July 7, 2008
* America is losing jobs. The private sector has lost more than 400,000 jobs in the last six months. Over the past seven years, 3.4 million manufacturing jobs--one out of every five--has been shipped overseas. Today, a smaller percentage of Americans have jobs than at the beginning of the Bush administration.
* Basic costs are skyrocketing. The price of gasoline has increased by more than $2.50 per gallon since George W. Bush took office and the average household will spend $2300 more on gas this year than in 2001. The cost of health insurance has nearly doubled during the Bush Administration. Tuition and fees at public four-year colleges are up 46 percent since 2001. And now food prices have begun to rise.
* American incomes are stagnant. Adjusting for inflation, American workers haven't made any salary gains since Bush took office. In fact, real median household income dropped nearly $1000 from 2000 to 2006. The number of Americans in poverty increased from 31.5 to 36.5 million from 2000 to 2006. Now, one out of every eight Americans is considered poor.
* We're mired in debt. Sixteen percent of mortgaged homes are now "underwater"; that is, the mortgage owed equals or exceeds the value of the house. It is estimated that by June 2009, nearly one in four homes will be underwater. At least two-thirds of college students graduate with some debt and the average debt among graduates exceeds $19,000. More than 850,000 families filed for bankruptcy last year, a 38 percent increase over 2006.
Progressive solutions:
For heaven's sake, let's stop squandering $340 million dollars per day on the war in Iraq; let's put that money to work here in the U.S. instead. For example, to soften the blow of the current recession, state and local governments need federal aid so they can continue providing critical community services. To restore America's economy, we need to invest in ourselves. That means fixing our nation's bridges and roads, expanding mass transit and broadband access, becoming energy independent, developing new "green" technologies, and ensuring that every child receives a high-quality education. To redirect spending to where it's needed, we need to eliminate tax breaks for wealthy corporations, especially those that reward companies for sending jobs overseas.
Dennis Spisak-Independent Green Party Candidate for State Representative-60th District
Campaign Site: Http://votespisak.tripod.com
Visit our links to Progressive Job Programs and Healthcare for All Ohioans Act
Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) in coordination with Labor Against the War hold Independence Day observance in Philadelphia to mark the First American Revolution.
Bobby Hanafin
Major, U.S. Air Force-Retired (69-94) Read More »
Recently I met Steve Chaffin, an organizer for "Working Families Win". WFN strives to assist America's workers by changing government policy.
Steve is developing grassroots connections for new trade rules, improved healthcare, workers rights and increasing the minimum wage. As inflation continues; particularly in energy, organizations like WFN can become opportunities for rural communities to work together for a better future.
For more information: http://www.wfwin.org/index.php
Elected officials, religious leaders, human rights groups, students and labor groups call on Governor Strickland to end tax dollar support for sweatshops
The State of Ohio is inadvertently using taxpayer money to purchase goods from companies engaged in serious human rights and labor violations, according to a first-of-its-kind report released today by the SweatFree Ohio campaign and SweatFree Communities. The study, Subsidizing Sweatshops: How Our Tax Dollars Fund the Race to the Bottom, and What Cities and States Can Do, includes in-depth case studies of 12 factories in nine countries that produce public employee uniforms for nine major uniform brands. At least two companies named in the report have current contracts with the state of Ohio, and four of the companies are headquartered in the state.
To address this problem, a coalition of human rights and religious organizations, elected officials, businesses, labor unions, and student groups today launched the SweatFree Ohio campaign, calling on Governor Strickland to join the Sweatfree Consortium to end tax dollar support for sweatshops. The Sweatfree Consortium will help states, cities, counties, local government agencies, and school districts enforce their commitments to end public purchasing from sweatshops by investigating factories and creating a market for change. The SweatFree Ohio campaign has met with Governor's staff and Department of Administrative Services staff to discuss the initiative and looks forward to positive results.
"When the state of Ohio does business, Ohioans need to be assured our policies set the standards in worker protections," said Tim Burga, chief of staff for the Ohio AFL-CIO. "No taxpayer dollars should go to companies that don't play by the rules."
