Kucinich Amendment passes with biPartisan support - Single Payer moving closer

On Friday morning at 9:45 a.m. ET in the House Committee on Education and Labor, the committee members voted 25 to 19 to pass Congressman Dennis Kucinich's amendment to the healthcare reform bill. This amendment, if it survives the full House, the Senate, the conference, and the President, will not alter the federal legislation except to allow states to create single-payer healthcare systems if they choose to. If this change to the bill makes news, it will pass the Senate, because there is no legitimate argument against it, and the support for it is bipartisan.

The committee members voted in order of seniority through all the Democrats and then the Republicans, returning to allow those who passed or were not present on the first round or the second round to cast their vote. No members switched their votes from yes to no or vice versa, during the voting, but several passed and then voted after hearing their colleagues vote. In the final count, 25 voted Yes, 19 No, 2 left their vote as "Pass," and 3 were not there or did not respond at all.

On the first go round, these Democrats voted Yes: Woolsey, Kucinich, Holt, Grijalva, Loebsack, and Fudge. Not nearly enough, but then came the Republicans, not a single one of whom has supported single-payer healthcare, but many of whom apparently respect states' rights: Kline, Petri, McKeon, Souder, Ehlers, Biggert, Platts, Wilson, McMorris Rogers, Price, and Guthrie. That gave us 17 votes going into round two. Among Democrats, we then picked up Payne, Scott, Shea Porter, and Polis. Among Republicans, Hoekstra and Castle joined in. We had 23 votes moving into round three. Two more Democrats, Tierney and Tonko, brought the total to 25.

Then you have the list of members who voted for the arguably unconstitutional step of banning states from providing their citizens with healthcare, a step for which no legitimate case has been made, but which the health insurance companies strongly favor. First and foremost was Committee Chairman George Miller who led the voting with a resounding "No." He was joined on the first round by Democrats Kildee, Andrews, Hinojosa, McCarthy, Bishop, Sestak, Altmire, Hare, Courtney, Sablan, and Titus, and Republicans McClintock, Hunter, Roe, and Thompson. On the second round Democrats Davis and Hirono voted No, along with Republican Cassidy. On the third round, no more Nos were added. Not voting yes or no were: Wu, Clarke, Pierluisi, Chu, and Bishop of Utah.

There are major campaigns with a good chance of passing single-payer healthcare if Congress permits it in the following states: Pennsylvania, California, Illinois, Ohio, Colorado, and Massachusetts.

ROLL CALL ON VOTE TO ALLOW STATES TO CREATE SINGLE-PAYER HEALTHCARE
9:40 a.m. ET, July 17, 2009
House Committee on Education and Labor
Y = Allow states to provide their citizens healthcare if they choose
N = Ban states
PASS = Pass
-- = Not present or no response

25 to 19 to 2

Democrats

* George Miller, Chairman (CA-07) N
* Dale E. Kildee (MI-05) N
* Donald M. Payne (NJ-10) PASS, Y
* Robert E. Andrews (NJ-01) N
* Robert C. Scott (VA-03) --, Y
* Lynn C. Woolsey (CA-06) Y
* Rubén Hinojosa (TX-15) N
* Carolyn McCarthy (NY-04) N
* John F. Tierney (MA-06) --, --, Y
* Dennis J. Kucinich (OH-10) Y
* David Wu (OR-01) PASS, PASS
* Rush D. Holt (NJ-12) Y
* Susan A. Davis (CA-53) PASS, N
* Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-07) Y
* Timothy H. Bishop (NY-01) N
* Joe Sestak (PA-07) N
* Dave Loebsack (IA-02) Y
* Mazie Hirono (HI-02) PASS, N
* Jason Altmire (PA-04) N
* Phil Hare (IL-17) N
* Yvette Clarke (NY-11) --, --
* Joe Courtney (CT-02) N
* Carol Shea-Porter (NH-01) --, Y
* Marcia Fudge (OH-11) Y
* Jared Polis (CO-2) PASS, Y
* Paul Tonko (NY-21) --, --, Y
* Pedro Pierluisi (PR) --, --
* Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (Northern Mariana Islands) N
* Dina Titus (NV-3) N
* Judy Chu PASS, PASS,

