The dedication and selflessness of Democrats when it comes to health care reform is, um, stunning. Robert Reich (a nice guy) is more temperate about it than some of us.
... A few weeks ago I casually mentioned in a web conversation on Politico's
web page that if supporters of universal health care and a "public
option" felt their voices were not being heard in our nation's capital
they should march on Washington. A few moments later, when someone
wrote in asking when, I glanced at a calendar and in a
burst of unreflective enthusiasm offered September 13. I didn't check
with anyone, didn't strategize with progressive groups that have been
working on health care for years, barely checked in with myself.
I was deluged with emails. Many people said they were planning to march. Someone put up a web page, another a Facebook page, a member of Congress announced his support. But most people said they couldn't manage September 13. It was too soon. It conflicted with other events. It followed too closely behind a right-wing march against health care reform already scheduled for September 12. It was a day AFL leaders were out of town, so couldn't lend their support. Many who emailed me wanted another day -- September 20, or the 27th, or early October. Others said they'd rather march on their state capital, in order that local media cover it. When I finally checked in with the heads of several progressive groups and unions in Washington -- all with big mailing lists and the resources to organize a big march -- they said they were already planning a march, for October. But they still haven't given me a date. (I will pass it on as soon as I hear.)
August is coming to a close, and congressional recess is about over. History is not destiny, and Democrats and progressives can yet enact meaningful health care reform -- with a public option. But to do so, we'll need to be far more disciplined about it. All of us, from Obama on down. ... Robert Reich, at Talking Points Memo
I was deluged with emails. Many people said they were planning to march. Someone put up a web page, another a Facebook page, a member of Congress announced his support. But most people said they couldn't manage September 13. It was too soon. It conflicted with other events. It followed too closely behind a right-wing march against health care reform already scheduled for September 12. It was a day AFL leaders were out of town, so couldn't lend their support. Many who emailed me wanted another day -- September 20, or the 27th, or early October. Others said they'd rather march on their state capital, in order that local media cover it. When I finally checked in with the heads of several progressive groups and unions in Washington -- all with big mailing lists and the resources to organize a big march -- they said they were already planning a march, for October. But they still haven't given me a date. (I will pass it on as soon as I hear.)
August is coming to a close, and congressional recess is about over. History is not destiny, and Democrats and progressives can yet enact meaningful health care reform -- with a public option. But to do so, we'll need to be far more disciplined about it. All of us, from Obama on down. ... Robert Reich, at Talking Points Memo
Come to think of it, an old friend reminded us in his inauguration speech he wasn't promising us a freebie -- much less the burden of citizenship on an occasional day and time chosen because it's most convenient for us.
What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility -- a
recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to
ourselves, our nation and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly
accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is
nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character than
giving our all to a difficult task. This is the price and the promise of citizenship.
