for many in this area: "The only time I have ever had health insurance thru an employer was when I worked for Goodwill Industries. Most of us involved in service-related industries work 1-3 jobs without any employer provided insurance just to stay off welfare. We don't get employer-provided insurance....and we still don't make enough to afford insurance on the open-market. A FREE CLINIC would be a godsend to us!" He is currently the #1 recruiter on the site, which currently has 23 members.

We will need at least 1000 to 1500 volunteers to pull this off. These must include medically licensed personnel in the state of SC: doctors, dentists, lpns, rns, some corporate sponsors, and just regular people! LET'S FEEL THE NEED! LET'S MEET THE NEED! LET'S JUST DO IT!

Thanks to our Volunteers for a Great Training Weekend

Kevin Agnese — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 16:43:51 EST

Our volunteer trainings this past weekend were a great success thanks to the incredible efforts of those in attendance. We thank everyone who joined us across the state.

Now our attention shifts to our rapid response initiative in preparation for the Senate vote on health insurance reform. You can still join a rapid response team by contacting Kevin at kevin@ofamaine.com or Shelby at shelby@ofamaine.com.

Thank you again for an extremely productive weekend.

A Cheerful Tune for the Holidays From Health Insurers!

Eve — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 22:25:07 EST

Courtesy of Billionaires for Wealthcare!

Contact your local chapter today and see if you can afford their membership fees.

Perfect Health Care is not possible. But we can acheive better.

RealTimeHistory — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:46:27 EST

I fear that the Health Care Reform is being usurped by the undue influence of insurance and drug companies. It will be watered down, and engineered so that the for profit motivations will continue to drive the issue.

Part of our health care dilemma concerns the costs of health care. One price for all should be the guideline. As long as there is no consistent price for the various health services, there is no means of controlling their costs. Currently, it is common practice for health care providers to dramatically inflate their billings, only to write off those costs, based on some undisclosed agreements with the insurance companies. Insurance companies should pay the same amount that any uninsured persons would pay.

The costs for indigent care should be subsidized by the national and state government. A person's insurance coverage should be independent of where they are working. If a person has insurance through an existing employer's insurance plan, they should be able to continue that coverage when they leave that employment, until they either replace the insurance with their next employer's plan, or find another replacement plan. The COBRA program should be expanded to cover all employees, for as long as necessary. A person should not be required to give up a superior plan for an inferior one.

Another Culprit of Cost in Health Care

Stephanie Sulger RN, MS — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:54:12 EST

The culprits are many. They are often found under layers of paperwork turned bedrock, but in this case the culprit is right out there in front of us and as big as your TV screen.

According to a report in the November 23, 2009 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals advertising for the commonly prescribed antiplatelet drug clopidogrel (also known as Plavix), has been associated with increased drug costs and Medicaid expenditures,

Overall prescription drugs are cited as one of the three top reasons for Medicaid expenditure growth, and prescription drug costs have increased by an average of 15.4 percent per year between 1994 and 2004. Meanwhile, spending for advertising has increased more than 330 percent in the last 10 years.

It is important to know that there was no direct to consumer advertsiing for Plavix from 1999 to 2000. But, from 2001 to 2005, U.S. spending on advertsing directly to consumers for Plavix exceeded $350 million, an average of $70 million per year.

"The cost per unit of the drug increased by $0.40 (12 percent) per quarter year after advertising directly to consumers began, leading to an added $40.58 in pharmacy costs per 1,000 Medicaid enrollees per quarter. "Overall, this change resulted in an additional $207 million in total pharmacy expenditures," the report said.

Should health care consumers and policy makers be concerned about advertising that can increase drug costs for publicly funded reimbursement programs such as Medicaid and Medicare?

Senate Vote on Health Care Bill

"Voice for Humanity" — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:25:51 EST

By Padmini Arhant

The Senate health care bill is currently under scrutiny requiring 60 procedural votes to qualify for the Senate voting process. At present, the democrats have 58 votes in favor with two independents unclear and the remaining Republican votes unanimously opposed to the bill. I’ve confidence in the (I) U.S. Senator from Vermont, Bernie Sanders with his support to alleviate the suffering of millions in Vermont and across the nation.

While the Democrats laying out the facts and figures, the Republican lawmakers are meticulously scanning for flaws in their defense to block the anxiously awaited health care legislation.

Senate version of the health care bill proposes $848 billion allowing coverage for 31 million uninsured Americans with a CBO (Congressional Budget Office) assessment confirming an impressive $130 billion cost savings otherwise a massive federal deficit reduction over a decade.

Remaining article continued @http://www,padminiarhant.com

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

UPMC and the business of nonprofit corporations

Pat from Pittsburgh, PA — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:16:22 EST

Recently, UPMC announced plans to close its Braddock Hospital. The hospital staff and the community oppose the idea, and are fighting to keep the hospital open. UPMC is just one glaring example of the many nonprofits that are losing their focus and are hurting our communities. It's fashionable for nonprofits to think that they should operate like businesses. That's fine, to an extent, but it often goes too far.

Continue . . . .

Health care, abortion and a bridge too far

Terrie — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:36:20 EST

I wrote this article originally for the newspaper I work for. It's on peoplesworld.org. Appreciate any feedback.

The House of Representatives passed a historic health care reform bill on Nov. 7. By a vote of 220-215 the Democrats ushered in health reform legislation, the likes of which haven't been seen since Medicare passed in 1965.

Like many others in the labor, progressive and left movements, I see the bill, Affordable Health Care for America Act, HR 3962, as not the end of the monumental battle to guarantee health care for all, but a significant step along that road. It curbs the enormous influence the insurance giants have over the country's health care system. And that's a start.

In the first place, the bill would crackdown on the insurance industry by banning lifetime limits and coverage denials based on preexisting conditions. The bill would end a federal antitrust exemption that has for decades protected the industry from federal investigations.

The bill would create a government-run insurance option to compete with private plans on a new insurance exchange for people who don't have employer coverage.

It puts in place mandates for the individual and employers to buy and offer, respectively, health insurance. At the same time the bill would offer subsidies to help households earning up to $88,000 in annual income for a family of four purchase coverage.

The bill would expand Medicaid and provide free health care to all Americans with incomes below 150 percent of the federal poverty level.

To pay for the trillion dollar cost over 10 years the bill places a surcharge on taxpayers who earn more than $500,000 a year, or $1 million a year for families. And would cut waste in both Medicaid and Medicare, mainly by phasing out the Bush administration's privatization debacle of Medicare, called Medicare Advantage. This program was a giveaway to insurance corporations.

The bill also would end premium disparity based on health status and sex. Turns out, women are charged more for the same coverage than men. When it comes to pre-existing conditions - they cannot list pregnancy, c-section, rape and domestic violence.

All of which are tremendous victories. All of which have been hailed by Democratic lawmakers, along with the labor movement, civil rights organizations and health care reform advocates.

But, and there is a but.

There is something really disturbing that came alongside those victories.

A bi-partisan amendment, which passed, that would severely restrict women's reproductive health, beyond anything so far to date. Called the Stupak amendment, named after the Michigan Democrat who introduced it, the restrictions go beyond the 33-year-old Hyde Amendment which bans any federal dollars going to pay for pregnancy terminations. It would bar women who get any federal subsidy for health insurance from getting access to abortion even if it's paid with her own money.

To add to that something disturbing happened during the health bill discussion. When members of the House Women's Caucus attempted to take the floor to highlight why this bill overall was good for women, Republicans interrupted and blocked them.

It got so bad, Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy of Ohio accused the Republicans of censoring her remarks and blocking her right to make them.

The Republicans who shouted down the caucus members were men. It was like they were setting the stage for the Stupak amendment. Don't let women have a voice about health care, their actions seemed to say.

The Stupak amendment was passed by a 240-194 vote with 64 Democrats voting with all 176 Republicans. (Only one Republican voted for the health care bill in the end.)

Out of the 64 Democrats that voted for the amendment, only two were women. Out of the entire 176 Republican caucus, only 18 are women.

There is a major gender disconnect here. And women - 50 percent of the population, 40 percent of the breadwinners in the country - are underrepresented in the Congress and it was really apparent what such under-representation means in this vote.

But let's take it another step.

Pro-choice advocates in and out of Congress had agreed early on that this health care reform bill was about health care, and the fight on reproductive rights would be in another arena. Federal prohibitions like the Hyde Amendment would stay in place.

In fact, on Friday, Nov. 6, every major women's organization sent out last minute e-mails urging their members and supporters to call Congress to support the health reform bill, even with shortcomings. It was a very mature and politically astute approach.

For example the National Organization For Women urged its supporters to get their congressional representatives on board despite severe abortion restrictions. In fact, NOW said, a compromise measure called the Capps Amendment was part of the bill that came out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. It was seen "as necessary to get the larger bill out."

According to NOW's analysis of the Capps Amendment, "abortion would be prohibited from being included in a list of Minimum Benefits Coverage, a listing that will be determined by an appointed committee of experts and consumers at some future date."

Further, the Capps Amendment was to ensure that at least one of the private insurance options in every premium rating level must include abortion coverage beyond rape, life or incest, and at least one of the private plans must exclude abortion in the newly established insurance exchanges and that in each region of the country, there is at least one plan in the Health Exchange that offers abortion services, but also one plan in the Health Exchange that does not offer abortion coverage, according to NOW's analysis.

State laws regarding abortion coverage, funding and referrals would have been untouched.

"Last minute restrictions adopted in the rule required to bring the House health care reform bill to the floor will explicitly prohibit federal funding for abortion services, guarantee patient access to insurance plans that do not cover abortions and require federal health officials to hire private contractors to handle payments to abortion providers," NOW said. "These restrictions represent a compromise to allow the full bill to go forward and were reached after days of negotiation with conservative abortion rights opponents in both parties."

NOW went on to report that members from the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus were "not pleased with the language but would not oppose it" in order to get support from a few additional Democratic anti-choice House members and to reach the "magic number of 218 votes."

So what happened between Friday morning and Saturday?

Some reports point to a last minute show down with anti-choice advocates insisting on the Stupak amendment going to the floor for a vote. With backs against the wall, Pelosi and the House leadership, reports say, had to let it go to the floor. The Hill reported a shouting match between Reps. George Miller and Rosa De Lauro, both Pelosi confidants, over the decision late Friday night.

Women are a core part of the coalition that helped elect Barack Obama and put a dagger through the heart of the ultra-right's control of politics in this country. Women are a core part of the coalition that will bring to life positive change in this country, including and especially curbing the power of mega-corporations and banks.

It's not easy to keep a diverse and multi-class coalition together on key interests like health care reform, climate change, education or economic recovery. But it's necessary. The Stupak amendment threatens that coalition.

There was already language agreed to that would have prevented any tax dollars going to pay for abortion procedures. It wasn't an easy thing to do but pro-choice advocates agreed to it for the greater good. Then in the eleventh hour, a monkey wrench. Somebody threw it. Seems to me, it played right into the interests of the big insurance companies, desperate to derail major health reform and muck up the political landscape as much as possible as the bill goes onto the Senate. On top of the main political hurdles to overcome in the Senate to get to health reform - the public option and how to pay for it, taxing the rich vs. taxing health plans - abortion, one of the most controversial issues of our time, gets added to the mix.

Why did Stupak and the 63 other Democrats join with all the Republicans in this "bridge too far?" There is much political parsing over that. Whatever the reasons, it only plays into the hands of the insurance giants and the ultra-right. And that won't win health reform.

President Obama said the Stupak amendment must not stand. He is a pro-choice president. Women's groups have demanded the Stupak language be stripped in the final bill. The insurance companies and ultra-right attempt to stop health care reform from going through is not going to happen. Women, and the whole coalition, won't let it.

Thank You Reps. Michaud and Pingree

Kevin Agnese — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:42:09 EST

We thank U.S. Representatives Mike Michaud and Chellie Pingree for their continued support of health insurance reform.

