Democrats Plan More Than 500 Reform Rallies

Politico:

Faced with a souring public mood on health care reform, Democrats and their supporters are launching a national grassroots push Wednesday to show lawmakers that the majority of Americans still support overhauling the system.

Read the whole story: Politico

Comments

[creolechild]

If you are concerned about receiving "real" health care reform in this country, please take the time to watch a video on our current system. The video was created by Oregon physicians who are advocating for the single-payer option. The video is very informative and helped me to gain a better understanding of various aspect of health care, as we know now it.

https://www.madashelldoctorstour.com/Mad_as_Hell_Video.html

These Oregon physicians are in the process of organizing a caravan designed to inform the public about the benefits of the single-payer option. At last count they will be stopping in approximately 23 states, on their way to demonstrate in Washington. They need volunteers and our support. Please spread the word.

[Weirdwriter]

Simply organizing and making one's voice heard in civil disagreement and political gatherings is not a demonstration of "Astroturf," no matter what party or parties are involved.

"Astroturf" is when a a professional organization pretends that the ordinary people whose detailed actions they are manipulating are acting spontaneously and on their own. When it hides its ties to special interests and the money and guidance they are providing for these actions. When it promotes certain paid "actors" as ordinary citizens.

[lj9283]

So this is the scary plan for health insurance that the Right Wing fears:

All employees in an employer sponsored plan will be allowed to keep their current plans under the legislation.

"Health Care Exchanges" will be set up for INDIVIDUALS and FAMILIES who do not have access to employer group Health Insurance Plans.

The "Health Care Exchange" will give the individual (or individual family) a choice of multiple Health Insurance Plans from which to choose.

There will be a Plan A, Plan B, Plan C, Plan D, and Plan E Plan B, C, D, and E will be Private Insurance Plans while Plan A will be the "Public Option" (as an example).

Each Plan in the Exchange will have at a minimum the base coverage requirements to be considered a "qualified plan" under the bill but will have differing deductibles, co-pays, co-insurance, and other "bells and whistles" differentiators.

Premiums individuals or families would pay would vary with the plan in the Health Care Exchange they chose. There will not be a "sole source" provider in state Health Care Insurance Exchanges, but several providers.

The public plan won't be subsidized by government. Subsidies go to families who need them in order to afford health care. They're free to choose the public plan, but they could take their subsidy and buy a private plan just as easily.

The public plan will not dip into general revenues to cover its costs. It must pay for itself.

[Weirdwriter]

Seems sensible to me. Must be a trick....

[wdw505]

subsidies will be paid for how?

[ohiomark]

So, it's OK for the Libs to "organize", but when conservatives do it, it's astroturf.

Hypocrites!

[lj9283]

When Right Wingers organize only to shout down the discussion, and lie and invoke unfounded fear into their constituency, it's AstroTurf.

Conservatives would never stoop so low.

[wdw505]

agreed

[Arrecho]

Reading the fine print on 'grassroots' groups :
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/vp/32484876#32484876

[cjt1957]

I bet the 20 or 25 people they bus from one stop to the next get tired after the first 30 rallies and they call off the other 470...

[graceland9]

The teabaggers? Sure; poor souls. Let them take a rest.

Us dems are coming out en masse, though. As well as the brave Rep who actually believes in reform.

[Arrecho]

And we are in much better shape than the tea-baggers.

[DinSea]

O.F.A. doing their job - BRAVO. This is the only way to balance skewed media coverage. Nuts are getting all the attention -- Let's level the visibility:

(1) condense & clarify the issues; (2) draw lines in the sand so we can be sure of what we are either supporting or not supporting; (3) give contact info & protocol on "how-to" so we can take PROPER, LEGAL action.

Where are the songsters & movie makers? Help us calm down the fearful mobs and take our voices through proper democratic channels.

[avchavis]

Good! Let the REAL GRASSROOTS movement stand up. Lets show the wingnuts who the real American majority is and how much the real American majority wants health care reform with a public option!

The screamers and astroturf protesters do not speak for the majority!

[whodoyouvoodoo]

Hate to burst your bubble:
http://www.gallup.com/poll/122333/political-ideology-conservative-label-prevails-south.aspx

[lj9283]

And what percentage of the population are those states that have a high percentage of conservatives.

Oh, and keep in mind that Mississippi, number two on the list, also has the highest level of teen pregnancy in the country.

Makes you wonder about the rest of those super Conservative states.

[mnyegele]

I live in Los Angeles. My abilities to leave the city are limited. But I do want to attend every event planned in LA. I hope Huffington post keeps me posted.

[avchavis]

Hi - try this link. There's a march in your area.

http://marchforhealthcare.com/events

OR, go to Organizing for America to check for events in your area.

[kmswriter]

Organizing for America -

Join the "Health Insurance Reform Now" bus tour in Phoenix.

