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Major Legislation on Universal health care (SB 840--Kuehl) passed in California Senate
Linked to groups: DFA Pasadena
California Senate Update: Passage of One Health Bill Yesterday and Another Expected Today--And Dozens of Other Bills
By Frank D. Russo
The Senate, with fewer members than the Assembly and also fewer bills (77 in total), adjourned earlier than their larger cousin, but passed major legislation yesterday on universal health care (SB 840--Kuehl), a referendum for Californians on the Iraq War, clean air, water, alternative fuels, flood prevention, food safety, sentencing reform, and privacy.
Major Health Care Legislation Passes
The Senate passed SB 840 (Kuehl), The California Universal Health Care Act, SB 840, which establishes a single payer universal health care system in California, passed the Senate Floor by a vote of 23 to 15 and now heads to the California State Assembly. Ot os expected to be joined there by SB 48 (Perata) which is being debated and voted on the Senate floor this morning.
SB 840 covers every California resident with comprehensive health benefits, contains the growth in health care spending, and provides patients with total choice over their doctors and hospitals. "California is leading the nation on health care reform with passage of SB 840," stated Senator Kuehl. "This is the gold standard for health reform and the only way to achieve the kind of health care system that Californians want and deserve."
Form more on SB 840, see the article from yesterday on bills passed by the Senate and another on the debate from late yesterday by Anthony Wright of Health Access California.
**this entry brought to you by http://www.californiaprogressreport.com/
Faux Democrats, who march to the health-care industry's beat are way down the list.
The Political "Horse Race"
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/glynnis-macnicol/its-a-horse-race_b_51448.html
With seventeen months to go until the election and a current combined field of twenty candidates, the race for the presidency does in many ways resemble one (very long) horse race. It so happens, that the maximum field allowed at the Kentucky Derby is also twenty; it was a maximum field this year, a sign, among other things, that there was not an exceptionally strong contender). Certainly, both endeavors, particularly in such a large field, require endurance, quick thinking, and the ability to maneuver an animal much larger, and more powerful (in this case the public at large) through twists and turns, with life and death (the political in this case) and fame and fortune and power on the line at all times.
If Clinton is currently the betting favorite then Barack Obama is the rare creature that pops up every once in a long while; lightly raced, or untried, he nonetheless captures the public's imagination, (a public that is ever desperate for some magic and inspiration) drawing dramatic comparisons to the greats of the past. Another Secretariat? Another John F. Kennedy? If the comparisons earn out (and they rarely do) they tend to fall away, and the candidate, now a winner in his or her own right, stands on their own. Seattle Slew was only the next Secretariat until he won the Triple Crown, after which he was simply the champion Seattle Slew (also the only undefeated Triple Crown winner).
Al Gore is the "dark horse" that sits way off the pace so as not to seem a contender at all. But then, as the field rounds the final turn (say sometime in late November between Thanksgiving and Christmas) and the front runners begin to tire (whether from too much press, too little money, or perhaps too much media time to fill and not enough to fill it with) he makes his move, appearing suddenly before anyone has time to think too much about where he has come from or why or how, running his own show straight down the middle of the track (Secretariat, more or less did this in the 1973 Derby, though Al Gore has yet to do anything that might earn him a Secretariat comparison). Whirlaway, the 1942 Triple Crown champion was famous for his heart-pounding, come-from-behind wins (he was also nick-named "Mr Longtails" for his long lustrous tail that "reminded oldtimers of the hair-tonic ads of the Seven Sutherland Sisters" perhaps making him analogous to a different candidate altogether).
The candidates left the gate, so to speak, last February, and are only now rounding the first turn, with plenty of bumping and jostling and howling and dangerous, impetuous, ill-timed moves yet to come. The finish line is a long, long way off.
Huffpo comment on Mcnicol's Horse race analogy
I've gone from initially liking Hillary, to then preferring Obama, and now preferring Bill Richardson.
Bill Richardson, unlike the other two I mentioned, wants a full and complete withdrawal from Iraq. Simple and clean: No residual troops in Iraq.
If we cannot impeach bush, then at the very least we can impeach his ideas. Let's elect someone who will permanently end out illegal involvement in Iraq.