The House voted late Saturday evening to move the process of health insurance reform forward, a step President Obama called “courageous.”

The president also asked the Senate to “take up the baton and bring this effort to the
finish line.”

Rep. Michaud issued a statement prior to Saturday’s vote, saying in part, “This work is too important to fail, and I could not in good conscience let the perfect be the enemy of the possible.”

Speaking on the floor of the House of the Representatives, Saturday, Rep. Pingree made her feelings clear, saying, “There can be no more delay.”

Open Letter to Denny Rehberg (and all his Republican Cronies)

Michael J. Kello — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:05:54 EST

7 November 2009

Dear Congressman Rehberg:

I am writing in support of the current health care bill being debated in The House today. As a member of a life-long Montana family, I am concerned about this nation’s broken health care system, and the high percentage (more than 34%) of Montanans without health insurance. I encourage you to break from the partisan politics being played by the Republican party, think about those uninsured in the state you represent and VOTE FOR THIS BILL!

There is no reason this great country should have such a high number of uninsured. No one should be forced to choose between paying their rent or buying food and going to the doctor or getting their prescriptions. Allowing this to continue is un-American.

Do the right thing for Montana and vote YES for H.R. 3962.

Sincerely,

Michael J. Kello

Mainers Welcome Congresswoman Pingree Home

Kevin Agnese — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 12:07:35 EST

Dozens of enthusiastic supporters of health insurance reform greeted Representative Chellie Pingree as she returned to Maine this morning.

A boisterous crowd of sign-waving Mainers welcomed the congresswoman minutes after her flight landed at Portland International Jetport.

The crowd had gathered to thank Pingree for her support of health insurance reform. The U.S. House of Representatives voted in favor of a reform bill on Saturday night.

Speaking on the floor of the House Saturday, Pingree said, “I’m here in the memory of my brother. He had no public option to choose. He did what so many young families did. They spent down their savings, they sold everything they had…so they could qualify for Medicaid because no doctor would see him without insurance.”

“I have often wondered,” Pingree added, “if he would have survived if he had the medical care he needed.”

Referening the importance of the legislation, Pingree said, “This bill moves us much closer to a time when no one can be denied health care coverage because of a pre-existing condition, no one can be told you can’t have health care coverage, no one will have to go into personal bankruptcy.”

“I am so proud to be here casting the vote that so many of my constituents have waited too long for,” the congresswoman said. “There can be no more delay.”

Thank you to everyone who joined us this morning!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/barackobamadotcom/4086731042/

Health Care ... next step

Unknown user — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 09:08:45 EST

A very good email to recieve, thanks to all who are making this happen ...

"if enough good people do nothing, the other side will win"

Larry --

This evening, at 11:15 p.m., the House of Representatives voted to pass their health insurance reform bill. Despite countless attempts over nearly a century, no chamber of Congress has ever before passed comprehensive health reform. This is history.

... Tonight's vote brought every American closer to the secure, affordable care we need. But it was also a watershed moment in how change is made.

... In the final phases of last year's election, I often reminded folks, "Don't think for a minute that power concedes without a fight," and it's especially true today. But that's okay -- we're not afraid of a fight. And as you continue to prove, when all of us work together, we have what it takes to win.

... Let's keep making history,

President Barack Obama

History Happens When We Show Up and Participate

Patricia McGahan — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 03:51:46 EST

History is what can happen when we show up, participate, roll up our sleeves, and do the work. Tonight's historic passage of HR 3962 is a giant step toward health care reform in this country. Congratulations to President Obama, members of his tireless team, the Democratic House leadership, and all congressmen and congresswomen who voted in favor tonight. Now begins the work on the Senate side. Momentum is critical.

-- Patricia McGahan

Wilmington, North Carolina

Urgent Action Needed

Kevin Agnese — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 13:33:01 EST

The House of Representatives will vote today on health insurance reform.

All signs point to the vote being extremely close.

Call Representative Mike Michaud to urge him to vote YES on the Affordable Health Care For America Act.

Please call Rep. Michaud in Washington at 202-225-6306 and ask friends, family members, and co-workers to do the same, today!

One Year Later

Kevin Agnese — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:25:51 EST

Wednesday marked one year since President Obama's historic election to the
White House.

The president reminded us that while Election Day 2008 was a
day of hope and possibility, it was also a "sobering one because we
knew even then that we faced an array of challenges that would test us
as a country."

As the president said, while we have a long way to go, we have "made
meaningful progress" towards rescuing the economy from the possibility
of imminent collapse, as the Recovery Act created or saved hundreds of
thousands of jobs.

While we're making progress the president has said that he will not
rest until every American who wants a job can find one.

So, as we celebrate the anniversary of the president's election to the
White House--let us pledge our commitment to a stabilized economy,
health insurance reform, clean energy, and the best possible education
for America's sons and daughters.

The Winning Video

Richard in Toronto - Still American After All These Years — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 09:07:42 EDT

Americans showed their creativity and passion for health care reform ...but the WINNING video all Americans should see is longer than 30 seconds, and so would be disqualified:

http://vodpod.com/watch/2367112-american-sickos-will-the-current-bills-help

http://blip.tv/play/gdElgajBUQI

My parents provided me with health care 33 years ago when my dad's job brought us to Canada. It has never failed me, and Canada's nowhere near the top of the list of countries that do better for their citizens than the U.S.

Health Care ... for some it is too late

Unknown user — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:35:47 EDT

President Barack Obama, with respect ...

My young relative recently died in a hospital in San Diego because his health care coverage died ... soon after so did he. His mother has coverage, my wife has coverage but this young man died in their arms because he "couldn't get enough coverage".

My step son was hospitalized in Portland Oregon for mental health issues, we sold the farm at the base of Mt. Adams, so he is alive today ... we have no more farms to sell, what now???

We believe in you and await the "public option" ... please fight for it ... we are counting on you to fullfill your promises to "we the people"

How much more are you going to ask of us?

Click For Obama

Click For Obama — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:24:53 EDT

Click For Obama is asking all Obama supporters to help us raise funds by clicking on our website sponsors. Just click, visit the site, and click out. We can raise $100,000 dollars for the month of November 09.

Times are tough and money is tight, but if you Click For Obama we can generate funds without having to pay one penny.

Click here then click around the sites links. Tell your friends and make this link viral.

Thank you,

Click For Obama Team

Hoekstra Is Bad Medicine For Michigan

David from Muskegon, MI — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:58:11 EDT

Hoekstra Is Bad Medicine For Michigan
Even His Family In The Netherlands Gets Health Care

Congressman Pete Hoekstra's town halls on health care show that he is the wrong choice for Governor of Michigan. Last week in Hudsonville, he vehemently exclaimed that he was against what is being considered in congress without offering ideas about what should be done about the rising cost and declining quality of health care. He didn't even entertain the idea of expanding coverage to the uninsured.

Michigan is one of the most economically distressed states, due in part to its rampant unemployment. For a number of reasons, our state has had perhaps the most difficult time thriving in a changing global economic climate. The Great Lakes State has seen a lot of suffering and now it is worse than it has ever been.

Pete Hoekstra is unfit to lead a state with these kinds of struggles. If he truly cared about the people of Michigan, he would fight for policies that could help those who are feeling the most pain.

Even the Netherlands, where Hoekstra was born, has some form of cost control and subsidized coverage; although it is not the best in Europe. It's possible that his mother received government-regulated medicine during his birth. Certainly Hoekstra’s immediate family back in the Netherlands benefits from so-called "socialized medicine" today. Perhaps if Mr. Hoekstra wants to be governor, he will help the people of Michigan attain that which he and his family enjoy: The security of their health.

Fact: Barack Obama, who was born in Hawaii, is more American than Pete Hoeksta.

Our first announcement

Worship from Aiea, HI — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 08:36:38 EDT

How do you post a blog?

Why have Obama's approval numbers dropped?

Richard in Toronto - Still American After All These Years — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 12:32:41 EDT

President Obama can expect an instant surge in poll numbers if and when he gets back on board with the majority of Americans who don't give two figs what Snowe and the Party of No think...

To me the only mystery is why some seem to think there's any mystery. It's not like Republicans, with whom a mere 20% of Americans identify and only 36% still think have a clue about what to do are picking up the numbers.

I can only speak for my own disappointment in this once inspirational president who used to fill us all with so much hope, but I fully expect there are others who feel as I do. The President's approval numbers are inversely proportionate to his tacit approval for the antics of disingeuous Republicans such as Olympia Snowe and Chuck Grassley, support for spineless compromises such as Max Baucus's self-serving gift to the industry who supported and supports his re-election, his willingness to place the groups who elected him on hold, as he's done with the gay community, or to call us"opinionated," as he did when he recently described me and my fellow progressives that way. "Principled," Mr. Obama, and "resolute" are two of the adjectives I'd have chosen.

I don't need a public option, I live in Canada where they've understood for decades that single-payer provides the widest high quality coverage at the lowest cost to tax payers. Like over 80% of Canadians I'm very happy with the way it works, and I know it doesn't shut out private companies that enhance my coverage. I'm worried about my nephew and niece, who live in the States and have no health care. I'm worried about families who are plummeted into bankruptcy and still have to bury their 4-year-old child who dies of cystic-fibrosis, a disease that also claimed my first wife -- at the age of 40. She was Canadian. She was covered. "Life liberty and the pursuit of happiness" are more than words in Canada.

The so-called "public option" is the compromise. It has the potential of proving to Americans that the health insurance industry will either adapt and put up, as it has all over the globe, or shut up. Without a robust public option health care reform is a sham.

I ended up saving a life because the health care system failed

Shari — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:19:14 EDT

I was working on our Cancer Education 'hotline' when the call came in and I actually saved a life. I wrote up the story and sent it to CNN. As I expected, they did not think it 'news worthy'. What do you think?

http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-342484

www.FocusOnCancer.org or www.AmericanCancerFund.org

Dear President Obama - I made the call

Agile Entrepreneur — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:49:19 EDT

http://advocacy.barackobama.com/healthcare/campaigns/13/call_scripts/33/call_sessions/new?source=1020_TTDCalls_FB

<blockquote>
I just finished talking to the assistants of all three members of Congress that represent me from 95014.

Happy to report that Rep. Mike Honda, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, and Sen. Barbara Boxer all support President Obama's plan - and the Public Option!

Woohoo! That felt good - thank you for making me call them, President Obama. I'm so proud to be living in the US under your leadership.

Good luck with the reform bill- and I sincerely hope you will include the Public Option in your bill (or I'm going to call you next!)

:)
</blockquote>

It was so energizing and empowering.
Ok, now it's your turn, my dear friend.
Experience the wonder that is US Democracy.

Go to this URL and input your zip code to find your three amigos:
http://advocacy.barackobama.com/healthcare/campaigns/13/call_scripts/33/call_sessions/new?source=1020_TTDCalls_FB

For Cupertino (95014), they are:

<h2>California's 15th district</h2>
<h4>Cupertino, CA 95014</h4>

<b>HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES</b>
<ul>
<li>Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA-15)
<b>CALL: <i>(202) 225-2631</i></b>
</li>
</ul>
<b>SENATE</b>
<ul>
<li>Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)
<b>CALL: <i>(202) 224-3841</i></b>
</li>
<li>Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA)
<b>CALL: <i>(202) 224-3553 </i></b>
</li>
</ul>

Don't Just Sit There -- DO SOMETHING!

Blue Girl in South Carolina — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:53:06 EDT

I've been in a financial hardship for the past several months due to a major job loss. In this time, I have consistently put in resumes, conducted follow-up calls, and made in-person visits hoping to land a stable position. Unfortunately, the economy is not cooperating with me; nor are prospective employers, who can't afford to take on more workers. So here I am...I'm hanging on by a thread but I still believe that our President, for whom I voted, is still going to turn this country around in a positive way.

That's why it's so critical that even if you're not in the best financial shape, healthy constitution, or otherwise, we must ALL do our part by participating in EVENTS that make a statement and create a buzz to generate REAL support for the issues in which we believe. My primary goal is to get a universal health care program installed in our governmental system -- if all else fails, I'll opt for the public option -- meanwhile, some politicians and media talking heads are trying to say that it can't be done.

