Vigil to Support Public Health Care Option - 9/2 (Charlotte: taxi, income)

[CharlotteGal]

More than 25 vigils planned nationwide, with over 30,000 attendees! I'm glad someone stepped forward to help this happen in Charlotte. We have over 1500 signed up in Charlotte alone - people who understand the need for health care for all.

[ohioaninsc]

I wish I could attend this...it's definitely needed...I am hoping to attend my congressman, John Spratt's townhall meeting on Healthcare reform here in Rock Hill Thurs evening, if I can get out of work on time.

[Metallisteve]

Originally Posted by CharlotteGal

...people who understand the need for health care for all.

Tongue biting being released here...but tame-ness will be attempted for the better interest of the thread (sorry to disappoint Cubs)...

See that's the thing that really stings when folks (not saying you specifically CharlotteGal) try to stick it back int eh opposition's face that we're inhumane and don't care about people having healthcare. Not the case at all. The beef (at least my beef), is that this is the wrong way to do it--mainly because it is hasty and not fully understood, and the ramifications will be severe (namely, financially) if/when it flops.

And this is where my paradox lies...
I'm always a fan of do it now, do it fast, worry about consequences later otherwise we'll be sitting around twiddling our thumbs "figuring" while we could have something in place and fucntioning...even if it needs some tweaking along the way. Something is better than nothing--agreed. But this thing, the helathcare debate, is so monumental, so much larger than the vast majority of anything else comparable in complexity that it MUST be fully worked out and understood before pushing the "go button."

I'll admit that I don't know, and don't have the time to know, all the nuances and specific details to be able to argue who or what should run it and fund it. But I do know that it will cost money...money that we as a country don't currently have. Anyone ever seen the debt clock?!?! It's not just a funny thing to look at. It's real, and it's time we start making non-debt decisions. Debt is the reason we're in the economic debacle that we're in...and we want to make more?!?!? I just don't get it.

Again, I'm for something, just not something hastily slapped together like a 4th grader's night-before science fair project. There's more at stake here than just a bad grade!

[anifani821]

Switzerland took about 7 years to work on transitioning that country to a new healthcare system. It was a gradual process. Since the Swiss have one of the highest living standards in the world, I would think we would all do well to learn from them.

[Shamwow!]

Originally Posted by chicagocubs

I would love to go, but, I have class and my teacher is a stickler for attendance.

Keep biting, Steve. For once, let's get an alternate opinion on here without politicizing it.

there will also be another event on Thursday:

Our "Health Insurance Reform Now" bus tour -- part of a big 50-state push before Congress heads back to Washington -- will be in Charlotte this Thursday at 10:00 a.m.

We'll hear from speakers -- including Organizing for America Deputy Director Jeremy Bird -- and we'll present thousands of Carolinians' declarations of support for reform.

Will you join the bus tour in Charlotte? Click here to RSVP. Here are the details:

What: "Health Insurance Reform Now" Bus Tour Stop

Where: Teamsters Hall, Local 71
5000 N Tryon Street
Charlotte, NC 28213

When: Thursday, September 3rd
10:00 a.m.

unfortunately, I am working during that time!! But, I will be at both in spirit.

Cubs, thanks for reposting. I posted this info yesterday, and the thread was closed in record time! Ahh, the sliding scale of objectivity gotta love it.

[CharlotteGal]

Originally Posted by Metallisteve

Again, I'm for something, just not something hastily slapped together like a 4th grader's night-before science fair project. There's more at stake here than just a bad grade!

Thanks for that well-thought-out response! One reason I'm attending the vigil is because it appears legislators are stepping back from the public option, and are now saying things like "insurance reform"... which won't work at all for folks without insurance.

I, too, hope there's more planning and less debt - and I want them to hear loud & clear that the need is here, now for healthcare coverage for every person. That was my point in writing what I did, not that I think every person opposed is against that.

[CharlotteGal]

Originally Posted by CharlotteGal

More than 25 vigils planned nationwide, with over 30,000 attendees!

And, silly me - there are over 300 planned nationwide.

[LONGISLAND2NC]

Originally Posted by Metallisteve

Again, I'm for something, just not something hastily slapped together like a 4th grader's night-before science fair project. There's more at stake here than just a bad grade!

Agree that they shouldn't slap something together hastily...

What they should do is convene a series of townhall meetings so that everyone can voice an opinion. Members of congress should be inviting their constituents to call in tell them what they think. And then congress could produce a number of different bills that could be debated, picking the best one, or the best points of each one. Add to that, there should be a vigorous debate in the national media.

I don't understand why none of those things are happening

[mullman]

Originally Posted by LONGISLAND2NC

Members of congress should be inviting their constituents to call in tell them what they think. And then congress could produce a number of different bills that could be debated, picking the best one, or the best points of each one. Add to that, there should be a vigorous debate in the national media.

I don't understand why none of those things are happening

+1

But a quick look at political donations solves this mystery.
Healthcare lobby, big pharma...
Constituents matter less than war chest dollars, unfortunately.

[Gregory P]

Whether you're for or against, angry or hateful...it's worth listening to the President himself speak and answer some good questions.

C-SPAN Video Player - Pres. Obama Promotes Health Care Reform in Ohio Townhall

He's answering some of the questions we all have. (i.e. "Why the rush?")

Again -- regardless of your opinion -- it's worth listening to him answer these questions (in full...vs CNN, Fox, MSNBC, or Comedy Central soundbites). Note this video is a month old...things (of course) have "evolved."