"Are you guys ready? Let's roll!"
That's the war cry that 9/11 hero Todd Beamer used to call fellow passengers to rise up against United Airlines Flight 93 hijackers and stop a second attack on Washington, D.C 8 years ago.
It's a short, simple expression, but -- thanks to Beamer -- also one that's packed with determination and willingness to sacrifice for the greater good.
And it's an expression that all of us should be speaking now, at one of the single most important moments that America has faced in generations to promote the greater good -- this moment of health reform.
Health reform is under attack, and the attackers are winning.
That's a tragedy in the making, but what is most shameful is that so many of us (myself included) have failed to stand up against the attack.
More action occurred on this website and elsewhere in the progressive world several years ago to oppose ABC's broadcast of an inaccurate potrayal of 9/11 than has occured in support of the single most progressive change in America in a generation.
The time to stand up is now.
Of course, it can be hard to know how to act in the face of complicated situations, and at certain levels health reform is immensely complex.
"What then must we do?" - Luke 3:10
What can we do? Todd Beamer gave us our answer.
ACT! Do what you can!
If you can send a letter, write it.
If you can make a phone call, do it!
If you can go to a meeting, go!!
If you can write 1, or 20, letters to your editor, write them!
Blog. Demonstrate. Talk to your friends. Hold media accountable. Pressure every politician. Do whatever is in your power.
All of us bring different strengths to the fight, but that's good, because this fight needs all of them.
Please use the comments section to tell others what you're doing to defend health reform from the cynical, vicious minority, and, most importantly suggest opportunities for others to act.
Let's roll!