Posts with the tag healthcare

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?

OFA Phone Bank in Charleston, Rally

William Hamilton — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:44:54 EST

Hard work last week by Lowcountry OFA Volunteers

http://www.indigojournal.com/diary/1517/lowcountry-makes-1239-calls-for-healthcare

A Successful Healthcare Rally in Charleston last week, links to a full Flikr image set

http://www.indigojournal.com/diary/1515/successful-healthcare-reform-rally-in-charleston

"An Open Prayer": Something we normally do in private

"NERVIE" — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 10:25:38 EST

Dear Heavenly Host, We understand, and see "up close" and in a personal way, how leaders of banks and other financial institutions do not want to see the economic stimulus that President Obama developed to work. We see how they are making Obama appear "less attractive" to the future American voters. Obstructionist don't want him to go down in history as the President who released the economic, healthcare and financial hold on American's lives. They are trying to save this anointment for their next "Presidential" pick, inspite of the eight years they held the pulse, fear, chaos of American thinking in their hands. It is the same cat and mouse game that was played with President Jimmy Carter and the release of American captives in Iran. We still hear "how fantastic Ronald Reagan was" in doing this. The same with the Berlin Wall. We know the elements were already in place before Reagan became President.It appears no matter how hard President Obama may insist on bipartisan participation, the harder the other side comes up with excuses to not work as a collective. And this is what is causing many to say, don't worry about the other side anymore, they are obstructionist, the "party of no", serious denial and don't want to admit "their prior selfish leaders got us in this mess in the first place". Now they want believers in Obama to own up to Democrats being part of Republican bad decisions. Lord we see the split in their party's attitude. We see how they are using your name to feather their beds more. We see the fear mongering and hatred being used to divide us. We know some in their party feel they were blindsided by the other side in creating a war with one nation that had nothing to do with 9/11. Yes, there were Democrats who voted with them. Many Democrats say now they were doing the immediate, efficient, "patriot vote" for political survival and not asking enough questions and exploring the options. We Lord these individuals lost sight of you and the human purpose, for the "selfish purpose", and hence we are where we are. There may be little new under the sun to you Lord, but if you know where we should look to learn more about "the past" so we don't continue to make the same mistakes, please guide us. The support that President Obama needs now is "tantamount". The Gridlock is increasing the closer we get to "voting time". To make us disheartened and walk away is the goal. Then they can say the American people are disappointed in President Obama and he doesn't deserve a second term. We hear the negative repetition like drum beats but we know they are not drum beats from you Lord. Right now, the media is hungry, looking for any "missteps", "mistakes", or any "hesitationon the Obama Administration's part and they believe they are our "little Gods". Obama, Lord, selected individuals who had been part of the Bush and Clinton Administrations to find peace and understanding in where we have been to rectify the present. May the Lord's wisdom continue to be Obama's guide and we pray that Obama does not lose sight of the most needed elements of the American people knowing the world is too as dependent on his walk to progress. AMEN! Minerva & Todd, "The Communiators" of Santa Clarita

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

“Neither a Democrat nor a Republican Endeavor, but a Noble Endeavor for all Americans”

Uly — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 19:00:22 EST

Last night, I had a meeting with Organizing for America and helped with the phone bank, calling people across the nation about the importance of passing the healthcare reform bill in the senate. It was a fulfilling experience, a humble endeavor to make a difference. A few days ago, a U.S. senator noted that blending multiple healthcare reform amendments is not as easy as making a milk shake. In this light and while some of the elected leaders continue the hesitation to blend the healthcare reform amendments into one strong effective policy -CDC has developed and integrated the principles of program evaluation framework to achieve measurable health outcomes. The combined influence of CDC’s programs through collaboration will stimulate innovations toward collective improvement of community health, eventually improving the health index of the population, and through prevention-a healthy world as a whole. The ever complex process of passing a single U.S. healthcare policy that works, at least government organization like CDC has established a framework that make the complex transition in public health more efficient. The task of evaluating the effects of public health actions became more complex since the targets of public health actions have expanded beyond infectious diseases. It expanded to include chronic diseases, violence, emerging pathogens, threats of bioterrorism, and the social contexts that influence health disparities. Timely detection of the effects of public health actions is very important in order to enhance CDC’s ability to translate findings into practice. Clearer and more logical steps and standards will lead to the evolution of new and innovative program planning. Integrated information systems will amplify efficiency and success, supporting more systematic measurement. Information collected from evaluations will then be used more effectively to guide changes in public health strategies.

Uly Labilles
Follow me on Twitter @InnoMD

http://innomd.wordpress.com/2009/12/10/%e2%80%9cneither-a-democrat-nor-a-republican-endeavor-but-a-noble-endeavor-for-all-americans%e2%80%9d/

yes on free speech; no on present healthcare package

Nancy from San Francisco, CA — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 02:00:03 EST

i am so grateful to president obama that he affords all of us the opportunity to speak freely regarding our concerns. for that i see our current administration more transparent than any other. this was the president's promise: to be transparent. i believe that he is keeping that promise to the citizens of the usa. and for that i strongly support president obama.

as a long time loyal member of the democratic party in the usa, i have always supported our party's president from the time that i first voted. i have assisted in many, many campaigns, yes, and even helped to run a few. when they were alive, my parents also stood behind these presidents. my children, as well, stand in support.

before i discuss very briefly my reasons for not supporting the healthcare plan in its presents status, i must admit that, together with (possibly) a few senators and representatives, i have not read the enormous bill itself. sadly, like so many of us busy citizens, i have had very little time to review such an voluminous amount of material.

nevertheless, in its present state, i am neither able to support the healthcare plan that went before the house two or three weeks ago, nor am i able to support the healthcare proposal that passed the senate on november 21, 2009. I may be corrected if i am wrong, but it is my understanding, through the media, that the healthcare plan will cut five hundred and fifty billion dollars from the medi-care budget. where? when? why?

also, it is my understanding that the healthcare budget will be a further drain on our economy by increasing the budget deficit to well over one trillion dollars.

finally, i see the urgent need for a great reform in our country's support of the insurance giants in putting forth this plan. these demigogs do not need the taxpayers' support. and the medical community needs to be more fully urged to provide everyone with greater preventative measures to health care, which must, in my opinion, be included in any health care reform measure.

in short--keep free speech--rework the plan.

The Cost & Prevaleance of Chronic Conditions in the US

Elyssa Durant — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:26:44 EST

Cost & Prevalence of Chronic Conditions in the United States Statistics: Chronic Conditions Costs & Prevalence

Please forgive formatting errors: This document was created in 1996 and Blogger did not enter into my formatting plans... This was one of the most difficult posts for me publish because it was written before I incurred the debt of the population I was studying.

This is where I left off... perhaps someone has an idea where I can pick it back up...

Elyssa Durant/eds. October 27, 2009 13 years from the original date of creation... and life goes on ...

There is no effective system to care for those with chronic conditions in the United States; as a result, much of the care that is available is fragmented, inappropriate, and difficult to obtain. In comparison with acute conditions, chronic conditions call for a different kind of care: an integrated network of professional expertise. Chronic conditions do not always get worse; the health status of a person with a chronic condition can improve, deteriorate, or shift in either direction. The goal of chronic care is not to cure; rather, it should help individuals with chronic conditions maintain independence and a high level of functioning.

Problems encountered by people with chronic conditions

38% Cannot afford a service

19% Service not available when needed

15% Cannot easily get to a service

13% Quality of service so poor, won’t use it

11% Cannot find needed medical service

SOURCE: Chronic Care in America: A 21st Century Challenge. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

The disproportionate use of health care by those with chronic conditions is consistent across all age groups, as might be expected given their greater health needs. Almost all (96%) of home care visits, 83% of prescription drug use, 66% of physician visits, and 55% of emergency department visits were made by persons with chronic conditions.

Payers: Over 40% of the direct health care costs for persons with chronic conditions were paid through public funds (Medicare, Medicaid, and other state and local medical assistance programs) in 1987. In contrast, public funds paid for less than 20% of the treatment for persons with acute conditions (Figure 2). Among the chronically ill or impaired, private insurance covers about a third of health care, while it covers 45% of the costs of persons with acute conditions.

Using the most recent data source available, we found that 90 million Americans had one or more chronic conditions in 1987. If the same age- and sex-adjusted rates of chronic conditions are applied, we estimate that the number of persons with chronic conditions in 1995 was almost 100 million.

The magnitude of this figure is important for several reasons:

1. First, because the number of persons with disabilities due to chronic conditions is more commonly and regularly reported in the literature, the total prevalence of chronic conditions has perhaps been minimized. The majorities of persons with chronic conditions are not disabled, but are living normal lives. However, they live with the threat of recurrent exacerbations, higher health care costs, more days lost from work than others, and the risk of long-term limitations and disabilities.

2. Second, persons with chronic conditions are at greater risk for being underinsured, particularly those with more than one chronic condition. Short and Banthin estimate 29 million nonelderly people with private health insurance are at risk of being underinsured defined as a function of a family's risk of incurring high out-of-pocket costs for medical services relative to their family income. We found that a disproportionately large majority of all direct health care services, including physician visits, prescription use, and persons with chronic conditions use costly hospitalizations. Their per capita costs are over 3 times higher than those of persons without chronic conditions are. Consequently, they are at greatest risk of unaffordable high out-of-pocket costs.

INSERT RWJF CHART SUMMARY ABOUT HERE

Persons with co morbidities are particularly at risk of finding themselves underinsured; their per capita costs are 2-1/2 times higher than persons with only one chronic condition are. Furthermore, high utilization rates make persons with chronic conditions less attractive to managed care plans that typically cover more services, including preventive care, with less cost sharing. Depending on the adequacy of their health benefits, even middle-income families (for example, a household income of $40,000) could quickly incur out-of-pocket costs in excess of 10% of their incomes if the only expense incurred in a year was to cover their 10% share for a surgery and hospitalization costing $50,000.

Reference:
Chronic Care in America: A 21st Century Challenge. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
The Chronic Care Perspective. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
[available: http://www.rwjf.org/library/chronic/chrcare/introfact2.htm]

Figure 1. Categories of disabling chronic conditions

Source: Institute of Medicine, 1991

categories of conditions diagnostic condition codes proportion of people

mobility limitations arthritis, paralysis 38%

chronic diseases asthma, cancer, diabetes 32%

sensory limitations blindness, hearing impairment 8%

mental limitations senility, mental retardation 7%

other conditions 15%

Chronic Care in America: A 21st Century Challenge. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Figure 2. People with chronic conditions report on their service system.

Source: Unpublished data from The Gallop Organization, 1992.

YES NO DON’T KNOW

Understand services you are eligible for? 47% 47% 5%

Understand how to use the services you are eligible for? 60% 32% 8%

Know who provides what services? 57% 38% 5%

Feel it takes more effort to use these services than they are worth to you? 36% 48% 16%

OFA & TN6 ECONOMIC CORE ISSUES OF 2009

Toasty in Tennessee — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:01:04 EST

I encourage all to go to "http://www.barackobama.com/issues/" and review OFA's core issues. Do we not have a common economic goal with people in other districts in every state? Yes, we do! Is it obtainable? Yes it is, at least it will be once we combine all of our collective thoughts and efforts.

ECONOMY- OFA's Issue Statement basically states: Change how we do business, rebuild our economy on a new foundation. I think it also implies that we all should share in our nation's economic growth and rewards. Not just the top two percent! I reject the thought or premise that a recovering economy will not produce jobs until months or years later. Where does it say Wall Street Bankers, Investment, Healthcare, and Insurance executives must get preferential treatment. Could it have started years ago when these same executives promoted an unregulated perverted free market economic ideology. To the working and middleclass disadvantage, have they also persuaded our representatives in government to consider us to be meaningless simple minded consumers and not intelligent demanding citizens?

Join with me not to be a socialist but to be pragmatist. We need a JOBS based economic recovery. Let us have an opportunity raise and feed our families in a stable place we call home. We need to design, process, and manufacture products in America like those productive Americans before us. There is inherent pride when we can show our family, products that we made in our workshops, factories and on construction sites. A quality life style we can be proud of.

A jobs based economic recovery would also discourage our children from joining gangs. If they can grow up with hopes and dreams and see a pathway to a quality life style, they will want to work. We must realize "Hopes" and "Dreams" eventually turn into goals and success stories. Jobs paying a living wage will indirectly dissipate the growing street gang crises and hopefully reduce it to a controllable nuisance.

Scandalizing methods of making money by shifting paper around in secrecy and under the cloche of darkness on Wall Street is no different than shifting twenty dollar notes around in secrecy and under the crack or coke of darkness behind Main Street.

We need JOBS, financial and insurance regulations, fair tax and trade laws that will remake America into a great industrial society. An educated and skilled workforce that manufactures finished products from raw materials. One that builds great Machinery and wonderful Landmarks. Give us JOBS and a chance to participate in this recovery.

We cannot wait for weak legislation to accidently happen once or twice a year. We cannot accept our Congressional Representatives bragging about being obstructionist introducing numerous phony amendments and then after all that, voting NO. We certainly cannot accept it from Rep. Barton Gordon (D?-TN-6) a BLUE DOG DEMOCRAT in the great Congressional Sixth District of Tennessee. I say " BLUE DOG DEMOCRAT " as a negative intonation. We need a progressive democrat like President Barack Obama.

The first step to success is that we have to want it. The second step is organizing and doing something about it. The third is monitoring or measuring our progress. Forth, continuously improve, change or make corrections to the process. Fifth, monitor, re-measure and accept no less than success. Just as OFA's issue statement says, " We will not rebuild our economy on the old model of bubbles and busts. We'll only climb out of the current crisis by creating a new, sustainable foundation for our economy's future -- and make the tough choices to put our economy back on the road to long-term prosperity." Think about it, talk about it, today we look back and see the economy still needs aggressive change. Our foundation cracked a year ago and is still unstable. We need to help President Barack Obama implement change at an accelerated pace. Do we think Rep. Barton Gordon is up to the task? I am now questioning this?

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.

BULLETS SENT TO THE PRESIDENT via WHITE HOUSE WEB SITE (14Nov2009)

Toasty in Tennessee — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 01:24:25 EST

Get out of Afghanistan, pass meaningful healthcare and if it fails, move on.

Regulate financial industries. Jobs, Jobs, and Jobs.

Stop building unwanted bridges and schools in Afghanistan. We need them at home.

The terrorist are not warriors. They have no army to blow up. We give them creditability calling their gang an army.

The FBI and CIA can chase them. Use the law to prosecute them, jails to hold them and the electric chair to kill them.

Stop spending our precious resources outside of the country and spend it at home.

Don't become "Bushed!"

Stand by the progressives, discipline the blue dogs and bring bills to the floor. If they don't pass it is OUR job (not yours alone) to fix it.

Oh, most important to you. You're not only slipping in the polls, you are losing your base. I love ya, but sometimes action is better than wimpy results!!

Stop enjoying yourself soo.... much. We are living hard lives and are trying to get through tough times.

Where is the "OLD" Barack? Bring him back and if bills go up or down, we will at least have a great time trying.

Good Luck, I am still in your camp for now. I don't think I can afford to give any more money. At least not until things change.

Filibuster, Please!

Charles from Laramie, WY — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:10:21 EST

I've been wondering why it isn't a good idea to welcome a Senate filibuster on health care. The House has passed a bill, and everyone seems to think that more than 50 senators would vote for a Senate bill IF they could get 60 votes to end the debate. Why should we not go ahead and let the minority take a stand to prevent a "fair, up-or-down" vote on health care? (Remember when they asked for, and got, this courtesy when Bush's Supreme Court nominees were at stake?)

The House is ready, the majority of Senators are ready, the majority of the American people are ready, and the President is ready. Being a roadblock under such circumstances might not be in their favor.

I know that filibusters aren't the spectacle they once were, with senators reading from the phone book to continue the "debate". But I believe the majority leader still has the ability to make it very clear who is holding up progress. If the failure to get cloture drags on for days, then phone calls, emails, and demonstrations on the Capitol steps can send the message: quit playing games and call for the vote. I think that eventually they'd have to cave.

Financial Regulatory Reform Bill Targeted by Republicans and Blue Dogs

Toasty in Tennessee — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:28:29 EST

It has been widely reported across the news wires that Senator Chris Dodd (D-Conn), Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee has released a financial regulation reform bill. Through tough regulation, it will seek financial stability and consumer financial protection and justice.

We in the working/middleclass are being stripped of what little equity we have accumulated. We are forced to accept sub-standard wages, less employer benefits and in millions of cases...under/un-employment.

You can bet, the republicans and blue dog democrats are already planning on voting NO and introducing countless amendments to weaken or water down the legislation. You can be assured, they are planning endless delays. They will follow the same game plan as they did and are doing with health care. Joined by the wallets, the republicans and blue dog democrats will be relentless with their shady tactics.

We OFA members must become active again and counter their corruptive efforts. We cannot and should not expect President Barack Obama to fight this second front alone. It is time to gather the troops and bring re-enforcements to the already tired progressives on capitol hill. Stand-up and plan a strategy on how to bring aid to our fellow progressives. I still have hope, I know you do to. Stand-up, smile and be proud of what you are doing. You are not alone.

Middle Tennessee Healthcare Reform Roll Call

Benjamin Vos, Nashville — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:25:53 EST

Are you committed to supporting the President's plan for healthcare reform?

President Obama has called for Congress to deliver on comprehensive healthcare reform that provides security and stability for the insured, help for the uninsured, and reins in the costs of healthcare for families, businesses, and government.

This requires a mutual commitment - all of us must pull together in order to accomplish this goal.