The state of Ohio currently has a contract with Lion Apparel, a Dayton-based company that sources products from the Alamode factory in Honduras that requires all women workers to undergo a pregnancy test every March. "If any worker's results are positive, they fire her, no matter how many years she's been working," said one worker at that factory.
Rev. Mark W. Diemer, Pastor of Grace of God Lutheran Church and Co-Presider for We Believe Ohio described his church's experience supporting garment workers in Haiti: "Many of these companies choose to employ subcontractors who do not pay as well and do not provide safe or healthy working conditions. We have the moral obligation to insure sustainable development that does not exploit workers."
Read More »But what about working in an enviroment that will allow you be able to build your self esteem, make the monies needed just to survive. How many ex- prisoners go back to jail because it is a free meal and shelter? because we won't give them a second chance. I just need the resources to help. I'm not by any means nieve in his situation either, but there are some people who've made some bad choices and got caught, and there are some who also made bad choices and just have not got caught. I want to set up an agency just for ex felons.... any help will be greatly appreciated.
Tony Fiore at the Ohio Chamber of Commerce takes a shot at paid sick days saying: "Ohio's small businesses will be hardest hit." Surely the Chamber of Commerce read the proposal and knows that all businesses with under 25 employees (read: small businesses) are completely exempt from the law.
The only good explanations I can come up with are:
A) Granting Ohioans a right even Ethiopia and Zambia have, will immediately cause big business to shutter. Small business won't flourish, but close the next day. By week's end, Morgantown, WV will eclipse Chicago in size. Ohio will revert to a hunter-gatherer society. In all this, small businesses will be hardest hit.
B) It's easier to stand up for the little guy than CEOs who strain families and risk public health to save a dime*, so it's 'ok' to lie.
If the Chamber gets their way, 2.2 million working Ohioans better dust off their wands because they're on their own.
*P.S. According to Harvard Business School and numerous other studies, paid sick days improve a company's bottom line.
UFCW Caregivers at Liberty Liberty Hillside Acres Nursing Home in Willard, Ohio are on strike, and they need your help.
Caregivers at the Liberty Liberty Hillside Acres Nursing Home are now on strike as a result of the unfair and insulting proposal from owner Linda Black-Kurek, President of LBK Health Care Inc.
The caregivers are asking for a fair contract with a living wage and affordable health care.
Voice your support for the caregivers by sending a message to Linda Black-Kurek
These caregivers would rather be providing care to the residents than walking a picket line. But they also have families and need to pay rent, put gas in their cars to get to work, and they need affordable health care.
Can the UFCW Caregivers count on help from Progress Ohio members like you?
You can help the caregivers by contacting Linda Black-Kurek and let her know you are outraged that such a successful home is unwilling to share its success with its employees. Let her know that paying these employees a fair wage and affordable health care is a necessary cost of doing business, especially with the quality of care these workers provide.
Click here to send a message to Linda Black-Kurek
Thanks for your support!
UFCW and ProgressOhio
June 20, 2008
With gas prices climbing every day, there's no shortage of people here and in Washington talking about renewable sources of energy.
Right now, Members of Congress are about to decide whether to fund job-training programs that would prepare American workers to build and maintain clean, new sources of energy for our country.
We need Congress to support full funding for two vital initiatives -- the Green Jobs Act and the Green Block Grant Program:
Together, these programs would invest over $1.1 billion to provide critical training for green-collar jobs, help lift people out of poverty, and build cleaner, more sustainable communities around the country.
Today marks the beginning of a critical time in the house and senate as appropriations sub-committees decide the fate of two key green-collar jobs programs. We chalked up a major victory last fall when the Green Jobs Act and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program were approved as part of the energy bill. However, that achievement will mean very little if the programs do not receive funding in the 2009 Appropriations Bill.
