The former Obama campaign office in Quitman, Georgia was full of health care supporters telling personal stories and lighting candles for Ted Kennedy.
The organizer, Gladys T. Lee, was interviewed by WCTV (see picture), as was Kevin Sumner about his personal health care story (see below). All in a town of less than 9,000 in a county of less than 17,000 in south Georgia. We want universal health care with a public option and we want it now!
Gladys sent a press release to the Valdosta Daily Times, which published a story even before the event.
The "We Can’t Afford to Wait" event is sponsored by MoveOn.org Political Action and organized by members Gladys T. Lee and Shirley A. Wilson, who are both Quitman residents. It will demonstrate a "dire need for (a) public health insurance option," according to organizers.
The VDT also sent a photographer to the even. And it got covered by the Detroit Free Press (paper only). Three media organizations. Not bad, eh?
WCTV quoted Kevin Sumner:
74-year-old Kevin Sumner has his own personal reason for supporting a universal health care system in America.
"I had a serious heart condition, had to have a triple bypass and my insurance company that provided group insurance at the time pre-approved my surgery, but then reneged when the claim came in," said Sumner.
Sumner said he had to fight for 8 months with the state insurance commissioner's office to convince his private insurance company to foot the $54,000 bill for his triple bypass.
Kevin also said (I paraphrase what WCTV didn't quote) that he goes to the VA for routine health care. We already have universal health care for veterans, and it's good, although it could be improved. As more people come out of the military due to our unnecessary war, more people will need health care. Why not extend it to the whole population?
MoveOn's hook for this rally was to hold vigils for Ted Kennedy, which we did, with candles, by playing two excerpts from his speeches, and with Gladys talking about how she had helped Senator Kennedy's quest for health care since Nixon's days.
If Gladys T. Lee can organize a rally like this in a town of less than 9,000 people in a county of less than 17,000 people, think what you can do where you are!
The other side continues to teabag, for example on Tuesday, Sep 1st in Valdosta. They also picketed Sanford Bishop's GA-02 office in Quitman recently. If they can do it, we can do it. If we don't, why should we expect to get universal health care?
Not just any old health care bill, one with a public option:
Jack Kingston, R GA-01, is coming back, with a series of town halls in September, this time at much bigger halls. Why just go to events organized by health care supporters? Go to Republican town halls, too, and speak up so people will hear your story instead of just rightwing talking points.
There's a health care rally tonight, 5PM Thursday September 3rd, at the Lowndes County Democratic Party office, 1008 Slater Street, Valdosta, GA 31601, 229-241-1694. Y'all come.
PS: Those of you with Civil War Tourette's or Atlanta Tourette's, the last two poll items are for you.