Republicans

* John Kline, Ranking Member (MN-02) Y
* Thomas E. Petri (WI-06) Y
* Howard "Buck" McKeon (CA-25) Y
* Peter Hoekstra (MI-02) PASS, Y
* Michael N. Castle (DE-At Large) PASS, Y
* Mark E. Souder (IN-03) Y
* Vernon J. Ehlers (MI-03) Y
* Judy Biggert (IL-13) Y
* Todd Russell Platts (PA-19) Y
* Joe Wilson (SC-02) Y
* Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) Y
* Tom Price (GA-06) Y
* Rob Bishop (UT-01) --, --
* Brett Guthrie (KY-2) Y
* Bill Cassidy (LA-6) PASS, N
* Tom McClintock (CA-4) N
* Duncan D. Hunter (CA-52) N
* Phil Roe (TN-1) N
* Glenn "GT" Thompson (PA-05) N

Source: Conor Boylon, Progressive Democrats of America

Dan Ward accepts party endorsements

Daniel War, Democrat and Amherst NY Town board member has official received official notification of his endorsement and petition fillings from the Working Families, Independence, And Conservative Parties.

Dan has responded with an acceptance letter to each of the nominating parties.

Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) moving on Single Payer Health

One of our single-payer healthcare champions, Cong. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio, will be introducing an amendment to the House healthcare reform bill TODAY that will benefit millions of Americans — from California to Pennsylvania to Illinois to New York and beyond. While never stepping away from our shared fight for H.R. 676 and national single-payer reform, this is a chance for PDA and Representative Kucinich to drive the single-payer healthcare fight forward during this legislative session.

The amendment gives states the right to pass and implement state-based, single-payer plans and will ensure the federal rules waivers required to allow that innovation. As single-payer healthcare took root in Canada decades ago, it grew province by province in its earliest stages before the country took the plunge.

We may need to follow a similar path in this nation, and we want our position to be clear: Single-payer healthcare remains the best way to provide healthcare for all.

Most important, here is what we need to do on Friday, July 17th from 9:00 AM ET until the vote: Call the offices of these Democratic members of the Education and Labor Committee and ask them to support the Kucinich Amendment.

Rep. George Miller (DEM-CA-7th) (202) 225-2095
Rep. Dale Kildee (DEM-MI-5th) (202) 225-3611
Rep. Donald Payne (DEM-NJ-10th) (202) 225-3436
Rep. Robert Andrews (DEM-NJ-1st) (202) 225-6501
Rep. Bobby Scott (DEM-VA-3rd) (202) 225-8351
Rep. Lynn Woolsey (DEM-CA-6th) (202) 225-5161
Rep. Ruben Hinojosa (DEM-TX-15th) (202) 225-2531
Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (DEM-NY-4th) (202) 225-5516
Rep. John Tierney (DEM-MA-6th) (202) 225-8020
Rep. Dennis Kucinich (DEM-OH-10th) (202) 225-5871
Rep. David Wu (DEM-OR-1st) (202) 225-0855
Rep. Rush Holt (DEM-NJ-12th) (202) 225-5801
Rep. Susan Davis (DEM-CA-53rd) (202) 225-2040
Rep. Raul Grijalva (DEM-AZ-7th) (202) 225-2435
Rep. Tim Bishop (DEM-NY-1st) (202) 225-3826
Rep. Joe Sestak (DEM-PA-7th) (202) 225-2011
Rep. David Loebsack (DEM-IA-2(202) 225-6576
Rep. Mazie Hirono (DEM-HI-2nd) (202) 225-4906
Rep. Jason Altmire (DEM-PA-4th) (202) 225-2565
Rep. Phil Hare (DEM-IL-17th) (202) 225-5905
Rep. Yvette Clarke (DEM-NY-11th) (202) 225-6231
Rep. Joe Courtney (DEM-CT-2nd) (202) 225-2076
Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (DEM-NH-1st) (202) 225-5456
Rep. Marcia Fudge (DEM-OH-11th) (202) 225-7032
Rep. Jared Polis (DEM-CO-2nd) (202) 225-2161
Rep. Paul Tonko (DEM-NY-21st) (202) 225-5076
Res. Com. Pedro Pierluisi (DEM-PR-At-Large) (202) 225-2615
Rep. Dina Titus (DEM-NV-3rd) (202) 225-3252

We have come a long way working together to make single payer a reality ... and today is an important step in realizing that goal.