Last year, with your support, the community program Green For All helped ensure that the 2007 Energy Bill included two critical provisions: the Green Jobs Act and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program. Once they are fully funded, these two provisions will dramatically boost the prospects for green-collar job development in the United States.
The Energy Bill authorized funding levels for both of these provisions. Now Congress needs to appropriate the money for them. As soon as two weeks from now, Appropriations committees in Congress will vote whether or not to fund these two vital programs.
A fully funded Green Jobs Act will distribute $125 million per year to identify needed skills, develop training programs, and train workers for jobs in a range of green industries. That's enough money to train 30,000 people in green trades - every year. It targets a broad range of populations for eligibility, but it has a special focus on creating "green pathways out of poverty." In other words, this Act can connect the people who MOST need work - to the work that MOST needs to get done.
A fully funded Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program will distribute $2 billion per year to cities and local governments for energy conservation, energy audits, fuel conservation programs, and the use of renewable energy. These "Green" block grants could create tens of thousands of green-collar jobs - accessible to low-income city residents who most need opportunities and careers.
We must work hard to make sure that Congress understands the importance of funding these green-collar jobs programs. The budget submitted to Congress by the Bush Administration eliminates and under-funds a broad range of worthy programs. Therefore, Congress must wrestle with many competing priorities as its members attempt to make up for this shortfall and pass an Appropriations Bill for 2009.
The Green Jobs Act and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program are essential investments in green-collar job creation and job training. These programs will be fundamental to building an inclusive green economy strong enough to lift people out of poverty.
As the Independent Green Party Candidate for State Representative for the 60th district, I support this bill and I ask that you write to your member of Congress to see that this bill is passed to help bring renewable energy jobs and programs to the poor, working, and middle class of Ohio and America.
Dennis Spisak- Campaign Site: Http://votespisak.tripod.com
Please check our links page for renewable energy programs.
"More than a third of a million Ohioans are out of work, and they need a lifeline to keep their heads above water," said Congresswoman Kaptur after the House overwhelmingly passed the Emergency Extended Unemployment Compensation Act. The legislation, which would immediately provide up to 13 weeks of extended unemployment benefits, was approved by a vote of 274-137.
Congresswoman Kaptur urged House Republicans to join Democrats in standing up for American workers by overriding an expected presidential veto. Noting today's Wall Street Journal poll that shows 21 percent of the public approves of President Bush's handling of the economy, Congresswoman Kaptur said families hit by unemployment should not be made to suffer as a result of the president's failed policies.
"The American people might have lost faith in the president," said Kaptur, "but we cannot lose faith in the American people."
Six Ohio Republicans--a majority of the Ohio congressional delegation--voted in favor of the extended benefits.
Across the country, families are struggling with a weak economy, including the largest monthly increase in unemployment in the past 20 years, as well as $4-a-gallon gasoline. The Federal Reserve's Beige Book, a survey of national economic conditions, reported yesterday that U.S. consumer spending has suffered due to higher costs for food and energy.
The legislation approved in the House today would benefit 3.8 million jobless Americans by providing up to 13 weeks of extended benefits to workers who have exhausted the 26 weeks of regular unemployment compensation.
The most recent unemployment rates are as follows: Ottawa County, 7.6%; Lucas County, 6.5% (including 7.1% in Toledo); 6.3% in Erie County; 6.2% in Lorain County; and, 5.6% in the state of Ohio.
On the Anniversary of Equal Pay Act
June 10th, 2008 by Speaker Pelosi
Exactly 45 years ago today, President John F. Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act, recognizing that the right to equal pay for equal work is a fundamental value.
The Equal Pay Act was a first step in addressing the disparity between what women and men earn, but it must not be the last. Women still earn 77 cents for every dollar men make, and the Supreme Court recently ruled to deny a woman redress after the fact in a case of pay discrimination, contrary to the intent of Congress.
As families grapple with the difficulties of gas prices, food prices, and the credit crisis, equal pay for equal work is an economic issue for millions. When a woman is not paid fairly, her entire family suffers. And when a woman is not paid fairly, it does not afford women the respect and equality that they deserve in a country that promises to strive for equal opportunity.
