Archive for August, 2009:
Afternoon News
From Arizona Central:
A bus sporting the familiar red, white and blue logo of President Barack Obama's campaign debuted in central Phoenix on Wednesday evening on the vanguard of a Democratic counteroffensive in support of health-care reform.
Hundreds of supporters rallied at one of the earliest stops on the Democratic National Committee's "Health Insurance Reform Now: Let's Get it Done!" bus tour that is part of a campaign that the Democrats promise will include more than a thousand pro-reform events across the country before Congress returns to session in September.
Pat Flickner, a Phoenix Democrat, said she was willing to demonstrate on a hot August night because her daughter, a dog groomer, "works her tail off" but still can't afford health insurance.
From the Huffington Post:
It was 2008 all over again Wednesday night as Organizing for America (OFA), formerly Obama for America, launched their cross-country "Reform Health Care Now: Let's Get It Done Tour" from Arizona, a state that has becoming a focus of the Democratic Party.
The event had all of the trappings of a political campaign rally. Songs from Obama's 2008 presidential campaign blared from a PA system as more than a thousand Obama supporters filed in. Dozens of volunteers roved the crowd signing up new volunteers to phone bank, knock on doors, and do visibility in the street. The Obama logo and health care reform slogans were everywhere -- on the bus, on rally signs, on tee shirts, even on a dog sweater...
The opening speaker told her own personal health care story. She was injured the same day as a professional athlete. She followed his progress in the news over the next couple of months as he received treatment, had surgery, and recovered. Although she had the same injury, she says she was forced to go without treatment for a few months because her health insurance company denied her claim. Just as paralysis was beginning to set in, a relative who works for a law firm that practices medical malpractice intervened, and she was able to have the surgery and treatment she needed.
Several local public officials also spoke, and the National Director of OFA, Mitch Stewart also addressed the crowd. Democratic Arizona Representative Kyrsten Sinema, who is a member of Obama's Special Task Force on Health Reform, told the crowd that most Americans want health reform but that many have been frightened by misinformation circulating around the issue.
"We need your voice!" Sinema told the crowd, "The people with the misinformation and the lies are the ones in front of the microphone, and they're making people afraid of what they want, what we all need."
From the Washington Post:
The federal government's month-long "Cash for Clunkers" program ended after having spent almost the entire $3 billion allotted and putting 690,114 new, more fuel-efficient cars on the road, the Transportation Department said Wednesday...
One auto analyst called the program a success, if only because his research showed that it was responsible for saving 39,000 jobs that otherwise would have been eliminated.
"It's really more substantial than we had thought in terms of stimulus," said David Cole, chairman of the Center for Automotive Research. "This is companies putting people back to work."
General Motors announced last week that it will reinstate 1,350 workers and add overtime for about 10,000 at three plants, as the automaker replenishes inventory sold during the government program...
"Moribund showrooms were brought back to life and consumers bought fuel-efficient cars that will save them money and improve the environment," Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in a statement Wednesday.
Remembering Senator Ted Kennedy
"For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dream shall never die." -- Senator Ted Kennedy, 1932-2009
Late last night, Senator Ted Kennedy passed away at his home in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, after a lengthy battle with cancer. In a statement earlier today, President Obama called Senator Kennedy one of the greatest senators of our time, saying:
"His ideas and ideals are stamped on scores of laws and reflected in millions of lives -- in seniors who know new dignity, in families that know new opportunity, in children who know education's promise, and in all who can pursue their dream in an America that is more equal and more just."
In August of last year, the Democratic National Convention paid tribute to Senator Kennedy with a special retrospective look at his life and his accomplishments. You can watch the video of some of the highlights below:
You can visit TedKennedy.org to learn more. And you can use the comments below to share your thoughts on Senator Kennedy, his life, his work, and the dream he fought so tirelessly for.
President Obama Speaks on the Passing of Senator Ted Kennedy
President Obama spoke this morning from Martha's Vineyard on the passing of Senator Ted Kennedy:
I wanted to say a few words this morning about the passing of an extraordinary leader, Senator Edward Kennedy.
Over the past several years, I've had the honor to call Teddy a colleague, a counselor, and a friend. And even though we have known this day was coming for some time now, we awaited it with no small amount of dread.
Since Teddy's diagnosis last year, we've seen the courage with which he battled his illness. And while these months have no doubt been difficult for him, they've also let him hear from people in every corner of our nation and from around the world just how much he meant to all of us. His fight has given us the opportunity we were denied when his brothers John and Robert were taken from us: the blessing of time to say thank you -- and goodbye.
The outpouring of love, gratitude, and fond memories to which we've all borne witness is a testament to the way this singular figure in American history touched so many lives. His ideas and ideals are stamped on scores of laws and reflected in millions of lives -- in seniors who know new dignity, in families that know new opportunity, in children who know education's promise, and in all who can pursue their dream in an America that is more equal and more just -- including myself.