Thank you for all your help in building the Healthcare NOT Warfare movement.

In solidarity,


Tim Carpenter, National Director

Laura Bonham, Deputy Director

Conor Boylan, Field Director

Roberta McNair, Healthcare IOT Coordinator

The Progressive vs the Conservative

Progressive see a better way and accept it.

Conservatives see a better way and refuse to believe their eyes.

We'll always get the banana because we are willing to learn, no matter the source.

Abre uma banana como um macaco @ Yahoo! Video

Critical Time for Single Payer - Please Call Congress.

House Vote on State Option TODAY
for Single-Payer Healthcare

Congress member Dennis Kucinich of Ohio will be introducing an important single-payer amendment today, Thursday - the House healthcare reform bill.

The Kucinich amendment which gives states the right to pass and implement state-based single payer plans and will ensure the federal rules waivers required to allow that innovation. It will benefit millions of Americans - from California to Pennsylvania to Illinois to New York and beyond.

While not stepping away from our shared fight for HR676 and national single-payer reform, this is a chance for nurses and patients to help Rep. Kucinich to press the single payer fight forward during this legislative session.

Please make your call immediately as a vote is expected to be held today.

We have built strong support in California for state single-payer reform, having passed it in the legislature twice, and in other states including Pennsylvania and Illinois so we can win going through the states.

Single payer remains the best way to provide healthcare for all - and the most effective way to improve quality of care and control costs.

Now is the time for us to contact Democratic members of the House Education and Labor Committee to support the Kucinich amendment. Please call now.

Call the Chair of the Committee, George Miller, at: (202) 225-3725

Calls are also needed to five of the key Democratic members of the Education and Labor Committee where Rep. Kucinich will offer his amendment, especially if you are a resident of their district or state.

Rep. Dale Kildee of Michigan: (202) 225-3611
Rep. Susan Davis of California: (202) 225-2040
Rep. David Wu of Oregon: (202) 225-0855
Rep. Carolyn McCarthy of New York: (202) 225-5516
Rep. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii: (202) 225-4906

Here's a sample of what to say:

"Hello, My name is __________, I urge the Representative to vote YES on Representative Dennis Kucinich's state-based single-payer amendment to the Education and Labor Committee's healthcare bill."

If you are a resident of their Congressional district, be sure to say that as well.

Together we can win. Thanks for joining in this action.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Healthcare Justice!

California Nurses Association
National Nurses Organizing Committee
2000 Franklin Street
Oakland, CA 94612

Dear Sen. Gillibrand (NY): Health care is everything this year.

Judge Sotomayor corrects herself.

Responding to tough questioning by Sen. John "Conned You" Cornyn, Judge Maria Sotomayor retracted her "wise Latina statement." An obviously contrite Sotomayor quietly said:

I mis-spoke. I apologize from the bottom of my heart. What I really meant to say was that I had hoped a wise Latina would make better decisions because of her life experiences than those sanctimonious, holier than thou, deceitful, narrow minded, intolerant, unbending, pompous, racially fixated southern conservative Republicans and their wannabee allies. All the rest of us are just go along get along regular people trying to deal the great myriad of life's trials and tribulations that challenge us each and every day without fail."

It's all in fun. As Ms Lindsey Graham said "I really do like you." ;-)
.

Urgent: Single Payer on the Table in Energy and Commerce on Thursday

This Thursday, Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) will introduce, in the Energy
and Commerce Committee, an amendment that abolishes private insurance and
creates a national single-payer system that would cover everyone. This
amendment would substitute Rep. John Conyers' (D-MI) single-payer bill, HR
676, for the current Tri-Committee Health Reform Bill.