That is why Democrats in Congress are working to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act, to strengthen the Equal Pay Act to provide more effective remedies to women who are not being paid equal wages for doing equal work. On the anniversary of this crucial legislation becoming law, let us commit to finishing the efforts begun 45 years ago.
The UAW International Executive Board has unanimously voted to endorse Sen. Barack Obama for president, the union announced today."After a historic primary campaign which activated and mobilized millions of voters, our union is proud to endorse Sen. Barack Obama," said UAW President Ron Gettelfinger. "He has inspired our country with a positive vision for a better America -- and with concrete plans to turn that vision into reality.
"From the streets of Chicago to the state legislature in Springfield, Ill., to the halls of the U.S. Senate, Barack Obama has been a voice for dignity and justice for working people. He has a strong program for a safe and secure America, which will protect our citizens and help our country prosper in a new century.
"On every issue that counts, we can count on Barack Obama to stand with our members, our families and our communities. He has pledged to rebuild America's manufacturing base and to assist the auto industry as we re-tool toward a cleaner, more modern transportation system. "Sen. Obama supports free choice in the workplace; he will fight to deliver quality, affordable health care to every American; and he understands the need to change our trade policies so that U.S. workers and U.S. companies can compete fairly in the global economy.
"As president, Barack Obama will unite our country -- and the active and retired members of the United Auto Workers will be proud to work with him to change our country for the better."
The UAW, one of America's largest and most diverse labor unions represents more than 1 million active and retired workers in automobile manufacturing, aerospace, construction equipment, health care, higher education, public service, gaming and other industries.
On Saturday, June 7, Working America, the AFL-CIO, and community allies like Sierra Club, Planned Parenthood, and ACORN rallied in Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati. The rallies concluded the weeklong "We Are Working America" event, which celebrated Working America's great success with a supercharged week of canvassing and recruitment.
Working America, the community affiliate of the AFL-CIO, will represent 2.5 million Americans (800,000 in Ohio) by Labor Day this year. It's the fastest-growing organization that's looking out for working families' issues.
The events this Saturday particularly drew attention to the need to work together on national and community levels to reform and improve our health care system. Working America members spoke at the rallies about their own personal struggles with getting (or not getting) adequate care.
For instance, in Cleveland, Mike McMann spoke about the difficulties of staying afloat while providing care for his child with special needs. The Cleveland event was covered by WTAM Radio.
You can read about the Cincinnati event here, and video of the Columbus rally is below:
Working America was created in 2003 to give workers who don't have a union on the job the opportunity to engage on economic issues. Since then it has grown to more than 2 million members in every state and and U.S. Territory. In Ohio, Working America expects to reach 800,000 members by Labor Day.
CLEVELAND
WHO: Rep. Dennis Kucinich, Members of Working America
WHAT: Cleveland Canvass and Rally on Health Care, Jobs and the Economy
WHEN: Saturday, June 7th: Kick-off at 2 PM, Door-to-Door Canvass at 3 PM
WHERE: Laborers Hall -- 3250 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115
COLUMBUS
WHO: Franklin County Commissioner Mary Jo Kilroy, Members of Working America
WHAT: Columbus Canvass and Rally on Health Care, Jobs and the Economy
WHEN: Saturday, June 7th: Kick-off at 10 AM, Door-to-Door Canvass at 11 AM
WHERE: Carpenters' Hall 1545 Alum Creek Drive, Columbus, OH 43209
CINCINNATI
WHO: State Treasurer Richard Cordray, State Representative Steve Driehaus, Members of Working America
WHAT: Cincinnati Canvass and Rally on Health Care, Jobs and the Economy
WHEN: Saturday, June 7th: Kick-off at 10 AM, Door-to-Door Canvass at 11 AM
WHERE: IBEW Hall Western Cincinnati, 5179 Fishwick Dr, Cincinnati, OH 45216
"Nearly 2.6 million people live in rural Ohio and are affected by a variety of unique issues, such as energy costs, agricultural concerns, access to health care, and challenges in infrastructure development ... the drop-out rate for high school seniors is higher; residents are less likely to receive higher education; the poverty levels are higher; and they rely more on Social Security income."