They're trying to say that we "can't" have it.

They're trying to say that they don't care about us.

They're trying to say that we don't matter.

Well, we DO MATTER. And God willing, if we put our hearts, minds, and spirits together, we CAN get this thing off the ground. Sittting at home yelling at the news channel is not going to accomplish anything. Sitting at our desks, keying rants and raves about how we feel is not going to get it done.

The ONLY WAY we CAN GET REAL HEALTH CARE REFORM is if we PUT OUR THOUGHTS and WORDS to ACTION. Participate in events, organize events, help orchestrate a candlelight vigil, a rally, a sit-in, a march...DO WHATEVER IT TAKES to MAKE THEM LISTEN.

We will not go gently into the night. We will not fade into the sunset...TODAY IS OUR TIME. WE ARE THE ONES WE'VE BEEN WAITING FOR!! LET'S GET GOING!!!

Peace!!!

Health care reform letter to editor published in Suburban Life

Ljubinka from Riverside, IL — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 03:02:28 EDT

My "Letter to the Editor" on Health Care Reform, was published in The Suburban Life paper.

Rally for president Obama, tomorrow, Courthouse, Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia

jsq — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:45:22 EDT

This happened at Jack Kingston's Health Care Town Hall, Valdosta, GA, 28 Sep 2009: a veteran was booed for saying respect the president. To Kingston's credit, he shushed the crowd.The speaker was George Rhynes, who is one of the organizers of a rally tomorrow, Saturday 17 October 2009, on the Lowndes County courthouse steps, Valdosta, Georgia. Invitations on

Democrats.org and Facebook.com. But you don't need an invitation: just show up!

Nobel Peace Prize Award

Queen E — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:34:26 EDT

October 16, 2009

The Nobel Peace prize goes to:

BARACK OBAMA for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.

And I must add that this decorated and sacred banner of gold peace prize be bestowed on our President Barack Obama for (1) his long and hard fought quest for equal humanitarian treatment of human life; be it the Ambassador of healthcare reform for all, (2) for his tireless efforts for his outreach negotiations to keep the economy alive for the good of all the world and (3) for pressing for peaceful negotiations to try to end wars especially before they get started in Honduras or other countries.

Oh what an honorable, prestigious and great reward to be bestowed upon and presented to our President, Mr. Barack Hussein Obama from the Nobel Peace Prize Committee. Why didn’t we Citizens, fellow coworkers, brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers stop to assess and calculate all that our brother visionary, Barack Obama has done this past year or more?

We are too busy fighting his vision for change that’s why. We failed to realize and absorb from whence we came. And we all are guilty of pushing for our own individual causes and interests to change that we missed the real life all around the world change that President Obama traveled across seas to negotiate, the Economy, our Economy, and the world’s Economy before Japan, China and others call in their markers.

You Old School workers will not use our President Barack Obama without reward and recognition. Your old school mentality of use, abuse and discard will not re-occur here in this new decade and time. Here we go again with this arrogant American trying to dictate to other countries and to the world how to show their appreciation and gratitude for works well done. This arrogant American of the old school is stuck on stupid when it comes to afro-Americans and constantly contradicts himself. He wants his cake and eats it too. Mr. Barack Obama deserves this Nobel Peace Prize award recognition.

I don’t know about you but my workplace was full of white folk workers screaming Mr. Obama’s name during the entire past 2008 year of the Presidential election campaign saying and I quote “we need an African-American in the White House at this time and moment to calm the Muslim community.”

Once again, your old school mentality kicks in to use blacks and then throw us to the curb afterwards; No not in this day and time anymore. Mr. Barack Obama deserves this Nobel Peace Prize award all by himself. This arrogant American feels what’s good for the goose aint good for gander until he realizes that it will have an impact on his family and friends but then it’s too late.

Just as old school ex-Vice President Chaney was against Gay Rights before he realized it would impact his Gay daughter as well as the use of President’s pardons, just as the old school President was against allowing the Haitians into the country until that President realized it would impact his Hispanic family member and just as you argue against Healthcare Reform until it impacts one of your family members and friends. You Hiprocrit, you!

And now you have the nerve to open your lying mouth to suggest that our President Obama fork over or share his well deserved Nobel Peace Prize to fallen Veterans, poor people or anyone else but the President himself. Hell No. Just as any other worker would want his efforts and tireless works recognized and rewarded for going above and beyond the call to duty and extra-mile, so shall our President Barack Obama.

We workers have worked long hours, worked above and beyond the call of duty, worked outstanding depths, worked fearless against racism, skepticism, plagiarism and criticism and worked exceptionally outstanding for equal justice for all. Our President Barack Obama deserves this Nobel Peace Prize for all of his work and his coworkers work including the returning soldiers fallen or wounded. He deserves this Nobel Peace award all by himself.

We workers ask that our President Barack Obama be the proud recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize award just as Martin Luther King, Bishop Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela, Costa Rica President Oscar Sanchez, President Jimmy Carter, Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger as well as a host of others. He is worthy of this Nobel Peace Prize and rightly belong in the company of these above noteworthy peace seekers whether his work was done jointly, through workers or preached or personally negotiated.

Congratulations, Mr. President, you deserve it for all of us hard workers. Please accept this honorable award with dignity and pride Mr. President for a job well done and for future challenging jobs to come. The Nobel Peace Prize.

Sincerely,Esther Mayberry

Secretary and

Office Management Worker

WiseGuyEddie On Joining Organizing for America

WiseGuyEddie — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:30:47 EDT

I have always viewed politics and politicians with a skeptical eye. Do not misunderstand, I have always been interested in the American political process but had never been so interested that participation in the process encouraged anything more in me than voting. I remain instinctively skeptical of anyone who spends tens, if not hundreds, of millions of dollars to get elected for a job paying a salary in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. There is something wrong with that math indeed. I suppose I can equate my skepticism to my feelings toward something like…multi-level marketing where someone may spend hundreds, if not thousands of dollars and is guaranteed to earn absolutely nothing except: sequestered family members and friends in hiding to avoid hearing yet another sales pitch about a fantastic “business opportunity”...

Finish this Blog Post at http://wiseguyeddie.blogspot.com/

Three Grammy Award Women on Health Care

RFLTV for Obama — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 02:10:36 EDT

Kelly Price, Debra Cox and Tamia Hill talk to Tracy Tluv on RFLTV about Health Care and their new humanitarian project called "The Queen Project". Please support and see how you can help me continue to get many fellow celebrities involved with their voice that can make a difference. Thank You

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Da046hYtj1I

Thoughts for the Senate to Ponder

Larry Gordon — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 08:35:57 EDT

In order for all Americans to be covered with accessible and affordable health insurance, the public option is the only way to go. A co-op will leave too many Americans without insurance coverage, and forcing companies to furnish their workers with health insurance will leave American workers enslaved in bad jobs because if they quit they will lose thier health care, not only for themsleves but for the entire family.

The public option will keep the insurance companies more honest, and workers will not be enslaved to bad jobs where there is mobbing and bullying, which, by the way, leads to serious physical and mental injury, not to mention an unacceptable workplace.

The public option is the only way to go if we are going to really look to the betterment of all Americans.

Opt-In, Opt-Out: The Public Opt-ion

Michael — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 08:33:06 EDT

The one thing that has crystallized for me in the last 48 hours is that nobody is getting exactly what they want out of health care reform, from the Progressives to the Blue Dogs and even the insurance companies. In that light, a fair amount of news has been made of the compromise public option introduced by Senator Tom Carper (D-DE) that would include a public option with an additional opt-out clause for individual states. Bloggers, news agencies, and individuals ranging from Paul Krugman and Nate Silver to Fox News and MSNBC have chimed in on the possible alternative.

The idea of the opt-out is intriguing, if only because it has so many variations. There are variations surrounding the type of public option (state, national, and trigger) and the mechanism for opting out (legislative, governor, or public referendum). My opinion is similar to that of Nate Silver (www.fivethirtyeight.com): do not fear the opt-out, fear the details. The entire success or failure of this option will be determined by the choices described above (including how frequently or if, at all, states can change their mind). Let us look at a few examples:

1. Any public option with a governor opt-out: Practically speaking, this would get a public option in most states where the governor is a Democrat (or possibly a moderate Republican like California). This public option would be broad in scope, since large states including New York and California would employ the public option. That would allow the public option to sufficiently diversify risk and, consequently, rates would be lower than in the status quo. This would put tremendous pressure on Republican governors, especially if residents of neighboring states were receiving superior care at a cheaper price.

2. Any public option with a public referendum: This is a difficult policy to implement, as recent public referenda indicate. When would you vote? Would you allow another vote to occur if opinion had swayed? The difficulty in implementing this is probably enough of a barrier to actually legislating it, but it is difficult to determine what a policy like this would look like. That being said, the public option is popular in most states which would lead to the situation described above, a public option with sufficiently diversified risk and significant cost savings.

3. Any policy with a legislative opt-out: This is easier to implement than the referendum and could attract small federal government moderates to the conversation. Presumably, all state legislatures would have the ability to decide whether a state implemented the public option.

On MSNBC, Lawrence O’Donnell argued that the opt-out public option is a bad idea because any public option would be weak. That being said, his criticism is centered on the quality of the public option and NOT on the opt-out clause itself. Most progressives would object to a weak public option regardless of whether it came with some type of opt-out clause. If anything, the opt-out would increase the likelihood that the public option component could be strong as Republicans would be able to refuse the policy and therefore, continue their push for smaller government in their state.

This is also the reason why this possible solution is unlikely to happen. It actually forces politicians to be accountable for their votes. A short example provides the obvious reason. A state with a Republican governor opts out of the public option and identifies higher taxes and ineffective medical coverage as reasons (even though his reason purely partisan). The neighboring state insures a higher percentage of its citizens at a lower price and higher standard of care, with no effect on tax burden. Does the governor opt back into the public option because his reasons were proven false or continue the policy which hurts his constituents for purely partisan reasons? Does he get reelected?

Another fascinating impact of a state opt-out plan would be the empowerment of the grassroots organization. Most grassroots organizations struggle with resources, often because they are split between national and local lobbying. Opponents of reform, due to their large financial advantage, are able to manage this bandwidth problem. However, with a state opt-out plan, this advantage is nullified as organizations like Durham for Obama, Orange County for Change and others would only need to lobby their local representatives. This would actually give them an advantage over large opposition groups as many local legislators have close relationships with their constituents.

Regardless of which specific policy you believe is best, please join the grassroots efforts in the Triangle (Health Care for America Now, NC Justice Center, Durham for Obama, Organizing for America and others) working for meaningful health care reform. If you have any comments or questions, please e-mail me at mpearlmutter@gmail.com.

Ship College Democrats Health Care Rally!!!

Joshua Neyhart — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:05:54 EDT

So last night I set out organizing a meeting of local community democrats to sit down and talk about local issues, national issues, the upcoming elections, and how we want to try to organize. So far the response has been minimal. That's ok though! I'm not giving up yet, I promise this much. I am the currently the communications director for the Shippensburg University chapter of College Democrats. This morning I spoke with the president of the group and he let me know we're planning on having a health care rally next week! Very exciting stuff. We'll be meeting this weekend to workout the details and paint some banners. We're going to search for some information to print and make plenty of copies to hand out. I plan to tell the students to e-mail and write their senators and representatives to say we want healthcare reform now! Should be an exciting event.

