we need to start preparing for a MAJOR march on washington if we want REAL healthcare reform.

[dysfunctional press]

million-man march?
how about a 45-million uninsured-person march? unemployed people tend to have a lot of time on their hands...
it's becoming painfully apparent that NOTHING short of a MASSIVE mobilization of 'we the people' has a chance in hell of getting the corrupt bastards in dc to actually act in the best interests of the electorate.
the left needs to set a date, the web needs to be utilized, the people need to be MOTIVATED and organized.
my house is available for meet-ups, my mini-van can carry 6-7 people besides myself from chicagoland to dc and back, and my schedule is wide open.

[Atticus]

1. July 4th?

Give us a few weeks notice and we'll fill the Mall!

[mucifer]

2. we can have 50 million people march on washington but, if the press doesn't cover

it, " it never happened". It's very frustrating but true.

[Cleita]

5. The press has been covering this more than they have before.

They covered the arrest of the doctors and nurses who protested. Now maybe it's up to the patients to register their disgust.

[DCKit]

18. And, if Congress is out of town, we won't have inconvenienced them even a tiny bit.

It's got to really fuck up their work day.

Another thing we could do, from the grassroots, is to replace or hire replacements for all those people who stand on line every day holding places for lobbyists to meet with individual Congressmen and Senators. We could cut their access to Congress dramatically and raise the cost of lobbying. Some of those tools in $5K suits would have to start standing in line themselves.

If hearings were the only place our leaders could meet with corporate lobbyists, it would mean a sea-change in the kinds of deals they could speak about and slash the amount of quid-pro-quo.

[merh]

3. Exactly

if we want to be heard we have to make the noise

[eleny]

4. k&r

And for those who can't be in d.c., local marches around the nation.

[jwirr]

11. This is very important - to bring this home so that everyone can participate.

Target local congressional offices, federal buildings and do sit ins.

[napi21]

6. I agree marches & demonstrations are necessary, but not only the

uninsured! I've finally reached medicare age, but even I have to buy supplemental ins. to cover most of the copays and things that aren't covered by medicare. But more to your discussion...the RW keep saying 75%+ people are happy with their health care coverage. That statement is a distortion of the truth! Lots of people who have ins., mostly through their employer, are reasonably satisfied with THE COVERAGE & TREATMENT, but noone I know is satisfied that their premiums have risen consistently & dramatically over the last decade or so, and those who actually have to use HC services for something serious will ALL tell you that their copays & that 20% of that infamous 80/20 coverage can bankrupt you & in many cases DID! How many people have heard the words "your policy doesn't cover that"?

It's by far the majority of Americans who have serious problems with the American HC System who should be marching alongside those who can't qualify or can't afford HC Ins. I suggest marches in every State, and every City of the US! Make 'em big & get in the media! We have to force the hands of the President & every Congressman & Senator!

[Kceres]

7. I'm in Colorado but I would try to get to DC.

Somehow. IMO, summer would work best.

[Luminous Animal]

8. May 30th : National Day of Action

It is a start and an opportunity to connect with organizers and supporters. It looks like no one is organizing in DC but there is action in Chicago.

http://www.healthcare-now.org/campaigns/may-30th-day-of-action/

Planning is happening in:
Albany, NY - May 27th
Atlana, GA - May 27th
Augusta, ME - May 30th
Austin, TX - May 30th
Billings, MT - May 16th
Boston, MA - May 30th
Chicago, IL - June 2nd
Denver, CO - May 30th
Elmwood Park, NJ - June 5
Fenton, MI - May 21st
Indianapolis, IN - May 20th
Lawrence, KS - May 30th
Louisville, KY - May 28th
Middleton, CT - May 28th
New Albany, IN - May 30th
New York City, NY - May 30th
Philadelphia, PA - May 30th
Pittsburgh, PA - May 29th
Phoenix, AZ - May 30th
Pontiac, MI - June 16th
Portland, OR - TBA
Princeton, NJ - May 31st
Rochester, NY - May 30th
San Diego, CA - June 3rd
San Francisco, CA - TBA
Seattle, WA - May 30th
Springfield, MA - May 27th
Tampa, FL - TBA
Topeka, KS - May 30th
Towson, MD - May 30th
Wheaton, MD - May 30th

[abluelady]

9. Do You Think We'll Get Any Coverage

I used to march against the war and it seemed like it didn't make a difference. Count me in.

[ProSense]

10. What will people be mobilizing around?

Obama came in with a plan that included a public option.

Some Democrats are trying to water that down. Forget Republicans.

Many, including some DUers, are demanding that that the plan have a progressive public option.

Some want to fight for single payer realizing that it may lead to a progressive public option.

Others want single payer or nothing.

[leftstreet]

14. How about "We Want What the Same Healthcare Congress Has!"

I think that would fit on a sign

[thecrow]

12. Just let me know the date

If it's not duringthe last weeks of July I'm there with bells on.

[cherokeeprogressive]

13. NOTHING will change until we stop the wars, bring the troops home, and give up

the imperialist tendencies Americans have become immune to.

STOP THE WARS. After that, anything is possible, should we put our collective minds to it.

[Amonester]

15. why not do both at the same time...

STOP THE WARS
SINGLE-PAYER
HEALTH CARE
FOR ALL

[cherokeeprogressive]

16. I'm totally on board with that. Do both.

It's like the chicken and egg question though... which one comes first? For me, it's the wars. They're draining BILLIONS per month.

[ColbertWatcher]

17. ...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=3210441&mesg_id=3210441