The status quo is unsustainable and morally unacceptable. We spend 16% of our gross domestic product on healthcare in this country - $2.4 trillion per year - and insurance premiums have more than doubled since 1998. Wages have remained flat while healthcare costs have increased, leaving families with less money in their paychecks. 45,000 Americans die each year because they don't have access to insurance, and a million more American families go bankrupt each year because of medical bills.

These issues don't discriminate. Rich and poor, labor and management, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, male, female, straight, gay - all of us are impacted by the drag of healthcare costs on our economy.

Will you join the President in supporting reform? Please tell your Senators and Representatives to pass reform this fall. We can't wait another day.

Post a comment to show your support, and share your ideas.

Excerpt from my blog 10 Days in Ohio: Big and Small Government

Ria — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:33:27 EST

Last year this time I had just returned from Columbus, Ohio, where I had volunteered for Barack Obama's presidential campaign. This link (http://10daysinohio.wordpress.com) will take you to the actual, albeit unfinished, blog. Here is an excerpt:

... Let me break down a little something on what I see as being a real discussion about big and small government. It has little to do with food stamps, government funded charter schools, or the good ole N.E.A. It has to do with an attitude that we, the people, can empower ourselves, or we can trust a suit in a large house that we will never visit on less than a tour (unless we are Tom Hanks) to throw us a bone. I love Obama specifically because he knows he can do nothing for us. He cannot heal a country that is not willing to do the work. He cannot give us better schools if we do not engage with our children. He cannot give us anything, but he can, and has already, empowered us to create something for ourselves. We need a government that only magnifies and enables the will of the people, not one that stipulates our choices on accepting their all-or-nothing rhetoric, that isolates and bates us against each other. There are certain things we will never agree on. That cannot be solved. Our government should not dictate our culture, it should serve as an organizing administrative body. Do you follow me? That is small government – a government that is willing to step back and give all of us choices. Freedom. I am not a Democrat nor am I Republican. I am a pragmatist. I believe at the end of the day, for this country – there is only one choice that includes everyone. Someone who will stay small so we can all become bigger. It is up to us. All of us...

The Importance of Letting Your Voice Be Heard

Rasheedah Hasan — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:29:24 EDT

I share this with you because the topic spoke to my heart after hearing people recently say "I don't vote; What good would writing or calling do; I don't have time to volunteer."

When I volunteered to be a community organizer several weeks ago, I was intrigued by the idea of helping to get the word out about another worthy cause. While the topic was Healthcare Reform, I saw the overall cause as something different. What did I see, you may ask. I saw the opportunity to continue learning, participating and educating family, friends, neighbors, strangers on the importance of being involved in the decision making process that helps to shape laws that govern our rights and privileges.

As John Adams said, "...Liberty cannot be preserved without general knowledge among people."

It was probably 9 years ago when I truly sought to better understand the political process at the local and national level. I was especially interested after 9/11 as the fears among citizens grew and the tolerance for diversity among faiths decreased. It became more important to me to learn what people in positions of leadership were saying about the future direction of my city and state - our country. So, I paid more attention to political commentary shared in the media like the NY Times, CNN and MSNBC and the local newspapers. After all, our parents, their parents and generations before endured unthinkable trials of might and faith to cause a universal cry for freedom, justice and equality. Their journey is inherently our journey because we hold the responsibility to maintain and improve on that which came before us. This means that we each hold a piece of the multicultural quilt that spreads across our free land. It also means we have a responsibility to let our voices be heard.

Our vote is one of the most critical ways we voice our opinions and take part in this beautiful system of democracy that was designed to work for the voice of the people. It is not a perfect system, but it is a beautiful system that continues to work to promote FREEDOM, JUSTICE, EQUALITY for all. There are thousands who lost their lives for the very rights that we have, and there are thousands more who are calling for actions to improve upon the rights that we do have. The recent Healthcare Reform debate is just one recent example.

There have been thousands upon thousands of calls and letters to government officials across our great nation to push for Healthcare Reform. No one knows yet what the line-by-line details of the final bill will include. What we do know is that the call for change is because our fellow Americans have spoken and said they witnessed or know of too many people negatively impacted by the loss of insurance, suffering declining health or losing loved ones because of a damaged healthcare system.

It took people, just like you and me, to make phone calls, write letters, share stories and sometimes hear the stories of families torn apart because of the horrific healthcare policies that are in place. It was the voice of people, like you and me, at the local and national levels that has helped push the proposed bill closer to becoming a reality. When it does, it will be a historic event.

As we continue on this collective road to shape our America, please be encouraged and continue to be encouraged that our voices do matter. It is very important that when we have the opportunity to speak for positive change- let us speak; when we have the opportunity to write for positive change - let us write; when we have the opportunity to vote for positive change - let us vote.

In general, I do not believe as adults we "do" because anyone tells us to. Instead, I believe we generally do because we allow ourselves to be open to the possibility that we can affect the outcome of a situation. That same openess to be a participant in the possibilities of life leads us to do the right thing in our time of need, and in preparation for tomorrow. I believe that resounding voice comes from a sense of honor, dignity, respect for our past and the hope for a great future that cares for all of our people - not just some.

If you are like me, your schedule is booked solid most of the time and you treasure your "me time." If you are like me, you understand that sometimes the best "me time" is when we open ourselves up to causes outside of "I" and give a portion to "we time." You are so very important to the progress of all people, not just in our great land.

Be blessed.

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.

Thanks to all who helped with the March 4 Healthcare in Cincinnati on Sunday, October 18th, 2009!

Nathan Lane — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 15:03:45 EDT

Todays march was amazing! Great vibes, great people, great weather, great march! Special thanks go out to Quinn Epps, Sherry Thompson, Luke Brockmeier, Nicholas Hollan, Anitra Brockman, Laurie Housemeyer, Jennifer Bass, Greg Harris, Hershel Daniels Junior, Suzanne Aldrich, Ron Irvine, Planned Parenthood, Organizing For America and of course, Barack Obama himself, for helping to make todays March 4 Healthcare in Cincinnati a huge success! Anyone who I forgot, please forgive me, as there were so many people who helped out... I may have overlooked someone. Thank you all for coming out and showing your support for the cause! Yes We Can!

a young americans letter to barrack obama

Kristian from Longmont, CO — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 11:30:38 EDT

may be in run on mode.. but w/e

From: Kristian Hemker

Longmont, Co.

To: Barack Obama

From: A concerned youth in America

Dear Mr. Obama,

I have recently heard of your Nobel peace prize and I have one thing to say. The humble thing to do regarding the prize would be to turn it down and not be the publicity whore you have been all through your campaign. What we need from you isn’t uselessly accepting baseless award and accolades, but rather a Man, people will be able to look back on and say “he said he was going to change America, and he did.” As a 21 year old American I have seen all of the games and ploys of the political politicians and the rise and dashing of many hopes. I’m for the war in Iraq and I wish the people knew what good we were actually bringing those people. I have asked many “Democrats” “what is a democrat?” to which no one could answer. I have also asked people if they think Iraq is in better or worse shape since we have been there… and I have e yet to find a satisfactory answer from your party. I currently think we live in a one party system where private interests run the show behind the scenes and the political “debates” (if you can even call them that) are just a giant farce. I am a Libertarian and I know that capitalism isn’t all good and socialism isn’t all bad. Capitalism is the only form of economy that provides actual opportunity to gain wealth on your own merit, and individualism like that isn’t possible in a society that gives everyone everything they need. Americans are far too comfortable and stupid to understand the complex systems which control our economy. and schooling is almost impossible to afford in such hard economic times when you barely make middle class wages. The invisible inflation of costs in the housing markets is over rampant. I live in Colorado where those who have no skills lose jobs and those without jobs can’t afford the education for themselves let alone their families. I would like to also note the famous phrase “a government that can give you everything you need can take it all away.” So I think we need a drastic overhaul of Education and Welfare services. As far as the immigration issue is concerned I don’t think we need a second language but if they are willing to enter the “cultural melting pot” then I think amnesty isn’t a horrible idea. I think that Americans are far too comfortable and the low class can make more off of welfare then they can working at a local business. I would urge you to take these things into consideration because its my future and your children’s future not the ruling elite. I didn’t vote for you because I wanted to vote for Ron Paul but he didn’t get the nomination so I voted for Bob Barr, Because I believe that having too much control in both the house and senate doesn’t lead to rational discussion, but rather a comfortable arena to cater to private interests.. And I would also say that the billions of dollars of tax revenue you printed are going to destroy the middle class. I think we need a national minimum wage with a maximum housing limit. I don’t think that the government can solve all my problems so i am going to apply for government aid to start college in January for a “structural engineering and technology of applied science”, and try to get as many certifications as possible. What the country needs is not hand outs or government aid but Oportunity. And I think what they need you of you now is not the politician but the Man, Father, Husband, and intellectually honest person, I know you can be. This whole letter might fall on deaf ears but at least I had my say. I really hope you actually read this all the way through and took it into consideration despite my age. I am off to get my brother from a correctional facility because some of your “peace officers” arrested him while he was helping my grandmother out the front door with some dirty water because our sink is clogged and we cant afford to fix it. I would hope you take each of my statements as if your daughters were asking you. Why the police arrest more blacks and convict them than of any other color? And I hope you don’t disgrace the memory of Dr. Martin King who said “do not judge a man by the color of his skin but the content of his character.” One last thing I have to ask. Why it is in a country that obviously has a drug problem are we arresting these criminals the government, Has made for itself and using my tax dollars, (Which I haven’t earned much of) to house these criminals for upwards of 20,000 dollars a year, Per person. Not that we should let people out of prison because of the high recidivism rate. One final thing that I have learned from my Hispanic forbearers is “I would rather die on my feet than live on my knees”

Sincerely,

Kristian Hemker (concerned 21 years old)

Dear Brother, We Are Invited

E Pluribus Unum — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 16:19:28 EDT

Dear brother, we're invited!

A few months back you went home to God after not receiving adequate healthcare coverage for years. During your brief time with us you touched the hearts of family, friends, professors, and community members alike. I thought that no longer in this Earthly life would I again share laughter and tears with you that only a loved one can, the trust that only a best friend can, and the memories - old and new alike - that only a brother can.

But then I came across our last picture together. Standing against a bright backdrop of the colorful mall lights under a clear night sky, smiling and teaming up as only we could for that photograph -- for that timeless Heavenly moment -- who knew we'd be standing there together to give me an image of hope for the rest of my life?

I think you knew. Because you were so sincere in that moment. I can see it in your eyes now, I felt it in your presence then, and I hear it from our shared history -- and into our future as it unfolds with every new tick of the clock. (You jerk, you should've told me that you were done posing for pictures ;)!)

You always had a clever of doing big things. But this time you've really outdone yourself! You have allowed us to fulfill our childhood dream: of working as a team on something worthy, something noble, something divinely humanitarian; a dream of making a real difference.

Thanks for being my partner then, now, and always. I can almost hear you walking next to me as I campaign - one step at a time. Growing up, I always imagined we'd actually be able to chest-bump or high-five to celebrate each little victory. But if God has had a higher calling for you all along -- to make you part of my guiding light itself -- well, then I just have to wipe my tears away, smile, and march forward with your silent determination! Under the shadow of our captain: God himself :).

So: Did you hear? We're invited! Let's go.

My brother in humanity, Let's go!

Health Care is a human right not a privlege!

Midge — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 21:56:20 EDT

Today we held the memorial service for my 24 year old daughter in-law and her unborn baby girl. Jenny did not have health insurance and was not properly treated at for-profit ER. Within 24 hours she went to the next ER and was diagnosed with severe double pneumonia, Septic shock and Respitory failure and laid in an ICU unit for the next two months at a cost of $22,000. a day.

When there was no hope of survival we removed Jenny from life support and said our good byes to this beautiful young woman. She left behind a husband (my son) and a two and half year old daughter. Jenny's crime and death sentence was that she could not afford health-care.

In the richest country in the world our Jenny died.

Don't allow another family to suffer the pain that we have. Stand up for the Public Option, stand up for what you believe in, get out of your chairs, your house, your comfort zone and speak out for this injustice. In the richest country in the world Jenny died....don't let there be another Jenny..

http://bit.ly/doUQR

Where's the Pork?

JackHall — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 19:40:16 EDT

Universal Healthcare is the logical extension of Social Security. Providing health insurance for everyone in order to assist them in reaching retirement age. The Republicans have done pratically nothing on universal health care for 30 years. They were too busy sinking the nation with a worldwide recession, and wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

NY Times contributor Paul Krug writes of the Poltics of Spite, "For one thing, we learned that the modern conservative movement, which dominates the modern Republican Party, has the emotional maturity of a bratty 13-year-old.

The Long Version of Buck McKeon

"NERVIE" — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 09:32:06 EDT

http://www.youtube.com/crazycatherder

http://www.youtube.com/BuckMcKeon#play/uploads/1/PAg_Gx_0VZs

Well Saturday's September 26th event turned out to the largest LA COUNTY Townhall meeting to date since the Congressman Adam Schiff’s event in San Gabriel Valley. McKeon and his staff were busy pleasing themselves over the 800 RSVP’s. I watched them giving one another high fives.

Someone had left a visible unlabeled box under the stairwell and the sheriff department responded cautiously to its contents. After one bold sheriff realized that it wasn't ticking, he opened it. And all disgustingly shook their heads to find La Rouche magazines with Obama w/a Hitler mustache on the cover . . . They reclosed the box and shoved it back but out of view, I agreed with their disgust, but this is a country of Free Speech, exhibit #1.

There were close to 1,500 people there. Of course, the repubs say that it was 2,000. The initial anxious and alert crowd snaked around the building well before 8:15AM. One event planner was giving the others high fives in relaying “we have up to 2,000 RSVP's”. They had done their job. NOT. For it to be a healthcare meeting, the elevator didn't work for the physically impaired. Although, later in the morning, I heard the janitor exclaim to the sheriffs “it was working on Tuesday, I checked it myself”. Funny, there was little signage to let the public know that the elevator was even there.

I heard the janitor explain to the sheriff officers that the spring wasn't leveling as it should, hence it wasn’t usable. One officer offered that it was a safety violation and should be fixed quickly. I watched the janitor huffing up the stairs. I thought to myself, he’s in relatively good shape, not lean, but if he is huffing up the stairs and stopping at the first landing, what did he expect from moms with a child in a stroller? Some wheelchair bound and motor cart attendees looked dejected when they saw the final set of stairs. There was no signage telling them to keep going up the 20 degree hill to the side entrance of the gym. Some turned around expressing angry others called up asking for assistance.

I saw one young woman run down the stairs and offer to walk the man around the building. The person concerned, but not sure responded, “if you will take me all the way”. The guest obliged him.

She asked me if I knew where the side door would be, I told her it was my first time there also, “I don’t know”. I thought if democrats were in charge, we would have known to facilitate the handicapped and physically challenged. It is a requirement to holding a democratic event.

Eventually a guy in a white Boys and Girl’s Club polo called on a phone and a man came up with a golf cart. The cart man wheeled around to help the gentleman on the canes. I watched Good Samaritans grabbed the front of baby strollers to assist several mothers and a father. I saw audience members descend the stairs to aid physically exhausted elderly men and women, who were measuring their steps to ascend the stairs. One lady I ran down to help pulled her arm away. “I can help myself thank you, ” she was feisty but physically unstable. I retreated. Another man who had seen her too, came down behind me and she allowed him to help her up the last landing. “Thank you sweetie”, I heard her smile and say to him, as she turned around and sneared at me. He and I bodily shrugged at the same time and simultaneously shook our heads . Another form of Free Speech, I thought.

If the planners were concerned about healthcare wouldn’t they have had a plan for this situation I thought. But maybe that was the ultimate message “everybody for themselves”, because they have pulled themselves up by their boot straps why worry about anyone else? No one ever considers that someone made those boots. We can’t get there by ourselves, it takes all of us to make a village and I was taught this years before Hillary Clinton ever wrote the book! (to be continued)

You Asked Us

The Open Door — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 09:32:12 EDT

Dear Sir,

I have read the things for healthcare reform that is offered,and the issues are so much that you ask us to go to bat for you.

We realy do trust you but please understand,we do not want Goverment to take care of us,we wish to help Goverment to build a plain,by the people and when you take a healthcare package to Congress,it must be built by the people and not by the adminastration.

When the door was open we searched for a way for the people to build something,that a name was given, A New Concept For a Healthcare Reform Stimulus Package.

I will not give the web address,it would not be politcal correct,but your staff has seen the early stages of a concept of a Healthcare concept built by the people and for the people.

Please uderstand that we the people try to see the futher for our children and we are deeply concerned that there is a people who wish for us to be no more and through their efforts they have caused civil unrest. It is our hope that through this work we will bring to you a concept that will be respected for days to come.

Mr. Obama you had us when you told us about that car with the hole in the floor board,people voted for you because you was once as poor as some.

I have read into the issues you present I can share the veiw of what we see and people see.

The door swings both ways and you and you staff is most welcomed.

Henry Massingalele

CNBC's the New Age of Walmart

Bertie — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 05:54:41 EDT

Last night CNBC aired an hour and one half special report on Walmart. I will say that they tried to be fair, bringing statements made by employees back to Mike Duke, Walmart's CEO and asking him what he thought about them. Mike Duke seems like a nice enough guy, maybe it's his delusions that make me feel unsure about him.

Mike Duke thinks that the Walmart employees and the upper echelon (including store managers) are one big family. But in the words of one Walmart employee, "I don't even know the man . . . he's no family of mine."