Speakers emphasized the necessity of collaboration, sharing resources, keeping solidarity, and focusing on the issues as we move through this year to elect the right people and then hold them accountable to their constituents. Lloyd Mahaffey, UAW Director for Region 2B, said,
"I applaud this effort to coordinate our energies in the right direction ... We're probably going to agree on what the issues are because we all have those things in common, but we may not always agree on the solutions. But if we don't, so what? We'll come back tomorrow or the next day and work on something else that's going to benefit working people in the state of Ohio."
You can watch highlights of Mr. Mahaffey's and others' remarks below:
Cross-posted from http://labor2008.typepad.com/oh>
Tim Kettler, Green Party candidate for the 20th District Ohio Senate seat has been certified to appear on the November ballot by the
Muskingum County Board of Election. By completing the petition requiring 1230 valid signatures of registered voters he will appear
on the ballot with the designation "other party".
Among the issues that Kettler will campaign for are universal health care and the Health Care for All Ohioans Act, development of renewable energy resources by granting energy tax credits to
taxpayers and legislating changes to Ohio election law to provide verifiable paper trails on all electronic voting machines. Tim will
also work for immediate compliance with the Ohio Supreme Court's decision demanding equal opportunity for all Ohio students. He describes himself and the Green Party as advocates for workers' rights and collective bargaining and says that "We must organize
grassroots opposition to NAFTA and similar trade agreements."
Another issue that Kettler feels is of great concern is the ongoing occupation of Iraq stating, "It is clear that the newly elected Congress has failed to do the job they were elected to do and ultimately the responsibility will fall to individual states. I
support the efforts of states such as Vermont that are working on legislation to recall their National Guard as the mission no longer
exists."
Tim Kettler 58, of Warsaw in Coshocton County, is a self-employed small businessman and with his wife Roberta has operated Action Septic Service for the past 22 years. They have one son, Malcolm. "Building environmental awareness is not only my business
but is one of our greatest challenges. We have an opportunity now to create jobs by re-establishing our priorities and developing renewable energy resources to provide a secure future for our children", he said.
As a third party candidate Kettler was required to gather 25 times more signatures than the major party candidates to appear on the ballot and he noted; "The rules governing third party and independent candidates are written by the two major parties and are intentionally burdensome. With 40% of Ohio voters describing themselves as Independent we are obviously long past due to break the Republican and Democrat stranglehold on Ohio politics."
For more information go to Kettler's website
http://www.votekettler.com
May 20, 2008
Would the city of Youngstown like to be handed a check for 8 BILLION DOLLARS?
Spanish power company Iberdrola, the world's largest renewable energy operator, said Sunday it plans to invest eight billion dollars (5.1 billion euros) in the United States between 2008 and 2010.
The Bilbao-based firm is aiming to have a 15 percent share of the wind power market in the US by 2010, it added in a statement.
It had a wind power production capacity of 2,400 megawatts in the US at the end of March and it expects to reach 3,600 megawatts by the end of the year, the statement added.
Iberdrola chairman Ignacio Sanchez Galan has said he considers the US as the company's most exciting growth market.
The US, which uses roughly one-quarter of the world's crude oil, is seen as a promising market for renewable energy sources as concerns over climate change and the rising price of oil boost demand for alternatives to fossil fuels.
As the Independent Green Party Candidate, I would work to bring such renewable energy companies into the 60th district to bring investment, blue-collar jobs, high-tech jobs, and people back to the Mahoning Valley.
One only has to pull up to a gas station these days to see the that the US is a very gold mine for renewable energy manufacturing jobs and companies. It's time we had a state representative who has the drive, desire, and motivation to bring such jobs to our poor, working, and middle class.