If your representative is a member of the Energy & Commerce Committee,
please call and ask him or her to support Rep. Weiner’s single payer
amendment. Energy & Commerce Committee members can be found at:
http://energycommerce.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=160&Itemid=61

The Congressional Switchboard can be reached, toll free at 800-473-6711.

If your representative is not a member of the Committee, please call
Committee Chair Henry Waxman at 202-225-3976 and ask him to support
Weiner’s single payer amendment.


For further information, a list of union endorsers, or a sample
endorsement resolution, contact:

Kay Tillow
All Unions Committee For Single Payer Health Care--HR 676
c/o Nurses Professional Organization (NPO)
1169 Eastern Parkway, Suite 2218
Louisville, KY 40217
(502) 636 1551
Email: nursenpo@aol.com
http://unionsforsinglepayerHR676.org

When is a terrorist a terrorist

The argument was made by the Bush administration that they had to use waterboarding to find out if terrorists were planning an attack on the United States and then the President had the duty to stop that planned attack. Even if the terrorist mission wa snot doable, the potential terrorists had to be apprehended to prevent their considering other options.

Then this comes out from "unnamed ex-Cia officials" regarding former Vice-President Dick Cheney and secret CIA plans to kill al Qaida leaders that were never carried out.

Both sources said the program that Panetta discussed fell under a presidential finding that broadly authorized covert counterterrorism activities. They said Congress had been briefed on that finding in the fall of 2001, and there was no requirement to brief lawmakers on a program that had not been implemented.

Let's see potential terrorists plan an attack on the U.S. but never pull it off are bad and must be stopped.

U.S. Vice-President and C.I.A. plan illegal assassinations but never carry them out are good and need to be protected.

Am I missing something here? Is rule of law no longer desirable?

A very simple question...

Anyone ever wonder why the USA has the most restrictive and least competitive political system in the Western World?

Didn't think so.

Progressive Democrats of Genesee Valley is looking to promote single payer healthcare in Washington

If enough people from the Buffalo area wish to participate in this trip transportation arrangements will be made. Please read the statement and call. I'd love to go, but, after 15 months of unemployment I have returned to full time work TODAY. And it is due to the Obama stimulus package my job was made possible.

Celebrate Medicare’s 44th Birthday by showing Congress and President Obama the people, unions, doctors, nurses, seniors, faith groups, and Americans of every stripe support a single-payer system.

As President Obama says, “We must build on what works and leave out what doesn’t.” Medicare has
successfully provided care to seniors and people with disabilities for almost half a century. Medicare is a truly American-made system that other health care systems around the world have since been modeled after. With little over 3% administrative overhead, we must look to this American solution to our health care crisis.

The best way to save this system is to expand it and make it a truly single-payer system by removing the for-profit interests.

Polls consistently show that the public supports a Medicare for All system, and 59% of physicians support it. In the face of inadequate reform to our health care system, we want Congress to make sure our voice is heard.

The Leadership Conference for Guaranteed Health Care is launching a rally and lobby day on Thursday, July 30th in Washington DC with concurrent actions around the country to bring this message to Washington DC and the Congress.

A bus will be leaving from Rochester, NY at 12:30 a.m.
(midnight) on July 30th, and arriving in Washington, D.C. around 8:30 a.m.

Please meet at the Suburban Plaza Park & Ride, 2199 E. Henrietta Rd.,
Rochester, NY 14623 at 12:00 a.m. (midnight) on July 30th.

The bus will depart Washington D.C. at 7:00 p.m. on July 30th, and arrive
back in Rochester around 3:30 a.m. on July 31st.

Ticket Information: $50.00 each. Tickets are available on a sliding scale.
If you can't join us, please consider donating toward a ticket. Make checks
payable to Progressive Democrats of Genesee Valley Foundation, Inc., P.O.
Box 10115, Rochester, NY 14610. Contributions to Progressive Democrats of
Genesee Valley Foundation, Inc. are not deductible for federal income tax
purposes as charitable contributions, but they may be deductible as a
business expense.

For reservations or more information, contact: Robin Wilt - robin@pdagv.org
or 585-309-2638.

