Healthcare Rally Update - Send Someone To Represent You! PLEASE REC & Donate! Thanks!
It's time to do something!!!
There will be a multi-organizational rally in Washington, DC, July 30th to express the voice of the people who demand a single-payer healthcare system. Do you want your voice to be heard?!? Going into this a majority of us wanted a single payer healthcare system. Let's remind the country that for many of us, that has not changed. Please let everyone know about this rally!
Below is the link to an organization, Healthcare NOW!, dedicated to single-payer healthcare. They are working hard to coordinate with all organizations supportive of Single Payer Healthcare.
If you would like to go and have the means to do so, PLEASE GO!!!!! the Healthcare Now link below will give you information on the rally, hotels/places to stay, and help you find a bus from states close by that will take you, and others like you, to this historical event. Be the difference!
If you can't attend personally but would like to contribute and send a fellow TPM person to represent you, we are coordinating collecting funds to cover expenses to sponsor people with the motivation but not the money to attend. They will bring your voice by proxy to this important gathering/demonstration.
So far we have committed to raising funds for Gumbun/Kristy Ray and Ripper McCord. Both have compelling stories and passion for representing us at the rally. I also want everyone to know that they have both jumped in and become very active in having a big impact on this rally and it's attendance!
Gumbun, also known as Kristy Ray has created a video and web page to help get out the word and raise funds for people and help other people get to the rally as well. This video was a very emotional endeavor for her. Please giver her your feedback. Here's her web link
Please help us send them to DC to represent us!
Our Goal: $1200
Funds Donated So Far: $815 Thank you! Thank you! Thank You!
or contact synchronicity@yeswecan.com if you have any trouble using the link. (Synchronicity will provide an accounting of all that we accomplish)
We have purchased Gumbun's ticket roundtrip from CA to DC for $500. We expect Ripper's ticket to cost less if we can purchase it soon. We will also need to get lodging etc. for both.
And with every donation you can receive a copy of our beloved Dickday's new ebook 'Arthur of the Roundish Table' (a value I estimate at $39.95) FREE.
If you are a person who really WANTS to be at that rally but would need financial assistance to do so and you would like to represent others here at TPM, please tell us WHY in a comment below AND contact synchronicity@yeswecan.com. {Note: If we send you, we will want a full report about your experience to share here at the TPM Cafe.}
Healthcare NOW is also offering a teach-in on July 25 to teach people about single payer vs the 'public option'. You can participate live/online here:
Buy a ticket! Send a proxy! Let your voice be heard in Washington, DC! It's time to get this done!
http://www.healthcare-now.org/campaigns/single-payer-rally/
Updates
* Jason Everett Miller lives in the area, will be attending the rally and has offered to host a meetup for TPM folk attending. Miguelito2o is going and can give a ride from Southern PA. Kfreed is paying their own way from CO and has already actively jumped in to participate in and sponsor the event and has volunteered to take photos etc in chronicling the event for us. We are raising funds for Gumbun. You can read her personal story here to learn why we are so excited about sending her to represent us. We are also raising funds for Ripper McCord a beloved member of the TPM community with a compelling story.
That makes 5 TPM representatives so far...
Donations are definitely needed and appreciated to cover Gumbun & Ripper's costs:)
July 30 FAXapalooza CT reminded us of the power of FAXING. Whether you are at the Rally or not PLEASE FAX your Reps and you can review this blog about Faxing effectively.
***This blog is the idea of and co-sponsored by several bloggers here at TPM :)
Go to the Rally or send someone for you. This is crunch time.
July 20, 2009 5:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Kick in what you can.
And you can still get my book, on line for free. Just check my blog from yesterday:
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/blogs/dikkday48yahoocom/2009/07/steal-this-book-and-recommend.php#comments
July 20, 2009 5:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
DD I can actually send them the info when they donate:)
July 20, 2009 6:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sounds good to me. The money is slowing down.
I sure hope you good ladies hit your mark.
July 20, 2009 6:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's ladies & gentleman. And yes we will get there DD and maybe surpass our expectations.
