The Guns of August: A Call to Arms for Progressives and Obama Activists

History buffs will recognize The Guns of August as Barbara Tuchman's classic history of World War I. The reference works now because August 2009 just opened with trench warfare on health care reform. Unfortunately, the right-wing mob is seeing some early superficial success. We need to enter the battlefield immediately to defend the president's top priority, providing a guarantee of good, affordable health care to all this year. This is a call to arms for the army of activists who powered President Obama to the White House.

We are already seeing the violent excesses of the right. They hung freshman Maryland Congressman Frank Kratovil in effigy, painted Texas Rep. Lloyd Doggett as a devil with horns, and screamed insults at HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. This is an angry minority, bitter about an America that they don't recognize, led by a man that doesn't look like them.

These are the same crazies that applauded calls to violence last fall at Sarah Palin rallies and made a hero of Joe the Plumber. But remember, as the public began to understand what the far right-wingers really stood for, it didn't take long for a great majority of the electorate to write them off.

But since health care won't be decided at the popular ballot box, we can't just wait for the public to recognize the reality behind this nutty minority. There are two prizes in the battle at hand -- the national press narrative and Congress' support. We have to win the press war by making it clear that shouts of "socialized medicine" and "government health care" are from a mob on the fringe of American politics. And we need to be sure that wavering Democrats in Congress see that there is strong popular support for health care reform.

Health Care for America Now is joining with progressive groups throughout the country to out-gun the tea-baggers in August. Members of Congress are spending their time at home trying to gauge public support for reform before returning to Washington after Labor Day. It will be a contest all month long, and we have to take it on with all the urgency that the historical task at hand demands.

We've launched a new page on our Web site to help you take action in August: www.healthcareforamericanow.org/fight. Here you'll find out how you can join the fight locally. We'll list town hall meetings and events by Congressman from both political parties so that we can show strong support for reform and keep control of meetings. We'll also tell you how you can directly challenge those members of Congress who are siding with the far right, often using the same extreme rhetoric of the tea-baggers. And we'll be organizing our own actions to show how Congressional opponents of reform are carrying water for the health insurance industry. The page includes pointers for how to organize your own action and how to prepare and respond to the right-wing mob.

As President Obama said on the night he was elected, "I know you didn't do this just to win an election and I know you didn't do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime."

Of all the challenges in American history, there is none greater than turning health care from a privilege to a right. We need everyone in America who believes that health care is a right to rise to the challenge that the president laid out before us on Election Day. Right now, this month, is the time to declare that this is our country and that an extreme right wing minority will not wreck our nation's path to health care justice.

(also posted at the NOW! blog)

Comments

[JShep]

Making healthcare reform a them vs. us issue is counter productive. Wouldn't it be better to expouse the benefits of the proposed reform bills in clear concise detail, instead of attacking the opposition?

[expired]

So, thanks to Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY), Speaker Pelosi says she will bring a vote to the floor on single-payer after the recess. Are you all ready to make those phone calls and write those letters?

Nancy's contact http://speaker.house.gov/contact/ntact/

Send our speaker an e-mail of encouragement.

[Prudens]

That would frustrate me too if I was in your shoes. People who support the bill also have valid concerns. I think it is the method that people ultimately disagree on, not the ideal. If you asked in an ideal world, would you like everyone to have good healthcare? Most people would say yes. It is when we talk about "the how" that the issue becomes muddied.

[hsr0601]

Immune System & Levee System :

All of the excellent health systems seem to have one thing in common, a well-organized preventative program.

I think a prevention system works as a 'levee' built against flood by the government, similarly, it also needs non-profit investments from the government on a large scale.

This might offer us the clue of why all of the free states have public insurance policy in place.

It won't be easy to draw some specific numbers on the economic effect of the 'levee' , but the flood measure without a stable 'levee' would be a house on the sand, as the too high level of chronic diseases in America shows.


Thank You !

