As far as health care is concerned at this point they may as well remove the mandate and just get whatever reforms they can get without it.  Both of the bills suck, won't reduce costs or create competition. Maybe we really need to elect some new representatives and completely change the face of government before we can get health insurance/care reform or any other real reforms that we need.  Right now our government seems to be evidence of how our democracy is 'not' working and is 'stuck' in an unhealthy, unsustainable pattern.

I was reflecting on how we seem to be getting the best leadership in our country from comedians like Stewart, Colbert, and Maher, or people like Bill Moyers.  Al Gore's 'going crazy' bit on Saturday Night Live was actually a smart strategy of at least stepping up and addressing the stupidity being tossed around and acted out among our politicians right now.

We really need a shift.  I don't think it can wait for reform from DC though and I really don't have any answers but I know that usually focusing on the phrase 'There must be a way" eventually a new way opens up.  So if you will join me in thinking 'There must be a way for us to shift our country and our government in a more positive and healthier direction'... maybe we will discover what it is or at least some new possibilities.

Right now my brainstorming comes up with ideas like a new 'are you f'n kidding me party, AYFKM, or perhaps a Reconstructionist party, determined to elect highly intelligent, charismatic, excellent debaters & communicators, that are able to balance financial integrity and the merits of capitalism with social integrity and the merits of alternative ways that can be integrated to improve our country.  I assume these people would be people who do not aim for public office and would have to be recruited for the purpose of serving like being in the peace corps or something.  Giving 4 to 6 years of service to help shift a failing democracy.  I am imagining these modern day superheroes being unaware of their latent power to make a real difference.  And they would have to be superheroes determined to swear off financial gain for themselves for their term in office.  They would have to be like soldiers willing to make huge sacrifices for their country and to expose every attempt to corrupt them along the way to the public. 

I am just brainstorming.  I have no idea.  But I have the sense that the government is not going to correct itself.  The corporate, capitalist system run amuck is not going to allow our government as it exists currently to regulate it or audit it appropriately.  Apparently auditing the fed means absolute financial destruction... at least according to Bernake.

There must be a way...   

Jon Stewart responds to Hannity's apology for using old footage of a Beck rally to make Michele Bachman's Health Reform Teabagger Superbowl Crowd 'appear' bigger than it was.

Here is the Daily Show's interpretation of a more appropriate Fox News Motto

"Fox News:  We alter reality.  You are sold a preconceived narrative."

**he addresses Lou Dobbs quitting before you see his response to Hannity.
  

Yes You Can! Make a Difference in the end results of Health Care Reform legislation.

Yesterday Senator Harry Reid asked for our help.  He said he wanted us to push hard! and contact our reps.  Make ourselves heard right now!

And Majority Whip Senator Dick Durbin has created a poll linked here asking what type of public option WE want.  It is clear that he wants to hear from 'Everyone' on this because address info is optional.

Now is the time to let yourself be heard with full force, to press for stronger reform, a better public option in both the House and Senate. 

Yes!  We Can Make A Difference Here!

I am telling my reps that I want a robust public option that actually cuts costs and is 'available to ALL Americans'. 

What the fiscally 'conservative dems don't want you to know is that it would actually save us more money.  It would be better for the deficit and the economy.  So if you have a conservative dem lying to you that the 'public thinks the public option is free', or that the bill will 'cost too much', they are lying to all of us and I urge you to call them out to truly do what is morally, ethically, and economically best for our country and support a robust public option.

Senators Reid and Durbin stated this week that using the 51 vote reconciliation process is a procedure that is still on the table should they get blocked from getting an up or down vote on the floor.  I am urging them to pass a robust bill via reconciliation if they find that an ugly fight on their current weak bill will lead nowhere..

Please take Senator Durbin's poll and Fax, Email, AND Call your reps, the leadership, and those in congress and other organizations that you know who are out there still fighting for better bills.