-Joshua

American Muslim Task Force and Interfaith Groups Meet At Capitol Hill- Citizen's Hearing to Support President Obama's Health Care Initiatives - Public Option

Muhammad Salim from Chicago, IL — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 05:57:31 EDT

American Muslim Task Force on Civil Rights and Elections (AMT)Interfaith HearingAbout Universal Health CareAt Capitol HillWednesday, 14th October 2009TIME: 12:00 -2:00pm (Refreshments)PLACE: RAYBURN BUILDING, ROOM 2203CAPITOL HILL, WASHINGTON, DC PROGRAM:Universal Health Care - An Ethical PerspectiveRev. Walter Fauntroy, Pastor, New Bethel Baptist ChurchUniversal Health Care - The Human Rights DimensionIbrahim Ramey, Director, Human and Civil Rights Division - MAS Freedom.Universal Health Care - Spiritual ConsiderationsHilary Shelton, Director, NAACP’s Washington BureauThe Sick, the Poor: The Uninsured and Moral Obligations of Interfaith CommunitiesHon. Congressman Dennis Kucinich, (D-OH)Universal Health Care - A Buddhist PerspectiveRev. Kaz Nakata, Ekoji Buddhist Temple, Fairfax Station, VAConceptualizing Compassionate Capitalism: Differentiating Social Justice from CharityHon. Congressman Keith Ellison, (D-MN)Contours of Social Justice in 21st Century AmericaRev. Louisa Davis, Coordinator, Greater Washington Allies in ReconciliationCommunity Pediatricians’ Perspective on Healthcare Reform (Impact on Families)Lavanya Sithanandam M.D, Board Member, South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT)-Rabbi Benyamin Biber For More Information Contact: Mr. Salim Akhtar 202-280-7466***The American Muslim Taskforce on Civil Rights and Election is an umbrella organization representing American Muslim Alliance (AMA), American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), Muslim Alliance in North America (MANA), Muslim American Society-Freedom Foundation (MAS-FF), Muslim Student Association - National (MSA-N), Muslim Ummah of North America (MUNA), and United Muslims of America (UMA). Islamic Educational center of Orange County (IEC), Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) and Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) are affiliated with AMT as observers.

Organizing in Shippensburg

Joshua Neyhart — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:26:51 EDT

I decided to day to see what I could do. I want the people of Shippensburg and the surrounding area to meet and see what they can do to once again influence change. This is a very conservative area, but I know that there are plenty of democrats and progressives around here. I set up and event for next Sunday, so we'll see what happens! I am very excited. I would like to sit down and meet with locals who would like to see change and see what we as a group could do. It might start and be very very simple. But we could grow into something big. We'll see what happens. I'll keep everyone updated. So if you think you can make it, PLEASE come out! It'll be fun and we can take step one to making changes in the community.

Health Care Reform - Selling False Dreams to America

z0rr0 — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:44:34 EDT

We Americans seem to live in a dream world ! There is no such things as "preventable death".

In the real world, the operative phrases are "inevitable death" and "prolonged life".

In the real world, those who insist on prolonging life need to be ready to pay for it too. If they think they can impose life syles on others, then they should be ready to foot the bill for those others as well.

It is simple, in the dream world, immortality comes free. In the real world longevity cost more.

harry reid, the senate majority leader

Donlincd — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 15:07:30 EDT

where is reid on the public option. why is'nt he more vocal about it? is he leading or just rolling over? tuesdays 9/29 debate on the public option would indicate to me that reconciliation is in order. what do you think mr. majority leader.

My Brother didn't have to die like this!!!

Chaplian Cyndi Westra — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 22:05:00 EDT

My little brother Eric is the prime example of what is wrong in America. when the market crashed so did his business of swimming pool construction and sales. Along with that came the loss of health insurance.

Eric was sick and couldn't see a Dr because of no insurance and when he did see a Doctor it was only because he had to pay cash. He couldn't afford expensive tests, scans, etc. so he tried to manage his health the best he could. but he was sick and just continued to decline.

Excruciating pain forced him to the emergency room of Orlando Regional Hospital where they did hospitalize him, do a CAT scan and then told him he had a "cyst" on his Pancreas and discharged him after 5 days. He needed Pain management and had none, he need a specialist, a gastrointestinal, but they were prohibitory costly. His health continued to decline.

I brought him up here to Shands with great hopes they would help, but they sent him away saying he wasn't in their "service Area" since he was from Orlando. I feared that he may have Pancreatic cancer because it was in our family and I have suffered from Pancretitis for 16 years.

Getting far worse I told him to go to "Florida Hospital", they are owned and ran by Seventh Day Adventists and care more about the person then the bottom line. I called my old Orlando Dr that was my GI and asked him to see my brother. He did and hospitalized him that day.

Within a week he was diagnosed with cancer and fought hard until September 14 when he just passed away from the disease not being detected and treated promptly. He didn't have a chance and that isn't right, we live in America, we have the worlds finest and best in medical care and my little brother suffered because he had "Blind Faith" in his country and medical community that he would be taken care of, instead he was let down by a failed community of health care providers that consider the bottom line, the dollar to be far more important than a human life.

My little brother leaves behind 3 sons that desperately need a father in their lives because they aren't grown yet. This isn't fair, this isn't right, no one should die in America because they don't have health care. I can't bring my brother back but I can do what I can to help make change.

I am handicapped, on disability and am in Medicaid Hell, and that is a whole other story.. Health care needs to benefit humans, not create profits, especially when lives depend on it.

Agreed--Mandatory Insurance (for medical care) Is Unconstitutional

hannah — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 09:26:06 EDT

The Constitutional lawyers are weighing in. Messrs Rivkin and Casey make a valid point. The federal government can't mandate individual behavior. Its role is to carry out the mandates that the Constitution and the Congress set and its obligation is to do so in compliance with the equal protection clause. Which is where, as I've argued before, the current Medicare program already falls down.

PBS: "Medical Marijuana Laws Are Hazy"

Justin Turley, San Diego Medical Cannabis Patient — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 04:50:57 EDT

This is an interview with San Diego Assistant District Attorney, Steve Walter from the local Public Broadcasting Service's local station.

(A link to the original source, which includes an audio version can be found after the full text.)

MAUREEN CAVANAUGH (Host): Now what constitutes the difference between a drug dealer and a legitimate provider of medical marijuana?

WALTER: It’s a very difficult question. The law itself, when I say the law I’m talking about Prop 215, SB-420, and the AG’s guidelines, as well as the case law. In essence, you have to be either a user or a qualified patient or a caregiver for such a patient.

Wow. So according to the San Diego District Attorney's Office, "a user" is "a legitimate provider of medical marijuana." That's really disturbing as I have obtained/do obtain all of my medical cannabis from Medical Cannabis Caregivers/ Legal Patients. These are the ones that Walter himself oversaw the aggressive arrests of. I guess going on the above quote, he believes that any one ELSE, just so long as they 'use marijuana' is a responsible, law abiding, trustworthy source for the medication I use for my healthcare. Great.

Employment woes

Bertie — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 08:38:34 EDT

Every day I am told by various people, mainly customers at my Walmart store in Secaucus that I should thank God that I have a job. That may be true and thankfully, I am employed. But, to what end? What good is any job if your family has to apply to the government for help, which is just what we did this past Friday. We sat in the Welfare office for 5 1/2 hours waiting to see a person who took our information and told us to come back this coming Friday to apply. 5 1/2 hours and we didn't even get to apply.

Walmart stores made more than 400 billion dollars last year. It is true they have more that 2 million workers world wide, but I don't think they would miss an increment for us that would at least put food on our tables and maybe give enough to pay the rent? That is the plight of the Walmart worker. By the time I take out my food money, pay my car insurance, and set aside money for gas for the car, there is MAYBE 15 dollars left in my pocket.

Now, I have worked since I was 16 years old and legally able to do so. I helped support my family, my mom, dad and two younger brothers, quitting high school to do so. Then, when my first son was born, I had him to support, and, after I met my husband (of 33 years) I had to help support my two children and when my husband became disabled I had him to help take care of. His disability check is unrealistic and so low that there is no way he could support himself.

My point to all of this is that if Walmart, with all their riches (fat cat family made 90 billion in 2008) would give up some of OUR HARD EARNED CASH, perhaps we would not have to rely on emergency room visits when we are sick, or on Welfare to feed us and keep us in our homes. Walmart is helping to drain the US economy by their lack of compassion for those who break their backs for the Walmart company.

Something MUST be done! We are draining the United States and the taxpayers because Walmart refuses to share the wealth.

I don't want people to stop shopping there, heavens no! That would be a disaster for all of my hungry co-workers. I just want Walmart to do the right thing and give us our fair share for all the work we do.

Go www.walmartworkersforchange.com or www.americanworker.org and make a statement, take a side. Ultimately you will be affected by corporate Americans lack of caring for those of us who make things tick in this great human clock.

TO ALL MY FRIENDS: READ THIS AND TAKE ACTION

Joseph — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 05:29:59 EDT

We've all read at least one newspaper. We've all watched at least one newscast. We've all heard the outcries and we've all witnessed the devastation in our own lives and in the lives of our families.

HEALTH CARE. It's "the subject of the hour" in America today. You've heard so many things about it. And I'm almost positive that most have been negative.

Now, I know what you're thinking. Almost every person on my friends list is below the age of 35. You're saying to yourself, 'Well, whatever is gonna happen, is gonna happen.' By the time that each of us requires steady health care, the system should already have been decided. There's nothing that we can do to change what is coming. YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY WRONG!

We all have a responsibility to have an opinion on this matter. I've thought long and hard about this subject. I watch a lot of news television and I read a lot in regard to the subject. I've listened to friends and neighbors. I've listened more carefully than I ever have. I've tried to formulate an opinion on universal health care. If you haven't given the subject much thought, let me tell you this: It's a rough road to travel down.

Right now, the government is fighting within itself to make a decision. Either universal care for all or the same old way of doing things. From a person that lost a parent, due from a lack of specialized care, I feel that it's my responsibility to educate and inform my closest friends and family. Something has to be done. Something should've been done. And the only thing that has been accomplished to this point is to steal, cheat and effectively kill American citizens.

There are so many things that are currently running through my head right now. I know that I won't be able to share all of my thoughts with the great many of you. But if I have managed to maintain your attention thus far, please continue to read.

As I type this bulletin, the wheels in Washington and throughout our country are working against, even the theory, of universal care for Americans. They claim that the government will hold the scalpel in your next surgery. They claim that death panels will be convened to decided whether your life is cost effective enough to be saved. They claim that this sort of care will open up emergency room doors to politicians and lobbyists who all will want a stake in your overall care and well-being. This is the one question that I have had all this time: What's different from what has happened and is currently happening now??? Insurance companies are run by former members of congress, the Senate and the House of Representatives. How do you think they got those cushy jobs as CEO's and upper executive management within insurance providers and pharmaceutical organizations???

The searing truth of it all is that they want it all for themselves. They want the dollars that you grasp onto to support their ways of life. Millions of dollars in salaries. Millions of dollars in retirement funding. Millions of dollars in wasted, luxury goods that only a few in the world can afford. How do you think they get that rich? When you go to the doctor and IF your insurance is good enough to make it in the door, how much will you spend for 10 minutes of care? Well, depending on how sick you are it could be $100's, $1,000's and without even a blink of an eye 100's of 1,000's. Do you really think that all that many goes to pay the doctor that treated you? Do you really think that all that money goes to maintain the machines? Or even more so, do you think all that money goes to pay the janitor that cleans up after everyone goes home for the day? None of the above.

That money makes it way directly to your insurance carrier. From that point, they decide who gets paid and how much. From that point, they decide whether or not you're going to get seen again and whether or not the next time is going to cost you more. It's THEY that have all the power.

Members, few but effective, of our government have stood up and shouted across party lines to change this. One of which who I'm sure you're all familiar with; Mrs. Hilary Rodham Clinton. Since the early 90's she has faught for our freedoms to choose how we manage our health care system. Sadly, she like many others, has fallen short in the battle to give Americans the right to choose their health care system. And we have paid the wage for this battle with our livelihoods... our precious dollars... and our lives.