The idea that Walmart is operating in a family atmosphere is merely a show for the public. They no more treat us like family than you do some stranger walking in the street. A family's head would not deprive their members of the money needed to live, or the care necessary to make the family member well, at least a good family head wouldn't.

Not only does Walmart seek to brainwash the public into its squeaky clean image, it tries to brainwash its employees as well. Daily morning meetings are held in each store after which the Walmart Cheer is performed. It's a rah-rah Walmart chant that's meant to hype the employees up so that when they hit the sales floor they will be enthusiastic about their jobs.

You know what Walmart? You want to make me enthusiastic about my job? Pay me decently! Make certain that the two or three thousand dollar suit that Mr. Duke wore during the interview isn't bought with the ache of my back and the sweat of my brow. Make sure that we are receiving a decent wage and then, if there's anything left over, have Mr. Duke go to Men's Warehouse and take advantage of their bogo sales.

Walmart now demands that their employees wear uniforms. It was not so when I joined the corporation in 2007. We wore blue smocks over our regular clothing that said on the back, "how may I help YOU?" As far as I have been able to discern, everyone liked the smocks and felt very comfortable in them. The switch to uniforms was an extra hardship laid upon the workers by Walmart because they do not pay for these uniforms. We are required to wear uniforms but must pay for the pants and T-shirts as well. We are not reimbursed or stipended. I received two shirts and received a voucher for one pair of pants 4 years ago. Boy! Walmart's cheaply made China clothing doesn't last that long! My point is, if we are required to wear uniforms, why must we also pay for them?

Sam Walton started Walmart in the Ozarks in a district where farms were failing and jobs were scarce. His idea of cheap labor to fill the many jobs with these farmers was great for them, but, when Walmart hit the city and, over these many years the workers have become more sophisticated and more apt to be "unappreciative" of the Walmart hype. The average worker today wants to be treated fairly, not made to feel that he should be thankful for a job that pays more than the average retail store, but just barely gives enough hours to stay above the legal requirements.

I do not hate Walmart. On another blog I was labled "a bitter old woman" because I criticized Walmart. I only want Walmart to do what's right for its 2 million employees. Pay us decently, provide us with a health care plan that does not cheap out on us when we have to see a doctor and does not have a $350.00 deductible to pay for even after we take out lots of cash every payday to cover our health care. And, stop all this "family" stuff unless they really, really mean it in every sense of the word.

Oh, and one last thing. You will never read of, or hear me say the word "associate" when mentioning any Walmart worker. The term should never have been introduced. We are not associated with Walmart. We are employees, workers, laborers, take your pick. Because, if I had my choice I would not be an "associate" of Walmart at all.

www.walmartworkersforchange.com www.americanworker.org

Health Reform Video Challenge

Preston from Iowa City, IA — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 02:14:18 EDT

Quick post... Just wanted to share my submission for the recently announced Health Reform Video Challenge.

You can see it here:

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

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/

9/16/2009 : San Diego Police Repeat D.A, Dumanis' Lie : That No Medical Cannabis Collective Is Legitimate

Justin Turley, San Diego Medical Cannabis Patient — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 07:07:15 EDT

This is the first time I've heard of a representative of the law enforcement agencies involved speaking publically on the matter (with exception to the San Diego District Attorney.) Once again I'm hearing the same lie that the City of San Diego is spreading to the citizens and performing horrific illegal acts based upon: District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis claims that the collectives, co-ops and other medical cannabis organizations are illegal, profiteering criminals and not legal medical cannabis patients nor are they caregivers to their fellow legal medical cannabis patients.

I am a legal, medical cannabis patient. As such, I am a member of a few collectives, but most active in one called the Beneficial Care Collective. I do not receive any pay for my work, my only reward is being able to share my feelings, thoughts, expierences and medical treatment stories with my fellow patients. The Beneficial Care Collective was raided and shut down by armed forces on 9/9/2009, a patient that I consider a friend and fellow caregiver was wrongly arrested and the medication was illegally stolen by the City of San Diego.

Here is another report/ piece of insight on the situation currently going on in San Diego, California:

Craig Beresh of S.Cal NORML reports that at least 14 San Diego
dispensaries received "cease and desist" visits by the S.D. police
yesterday. They were told that a written notice would follow
shortly. Numerous other dispensaries remain closed in the wake of
the recent raids. As the following report indicates, police are
falsely spreading the notion that collectives can't operate legally
under state law. S. Cal NORML is contemplating legal action against
San Diego.
- Dale Gieringer, Cal NORML

>From: "Southern California NORML" <craigberesh@normlsc.org>
>To: <dale@canorml.org>
>
>The San Diego police will be visiting all collectives over the next
>few weeks...
>
>At Pacific Beach town council meeting Wed 9/16
>PBTC handed out fliers to everyone with every collective's name and
>address. The inference is to call the police and complain, although
>that is not written. The theme of the night was to call police and
>complain about everything, including motorhomes, street repair,
>floatillas on the bay, alcohol, smoke shops and medical marijuana.
> Then Shelli Zimmerman spoke. She was just promoted to Asst. Chief of
>Police from the Northern Division which includes PB:
>"All collectives are for profit. There has been no change in the
>law. Collectives are illegal. Props 215 and SB420 do not make
>medical marijuana legal. It just gives people an 'affirmative'
>defense. Growing for your own medical use is ok and the cops won't
>bother you. They are only going after illegal collectives (which are
>all of them) We are using the same strategy as in 2005 and 2006. We
>worked with SDPD, sheriffs, DA, and DEA. Seized product, multiple
>handguns, and hundreds of thousands in cash. We don't have enough
>resources to shut them all down. We went after the ones with most
>complaints. Community vocality helps. Especially all the noise,
>vandalism, intimidation, threats and profit complaints. All the rest
>of the collectives will be getting personal visits by the police
>informing them they are breaking the law and to shut down over the
>next few weeks. If they
>don't, they will get cease and desist letters. If they stay open they
>will be raided. Just like in 2005 & 2006, all the collectives got the
>message. Another strategy may be going after the landlords."
>
>A few personal comments:
>I'm not sure what affirmative defense means other than a legal defense
>or medical defense...
>It sounds like people are organized and complaining to police with
>multiple, anonymous, and false reports of noise and vandalism, like
>PB town council, <http://savepb.org>savepb.org, and
><http://discoverpb.org>discoverpb.org Is
>this legal?
>This is from a person just promoted to Asst Chief of SDPD which should
>worry the medical community in SD. How can she even say that ALL
>collectives are for profit without investigating them first. Send in
>state auditors not SWAT!
> - Craig Beresh, S. Cal NORML

Source
Visit California NORML for more information

Have you notice that people you know are being "invaded by body-snatchers" regarding President Obama's healthcare reform?

Health Care Reformer for the President — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:49:13 EDT

Have you noticed that many of the people you have been friends with for years, are believing the right wing's spin on healthcare reform? I have been shocked that some of my friends have embraced the idea that President Obama is trying the kill off their parents and grandparents. They believe that he has some secret agenda to destroy America and turn it into a Muslim country. Some even believe he isn't American! I have never been so mortified in my life! I have also noticed that they spout everything Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck say. It's like they have been invaded by "body-snatchers". I can no longer speak to some of them because they know I support the POTUS and they feel I am part of the "conspiracy"! Now granted, they didn't vote for President Obama, but it seems that they are truly falling into an abyss of hatred and vitriol. I was glad President Carter, Congressman Jim Clyburn, Bill Cosby and others have begun speaking about this madness. I am concerned that our country is enter a dangereous and sad time. What can we do to counter this insanity?

Health Reform documentation

tonyjworld — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 20:03:24 EDT

I just downloaded the Obama Plan one sheet and the Myth's vs. Facts sheet. These are two of the most powerful papers that we can carry with us to show people while out and about! Be sure to get these and print them, post them on your website, and get people to read them!

Playing Politics

Dave R — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 21:19:41 EDT

The politicians who reject healthcare reform simply want President Obama to fail so they can take the Congress and White House back. Sounds like a play book for disaster. The difference this time is the American people want reform more than all the politicians and insurance industry combined. If we do nothing our kids will not be able to afford the rationed, dwindling and costly private coverage. The easy solution will be to join the Armed Forces or work for the Government as a Civil servant. It is honorable to join the Armed Forces or Civil service for the right reason and not just for health insurance benefits. That is the future the naysayers are laying out for our kids. I have been working with civil servants for years and benefits are the number one reason they stay on the job. I also work closely with retired military and the number one objection to reform is that it will reduce Tricare benefits. The naysayers to reform need a reality check.

March 4 Healthcare reform on 10/18/09 in Cincinnati!

Nathan Lane — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 16:06:34 EDT

I propose we have another nationwide march on 10/18/09! Lets coordinate! I myself only had 3 days to organize my event here in Cincinnati on the 13th of September. That was not enough time to do it right, especially with my limited budget. There was no time for word of mouth to spread in three days. We only had about ten marchers at the peak of the march, but we did network with each other & we got media coverage. Channel 19 WXIX & CityBeat newspaper showed up. We were noticed by drivers & got positive feedback from people on the street. I also had the pleasure to meet and talk with Nicholas Hollan who is running for Cincinnati city council. He is a strong supporter of the cause and at this point in time is planning on joining us in this next march.

UPDATE: The permit has been pulled so this is a go! Rain out date is the 25th of October. I want to clearly state the meeting location this time. I was too vague & many may have totally missed us. Everyone meet at the corner of 5th & Walnut by Fountain Square, downtown Cincinnati, on 10/18/09 at 11:30 We'll march the streets from there at 12 again. Depending on turnout & weather we will march for 30 min. to an hour. I will show up early to this event, hopefully by 11, to ensure more organization and preparation. I need everyones help spreading the word. Anyone who wants flyers or info regarding this event please contact me at redkattseven@gmail.com or here on MyBarackObama.com. Look up Nathan Lane! And BTW, there is a Bengals game at 1PM on the 18th, so we will have a large audience! We had a very large audience today because of the game at 1PM. So help me make this an event to remember! Everyone else in the country join in too! March4healthcare2 10/18/09! Yes We Can!

FIRED UP?

Julie — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 15:24:57 EDT

agree with Robert Borosage's article in the Huffington Post that the Democratic Party has been very docile and passive throughout this entire process. That includes the Democratic supporters. (i.e.: US)
I haven't been a Democrat for very long. In fact, I have been a registered Independent for 17 years. I switched my party affiliation so that I could vote for President Obama during the Primary Election. But during the past election, I began to read about Senator Obama, watch the Primary Debates, and then I decided to read his books. After reading both of them, I realized that he stood for all of the things that I did, and believed as I did that there had to be common ground. To some degree, I still do believe that. But what I think has happened is that the FAR right has been able to circumvent any logical discussion about this subject - by using scare tactics (like death panels, illegal immigrants getting free healthcare) they have placed doubts in the minds of normally very rational people.
My parents are two of these people that the Right Wing have been able to frighten with their fear-mongering tactics. It is very sad, and also disappointing when you see this happen to otherwise intelligent people. It also really makes me angry. Angry at the President for not taking charge of his own party, angry at the Democratic Party for their lack of a cohesive discussion regarding this matter, and anger at all of US, the people who got the President to where he is right now. Just because he's in the White House doesn't mean he can govern effectively without OUR SUPPORT and OUR voices. But I am THE MOST ANGRY at the media, for not addressing the real problems. The uninsured, the people whose claims are rejected for whatever reason the insurance companies decide to give them. The media is being completely irresponsible by not covering the real issues. Even the respected channels are starting to act like cheesy tabloid programs. It's embarassing.
We really need to stop talking about doing something, and we NEED TO DO SOMETHING instead. If we don't mobilize, and organize like we did during the election, The President will not be able to move forward with his agenda. HE NEEDS OUR SUPPORT. We need to march, we need to protest outside of the opponent's offices. We need to go to Phone banks, and we need to call all of the people that voted for the President and his Health are Reform Plan.
LET'S DO IT!!!!!
Julie R

With Single Payer Preemptively Tossed Out, Public Option Clings For Life.

Nate — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 13:08:34 EDT

So I'm looking through my Gmail account and while reading emails for healthcare reform efforts in my area, Google ads picked out all the healthcare related words in the letter and delivered me a link to the latest RNC attack video on the public option. The tag for the video: "The Democrats are in disarray over healthcare. Sign-up below to help end the "public option" once and for all."

It should be clear to everybody now what the effect of the pre-emptive compromise on a single payer healthcare system was: the public option ceased to be a compromise position because once the debate had actually begun it was the farthest left position remaining on the table, while the right's position remained unchanged. We now have to fight for the public option as if it was the left's progressive position, rather than a compromise from it (which it really is). This happens all the time, every time we try to reach out and move to the center, the conservatives pull further to the right, and in doing so pull the compromise position further to the right. We're being made fools of out there. We have majorities in congress bigger than any Bush or Reagan ever had, yet we can't seem to get anything done, while those guys were able to execute their ruinous agendas with almost free abandon. Democrats, we need to reframe this debate, the public option is not a compromise, it is a bare minimum for real reform. Anything less is an empty gesture.

Tossing the sick out in the cold, bankrupting the "pre-existing," the private health insurers have acted with as great a sense of reckless abandon as the worst of the Wall Street bankers who crashed our financial system. Except they weren't just playing with people's money, they were playing with people's lives. After the way these companies have abused the American people, we can accept nothing less than a public option. I was forced to give my tax dollars to bailout reckless bankers, but I will not be forced into bailing out these insurance companies that have toyed with the lives of innocent Americans. And if I am mandated to buy coverage without the option of a public plan, that is exactly what I would be made to do. To achieve universal coverage Americans would need to buy (with our own money, or with tax dollars, aka debt, if we qualify for subsidies) almost 50 million new policies from the very same companies that have profited off the sick and off crashing our healthcare system. We don’t need more bailouts for big corporations – least of all those which have so mistreated the American people – we need universal healthcare with a public option. Personally, I won't buy anything else. I hereby boycott any and all private health insurance.

Why We Shouldn't Fear the Public Option

Skye Wallin — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 18:56:22 EDT

People often forget, either due to distractions, blinding cynicism or a lack of education, how unique this country really is. The United States of America is a nation forged and grounded in a rich tradition of protest and persistent refusal to accept the status quo. In many ways this tradition has been in hibernation--recent decades will never be known as the years of particularly impressive citizen participation in government and policy. Indeed, the American people have become increasingly apathetic and stupid, but I believe that the spirit has remained alive--in fact, I predict that the drive to change our most negative aspects of society is building momentum; isn't it obvious?

Take the town halls on health care, for instance. Though CNN, FOX and MSNBC only cover the crazies, there is some remarkable dialogue going on--and not just by the supporters of health care. When it comes to the Public Option, there is a genuine philosophical debate to be had. Remember that the whole point of the American Revolution was to establish independence from an abusive and invasive government that taxed excessively and unfairly. We have come a long way since then, and have perhaps gone full-circle in many ways. I share many Libertarian concerns of the expansion of the U.S. government, excessive spending and the limitations placed upon civil liberties; not to mention our often tyrannical foreign policies. Indeed, the United States became the very empire its citizens died to defeat. People think I'm a big gov liberal, but the fact of the matter is that the federal government IS WAY TOO BIG! The War on Drugs is a fiscal and societal disaster, the Iraq and Afghanistan wars are squandering our treasure. The IRS ought to be torn down and replaced with a simpler tax code, and the Patriot Act ought to make every single American extremely wary of what leaders know about our personal lives. Not to mention the militarization of government that has seeped into the media and saturated our culture.

So when people say to me: "I just don't believe the federal government should expand! It's already too massive" I agree! The problem is that in this modern world, there are modern problems that require state intervention. Spying on Americans is not one of these exceptions. Drug abuse isn't either. Nor is Saddam Hussein or Ho Chi Minh! But to the people who believe the Public Option is some kind of government takeover and the onset of communism: should we not fight to end the excessive federal policies that actually hurtpeople? The War on Drugs fuels a culture of crime in the inner-cities. At least a million Iraqi citizens are dead because of the current conflict--not to mention the 4,339 dead American soldiers. But now you oppose a public health plan? A plan that will help your fellow citizens get the care they need? A report by the Institute of Medicine suggests that as many as 22,000 American citizens die annually due to the lack of an insurance policy--one that either could not be afforded or was cut by employers!

And let us not forget that the Public Option is an OPTION! While the true Left wing of this USA would really like a single-payer system, it is simply not going to happen with this legislation. Big Insurance is the most powerful lobby in Washington, and certainly has great influence on the bill--in other words, the argument that people will be forced to take the government plan is bullshit. The truth of the matter is that most people will keep their private plans; plans, by the way, made more consumer-friendly due to other reforms that will be in the final legislation (including the preexisting condition issue and the ability to choose your own doctors).

Though this is an expansion of government services, I want to tell you how the Public Plan is actually more economical and sustainable than the current system. You see, being private enterprise, Big Insurance seeks to charge as much as possible while providing as little as possible. I have no problem with capitalism (I am a Capitalist), but this is the reality of the basic operations of a firm. While this is perfectly acceptable in most sectors, health care is an entirely different beast. Since 2000, insurance premiums have nearly doubled! In 2007, the U.S. spent about $2.2 trillion on health care,* which comes out to approximately 16.2% of GDP--nearly twice the amount of the rest of the developed world! ** If you aren't worried yet, then you have read these numbers: by 2025, costs are expected to rise 25%; by 2082, 49% ! *** Oh, and did you realize that every GM vehicle is $1,525 more expensive because of employer-based health care coverage? Insurance is by far GM's biggest expenditure--even more than steel! ****

And the numbers go on and on. This is the financial argument, and it is all tied to the Big Insurance practice of driving up costs for higher profit margins, and making up for their clunky and inefficient administrative costs. Medicare costs are skyrocketing because they are subsidizing these inflating premiums, and this must be replaced. The Public Option must establish a much simpler and transparent system that injects competition into this stale and unsustainable market. It is fiscally sensical and it is moral.