**Others have made note of this in their blogs and it IS important to note that neither of these bills is going to do anything to bring down costs.  The house bill in fact allows the insurance companies to charge premiums no more than 125% of average premiums as they currently exist.  TELL CONGRESS YOU WILL NOT ACCEPT A MANDATE IF THEY DO NOTHING TO CUT COSTS AND MAKE OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE!

Thanks!!

Here is the link to the petition.

I am also posting below a recent fax to one of my reps, that you may feel free to use all or any part of, in order to encourage you to Fax your reps.  And my next fax will include something along these lines:

Please tell Senator Landrieu that the American people know all too well that health care is NOT free. Just ask those who have gone bankrupt because of health care bills.  And please let her know that the majority of Americans want a public option in order to 'bring costs down' which will not happen without a public option and that we deserve a choice just as much as those who want to keep their private coverage.  Thank you.

The Honorable Senator Mark Udall

Hart Office Building

Suite SH-317

Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Senator Udall,

I am writing to you today because I recently learned that the senate is talking about a new gimmick for health insurance/care reform, the opt-out. What bothers me about the opt-out idea is that it pushes this long fight for reform off for every state to continue and it feels like yet another way to get 'nothing' accomplished.

Congress and the health insurance corporations have 'highly' overestimated the willingness of the majority of Americans to accept a 'mandate' to purchase health insurance without being given the 'choice' of a 'true', robust public option that brings down costs and is available to 'all' Americans preferably before 2013.  It is crucial that the public option be made available to 'everyone' in order to give everyone the same 'choice' and to prevent insurers from holding hostage the health of the American people.

Based on the behavior of the health insurance industry and their lobbyists, I feel we should actually be passing a single payer plan because it is in the best interest of the country's health and economy.  It appears that the health insurance corporations are threatening dirty tricks no matter what kind of reform passes in congress.  They have a financial stranglehold on the throat of America and this will not change if you are not strong enough to take a stand and remove it. 

Please do not try to sell me that the right to 'choice' is more deserved by those who want to keep their private insurance than those of us who want a public plan.

The majority of the American people want at a minimum a true public option.  This is pretty plain and simple and should not be hard to accomplish.  However the nature of the debate in DC has revealed the corruption and poor character of far too many of our congressmen and women.   We deserve real reform, not games and gimmicks, triggers and co-ops and other such measures that in truth are simply ways of trying 'not' to deliver what the American people need and deserve.

We should have universal healthcare.  It would be best for our health and our economy.   However, congress refused to entertain what was best for our country in favor of special interests and in service to their own political fears and limitations.  I am very disappointed to learn how weak and corrupt many in congress truly are.  I hope that you will support the amendments and substitutions that will be offered by Senator Bernie Sanders, Representative Anthony Weiner, and Representative Dennis Kucinich.

When it comes to health insurance/care reform you have people's lives in your hands.  We cannot go about the business of trying to rebuild our economy and heal our nation if we as a people are not committed to bolstering the health of our fellow citizens.   The health of our fellow Americans is affecting us all.

 Everything is tied to the bottom line of how the country treats its people.  Right now the people of America are quickly becoming corporate slaves, expendable when no longer useful to their purposes.  This is not the nation I hoped my daughter would find herself in.  We are at a crossroads and yes, something as simple has how we manage health care in this country will be a reflection of and a telling sign for our course for the future. 

There are far too many people in our country who want to be in power and control 'more' than they care what happens to our country and its people.  I consider it your job to protect us from those people.

When something is right... there should be no question.  We all know universal health care is the right thing... so why then is it that our congress is trying to do as little as possible to entertain real reform?   Our economy, truly the ability of our democracy to continue to exist depends on the character and decisions of our leaders right now. 

I will NOT accept a mandate, without a 'true' robust public option that cuts costs and is available to 'all' Americans. 