These jobs are coming to America. Why Not Youngstown? And if not know, when?
Dennis Spisak-Independent Green Party Candidate for State Representative-60th District
Campaign web-site: Http://votespisak.tripod.com
Check out our links to renewable energy and progressive jobs programs
The report says "critics charge that Alabama, in effect, is paying law enforcement to skimp on food and might be rewarding sheriffs for mistreating prisoners. "It's a bad system, and it ought not be that way," said Buddy Sharpless, executive director of the Association of County Commissions of Alabama.
I don't understand the negative reaction to the fact that Alabama's county sheriffs are allowed to profit by, in my opinion participating in what amounts to legal graft, by scrimping on food for prisoners. (Alabama jails bank on cheap meals - Law allows sheriffs to pocket leftover food allowance, Dispatch May 17, 2008)
What's the big deal? Isn't this exactly what private prisons do? While condemning the practice by county sheriffs, I'm sure Mr. Sharpless would listen attentively to executives from Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) making their pitch to privatize public jails and prisons.
CCA claims to save states and counties money by negotiating a per-head fee for housing and feeding prisoners. They profit by pocketing the difference between what they spend and what they charge the taxpayers. Contracting-out public services had been a gold mine for ARAMARK, too. In addition to prisons, ARAMARK also turns a tidy profit feeding children attending public schools.
I agree with Mr. Sharpless opinion, "It's a bad system, and it ought not be that way." As a taxpayer I want to know my dollars are going to provide public services, not lining the pockets of CCA and ARAMARK.
-30-
National Anti War Conference in Cleveland June 28, 29
Speakers * Workshops * Proposals for United Action Over 450 endorsers including Progressive Democrats of America, US Labor Against the War, Cindy Sheehan, Howard Zinn, Scott Ritter, David Swanson, Ramsey Clark, Bill Moyer and the Backbone Campaign
Greetings Ohio Activists,
We write encouraging you to come to Cleveland June 28-29 to unite the anti-war movement. In fact, we need you to come and participate and vote, giving your voice to the direction of the movement at the National Assembly to End the Iraq War and Occupation. Ohio PDA State Leadership has been fortunate to participate on the Coordinating Committee for the National Assembly with activists from coast to coast over the last half-dozen months. You will have the opportunity to hear great speakers, meet activists from around the country, and choose to be a part of the over 12 workshops dealing with numerous issues related to the occupation.(List of workshops at bottom of this page: http://natassembly.org/evtreg/)
Scheduled speakers for the conference include Jonathan Hutto, Navy Petty Officer, author of Anti-War Soldier and co-founder of Appeal for Redress; Donna Dewitt, President, South Carolina AFL-CIO; Cindy Sheehan (by satellite); Leslie Cagan, UFPJ National Coordinator; Fred Mason, President of the Maryland AFL-CIO and a National Co-Convenor of U.S. Labor Against the War; Brian Becker, A.N.S.W.E.R. National Coordinator; and Jeremy Scahill, author of Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army, and more.
At the conference, we of PDA will push for an electoral component to any Mass Mobilizations since we believe all efforts should be comprehensive. This conference will be democratic. All present vote, thus we need you to commit to being there. It isn’t often that Ohio is centerstage for the national event of this scope. Don’t miss this once in a lifetime opportunity. See the following links to find out more about this Assembly: www.natassembly.org
Act quickly if you plan on getting a hotel room for the night of the June 28th since cheaper groups rates are available until May 27th. As many as four can share a room, so bring friends and lessen the cost. When booking mention the group rate: Hotel information can be found at: www.clevelandhotels.crowneplaza.com
This Assembly will prove to be a major event in the effort to end the occupation. Will you be a part of it? We hope the answer is yes. Again, for information about the National Assembly go to: www.natassembly.org
To register: www.natassembly.org/evtreg/ Please do not hesitate to call or email us if you have any questions whatsoever.