Submitted by Robin Witt - Progressive Democrats of America, Genesee Valley

Labor Delegation Persuades John Murtha To Co-Sponsor HR 676

Johnstown, Pennsylvania. After meeting with western Pennsylvania labor leaders on June 29, Representative John Murtha agreed to sign on as a co-sponsor of HR 676, national single payer health care legislation introduced by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI). Eighty-five House members, in addition to Conyers, now have their names on HR 676.

Murtha, who has represented Pennsylvania's 12th CD since 1974, is the eighth most senior member of the House of Representatives, and chairs the Defense subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee.

Those who met with Murtha came from the Greater Westmoreland County Labor Council in Greensburg and the Johnstown Regional Central Labor Council. The group included Ed Grystar, Harriet Ellenberger and Rosemary Trump, all Executive Board members of the Westmoreland Council, and Terry Havener of the Johnstown Council. Also in the delegation was Father Bernard Survil, a Catholic priest active in labor affairs.

Ed Grystar said, after learning that Murtha has signed on as a co-sponsor, “The fact that Murtha, from a relatively conservative middle of the road district, signed on as a co-sponsor signifies that the grass roots movement for single payer is growing and opportunities exist to get others from similar districts to sign on.”

In addition to Murtha, Congressman Anthony Weiner (D-NY) also signed on to HR 676 on July 9. Weiner is a member of the Energy & Commerce Committee which is one of three committees writing the House bill.

For further information, a list of union endorsers, or a sample endorsement resolution, contact:

Kay Tillow
All Unions Committee For Single Payer Health Care--HR 676
c/o Nurses Professional Organization (NPO)
1169 Eastern Parkway, Suite 2218
Louisville, KY 40217
(502) 636 1551
Email: nursenpo@aol.com
http://unionsforsinglepayerHR676.org

This speaks badly of the National Premier Soccer League

Too bad the City - Charm City match is off due to Charm City's demise. The cancellation of the NPSL matchup between Buffalo City FC and Charm City FC during the height of a playoff race speaks rather poorly of the intention and goals surrounding NPSL existence. The NPSL is not much of a league if it lets a team fold withonly 1 or 2 games remaining in the season.

I don't know what is out their in terms of possibilities for BCFC. The product on the field is good, coaching is solid, field location could be improved, and cracking the dilemma of youth soccer players not attending higher level play is entirely possible.

What would be nice would be to get into a league that included: St. Catherine's, Hamilton, Kitchener, London, Windsor, Detroit, Toledo, Cleveland, Erie and Buffalo. Have a Canadian Division (teams meet 2x), A U.S. Division (teams meet 2x), inter-division play (teams meet 1x), a league championship, and then participate in a North American Development League Championship. The farthest travel distance would be roughly the 260 miles from one end of Lake Erie to the other.

Socialist government of Georgia makes deal for Kia plant.

Only in a Socialist state like George would you see a sign go up thanking Jesus for bringing a Korean auto manufacturer to West Point, Ga when in fact the Socialist Governments of Georgia and West Point put together the 2,200 acre industrial park and $400 million package of public tax breaks to make the deal.

Government involvement in business is only bad when someone else does it.

Government giving away taxpayer money and buying land for a project you want is righteous.

Michigan = Bad

Georgia = Good

Can I have an "Amen?"

USW President Supports Single Payer Healthcare

“I think we should fight for single-payer health care, fight for a principled position.” That was the statement made today by Leo Gerard, International President of the United Steelworkers (USW), in an exclusive interview with The Real News Network. Gerard made the statement in the context of discussing the healthcare reform effort currently underway in Washington.

Born and raised in Canada, where his adult children still live, Gerard is in a unique position to comment on the healthcare struggle now going on in the U.S. The interview was conducted in Gerard’s office at USW headquarters in Pittsburgh.

The interview can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w59jJtaMwUk

For further information, a list of union endorsers, or a sample endorsement resolution, contact:

Kay Tillow
All Unions Committee For Single Payer Health Care--HR 676
c/o Nurses Professional Organization (NPO)
1169 Eastern Parkway, Suite 2218
Louisville, KY 40217
(502) 636 1551
Email: nursenpo@aol.com
http://unionsforsinglepayerHR676.org