How better able is an American to work, to pay taxes, to honor his debts, to volunteer, and live a productive life and participate fully in democracy if he is healthy, if his family is healthy, if his co-workers are healthy, if his employees are healthy... and when they are not healthy to know with confidence that they will get the care they need?

I am counting on you to stand up to the big money, corporate interests and pass real health care reform for the American people.  This is the moment real change can happen.  Please do not waste it.

Apparently one of the amendments that passed in the Finance Committee, offered by Senator Cantwell.of WA, would create an 'option' that allows states to barter with insurance companies for better rates for their uninsured citizens.  At least that is the understanding I got from listening to her describe it.

But in thinking about it... how nonsensical is that.  State vs. State as to who gets the best rates based on what?  Who is better at bartering?  Who is a friend of the insurance companies?  Who has the healthiest overall population of uninsured? 

This, in my opinion, is really perpetuating what is already wrong with the health insurance system.  It reminds me of how on a given day, the major telephone companies would give x customer x rate and y customer a completely different rate for the same service.  At least that's what they used to do. I only use unlimited services for one price when it comes to phone companies now.  I don't want this kind of BS involved in how much I have to pay for my health care.

So we all need to move to X state to get better health insurance?  Senator Cantwell has tried to promote this as a type of 'public option'.  I think this is a fail when it comes to a public option and we will need to pay attention to what congress does try to 'sell us' AS a public option.

Now the president says that creating jobs is not possible without health care reform. 

So, if we don't want to just let them stick it to us, suggesting that we better 'take what we can get' on health care reform which is definitely what many in congress are trying to 'market us' to do, I again recommend that you fax, call, and email your key representatives and tell them that the Cantwell amendment to the Finance Committee health care reform bill does NOT go far enough and that you want a real, robust national public option that is available to all.  Remind them that they have overestimated our willingness to accept a mandate without a real public option that will bring costs down and does not support further 'gaming of the system. 
Remind them 'no public option, no mandate'.

Please fax, call, and email your senators and representatives, white house staff, and anyone else you think has some influence on this issue and give them a clear, simple message...

No Mandate!

If you do NOT give us a real, robust, healthy public option available to 'all' (preferably starting before 2013)

WE are going to fight your mandate that we purchase insurance tooth and nail!!!

We were first told single payer and the American people would have a seat at the table for health care reform debate but single payer was shut out even though a majority of the public supported it.

Then we were told a good, solid, robust, public option would be just as good and would preserve the right to choose for the Americans who wanted to keep the coverage that they have. We were told this 'public option' is what we should want!

Today, democratic senators in the senate Finance committee voted against a public option offered by Senator Rockefeller that was fiscally responsbile as scored by the CBO!

I consider a health care reform bill that 'includes' a mandate that I purchase insurance and 'does NOT' include a real, active, robust public option available to all, AN OUTRAGEOUS INSULT! 

I refuse to be forced to buy health care insurance from the companies that have brought us the ugly, completely f'd up system we have today! And the remixed ownership version of CO-OPS in another insult! 

If that is the intention of the senators that voted down the public option today 'HOW DARE THEY!"

I suggest that our representatives need to hear from us today that if they want to give us health care reform 'without' a real public option available to all, then we demand that they remove the mandate from the bill PERIOD!

Please join me in spreading the word... give congress the simple message... NO MANDATE WITHOUT THE PUBLIC OPTION! 

 

*I recognize that there is still a possibility that a public option could end up in the final bill but considering the rhetoric, I think it best to get the message across right now. 

DFA and Moveon.org are teaming up to organize health care reform vigils all across the country on Sept. 2nd.  Check the message and links below to find one near you.  If you don't see one close enough to your area please consider organizing one.  And please contact the organizer of your chosen vigil to see how you can contribute.

Let's put the nutjobs & teabaggers to shame!

________________________________________________________


Synchronicity -

It's amazing that Republicans in Washington think they can get away with blocking any healthcare reform regardless of what ends up in the final bill, while still crying to the media that Democrats might choose to pass a bill without them. But then, that's politics for you.