But just any Public Option will not do. Next week I will tackle the question of "what must a Public Option look like in order to drive competition and cut costs?"

Absorb it, discuss it, and hopefully support it. Leave your comments below.

*Office of the Actuary, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, National Health Expenditure Data for 2007. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, available at: http://www.cms. hhs.gov/NationalHealthExpendData/02_NationalHealthAccountsHistorical.asp#TopOfPage

**Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. OECD Health Data 2008.

***P.R. Orszag, Growth in Health Care Costs: Statement Before the Committee on the Budget, United States Senate, (Washington, DC: Congressional Budget Office, Jan 31 2008), available at http://www.cbo.gov/doc.cfm?index=8948

****R. Wagoner, Testimony before the House Financial Services Committee, December 5, 2008.
http://thinkprogress.org/2008/12/05/gm-health-care-reform/
my blog: http://www.theskyewire.com

Denison University 2011

*Office of the Actuary, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, National Health Expenditure Data for 2007. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, available at: http://www.cms. hhs.gov/NationalHealthExpendData/02_NationalHealthAccountsHistorical.asp#TopOfPage **Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. OECD Health Data 2008. ***P.R. Orszag, Growth in Health Care Costs: Statement Before the Committee on the Budget, United States Senate, (Washington, DC: Congressional Budget Office, Jan 31 2008), available at http://www.cbo.gov/doc.cfm?index=8948 ****R. Wagoner, Testimony before the House Financial Services Committee, December 5, 2008. http://thinkprogress.org/2008/12/05/gm-health-care-reform/

A New Movement: Health Care as a Civil Right

Jason M. Christos — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 03:02:25 EDT

A New Movement: Health Care as a Civil Right
Wednesday, 09 September 2009

There is only one true health care public option: Single payer. It covers everyone, all basic health care needs, with doctor of choice. No more premiums, co-pays or deductibles. All health care assets in America would become not-for-profit. The bill already exists. It is HR 676. Congressman John Conyers and I wrote the bill. Our bill has the support of 85 co-sponsors in the House. And it is backed by a growing national movement of labor, doctors, and nurses. The movement needs you. Please join me for tomorrow’s national conference call at 10:00pm EDT. Please call toll-free 1-800-230-1096.

The hour has arrived to begin anew the Civil Rights Movement, this time for Health Care for All. I am calling upon you to become a force in this movement. Go to Health Care as A Civil Right to learn how you can circulate a single-payer petition and organize in your community. Please help fund this effort. Please contribute .

The Preamble to the United States Constitution and Article One, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution both describe an originating purpose of our United States: to promote the general welfare. Health care is a legitimate function of our government. Health care is a basic right in a Democratic society. It is no more a privilege based on ability to pay than is the right to vote, which was once accorded only to property owners.

Health care is also a moral imperative. Forty seven million Americans are uninsured. Fifty million Americans are underinsured. People are losing their homes, their jobs, their life’s savings, their retirement security and their financial health because they cannot pay medical bills, and despite this calamity Washington looks another way. We must not avert our eyes to this human suffering and this economic injustice.

Let’s prepare a response which Washington will long remember as the time when the people reclaimed their government from the insurance and pharmaceutical companies. Join us. Contribute. Together, we can initiate an action plan to intervene and provide health care for all.

• A National Health Care for All Conference Call from Washington, DC, at 10 pm EDT, Thursday, September 10th at 1-800-230-1096. Join us, so that we can discuss our new beginning and ways in which we can all help. Pre-registration is necessary in order to reserve sufficient phone lines. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . When you call in and the operator asks, "what conference call?" tell the operator, "Health Care for All."

• On-line petition. Please contact your lists, your family and friends. Please sign the petition for a single payer system. I will deliver the petitions directly to your Congressperson.

• Petition to download, print and circulate among friends and neighbors - including an instruction sheet.

• Health Care Meet-Ups. Coming Thursday September 10 2009.

I need your help to initiate this action. If you believe, as I do, that we can and must begin a new long-term state-by-state grassroots effort to create a single-payer, not-for-profit health care system, please contribute now.

Thank you.
Sincerely.
Dennis

from... http://kucinich.us

Message to the Blue Dogs

Nina — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 23:41:44 EDT

Stand with your President, stand with your Party, stand with your People, allow the passage of a public option. You have no right to limit my choices. Stop being power-hungry and disloyal.

MEDICARE FOR ALL!!

Kristin from New York, NY — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 18:13:45 EDT

MEDICARE For ALL!!! It's actually so simple. Why should anyone have to wait until 65 to buy into Medicare if they need it? If we care about America, we should give ALL Americans access to Medicare. Plain and simple. Mr. President, dont disappoint us tonight!!

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

OBAMA REFUSES TO TALK TO REPUBLICANS

GUN DEALER — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:01:25 EDT

Boehner: GOP leaders haven't met Obama for health talks since AprilBy Molly K. Hooper - 09/09/09 11:09 AM ET

The ball is in President Obama's court to reach out to Republicans if he wants a bipartisan bill on healthcare reform, House GOP Leader John Boehner (Ohio) said Monday morning.

Boehner told reporters that the president has not invited House GOP leaders to the White House for meetings on healthcare reform since the end of April.

Earlier this year, GOP leaders sent a letter to the president in May stating that they would like to work with the administration to find "common ground" on healthcare reform.

But the administration responded with a tersely worded letter indicating that they had healthcare reform under control.

No clicking heels and Kool-Aide here . . .

"NERVIE" — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 19:52:10 EDT

Don ‘t tell me any stories about “triggers” and “exchanges” are needed to justify a public option.

Obama campaigned on public option during the 2009 Election Season. Millions of Americans voted to see that happen. Fact, every time the baby boomers go through a life cycle, everything that they touch becomes larger than any previous generation. So why should healthcare, medical coverage, and pharmaceuticals be any different? Prior conditions should not be a preventative for human medical coverage. Bankruptcy should not be the end all for affordable, adequate and dire medical services because you “love your family member” and want them to live as long as possible.

Preventative care needs to be a requirement. Responsible healthy eating should be an edict. Encouraging varying levels of exercise need to be strongly pushed from birth to the end of life. Instead of the insurance industry investing in medical technologies that often don’t work, they should invest in all of the various levels of prevention, and enhancements for investment purposes. Fact, the healthy we are the more likely we can continuously pay our premiums on time. If insurance companies award us with lower premiums and cash options because we take good care of ourselves we’ll do it more. Fact, businesses don’t have souls, but the individuals who run them “should”. Call this ethics appreciation for the “common good”, common sense and compassion. I don’t believe medicine delivery should be a commodity for trade. . . Call me stupid, but healthcare professionals do still say a Hippocratic Oath. Right?

Fact, if our nation is strong, then our people are strong, then reverse the negative engineering and thinking that American’s have towards fast, over processed and over seasoned (salted and sugared) foods are causing . . . Encourage home gardens, family and community outings with full fun body movements. . .climbing, dancing, swimming, climbing, walking, running, skipping, jumping, and measurements causing personal sweat, increased heart rate, fun and excitement! Maybe if we spent more time loving one another instead of killing one another, we might all have better attitudes towards life period. Wednesday evening at 5:00 PM, I’ll be looking forward to President Barack Obama, deliver his address to the full Congress. Your voice should be heard by the editor of this newspaper and our local legislatures. Show how strong, intelligent, articulate, responsible, hopeful, and sustainable you want this society to be. Get FIRED UP and ready to go! I pass on the Kool-Aid and the clicking of the heels, but I’m willing to walk in the park with anyone who is willing to discuss the feasibility of this happening . .

I stopped listening to AM Radio Talk Shows

Jackie — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 02:53:06 EDT

I have been a AM talk show listener for years and years. I use to like listening to all the radio talk show hosts. They would talk about local and national topics. But I stopped a few months ago. Almost all the show hosts sound like they are going to have a stroke talking about Obama and healthcare. When I listen to them it makes me uncomfortable. The kind of uncomfortable feeling that you get when you are caught in a room with a couple yelling at each other. It is now just mindless ranting from most of them. I have to give kudos to Boortz though he does not like alot of what Pres. Obama is doing but reframes from joining the smear campaign. He waits until the facts are in before making a final judgement call. Then has a one sided debate about it. The big Kudos to you Boortz. But even though he is more informed I just don't turn him on either. I don't really think many people listen much to AM radio anymore anyway. So it probably doesn't matter if they are making their blood pressure go up so high. But if you want to listen to some trash talk turn on AM. I have to admit I did tune back in the other day. Just to see if it was all still so hateful and yes it was. I was amazed at one host who was still bringing up the slams and lies that the Republicans through at Pres. Obama during the election. I thought wow here is a talk show host who doesn't even have anything new to talk about. I am all for free speech. All sides need to air their opinions but it seems one sided on AM Radio so I have choose the FM or just OFF button.

Healthcare Reform Now!

Med Pro grl CO 2009 — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 03:20:20 EDT

Give me bankruptcy or give me death?

The Status Quo- Insurance Scam.

I work in the medical field and healthcare reform is a great idea. It's about time.

I've sat by powerless, while many people have died in my care waiting for insurance companies to authorize non-formulary medications or treatments. Most people are healthy and don't realize how small the list of authorized formulary items is, until it's too late. Bankruptcy or Death is not what Americans should have to choose between. Health Security should be a right.

Even greedy self-loathing hypocrites whom don't like being GUARANTEED protection will someday need more than they can afford, so then, its illness or bankruptcy or DEATH for themselves or a loved one. Anyone who has tried calling an insurance company knows the truth. There is almost no regulation and mostly people just dance in circles with the insurance companies until it is too late. Time is on the insurance companies’ side. For them, time is money and for us or our families it may be a matter of health or death.

Proud of Protesters! We need more new songs of protest!

Emeraldlorraine — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 22:18:35 EDT

It is so important to protest and I am so proud of the protestors for the current longtime hot topic of healthcare. The coverage in the media is so crucial. I saw protestors for both sides on Saturday in Huntington Beach by the pier at the corner of Main Street and PCH. Both sides with handmades posters. I wanted to honk in support yet there was so many cars and pedestrians that I didn't want to cause any confusion.

Today at Sunday mass at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, the priest spoke about Mother Theresa and how she spoke up for those who could not protest. He spoke of the importance of speaking up. Our protests are power tools which promote change. Continue to speak up for a better world as it will not happen by silence.

I would love to see more singing at these protests. We need more new songs of protest to etch in the minds and souls of more people.

Delivering Healthcare Declarations to Ron Klein

Janice Mekula from Cayce, SC — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 11:20:11 EDT

Constituents of Florida District 22 visited the Boca Raton office of Rep. Ron Klein on Sept. 3, discussing healthcare reform with his aide, and delivering some of the one million declarations of support for reform that have been collected nationwide by OFA. See the YouTube at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q75-Lgzuu1w

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:

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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.

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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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Who, What we are and Why

Ginny — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 18:14:31 EDT

All you need to know is located at http://thepeasantscottage.com

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”

Calm prevails at Meek's town hall

Dave Patlak — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 04:45:51 EDT

Calm prevails at Meek's town hall http://www.miamiherald.com/news/florida/story/1216851.html MiamiHerald.com - Beth Reinhard US Rep. Kendrick Meek emphasized the importance of a government-run healthcare plan at a low-key Miami town hall meeting attended by about 400 people. ...
No bullhorns, no protesters at Meek's town hallhttp://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2009/09/no-bullhorns-no-protesters-at-meeks-town-hall-.html
Meek Holds Health Care Town Hall - Politics News Story - WPLG MiamiSep 3, 2009 ... Kendrick Meek is holding a health care town hall meeting Thursday ... www.justnews.com/politics/20708651/detail.html Video: http://www.justnews.com/video/20718160/

Obama's Health Care Principles

Susan — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 23:07:55 EDT

I am fully supportive of the principles laid out by Presidet Obama, but although I totally support him, I do not support what is OMITTED from those principles, therefore I have not signed the pledge. A real public option is not on this list.

I do not want to be forced to buy health insurnace from companies who are fleecing us. I am happy to reimburse the gov't for the cost of a Medicare or Medical program extended to me. But I don't want to be forced to buy from those crooks. This model means we are feeding the sharks. NOT OK.

I am so disapointed with President OBAMA and really this is it

Marmaduke from New York, NY — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 16:59:31 EDT

last of all subject HEALTHCARE :

So what? No PUBLIC OPTION !!!!!!!! The heart of Healcare reform

Polls have a public option anywhere between 70 to 80% approval rating

YOu have 60 democratic senators

HUGE majority in the House

And you know now you never gonna get a single (not one) republican vote for this bill no matter what so there is no point in negotiating or compromising in ANY WAY !

This is a perfect situation to deliver a PUBLIC OPTION - THE HEART OF HEALTHCARE REFORM

But what do we learn ? That you are giving up on that PUBLIC OPTION without fight

You never really wanted IT President

That is exactly the kind of politics we wanted to get rid of when we took you to the WH.

Thank you very much President you never really wanted reform, You are no CHANGE !!!

You made a deal with big company and healtcare industry. Public option is competition for them. They don't want that and you give them what they want.

Thye will keep limited competition nad keep increasing our premium like they did last 10 to 15 years, plus 119% and who cares.You are not the guy to take on the lobbyist.

And who's writing the bill in teh Senate ?

Olympia Snowe, a Republican. That is madness.
Did George Bush ever let the democrats write any bills ?
Laugh with me...

How could it be more disapointing. What hope is left ?

My Health Care Proposal

Amir — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:03:44 EDT

1. Those who have private health insurance; keep it.
2. Those who don’t have private health insurance but can afford it based on income after taxes but excluding house payments, cars, etc; tough. You shouldn’t live beyond your means.
3. Those who don’t have private coverage because they can’t afford it would get it via the government similar to what gov’t workers get with payments they can afford or none at all if they just can’t pay. This is through a private company; just subsidized by the feds. They can opt out for private coverage when they get on their feet.
4. Those who aren’t covered because they’re poor and not doing anything about it or having more and more kids would be limited to coverage for a max of 2 kids. If they can’t provide for their other kids, the children are taken into protective custody and the parents are charged with criminal neglect.
5. Government does not decide what treatments any gets; only physicians would do that.
6. Minimal insurance coverage (like liability for autos) would be required for all but monthly/semi-annual premiums would be capped so not to be excessive.
7. No denial of service due to pre-existing conditions. A higher premium would probably be necessary however.
8. Smokers and the obese are not covered except for programs designed to quit smoking and lose weight. Too great a burden on the system to cover these slow-cook suicides.
9. No coverage for abortion procedures except in the case of rape, incest, or life of the mother. (don’t agree? Don’t pay your taxes)
10. benefits only extend to US Citizens and legal permanent residents who are employed and, therefore, paying taxes (and into the system)
11. Emergency rooms no longer required to treat everyone for everything. If it can wait until morning (headache, moderate fever, etc) it will. No more “Dollar Store” medicine via the ER.
12. Small tax on refined sugar and high fructose corn syrup.
13. Maximum 1-year patent on new drugs.
14. Gigantic grant for cures to shift R&D from treatment to prevention by big pharmaceuticals.
15. Provision allowing for possible co-ops.

The Time to Act has Come, Reaffirm Your Commitment

Skye Wallin — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 23:29:23 EDT

My friends, I apologize for taking an extended summer break, but now the wheels are turning once again, and I must say that never before have I felt this necessity to write for cause. We elected the progressive candidate, though not without a healthy degree of skepticism by many (including myself), and the calling for responsible and energetic citizenship has never been greater. For in the words of the President:

What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility -- a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character than giving our all to a difficult task.

For those who voted Obama/Biden on election day, this calling is especially directed towards you! The President is powerless to create fundamental change without his foot-soldiers, and right now you are failing. And so am I.
But today we reaffirm our commitment to transform this country into what it ought to be. When this country decisively elected Barack Obama, he was given a mandate to bring about progressive reform, and now we must help him. Right now, the most powerful lobby in Washington is fighting the fight of its life to destroy any kind of true reform of its corrupt system. The right-wing and conservative Dems have taken the stand that change mustn't come to American health care, and they have effectively waged a crusade of fear and lies against the President's plan--against the President's promise.

If this country wishes to survive, her citizens must become informed on the topics and fight for truth. Indeed, this health care battle is a test: can the people who voted for something transformational actually make it happen? Do we have it in us to bring down the congressmen and women who have prostituted themselves out to the insurance giants? I believe we do; because nothing is stronger than a nation of motivated and optimistic citizens. And right now I want to reaffirm my commitment to this country's potential--that I will do all in my power to be a part of the grassroots of change. Because I voted for it. Because it is my responsibility to walk the walk.

And now I ask my readers--my fellow citizens--will you join me in this commitment to fight for reform by pressuring your reluctant representatives to support President Obama's agenda? Will you fight the myths with your colleagues, classmates and family? If so, I hope that you will leave a declaration of support for this cause below in the comments section. Tell others what you believe in and how hard you are willing to fight. And after your declaration, you must act on it. You must make the calls, attend the town halls and go door-to-door. It is this movement that determined the election, and now it must live on to determine our future. There really are better things on the horizon--indeed, they are within our grasp!

