I am an African-American woman. I am an educated, skilled, trained dental hygienist, although I am currently working part-time in a job that I am highly over-qualified for. A couple years ago, I had a very difficult pregnancy and premature baby that caused me to leave my good-paying job and be subsequently laid-off. As a result, my family is living at a lower standard of living than we were previously, but we are still making ends meet (thanks to my husband), and I'm not complaining because we are blessed. My appeal to those who think that killing the current healthcare bill is a viable path to bigger, better legislation is this: I am humbly asking for solidarity and your support at this juncture, despite your mistrust and misgivings. I am asking you to trust another part of the base: African-American women. I am asking that all parts of the base unite as one, for at least these next few weeks to get this bill passed. Here's why:
Although I am technically registered as an independent, African-American women are probably the most reliable and loyal voting bloc of the democratic party. And, we need the netroots right now, and the netroots need us. I am asking you not to deny us the following:
- Don't deny us the many community healthcare clinics that will spring up all across the country (thank you Sen. Bernie Sanders).
- Don't deny us this equal opportunity and end to insurance discrimination based on income or gender.
- Don't deny us subsidies for our working class, lower middle-class, and small businesses.
- Don't deny us the medicaid expansion for our working poor.
- Don't deny our first African-American president this victory and, more importantly, this accomplishment on behalf of the American people.
You will need us to accomplish our ultimate goal--profits out of healthcare. Whether, it's through a highly-regulated market, real public option, or single-payer. You will need us to vote and donate our time and money just as much as yours. I'm asking for your support now and pledge my continued support if you allow us to take this first step together. I know I won't convince everyone, but I hope I convince enough to help us over this first huge hurdle. We must first break the back of the status quo--even though flawed and imperfect--it's progress.
I hope to answer the first comments, if anyone comments here. Then, I have to leave, but I will check back in later this evening.