What Republicans in Washington don't seem to understand is that healthcare reform isn't about politics -- it's about people. It's about the America we want to live in. It's about you.

With Congress about to return to work just after Labor Day, it's time to remind them what's at stake. So, together with our friends at MoveOn, next Wednesday, September 2, we'll hold nationwide vigils highlighting the real people with real stories who need real reform with the choice of a public health insurance option.

FIND A VIGIL IN YOUR AREA AND SIGN UP TO ATTEND NOW

What: "Can't Afford to Wait" Vigil
When: Wednesday, September 2
Where: Your Town
RSVP NOW

Americans are struggling because of the high cost of coverage or denial of care. Every day, 14,000 people lose healthcare coverage, and thousands face bankruptcy each month because of medical bills.

At the vigils, from coast to coast, we'll read the names and hear stories of real Americans who are suffering under our broken system and can't afford to wait for real reform. It'll be a powerful reminder to Congress and the media why every American needs reform that includes the choice of a public option.

And with the tragic passing of Senator Kennedy just days ago, for many, these vigils will take on new meaning. Senator Kennedy was a true leader for healthcare reform and we can honor his legacy by sending Congress back to work with a message to deliver on the cause of his life.

SIGN UP TO ATTEND A VIGIL NEAR YOU

Thank you for everything you do,

-Charles

Charles Chamberlain, Political Director
Democracy for America

...according to their own definition of 'liberal'.

I wrote this blog just because Jon Stewart does such an excellent job in making the case for this here (after the Barney Frank snaps) by demonstrating how they are 'being' liberals according to the way 'they' have defined liberal.

I do not believe that they qualify as liberal or conservative but are somewhere more in the insane cult category along with the pseudo-christian self proclaimed 'mafia' 'The Family'.

But as you know they have always had a very liberal policy when it comes to:

Lies, Distortions, Inciting Violence in favor of their policies, Manipulation of facts, video, and the viewing public, etc.

And they liberally apply this policy:

When we do it and/or it serves our 'agenda', it is patriotic, good, and we are always right.

When you do it, it is unpatriotic, socialist, fascist (and any other 'ist' that might scare or shock viewers) and you are always wrong. 

Basically "Fox 'Lies R Us' 'News?' With An Agenda" reserves the right to do, say, or be anything no matter how untrue, non factual, unethical, and dangerous to and for the public because like many politicians they hold themselvs as elite, aristocracy, and above the law. 

(I mean who's going to sue Murdoch, right?) 

And everyone who is not "Fox 'Lies R Us' 'News?' With An Agenda" and does not agree with or support their political or ideological goals is 'the rest of you people out there who are just ignorant and don't really matter' or as Bill O'Reilly would say 'loons':)

Right now it appears that meaningful health care reform may be derailed in the Senate.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi has stated that the House will fight for a meaningful public option.

The House is also going to be voting on HR 676, the single payer health care bill.

I just wrote to my congressman and asked that he support a strategy of getting behind this bill and fighting to pass it. 

My thoughts are not that the Senate will pass single payer legislation (though I wish that they would) but that if the House passed single payer legislation, then the compromise between the Senate and House might end up being some sort of meaningful public option.   I am hoping that representatives will see the wisdom in this strategy and go for it.

I recommend that they frame health care reform as a 'crucial' part of our economic recovery.  And thanks to a commenter on this post, I am adding the suggestion that they call single payer 'medicare available to all'.  On that note I suggest that they mention how it will add many healthy and young people to the pool.  AND I suggest that they get unified about how to pay for it.  If they can figure out how to pay for single payer, the public option should be an easier sell.

Sending mere public option legislation to conference will mean that it will have to be compromised to the Senate bill and this would likely weaken it.  While it is a long shot... it is a strategy that might help us get real health care reform.  If nothing else a strong showing in the vote for the single payer bill in the House might influence what ends up in the senate bill.