Don't forget that Odessa, TX is heading for a showdown over religious teaching in schools. A Jewish parent and teacher are speaking up about how their religion has been so rudely insulted there.
http://www.counterpunch.org/benderman06092007.html
One more and I'm outa here
"These are the times that try men's souls: the summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it NOW, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly"
(Thomas Paine, The American Crisis. Dec. 19, 1776.)
"It is easy to perceive that individuals by agreeing to erect forms of government, (for the better security of themselves) must give up some part of their liberty for that purpose; and it is the particular business of a Constitution to mark out how much they shall give up. "
(Paine, Letter IV, Four Letters of Interesting Subjects, 1776.)
It was not an ill-conceived love of country or nationalist pride that gave these revolutionaries the right to be called patriots. They were patriots for having laid a foundation for the way of life they envisioned, and believed in it enough to be willing to defend it with a commitment only others like them could understand. They worked tirelessly to create a set of laws which would serve as a guideline for their vision, Laws of Humanity incorporated into a Constitution which they believed to be just and fair to all even as the authors admitted to flaws which would only be tempered by time. Each was willing to give up something so that all could live in the greatest freedom possible. They were patriots because they stood their ground for the right to live with their own high standards and principles, and their individual sacrifices were deserving of their expectation that those standards be maintained in the actions of all who chose to live in the new nation founded on their blood.
Where have all the patriots gone?
Freedom is not free--and United States citizens are losing more of their freedom every day as they freely choose to allow others to make their decisions for them; justifying their actions from the safety of their living rooms saying "it's not that we don't care, it's that we don't know what else to do."
What else to do?
STAND UP AND FIGHT!!!!!!
Fight back with a willingness to sacrifice comfort for the principles of law which give us all our freedom.
Fight for what you have earned. Wait. What has been earned? This freedom you speak of has no meaning, no value; it remains illusion--words spoken from the podiums of a thousand different protests and a hundred different congressional caucuses as if giving a dramatic soliloquy from the center of a spotlight on an otherwise dimly lit stage--freedom earned by the sweat of those on the frontlines is only real to those willing to sweat. Oh, how Americans seem to be so afraid to sweat.
Our soldiers are dying, our veterans have suffered the lasting effects of fighting for an unjust, undefined cause. Our country is fading from a once proud new nation of rebels with revolutionary ideas, willing to sacrifice their luxuries for the right to live in freedom, to a land of elitists willing to sacrifice their freedoms for the right to live in luxury.
Where are the revolutionaries? We do not need more self-proclaimed "patriots" re-enacting pages from a history book---we need revolutionaries.
Revolutionaries are determined to maintain high standards, strength of character and demonstrate their respect for others as our Constitution demands, even as they stand for change in a corrupt, increasingly immoral shadow of a country once founded on standards, strength of character and respect for others.
Revolutionaries know they must be, within themselves, all the changes they want to see.
Revolutionaries are willing to fight for their freedom with everything they have, giving up nothing of themselves in the process, earning the right for that freedom by living the cost.
Where are these rebels who understand the depth of the cause?
"Every man who acts beyond the line of private life must expect to pass through two severe examinations. First, as to his motives, secondly, as to his conduct."
(Paine, Letter I, Four Letters of Interesting Subjects, 1776.)
The conduct of United States citizens clearly defines their commitment to the cause--it is past time for a revolution--the final exam is scheduled to begin. Will our conduct reflect the high standards true freedom demands? Or are our motives simply a cover to hide the fact that we have not yet learned what freedom really means?
Barely on line. Nancy tobi is introducing Bill Gardner, NH sec of State.
Bill Gardner--before NH was a state, people could only vote for one member of the assembly.
Vermont got made by Governor of NH granting townships to his friends.
The tax then was white pines for the ship building in Portsmouth.
NH declared independence in January of 1776. The size of assembly was determined by one member for each three hundred eleigible voters. Only NH and Vermont have two year terms for their legislature and governor.
If there's a problem, we find them early.
Nominees for president and senators determined by the state. NH proposed the first democratic national convention to nominate candidates in 1831. First convention met in 1832 after suggestion by NH.
We perform our civic duties in March because it's mud season and you can't do much else.
Town Meeting day in March, every year. Local elections separated from Federal and state elections in 1870s. Wisconsin originated the primary to bring more people (grassroots) involved in the process. 1916 Primary was on Town Meeting day.
