As it has been since President Obama took office, health care is in the news. This time we are listening to the Supreme Court decide the constitutional merit of the Affordable Care Act.
The attacks by the right on health care are either sickening, false or both and there is no counter plan on the table from our friends on the right.
I am angered by this. My father was unemployed for a great deal of time and right before I went to college, I worried I'd have no health care (as I had turned 18).
I was lucky to retain coverage but I have seen teammates who have struggled with losing their health care and seeing the sense of terror in their face makes you want to act.
In a twist of fate, I took out Senator Paul Wellstone's book "The Conscience Of A Liberal" and now I'm ready to turn my anger into passion.
The Conscience of a Liberal, for those who haven't read it yet, is a must-read. It goes over his political career and his views on how everything from campaign spending to child care.
However the one part that really caught my eye and is inspiring this post is his views on health care.
Wellstone believed in a single-payer system and fought for it. But it's not exactly his system that I am fighting for, it's for something else and that is "Health Care Accountability Day".
Wellstone called for town hall style meetings across the country in which citizens "would get face-to-face accountability sessions with representatives and senators". It was perfect as it would give the people the power and it forced the hand of representatives and senators to show what they truly believe in.
Unfortunately it never came as "progressives didn't organize effectively enough to make the case".
With the tragic ten-year anniversary of Wellstone's passing in a plane crash approaching, I feel that we mustn't forget this man and honor his legacy.
So I started a petition. A petition that, during the summer recesses, would call for a day in which citizens would meet up with their representatives, senators and candidates for both offices to find out what they truly believe in with health care.
A big problem for ACA is the fact that a lot of voters still do not know what the bill entails.
This is another opportunity for Democrats to explain the bill and show the highlights of the bill that the voters can understand. I know we've been there before but with the GOP's assault on literally everything, I think this year it could resonate more and we could create outrage.
For Republican candidates, they have to look their voters in the eye and say something other than "repeal". We must force their hand in explaining what they believe in and get them to stay away from slogans. It's unlikely but at the same time, it would show that progressives can organize and ask the right questions.
I am doing this for the simple point of honoring Paul Wellstone. There is a good possibility this doesn't get off the ground but I refuse to admit defeat.
We are the voice, we are the voters and it is OUR health at stake. Grassroots can change the world and I'd like to show that the Netroots can do amazing things.
Maybe you disagree with this idea and I will not fight you on that. But I do believe we can get a good debate going on health care. Our voices should never be silenced and it's time that those in Washington hear it. The petition has little support as of now, but we can take control.
The petition is linked here.
I hope to see you.