In Peace and Solidarity,
Mike Carano, PDA State Coordinator, Ohio michael_carano@hotmail.com, 330-715-2066
Mary Nichols-Rhodes, PDA Ohio CD Organizer Mac40oh@gmail.com, 330-928-5347
NY Media Covers Single-Payer Rally; PA Media Ignores Single-Payer Legislative and Political Gains
By Chuck Pennacchio, Ph.D.
May 15, 2008, Harrisburg, PA
Did you hear? On Monday, May 12th, 2008, fewer than fifty paces from the Capitol Media Center, in Harrisburg's Capitol Rotunda, more than two hundred citizen lobbyists--members of the Pennsylvania chapter of the American Medical Student Association (our future physicians, IF we pass Single-Payer), the League of Women Voters, the Council of Churches, the Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals, Healthcare for All Pennsylvania, organized labor, and the business community--held a news conference and rally in support of Single-Payer universal healthcare's House Bill 1660 and Senate BIll 300.
Like a tree falling in a distant forest, with no mainstream media (MSM) present to record the event, you probably hadn't heard.
If you depend on the Pennsylvania Capitol Media Corps to inform you of such significant advances in our Commonwealth's democracy, you may be forgiven for not knowing. Again. But please don't repeat the mistake. Again.
This isn't the first time Pennsylvania's MSM has ignored the compelling economic ($10B+ in savings), moral (millions of lives saved and improved), and democratic (65% in poll after poll) arguments of its diverse citizen voices in support of the Single-Payer Solution. The MSM must be forgiven; they don't deal well with rationality -- you know, argument, evidence, and analysis.
Pennsylvania's finest reporters--those who cover state politics--also skipped the formal introduction of the citizen-crafted "Family and Business Healthcare Security Act" (twice, in 2005 and 2007); ducked a public hearing before the Democratic House Policy Committee (February 2007); avoided the first-ever single-payer hearing in front of a standing committee, the House Health and Human Services Committee, on March 19, 2008; and drop-kicked the public endorsements of the 900,000-member AFL-CIO, the 35-chapter League of Women Voters, the 20-denomination Council of Churches, numerous business leaders, and many, many more.
Fortunate for our democracy, news editors and editorial board members across the state assure us that their non-coverage is "not systematic." Whew! Had us worried there.
Just to prove that missing historic healthcare legislative milestones has nothing to do with institutional biases, advertising revenues from 'you-know-who,' lack of professionalism, laziness, cynicism, fatalism, and/or fear, we hear--time and again--that information gathering papers, TV networks, and radio stations are simply "short-staffed." "We can't be everywhere," reporters and editors repeatedly cry.
We shouldn't be so harsh on the MSM failing to note our broad-based coalition's critical events related to a paultry ninety-eight percent (98%) of Pennsylvanians directly threatened with personal bankruptcy should they/we endure a debilitating illness, accident, or other catastrophic medical condition. Poor media... Or is it rich media, poor democracy?
So there you have it, folks.
As I've written repeatedly over the last few months, the Single-Payer Solution that tackles the economics, morality, and democracy of healthcare delivery through common wealth, common sense, and common purpose, will pass the State House and State Senate, and be signed into law by Governor Rendell in 2009. But you won't hear about it or see it in the so-called Fourth Estate. No, you'll find out about it through e-mail, blogs, paper pamphlets, and word-of-mouth...
We are democracy--you and me.
Civilized Healthcare is ours to win, person by person, legislator by legislator. 2008 is the year to educate and organize, research and lobby, campaign and elect Single-Payer candidates. 2009 is the year Pennsylvania delivers a 1776-like earthquake: passing and enacting the Single-Payer Solution (HB 1660/SB 300)--the state-level model for saving the United States economy, American lives, and American-style democracy.
Mark my words. Mark this message. Share it with your fellow citizens. Crank up your efforts. Educate and organize, research and lobby, campaign and elect. Single-Payer. Civilized Healthcare.
Chuck Pennacchio is the executive director of Health Care for All Pennsylvania. Visit the website: www.healthcare4allpa.org
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