In the coming days and weeks, I will be rolling out a series of articles on the healthcare debate. My hope is to lay out the arguments and contextualize the controversy. Because if you know the facts, you will realize that Obama really is on the right side of things. And after we pass healthcare--with the public option included--it is on to the next fight.

Till next time.

"How far have we come??"

"NERVIE" — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 11:12:56 EDT

I ran into this blog that I had posted on another site of mine, I thought I'd share a few words because sometimes looking back you see how far you have come:

Saturday, January 31, 2009. I’m happy to hear that on last Thursday, the United States Senate followed the United States House in passing a reauthorization of a child health insurance bill. I do remember twice Bush vetoed this bill. Just imagine 4 million more children in America will have access to health insurance, isn’t that a huge post Bush phenomenon. Another positive sign that the boat has oars with a new helmsman anointed by none other than Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chair, of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.

Thank God for Kennedy, now hopefully Obama can step up to all the other healthcare needs called Universal Healthcare! Don’t know about you, but I am still praying for this major fete. Yeah, it may seem odd with my working for the industry now, however, AFLAC, I rationalize was created out of a need for additional healthcare costs. So technically, it wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for the large “hole” in insurance coverage.

You see, the creators of AFLAC saw bankruptcy due to the illness of their mother who died of cancer. There were procedures the insurance company wouldn’t approve and even though the family had coverage, the costs were exorbitant so what they did have wasn’t enough. So you would think they would be on the side of the President, right?

Wrong, the new marketing director they told us in a Sheraton meeting that we needed to lobby the President to keep things as they are, our jobs were at stake, if there were any changes in the healthcare coverage we had much to lose, and if any of us were interested to see him after the meeting. I cringed. We are lobbying legislators for free? They aren’t paying us to be lobbyist? Is this part of the clean money concept? That was odd.

I thought we were the “good guys” in the insurance world. A promise I made to myself. I said if I ever go back to corporate, I wanted to work for a corporation that believed in “stewardship” as one of their core values and part of their mission statement, not gouging or "pretending to care" about customers, just to make money.

At various companies I saw how not being forthright, withholding information, to downright “verbal kung fu-ing” with the “bottomline concept”. Minerva, do you want to make money or not this week? When in the long run, the relationship with the customer would mean much more service, more referrals; new add ons (only if they needed them) and providing the customer the opportunity to choose what is best for them?) or was I back to the “gaming”, “selling” techniques and twisting the arm which could blow up in your manager’s face and they would ask you to “fall on the sword” because . . . they were the manager? Did I make that mistake again, or what? I really need to explore this new leadership more . . . hopefully I got the message wrong . . . I know the product does what it says it does, but why isn't the corporation supporting the president? Until I get a definitive explanation, I'm slowing backing away . . .

But could hope spring eternal and that even the Republicans are seeing change by having former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele, an African American at the lead. Depending on which Republican media pundit you listen to, they would have you believe that Steele’s role is just for PR purposes. Bull. Last I heard the person sitting on the top of the Republican Party had to be a “damn good fundraiser”, and in this economic market where money isn’t falling from the trees anymore, even banks are standing in line begging for governmental support. Now how effective Steele will be with his moderate views makes politics so interesting. Yes, bedfellows in politics get a little weirder and weirder if you take the time to read, to listen and to watch.

Some republicans are trying to say that media commentators weren’t saying that Mr. Blago Bully was a democrat. Blago was voted out of office and out of politics by a group of his own peers and the fallout from the criminal charges are still left to be resolved. Yes, he is a democrat and his behavior based on the information that we were provided was horrible. But I don’t remember anyone NOT saying he wasn’t the democratic governor from Illinois. What does raise my eyebrows was that Democratic strategist James Carvell originally poo-pooed the idea that Blago was under scrutiny in the first place and he said “there is wheeling and dealing going on all the time”. So is this why Blago doesn’t think he did anything wrong?

Hopefully there won’t be large court scenarios but the way Blago went out was heartbreaking to see a man who doesn’t know when he is caught. And if in fact this was politics as usual, I’m sure there are folks scrambling to clean house. Speaking of cleaning house. . . How many flaws can you find in this write up? On reading the “White House Blog”, I found this little gem:

43. GEORGE W. BUSH 2001-2009

George W. Bush, the 43rd President of the United States, was sworn into office on January 20, 2001, re-elected on November 2, 2004, and sworn in for a second term on January 20, 2005. Prior to his Presidency, President Bush served for 6 years as the 46th Governor of the State of Texas, where he earned a reputation for bipartisanship and as a compassionate conservative who shaped public policy based on the principles of limited government, personal responsibility, strong families, and local control.

President Bush was born on July 6, 1946, in New Haven, Connecticut, and grew up in Midland and Houston, Texas. He received a bachelor’s degree in history from Yale University in 1968, and then served as an F-102 fighter pilot in the Texas Air National Guard. President Bush received a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School in 1975. Following graduation, he moved back to Midland and began a career in the energy business. After working on his father’s successful 1988 Presidential campaign, President Bush assembled the group of partners who purchased the Texas Rangers baseball franchise in 1989. On November 8, 1994, President Bush was elected Governor of Texas. He became the first Governor in Texas history to be elected to consecutive 4-year terms when he was re-elected on November 3, 1998.

President Bush worked with the Congress to create an ownership society and build a future of security, prosperity, and opportunity for all Americans. He signed into law tax relief that helped workers keep more of their hard-earned money, as well as the most comprehensive education reforms in a generation, the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. This legislation ushered in a new era of accountability, flexibility, local control, and more choices for parents, affirming our Nation’s fundamental belief in the promise of every child. President Bush also worked to improve healthcare and modernize Medicare, providing the first-ever prescription drug benefit for seniors; increase homeownership, especially among minorities; conserve our environment; and increase military strength, pay, and benefits. Because President Bush believed the strength of America lies in the hearts and souls of our citizens, he supported programs that encourage individuals to help their neighbors in need.

On the morning of September 11, 2001, terrorists attacked our Nation. President Bush took unprecedented steps to protect our homeland and create a world free from terror. He was grateful for the service and sacrifice of our brave men and women in uniform and their families. The President believed that by helping build free and prosperous societies, our Nation and our friends and allies can succeed in making America more secure and the world more peaceful.

President Bush is married to Laura Welch Bush, a former teacher and librarian, and they have twin daughters, Barbara and Jenna. The Bush family also includes two dogs, Barney and Miss Beazley, and a cat, Willie. (http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/georgewbush/)

I thought it was an amazing play on wording and one day maybe I’ll meet the wordsmith who must have been having a hard time putting this together. See y’all later, Todd says there is no maid, so we have a house to clean today . . .

THE END

Oh well, I recall all of the comments being made about Kennedy, I do hope he rests in peace but I have to admit "his mantle" is really heavy.

Sorry, I never had the opportunity to meet him. But I'll never forget the time, I passed out when I saw President Kennedy on the corner of Rexall Drug Store, sitting on my daddy's shoulders dripping an ice cream cone! I passed out from the excitement it was like yesterday! Minerva

Ultimatum

Richard in Toronto - Still American After All These Years — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 09:26:21 EDT

"We had to struggle with the old enemies of peace: business and financial monopoly, speculation, reckless banking, class antagonism, sectionalism, war profiteering," President Franklin Roosevelt told an audience in Madison Square Garden in 1936. "They had begun to consider the Government of the United States as a mere appendage to their own affairs. We know now that Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob. Never before in all our history have these forces been so united against one candidate as they stand today. They are unanimous in their hate for me and I welcome their hatred."

Currently Americans oppose health care reform for only two reasons: 1) they and their opinions are entirely beholden to propaganda and as a result they remain ignorant and afraid of the facts or 2) they have a financial stake in the status quo and are actively involved in spreading the fear and propaganda that keeps the others beholden.

If the so-called Blue Dogs, or the President himself, fail to bring about believable health care reform -- publicly funded universal health care comparable to any provided by the remainder of the industrialized world -- then we must find candidates and individuals who are not afraid.

Vote to name the Public Option after Kennedy

saleemhuepenny — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 20:29:57 EDT

Please visit congress.org to cast your vote!

http://www.congress.org/congressorg/issues/alert/?alertid=13970786&type=ML

Pioneer Valley Young Dems Phone Banking for Healthcare Public Option

Nicole LaChapelle — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:01:39 EDT

Local Young Democrats Organizing in Support of Healthcare Public Option

The Pioneer Valley Young Democrats will hold a Healthcare Reform Phonebank at the Springfield SEIU office at 20 Maple St on Sept. 9, 2009 from 6pm-7:30pm. PVYD invites community members of all ages to join our efforts to save the public option by volunteering a few hours to phone voters in other states and to answer their questions about healthcare reform. Training will be provided. Congressman Richard Neal's campaign committee will be providing pizza and salad for volunteers following the phonebank.

For information or transportation please email Kate Crowther at crowt20k@mtholyoke.edu

Some interesting articles on Health Care

Richard in Toronto - Still American After All These Years — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 23:49:24 EDT

I stumbled on two articles on NPR that are only about a year old and contain some very interesting facts.

I've posted some excerpts below, but I highly recommend reading the entire article and using the comparison utility to check out what's done in other countries...

Senator Edward Kennedy Healthcare Bill

Dave R — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:33:08 EDT

In honor of Senator Edward Kennedy I feel Congress should rename the healthcare bill to 'The Senator Edward Kennedy Healthcare Bill'. This is the logical next step toward the inevitable passing of meaning healthcare for all Americans. All thinking people know that we must contain runaway healthcare costs through reform. We are destined to fail if we are not in this together. The naysayers to meaningful reform are being ignored the longer they speak out. All those naysayers in Congress should return their tax payer funded healthcare and donate it to a needy American family.

Conservatives Unite!

Rick — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 18:54:07 EDT

I am a conservative. I guess I've always been a conservative. I believe in balancing my checkbook. I believe in traditional family values. I believe in moral or faith-based imperatives. And I also believe in the enduring wisdom of our Constitution. I am American through and through.

By all these measures, it is absolutely necessary that we reform our health care system now.

I am tired of being hijacked by snake oil salesmen that paint themselves as conservative versus liberal, as right versus left, when they are really only shills for the privileged class. You cannot be a conservative and ignore that health care costs are wildly out of control. You cannot be a conservative and not see that health care is strangling our economy and our international competitiveness.

You may think that you are a liberal, or a leftist, but you've have been hijacked too.

My experience with some of the opposition in Virginia

Dawn from Virginia — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 11:18:11 EDT

I suffer with chronic Lyme disease. And, over the last 17 since I became chronically ill, I've gone from a being a highly educated, financially-independent, productive, hard-working, active, healthy, respected professional to an impoverished, financially dependent, disabled, chronically ill object of public scorn. For decades, my family and friends have struggled to cover the costs of my much needed care. Every month, however, I go without some treatment, doctor visit or medicine because the expense of my necessary care exceeds the financial means of my support network. My family, friends and I feel defeated completely by a very recent additional financial obstacle to obtaining my much needed healthcare. My primary physician, who I've worked with for over a decade, just announced suddenly that he will no longer see me UNLESS I purchase an expensive membership in a new healthcare program called Privia which will NOT take the place of my current costly health insurance plan. This new membership healthcare plan will cost $208.33 a month, $2,500.00 a year, simply to provide me with what I've had for the last 12 years: access to my longstanding primary healthcare doctor. Plus, because this new membership healthcare plan will NOT take the place of my current healthcare insurance plan, I will need an additional $208.33, monthly, for membership dues on top of the current $1,200.00 a month expense of my healthcare insurance policy that I cannot change due to the problems presented by pre-existing conditions. With the addition of my doctor's new membership healthcare program, the cost of my merely possessing access to healthcare will rise to an incredible nearly 17 thousand dollars per year!!!! I'll now need 17 thousand dollars annually just to secure my ability to be seen by a doctor. That's 17 thousand dollars spent before I find the means to purchase any of my prescribed daily medicines or to pay my co-pay for treatment or a doctor's visit. My doctor's unexpected demand for more money every month, merely to continue the care I've been receiving for years, feels like extortion to me. Suddenly, I must pay more, much more, or suffer, not only the loss of my health care, but also the burden of finding a new competent doctor who isn't jumping on the bandwagon of imposing membership programs on patients. I've come to find out that, because a number of physicians perceive that any reforms to healthcare will entail cuts to their income, exclusive patient membership healthcare programs are proliferating as a means to preserve and potentially boost doctor's income at the expense of their patients.Therefore, despite my extremely limited physical abilities and energy, I have decided to take an active roll, as best I can, in helping make American healthcare reform a reality in 2009. In my conversations with friends, I've heard a great deal of scary stuff regarding healthcare reform. And my attempts to initiate calm, rational, open-minded discussions about healthcare reform have resulted in my receiving emails like the one below:Subject: Senior Death Warrant

Date: Monday, July 13, 2009, 3:15 PM

Actress Natasha Richardson died after falling, while skiing in Canada . It took eight hours to drive her to a hospital. If Canada had our healthcare she might be alive today. In the United States , we have medical evacuation helicopters that would have transported her to a hospital within 30 minutes.
In England, citizens over 59 cannot receive heart repairs, stents or coronary bypass surgery because it's too expensive and not warranted, in the eyes of the government... given the age of the patients.
Obama wants to have a healthcare system just like Canada 's and England 's.
I got this today and am sending it on. If Obama's plans in other areas don't frighten you, this should.
Please do not let Obama sign such legislation which will be a Senior Death Warrant for all but the wealthy.
Everybody that is on my mailing list is either a senior citizen, is getting close or knows somebody that is.
Most of you know by now that the Senate version (at least) of the "Stimulus Bill" included provisions for extensive rationing of health care for senior citizens.The author of this part of the bill, former senator and tax evader, Tom Daschle was credited by Bloomberg with the following statement:
Bloomberg: Daschle says, "Health-care reform will not be pain free. Seniors should be more accepting of the conditions that come with age, instead of treating them."
If this does not sufficiently raise your ire, just remember that our esteemed Senators and Congressmen have their own healthcare plan that is first dollar paid, or very low co-pay, which they are guaranteed for the remainder of their lives, and will not subject to this new law, if it passes.
Please use the power of the Internet to get this message out. Talk it up at the grassroots level. We have an election coming up in one year and five months. And we have the ability to address and reverse the dangerous direction the Obama administration and his allies have begun... and in the interim, we can make their lives miserable. Lets do this!
If you disagree, do nothing.
Robin Cash
Investment Advisor Representative
Cash Financial LLC
53 Three C Ln
Fishersville, VA 22939
Ph: 540-241-0659
Fax: 540-949-6058

NCIA (National Coop Insurance Agency)

John from Sterling Heights, MI — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 03:14:38 EDT

It is time to create a new agency called the NCIA.

National Coop Insurance Agency.

Under the provisions of this organization every US citizen would have the right (yes its optional) to be a member of the Coop that this agency represents.

It would:

1. Negotiate costs of health insurance premiums, medical procedures and services, and prescription drugs on behalf of its members.

2. It would do so in a way that allows reasonable profit margins for pharmaceuitical companies in due consideration of R&D expenses. Reasonable profit would be allowed for all medical establishments providing services.

3. At no time will negotiation of price be allowed to interfere with the decisions of Doctors or patients (coop members). in the event that there is a conflict, no negotiation will be attempted.

Healthcare vs. Lobbyists

Tommy D — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 21:52:03 EDT

In following the constant smears to real Health-care reform I can't help but notice the number of right wing and Insurance groups lobbying against reform. I start to wonder if it would have made more sense to get rid of the Lobbyists prior to the Health-care reform process. I know I make it sound easier than it is but at the same time when a country is trying to take on major issues currently affecting all Americans it makes it all the more difficult when the opposition to these issues is the mega wealthy corporate lobbyists. These Lobbyists who have unlimited finances to corrupt our politicians, distract unsure Americans of the real issues and play on fear and anxiety of those who are reluctant to change.

These groups truly take away any hope for meaningful conversation whether via a town hall, at home or in congress. How do you have a BIPARTISAN effort with so many in Washington influenced by the money of big corporations and not the voice of reason. We have some of the brightest and maybe not so bright people in America sitting on Capitol Hill and yet somehow we are all supposed to believe that we cannot even come close to compromise or understanding on the issues we face today. I know we as people have our own opinions on issues and topics and are far apart on lots of issues but I would like to believe that we all share common morals and common sense. So I ask myself in this current debate what makes us so very far apart? The answer unfortunately is simple in two parts. One is the lobbyists the other is the politicians accepting the campaign money and bending to influence of these corporations.

In closing I wonder how much easier reform would be if we were worried about our fellow Americans instead of our next election? I wonder if there would be more regulations in place on Wall Street so that Main Street wasn't at risk again. I wonder if everyone worried about our best interests instead of special interests why would they worry about getting re-elected? The fact is they would not have to. I hope we can come back to a point were the true concern in America is for the people who would do anything for it and not for those who keep doing whatever they want to ruin it.

Think about it

HR676 Medicare for All - "Everybody In, Nobody Out"

Guy McClellan — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 13:03:22 EDT

Over the past few months, I have taken the opportunity to meet other activists that are passionate about healthcare reform at various rallies to support either HR3200 (Obama's Public Option plan) or HR676 (Single Payer or what Obama would prefer "if starting from scratch").

Thus far, the main opposition to HR676 from the public option folks has been that they "don't think it has a chance..." so they "will settle for a public option."