Many states went to caucus system because the primary elections were poorly attended and expensive. NH got primary first position by default.
1968 Primary after Tet Offensive and surge in VietNam. Lyndon Johnson decided not to be on ballot and chose to be a write-in. Pledge parties to get write-in vote. Eugene McCarthy went around, fired up the grassroots and got 43% of the vote, as well as 20 of the 24 delegates. Lyndon Johnson decided not to run for re-election.
Nominee of party won not one primary. McGovern Commission made proposals to promote the grass roots. 1971 Florida passed a law to have primary on same day as NH. Changed town metting day to a week earlier, to be first.
Now the Democratic party of Florida has determined to move their primary up, in defiance of the DNC. 1975 the Legislature gave Sec of State the responsibility to insure first place.
NH declared independence in January of 1776. The size of assembly was determined by one member for each three hundred eleigible voters. Only NH and Vermont have two year terms for their legislature and governor.
If there's a problem, we find them early.
Nominees for president and senators determined by the state. NH proposed the first democratic national convention to nominate candidates in 1831. First convention met in 1832 after suggestion by NH.
We perform our civic duties in March because it's mud season and you can't do much else.
Town Meeting day in March, every year. Local elections separated from Federal and state elections in 1870s. Wisconsin originated the primary to bring more people (grassroots) involved in the process. 1916 Primary was on Town Meeting day.
Many states went to caucus system because the primary elections were poorly attended and expensive. NH got primary first position by default.
1968 Primary after Tet Offensive and surge in VietNam. Lyndon Johnson decided not to be on ballot and chose to be a write-in. Pledge parties to get write-in vote. Eugene McCarthy went around, fired up the grassroots and got 43% of the vote, as well as 20 of the 24 delegates. Lyndon Johnson decided not to run for re-election.
Nominee of party won not one primary. McGovern Commission made proposals to promote the grass roots. 1971 Florida passed a law to have primary on same day as NH. Changed town metting day to a week earlier, to be first.
Now the Democratic party of Florida has determined to move their primary up, in defiance of the DNC. 1975 the Legislature gave Sec of State the responsibility to insure first place.
Under Gardener NH passed first paper ballot law. Election day registration.
He gets a certificate of appreciation from DFNH--National Hero of Grassroots Democracy!
11.
Now the Democratic party of Florida has determined to move their primary up, in defiance of the DNC.
Monida
Yep, that's us alright. Troublemakes.
But it was the Republican Florida legislature and the Republican governor who moved the primary up.
Mr and Mrs Arredondo in honor of their son Alex who was killed in Iraq at the age of twenty during his second tour.
Howard Dean to arrive in a minute.
My hero!
Somebody please take pictures or do a video of the event for us who couldn't be there..
Pretty please. I have a video from DemFest 2004, and it is just great.
The program is being video-taped. Look to DFNH to get copies. Will be available after a few days.
No fifty year plan in Iraq
Supporting troops is not same as supporting failed mission in Iraq.
Talking about immigration--Republicans appeal to fears that people will work for three dollars an hour and cost money for services.
The people who come here are the best of the best. They can't speak the language, they may not succeed, they work hard.
Thanks Monica...will order one. I still have not opened and viewed the video called Take It Back. But I will someday. Thanks for the posting updates.
We're not asking for amnesty. Enforce the immigration laws. Control borders. No racist hysteria about immigration.
"We tried to make a lot of compromises" Once again the right wing of the Republican party nixed the bill.
We need to get rid of the strangle hold of the right wing and we're going to do it in this state next year.
Thanks us for the journey to two-way campaign. The way you win is to talk to everybody, starting NOW. Asking people for votes is a sign of respect.
"We're going to be in all fifty states " gets a lot of applause. First Democratic Mayor of Mobile, Alabama.
Four Democrats in Mississippi. Woman Democratic Mayor in Tulsa, OK
Go door to door and ask for every single vote. We need to get to know folks. Dem message has been carried by Rush and O'Reilly.
New generation in every community, including the evangelical community.
Get people to church by talking about hope--not beating up on people.
Bought time on Christian radio the last ten days before election. Delivered by the weather man. No ordinary Americans should be ignored (Rush and O'Reilly excepted)
Republican imposition
Right wing is more focused on power than on what's right for America.
Universal health care and universal human rights. A little respect goes a long way.