[Liza DiSavino]

No country that has single payer, government-run health care has ever given it up.

I have friends abroad (Germany, France, Luxembourg, Canada, Sweden), and they would never move here because they think our health care system sucks. Frankly, they think we're nuts for allowing it. Having paid over $6,000 for health care last year out of pocket (and I'm fully insured), I agree.

I don't object to people who disagree with Obama. I object to the hate-filled right wing of the GOP who are violent (shootings of Dr. Tiller, the head of the Arkansas DNC, and those poor people in the Unitarian Church in TN), congressmen like Akin who encourage them by joking about Democrats being lynched, and the bussing in of people by the GOP who then portray them as a grass roots movement. And I pity those who are being manipulated by fear, ginned up by the GOP, who are insisting on perpetuating a system where none of us are treated fairly by the health care industry.

Please don't tell me racism isn't behind a lot of the opposition to Obama - not when people get up and start shouting about "taking my country back." Apparently, they think elections shouldn't count when black Democrats get elected.

[Prudens]

How do you feel about the recent attack on Kenneth Gladney? He was hospitalized for opposing the healthcare bill. He was not violent or loud. Is it acceptable that he was beaten because you believe that he was not 'grassroots enough'? You use the word fear, but what if some people are objecting because they want to exercise the right to express themselves?

Was it racism that spurred Kenneth to protest? Or a love for his country and sense of civic duty? I urge you to do your own research on this. Characterizing a group of people is all too easy. However, as hard as it may be to believe (forgive the sarcasm), many of these people have names, stories and ardent feelings that induce them to stand up for their beliefs. I would urge you not to blindly scream GOP and racist because it is convenient, that does a disservice to you and those you malign.

[webwzrd]

tnkeating, you are mistaken. Poll after poll shows that a MAJORITY of Americans want change. The problem with the current proposals (there is no such thing as a BILL yet), are now WEAKER than what most of us want. Still, though, the right throws their tantrums. I believe it's time for US to be heard and we can SEE this majority once and for all. I will be attending every event in my area, and I will shout lowder than those who aim to drowm me out.

[cuniverse]

The Repubs are now working from their playbook “ Strategies on How to destabilizing a government ” that they honed abroad home to America
Will it work on the Democrats ?
It will, be the people in the streets who have to fight for their rights, because most of their politicians are owned by Corporate America.
If Corporate America can't buy them then Corporate America will spend millions to REMOVE them from office and the politicians are keenly aware of this fact.
Now the masses are beginning to pay attention and demanding that their politicians work in their collective interests , and this is now proving very difficult for the politicians for they cannot serve two masters
The Corporations and the politicians usually controlled the people with infinite ease, is this about to change?
Will the people control their politicians ?
The Corporations always won because the control the politicians on both sides of the isle
And the sheeple had the privilege to vote
Stay tuned as America Sheeple Awakens

[tnkeating]

Richard, this is not the right wing nuts here, I voted for change I could believe in, not change What I believe in. The Majority that is against this health bill is only upset because they recognize that it is politics as usual. The people against this bill are Democrats , Republicans, Libertarians, and Independents, people with common sense that see this for what it is, a bad bill. Theres no hurry, lets go step by step, but you must start with tort reform, you have to set limits for the Lawyers and Insurance companies. We all want better health care and affordable insurance, thats a given, but what Congress proposes is incompetent and irresponsible. Then again just look at the VA, Medicade, Medicare, and Social Security, incompetent and irresponsible.

[Jefferson78]

So now an overwhelming majority of Americans is a mob is it disagrees with the vocal minority? When independents and thinking Democrats finally say "enough" to Obama's wild spending spree and his attempts to destroy the American way of life, all those who stand against fascism are suddenly a mob? Really?

[devadasi]

The American way of Life? It's an illusion. Studies have shown that Americans are far less happy than Europeans. Perhaps America should grow up. We don't have all the answers...­.we should model our national health care plan on the Canadian or French model.