The Single Payer option is alive and well and has sufficient congressional support to merit further discussion. I see no downside to discussing this third option alongside the public and status quo options. However, I have heard little serious discussion in the mainstream media and a general tendency for the media to also portray a "massive opposition" to reform thanks to a few dissidents at meetings.

Meanwhile, at healthcare rallies around the country, thousands of real supporters of healthcare reform have received little airtime to discuss the important aspects of either HR3200 or HR676 in a logical and rational fashion. Instead, the jokers, laughers, yellers, and shouters have made a circus of this opportunity to avoid coverage of the most important legislation in the history of America.

I don't want to see supporters of healthcare reform to get divided on the issue of the public option vs. the single payer since our goals are similar, we want real care and we want it now.

So why am I for HR676 over HR3200? Perhaps it's a lack in faith of free market economics... maybe I don't think the corporate interests will be compassionate enough or that the government will leverage the public option hard enough to be successful. With a Single Payer plan, I have faith that with all people covered, that we can eventually achieve a higher quality of life, through greater preventitive care measures that will lead to better health and cost savings.

How will we pay for it? With 31% of every healthcare dollar going to for-profit insurance companies that have a fiduciary responsibility to earn profits for their shareholders, they have little incentive or responsibility to ensure care. To the contrary, it is more accurate to say they have a responsibility to deny care to increase profit margins so they can ensure a return on investment to their stakeholders. Eliminating this profiteering from the system is essential to improving the ethos of healthcare in the US. No one should profit off of someone else's misery.

We've bailed out the banks, insurance companies, the carmakers... when will we help bail out ourselves to ensure a quality of life in the future through improved healthcare?

Please visit www.pnhp.org to learn more about HR676.

Please comment on this post to discuss your real concerns with healthcare for all.

Healthcare vs. Health Insurance

Susan — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 23:41:19 EDT

I am a supporter of Universal Single Payer Healthcare. If we are forced to buy insurance, stoking the bloated insurance companies, then I am not supportive of a reform. I do not support putting everyone into a private program, or even a coop. I would rather be taxed universally and have that money provide universal health care just as our taxes provide court systems, police protection, education, etc.

The only way to provide preventative care, health education, and truely universal care is to do it through the government which does a terrific job with social security, which has a lower overhead that any corporate health program. I don't understand why people aren't fearful of corporate overlords rather.

If we cannot have a single payer program, then I would rather see the present bill take the form of regulations on the insurance industry, and extend a medicare type program to cover low income eligible people, and then let those that don't want any insurance take that risk. If insurance is just a risk program, then we should have the option to take the risk to survive without insurance.

One-term President?

Richard in Toronto - Still American After All These Years — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 23:14:18 EDT

The Press has been very reluctant to look beneath the surface of Obama's falling popularity numbers, and once again the spinmeisters on the right step in and dominate. My own support for Obama began to decline before the election, when he flipped on the FISA issue. The fact that John Yoo is free to teach law at Berkley infuriates me. The constant attempt to appease the nihilist Republicans, or give credit to dinosaurs like Chuck Grassley with anything but obstructionism and dishonesty of the highest, most hypocritical order, just turn my stomach. Where's the change I believed in?

In summary, Obama's falling numbers are due to his turning his back on the progressives who elected him, not the fantasy being perpetrated by conservatives and parroted by the uncritical media. He will continue to slide the further he moves to the center. If there is no public option in health care reform he will almost certainly be a one-term president.

On the other hand, the Republicans would have to find someone to run against him. Unless Meghan McCain suddenly wants to run for president I don't see anyone with any credibility, never mind vision, anywhere on the horizon.

I am currently supporting Anthony Weiner for president in 2012. I certainly hope he'll consider running.

Public Option is Hopeful!!

Blaise from Bowling Green, OH — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 20:53:53 EDT

It looks as if Barack has started to get more aggressive with the maintaining of a public option. I was getting quite frustrated when I thought they might be dropping that critical part of the bill. If Bush can push an unwanted war through congress, then Barack should have no problem passing a healthcare reform bill through congress that is wanted by the majority!!!!

Positive Lessons Learned from Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff’s Healthcare Reform Town Hall on Tuesday 8/11/2009

Michael from Santa Monica, CA — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 01:03:59 EDT

Please help me figure out how to get this to those that are preparing for future events...

Positive Lessons Learned from
Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff’s Healthcare Reform Town Hall
on Tuesday 8/11/2009

On Tuesday 8/11/2009, I attended a very well run Town Hall event that provided some very clear lessons on how to overcome the organized attempts at disruption and fear/hate mongering led by the radical right and corporate anti-reform supporters.

My thanks and congratulations go to Congressman Schiff and everyone involved in this event. This is the first such event that I have attended, and it was a very positive experience overall. (I was drawn to attend in an attempt to balance out the rowdy anti-reform crowds that I have seen on TV trying to dominate such events.)

The event had at least the expected 2000 people present, and despite the vocal attempts of anti-reform people, the event was kept relatively civilized and constructive.

A large part of this success is due to the obvious efforts of the event organizers to actively manage the event, rather than utilize a normal town hall format, which the anti-reform sponsors have recently managed so well to game to their advantage.

Below I list my observations, which I highly recommend that all Democratic legislators and town hall event planners study before/while planning their own events to discuss healthcare reform.

I also recommend that you contact Congressman Schiff, the event planners at his office and the City of Alhambra, the moderator Dr. Bruce Hensel, and the Alhambra Police Department for their own lessons learned.

Things done right to support a constructive dialog:

Don’t assume that this will be a normal town hall event. Treat this as a unique event with its own necessary preparation steps to ensure success.
The anti-reform sponsors have worked hard to game the format employed by normal town hall gatherings. Do not reward their efforts by passively playing along.
Be very clear on the goals of anti-reform sponsors…

· To agitate the radical right

· To prevent constructive dialog on this topic by disrupting and monopolizing the event

· To limit opportunities for reform supporters to spread their message

· To propagate intentional lies about reform goals/methods

· To intimidate supporters of healthcare reform from participating

· To wear down and intimidate pro-reform legislators

Do not limit attendance.
Attendance limits reward organizers who can bus in their supporters early during working hours so as to claim all available seats. Limits thus penalize people with jobs who find that by the time they can arrive after work and traffic the event is filled and they will not be admitted.
Hold the event outdoors.
This reduces the impact of people shouting to disrupt the event. During the first half of our event a number of anti-reformers attempted to shout non-stop to reduce dialog, but the open air dispersed their volume. They could not effectively compete with the sound system used by the podium speakers, and eventually they gave up and shut up.
An outdoor venue also supports the ability to avoid attendance limits.
Our event was held at a grassy area outside the library at the City of Alhambra Town Hall.
Use a high-quality sound system for the podium speakers.
The sound must be loud enough to be clearly heard by all in the audience, without distortion. Use a professional company for this and test it in advance.
Allow signs
Pro-reform audience members were obviously more polite and less likely to resort to out-shouting their opponents. Signs provided an alternative means for them to make their opinions known.
There will be many crazy signs from the anti-reform movement, such as pictures of Obama with a Hitler mustache. This is acceptable vs. the benefit of providing more civilized members of the audience with a means to communicate.
Use a professional moderator who is knowledgeable about healthcare reform.
Dr. Bruce Hensel, Medical, Health, and Science Editor/Reporter for NBC4 performed this role very admirably at Adam Schiff’s event. I recommend that organizers of similar events contact him to learn his own lessons learned.
The moderator should feel free to guide the discussion with the goal of providing constructive dialog.
Do not provide microphones for audience speakers, have the moderator restate their questions for the audience.
This reduces both the incentive for and impact of grandstanding and attempts to disrupt.
Not hearing amplified ranting also discourages other members of the audience from piling on with more shouting/chanting in an attempt to disrupt/monopolize the event.
It also allows legitimate, but nervous/awkwardly phrased questions to be restated in a manner that supports better dialog.
Have audience members line up to approach the front to ask questions
This is necessary for them to be heard by the moderator and legislator, since they will not be issued microphones. It also allows the moderator to more clearly call on people to come forward and speak.
At our event there was a pseudo line which formed as people moved forward to reach the front where they might be called on. This provided a cooling off period where people are required to behave in a civilized manner before speaking. Make sure that latecomers to the event are able to join the line as well as people that camp it before hand.
Using a line does not mean that the next person to speak is predetermined. At our event the line was a few people wide, and the moderator retained the right select the next speaker. This helps him/her try to balance the questions based on impressions of which side people may support, and to avoid calling on obviously disruptive people.
(I was able to move through the crowd, line up and eventually ask a question, even though by the time I arrived the event was just starting with over 2000 people present.)
Have sufficient room at the front for the selected speaker to step forward away from the line and speak.
Having the person separate themselves from the line makes it more clear who is to speak. It also reduces any potential intimidation from other people in line.
At our event a little girl was able to step up and ask a question without feeling intimidated.
Use a panel format
This allows the moderator to select appropriate experts to speak, and perhaps more importantly will avoid having the legislator get trapped in a cycle of having to continuously defend him/her self. The legislator remains free to speak up as desired though. It also supports the impression that the legislator is not the only person supporting reform.
Do not feel that the panel needs to be overly balanced so as to include people that do not support healthcare reform. The goal should be to support discussion of what type of reform, rather than having panelists attack the very concept.
Panelists should be warned though that due to the contentious nature of the anti-reformers, there may be limited opportunities to have a real debate, and much of the time may be spent simply defending the concept of healthcare reform.
Give the panelists a few minutes each at the beginning to state their positions once they are introduced.
At our event, the panelists were…

· Dr. Benjamin Chu, President, Southern California Region, Kaiser

· Dr. Richard Brown, Director, UCLA Center for Health Policy Research

· Jerry Flanagan, Health Care Advocate, Consumer Watchdog

· Leeba Lessin, President, CareMore Health Plan

Have a visible, but not overbearing, police presence for crowd control, especially near the front.
The Alhambra Police Department is to be commended for very successful crowd control which helped to protect the panelists and audience, as well as the spirit of the event itself. Their firm, but restrained guidance should be seen as a model of police support for civilized debate in a democracy. They were visible, but not at all overbearing. This helped lead to an almost carnival atmosphere where people were confident of their safety, without feeling intimidated by the government.
The 3-4 police between the audience and the podium helped ensure that the “line” of people moving forward to ask questions remained civilized. At one point they were required to step in and handle a minor disruption, but this in no way detracted from the event as it was handled firmly, but with restraint. Once I asked my question, an officer politely, but firmly asked me to step back if I was done with my question. I happily thanked him for his efforts and rejoined the crowd.
Perhaps most importantly, keep a sense of humor, and don’t allow yourself to be intimidated
Congressman Schiff was very good at this, including occasionally joking in a friendly manner with the crowd about their “passionate debate”. He began the event by specifically asking everyone to act in a positive manner, which also helped. He also clearly stated that he was not going to be able to please everyone, while making visible attempts address anti-reform questions. A very impressive balancing act during a challenging event in my opinion.

Potential improvements:
A few minor points might be improved upon…

When asking how many people in the audience are for or against healthcare reform, know that the second side asked will typically be louder than the first.
This is because they have time to prepare themselves, and have the ability to gauge how load they are willing to shout to surpass the first asked side. If you want to even out the chance for the more polite pro-reform side to present their numbers, I recommend that you ask first how many oppose healthcare reform, and then how many support it. At our event, the Congressman’s final question of how many people were undecided produced a predictable, but humorous response of only a handful of people.
Have the front area specifically reserved for people in line to ask questions,
Allowing people to remain in the front area allows more aggressive anti-reformers to crowd the more valuable positions towards the front where they can more effectively disrupt and intimidate.
At our event the crowd was allowed to be a little too close to the podium, which allowed a small mob of anti-reform shouters to have more than their fair share of influence.
Have police expel people that obviously attempt to disrupt the event
As mentioned above, at least one person as able to stand near the front and shout at the top of his lungs non-stop for about half the event.
Obviously the desire to address this has to be balanced with any potential for actual or perceived police intimidation. As stated, at our event, the open air venue and excellent sound system used by the podium speakers eventually caused this person to quit yelling, so perhaps this is not always necessary.
Try not to call on any one panelist too frequently
Mixing it up keeps all panelists involved and reduces the impression that any “pet-panelist” is being given too much attention.
Set the crowd’s expectations by clearly stating that there will be a period of at least ½ hour for the legislator and panelists to introduce themselves and give their positions before questions will be taken from the audience.
This will help control the anti-reformers’ desire to go straight to questions so that they can dominate the event. (It obviously won’t reduce their desire for this, but it will make their chants for questions to begin sound more rude, which will encourage the rest of the audience to discourage them.)
Possibly use a lottery to decide who is initially allowed to be up front for questions.
Assuming that the lottery is held immediately before the event, instead of well in advance, this would keep people from being able to camp the front.
The challenge here would be to come up with a method that would allow this to be done quickly and fairly, so it doesn’t become a distraction.

Achieving the Progressive Agenda

Rick from Brooklyn, NY — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 19:42:07 EDT

The progressive agenda (as articulated by President Obama when he was a candidate) can be achieved with unwavering determination together with the courage of our convictions. It can't be achieved by the appeasement of our adversaries or by compromise with those who intend to diminish or defeat those objectives.

The current healthcare circus is decidedly not a debate by any measure. There is no debate when the adversary is asserting distortions, misrepresentations and outright lies. And it's certainly not a bipartisan effort when the leadership of the loyal opposition claims to be negotiating in good faith, but demonstrates by their words and actions that they are determined to fight you every step of the way -- by all means necessary, including distortions, misrepresentations and outright lies.

President Obama and his administration recently displayed questionable determination and a less-than-courageous display of their convictions when they began backing away from the public option component of the health care plan. If they think that this will help to their objective, I vehemently disagree. Their opponents have already learned that their tactics have begun to work, and they're emboldened by this. They will now push even harder, using every resource at their disposal. And I don't blame them one bit.

Unless President Obama shows the unwavering determination together with the courage of his convictions that FDR demonstrated when he pushed through Social Security (and that JFK/LBJ showed when they pushed through Medicaid), we won't achieve universal healthcare in my lifetime.

As the President likes to say, this isn't simply _his_ healthcare plan, it's _our_ healthcare plan. As one of the President's supporters (I have consistently donated whatever modest amounts I'm able), I expect to hear him reiterate that unwavering determination and the courage of his convictions regarding the public option along with all the other components of progressive health reform. And I need to hear him do this right now.

Without this unambiguous reiteration, I intend to withhold any further contributions to this cause. I regret this, of course. But you have to make clear, unambiguous choices when it comes to core principles -- and this is mine.

I sincerely hope that the President I so admire will do the same.

Disappointed in President Obama's Organizing for America Health Care Forum

Michael from Santa Monica, CA — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 17:37:53 EDT

Billed as a strategy session and “an incredible opportunity to huddle with the President and discuss how we're going to pass real health insurance reform this year”, what we got was preaching to the choir by our Professor in Chief, rather than a discussion of strategies to actually move this forward.

I was ESPECIALLY disappointed to hear the President refer to the select panel as a legitimate negotiating method, and to hear him praise the Republicans on it, including Senator Grassley who has promoted the lies about death panels, as acting in good faith.

Surely Obama can’t be this naïve!!

First of all, how can that panel be legitimate when half of the members are Republican in the first place. This is not the proportion that was elected. Voluntarily giving them equal weight has only prevented any real reform from moving forward. A perfect example of this is how the single payer option was never considered, because these Republicans would never go along with it. This freed them to target any public option as socialized medicine, which it now sounds like we are moving away from as we try to compromise with them.

The American public elected a Democratic majority to get the job done. In giving away our majority to do so, I can only assume that enough Democrats have been bought out by special interests so that no intent to actually deliver effective healthcare reform has ever been intended. Instead apparently we only wanted to sound like we are trying to accomplish it, while at the same time stacking the deck against ourselves.

Secondly, the actions and comments from these three Republicans have shown that they have no interest in passing anything. Grassley himself, after warning people to be afraid for grandma, recently said that he would never support a bill that a majority of Republicans would vote for. Given the underhanded tactics that they and their pundits use, it should be obvious that they have NO interest in a dialog in good faith, and are only negotiating as a means to drag out the process with a series of endless compromises, while they foster an environment of hatred and intolerance for reform.

Wake up Mr. President!!!

Quit letting the Republicans and Blue Dogs play you for a fool.

It’s time to show less compassion and understanding and instead more backbone and righteous indignation.

Call out the liars as despicable and unpatriotic.

Quit trying to convince the Blue Dogs to support reform by watering it down, and instead make it politically impossible for them to act against it.

Stop portraying the anger in America as legitimate debate and instead demonstrate how it is manufactured astro-turf.

If you don’t feel like you can do this and be a nice guy, assign a senior hard-ass to do it for you. The movement desperately needs someone to lead the counter charge.

It also needs more clear organization...

Your discussion today only vaguely stressed the need for people to talk to their friends and neighbors, and offered a couple of talking points in response to a couple of questions.
Lame! We need someone who is actively providing clear instructions on what and how to help.

At a minimum, there should be a 3-5 point bullet list of talking points that everyone is pushing. Shorter, sound bite length talking points, which you can then lecture on to your heart’s content.There needs to be clear instruction on who to contact to help.We need to take the tactics of our opponents, refine them so they are morally acceptable, and then deploy them in a clear fashion.This movement needs a General to guide it.

Now unfortunately, I missed the beginning of the Forum due to internet issues, so maybe the initial speakers provided this leadership and guidance.
If so, I’ll be very, very happy to see more information coming from them in the future.