Gumbun is making a video about her story and wants to do all she can to increase fundraising beyond these numbers to help other people get to the rally.
And we are passionate about having both Gumbun and Ripper there to represent us!
Thanks for the generous contribution of your new ebook to encourage donations!
July 20, 2009 6:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
oops. sorry that's ladies and gentlemen.
July 20, 2009 6:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sync, it might be good to let folks know that Gumbun's ticket has been purchased and what that cost was. How much more is needed to pay for her other expenses? What is required to get Ripper there? A set goal is very good, but it might help to break it down into specifics.
$760.00 so far is absolutely amazing, in such a short period of time. You and the other ladies and gentlemen have much of which to be proud, your efforts have been heroic.
So come on, TPMCafe. We're a community and a family, we're committed and our strength is in our numbers. Let's make this happen before it's too late - we're talking about 10 days from today.
My challenge: I'm going now to donate for a third time. Small ones ... this time will be $10.00. Match it. Everybody who hasn't yet put their money where their mouth is - MATCH IT.
July 20, 2009 7:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
The PayPal link isn't working, Sync.
Nobody's off the hook - including me! Just give her a few minutes ... or click back to her last post, which is what I'm going to do right now.
July 20, 2009 7:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you. The link is fixed!
And here it is again
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=6816319
July 20, 2009 7:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Don't forget to send me an email if you need anything in the DC area: jasoneverettmiller@gmail.com. Requests for the menu are open. At this point, I am thinking basic barbecue and beverages. All sustainably produced of course.
July 20, 2009 7:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Except for some of the beverages perhaps. :O)
July 20, 2009 7:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
PS: RSVPs would be nice if you plan on being in the area and want to attend the shindig.
July 20, 2009 7:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Jason, I (we), can't thank you enough for what you're doing. It is SO appreciated.
Hugs! And....you rawk. Nice post today, too.
July 20, 2009 7:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Jason,
Just received the email from Synchronicity re: hold on meet place. I emailed back to let her know that the meeting place is next to where the rally will be held and that the meeting time is 15 minutes prior to the start of the rally. We must all appear near there anyway as that's the rally location and I was hoping to meet up with you all just prior to the starting time. If there is to be an alternate meeting place, no problem, but I won't be able to make it if it will be away from the rally location as I'll be voluntering for the CA Nurses's Association (Healthcare NOW!) that morning. Otherwise, I'll be with the PDA group (Progressive Democrats of America). Please let me know what you all decide (please phone me). Hope to see you there, but if not, will catch you all on TPM.
July 21, 2009 1:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
No worries. As soon as the cats are herded we'll make sure every knows the game plan.
July 21, 2009 6:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
OH how I wish I could go.
Who knows how to contact Gore????
July 20, 2009 10:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Know anyone on the Nobel committee?
July 21, 2009 6:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
Everyone can have an impact here.
I want everyone to know that Gumbun and Ripper are both going to rock the world and work hard to help make this rally have the biggest impact possible.
We want to be contacting every kind of organization that would want to know about this rally and MAKE SURE THAT THEY KNOW THE RALLY IS HAPPENING.
Ripper found out his local labor contact didn't even know about it so please don't assume they know.
Let's see if we can use all the tools at our disposal to get as many people there are possible.
Remember that the intention is that there will be people showing up to see every member of congress about single payer healthcare that day.
AND I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO FIND SOME HIGH PROFILE CELEBRITIES OUT THERE THAT SUPPORT SINGLE PAYER AND GET THEM TO COME TO THE RALLY
The main reason is to force more media attention.
But I think we need to remind the american people that going into this a majority of us wanted single payer healthcare and for many of us that has NOT changed.
July 20, 2009 8:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here, here!
July 20, 2009 8:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Are you FAXing?
July 20, 2009 9:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good idea. We should ask people to fax their reps that day if they can't be there at the rally.
July 20, 2009 9:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, there should be a blanket of paper the last business day before the rally (or the day of the rally if it's on a weekday). People should at a minimum FAX both their Senators, the ranking members of the Health committee (both GOP and Dem), and their House rep. Optional: any House reps from their state that serve on the House committee. Please reference my blog of last month for the general ideas.
