National March for Healthcare Reform

DAILY KOS

National March for Healthcare Reform

by pawlr

Thu Jul 30, 2009 at 04:48:45 AM PDT

Sounds like a good idea, yes?

So often people only take to the streets to say "No!" - to a war or to a tax hike or to polluters dumping shit near where they live.

Not that these aren't all worthy causes, but some of the most effective mass protests have been FOR issues - the civil rights movement, voting rights for women, just to name a couple.

• pawlr's diary :: ::

I don't understand why this isn't being organized right now! Think of all the people who could make the trip (more now that more people are unemployed).

It would provide cover to legislators who want to make healthcare a reality and need to tell their lobbyists that their hands are tied and that they have to push strong reform. It would keep the story on the front "pages" as an ongoing issue.

I just find it extremely odd that we, as a country, will get off our asses on life or death issues that pertain to a FEW of our people (the military) but not about life or death issues that affect HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF US.

It is clear to me that our legislators in Washington are basically living in Versailles, and can't be bothered to depart from their scripted balls (cocktail parties) long enough to care about the rabble in the cities and towns.

I apologize if people are already diligently organizing for this, and I'm just a johnny-come-lately.

But I woke up this morning wondering - why isn't there more traction - and I'm certainly happy to help anyone who is working on a comprehensive march that brings together all parties working for real reform: single-payer as well as public options.

If anyone has any advice or wants to join with me to make this happen, comment below the fold and let me know.

I appreciate this forum and any advice.

Thank you.

UPDATE: Wiki link: http://healthcaremarch.pbworks.com/

Just got back from work and am amazed at the comments and GREAT ideas I'm reading. Especially like the "health care EVENT" rather than a march (which is a little too '60s' I admit), where doctors can provide free service in health care tents, like the triage event that happened in AK recently (I think? Sorry, don't have link but reading about it really affected me deeply). FWIW, I agree that this should not be branded about Obama but rather be about care for people who need it, not any particular plan and not even particularly partisan, in order to be inclusive.

I don't think this will suffer from the lack of coverage the Million Man March suffered from because this is not a "special interest" in the same way people (mistakenly) perceived African-American concerns to be. Our overall message can be simple, basic, and clear: health care for all. Period. Work out the details but essentially: Health care is a Civil Right, not just for any particular group, but for all races & income levels. That's a message, IMHO I think will resonate.

I am humbled by how powerful we are and what can be accomplished. To really change things on this issue, our ability and passion to mobilize must be consistent and not dependent on the election cycle, and this event can be a demonstration of that power. A wakeup call to elected officials that a sea-change is required, and that we are not just ATM machines to be co-opted when they want to get (re)elected.

Thank you everyone. I have no ability or experience at organizing a national march and I will defer to those who do. I will join with others to do my part whatever that may be.