I am going to write to all of the representatives that I know are supportive of single payer health care reform and suggest this strategy.  Then I'll write the rest as well.  I've got time, right, before they get back in session.

I want to share this info and video from the ACLU as they are staying on the job in getting accountability for torture.  It is a call to action to send the video to Eric Holder and ask him to appoint an independent prosecutor to investigate and prosecute torture.

I'll be honest and express that, for me, this video just really doesn't make it's point well.  However, I commend the ACLU for being on top of this issue while the country is focused on health care and I sent it because I want accountability.

If we are silent, more crimes are likely to go unchecked.

________________________________________________________________________

The Bush torture memos were never intended to see the light of day -- much less to be spoken out loud.

 
That's what makes the ACLU's Tortured Logic video so powerful. We asked a number of prominent artists and citizens including award-winning filmmaker Oliver Stone and 9/11 family member Patricia Perry to give voice to these chilling descriptions of torture techniques and the twisted justifications that were used to authorize them.
 
Right now, Attorney General Eric Holder is deciding if he will appoint an independent prosecutor to investigate the Bush torture program. Make sure Attorney General Holder hears the call for a thorough criminal investigation by sending him this powerful video.

Forward the Tortured Logic video to Attorney General Eric Holder now, and ask him to appoint an independent prosecutor.

With your help, ACLU lawyers brought these memos to light. Now, working together, you and the ACLU can see that those who authorized the Bush torture program are held accountable. That effort is at a critical juncture right now -- and your participation can help make the difference.

If Attorney General Holder sets in motion a thorough investigation, it will reaffirm that, in America, no one is above the law.

But, if he does nothing, or if he limits the scope of the investigations to exclude high-level officials, it will further tarnish America's credibility as a nation that respects the rule of law and human rights.

Tens of thousands of ACLU supporters have already demanded this crucial investigation -- but Attorney General Holder has yet to act. We must keep the pressure on.

Ask the Attorney General to see for himself -- forward the Tortured Logic video to Eric Holder.
 
When the Justice Department is deluged with copies of this powerful video, it will serve as compelling evidence of the American people's resolve to investigate and prosecute acts that showed a blatant disregard for human rights and the rule of law.
 
The justification to authorize the Bush torture program was endorsed by officials at the highest levels. We can't let them just walk away. The only way to make sure this does not happen again is to conduct a thorough criminal investigation.

You can help tip the balance by sharing this video with Eric Holder as he makes his decision.
 
Please send this just-released video today.

Thank you for taking action at this crucial moment.

Sincerely,



Anthony D. Romero
Executive Director, ACLU

P.S.  I know you understand the seriousness of this issue. Together, we must spread the word about the need for accountability. You can make a difference by sending the video to your friends and family and by posting the video on Facebook and Twitter

Most of you know that I am 100% in support of a single payer/universal health care system.

The more that I have witnessed and learned, the more I feel that the public option will turn healthcare into a political football for years to come.  And one question I have is, if it will leave out some people, who are they, and why? 

It feels to me that there is an underlying game being played with this public option.  If it truly allows competition (we 'secretly' know it will lead to a single payer system), we want it but the insurance companies and those supporting the insurance companies don't want it and will fight it with everything they've got.  If it is watered down, distorted, and turned into something more chaotic, then more who support the insurance companies will accept it but it will offer us little value in terms of savings and competition so we don't want it. 

This is like a game of chicken. A Mind 'D'uck! It is completely screwed up. 

I think it is time to take the profits out of health care, 'now'. 

The Energy & Commerce committee claims that they will vote tomorrow on HR 676.  They apparently need 5 more votes.  If you haven't alreay faxed, please do and email and call as well. 

I have written to Waxman, as head of the committee, others as members of the committee, and to a representative from my state I said 'I am writing to you as the only representative from my state on the committee', etc. 