The Kennedy name is synonymous with the Democratic Party. And at times, Ted was the target of partisan campaign attacks. But in the United States Senate, I can think of no one who engendered greater respect or affection from members of both sides of the aisle. His seriousness of purpose was perpetually matched by humility, warmth, and good cheer. He could passionately battle others and do so peerlessly on the Senate floor for the causes that he held dear, and yet still maintain warm friendships across party lines.
And that's one reason he became not only one of the greatest senators of our time, but one of the most accomplished Americans ever to serve our democracy.
His extraordinary life on this earth has come to an end. And the extraordinary good that he did lives on. For his family, he was a guardian. For America, he was the defender of a dream.
I spoke earlier this morning to Senator Kennedy's beloved wife, Vicki, who was to the end such a wonderful source of encouragement and strength. Our thoughts and prayers are with her, his children Kara, Edward, and Patrick; his stepchildren Curran and Caroline; the entire Kennedy family; decades' worth of his staff; the people of Massachusetts; and all Americans who, like us, loved Ted Kennedy.
Statement from the President on the Death of Senator Ted Kennedy
Early this morning, following the news that Senator Ted Kennedy had passed away late last night after a long battle with brain cancer, President Obama released the following statement:
"Michelle and I were heartbroken to learn this morning of the death of our dear friend, Senator Ted Kennedy.
For five decades, virtually every major piece of legislation to advance the civil rights, health and economic well being of the American people bore his name and resulted from his efforts.
I valued his wise counsel in the Senate, where, regardless of the swirl of events, he always had time for a new colleague. I cherished his confidence and momentous support in my race for the Presidency. And even as he waged a valiant struggle with a mortal illness, I've profited as President from his encouragement and wisdom.
An important chapter in our history has come to an end. Our country has lost a great leader, who picked up the torch of his fallen brothers and became the greatest United States Senator of our time.
And the Kennedy family has lost their patriarch, a tower of strength and support through good times and bad.
Our hearts and prayers go out to them today--to his wonderful wife, Vicki, his children Ted Jr., Patrick and Kara, his grandchildren and his extended family."-- President Barack Obama
Organizing Across the Country
For weeks now, volunteers have joined Organizing for America staff at events all across the country to organize for health insurance reform. They've knocked on doors, made calls, and put out the message that reform is the only way to ensure that all Americans have quality, affordable healthcare. They've also fought the lies and distortions that are being spread about reform, helping to set the record straight with their friends and neighbors. Check out some of the photos from recent OFA events:
Afternoon News: “It’s time for reform”
From the Politico:
Reform supporters are planning to hold more than 500 events between Wednesday and when lawmakers return to Washington Sept. 8, ranging from neighborhood organized phone banks to professionally staffed rallies with hundreds of people.
...“In these last few weeks of recess we want to demonstrate the energy, passion and commitment that the American people have to health insurance reform so that when members return after Labor Day they know that they can turn their attention to getting this done because they have the backing of the American people,” said DNC spokesman Brad Woodhouse.
... Democrats and their allies insist that the majority of Americans still support reform and have organized the grassroots campaign to buck up lawmakers as they get ready to head back to Washington.
A health-insurance-reform-now bus will travel the country starting Wednesday and anchor events in 11 cities: Phoenix, Albuquerque, Denver, Des Moines, Pittsburgh, Raleigh, Charlotte, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Indianapolis and Columbus, Ohio.
From WABI:
A group supporting President Obama's healthcare reform may be coming to a living room near you. A grassroots project called Organizing For America has been setting up roundtable discussion groups in private homes. Today they held a discussion in Bangor at the home of Molly Goode. Goode's son, Adam, represents District 15 of Bangor in the House of Representatives.
State Senator Joe Perry was a part of the panel along with residents who shared their stories regarding healthcare and also discussed, what they say, is an urgent need for healthcare reform. "It's on the front burner," says Senator Perry, "it's a serious problem that we're facing, you know, healthcare costs and I came here because I want to hear the stories and I know this is a federal issue but it certainly affects every Mainer."
Director of the project, Julian Federle, says they're trying to get the facts about healthcare reform out there, as well as provide a civilized forum for debate. "The fact is I think Mainers are very interested in this debate," says Federle, "they're more interested in sitting down and having a discussion like this one then they are about screaming and shouting."
From the Shreveport Times:
Supporters of health care reforms, including a public health insurance option, rolled through Shreveport Monday to U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu's office at the federal courthouse in downtown Shreveport.
Kim Brabham, of Bossier City, was among 15 people participating in the consciousness-raising caravan. She's a volunteer with Organizing for America, a group that supports President Barack Obama's vision for health care reform.