So far though, this effort seems like a weak, half-hearted attempt to capitalize on the exact same volunteer structure used during the election, without realizing that it needs more focus and clarity to work for an issue-specific movement. And for God’s sake, don’t think that we will win in the end based on the pattern of the election! A lot of the reason that we won convincingly is that the Republicans imploded towards the end of the election.We can’t count on that now, especially given that there are such powerful special interests whose profits are directly threatened by the reform movement.

This is my country...

Erin from Savannah, GA — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 20:31:23 EDT

I love this country. I always have. I love the rights and freedoms that living here affords me. For example, this very blog's existence is a tribute to the things that the constitution and Bill of Rights have afforded me as a citizen of this great nation.

But, I get very tired of a few things, and this felt like the proper forum in which to vent them.

I'm tired of hearing people proclaim, generally in voices tinged with rich Southern judgement and hatred, that this is the "Greatest nation in the world." This is a good country, a great country at times, but not the greatest in the world. We've all got value, and our position as a super power is quite limited in its timeframe. We need to wake up and realize that we are only as good as our treatment of other nations and other cultures. Our interaction with the rest of the world is what makes us great, and by that definition, we've been slipping slowly into a quagmire of indifference and ignorance. In fact, by that standard, I think that this country looks anything but great.

I believe in Barack Obama because, during his campaign, and before his campaign even started in fact, I began to feel something for this country I had never felt before. I felt like this country could finally be a force for good in the world. Instead, I've become sad at what I've witnessed.

People have been ranting and railing against these election results in ways that I never would have dreamed of, even when Bush was completing his reign of terror. I was told over and over that my opinions were unpatriotic and told to step down and shut up more times than I can count. And yet, when our president gets elected there are campaigns, protests and a group of people trying to convince us that the man we elected is not an American citizen in order to get rid of him. Ridiculous, low-intelect and ill-informed garbage. It's disheartening.

Anyway, with the latest wave of attacks on healthcare reform, I find myself searching for my UK visa application once again. The truth of the matter is this, folks: All people who pay taxes and live in this country have the right to go to a doctor when they're sick. And not just a free clinic doctor who doesn't care. No. A real doctor who wants to help. A real hospital with good equipment. They have the right to pre-natal care, to crisis-counseling, to get help when they can't see a purpose to getting out of bed in the morning, to findreason to put down the bottle, the joint, the pills, to learn to stop cutting themselves, or throwing up after every meal. Children should not be an individual state's responsibility. I have yet to hear a single argument against this policy that isn't selfish, greed-motivated, or full of ignorant, paranoid delusion about what this bill would really do. We need to stop letting other people do our thinking for us. We need to start reading and watching and listening and forming our own opinions. This country does need to step it up and start caring about each other.

We need to stop thinking about everything as "not my problem," and start thinking about what we'd do if it were our problem. Not everything has to affect us directly for it to be "our" problem. Anything that impacts another citizen of this country is "our" problem. I don't care if we're talking about healthcare, gay marriage, or recycling. The lack of social conscience in this country is disturbing and, quite frankly, depressing. This is our nation, our land, and our world. We need to take responsibility and have some pride of ownership.

If we were really the greatest nation in the world, it seems to me that we would have figured this out by now.

Health Care Wanted: Dead or Alive

Jason M. Christos — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 21:00:27 EDT

Health Care Wanted: Dead or Alive Tuesday, 18 August 2009

HEALTH CARE WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE

The masquerade is over! The "public option" is ... dead.

Health care reform is now a private option: WHICH FOR PROFIT INSURANCE COMPANY DO YOU WANT? You have to choose. And you have to pay. If you have a low income, under HR3200 government will subsidize the private insurance companies and you will still have to pay premiums, co-pays and deductibles.

The Administration plan requires that everyone must have health insurance, so it is delivering tens of millions of new "customers" to the insurance companies. Health care? Not really. Insurance care! Absolutely. Cost controls? No chance.

You will next hear talk about "co-ops." The truth is that insurance company campaign contributions have co-opted the public interest.

I need your help to spread the word and rally the nation around true healthcare reform which covers everyone and maintains fiscal integrity without breaking our nation's bank! Your contribution will empower our efforts to continue to fight for the single-payer, not-for-profit health care bill, HR676 "Medicare for All," which I co-authored with John Conyers.. The bill now has 85 sponsors in the House.

The hotly-debated HR3200, the so-called "health care reform" bill, is nothing less than corporate welfare in the guise of social welfare and reform. It is a convoluted mess. The real debate which we should be having is not occurring.

Removing the "public option" from a public bill paid for by public money is not in the public interest. What is left is a "private option" paid for with public money. Why should public money be spent on a private option which does not guarantee 100% coverage nor have any cost controls? A true public option would provide 30% savings immediately which would then cover the 1/3rd of the population who presently have no healthcare.

Unfortunately, under HR3200, the Government is choosing winners and losers in the private sector; proposing to spend public funds on subsidizing insurance companies who make money not providing health care. This process wil insure only one thing - the expansion of profits. Gone is the debate over cost.

As a result of current negotiations, the Medicare Part D rip-off will continue for another decade, further fleecing senior citizens. Drug importation has been dropped, so no inexpensive drugs can be accessed from other nations.

Instead we are told the pharmaceutical companies will accept a 2% cut in the growth rate of their profits - this they call cost control!

If the matter were not so serious, it would be farcical: The executive branch pretends that the proposed health care reforms are something they are not. The legislation is being attacked for something it is not. Congressional leadership and the White House defend the legislation, pretending it actually is the very proposal that is being attacked. But it is not.

A commonsense government health care reform policy would insure that every single American has full access to healthcare by expanding Medicare to cover everyone under a Single Payer System. We are already paying for a universal standard of care, it is just we are not getting it.

I need your help to spread the word and rally the nation around true health care reform which covers everyone and maintains fiscal integrity without subsidizing insurance and pharmaceutical companies and breaking our nation's bank!

My voice in Congress will continue to challenge the special interests who do not want single payer to succeed. I need you to join me in combating the special and corporate interests who spend millions to try to win this Congressional seat. With your help WE will win again. With your help I will continue to represent your concerns, be YOUR VOICE in the United States Congress, and be the voice for health care for all Americans!

Please contribute $25, $50, $100 in support of my campaign. Please contribute now.

With your help, we can accomplish ANYTHING in America. Persistence, dedication, truth and courage will lead the way and win out in the end.

Thank you.

FROM HTTP://KUCINICH.US

Sept 13th Protest Day

Jackie Gammie — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 18:19:11 EDT

The Teabaggers are organizing a rally on Sept 12, the pro reformers want to organize a protest in cities all over the country on Sept 13th. Let's get something going here in Georgia and drown out these anti-reformers and show them they are out numbered!

Healthcare Reform w/o a Public Option is Not Reform at all

Mike from Erlanger, KY — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 23:51:21 EDT

If we pass a bll that does not include a public insurance option, we'll continue to see costs rise, recissions increase, and the quality of care continue to fall.

Even more to the point, five to ten years from now the opposing party will claim healthcare reform a failure and cite statistics to prove it.

Dropping the public option is a big mistake. Don't do it.

Will Obama Drop the "Public Option"?

Gary — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 11:14:48 EDT

I am very disappointed with some of the talk I have been hearing about the administration backing away from a public option for health care. I did not join the Democratic Party to have it morph into the Republican Party.

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said government alternatives to private health insurance are "not the essential element" of the administration's health care overhaul. The White House would be open to co-ops, she said.

I am not buying this.

Obama said the public option is needed to keep the private insurers honest. We need him to stand by his statements and not lose his nerve.

Boca Raton August Rally Draws 40

Janice Mekula from Cayce, SC — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 19:51:37 EDT

Over 40 community members demonstrated for health care reform on Wed. Aug. 12 during rush hour in Boca Raton. While a few anti-reform people stood across the street, we outnumbered them with our great new signs and loud, lively music!
Here is the URL for the latest video, which is titled
FLORIDA HEALTHCARE RALLY 8/12/09:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AF61uWg9ZYk

An easy way to see all videos from
Boca/Deerfield/Delray for Obama
in one place is to type:

janmek52

into the search bar at www.YouTube.com

Why the Lies Against Reform?

Henry M — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 13:28:23 EDT

If there is any truth to be told against healthcare reform, then why are crazy lies, e.g. death squads and committees, the only things we hear against it?

There are no lobbyists pushing reform; there's no money in it. On the other hand....

Henry M

My Letter to Bill

Harry Rodda — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 09:05:11 EDT

As asked, I paid a visit to my Senator. He is Bill Nelson, Democrat and long time Senator from Florida. Of course, I never expected to see him, but I did want him to "see" me ... in the form of a letter I hand delivered to his office in Fort Myers. I was cheerfully greeted by a staffer, Chris, to whom I introduced myself, and to whom I gave the letter. And I told him, I am a 66 year old Republican who is here to support our President's vision of healthcare reform.

Chris smiled. Actually, he smiled the whole time. But he said nothing ... other than thanks ... and I could tell that he really didn;t want to get into any dialog about helathcare, and that if he did, what I would hear is whatever "company" line he'd been programed to say ... ergo nothing. But I really hadn't expected anything more. If there is anything a politician hates, it is having to address a "Hot Potato" issue with direct answers. I know. I've been there. Aides hate it even more. But I got what I was after, and that was leaving my thoughts with the Senator, knowing that in some fashion he will see them. I leave them here with you as well.

Dear Senator:

Sometime ago, I sent you a letter (by e-mail) that I asked be distributed to your congressional counterparts. It expressed my support for healthcare reform, and moreover my outrage at any attempt to avoid an equitable proposal in this matter. I wanted to caution Congress that the vast majority of people in this country want and expect universal coverage for all. I am including that letter with this (enclosed).

Let me reintroduce myself:

I am a 66 year old, white Republican. I have held elected office (B of CC- Lee County – ’78 to ’82) and throughout the years, have served on various appointed boards. Your early career overlaps mine. We have met several times, and we share a common friendship with the ****** family.

I am also a widow … twice. Both wives died from cancer. The first … Karen … died in 1994 at age 44 after a ten year battle with melanoma. The second … Pat … died in 2005 after a nine year battle with Breast Cancer.

Combined, I was a caregiver for over 20 years. In the course of that, I had dealings with Aetna, Humana, Blue Cross-Blue Shield, United Healthcare, and Medicare. I can tell you unequivocally, at one time or another I had problems with all of them.

- 1994, Aetna was trying to get the Oncologist to discharge Karen from the hospital the day she actually died.
- In 1996, Humana initially denied Pat’s claim for her first surgery … the surgeon, the anesthesiologist, the hospital … all for different reasons; all false; all corrected by one phone call from me; but devastating to her. She had just been diagnosed and treated for a life threatening disease. Imagine dealing with that and a claim denial!
- In 1998, Pat went on SS disability, and as such qualified for Medicare or a alternative plan. We chose a plan offered by BC&BS that included prescriptions, thereby waving Medicare with a supplement. Within two years, BC&BS had discontinued that plan, forcing us back to Medicare and thus into coverage with no prescription benefit.
- We would up with United as a supplement who at various points denied certain claims that were ultimately paid, but not without a lot of effort by me on my wife’s behalf. Thankfully I knew my way around because most people wouldn’t.

In 1989 Karen had major surgery (radical lymphectomies, both sides. At that time, we were without insurance because she had changed jobs, her new job had no group and no one would take her because of her pre-existing condition. We wound up $89,000 in debt. We ultimately lost our home.

Throughout my 20 years of care-giving, no company has been without sin. Even the ’89 situation; we should have been able to take her prior coverage with us, not be faced with a ridiculous “COBRA” package that only a few can afford.. We couldn’t.

Senator, this only scratches the surface of the personal stories I can share. But the bottom line is something has to be done … something that is fair and equitable and available to ALL Americans, not just a privileged few.

Each day, I drive on roads as needed, not according to my ability to pay. I receive police protection as needed, not according to my ability to pay. I have military defense as needed, not according to my ability to pay. How can it be that healthcare is only available to me if I or an employer on my behalf pays specifically for me; that even then is only available to me on a selective basis … and maybe not at all?

With all due respect, let me remind you and your colleagues, the Preamble of the Constitution says that its purpose is to form a more perfect union, and that to do that, we must do the following things.

establish justice,
insure domestic tranquility,
provide for the common defense,
promote the general welfare,
and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity

Senator, what could be more in the general welfare than quality healthcare for all? Who would respect a nation that didn’t believe it to be so? Please support our President in his efforts to rectify this wrong. Most Sincerely,

Harry Rodda

Are you afraid of the bogeyman?

Eleanor — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 18:57:37 EDT

It always amazes me how easily we get scared by negative information, even when, deep down, we know isn't so. At least, not until we check it out, right? This past week has been full of mudslinging and negative invective--on the airwaves and in Lebanon, Pennsylvania.

Here in Fremont, it's been wonderful, full of people happy to declare their support of President Obama's Three Principles for HealthCare Reform and wanting to get more information about it. I will post photos from the Festival of the Arts, from the Farmers' Market, from our HealthCare Forums and Town Hall Meetings so you can see exactly what I mean . . . .

Townhall or Townhell?

Andr�a- (You've called him everything else- now call him Mr. President!) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 22:19:36 EDT

Wow... if you've been watching the news lately I guess one of the big stories are the "angry people" who are attending townhall meetings hosted by Members of Congress. Most of the meetings shown have been those in areas that are represented by Democrats. Even C-Span showed some of the circus act yesterday.

I watched a Maryland Senator try his best to explain what Healcare/ Insurance Reform actually is. I never realized that so many people have such closed ears and minds. Don't get me wrong, some of the questions they asked were legit. Things like cost, eligibility, coverage etc- all good topics to discuss.

If an actual discussion was part of the agenda. The people who did nothing but yell, scream, and declare they don't want "government" where just so pitiful. Not necessarily for doing the above, but for trying to drown out the discussion. They where hell bent on not letting anyone hear any information. Most of the people were aiming for the tv cameras and egging each other on as if they were in a talent competition.

I guess they really have great healthcare coverage. Or maybe they had nothing else to do other than bring out the can of hate.

I feel for some of these elderly congress folks (ie. Sen. Specter (PA) and Rep. Dingel (MI) ). These folks are in their 80s (or darn close) and they have to deal with all of this evil.

Thank God there is a provision for mental health services in the bills circulating in Congress...

More lies and misinformation

Steven — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 22:17:21 EDT

The Guardian has an interesting article that tells readers the truth about certain claims about healthcare in the British NHS. Some of the claims (about breast cancer) are based on facts (which are open to interpretation), but most are outright lies. See this link:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2009/aug/11/nhs-sick-healthcare-reform

My experience of the British NHS has been that it is a miraculous institution that delivers a better level of care than the US system at a fraction of the cost (much like the Canadian system). In any case, whether it is single-payer, public option, co-operatives, or much tighter regulation of the insurance industry, we need to get the facts about the healthcare disaster in this country straight, and make it clear to people that other countries have much better returns on their money for the same standard of health care.

WhiteHouse.gov Reality Check on Health Insurance Reform

Henry M — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 16:31:15 EDT

Please send this to everyone you know and ask them to do the same. Get the word out!

Get the Facts about the stability and security you get from health insurance reform
Reform will stop "rationing" - not increase it
Kavita Patel, who works with Senior Adviser Valerie Jarrett and who worked for years before as a physician, debunks the myth that reform will mean a "government takeover" of health care or lead to "rationing." To the contrary, reform will forbid many forms of rationing that are currently being used by insurance companies.
The "euthanasia" distortion on help for families
Melody Barnes, the President's Director of the Domestic Policy Council, debunks the malicious myth that reform would encourage or even require euthanasia for seniors.
Vets' health care is safe and sound
Matt Flavin, Director of Veterans and Wounded Warrior Policy, explains that nothing in health insurance reform will affect veterans' access to the care they get now. To the contrary, the President's budget greatly expands coverage for veterans who have been denied access in the past.
Reform will benefit small business - not burden it
Christina Romer, Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, debunks the myth that health insurance reform will hurt small businesses. To the contrary, reform will ease the burdens on small businesses and help level the playing field with big firms who pay much less to cover their employees on average.

Henry M

Pro Healthcare Advertisement

Bobby — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 12:14:18 EDT

I think a television commercial showing us what a world with universal healthcare would be like, would make a stunning visual impact for everybody to see and understand. For instance, A person being rushed to the hospital and they actually give them the care they need, and everybody is happy! or something as simple as somebody getting the appropriate medication and not being denied because there insurance wont cover it. That may be just a fairy-tall in todays world, but if people could see that this would be a reality if we pass healthcare reform, maybe more people would stop listening the the greedy heath Insurance company’s.

Peaceful Healthcare Drive

Claudette from Saint Petersburg, FL — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 21:32:11 EDT

Today we had a good turn out at the Saint Petersburg's Library. In numbers we came and left to get signatures for support of President Obama's healthcare. The meeting was short, since we were all self motivated!

The Status Quo

Dave R — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 12:38:13 EDT

The status quo brought down our mortgage industry because we were too happy with easy gains. The status quo brought down our banking industry because we were too afraid to interfere. The status quo brought down our credit industry because we were too afraid to regulate. The status quo brought down our automobile industry because we were too afraid to innovate. The status quo brought down the twin towers because of our failure to adapt to new threats. The status quo brought down our fellow citizens when Katrina struck a crumbling infrastructure. The status quo will bring our country to panic if we fail to act on Meaningful Healthcare Reform.

Healthcare Reform Advocates Need to Listen to Bush

Zach from Seattle, WA — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 17:42:48 EDT

"We must also be a strong nation that also cares for the weak & forgotten." George W Bush, the compassionate conservative in 2000, showing how to frame the health care debate in a way that appeals to both conservatives and progressives.