You'd be surprised what will happen if you FAX in coordination with the rally. It will have an larger impact then the usual writing.
July 21, 2009 3:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks CT. I am going to write to my contact at Healthcare Now and suggest we mention it on the site and during the teach-in on Saturday:)
July 21, 2009 3:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
CT Healthcare Now has embraced your FAX recommendation and they are accessing a Fax tool to send out to everyone! Excellent suggestion! Thanks!
July 21, 2009 12:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
You are welcome. Feel free to point them in the direction of my blog because it will help them understand what they need to write. That's important as well.
Good job, Synch! Thanks for seeing the larger picture. ;-)
July 21, 2009 1:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
I sent the link to them CT:)
July 21, 2009 2:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
I posted the video.
Please see my blog "Kristy Ray Goes To Washington" or go to kristyray.com.
Much love!
July 21, 2009 11:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
Excellent! Excellent job! Wow!!!
July 21, 2009 12:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed. Loved your vid.
July 21, 2009 4:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hi Kfreed,
I recognize that we don't know each other as well as I know others here but your not 'stealing thunder' and if you knew me better you would probably recognize that. I get that you are very organized and very busy.
Of course we want to include you and are excited to have you represent us and I am sorry that you are interpreting my actions here as self interest or control. I sincerely stepped in to this role because another TPM blogger and I wondered since we could not go how we could donate to have someone go and represent us.
You may not check this email so maybe I'll just post it as you have done. There is nothing but sincerity about this on my part including just as I stated... having not considered the schedule of the days events. So, the meeting spot and time may be perfect and I am not intending to be 'critical' just extending that we all need to catch up with where you are to recognize it.
Love & Blessings
Synch
July 21, 2009 11:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
Synch,
A modest suggestion: as this blog is being passed around to various TPMers to post, perhaps a quick paragraph about FAXing on that Thursday to
a) both one's Senators
b) both ranking leaders in the Senate Committee
c) one's Congressman
d) both ranking leaders in the House Committee
e) anyone else on the House committee from one's state
f) and for the cherry on top: a fax to the White House. Doesn't hurt to have Obama be able to mention this flood of FAXes to Congress as well. Who knows, you might be double counted!
Remember to
a) state clearly why you are writing to these people (yes, this will require you changing the 1st sentence of each fax)
b) state clearly what the position is
c) keep it to one page!!!!
d) keep it to one page!!!!
And maybe, just maybe, a link to my blog.
Even people going to the rally should be FAXing.
July 21, 2009 1:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks CT,
Working on that. First I emailed the group and Healthcare Now and gave them these details as things are extending out nicely.
Ripper is working with HN on a high profile celebrity presence at the rally and on spreading info about the rally to labor contacts around the country. WWW.kristiray.com is getting her story out there to raise awareness and funds for more people to attend. It's really cool what's happening:)
Thanks everyone!
July 21, 2009 2:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Synch,
I hope you see this, please confirm here if you do.
I've looked at the HN site. You have to get the word out that signing an Internet petition doesn't carry much weight and a physical petition only a wee bit more. They need to get anyone who's signed the petition to FAX to the 8 or so people I mention above. Also, Ripper should be getting any union guys to FAX as well. (Not just the union heads, but all the membership.)
The weight of paper carries much in Washington. Politicians will see the mass of paper and get worried about elections. The impact of petitions or union heads aren't as large.
Also, the FAXes need not be involved. A few sentences is sufficient. Sending in a "mass marketed" FAX (perhaps one drawn up by the HN org) is *not* good because the same FAX will go to the same people under different names... and have far less impact. Of course, an individual's fax can be the same to the 8 people he is sending it to (except for the first sentence).
Finally, I reread my comment above. I hope no one thought I said put a link to my blog in the FAX.... sorry it came out poorly worded -- it's been a busy day for me. (I meant a link for my blog in the next version of this blog.)
July 21, 2009 5:26 PM | Reply | Permalink