What: Health Insurance Reform Now Bus Tour Stop

Where: IBEW Hall
5808 N. 7th St.
Phoenix, AZ 85014

When: Wednesday, August 26
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

We want our Members of Congress to head back to Washington with calls for reform still ringing in their ears -- and knowing that those who are working hard for reform have our thanks. But we can't do it without a massive show of support from the voters who know what's at stake.

We've been building support for reform person-by-person in recent months, collecting over 1 million declarations of support for reform from folks across the country -- and this Wednesday, we are going to join voices and echo one message about where the American people stand on health reform: Let's get it done.

Turning AZ blue

[Rojellio]

Isnt this "AstroTurfing" , the phrase Axelrod coined to describe the activity he engages in?? You liberals are always whining about Astroturfing, why is itsuddenly OK if you do it?????

[TobyB]

No. We're planting the seeds of justice. Our support is sincere based on what's good for our country and our fellow man, not motivated out of rage and hatred of our black president and, basically, all things democrat. BIG DIFFERENCE.

[avchavis]

Not at all - it's the MAJORITY of Americans who voted for CHANGE last November not insurance company front groups like Americans for Prosperity or Conservatives for Patients rights. We have the facts while the astroturfers are screaming about lies.

[swift goat pet for truth]

Look at the websites.
Are there corporate sponsors, like there is for so many "conservative" sites?

Corporate sponsors = astroturf

[lj9283]

We liberal have been holding Health Care Town Hall discussions since March, and there was never a problem.

The Insurance Lobby only started funneling money to you Right Wingers last month, and the fear, lies and shouting down to quite the dialogue started.

[ChelseaC]

Fight for REAL REFORM:
http://www.pnhp.org/change/

https://www.madashelldoctorstour.com/Letter_to_Obama.html

[rustywiggs]

Yea, for health care.
We just had some Italian friends in this past week and they are wondering what is wrong with all these crazy americans. How can we NOT provide basic care for our society!

What is wrong with us on this issue?

[uvymopka]

Fascism is where the private sector still owns what it owns, but the politicians run it -- and fascism is exactly what we're getting under Barack Obama. The Italians know all about this.

[exPatPatti]

You people really have no idea what you're talking about, do you?

[TobyB]

No. Fascism is an unholy alliance between corporate kings and political elites such as we've had for the past 8 years. 3 points for effort though.

[norbitjr]

(general post)

Are you going to believe your own eyes, or some absurd talking points?

Do those elderly people all over the country - afraid of a government takeover not only of their health care, but their freedoms - really look like they're paid supporters of Big Insurance?

Use your common sense!
...and if you believe in Socialism, that government can do a better job than the free market for the majority of people, then Say It!
Be Proud of it....and explain to the country why it's going to work this time when it's Never Worked Before!

What was it about doing the same thing over & over, but expecting different results?

[sturzl]

These elderly people already have government healthcare. It's called Medicare. All Americans should be able to have the same healthcare afforded to the elderly.

[DLBinPDX]

Okay, will you stand up at a town hall and shout for the repeal of Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and the VA Medical system, all government run programs (and very popular with seniors)? Come on, I dare you? And, while you're at it, explain to all those seniors what you will replace those programs with. Private retirement? Suggest they move in with their children? Suggest they just not worry about being ill.

[graceland9]

Suggest they wait to get that cat-scan until after the recession. It's called Liebercare!

[austin4]

shouldn't you be over at Fraud News website?

[norbitjr]

Oh that's right...the radical-left doesn't allow anyone to think for themselves; I keep thinking they're in the same century that I am.

[Arrecho]

Fraud News, LOL

[ldmason45]

It's called "insanity". When you keep doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results than you've gotten the last 1,000 times. Forget what the vast majority of citizens want. Forget the town hall unrest of law abiding citizens and poll after poll saying American's don't want government run health care. Libs, dems and bo are like teenagers that want a new car. They really do not know who will pay for it or how much it cost. They just want what they want when they want it. Too bad, Americans know what the deal is this time.

[sturzl]

Yeah, the Republitards were so financially responsible the last 8 years (eyes rolling). At least we're getting something for our money this time.

[jayjaga]

Will you honestly tell those your imaginary seniors that the socialised medicine(Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security) they currently enjoy will be replaced with a privately run one by your party?

[graceland9]

Come on! They have a pamphlet! With a picture of a windmill and stuff!

[NAMI]

THAT IS GREAT.............

[beckpod1]

Just give the republicans a ton of cocaine...fifty hookers....20 pageboys...and a framed picture of Ronald Regan....and they'll forget what they are fighting about....bribe them like children!
Then let's fix this country!!!

[debrief]

20 hookers... 50 pageboys...don't get it twisted.

[sturzl]

Don't forget the gun and Bible. Praise Jesus and pass the ammo.

[Arrecho]

Judging from what I've seen on TV, the Looney Tunes March on 9/12 could also be called The Million Pound March

[ldmason45]

You must have a thing for big people. Perhaps this stems from your own body issues?
Try therapy.

[graceland9]

physical dismorphia. Sad.

[Arrecho]

Don't feel offended. Just do some diet and exercise. And spare us the burden of your obesity-related illnesses