Please note that this is not a direct support for the President or his plan. At this point, I'm not sure what to believe. It's a been long time since a President has actually fought for the good of the people. Though, I am supporting the right to choose. The right to choose how we live our lives is a right promised to us by our own laws and freedoms. I don't know whether the President's plan will even see the light of day, but I am sure that something needs to change. I watch the news networks and ask myself, "Why are these people fighting about how horrible a government run health care system would be, instead of fighting for a government run health care system that will work??? So many are opposed to even the idea of this system, instead of proposing a plan that will be effective. Well, if you decided to do your homework, you'll find the answer is very clear. Private insurance is the "bread and butter." It is the "cash cow." They don't want to let go of it because it's the lifeblood of the rich and wealthy. Bottom line: It makes money.

If you've made it this long through my rant, I applaud you. I now welcome you to learn more. Micheal Moore isn't everyone's cup of tea. He's been smeared by conservatives and liberals alike. I don't see eye to eye with him on everything, but I will tell you this: I watched a movie that he directed, produced and wrote, himself. The title of the movie is, "Sicko." I'm begging all of you to watch this movie. It's 2 hours of your life that you'll give up, but I promise it will not be in vain. This is not a movie you'll walk away from lightly. Furthermore, I'm mailing this to every single friend on my list, to ensure that everyone will have the opportunity to decide whether it's time to stand up or simply wait for whatever is decided. I will also forward this message to all of my email contacts, co-workers, neighbors, friends and family. Learn all that you can in regards to this subject and do the same.

Please don't take this lightly. We all have a responsibility to make a difference. Times are changing. But whether they change for the better or not, depends on us. Thanks for listening.

-Joseph

Thank you

J.C. — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 17:58:38 EDT

Thank you to all that participated today at the Health care Booth chit chat. At the empire theater, coffee house on Miracle miles. It was the opportunity to pass out flyers and phone numbers, and share valuable knowledge regarding the topic that concerns the precious health of Americans. Though the setting was not fancy, informal and relax, hey, what do you expect from a health care booth! A health care booth, is just a place with seats, and a lot of information. Just like a phone booth is where people talk and share information, same thing, for a health care booth. I wanted to sincerely thank Joyce, and Adrian, Esperanza and others that came out, and received flyers. Their presence added worth, and wealth to the effort of the president of united states toward achieving the goal of the American people.

Now, let's stay tune for further events, and keep pressure on congress.

The case for Single Payer over Public option

March4health4All — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 04:29:26 EDT

The case for Single Payer over Public option

If we are going to fight let's go for the real thing.

Enough with the Public Option, it covers, at best 5% of us, when Obama says, if you like what you have you can keep it, the most important statement is lacking: if you hate it, you can leave it. All the PO does is to create another entitlement for people to resent.

Also, if they wanted to control insurance prices, all they need to do is declare them a public utility, a mandate without price control is untenable.

Single payer is all inclusive, thereby creating less resentment and can be explain in two sentences: This is how it works. You pay your premiums through payroll withholdings, just like ssi, Medicare, etc. and you get the care free.

By eliminating the middleman, you pay a lot less and Drs get pay better.

Single payer is actually an easier sale, as it answers that very human question: "What's in it for me?"

http://healthcare4all.org/

Meeting: Kankakee Valley Council of MoveOn.org

Joanie Liesenfelt — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 12:49:26 EDT

Why: to form an active local group working for a public health insurance option.
When: Tuesday September 22, 2009
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Where: Lydia and Groucho's Coffee Shop and Deli
Address: 150 N. Schuyler Ave., Kankakee, IL 60901
Bring your ideas and enthusiasm

email: Justjoane@aol.com

The Obvious and Predictable

Steve the carpenter — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 23:35:37 EDT

When President Obama addressed congress last concerning the amount of (what was to me) obvious attempts to cause him problems, you could see John McCain laughing and waving at him as if to say, "See, there you go, you wanted the job, now you deal with this! HaHa! His childish waving and laughing was what we can expect from the Bush/Rove type liars and what I realise is present in Arizona. Every Arizonan I speak to, (and I live here, grew up in the same school district with Cindy Hensley, John McCain's present wife, when she was in grammar school and high school) has a story to tell about one of either Senator Kyle or Representitive Shaddeg. The story is always how these men helped someone with their personal life by using their influence and authority in the way it was intended, to help the state's citizens when some government Bureaucracy was trying to do something wrong to that person. Sometimes it has to do with people who aren't doing their job properly, sometimes it is some new person trying to read the rules that congress wrote incorrectly. I.E. one state law in Arizona was written to say, "...if the prospective clients expenses excede their income, then, they are inelligible for help." It was a typo, obviously. If someone's expenses did NOT excede their income, why would they need help? It also tells them to throw away a person's documents when they are given to them for recording after making copies. Tell me why you would throw away someone's birth certificate, car registration, etc. It was meant to say, when a person gets a letter from an authority or landlord to verify that they have a residence, then, don't let them use the same letter twice. Some new people in the state DES office have thrown away legal documents belonging to the client since they are not smart enough not to ask if it doesn't make sense.

I am not going to go into my extent of knowledge of the laws concerning family assistance but they are legislated and written poorly and then given the discretion of the control freaks in offices here who may or may not be a person who thinks their job is to deny everyone they possibly can for help. Some of those people think if you happened to have a car nicer than theirs, it is up to you to eat your car if you lose your job, since their own car buying choice is greatly lacking. Some laws are left up to interpretation. In some D.E.S. offices there is blatant racial discrimination. There are minorities running the offices who believe that all white people are somehow able to find some rich uncle who will give them millions if they lose their job so they don't need help. If a white person goes into some of those offices they aren't asked what they want, they are told to take a number and sit down. After waiting half a day to get their number called, they go to the window and find out they could have just asked for an application and been given it, but the rude people at the desk like treating them like second class citizens. That is Arizona. We have the worst job statistics since anyone who is selling education here lists it as a job, then they say, "Oh, well, if you want that job, let me sign you up for our school and maybe you can then find a job like that on your own." They say we have jobs when we don't because some jobs won't hire but one kind of people. I tried to do farm labor. The MYTH that only Mexican Illegal Aliens want those jobs is a complete lie. The farm bosses who hire won't hire you if you aren't an illegal alien since they can get away with cheating those people over and over by stealing their pay. You or I would go to the police, the small claims court, or the state labor department, but, illegals can't do that. That is why they are the only ones they will hire. Just let's say, this is part of what they call the new global economy. It entails the new form of American Slave Labor.

Health care needs to be taken care of but John McCain and his leg dragger crew are fast at work making themselves into the anchor connected to whatever legislation the president needs t send up the channel for things running smoothely. They think it is funny that they stall legislation to act like a three year old. We should be standing on his front lawn next time he does that and asking him who he thinks he is. The tea party people are a fabrication developed by some people who say that they "report news" but are owned by the same propagandists who also owns and operates Al Jazeera English which is the other Fair and Balanced fake news show which supports Islam. If you don't think Fox News and Al Jazeera are the same thing, then look at their articles and see if they don't all go the same way. Al Jazeera uses the terms "fair and balanced" and "the axis of evil". Does that sound familiar?

The same liars who fed you all that previous baloney are in charge of both stations. If you don't find that scary then, you aren't paying attention. Some day the people who hurt the non-wealthy of our planet will be recognised but probably not in this decade, since there are so many American Liars who are bound and determined to ruin the United States for selfish political reasons, just so they can say they "won". When we are completely bankrupt, having to make concessions to Red China, the communists who we already owe money to, then, they can say, "See, we made Obama fail." Just like the same people who advised George Bush to ruin our economy, are the same ones in charge of the teaparty revolt, it would seem that most people would wise up, but so much for common sense.

Dead on Arrival

Richard in Toronto - Still American After All These Years — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 11:27:12 EDT

Democrats, progressive or otherwise, must reject the Baucus Boondoggle without blinking. Bought and paid for by the Health Care industry Wendell Potter describes it as an "absolute gift" and that it "might as well be called the Insurance Industry Profit Protection and Enhancement Act."

We need to put Max Baucus on notice -- his allegiance is with the sources of his campaign funding -- banks and Wall St., and the pharmaceuticals/health care/insurance industries -- not the American People, and he does not deserve to sit in the Senate of the United States of America.

The Tea Partiers may not understand American history or the concept of taxation as it relates to representation by a democratically elected president and congress, but they have one slogan that rings true: it's time to take our country back -- from the corporations and industries who now own Congress.

Terrorist Attacks on Californian Medical Cannabis Patients Continue

Justin Turley, San Diego Medical Cannabis Patient — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 05:19:51 EDT

While the Nation continues to argue over Healthcare Reform, some of the neediest, sickest, most desperate Americans are being terrorized by their own City Government!

Terrorist Attacks On Medical Cannabis Patients Continue
by 921 » Thu Sep 17, 2009 10:34 pm
Unfortunately it appears that despite her claim to care about "Medical Marijuana Patients", San Diego District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis and her armed militia continue to wage war on San Diego's most defenseless...

I received this report from an anonymous Medical Cannabis Patient/ Co-Op Member just today:

A narcotics officer came in last night and demanded the administrators personal information. he would not leave until we gave it to him. he said he was getting all admins personal info for records and that the "task force" was going to be sending letters, that's why he needed it. I know he went to Mother Nurture and a couple others in SD. I feel it is a ploy to get their personal info so they can raid their houses along with their businesses. If you could post this all over for me, it would help others.

I fear that those suspicions may be correct.

In addition to above report and what I perceive are truly medical cannabis patients asking for help, I have noticed a whole new influx since 9/9/2009's raids. People I have never met or even "chatted with online" are emailing me asking where to get medical cannabis, asking where I live and telling me about buying marijuana off the street. People are posting "reviews" on the BCC section on WeedMaps insinuating that the Collective was anything but a legitimate Medical Collective. I post about BCC possibly opening back up and the suspicious emails increase instantly and the forum is hit with what I assume are links to possibly illegal, pornographic websites.

And even though I've done countless hours of volunteer work to support local law enforcement families & officers and even though I may not live to see next year thanks to Cirrhosis (and other currently fatal health issues) - I am afraid that at any moment the door to the apartment I can't afford will be kicked in and I will be put in a jail cell even though I have not knowingly broken any California State Law.

If this is how Bonnie Dumanis CARES for me and other Medical Cannabis Patients, I'd rather she ignore us, because she's far worse than any of the diseases that are killing me.

~ "921"

http://www.sandiegobcc.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=50

Thanks for reading. Unfortunately the local media refuses to report the truth of the situation, so I'm desperately reaching out on the internet. Here's a little background on who I am and why this is here: I am a tax paying, voting, community minded individual that is suffering from Cirrhosis and many other currently fatal physical ailments. I am a fully legal, medical cannabis patient from San Diego, California and this blog is my attempt to educate the President of the United States of America and the entire world of my struggle.

10 Worst, 10 Best: Senator Max Baucus

Skye Wallin — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 00:52:13 EDT

For a long time I've wanted to begin a series that takes a careful look at our federal representatives and their actions. As caretakers of the most powerful country in all known history, we ought to know who they are and what they stand for. When I worked in the United States Senate this Summer as legislative intern (more on that another time), I found an article in a 1970s Washington Journal that called out the best and the worst of the U.S. Senate. So today I begin a similar, albeit more timely, piece called: "10 Worst, 10 Best: Your United States Congress Exposed."

And today I begin with Senator Max Baucus, a Democrat from Helena, Montana and Chairman of the Finance Committee. Mr. Baucus earned both his B.A. and law degree at Stanford University, and went on to work for the Securities and Exchange Commission in D.C. Eventually, he returned to his home state, won a seat in the state House of Representatives, and ultimately a seat in the United States House. In 1978, the Montanian won his Senate seat; a seat that has grown stale and dank and saturated in the corrupt puss that seeps from every pore of Max Sieben Baucus.