Congress Out For Summer Session

Ms. Mary — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 22:58:43 EDT

With Congress back in their local community, it is time for OFA to step the battle to win healthcare reform. August 8th will leave Congress a ghost town with many members being on vacation. But we must still continue the fight and when Cogress comebacks, we will be waiting. Continue to make phone calls, continue to write, and continue to canvass but do not stop. Health Care Reform will pass this year. We got him elected President, certainly we can win Congress:) We're ( The Grassroot Movement) just to much. Sincerely, Ms. Mary, OFA-Charlotte.

Follow the Money

Henry M — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 12:35:46 EDT

It's pretty easy to understand what some companies, and the politicians that are in their pay, get out of health insurance business as usual.

The country as a united people, and the people as many individuals stand to benefit from the public option that is being opposed by the insurance companies and their dupes.
What are the selfish reasons ascribed to Obama for pushing reform?

Event for Healthcare in Skokie

Patrick from Chicago, IL — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 19:28:32 EDT

Gathering Signatures for Health Care Reform (Health Care Canvass)OFA is gathering signatures of folks who stand behind President Obama’s three principles for health care reform. Their names are going on a list that’s getting delivered to Congress. Please join us in our final effort to make a difference before Congress heads back to D.C. for the big votes in the fall.Time:Saturday, August 15 from 3:00 PM - 6:00 PMHost:Biana MavashevaContact Phone:847-924-1440Location:Skokie Public Library Room 24&25 (Skokie, IL) 5215 Oakton Street
Skokie, IL 60077 Maps:

Directions:We will meet in room 24 and 25!Associated Groups:Niles North for Obama

HealthCare and the ARTS!

Eleanor — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 18:48:08 EDT

This past weekend wes off the HOOK! The Fremont Festival of the Arts is the premier event in this area for wine tasting, food, artwork, crafts and all those things that good health lets us enjoy to the max. True to the good nature of the people of the Bay Area, our message of HealthCare Reform was embraced by the festivalgoers. We chose a low-profile but effective approach: balancing festival wineglasses for declaration signers and encouraging the beer drinkers to bring their friends to the table!

Over 1500 of the 130,000 attendees talked with us, took our four-color flyers featuring the president himself, and promised to stay alert on this important issue. Many thanked us for volunteering while others partied, and at least 175 gave us a written declaration, healthcare story, or signed a postcard indicating their support of the president's three principles.

Here's to your health!

Oakland California creates revenue by taxing Marijuana

Julio Jr — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 13:13:02 EDT

I recently saw a potentially damaging press conference from the Obama administration that made me feel uneasy about our current healthcare issue. While in response to taxing the middle class Robert Gibbs stated " they are not taking any options off the table". Although Gibbs did not specifically state that he would tax the middle class, he was not reassuring that he would not tax the middle class. So we are left with an option as citizens and I think we should take a look at municipalities, such as Oakland, Ca. They have now begun to tax legalized Marijuana, as well as, making smoking marijuana the lowest priority on the local police departments agenda. This has created an additional revenue for the city that is approximately just under 400,000.00 US. Now imagine if the Marijuana dispensary were national and not just in the state of California. Then there could be a federal tax on Marijuana, which could potentially raise enough money to insure the 49 million uninsured Americans who don't have healthcare or ease the burden.

Open reply to "something unusual" email

Richard in Toronto - Still American After All These Years — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 10:24:48 EDT

info@barackobama.com on Wednesday, July 29, 2009 at 12:25 PM -0400 wrote:
You've probably seen the headlines: Opponents of change are doing everything they can to delay health insurance reform. <snip> So I want to ask you for something unusual: Can you chip in $1 each day until we pass real health insurance reform?

Sorry Mr. President,

There's no change here to believe in. Big business has already won --- again. I voted for you because I thought you could bring Americans Universal Public Health Care. You pandered and waffled, and now you've dropped the ball.

I'm lucky enough to be married to a Canadian woman, to live in Toronto and to know what my fellow Americans have missed. And here will I remain.

Richard Fouchaux
No More Compromise

Blue Dogs Should Experience A Pre-existing Condition

Dave R — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 09:30:01 EDT

Blue dogs do nothing for healthcare reform. They like attention and have nothing new to offer except for Republican talking points. They should be so lucky to receive a pre-existing condition during their working years as I have and get nothing but denials to look forward to. Let's reform congress to not accept any health insurance after they stop serving as a congress person. Let's throw them to the curb after they are no longer an employee of the United States. Let's see how they like being treated like poop when they try to get new insurance. Blue dogs should experience a pre-existing condition as I have after paying into the health insurance system for 24 years. I wish I could transfer my 24 years of payments then maybe I would be treated like poop with lipstick and not be subjected to pre-existing prejudice.

Healthcare Reform: Battle Royale?

Andr�a- (You've called him everything else- now call him Mr. President!) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 22:25:30 EDT

So I have been listening to the many voices that have emerged in this healthcare debate. I have heard the folks on the left that really want a single payer system. I like the idea, but the logistics of scraping everyone’s healthcare (including those of us who may be satisfied) to replace it with something run by our government is an overwhelming task. The folks on the right have cried that trying to insure the currently uninsured (which now stands at nearly 46 million) is a form of socialism. I’m not sure how they arrive at that argument. So here I am stuck in the middle.

There is absolutely no doubt in my mind and the minds of millions of Americans that our healthcare system is broken. It is seriously flawed. Families have claimed bankruptcy because they could not pay for the services that insurance decided not to cover. People have been denied coverage because of so-called “pre-existing conditions”. It seems the insurance companies are only willing to cover the young and healthy (or at least the ones who never bother going to a doctor).

Many of us have health insurance only because we have a job, and an employer who can actually afford to pay for coverage. Right now I pay about $30 a week for healthcare coverage, which is about $1,600 a year. If I were to buy my insurance directly from a carrier my cost would be about $2,400 a year- and I would not have the same type of coverage that I had with my employer. That alone is strong signal that something is really wrong with the system.

From what I understand from President Obama, he wants healthcare reform that focuses on reducing costs, increasing choice, and improved services. I noticed one thing that has really made some people uptight is the idea of a “Public Option”. Basically, the federal government would compete with the insurance companies. This competition in theory would force the insurance companies to actually play the game a little more fairly. I like this idea and I think it could work as long as the government doesn’t price itself into being the carrier of choice for folks.

Right now people in Congress (all who have very good healthcare) are battling over the details of the reform. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is very confident that if a bill is voted on in the House, it will pass. Over in the Senate, Majority Leader Harry Reid says his folks need more time. Although 60 of the 100 senate seats are held by Democrats, there is a little group called the “Blue Dogs” (mostly Democrats) that are really concerned with the cost of the plan. I understand this, but I still think some of these “Blue Dogs” are trying to make a name for themselves.

What I do not like, is the idea that healthcare reform needs to be delayed. Reform has been talked about for at least 30 years, how much time do folks need? Certain members of Congress quite frankly could care less about our nation’s uninsured. I say this because a Senator from South Carolina was heard saying that defeating this would be President Obama’s “Waterloo” (a reference to Napoleon and his defeat at Waterloo, which led to Napoleon’s downfall). French history aside, this is not about President Obama. He has great healthcare, as does the South Carolina Senator. The petty politics needs to stop.

Real healthcare reform is long overdue.

Obstructionists should cease and desist.

Our united states government officials will pass

K Smith — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 13:12:43 EDT

Our united states government officials will pass

I give no one a pass. I don’t care the color of your skin or the position you may have, you will NEVER receive a pass or any excuses for your actions from me. NEVER! Not now, not ever!

President Barack Obama made a statement about Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Mr. Gates’ arrest. I’ve heard some say that Obama was in error when he said the cops acted "stupidity." I’ve heard from both Blacks and whites that Obama should have declined to answer the question. Me? What do I say? I say he answered the question and now so what? I don’t care! So what? Everyone says many things that maybe they not ought to have said, but they’re still living; it’s life. I don’t care, because it’s not an important issue that I wish to address right now.. I care that Barack Obama reminded america that there is still a problem with race in THIS country. Just because he’s the president of a white country, does not mean that it doesn’t exist. Have we already forgotten the 60 or so Black kids that were booted in Philadelphia? If you’ve have forgotten, here’s a quick reminder:

The Creative Steps Day Camp paid more than $1900 to The Valley Swim Club. The Valley Swim Club is a private club that advertises open membership. But the campers’ first visit to the pool suggested otherwise. "When the minority children got in the pool all of the Caucasian children immediately exited the pool," Horace Gibson, parent of a day camp child, wrote in an email. "The pool attendants came and told the black children that they did not allow minorities in the club and needed the children to leave immediately." The next day the club told the camp director that the camp’s membership was being suspended and their money would be refunded. "There was concern that a lot of kids would change the complexion … and the atmosphere of the club," John Duesler, President of The Valley Swim Club said in a statement. http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Pool-Boots-Kids-Who-Might-Change-the-Complexion.html

That was just 14 days ago! What about the cases we don’t hear about? Racism is alive. It’s ongoing and it has not ended with a Black man as president of these united states.

Nevertheless, racism is not the issue at this time. It’s going to be here, but what about healthcare? Will we, The People of the united states of america continue to be forced to pay high medical premiums? Will congress go on vacation before they tackle and succeed in healthcare reform? The american people need a recess! A recess from increasing medical bills? A recess from increasing water and electricity bills! A recess from increasing food prices – namely dairy products! Recesses from seeking jobs that aren’t there! The american People need a break!

Oh, but the President of the united states, congress, senators and all present and past government officials don’t have these worries. Oops, I meant a break from these problems.

The president said it is not about him as he and everyone in congress already have affordable healthcare. And I’ve said it more than once – in fact, I’ve lost count how many times I’ve said it, but I’ll say it again: when it’s not their problem, it’s not a problem.

ALL of our government officials receive lifetime benefits, so what’s the big deal? ALL americans should have become government officials so we too could have lifetime benefits?

The president said he is working with congress and other finance committees to find money to help with the nations’ problems? Well, what about the $4,000,000,000 we spend on secret service to protect former presidents? What about SOME of that money? Aren’t they already receiving lifetime benefits? Why couldn’t they use some of that money for The People? Why don’t the former presidents pay for protection themselves?

Seems like a waste to me. On the other hand, perhaps I’m missing the point. Didn’t they – former presidents – agree to live the life of a regular ol’ average Joe? Well, the average Joe isn’t receiving special protection. Yes we have our local police department, but even here in Denver, Colorado, they are scarce. Money is tight all over, but we The People are surviving with local police protection. Protect the last president, but the rest of them should be on their own; like the average everyday american. (This should go for ALL presidents. When Obama is no longer president, then George W. Bush will no longer receive it.)

In the mean time, I will not excuse Barack Obama, the senate, congress, or any of our government officials from staying in the fight; fighting for The People. I voted for them to work for ME, and I REFUSE to grant them a vacation. Please! I can’t remember the last time I took a vacation. I wish I would! If I did, I would be sitting and living with the other unfortunate people who were forced into foreclosure.

While both my spouse and I continue to pay increasing medical premiums, our elected officials are taking a vacation?

Who is upset by this?

While we, my spouse and I as well as too many other american fret over our bills, our elected officials receive lifetime benefits without a care in the world? As if this is some type of game? …to pussyfoot around? Healthcare isn’t the only problem our elected officials have on the table, but it is currently one of my main concerns. (I have much more.)

I know I do not speak for all americans, but I will continue to show respect for all americans who are severely effected by this economy. I will continue to use lower case "a" when typing "american" and lower case when typing "the united states." (I will not use a capital "A" until america works for ALL americans.)

Until our elected officials actually PROVE that they are working for The People, then I will continue to wave my flag upside down!

NO! It is not a display of disrespect for my country. Not hardly. It is in respect and deep concern for The People.

Until The american People have the means of saving themselves, my flag will remain in its current position.

Obama said he used to pray several times a day, but now prays all the time, well, thank you, Mr. President. Keep praying, as we will be doing the same. And please remember the victims and survivors of hurricane Katrina, those in Afghanistan, Iraq, our wounded soldiers, families of the many casualties of all wars, hostage victim Pfc. Bowe R. Bergdahl, as well as the soldiers who risk their lives while battling in was but return home maimed, and mentally and emotionally disabled but if they "look" and/or "appear" physically able, get sent back to places such as Afghanistan and Iraq. Please do not forget victims such as Troy Davis, Gary Graham aka Shaka Sankofa, Jamie and Gladys Scott and their families, Tina, and all the other people who are trying to hold on to their jobs while needlessly suffering with chronic and terminal illness. Please remember all of us who are disabled, who live on the street, our senior citizens and everyone who is forced to live paycheck to paycheck.

Health Care Rallies

Pat from Portland, OR — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:21:38 EDT

We need to have some major grass roots rallies across the country this summer in support of healthcare reform. The people have been silent on this important issue. Healthcare costs are robbing our futures.

We need the same kind of public show of support that we had during the election. How do we get this off the ground?

Are we going to get Health Care Reform

Don — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 00:05:23 EDT

We need drugs for our aliments and special medical procedures to improve and save lives. Everyone should have these rights. Sounds very good. If we don't want the system to go broke their better be awful an lot of money set aside for prevention. If there is no money for life style, eating habbits, exercise, etc. then I'm afraid the weight and cost is going to sink yet another program. This is a grand opportunity Obama has created, but I think that the greatest change that can come out of this is a change in attitude towards what make us healthy and what don't. Are we under the impression that medicine makes us healthy. Life Style is what makes people healthy. If people are healthy then they are not going to the doctor and taking drugs. And then we would not have to watch these drug commercials and be reminded that there is two side effects for every good effect. I have got the impression that people are going to be forced to make premium payments for insurance whether they can afford it or not. If employers have to make the premium payment then it is just another tax on them. If this is the case then it is just another tax an expensive one at that. We need society on every level to be promoting healthy living. The those things that do not promate health me need to discourage. Wake up society

Healthcare

Keesha from Houston, TX — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 21:41:30 EDT

This Healthcare thing has really got me worried. I'm hearing that and loving that it would mean we'd all get healthcare, its something that we all NEED. But, I'm ALSO hearing that we'd be paying for all of the ILLEGAL immigrants' healthcare -- meaning we'd be rewarding people who have broken the law! Plus, with that many more people trying to see the doctor, I wonder how LONG the waiting lines are going to be? They already BAAAAD in the emergency rooms!

I'm ALSO hearing that my granny, 62 years old, might not be able to have the heart surgery she needs, or the hip replacement if she fell, or the kidney dialysis - because, instead, they'd want to talk to her about how to end her life instead and the treatment would be too expensive for someone who is not expected to live much longer. Excuse me?? Who wants THAT?

And, I'm hearing that this so-called wonderful plan is so great that our Congressmen DON'T want to be on it! What's up with THAT?

I got pretty good insurance with my job now, but, Barack says I can keep it and others say, no, if I change something, I'll have to go to a government plan. So, who's telling it like it really is? Well, I look at the Drivers License bureau, the County offices, all kinds of other government-run places and they are NOT run very well. I don't think I want my HEALTH to get tied up in all that! Do YOU?

And, what about all those people up there in Washington voting for a bill that they have not even read?? They, none of them, know what they are voting for! And, I don't trust that Nancy Pelosi to be looking out for ME!

The whole thing just sorta SMELLS bad! I say we ask some tough questions and make our government give us the STRAIGHT TRUTH!

As Obama Continues Push for Healthcare Reform, House Committee Approves Kucinich-Sponsored Measure to Keep Single-Payer Option Alive

Jason M. Christos — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:24:45 EDT

As Obama Continues Push for Healthcare Reform, House Committee Approves Kucinich-Sponsored Measure to Keep Single-Payer Option Alive

On Capitol Hill, Democratic leaders say they’re open to paring down a healthcare reform bill in order to sway “conservative” Democrats who’ve threatened to oppose the measure that would create a government-run public insurance option. We speak with progressive Democrat, Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio). A House committee recently approved his amendment that would allow individual states to adopt a single-payer system. [includes rush transcript]... http://www.democracynow.org/2009/7/21/as_obama_continues_push_for_healthcare

Obama Healthcare Press Conference

Jason M. Christos — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 21:31:39 EDT

I just finished watching president Obama's press conference. Everything looked staged and scripted, with long drawn out answers. I could comment on much but I will get right to what I feel is the most important point. All of the questions and attire seemed staged except for one woman who stood up to ask a question and with a smirk on her face she proceeded to ask about transparancy. This was a question in which Obama's answer did not seem smooth as the rest. She directly asked if Obama was keeping his promise of transparancy. Obama gave no direct answer. While he stood there for a good part of the hour purporting to know what goes on inside doctors offices when asked why his own office was not releasing TARP information his answer was 'I DONT KNOW'. So Obama says that he knows more about what goes on within medical offices but 'I DONT KNOW' what goes on inside my own office. Dont get me wrong I am not a republican I am not a Libertarian. But something about the entirety of politics seems like they are all disengunuine Jimmy Swaggerts. While I agree that healthcare reform is needed, let nothing be said of confidence in man. Something is fishy.

My family's Health care nightmare!

dreamkacher — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 19:55:20 EDT

I'm angry! I'm sad, hurt, and angry! My big brother, who has always been there for me and for my family with a smile, a joke, and a big bellied laugh, is gone. My brother did not have to die like this. He had "health care", so he thought. But there was nothing but placating words and empty assurances that comprised his "health care." In June of 2008, my big brother Herman was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.