Personal commentary: I didn't take any pictures of the previous day's anti-health care protest. I was afraid I'd laugh at the people who came down on the government-subsidized subway or the government-subsidized roads to protest government-subsidized health care. Either that or I'd yell at someone.
It's not about cutting taxes. I didn't see any protest signs saying "Cut the deficit! Get us out of Iraq now!"
It's not about religion. I don't know much about religion but what little I've read about Jesus suggests he'd be solidly in favor of universal health care. And the group the previous day had some people who'd gladly have killed him as a result.
The tea-baggers picked an appropriate symbol for their protest. The British had spent a fortune fighting the French-Indian Wars (known outside the United States as the Seven Years' War) to secure the British colonies in America and other places. George Washington is usually credited with having sparked the war, after his troops massacred some French officers. After the war, the British said, "Well, gees, we've got a huge debt. Fortunately, we can tax our thankful American colonies to help pay it off." But the American colonists said, "Um, well, you know, thanks for all that work and all but, gosh, we really don't want to pay for it." So we dumped the tea in the harbor affirming that we don't accept responsibility for anything.
The anti-health care folks seemed to be proudly ignorant. My favorite was "Don't blame me. I voted for the American." The tea baggers' apparently haven't accepted Hawaii being a state yet. I suspect it's a racist thing but most of the protestors are careful to change that to basic xenophobia,
I've heard it said that in 20 years, our children will look back and wonder why their parents had any problems with universal health care. I hope that's true.
From http://americansunitedhcr.wordpress.com/
Thank You – from the cornfields in Iowa
Posted on 09/14/2009 by americansunitedhcr
From Sergio:
“I was pleased by the turnout… ~900 people signed in, and many others did not, so I’d say we had somewhere around 1200-1500. When we arrived at 10:30am we set up two sign-in booths and signage, and when a good number of people were there, we started marching around the perimeter until the stage was set. A friend of mine came through with a good sound system and Miles and I kicked off the open mic. with a chant. These people were energized and it didn’t seem to make a difference to them that Glen Beck’s event was much bigger. We were all moved by the stories and the passion that our roster of 20+ speakers shared with us.”
From John:
“Thanks, Sergio and Miles. And, thanks to everyone who helped to make this happen!
I really appreciated the stories shared by many, some heart-wrenching, some bold and determined and all for health care reform!
I also liked the spontaneous ground swell for rallying in D.C, starting with Julie’s dream and spreading out across the county. We had folks from California, Texas, Wisconsin, New York, Ohio, Florida, North Carolina and more. We did it without any big organizational support (no OFA, no DNC, no moveon.org, no HCAN). It was truly grassroots.”
From DailyKOS:
“It was mostly the warmth that filled me up and made me proud to be an American attending a rally in Our Nation’s Capital. People smiled at us as we approached. A few people asked to take our picture. We had great signs and my kids are the cutest ever, so it was to be expected. **Lowers Eyes Modestly**
Honestly, it was a great crowd. We marched around the central fountain, chanting, “No is Not an Option!”, and “What do we want? Healthcare! When do we want it? Now!” My husband threw in his own special chant, that no one seemed to pick up, “Joe Wilson’s Mama Drives a Picklewagon!”
We listened to story after story on the loudspeaker. Stories of lost loved ones, of coverage denied for life-sustaining treatments because of pre-existing conditions like teen-age acne, of uninsured adults who feared the one accident or health condition that would ruin their health, their finances, and their lives. The crowd around me nodded and cheered and booed and chanted.”
From http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0909/658948.html
Hundreds Gather in Support of Health Care Plan
posted 09/13/09 6:36 pm
WASHINGTON - Hundreds of demonstrators held a rally near the capitol Sunday in support of President Obama's plan to overhaul health care.
"What do we want? Health care! When do we want it? Now!" shouted the group.
For Leslie Boyd, health care reform is about more than politics - it's personal.
"My son died on April 1 2008 because he couldn't get health care," she said.
Boyd says her adult son had a high risk of cancer but couldn't get treatment. And by the time he was able to get the money and medical treatment, his cancer was in the third stage. She says her son's situation could have been avoided if the U.S. Had universal health care.
"I don't want another mother to go through what I went through," Boyd said.
On Sunday, she joined hundreds of others to show support for President Obama's health care plan. Supporters of the president's plan say health care is a fundamental right not reserved for the privileged, and reform is the only way to fix the country's financial crisis.
"This is not a political issue, this is a moral issue and its time to fix it," said Boyd.
"We need to make some real changes. The president is right, we need to reduce the cost that is a national need," said Tom Coulson, North Carolina resident.
"We've got to solve this problem or we'll never get out of debt," said Edward Kimmel, Takoma Park resident.
Like many Democrats, the demonstrators believe a public option is the way to go.
"I will be on Medicare in two years, a little early but I will and I want to see that system cleaned up, and expanded to whoever needs it," said Gretchen Bogenrief, Alexandria (web | news) resident.
White House Spokesman Robert Gibbs said the public option is just one way to achieve the president's goal of providing coverage to the estimated 45 million uninsured Americans.
"The public option is a means to an end, but no all of health care," Gibbs said.
Meanwhile, Leslie Boyd says change can't come soon enough.
"It should have been done 30 years ago, it should have been done 50 years ago," Boyd said.
The president is expected to hold another health care rally on Thursday.
From the official flier:
Venue
Americans United for Health Care and Insurance Reform
September 13, 2009 12 Noon - 5pm
Upper Senate Park
The location has changed from a march from the Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol to a rally at the Upper Senate Park.
All buses must be routed through Union Station. There will be no bus parking at the Upper Senate Park.
The Upper Senate Park permit will be issued to Julie Paulsen and Americans United for Health Care and Insurance Reform. Those rallying from other groups, not associated to Americans United for Health Care and Insurance Reform, may be asked to leave. The Upper Senate Park must be thoroughly cleaned up after the rally. All trash is to be disposed of in proper receptacles.
This rally is to be peaceful not a demonstration. Singing, chanting, speeches, stories of health care difficulties and peaceful participation is expected. Obstructive yelling, screaming, fighting or name calling is not acceptable. If we are approached by GOP, right-wing, 9/12 demonstrators the rule of thumb is to ignore them. We are not to acknowledge their presence. If that goal cannot be obtained you may have officials remove them. This is our rally for health care reform.
If approached by the media our response should be similar, if not identical, to White House health care insurance reform verbiage. If asked about GOP, right-wing myths on health care reform persons should be directed to White House.gov.
Each participant, who is staying through Monday, is asked to set up an appointment with their congressman and senators to discuss their support of health care and insurance reform. This meeting will probably with an aide.
If asked Americans United for Health Care and Insurance Reform is not affiliated with Organizing for America or the Democratic National Committee or affiliated with any other groups, special interests or lobbying forums. Americans United for Health Care and Insurance Reform is a grassroots organization. Neither Julie Paulsen or members of Americans United for Health Care and Insurance Reform will not be held liable for property, personal property, person(s) or actions of any person, group or association.
Speakers
Leslie Boyd has asked to speak to the group about her son’s fight against insurance companies and health care institutions. Her son, Mike, not only lost his fight with institutions, but also his life.
J.A. Ribelles, MD has asked to speak about analysis of the causes of run away costs and the measures to be implemented to contain them
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