Such a scathing judgement is undeserved by most, but let us remember that we are dealing with the United States Senate--a body representative of the most powerful interests this country has to offer. Max Baucus, in particular, has received massive campaign donations from the most invasive and influential industries. OpenSecrets.org reveals the top 5 contributors to this Blue Dog's campaigns: Lawyers/Law Firms ($1,608,823), Securities & Investment firms like Goldman Sachs ($1,480,535) Insurance ($1,190,463), Health Professionals ($1,032,276), and Pharmaceuticals/Health Products ($751,605). In total, Baucus has received $2,880,631 from the Health Care Industry and $4,710,818 from Finance, Insurance, and Real Estate sectors!

If those numbers don't bug you, check out where his former staff members work. Jeff Forbes, once Baucus's Chief of Staff, went straight to K Street when he opened a lobby firm for the health industry. David Castagnetti, another ex-chief of staff, went on to work in the insurance industry itself! Several other staff member have gone similar routes, and some (including Forbes and Castagnetti) have met with Baucus in exclusive meetings on Health Care Reform 2009.

These facts would be meaningless if big industry donors wanted nothing in return; but alas, this is the root of corruption. Of course powerful Wall Street bankers and health care hotshots want their interests protected and enhanced! As we have seen in the Bailout and TARP spending--intended to stabilize the economy--the Democrats are just as keen as Republicans in helping big business at the expense of taxpayers. And Max Baucus is in a particularly powerful position as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee--arguably the most influential of all committees since nearly every bill that involves spending must go through it.

Now let me tell you how fucked up Senator Baucus's health care reform bill is going to be. For one, the man refuses to support the Public Option, which is now the last remaining hope for true, fundamental reform...for the change we can believe in. This corporate Dem will fight any attempt to uproot the perverted and financially idiotic health care system that this country has been victim to for so many years. Instead, cooperatives have been proposed as a substitute for the public option--this is a petty appeasement, and will be destined for failure since co-ops will not have the funding to sustain themselves; eventually they will be used as "proof" that non-private health plans do not--cannot work.

Baucus's bill is being determined by his "Gang of 6" which, besides Montana Max, includes Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Mike Enzi (R-Wyoming), Kent Conrad (D-North Dakota), and Jeff Bingaman (D-New Mexico). Seems like a lot of Republicans determining reform they do not even seem to want! Is there not a Democratic majority? In fact, Baucus has shut out certain members of the Finance Committee who do indeed support the public option! And I refuse to believe that the Gang of 6 states are representative of the entire country.

True health care reform is looking more and more unlikely by the hour, and this is largely due to the influential Baucus. How have we allowed this kind of paralyzing corruption to happen? Don't the people of Montana see that this man has little desire to represent their true needs? The needs of the country at large? Must things get bad enough that we must revolt to reform our policies and cut the puppet strings once and for all?

I refuse to believe we have reached that point, but I do know that a voter revolt is needed--that is, people like this can and must lose reelection. If change is on the horizon, it certainly will not come from hacks like Max Baucus--a man perhaps best explained by his response to single-payer advocates (a group of 8 doctors and nurses) demanding to have a seat at the table: "We need more police!"

And so it is official... Max Baucus: you, sir, are my first WORSTCONGRESSPERSON

What's in it for me? Healthcare

March4health4All — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 21:05:48 EDT

Must read http://kucinich.us/index.php

Enough with the public option, it covers, at best 5% of us, when Obama says, if you like what you have you can keep it, the most important statement is lacking: if you hate it, you can leave it. All the PO does is create another entitlement for people to resent.
Single payer is actually an easier sale, as it answers that very human question: "What's in it for me?"

Le's fight for the real thing.

Please join me in demanding your Medicare ASAP, regardless of age:
In FB: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=147637363022

In MyBO: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gpk4pt

Read Rep. Kucinich analysis below, and let's go after the real thing.
The Private Mandate Sausage Machine

Tuesday, 15 September 2009

Dear Friends,

It is said one should not ask how sausage or laws are made. Are you concerned about a public option? Let me share with you some insight about health care legislation which may not be good for your health.

A lesson in politics. The Kucinich Prediction: Here's what's going to happen ...

House will make a big deal about keeping/putting a public option in HR3200 because it competes with insurance companies and will keep insurance rates low.
The White House will refer to the President's speech last week where he spoke favorably of the public option.
The Senate will kill the competitive public option in favor of non-competitive "co-ops". Senate leaders like Kent Conrad have said the votes to pass a public option were never there in the Senate.
The bill will come to a House-Senate Conference Committee without the public option.
House Democrats will be told to support the conference report on the legislation to support the President.
The bill will pass, not with a "public option" but with a private mandate requiring 30 million uninsured to buy private health insurance (if one doesn't already have it). If you are broke, you may get a subsidy. If you are not broke, you will get a fine if you do not purchase insurance.

This legislative sausage will be celebrated as a new breakthrough and will be packaged as health insurance reform. However, the bill may require a Surgeon General's warning label: Your Money or Your Life!

The bill that Congress passes may pale in comparison to the bill that millions of Americans get every month for having or not having private health insurance.

It will take four years for the new legislation to go into effect. During that time we are going to build a constituency of millions in support of real health care, a constituency which will be recognized and a cause which is right and just: Health Care as a Civil Right.

Calling for health care reform

Duane Kuehn — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 05:56:06 EDT

Hi All,

     I am posting a link to a thing I wrote about the need for health care reform. The link, because simply posting the article might be too cumbersome for the site. Anyway, I think it might be too long, boring and lacking of any humor. I hope you will read it and let me know what you think, where is might be corrected (or should I just trash it -to recycled waste of course. : )

     I always do my best to verify information that I use. However, because figures cannot lie but liars can figure, statistics are often hard to verify.

     On that note, I am hoping to find solid, verifiable information on the true cost of health insurance premiums paid to private insurers by individual households and by employers (especially small business).

     Sometimes when a link takes up more than one line, the link will not work and must be copied and pasted into ones browser. I hope this one works as is. The Helium site is safe to visit and does not collect any behind the scenes information or put unwanted junk into one’s computer.

http://www.helium.com/items/1580034-health-reform-universal-health-care-health-legislation-problems-with-universal-health-care

Loveya,
Your friend,
Duane

Extra food for the cat

Mommie-x-2 — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 18:13:51 EDT

My Aunt Dona sent this to her representative this a.m. after trying to send a response to Rep Eric Cantor after his appearance on GMA this a.m. (Cantor's website wouldn't let her post a comment since she's not in his district).

Hi guys:

This morning I was watching Good Morning America and they interviewed Eric Cantor (who apparently is the Republican WHIP). I don't know if you guys saw his comments, but I was appalled by them and by his attitude.

I wanted to send him my thoughts on his comments, but on visiting his website, the effort to contact him directs you to your own Republican representative. In my case, that is Mary Bono. So, I did send her a message. Here is what I wrote to her:

Universal Health Care Message To Americans, Dos Equis, Two X's

Unknown user — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 07:35:17 EDT

See this link:

Universal Health Care Message To Americans, Dos Equis, Two X's

visionary

DADA — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 22:37:14 EDT

I am proud of you president your speach in congress proved how great visionary you are

health care reform

messenger of GOD — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:01:05 EDT

to whom it may concern,

i truly believe that we as a nation should stand up as one voice for this bill to pass as we did during the elections because presidents come and go yet human life is a one way street...due to the severity of cases concerning the H1N1 flu epademic i think we should hit the nail on the head and inform people that we want to save the country from a crisis waiting to happen ....just imagine if this virus does spread and it will and uninsured eople arnt monitored due to loss of health covrerage either loss of job or otherwise...we will have millions of infected and evn deaths caused by are current system so please i implore you to stand as one to save a life with passing this bill.

beast regards,

Ahmed M. Abuhussein

messenger of GOD

President's Health Care Reform

Aasi Tahir Siddique — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 12:05:56 EDT

I am impressed with the President's speech and the health care reform is the key to our future. Health care reform is the key to our nation’s prosperity. This is not the time to ask, “Where the funds will come from”; this question should have been asked before the unjust and unnecessary war. Our government is of the people, by the people, and for the people and the President’s health care reform is for the people and it has been the people’s agenda all along. Enough is enough for people whom oppose it and enough of their arrogance. I support the health care reform all the way and determine to make it a reality. God bless our nation.

Letter from Senator Ted Kennedy to President Obama

Jill 4 Obama — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:50:16 EDT

THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary _______________________________________________________________________________________ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 9, 2009

Below is the text of the letter from Senator Edward M. Kennedy referenced by the President in tonight's address to a Joint Session of Congress.

May 12, 2009

Dear Mr. President,

I wanted to write a few final words to you to express my gratitude for your repeated personal kindnesses to me - and one last time, to salute your leadership in giving our country back its future and its truth. On a personal level, you and Michelle reached out to Vicki, to our family and me in so many different ways. You helped to make these difficult months a happy time in my life. You also made it a time of hope for me and for our country.

When I thought of all the years, all the battles, and all the memories of my long public life, I felt confident in these closing days that while I will not be there when it happens, you will be the President who at long last signs into law the health care reform that is the great unfinished business of our society.

For me, this cause stretched across decades; it has been disappointed, but never finally defeated. It was the cause of my life. And in the past year, the prospect of victory sustained me-and the work of achieving it summoned my energy and determination. There will be struggles - there always have been - and they are already underway again.

But as we moved forward in these months, I learned that you will not yield to calls to retreat - that you will stay with the cause until it is won. I saw your conviction that the time is now and witnessed your unwavering commitment and understanding that health care is a decisive issue for our future prosperity. But you have also reminded all of us that it concerns more than material things; that what we face is above all a moral issue; that at stake are not just the details of policy, but fundamental principles of social justice and the character of our country.

And so because of your vision and resolve, I came to believe that soon, very soon, affordable health coverage will be available to all, in an America where the state of a family's health will never again depend on the amount of a family's wealth. And while I will not see the victory, I was able to look forward and know that we will - yes, we will - fulfill the promise of health care in America as a right and not a privilege.

In closing, let me say again how proud I was to be part of your campaign- and proud as well to play a part in the early months of a new era of high purpose and achievement. I entered public life with a young President who inspired a generation and the world. It gives me great hope that as I leave, another young President inspires another generation and once more on America's behalf inspires the entire world.

So, I wrote this to thank you one last time as a friend- and to stand with you one last time for change and the America we can become. At the Denver Convention where you were nominated, I said the dream lives on. And I finished this letter with unshakable faith that the dream will be fulfilled for this generation, and preserved and enlarged for generations to come.

With deep respect and abiding affection,

Ted

Mandate Health Care is Unfair and betrayal of Obama's Promise

Timothy from Portland, OR — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 21:28:50 EDT

I am watching the president's speech and am disappointed by his breaking of the promise he made that he would not mandate health care on everyone. He also shows weakness by yielding to much to opposition that he declares government will not subsidize health care. The government should. If not then what this health care is about ? It is influenced too much by politics of being looking good.Now the few who can not afford health care such as unemployed, small business, self-employed, and temporary employees are discriminated against and will have to carry the financial burden for the rest of the system. Unlike the employed people who enjoy subsidiary from their employers, the group of people mentioned afore have very limited and unstable income are on their own where every penny is needed.Health care reform is needed but the president should have everyone with steady and higher income, not the people with little income, paying more for it in form of higher income taxes. Government should also subsidize the health care system based on the higher income taxes collected. I guess it would make you politically look bad that picking on the helpless is easier.I feel really disappointed and betrayed by these politics maneuvers just to get something done that favors the wealthy and well-dos while ignore consideration of the helpless who need help the most.

Young Not Dumb

Connie Camaro — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:52:17 EDT

Hey, just because Im young does not mean I do not understand and unfortunately see the world of today in all its corrupted and selfish shame.

Many people are and have been ignorant and greedy, and our world, our planet is suffering for it. I have seen a lot of cowardly and unfair shit in my 17 years already. Its all about the money, isnt it? Well guess what? Theres more to life than money. I hear that many people of America are complaining against the New Health Insurance Proposal and im a little shocked as to why? I may be British, but Im not stupid and I take pride in NOT being ignorant.

