America has had a few precious individuals who are both passionate about social justice and also understand deep in their bones its practical meaning. And we have had a few who possess great political shrewdness and can make the clunky machinery of democratic governance actually work. But I have known but one person who combined all these traits and abilities. His passing is an inestimable loss.
Most Americans will never know how many things Ted Kennedy did to make their lives better, how many things he prevented that would have hurt them, and how tenaciously he fought on their behalf. In 1969, for example, he introduced a bill in the Senate calling for universal health insurance, and then, for the next forty years, pushed and prodded colleagues and presidents to get on with it. If and when we ever achieve that goal it will be in no small measure due to the dedication and perseverance of this one remarkable man. We owe it to him and his memory to do it soon and do it well.
Rick Horowitz: Kennedy: The Lion at Rest
Senator Edward M. Kennedy, dead at 77 -- and thank goodness for that. None of his three brothers -- his three older brothers -- made it to 70. Or 60. Or even 50.
March on Washington for healthcare reform and public option!!!
Sept. 13, 2009 Noon
go to www.healthcaremarch.pbworks.com for more info
I always felt that Kennedy was on my side, that he wanted to ensure that I would have an opportunity to succeed in spite of my humble circumstances. I never doubted Ted Kennedy's sincerity, and I still have no idea all that he's done for me.
Well- where is the compromise from the gop losers?
What compromise have they offered
Name ONE compromise- anyone
Media- all you great reporters-
One Compromise by the gop- where is it?
and it is, then Ted Kennedy was as noble as the most
noble of men ever to go before him.
His special species of it was made irrefutable in every
word he spoke, in every genuine smile he gave us,
in the simple and gentle way he waved, even in the
the indescribable shuffle of his walk.
The world has lost another Ghandi. How blessed
we are to have shared time and space with a man of such
dignity and great goodness. Godspeed, "Uncle Teddy."
Mr. Reich I've seen you on many tv programs and you always seem to be the voice of reason and facts, rather than the voice of emotional idiocy. For that....you are a hero!
Keep up the great work!
Paying for health care by using sales tax revenues would be hundreds of billions of dollars cheaper each year than using private insurance and infinitely easier for everyone to manage.
Offering a choice in the United States to use either free public health care funded by a national sales tax, or using private systems paid for with private funding, would allow proponents of each system the opportunity to use their choice.
All government mandated programs could be distributed through government hospitals at a fraction of the costs spent now by taxpayers to private systems, and the new system would produce true savings of hundreds of billions of dollars annually from the $2.5trillion spent last year, while producing better patient outcomes.
For individuals selecting public care; all prescribed care and medications would be free, no insurance, no co pays, no precondition exceptions, free period.
For seniors care and medications at public facilities would be free, no more doughnut holes and no insurance or co pays required.
Businesses which select public care for their employees should have no further involvement to either pay anything or be involved in any way with health care.
Going back and forth between free public, and user purchased private care, may suit some people, and it would provide unlimited choices, ultimate freedom, and always free public care would be available when it is needed or desired to everyone who asks for it with no restrictions.
We did indeed lose a great man in Kennedy yesterday - and one of our greatest champions of health care reform. It has become even more important than ever that we get this done! And rightfully call it the TeddyPlan in honor of the man who made this his life's work! He carried the torch for a long time...and now it is up to us to continue to carry it for him!
We cannot let the scare tactics dissuade us from reaching our goal!
While many of us are struggling to afford medical insurance/medical bills.
While Congress people try to stop healthcare reform.
While Congress people accept large contributions from lobbyists to prevent health care reform.
Our elected officials in Congress receive health care mostly paid for by us tax payers, yet many are trying to make it impossible for us to purchase an affordable plan of our own.
Please sign both petitions! Thank you!
http://www.petitiononline.com/PubOp676/petition.html
http://www.democrats.com/honor-ted-kennedy?cid=ZGVtczQ0MTA5OGRlbXM=