At the turn of the 20th and near the end of 19th Century there was a big , what we would call today, grass roots movement in the South. It was called the Populist movement. It featured such colorful characters as Sock-less Jerry Simpson, and famous figures like William Jennings Bryan.
There were a lot of poor folk in the South and this movement was aimed at changing and empowering these folk. Now the party that controlled the South was the Democratic party. So this movement really challenged the fat cats in the Democratic party and was a threat to them. What happened?
The Democratic party leaders split the movement by raising the issue of race. The party before this had black and white members. But by raising the issue of race the fat cats split the movement. In the end they were able to kill it. Divided the movement was too weak to survive. So something that was good and would have made positive changes for folks was derailed .
Today we have debate about heath care. WE NEED SOME TYPE OF REFORM. This post is not about what type but it is about the debate. The shouting and the rumor mongering going on today instead of debate is the new way of derailing the process. If we allow the process to get derailed by hate and fear mongers, then like the folks who allowed it to happen to them during the populist movement we will all be losers.
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Charlie Ragonesi All Mountain Realty Big Canoe and Mountain Blog
On line at www.allmountainrealty.com Call at 706 579 1098
Charlie,
The lack of discourse between the parties may have always been the case, but I don't remember it being so when I was younger. I'm all for sending people to Washington DC who will actually read the legislation they're voting on, become familiar with the ramifications, and communicate that back to their constituents.
Mike in Tucson
Hi Charlie:
Something needs to be done!
We all need to pay attention and voice our opinions on this topic.
Healthcare affects every one of us.
It is politics as usual. Debate is health, and railroading issues is not! "We the People..."
Charlie,
Yes, we do need health care reform. Maybe in the bill in it's current version, maybe not. Personally, I think they need to break it down into manageable pieces. Trying to do everything at one time is unwieldly, at best.
Rich
Charlie, I can not think of one person who disagrees on the need for some health care reform. When Congresspeople stand up and say, I have not read it... that is a huge error or an error waiting to happen. The current House bill of 1018 pages is way over the top in size and manageability. Congress was elected to do the PEOPLE'S bidding. If it take yelling and protesting to remind them of that .. so be it. :)
And you know I rarely disagree with you. :)
Charlie,
Right and left agree that health care needs reform...most people don't think that a government takeover is the answer...! Remember, we're talking about making the best health care system in the world better...!!!
Thanks, Fran
P.S. To clarify: I'd hate to see UPS & FedEx become like the USPS...!!!
Charlie - the so called debate is being framed by corporate interests who very wisely seek to scare the elderly through distortion of the facts. The next step is fanning the flames of extremism to create an angry mob that is no where near representative of mainstream America. The anti-health care reform lobby is spending $1.5m per day to rally the GOP fringe hoping to create the perception that government will "ruin" the current system. The distortions of fact, the outright lies and the incredible leaps to implausible conclusions fuel the marginally informed fringe into doing the bidding of the anti-health care reform lobby. These people are being played for fools by the very corporations that continually fleece them year after year, deny them coverage, deny them needed procedures, cancel policies at will and pocket billions in profits for their malevolent business practices. It's an amazing public spectacle really, in a very sad way.
Charlie - there is no government take over, just intervention to stop abuses. Was Medicare a government takeover?
Gail - there is no bill to read, only proposals. Trust me, the final bills will be read.
Mike - if the lying distorting GOP would accurately explain the proposals to their constituents the voters would be kicking their butts back to Washington to get a bill passed NOW!
Jim - you the people have no proposals, just the status quo. In 2008, we the people elected leaders to do the will of the people. They are attempting to do just that. You the people had plenty of time to offer health care reform, over a decade in fact. Thanks for doing nothing then and obstructing now. True patriots indeed.
Richard - bits and pieces over time do not have the impact of the massive over haul that is needed. The insurance companies and big pharma have had their way for far to long, every American is going broke trying to pay the bill.