The following is from www.democracy.com on the vote tomorrow:

One week ago, we eagerly anticipated a crucial vote on single-payer Medicare for All ( H.R.676 ) in the House Energy & Commerce Committee, sponsored by Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY). But then seven BlueDogs waged a highly-publicized war against a "robust public option" and the vote was delayed for a full week.

We just learned the vote will be tomorrow ( Friday ). Based on all of your calls, we have nine single-payer Democrats: Tammy Baldwin, Michael Doyle, Eliot Engel, Anna Eshoo, Gene Green, Edward Markey, Janice Schakowsky, Anthony Weiner, and Peter Welch.

Lean Yes Diana DeGette CO01 202-225-4431 Jane Harman CA36 202-225-8220 Christopher Murphy CT05 202-225-4476 Frank Pallone NJ06 202-225-4671 @FrankPallone Bobby Rush IL01 202-225-4372

Five more Democrats are leaning single-payer but still uncommitted. Please call each one and give them one crucial reason to support single-payer from our petition:
http://www.democrats.com/single-payer-petition?cid=ZGVtczU5MTQ0NWRlbXM=
(Be sure to sign our petition and forward it if you haven't already.)

Be concise and practice in advance so you can speak quickly (or leave a voicemail) because they are getting swamped. Report the results of your calls here:
http://www.democrats.com/single-payer-committee-whip

Public Option Only (or Won't Say) Rick Boucher VA09 202-225-3861 Bruce Braley IA01 202-225-2911 G.K. Butterfield NC01 202-225-3101 Lois Capps CA23 202-225-3601 Kathy Castor FL11 202-225-3376 John Dingell MI15 202-225-4071 Charles Gonzalez TX20 202-225-3236 Jay Inslee WA01 202-225-6311 @RepInsleeNews Doris Matsui CA05 202-225-7163 Jerry McNerney CA11 202-225-1947 John Sarbanes MD03 202-225-4016 Bart Stupak MI01 202-225-4735 Betty Sutton OH13 202-225-3401 Henry Waxman (Chair) CA30 202-225-3976

If you have more time, these 14 Democrats support a "public option" at best. But that "public option" (a new government program to compete with private insurance) was disastrously weakened this week by the BlueDogs. They banned the use of Medicare pricing to reduce costs and thereby expand availability. Try to persuade these 14 to vote for single-payer instead of a worthless BlueDog "public option."

Don't let anyone tell you single-payer can't pass: the Kucinich Amendment for a single-payer "state option" passed by a shocking 25-19 bi-partisan majority in the House Education and Labor Committee on July 17. The Weiner Amendment will pass on Friday if enough Democrats vote for it!

A victory on the Weiner Amendment would make a huge difference. Please call as soon as you get this - night or day.

Thanks for all you do!

We would love to have more people represent us at the rally and days events so please take a look and see if it might work in your schedule to be there:)  Numbers have an impact!

Please contact me if you are interested and need some support getting to the rally at synchronicity@yeswecan.com and we will get you connected with the other TPM reps that will be there. 

Below are a list of buses and other transportation to the rally:

Albany, NY - Stopping in Catskill and New Paltz

A bus will be leaving from Albany at 11:30 p.m. on July 29th, stopping in Catskill and New Paltz, arriving in Washington, D.C. around 8:00 a.m., July 30th. The bus will depart D.C. at 6:00 p.m.

Ticket Information: $50.00 each. Financial assistance is available.

For reservations or more information contact Alice Brody (Capital District) abrody@nycap.rr.com or 518-729-3068. Mary Finneran (Mid-Hudson) at msfinn123@yahoo.com or 518-965-2935. Art Richter (Lower Hudson) at arichter@hvc.rr.com or 845-338-9009.

Cleveland, OH

A bus will be leaving Cleveland, Ohio around 10:30 pm on July 29th with a stop in Streetsboro, OH, arriving in DC around 7:30 am. Cost is $50 roundtrip, financial assistance available. Contact Bob Parker at bob-bp@prodigy.net or Debbie Silverstein at dsilverstein@neo.rr.com for more information.

