School yard bullies? No sweat for MomsRising superheroes!
Posted August 11th, 2009 by Donna NortonFist fights? Members of Congress hanged in effigy? Lies and threats? Wait a minute! This is not a real debate about healthcare reform — it’s the antics of school yard bullies!
This is a case for SuperMom and other superheroes! You can change the debate in your community just by using the superhero power of truth-telling, which slices like a laser beam through all deception and lies.
Sign up now to get the real facts, and to learn how to start using your super powers for healthcare reform today:
http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/1768/t/9260/signUp.jsp?key=4284
Corporate special interests and ideological extremists have called out the troops. Last week the New York Times reported that members of Congress have been shouted down, hanged in effigy, and taunted by crowds at town-hall-style meetings on healthcare reform.1 Lies are flying: Former Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin is even erroneously claiming that healthcare reform would set up a “death panel” so bureaucrats will decide who is worthy of healthcare. 2
We can’t let our children’s and families’ futures be torpedoed by a bunch of hooligans and patently false rumors! No, the rowdy opponents of healthcare reform may have loud voices and a few punches to throw, but they don’t have the power of the truth and of over a million MomsRising members determined to protect the economic security of our children and families. Yes, I bet each of us has at least a hundred people we can reach through our parent groups, school lists, soccerlists, friends and family. Let’s drown out those bullies with common sense, civility, and the facts.
*Take action now by signing on to help spread the word about healthcare reform myths & facts:
http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/1768/t/9260/signUp.jsp?key=4284
When you click on the link above, we’ll start sending you quick facts and resources to share with your community in August and September about healthcare reform. For example, does everyone in your community know that there is no factual basis for the rumors about “death panels” or euthanasia? To be a superhero, all you have to do is share this information as far and wide as you can – through conversations at the playground, in your Facebook update, in line at the grocery store, in the signature line of your email, by forwarding facts via email to friends and family, at parties, and anywhere and everywhere you can think of.
We know you’re busy and may not always be able to attend MomsRising events in-person, so this is a way that you can have a super heroic impact on the national healthcare reform debate without having to leap into burning buildings or even to leave your living room.
Click here to join our MomsRising Healthcare Truth Squad today:
http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/1768/t/9260/signUp.jsp?key=4284
Moms and dads know how to handle a bully. It’s time to tell the extremists and corporate lobbyists that when it comes to our families’ health, we won’t be pushed around.
We look forward to hearing about the creative ways you are spreading the facts about healthcare reform. Please comment on this blog to share your ideas on how to get the word out! Thanks!
70 Comments
August 12, 2009 at 11:56 am by Julie PrivlerAs an US citizen in France, I’m upset when I hear Americans spreading such negative stories about health care abroad. First, no national health plan in the USA can be IDENTICAL to those of other countries; American traditions and the size of the USA guarantee that. But let’s consider the positive aspects of how some other countries do it, and make our own modifications. Here’s my experience in France. 60 bucks taken from my monthly paycheck, 50 for my coverage and 5 for each of my 2 kids. This amount can be + or -, depending on how much you earn. 25 bucks for visit to family practitioner, 22 REIMBURSED. Medication nearly 100% reimbursed. C-section + 1-wk hospital stay : no cost. And I choose my doctors myself, contrary to popular belief…
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August 12, 2009 at 11:40 am by Georeg hainThe misinformation is flying. Someone must be getting scared.
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August 12, 2009 at 11:31 am by James SanjanaIt’s easy for Sarah Palin to bad mouth the proposed healthcare proposals. She has a rock solid healthcare support system. She doesn’t have to worry about the cost of an operation or healthcare for her many children because she belongs to a very elite and well cared for group of people, the rich republican hierarchy. So get of your high horse Sarah and come down to earth where the poor and disadvantaged live. Yes I know you don’t want to hear about them. They don’t have any money and consequently they don’t have any political influence. They’re just annoying slackers who don’t deserve healthcare because they’re just nobodies with no influence or money.
These kind of people make me sick with their overweening selfishness and arrogance.
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August 12, 2009 at 11:28 am by Deede SnowhiteIn 1995, we lost our jobs and thus healthcare for a few months. With a family of four – two adults and two college students (one with a serious illness), it was very scary. We paid COBRA until I landed a new job, but had to continue paying COBRA for my son – who had a pre-existing condition, until the law changed several months later (if you had no break in health insurance you were okay).
Where are all the people who lost jobs in this recession – they need to explain – no job no insurance.
