The following story is unbelievable if it weren't so real. It's a story that if every voter were to see they would be less likely to vote Republican ever again. Imagine the following scenario: A medical relief organization sets up shop in middle America offering free services for those who cannot afford health care or if they have insurance, the high deductible. Imagine if hundreds and hundreds of people came and waited overnight for just a chance to see a doctor or a dentist. Don't imagine. It's happening. Details on the flip
A few million people saw this story on 60 Minutes tonight. They saw people in pain, having stayed in a parking lot overnight (some two nights) for the hope of seeing a doctor. Over 900 people came and 400 got turned away (if I heard correctly). People on disability, retired workers, people who can't afford health care, people who have health care but can't afford the deductibles, people with infected teeth, people who haven't seen a doctor in 25 years, Americans who need help, now today, tonight.
The guy who has started this organization was a former TV actor on Wild Kingdom. He takes no salary, lives in an abandoned school and planned an organization to reach people in need around the world and is finding the need right here at home. If ever there was a wake up call to the human side of the health care crisis it was on view tonight.
We've heard time and again about 42 million, then 45 million, now 47 million without health insurance but there are millions more with minimal insurance who can't afford treatment even with that. These are the forgoten millions who are in need and pain. We have so much work to do in this country. We also have work to do around the world and I'm not being xenophobic simply saying what a tremendous need there is right here.
If you didn't see the story, here's the link again. If you saw the story and want to donate to Remote Area Medical please do so. If you want other people to see this story, you know what to do. I'm hopeless at embedding video but the full transcript is available at the link. My thanks to the volunteers at RAM, its founder and 60 Minutes for airing the story. If you donate to them, consider adding the netroots $.01.
If we, as Democrats, can rise to a tremendous challenge like this, we can make a difference. If we, as Democrats, can end the war in Iraq and bring our troops home and provide the care they will need and if we, as Democrats can volunteer in our communities, we will indeed take back our country. It's not up to the candidates, it's up to us. We are the ones we have been waiting for.