Coxsackie, NY

A bus will be leaving from the Coxsackie Antiques Center, 12400 9w, S. Coxsackie, NY. (half mile south of Exit 21B on the NYS Thruway) at 12:00 am., July 30th. For those coming from the Albany area and need a ride call Alice Brody at 518-729-3069. The bus will stop in New Paltz, NY at 1:00 a.m. Call Art Richter at 845-338-9009 for the meeting place. Arrival time in Washington, D.C. is 8:00 a.m.

The bus will depart D.C. at 5:00 p.m.

Go to Singlepayernewyork.org for more information.

Dayton, Cincinnati, Columbus, OH

Depending on getting enough participants, we will arrange for a bus leaving the Dayton area (Xenia) around 10:00 PM July 29th with a stop in Columbus. It will depart Wash D.C. at 6PM. Cost will be $50 -$70 per person. We need 56 people to fill the bus. If interested, email Bill Conner at bill.conner@hotmail.com.

Louisville, KY

Contact: David Ross Stevens at davidross34@netscape.com or (812) 923-9400 (local to Louisville) or Kay Tillow at NurseNPO@aol.com

Massachusetts

Please email Benjamin Day at director@masscare.org for information.

New York, NY

Bus leaving from midtown Manhattan. $35.00 round trip. Leaving 7am from 41st and 8th Ave, and returning that evening. For tickets, please contact Jean Fox at jeanmaryfox@yahoo.com.

Philadelphia, PA

Join our bus to Washington by signing up here.

First come, first served. Round trip bus ticket is $30. Leaves Philadelphia at 7 AM and returns 7 PM that night.

For more information, contact Joan Martini at (215) 242 - 4057 or hcap.members@gmail.com.

Pittsburgh, PA

Buses leave Pittsburgh early morning, stop in Monroeville, then on to DC. Lobby, rally, return to Monroeville and Pittsburgh. Details to follow. Reserve your seat on the bus (HERE) or call 412-371-6650 for details.

Rochester, NY

A bus will be leaving from Rochester, NY at 12:00 a.m. (midnight) on July 30th, and arriving in Washington, D.C. around 8:30 a.m.

Please meet at the Suburban Plaza Park & Ride, 2199 E. Henrietta Rd., Rochester, NY 14623

The bus will depart Washington D.C. around 6:30 p.m. on July 30th, and arrive back in Rochester around 3:30 a.m. on July 31st.

Ticket Information: $50.00 each. Tickets available on sliding scale. If you can't join us, please consider donating toward a ticket. Make checks payable to Progressive Democrats of Genesee Valley Foundation, Inc.

For reservations or more information, contact: Robin Wilt - robin@pdagv.org or 585-309-2638.

New Jersey

There are two buses available in NJ. A bus will leave from Cherry Hill Mall (Northeast corner near Penney's) at 7:30 AM and a bus will leave from the Labor Education Center at Rutgers in New Brunswick at 8 AM.

Contact Deepak Kumar (kumard99@students.rowan.edu or 856-630-8774) to reserve a seat. Tickets are $20, which involves a $10 subsidy from South Jersey Health Care for All.

Syracuse, NY

A bus will be going from Syracuse leaving at 12:00 a.m. (midnight), Cortland 12:45a.m., and Binghamton 1:30a.m. People in Oneonta & Ithaca etc. can join at any of the 3 stops. We will leave DC about 6:00pm. Tickets $50.00 each. Tickets available on sliding scale.

If you can't join us, please consider donating toward a ticket. For reservations or more detailed information contact: Rebecca Elgie at healthylink@earthlink.net or 607-272-0621

Virginia

United Virginia is registering people at their site for people all over the state.

West Virginia

Contact Lynn Moses Yellott at epspan@gmail.com to organize carpooling and possibly a bus.