[valboski]

I'm not a mob. Individual citizens assembling to question and get sane answers are not mobs. Congress is the employee, the taxpayers are the employers. Change to enable growth of government power is not in the best interest of this country and it's citizens.

[devadasi]

These so called individuals are assembling to disrupt, not to ask questions. Most of them are stupid and don't even realise that Medicare is a government run program. Change is necessary, but very threatening to weak minded people.

[jmpurser]

If Obama needs foot soldiers he best not look to this liberal. He's kicked liberal and progressive ideals to the curb one too many times.

I won't be voting for him again.

[gs425]

You want to make health care affordable­....leave the government completely out of it.

[jmpurser]

The government is the only reason we still HAVE anything resembling a health care system in this nation. The market method has failed repeatedly and repeatedly the government has stepped in and propped it up until it could fail again.

[gs425]

Hardly, 50 states and 50 sets of rules. Government involvement bogs everything down, and you get 1/5 the efficiency for 10x the cost. History bears that out. Nearly 20 years ago Medicare was running 800X the project cost when it was first started in the '60's. You think it will be different this time?? I will see you in the aspirin line.

[runninbear]

It was the govt that let this happen and then force them to take the bail out money and replace their ceo's with their own? He made Sach/Golman and the rest of his employers have been making millions,just check their stock when this started and see whos went up and up?please It was a bail out for bank and loan companies.­I once heard that the only way to rob a bank was to OWN ONE!

[devadasi]

Oh really gs425....a­nd how does that work?

[gs425]

look up

[hsr0601]

-Some say we don't have faith in government, others say, we will be forced out.-
-No Tax, No Saving, That means No Way To Reform.-
What kind of music should this reform dance to ?

U.S. health care consumers are usually one step removed from the cost because they are covered by employer-provided insurance, which might operate as a formula for a slow pace of transfer, along with the code of mandate.

And I share the opinion that unlike the insurer-friendly, baseless senate plan by 'some' members, only a 'strong' public option by this new administration will be capable of getting the premium inflation under control and saving the U.S in turbulence.

To my knowledge, a dual system tends to deliver better results than a pure single payer system. Supposedly, to be or not to be might be up to the innovations like a pay for value program, otherwise, the forthcoming start-ups may fill the void with competitive deals. The competition based on 'fair' market value would be a beauty of true capitalism, not monopoly, an objective for anti-trust.

All free states as a nation / one body, and a fundamental human right, cover all their people. The debate about a human right, or public policy
in America is puzzling them now.

[BobLablah]

Kudos to you for not trying to say that Democrats haven't used the exact same tactics. Some bloggers seem to forget the Bush haters doing the exact same thing.

[Iceballs]

Our battle for America's future will not be won by angry mobs who only shout and gripe and complain and seek the status quo. We will win the future of this country with fresh ideas and new innovations and the hope of the people. The screamed epithets and hastily scrawled signs and hate from the radio talkers only serves to reinforce the the resolve of us that voted for change. It wasn't about an election or a man. It was about a dedication to this country. The change is coming but it will never come easily.

[BobLablah]

OK.

[gs425]

Shout and get "in your face' as O wanted during the campaign?? BTW, the status quo is the best healthcare system in the world.

[Jefferson78]

Obama won 52% to 48%. That is pretty close to Bush's 51% vs 49% victory. Very few people voted for anything other than the status quo. Most people believed Obama when he claimed to be a centrist who would do much the same as had been done in the past. Few realized what a radical socialist he really was. Also, America has the best health care system in the world and most people recognize that.

