In Memoriam: Send Donations To The Basic Rights Of All Americans

Talk around the nation circles around Ted Kennedy's passing, but there are also not so quiet whispers about Congress passing meaningful health care reform.

There is even a call to name the health care reform bill after Kennedy. This would be fantastic so long as it was a strong piece of legislation. Kennedy was a strong supporter of the single-payer system. That's right. Just like Canada. This is the variety of health care that conjures images of rich, tan-skinned golfers with zipper scars from elective bypass surgery holding forth round the campfire about not being able to get said bypass surgery as a pre-emptive, in-and-out countermeasure against a healthier diet of fruits and vegetables.

Ted Kennedy believed that access to health care is a basic human right. He also believed that innovation was important. He was a vocal booster for DNA research, in vitro fertilization, fetal tissue research and stem cell research. He supported the best and the bravest measures to give people the most enjoyable lives possible.

Health care reform is necessary. Those of us outside the halls of power who don't watch Fox News can all agree on this score. Had Kennedy gotten his way back in the 70s when he first started pushing for a plan, we would not be in the mass we are now. Hindsight is 20/20. People are dying in this swamp of deregulation and dire enthusiasm for economic (and socio-political) Manichaeism.

There has been talk of a bipartisan plan. Not to put too fine a point on it: This is a fool's errand. Kennedy was the best person to push through a bipartisan plan. But the fact is a stupid thing here, to borrow a phrase from Ronald Reagan: Republicans will ruin any chance we have here to provide Americans with the basic right of access to health care. They will stop at nothing to turn meaningful reform into profit for the companies that helped get them elected.

A bipartisan health care reform plan is an absurdity. Let's face it, folks, everyone is on the take here, and the insurance companies are running plays as they see fit.

Can the death of our "liberal lion" create the stage for something miraculous? Maybe. It could be that everyone will step up and take their medicine, swallow the bitter pill; allow the uncomfortable procedure--pay higher taxes instead of rapacious premiums. (Come to think of it, medicine tastes much better now than it did in the 70s.)

Most people ask for donations to a favorite or deeply relevant cause when a loved one dies. Here's how you can make a donation on Ted Kennedy's behalf: Spend a little time. Call your Senator and your Representative in the House and demand that they help pass a strong public option that rivals Ted Kennedy's vision of a single-payer system.

Here's are two links where you can find all the information you need to do the right thing. It's a fitting tribute to a great man. It will take you less than five minutes:

• Contact US Senators
• Contact US Representatives

Orignally pubished on Air America.

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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.

[Jahbundance]

Lift Teddy's torch for the lesser among us. Death panels are real! I've been a health insurance agent for 20 years and the unconscionable way they've treated my clients is far worse than the way the tobacco companies treated smokers. There is absolutely no humanity in their decisions; people are actuarial figures representing gain or loss, period. That the Republicans choose to protect these companies and their ever-increasing profits with lies and fear mongering needs to be exposed. Do not allow the stupidest among us to be the only voices heard! Speak the truth! Lift your voice for Teddy and for humanity.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ja8h2wxTzJY

[GrannyForObama]

With Senator Enzi's admission that he was in the bi-partisan group of six only to try and derail health care reform, I think it is obvious that Democrats must unite and move forward. The American people desperately want and need health care reform. The Republicans are trying to limit our health care options and choices. They are representing special interests and not the American people. It is interesting to me that although they give lip service to the "free market system", they seem to have little faith in it. Otherwise they would not be afraid of a public option as another healthcare choice. I have every confidence that insurance companies will respond to a public option with creativity and develop new, creative and affordable options that will compete well with the public option.

Be aware, the Republicans do NOT want this to come to a vote. They do not want to have to vote no on reform they darn well know will be good for the American people. So if the Democrats unite and create a strong healthcare reform bill and the Republicans know they can't bring it down, I believe some of them will in the end vote for the bill - just as Senator Kennedy would have wanted. So, keep your eye on the prize and hold on!!!

[IGNSTHMD]

we need to consolidate around this man's legacy... let the people speak with their resolve and provision.­.. everyone has some to contribute

do like a telethon with sponsors, only collect internet addresses instead and present them on behalf of the pledgers that wish to be represented by the sponsoree at The Ted Kennedy Peoples Confrence.

the careful guard, the courageous fight, and the the intelligent communitca­te...none are without worth

-Sun Tzu