Im aware of the political and global 'goings-on' in the world; and I think more people should be. There are many people who do not know who their own President/Priminister is, which is quite shocking, mostly because they CHOOSE not to care. This health insurance issue IS IMPORTANT.

Just because other less fortunate people cannot afford insurance DOES NOT mean they should suffer. How can anyone, regardless or their beliefs or backgrounds stand up and admit that they believe this. My mother is quite ill at the moment and will be having an operation in October. If we had no health insurance, we would not be able to afford it, and her illness may turn terminal.

They are far worse cases out there but i have offered you a personal example. People need to realise that money and looks or whatever only get you so far, but whats in lack of supply at the moment is common sense, honesty, compassion and generosity.

All I can say to those that are lacking is this:

Sort your life out you disgraceful excuse for a human being. >:( !!!!!

RAMMING SPEED

GUN DEALER — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:05:50 EDT

The title says all you need to know about this "prez'dint's" commitment to "bipartisanship".But bipartisanship doesn't matter anyway…the Democrats have the votes to ram this crap through without a single Republican committing political suici, "joining them"…The only reason obama or the Democrats want Republican participation in the upcoming disaster is so that they'll have someone to blame when the American people turn on them!!!

BY Chisco on 09/09/2009 at 12:03

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/57859-boehner-gop-leaders-havent-met-obama-for-health-talks-since-april

Healthcare Reform Needs No Bipartisanship

H. E. Barrett, Jr. — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 11:41:40 EDT

While I can certainly respect the President's desire for bipartisanship, the tactics of the right make it clear that it isn't possible in today's political climate. I truly understand the desire to tout any legislation as inclusive, but politics is a dirty game.

President Obama still has the mindset of a commUNITY organizer. He still wants his "kumbaya" moment. Although this is honorable, it isn't practical in politics. I would imagine that he decided to run for office after surmising that the powers that be had their own selfish agendas that didn't include their constituencies -- the ones they IDEALLY work for. I'm sure that he felt he could get more done from the inside. NOW he has to understand that this new circle he is in is STILL proliferated with the selfsame people who did little for the Chicago folks that he represented as a commUNITY organizer.

Even worse, his catering to the other side -- most outrageously, his support of Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter -- has alienated Congressmen on the left. This whole desire for compromise when it wasn't necessary has led to a very tenuous ability to pass a bill that includes a much-needed public option. I fear that, as a result, the American people are going to end up with a mere face lift, a facade of a reform -- reform in name only. President Obama needs to be more forceful -- become, in the words of President-Select George W. Bush, "the decider". He needs to tell Congress that he will sign absolutely NO BILL, outside of a budgetary one, until and unless he gets the public option health-care reform bill the American people deserve.

Health Care Stories

Eileen M. from Rhinebeck, NY — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 07:12:46 EDT

The most powerful tool that has helped shape opinion about the need for health care reform was a link I received back on June 26, 2009 to individual stories of how health care has impacted their lives. Organized by zip code, I was able to access comments from people in my neighborhood (or any neighborhood nationally).

I have lost the link to this tool and would like to access it again to share stories with my daughter about individuals in her neighborhood.

Can anyone tell me if this tool is still available?

WE CAN

DADA — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 23:37:56 EDT

I AM PROUD TO SAY OUR PRESIDENT CAN MAKE IT

IN ONE DAY

ON SATURDAY 5TH I WAS ABLE TO GET SEVENTY FIVE SIGNATURES FOR SUPPORT PRESIDENT OBAMAS THREE PRINCIPLES FOR REAL HEALTH CARE REFORM.

I WISH HIM ALL SUCCESS

March 4 Healthcare Sunday September 13 in San Francisco and other cities

Karen D. — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 22:24:52 EDT

"On September 13 we will be marching in San Francisco to support heath care reform and the public option. Marches will also take place on the same day in major cities including Washington, DC."

You may have received this on an OFA events request but just want to remind you that it should be a beautiful day in SF this Sunday so let's gather for a march and rally in honor of the late Ted Kennedy. Organizers suggest we wear a white shirt, (one you are willing to decorate a bit) + write GET WELL. How about a sign with a red cross and your health care message: Public Option Now, Healthcare Reform, or Healthcare Now. Here is more, please go to the OFA events page to respond.

To find other cities, please go to:
http://www.march4healthcare.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=118144661546

Questions? Email us at: march4healthcare.sf@gmail.com

March from: Justin Herman Plaza
Down Market
End up at: City Hall

BART stations on both ends. Route is 1.7 miles. If you can't walk that far, meet us at City Hall/Civic Center Park. This will be a peaceful march and rally. Please your family, bring kids, and also:

PLEASE bring "GET WELL" balloons. We want to make a statement that we want the country to get well with the public option and reform.

PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IN COMMENTS SECTION SO WE CAN SEND YOU DETAILS!

See you there!

Karen

Gutting Health Care Reform

Dr. Thomas from Northampton, MA — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 16:36:57 EDT

I should never underestimate the Democratic Party's ability to snatch defeat out of the jaws of victory. The way they crawl on their knees before a rabid and bankrupted Republican party, you'd think they had a one vote majority in both houses, not a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate and overwhelming numbers in the House.

Having watched this sad, pathetic behavior since they took office, its no wonder that they are mauling health care reform into nearly nothing at all. With corporate hacks like Max Baucus and the Blue Troll Democrats in command of the agenda, whatever reform survives this bungled mess, will no doubt best serve the insurance and health care industry at the direct expense of the poor and working class.

A classic example of this corporate-servant mentality is the recent suggestion that people be fined for failing to get health insurance. What better way to protect the profits of our predatory insurance industry than to compel everyone to buy their shoddy products?

When will the clowns we elect realize that poor people don't have insurance because they can't afford it? How does fining the poor for failing to spend the money they don't have for a product that should be their birthright solve anyone's problems, except the insurance industry? This is a typical example of how privileged people make life more difficult for the poor by failing to take their poverty into consideration when they make policy. Talk about not solving a problem!

The only real answer to the health care crisis worth talking about is single payer health care. Everyone's covered, end of sentence. By abandoning employer-based health care, the private sector can more easily hire people, saving significantly on fringe. People can more easily move between jobs -- and even start new businesses -- because they won't be tied to employers for their health care.

American health care is so obscenely expensive and so riddled with corporate corruption that anyone who gets sick in this country is not simply at risk in terms of health, but bankruptcy as well. Overdependence on drugs, surgery and expensive diagnostics is matched by a lack of attention to preventative health care. How many people take prescription pills to counteract the side effects of other prescription pills? How many people have no health care at all? How many people have gone bankrupt or seen their savings disappear because of a profit-based health care system and a predatory and criminal-minded health insurance industry?

This is the price of private-sector health care. A classic example of why private-sector solutions to public problems only lead to greed, corruption, mismangement and failure. Time to put this rabid dog to sleep.

So long as corporate flunkies like Senator Baucus and the Blue Troll Democrats are running the show, nothing but disaster should be expected. One thing that can most certainly be expected from this supply-side, private-sector approach is that it will not provide universal health care for all. It will simply make life more difficult for the poor and the working class, without solving anyone's problems.

Video: OBAMA RAISING THE BAR

Madama Ambi — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 13:47:55 EDT

Video: Obama Raising the Bar

I made this video during the campaign and I think it still has relevance, maybe even more so right now during our country's crisis of trust.

What do you think?

Health Care Solution

Peter Blackman — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 15:28:16 EDT

A way to save money on health care is prevention and education about prevention. Also if we could just get the AMA to open their eyes to solutions to disease that are not expensive we could save a lot here also.

Public insurance really makes sense. Also health program could pay for education of doctors that wanted to be doctors and were not just in it for the money. Doctors on this program would have to do say ten years in the program and could stay on if they wanted to. See health care is so expensive because doctors education is so expensive and then malpractice insurance is so expensive.

Health Care Solution

Peter Blackman — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 15:28:16 EDT

Time to Get the Job Done

jsq — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 07:38:45 EDT

On this Labor Day morning I sent this feedback through whitehouse.gov:

I campaigned for you, like many others. We elected you and majorities of Democrats bigger than Newt Gingrich ever saw to get the job done: end the war, close gitmo, end warrantless wiretapping, implement universal health care, and the other things you said you would do.

I'm sure it's hard once you get there, but gitmo is still open and there's a lot of talk that you're thinking of abandoning the public option on health care. A public option is already a compromise. The real solution, as you yourself once said, is single-payer. Medicare for everyone!

You can't please everyone. You really can't please Republicans in Congress, because they're not bargaining in good faith: their only goal is to defeat you by defeating health care and anything else you propose. Trying to do it in a bipartisan way was laudable. It didn't work. You held out your hand and they bit it. Time to get the job done.

FDR didn't pass the New Deal by asking Republicans to approve every detail. He accepted opposition and actively campaigned to defeat it and to defeat those Congress members in the next election. His biographer Jean Edward Smith said recently:
“This fixation on securing bipartisan support for healthcare reform suggests that the Democratic Party has forgotten how to govern and the White House has forgotten how to lead.”

LBJ didn't pass Medicare by giving away the store to the Republicans. He said what he wanted and he twisted arms until he got it. If your Blue Dogs are standing in your way tell them to get in line if they want your support for their next bill or at the next election.

You're losing us, your progressive base. We are the great majority of people in this country who want real health care reform, not some compromise with the profit-gouging insurers. Nobody else should have to die so a CEO can get a bonus.

It's time to lead, Mr. President. It's time for you and the Democrats in Congress to do the job you said you would do; the job we elected you to do.

Open Letter to President Obama

Valerie from Tucson, AZ — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 13:26:34 EDT

Dear President Obama:

We stand at a critical moment for our nation. 47 million Americans lack health insurance, and 40,000 die each year from preventable illnesses because they have no coverage. For those lucky enough to have insurance, a single illness or accident can lead to staggering medical bills, the number one cause of bankruptcy in the U.S. This is why I support your vision for health care reform, including a robust public option to reign in costs and provide affordable care for all Americans.

Like many young voters, I was deeply inspired by your ability to harness the energy and idealism of my generation. Like so many others, I longed for change: change in the cynical link between money and politics, and in our willingness to stand up to entrenched interests and advance true progress. Change in our fulfillment of the moral obligation to help those who are struggling to get by.

Yet with every concession to the insurance and pharmaceutical companies, with every conciliatory gesture toward the homegrown extremists who vilify you--some with shocking allusions to violence--I can feel the hope you inspired slipping away.

Mr. President, this isn't just a political issue that can be finessed. This is an issue of life or death.

We cannot afford to water down legislation that will fix our broken health care system. Reform that will contain costs, create efficiency, and ensure coverage for all Americans is a vital necessity that must not be squandered. We're counting on you.

Sincerely,

Valerie J. Saturen

American Muslim Task Force on Civil Rights and Elections (AMT) Supports President Obama's Health Care Initiatives-- Vigil, Please Join

Muhammad Salim from Chicago, IL — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 08:45:55 EDT

American Muslim Task Force on Civil Rights and Elections (AMT)Vigil to SupportPresident Obama's Health Care Bill.September 8th, 2009 Tuesday 6.30PM to 7.30 PMAtICNA Center 6224 N. California Ave, Chicago, IL 60659

Short and Precise Program and Vigil starts at 6.30 PM and Ends with Breaking the Fast of Ramadan. You are welcome to share the compassionate spirit of Ramadan and Support Health Care initiatives for all, as it is a Human Right Issue. For More Information call Muhammad Salim Akhtar at 773-507-5335

RECURRING CONTRIBUTIONS

Carolyn from Live Oak, FL — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 07:09:28 EDT

September 6, 2009

This is a 2nd notice I sent to the DNC concerning recurring contribution. I did not get a response the first time:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The following notice was at the bottom of the DOLLAR A DAY contribution for Health Care Reform: https://donate.barackobama.com/page/contribute/dnc08hcdollar?source=20090729_dollar_d_2pm

Recurring Contribution:

By checking the box below, I acknowledge that I am making a recurring contribution and that the amount I have selected above will be charged to my credit card on the 6th of every month. YOU MAY CANCEL AT ANY TIME. The first charge will be made immediately.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To Whom It May Concern,

I would like to know what I have to do to rescind my contribution.