We have learned from CT that the most effective way of communicating with our reps is to FAX them. 

Here is a link to CT's blog 'How to Scream Effectively At Congress' about faxing.  And a more recent blog 'Some FAX For Your Health Care'.  And a few random comments here and here. 

Thank you CT!

So please FAX your rep tomorrow and spread the word.  This is our chance to support health care for all.  For more specifics please see the info below.  They recommend calling... but WE know better.  Just the FAX!!

At last night's press conference on healthcare, President Obama shocked the media with a very inconvenient truth:

"I want to cover everybody. Now, the truth is that, unless you have a single-payer system, in which everybody is automatically covered, then you're probably not going to reach every single individual."

So why won't our elected Democrats in Washington fight for a single-payer system that will cover everyone? Especially when it's the only system that will actually save money by eliminating 30% in utterly wasted overhead from greedy insurance giants?

A dedicated group of 86 Democrats are fighting for single-payer ( H.R. 676 ), and they need our help today.

The battle over single-payer is in the House Energy & Commerce Committee (E&C). The committee was supposed to vote on Rep. Anthony Weiner's single-payer amendment on Monday, but chairman Henry Waxman keeps postponing the vote because it might pass - just like the Kucinich Amendment for a single-payer state option passed on July 17 by a shocking 25-19 bi-partisan majority.

Lean Yes Diana DeGette CO01 202-225-4431 Jane Harman CA36 202-225-8220 Christopher Murphy CT05 202-225-4476 Frank Pallone NJ06 202-225-4671 @FrankPallone Bobby Rush IL01 202-225-4372

Today we're told the vote could be tomorrow ( Friday ). This week we asked our 600,000 supporters to call all 35 Democrats. Based on your calls, we identified 9 solid yes and 5 more lean yes:
http://www.democrats.com/single-payer-committee-whip

Can you call the 5 lean yes and convince them to become solid yes on Rep. Anthony Weiner's single-payer amendment in the Energy & Commerce Committee?

Won't Say / "Not Enought Votes" Rick Boucher VA09 202-225-3861 Bruce Braley IA01 202-225-2911 G.K. Butterfield NC01 202-225-3101 Lois Capps CA23 202-225-3601 Kathy Castor FL11 202-225-3376 John Dingell MI15 202-225-4071 Charles Gonzalez TX20 202-225-3236 Jay Inslee WA01 202-225-6311 @RepInsleeNews Doris Matsui CA05 202-225-7163 Jerry McNerney CA11 202-225-1947 John Sarbanes MD03 202-225-4016 Bart Stupak MI01 202-225-4735 Betty Sutton OH13 202-225-3401 Henry Waxman (Chair) CA30 202-225-3976

Hill staffers privately tell us your calls are "very helpful." Please post a comment about your calls so we can update our whip list here:
http://www.democrats.com/single-payer-committee-whip

In addition, these 14 Democrats won't say whether they support single-payer, or claim there aren't enough votes for it to pass. But if they all vote for it, it will pass! See if you can convince them.

Also, be sure to send our Single Payer petition to your Representatives, and forward it to everyone you know who needs and deserves better healthcare:
http://www.democrats.com/single-payer-petition?cid=ZGVtczU5MTQ0NWRlbXM=

And finally if you can be in DC on Thursday July 30, join us to celebrate the 44th birthday of Medicare and rally/lobby for single-payer:
http://www.democrats.com/node/19877

You Did It!  Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

Here is the accounting of how things turned out:

Ripper's flight, hotel, & shuttle	705.4
Gumbun's flight & hotel	779.39
Paypal Fees		45
			1529.79
Total donations		1525
difference is being donated

Update

**We need $50 more almost to the penny to cover Ripper's hotel room costs and we are done.

Please donate HERE

Thank You!

 

If you don't already know the scoop,

Please Watch THIS

or Read THIS:)

Thank you all so very much!!