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August 12, 2009 at 10:32 am by Laura McNamaraIn addition, I know, that good citizens like Terri would never let the govt drop coverage on Down’s syndrom babies. How do we protest a Private insurance companay for amoral acts? Boycott? They would be thrilled not to have to cover the many services those blessed children need.
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August 12, 2009 at 10:25 am by Darline Francoiswhere was the Republican when i needed help with health care insurance.
love president Obama’s plan for health care reform no matter. I am working for a company right, i am paying over 30% of my income. I need the health insurance because i have a kid, after i pay my health insurance, i have to buy grocery, child care and utilities and rent.Sometimes i have to think if i have to buy grocery shopping or pay rent. Republican plan did not work for me, right now i have to keep my faith that someday things are going to be change. And we all got to support him, because this is not about your family and his family or the rich people who does not want to pay their taxes any way, this is for every resident and US Citizens in America. Please don’t take it personal, this is my opion. Thank you
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Jennifer Reply:
August 12th, 2009 at 10:36 am
@Darline Francois, It’s not about Republican and Democrat. Do you realize the civil liberties you will give up by supporting this bill? Sure there is a problem with the current health care system, but this bill is not the answer. Why do you think they are trying to pass it so quickly? Because they know that if you really understood what is in this bill, you wouldn’t want it. We should be discussing across party lines how to fix the health care system, not presenting one option and saying this is the way to go. And we are not a bunch of hooligans because we don’t agree. I really think this article is insulting to the American people.
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Laura McNamara Reply:
August 12th, 2009 at 11:04 am
@Jennifer,
I am a bit confused. What civil liberties are we giving up exactly? I see us gaining the right to basic health care. A fundamental human right.
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Jennifer Reply:
August 12th, 2009 at 11:25 am
@Laura McNamara, It is a right. And right now you have the right to choose the health insurance you wish to have. Your employer has the right to choose the insurance that they offer to their employees. You also currently have the choice to not have health care if you don’t want it. With this bill those are not choice we will continue to have because you are penalized if you choose not go with the government plan. I could go on and on, but one way to think of it is this – We have the right to free speech, however, the government doesn’t pay for us to have radio air time to practice our free speech. Just because its a right, doesn’t mean our tax dollar are suppose to pay for it.
Chris Reply:
August 12th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
@Laura McNamara, So you paid 30% of your income for healthcare. Imagine how much of your income you will pay in taxes once a political system such as our federal government starts calling the shots. Look at Medicare (it’s bankrupt); Medicaid (cost growing higher than commercial healthcare).
My big concern with the government calling the shots is that they are inefficient, corrupt, and will have all our protected health information conveniently stored in Washington DC. Do you trust the government with this information? They will also want financial, employment, and banking information too. And I can promise you that if you fall on the bad side of the government, they will use healthcare as a leverage tool to get you in line; or else take it away from you.
Finally, if healthcare is a fundamental right, then as citizens, we need to amend the Consitutition so that we have that right. In addition, as a right, there should be no difference in the benefit plans from those who have power and wealth to those who are poor and underserved. Already, those in Congress and the White House will have exclusive health plans that will excced what crumbs they will deal out to the peasants.
I ran out of characters…
So in conclusion, the current system disincentives what makes this country great, small business and the entrepreneurial spirit. England’s national health care system financially rewards Drs. for every patient they get to quit smoking, or lose weight. Seniors get to take advantage of Medicare and so does our senate. If everyone were required to pay for their coverage, then I and others would not be forced to pay higher premiums for those that are not. This is a common sense and moral mandate. The healthier our herd, the better equiped we are on every level for the challenges that face us.
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Laura McNamara Reply:
August 12th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
Is paranoia a pre-existing condition?
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The American people have legitimate concerns about the current health care bill, but because we question the government we are being called bullies and un-American. Wake up! The real bullies are the president and congress who don’t believe they need the support or understanding of the American people to make decisions that effect all of our lives.
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Laura McNamara Reply:
August 12th, 2009 at 11:05 am
@Jennifer,
The real bullies are private health care profiteers.
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Anonymous Reply:
August 12th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
@Laura McNamara, the bullies are those who collect email lists and name-call. Those are the real bullies. If this plan is so good for the American public, why the rush? Let’s hash it out and see if we can build the best plan for everyone. Because it is crafted behind closed doors, the special interest are doing their thing and getting preferred treatment in exchange for payouts and gifts to the senators and congress men and women. Such a scam. I ask that we see the complete details in full light so that they can be discussed for all; but I know if will not happen.
