A BIG F'N BRAVO!!!!

Tell it like it is, honey!

While I agree with all these sentiments, let's remember Bob Reich isn't the only person in a position like he is. My guess is that he is trying to use his influence to the extent he can to move things in the right direction. It is the entirety of influential progressive insiders who bear responsibility for being too cozy with officialdom and not speaking up for the people.

Unless the people hit the streets, I don't think our side is going to get very far because we even the progressive elites are not our true allies and with a very few exceptions, the Demcoratic politicians are not even our friends--their pure whores to the monied interests posing as Democrats.

Flower, this is one KICK ASS post! Concise, to the point...love it.

Very highly rec'd!

BUT, since Mr. Reich doesn't do any back and forth on his blog, who knows if he will see it? Might I suggest sending it to him, personally, just in case? He NEEDS to see it.

Right on!

I repeat myself but I think it is going to take a 'massive' coalition of orgnanizations supporting single payer with regional events in every state blending into national events in BIG numbers doing things such as we may have never done before like 'striking' nationally...'taking a stand for healthcare'. etc.

We have to find ways to be very big in voice and numbers and things we can do that will demand the attention of insurance, pharma, and politicians and give power to those in office that are fighting for us.

I started writing to some of the orgnazations that are actively involved asking them how many they are in number, what other orgnazations they are joining forces with... trying to see which organizations are emerging as the leaders here.

Here's one I joined today that is doing some regional events but not here in CO it seems. I need to locate something local.

http://www.healthcare-now.org/contact/sign-up/

I think hostility to Dr. Reich is not warranted or appropriate.

If most public 'servants' in this country had 1/10 the concern for the average citizen as Dr. Reich has displayed over many years, many positions of employment and many books, the country would not be in the mess it is now. His current job is as a professor at Berkeley, anything he does or finds out in Washington, DC he does on his own time.

He is trying to get the information out about what is going on, and flowerchild seems to be engaging in a simple case of 'shoot the messenger'. The comment that:

We have done everything short of showing up at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave with pitchforks. Is that what it's gonna take?

is likely true, minus the pitchforks.

I have contacted my Representatives on this issue before, but flowerchild you inspired me to write my Rep again. I am sharing the letter here.

Anyone wanting to please feel free to riff on it to your own Representatives.

Congressman Blumenauer, I urge you to support HR 676. We are likely only going to have one shot at making single-payer, universal health care a possibility. That program should truly address our health care needs, and provide access to quality health care. It should NOT be just another mechanism for funneling money to private corporations.

We do NOT need another "deal" like the Medicare Prescription Plan. We desperately need a strong plan, our nation needs a strong plan, and HR 676 appears to be the best legislative proposal.

I know that the industry lobbyists are crawling all over all of you. WE know they are. The country IS watching, and the country doesn't give a damn about the lobbyists. This is a test - a test of Congress' commitment to serving the best needs of the people. Will you and our other representatives pass that test? Or will Congress bow once again to industry lobbyists?

Neither you, nor any of OUR Oregon Representatives have stepped up as cosponsors of HR 676. Why not?

Congressman Blumenauer, do the right thing, and encourage your fellow Representatives to do the right thing. Cosponsor HR 676. Fight for HR 676. Vote for HR 676. I am counting on YOU.

I would appreciate communication back from you on this issue.

Sincerely,
Rowan Wolf

I absolutely share your anger. And I am incredibly disappointed that even "Barack the Wunderkind" feels no real need to even pretend he isn't owned by Big Pharma and the insurance industry. There ain't room for a single payer option in these deliberations simply because THEY say they don't want it. That's good enough for Barack, never mind that it's the only sensible solution if you are truly looking for health care reform.

It is truly disgusting. We've got the very best government K Street can buy. And I fear all the writing and contacting and phoning of legislators will ultimately provide nothing but background noise to the money changing hands in Washington.

Perhaps it is indeed time to "grab the pitchforks" and make it hurt. That just may be the only way we get their attention.

When you hear radio ads slamming single-payer, call your local pro-healthcare nonprofit and give them a few bucks and tell them about the ad. That will help them target the advertising to counter the anti-healthcare insurance lobby.

PS. Highly Rec'd FC :-)

Man talk about playing both ends against the middle.

"Despite calls upon the insurance industry to get out of the tobacco business by physicians and others, insurers continue to put their profits above people's health," said Boyd, a faculty member of Harvard Medical School.

"It's clear their top priority is making money, not safeguarding people's well-being," he wrote.

Ya think ??

C

Mark, I know you are one to jump in and do the grunt work. You walk the talk and it is a privilege to know you through TPM.

You have given me an idea. This is a prime vacation area, where I live, and all the small towns around here have various fests to draw the tourist dollars. There is something hopping every weekend. The booth thing....hmmmm. (Insert graphic of lightbulb here.)

My blood pressure is fine. I take three pills every morning to keep it that way. ;o)

Great post, Flowerchild. You're right that no amount of making noises seems to be doing any good. There are millions of voices out there spending many millions of hours gathering facts to support the argument.

There are groups and organizations and marches and phone calls and letters and emails and grabbing people by the collar to get the message out there.

60% of all bankruptcies are caused by an overload of medical expenses. Everybody recognizes that health care costs are out of sight for no reason other than greed. Every month hundreds of thousands of people lose their jobs--and any chance at employer-paid care.

And still there is this all-out war against reasonable health costs. Should be a no-brainer, but again our major battles are with the politicians, the very people who are supposed to be on the side of the citizens. So how is writing letters to them supposed to help? They've chosen sides and made it clear where they stand. (It ain't with us.)

But thanks again, FC. Your energy is contagious!

Well done! :-)