[runninbear]

Man I think you have been standing to close to Obama's teleprompter? where do you think this man has fresh Ideals? here's one of his fresh ideals on his health plan It says that when you get over 50 and you get sick and need an operation that will safe your life,the govt, will deny you the operation,instead they will give you Pallative care and Hospice? they will give you pills for the pain and give you a bed to die in, his fresh ideals to cut overhead on his health care plan.How could you support a man that would refuse to give you any medical teatment that we would furnish for him if he needed it but he just wants to give you take pain pills until you die? you know he was on a commitee to support Infants borned alive and it passed and when it came time to vote he voted against it 3 times?He was the chairman he voted against it 3 times "he didn't like the lanuage" the nurse that
testified in front of him and she told of a particle brith abortion they incert liquid that causes labor and then they brith the baby and when it is free that take it and lay it among the dirty linen .The babies would lay there in this state sometimes 45 minutes up to 8 hours.Thes­e aren't" fresh ideals" Murder Assisted sucides isn't new he's just taking away your option,of when and how?

[runninbear]

Isn't that how we won our freedom from England?The screams of racial slurs are comming from americans by americans because this man you voted for change and "Transparenticy isn't ?If we allow goverment to dicate to us what we need or don't need is the day when we will be taken over,and i for one ain't for anyone taking my second amendment away or the right to say what i have on my mid and if you think Im an angry mob Im not the one screaming names at fellow americans that have excerised the rights to ask for your man of change to get transparen­t.like he promised?If it was about this country you would stand and ask this transparent man where's bis BC? Now it seems your transparent man isn't even who he wrote in his book about?Seriously!and you can say that stuff about "it's not about a man? it was about color and people like you trying so hard to show you no racist ,you prove their point by playing the "Reverse race card " Im a native American and proud of it.You call me a racist.Whe­n all we have asked is for your man,to prove what every other president of this country has "GLADLY" given?When McCain was ask to release his medical records he gave them 1500 pages,Obama gave 6 lines ,one paragraph?Please

[libwingoflibwing]

Most of the shouting at Bush by "Bush Haters" was totally different. Why?

The Tea Baggers ollowing the directives sent them by the plutocrats shout to shut down discussion. They're anti-democracy, anti-debate and anti- free speech. Their motto is, "Free Speech is an American Right, but it's more *my* right than yours." These folk shout to keep other citizens from asking their questions.

The "Bush Haters" shouted their questions at events because it was the only time they had any chance to have these questions asked of Bush. He never let anyone in a town hall that might disagree with him. He and his cronies never were asked tough questions by the press. So "Bush Haters" had to take extreme tactics to ask the question. The goal was to open up debate, to get Bush and his cronies to respond, to get the press to talk about this stuff, and to keep the discussion going with everyone. Of course the response by Bush and his cronies was to arrest these folk and then never respond.

Saying what the tea baggers are now doing and what the "Bush Haters" did are the same tactics because both including shouting at someone, is as ludicrous as saying members of the Hell's Angels are exactly the same as the Gay Leather Community because they both wear leather. It's a fallacy formally called an "llicit Minor"

[michaelmr]

These town hall meetings are with Congressmen, not Obama. Obama won't let anyone near him that might ask a tough question either.

[Prudens]

Actually. By calling people tea baggers you are only revealing a personal prejudice. Have you actually spoken to a... what would be the term 'tea party-er'? Do you know if the incident that you were referring to (the shouting) was something that they were a part of? Have you read the platform they represent? I simply ask because what your perception of them is, and what they espouse, seem to be different things. We can all get upset, but when you cool down a bit, I would urge you to talk to someone who has different beliefs or is a tea-party-­er... person. I am not sure what the correct pluralization of that is.

Recently one of their members, Kenneth Gladney, was hospitalized by, pro-Obama-­healthcare­plan-ers, for passing out flags. Not shouting or being rude. Saying all SEIU union members are evil for the actions of a few, is like saying all tea party people are evil for raising their voices. It is like saying anti-war protesters are evil for raising their voices, maybe they are just passionate about what they believe. I think if you truly opened your mind and tried to have a dialogue you might find you have things in common with the group of people you currently despise.