A few weeks ago, when I thought a Public Option on health care reform, was a possibility, I signed up to donate a dollar a day until the Health Care Reform bill was signed by, President Obama. Well, now it looks as though the far right-wing teabagger/townhallers and the insurance industry lobbies are winning and there will be no health care reform for, we the people of the United States of America. Thus, we will continue to suffer under the greedy insurance companies who make health care unaffordable for most of us.

In my own family my daughter who is a school teacher, in the Public School System cannot afford health care coverage for her family, she only has coverage for herself. (It would take a third of her $32,000 a year salary, for a family of four)...

My son who is self-employed as a local musician pays $650 a month for CATASTROPHIC health insurance. If he or his wife should get sick they will have to come up with $5000 in order to get treatment (The $650 pays for health coverage with a $5000 deductable and nothing else - not preventative, as in a yearly check-ups - it’s strictly an amount paid to the insurance company who is gambling that my son will not get sick. Pretty good odds considering my son and daughter-in-law are young).

This is sad but not as sad as all those Americans who have no coverage AT ALL because they can't afford the premiums the insurance companies demand since profit is their only motivation.

Once again, please tell me how to get out of this agreement I have committed to... The dollar a day donation is at this site: https://donate.barackobama.com/page/contribute/dnc08hcdollar?source=20090729_dollar_d_2pm because I would rather donate this sum of money to a worthier cause that will use the money more effectively.

I don't want my credit card charged again because I feel it is money thrown away. I would appreciate any help you can give me concerning this “problem”.

Thank you,

thinkingblue.blogspot.com

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Health Care Reform Fashion Show!

Kate Goldwater — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 21:55:19 EDT

To show support for Obama's Health Care Plan, AuH2O is hosting a Health Care Reform Fashion Show for Fashion Week. It will be outside the store (84 E. 7th Street b/t 1st and 2nd) on Sunday, September 13th, at 5pm. Here are the details:

Where: Outside AuH2O (84 E. 7th Street b/t 1st and 2nd aves)- Sidewalk Runway!
When: Sunday, September 13, 5pm
What: Models in Health Care Reform and Public Option shirts and dresses
FREE Health Care Reform BUTTONS
FREE Obama EARRINGS for the first 25 people!

There will also be a table where we will be handing out info on Obama's plan and why we're in favor of it. We'll provide information on how to call your senators and encourage them to vote for it, and we'll have a letter of support everyone is welcome to sign that we'll send to the President.

Models will be walking in AuH2O for Health Care Reform tops, which are hand stenciled and made from old clothing, as always. Shirts will be available for $20 and dresses will be $40, and the proceeds will go to paying my medical expenses and hopefully getting insurance in the future!

There will also be a live band and a DJ! The Curtana Veil, which is Ryan Kanterman, David Kaplan, and Chris Wall, will play a few songs (see this video of my favorite song) and Avi Flombaum will DJ the fashion show.

For more details, go to blog.auh2odesigns.com or email kate -at- auh2odesigns.com

Three thoughts on the health care debate and Europe

Steven — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 18:31:17 EDT

Here are three thoughts that came up in a debate over healthcare on Facebook. My interlocutor was concerned about the fact that European countries might have more universal healthcare systems, but they also had much higher rates of income tax, and so introducing a similar health care system here would result in similarly high income tax rates, seemd to be the argument. Partly because of this he wanted to go slow in implementing change. There is only an indirect link betwen high income tax rates and universal health care in many of the countries cited, because many of those countries have systems based on PRIVATE insurance and PRIVATE medical systems, but, regardless, here are my three cobbled-together thoughts:

First, forget about the income tax rate, concentrate instead on how much the health care sector costs us, the American people as a society. The cost is roughly TWICE that of what Europeans have to pay, as a proportion of their GDP, yet Europeans have the same or a better standard of health care than what Americans receive. Talk about inefficient! It is not so much what happens to our tax dollars, as what happens to our health care dollars, public--and even more to the point--private. it is like having an 18% tax on everything we do, when the Europeans get away with less than 10% for the same service.

Second, if you look at the proposed legislation there are ALREADY long delays and a lengthy time frame for the implementation of the changes, which are, compared to single-payer or the like, actually quite conservative. This "we need more time" is just a way to delay and frustrate those who want to bring some real, positive change to US health care.

Third thought: guaranteeing universal health care provision should not be seen as a way of limiting individual freedom, as is implied by those stressing the impact on income taxes. Instead, in a country such as Britain or Canada, with "socialized medicine", individuals are free to move from job to job without constantly having to worry about whether their health insurance will end with their leaving one employer, or whether it will be adversely affected due to their new employer's policy. There is none of this neo-feudal relationship, with individual dependency on the boss, because health care is guaranteed regardless of your employer. Isn't that sort of freedom and labor mobility what a freedom loving country such as the USA should want?

HAVE YOU FINALLY "HAD IT" WITH ALL OF THE LIES?

Steve Sulkin — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 16:48:48 EDT

Have you finally had it with all of the absolutely unbelievable political maneuverings by the fringe right, the lies, the distortions, the twisting of facts, the outright hatred towards our President simply because a minority (yes it's a minority, remember they lost) of our society are unhappy he is our President?

If so, it's time to do something about it.

Remember, when we were "all one" working hard for the would-be-President, to get him elected because we felt for once we had an intelligent person who was running? Well, we were right. He was the best person running. He is the best President we've had in a long time and we're lucky such an honest, caring individual with vision for our future is in office. Given our world situation, we need him now more than ever. Our future depends on him.

But we are no longer supporting him with the fervor as we did, nor are the same numbers of people supporting him.

Can you believe, his poll numbers are dropping? Yes I understand, post the honeymoon period numbers drop. But to this degree and while he's saving our country, maybe our world? The man that inherited the worst our country has ever seen in terms of war, finance, enviornment and more, who is helping us drag ourselves out of this recession and fight two wars he didn't even want - his poll numbers are dropping? The man who has accomplished more in months than others before him accomplished in lifetimes, his poll numbers are dropping? It's ludicrous. It's like Lincoln's or Roosevelt's poll numbers dropping as they were saving our country. But I must remember, we live in a world where Lincoln was assassinated.

I wear my Obama hat and my wife at times tells me to "take it off Steve, you might anger people" Wow, what a world. I might anger people that I support our President. That is the times of our current times, little by little, it's less acceptable to support our President because the fringe right has made it seem so.

As we fall off in numbers, the extreme fringe right takes advantage by spreading hatred and lies. And there seems to be no limit to how crazy of a story that can be spewed and believed by those who want to believe it and spew it. If I wrote such stories in a screenplay, I'd be told to modify my words because it would be unrealistic that the public would believe such nonsense. But apparently, the public's benchmark for naivety knows no bounds when fueled by hatred.

For instance (one tiny example) think about the outrage (yes outrage) regarding President Obama speaking to school children this Tuesday (as though that's a new idea).

President Obama is the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. He is the mentor of our country the image of our country to the world. He is doing what millions have done before him, speaking to school children. He was elected to lead our country. Get over it fringe right, he gets to lead. You lost.

The cynicism and hatred that drives those who dislike President Obama so much, so as to try to make speaking to school children seem as anything more than what it is, an attempt to inspire and lead our children, is beyond my understanding.

People say, is President Obama's speech to children "political?" Well, he is a politician, he is the President of the United States and yes he will weigh the pros and cons of his every action (as will the world), so I guess he'll weigh the politics of his actions, but that doesn't mean that everything he does, because it's weighed, is a sham or diabolical as some are actually seriously suggesting.

The fringe right who are the strategic architects of the nonsense we hear every day on so called "news" have lost all credibility to argue against anything. Even if they had a legitimate complaint, it's lost in the shuffle of their ludicrous positions and lies.

So, let's start writing, talking, doing - not taking this anymore.

And by the way, I hate to say, "I told you so", but my video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4srDYEPoqo

"Yes We Can (Change our Destiny), which I produced for the inaugural, was written because I feared that we'd lose the spirit of optimism, that phenomenon of involvement that occurred during the election. To some degree, we have. So be re-inspired. Pass the link on

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4srDYEPoqo

and get others re-inspired.

Don't take this anymore, because as the famous phrase says,

“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good people do nothing”

Strong Public Option Essential for Real Health Reform

laRue — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:09:07 EDT

I was heartened to read that the Congressional Progressive Caucus yesterday delivered a letter to the President telling him that a strong public option must be part of a health reform bill. I have sent letters to my congressman Earl Blumenaur and to Nancy Pelosi thanking them for continuing to stand up for a strong public health care option. I have sent messages to the President telling him that health care reform without a strong public option is not real reform at all. I am asking him to stand up to the health insurance industry and all the others who profit from health care as Big Business.

A strong public option for health care is CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN.

President Obama, have you forgotten your promise?

BookwormBev — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 13:20:49 EDT

President Obama,

You were elected with the greatest wave of hope that I have seen since the election of President Kennedy...

...and now I feel terribly let down.

You have allowed, yes allowed the radical right to capture the emotions of this nation.

Although your negotiating skills are important; although your intelligence is important; although your organizing abilities are important; the most important ability you have is the ability to inspire.

You have not been using that ability lately at all. You have gotten sucked into the endless chess game of power and politics, and you have neglected your constituency, big time!

I listen to the news and the talk shows with dismay. I have been to a town hall meeting on health care with Lynn Woolsey. The passion and fear of the radical right was prominent, although not in the majority. It is hard to believe that so much credence is given to such outrageous lying. The right wing does not approach this subject, or any other, as far as I can tell, with logic or facts; its approach is on a crazy version of faith. It is like people who twist the bible to support their hate and then say, "The bible says it and I believe it." They forget that the people who hated Jesus were the ones who upheld the letter of the law, but not the spirit; the ones who were judgmental and divisive, not the ones who believed in love and community.

The greatness of the United States was NOT achieved by people acting alone, as much as independence is prized here. It was achieved by people acting together. People harvested their crops together, raised barns together. People helped each other. They were good neighbors. We developed a system of free public education, so all children could be educated, not just those of the rich and powerful.

Respect for the United States in the world was not born of military prowess, but of respect for the generosity, caring and fairness of the American people. It was because, at one time, we took the high road, the road less traveled!

Now we have fallen. We take the low road, talking about the necessity for something we don't call torture, but is. We kill, not to protect people from tyranny, but to protect *our* resources, even if they are located in the countries of others.

I find it so hard to believe, President Obama, that you seem to be cooperating with those who are so short-sighted as to believe that the well-being of the United States rests with military domination.

You talk about health care, but you have given away everything important that you might have done for health care. You talk about health care costs, but you are no different than President Bush in your spending our hard-earned wealth on death, on military adventures and military toys. Do you hope to save on health care and give those savings to the military?

Is it time for me to realize that I have been had? That in handing you this election, the American people have been had? Where is the man I voted for?

Yes we can...what? We can sit by while you allow the military-industrial complex and the insurance vipers to destroy America? I don't usually use that term, America - it applies to pretty much the whole western hemisphere, but I use it now, for the idea of American. The idea of people living together in freedom and peace, in community, caring for the well-being of all - not just our families, not just our town, not just our state, but everyone, everywhere. I thought we were nice people! What happened? Tears come to my eyes as I write these words. What happened?

I could understand the trend under President Bush - but you?

I know you cannot single-handedly do it all. But you have ceased to be a leader, because a leader inspires. A leader calls to the best and highest in us. The majority of Americans responded to that call when they voted for you. They were overjoyed at the opportunity to put their energy into positive endeavors at last.

You are gone, it seems. You have gone over to the fraternity of the rich and powerful.

I am dispirited, left behind, holding the (empty) bag of hope, while the mean-spirited rejoice.