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Laura McNamara Reply:
August 12th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
@Jennifer,
Clearly you have thought long and hard about this and for that I applaud you, however, you are not considering some important considerations. First, companies do NOT have to provide health insurance. Therefore, if the only place you can find work does not have health insurance, you have to provide your own. If you have a pre-existing condition (diabetes for example) you can’t get covered. So now you don’t have the right to work where you want to work! My sister has a small shop, there is no way she can give her employees health insurance and no way they can buy there own plans on the piddly amount she pays them but her wages are above minimum (barely). I submit, that those that ‘choose’ not to have coverage, did not make that choice at all. I submit, any plan that is not universal punishes the most vulverable (children who make no choices at all) in our society. We are better than that.
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Jennifer Reply:
August 12th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
@Laura McNamara, Actually there are people in this country who ‘choose’ not to have coverage. Those people would rather pay out of pocket for their doctor visits than make a third party wealthy. But you’re missing the point. You can give me a hundred examples of real life stories that show how the current health care system is flawed. You are so caught up in what you think universal health care will accomplish and the problems that you believe it will fix, but you have no idea the price that you and every other American will pay. Maybe you’re willing to pay that price, but I’m not.
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Anonymous Reply:
August 12th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
@Jennifer,
Well, I guess we will have to agree to disagree. When you have a hundred (time’s millions) of stories of why the current health care system is flawed, then it is flawed. I guess I am willing to pay the price for a compassionate system that protects our babies, those with pre-existing conditions, and those that have lost their jobs and you are not. That is my personal moral code based in my Christian ethics but not everyone has those prinipals. You have more of a ‘I’ll cover my own and forget the rest’ mentality. I pray you never find yourself in the postion of one of the hundred (times a million) of stories I and others have recounted. I think the price is greater if the guy next to me has TB and my babies are in lap at risk or there is a dying man unable to pay for what he needs.
With all due respect, I could not disagree with Terri more. I pay $900.00 a month for myself and my two children on a PPO and no one will insure my husband because of an accident he had with a skill saw years ago which left him with a parially amputated thumb. A girlfriend of mine became a convert when her 19 month old daughter was denied coverage when her husband started his own business because of an urgent care visit three months prior for a dislocated elbow. It is incomprehensible to me that there are some that trust the insurance companies and their stated mission to derive a profit over a single payer plan. I have had the opportunity to use the public health care offered in Canada and Spain will there as a tourist and it was clean, compassionate, efficient and effective.
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August 12, 2009 at 9:43 am by TerriYou know I support a lot of the items you send me. But on this one??? Not so much. You really need to educate yourselves on what a socialist society and national healthcare look like. Have you heard or spoken directly to the people who are DYING because they were denied a PAP or a mammogram from their “national healthcare” plan? Have you not heard of bioethics??? It’s real, it’s happening, and it’s BEING TAUGHT in our medical schools. Look it up. Creating a national healthcare plan will create situations where kids born with Downs or other problems will be “put down” like dogs. That is unnacceptable. You seem to think those things can’t happen but they do happen, they are happening, and I cannot support anything that would make those things commonplace. Not to mention the fact that NONE of our kids are going to be able to afford to live in this country at 60% tax rates when someone wakes up and realizes that this ridiculous deficit needs to be paid back.
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Anonymous Reply:
August 12th, 2009 at 10:21 am
With all due respect, I could not disagree with Terri more. I pay $900.00 a month for myself and my two children on a PPO and no one will insure my husband because of an accident he had with a skill saw years ago which left him with a parially amputated thumb. A girlfriend of mine became a convert when her 19 month old daughter was denied coverage when her husband started his own business because of an urgent care visit three months prior for a dislocated elbow. It is incomprehensible to me that there are some that trust the insurance companies and their stated mission to derive a profit over a single payer plan. I have had the opportunity to use the public health care offered in Canada and Spain will there as a tourist and it was clean, compassionate, efficient and effective.
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Heath Reply:
August 12th, 2009 at 10:58 am
Terri, you need to educate yourself on what a socialist society is. France, Germany, Spain, England, Canada are NOT socialist countries. Have you ever heard of a small government program that millions of Americans use called MEDICARE! I hope that you and all your right wing nut bags will be turning down Medicare when they retire since you are so opposed to government run programs. BTW, have YOU heard or spoken to the people in this country who are DYING because they can’t afford health insurance. You people want a private, employer based health insurance, but then you don’t want to require all employers to offer coverage. What the hell do you expect the people that don’t get health coverage through their employer to do… pay $10,000 a year? Yeah, right on a $10 an hour salary. Grow up.
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Anonymous Reply:
August 12th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
@Heath, Medicare is bankrupt. What next? The entire healthcare system of the US?
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