Congress will take up the plans again in September after failing to reach agreement on a single proposal before leaving for its August vacation.
Landrieu was not in the office. The group spoke to the senator's staffers.
"...we made our voices heard," Brabham said. "We want to see our costs reduced. We want freedom of choice for our health care plan and our doctor, and we want coverage for everybody."
Brabham said because she's self-employed it's "either pay through the nose or get nothing or have nothing at all" when it comes to health insurance. She drove her sign-decorated van through her neighborhood after leaving Monday's event to get out her message to more people.
From the Ashland Daily Tidings:
Local Democrats are rallying for health care reform as the national debate heats up.
Representatives from Health Care for America NOW, Organizing for America and Oregon Action, and concerned residents met Saturday to discuss health care reform with state Sen. Alan Bates.
A private practice doctor of three years, Bates serves on the Oregon Senate Health Care and Veterans' Affairs Committee. He says change in the health industry is coming.
"I've been fighting for health care reform for 25 years," he told a crowd of dozens at the Rogue Valley Unitarian Fellowship in Ashland. "We have never been so close."
President Barack Obama's pledge to pass a health care reform law by the end of 2009 has come under fire from Republicans and some Democrats, who oppose expanding the role of government in the health care industry. Bates argued on Saturday that the American people cannot afford to wait beyond this year.
"The number of people with insurance has been dropping," he said. "It's time for reform."
Organized by the advocacy group Health Care for America NOW, Saturday's meeting was meant to bring supporters of reform together. A large-scale canvassing movement is underway, with volunteers knocking on doors around Ashland to sign petitions, urging their representatives to pass a health care bill...Following the discussion, volunteers spread throughout Ashland neighborhoods to gather signatures. Future rallies for health care reform will take place in Medford and Central Point the first week of September.
Let’s get it done!
Jeremy Bird, Deputy Director of Organizing for America, just sent out this message:
On Thursday, an astounding 280,000 Organizing for America supporters gathered online to huddle with the President at our National Health Care Forum. With Congress about to return to Washington to make historic decisions on health insurance reform, the President chose this critical moment to speak directly to the OFA community. He reminded us of how far we've come and what we can accomplish together:
Remember one thing: Nothing is more powerful than millions of voices calling for change. That's how we won this election. You know this, and that's why since OFA launched its health reform campaign in June you've hosted 11,000 events in more than 2,500 towns in every single state and every single congressional district...I am absolutely confident that we can get this done, but I want everybody to remember, this has never been easy....We are not going to give up now. We are going to get this done.
Now it's up to us to take the next step. This week, we need to make sure every member of Congress heads back to Washington hearing overwhelming support for change. Lies and fear must not have the last word about the health reform America so desperately needs. So here's what you can do: Host or attend a "Let's Get It Done: Health Insurance Reform Now" event near you.
There are many different kinds of events, from forums to rallies to "Health Care Phone Booths," where local folks can get the facts and call Congress. And if there isn't yet one near you, you can easily host your own. Wherever you live, you can help show Congress, the media, and your neighbors that the American people have one clear message about health reform: Let's get it done.
Thursday, the President made the stakes of reform crystal clear. He talked about how, with health care costs rising three times faster than wages, the cost of inaction is simply too high.
He explained how reform will guarantee competition and choice. He described the Insurance Guarantees that will protect every American from discrimination against pre-existing conditions, exorbitant charges, and arbitrary denials or reductions in coverage just when we need it most.
And he made plain his stance on the public option: "So let me just be clear: I continue to support a public option, I think it is important, and I think it will help drive down costs and give consumers choices."
But even the best plan only matters if it passes, and that's where we all have a critical role to play. As the President said:
And that's why what all of you do is so important, because people trust you -- your neighbors, your friends, fellow community members -- they trust you. They know you. And if you are presenting the facts clearly and fairly, I'm absolutely confident that we're going to win this debate. But we're going to have a lot of work to do and I'm grateful that you're willing to do it. Let's go get 'em.
Answer the President's call -- host or attend an event near you:
http://my.barackobama.com/reformnow
Let's get it done,
Jeremy
Jeremy Bird
Deputy Director
Organizing for America
P.S. -- Couldn't join us on Thursday? You can still see the President's message to you. Click here to see highlights of the President's remarks or the full video of the National Health Care Forum.
The President’s Weekly Address: Myths and Morality in Health Insurance Reform
"Let’s start with the false claim that illegal immigrants will get health insurance under reform. That’s not true. Illegal immigrants would not be covered. That idea has never even been on the table. Some are also saying that coverage for abortions would be mandated under reform. Also false. When it comes to the current ban on using tax dollars for abortions, nothing will change under reform. And as every credible person who has looked into it has said, there are no so-called 'death panels' – an offensive notion to me and to the American people. These are phony claims meant to divide us." – President Obama