Democrats are right on the issues and they're wrong.
Right wing is more focused on power than on what's right for America. . . Dean
He's always on target!
Thanks so much Monica for the play by play.
http://www.denverpost.com/ci_6103693?source=rss
"Obama moms" cradle campaignThe Democrat's run is drawing women with children who are carving time out of their week for him. Saturday, they knocked on doors in Denver.By Stephen KeatingDenver Post Staff WriterArticle Last Updated: 06/10/2007 01:24:20 AM MDT
John Leyba The Denver Post Kristl Tyler, 39, holds her daughter Leah, 1, before the Denver "Walk for Change," part of a nationwide canvassing for Sen. Barack Obama on Saturday. The senator is to attend a campaign event today in Broomfield. (The Denver Post)The upstart presidential run of U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., is drawing volunteers who haven't previously put their time and money on the line for a presidential candidate.
They wear Obama T-shirts and buttons, go door-to-door and use the Internet to recruit. Some are Obama moms - women with children and jobs carving hours out of their week to help the campaign.
...
Part of Obama's appeal to women is a "craving for authenticity," said Melinda Henneberger, author of the recent book "If They Only Listened to Us: What Women Voters Want Politicians to Hear."
...
Tyler and other Obama supporters hit the streets Saturday as part of his "Walk for Change," a neighborhood canvassing effort intended to cultivate support and small-donor fundraising.
The Obama campaign claimed that 10,000 volunteers took part nationwide, knocking on an estimated 350,000 doors.
Tyler helped coordinate nearly 200 volunteers who met Saturday morning at South High School in Denver. In the afternoon, she was at Whittier Community Center, one of four locations where volunteers dropped off their paperwork after canvassing.
...
Monica, again you out did yourself.
Thank you.
It was so nice to hear Eddie from Maine was there. He sure has been hiding himself. :)
Howdy all DemFesters. How nice you all had such good times together.
Great photo Eddie, Charlie and Subway.
Denise, thank you for stopping by too.
Everyone...kudos!
Safe travels home.
And of course, the Dean's of Democracy for America are number 1 and, tonight, they close the show. :)
Thank you Monica, for every minute. It was great.
So sudden from Deanfest to Obama without warning? A person could be injured in a fall like that.
FROM DEMOCRACYFEST - Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) announced at 2:40 p.m.
Sunday at DemocracyFest that he will be revoking his support for the Holt
Bill. He will announce this to Rush Holt shortly. He also announced that he
soon intends to reintroduce his bill formerly known as HR 6200 -- to hand
count the presidential election.
He remarked that he will be reviewing the original HR 6200 very carefully
and deliberately to make it as good a bill as possible.
Bev Harris
Founder - Black Box Voting
Mike in Raleigh,
We finally settled on lesser expensive multi purpose Mountain Bike with
Schwinn, but if we do well with using them, we may upgrade to this.
Have you heard of these? Isn't this cool? No chain.
Outback Elite 8
Full-Suspension Mountain Bike
http://www.dynamicbicycles.com/buy/Bikes.php?prodid=47#
Back home now.
the only problem I have with health care delivered on a state by state basis is that it's not portable and will, like civil unions, leave people in jeopardy when they leave home--or even if they have to go to another state to get the treatment they need.
One of our basic freedoms is the freedom to travel or relocate anywhere in the country, at will. When getting medical attention for injury or disease is connected to a specific geographic location, that freedom is reduced, if not eliminated.
Of course, they're already making an effort to get people to get used to being restricted with that prescription drug program which ties people to the pharmacies that have their prescriptions on file. This strikes me as not unlike getting people used to invasion of their privacy by making them disrobe in public when they want to get on an airplane.
Monica thanks again -- the pix are great and a little of Howard too?
========
Firefox, if you are still on, do you know who Sirota is supporting for Pres? Hope you don't be a stranger - miss you in the conversations here. Also thx for word on Seashell -- Seasheall get well soon!
===============
I am listening to this sensational recording I could not listen to for a year after 9/11 b/c the singer sounds ME and I was so scared. It's one of Paul Winter's very best.
http://www.livingmusic.com/catalogue/alb...
btw I'm planning on going back to Manhattan 22nd for the Summer Solstice concert at Cathedral. It starts at 4:30 AM :~) http://www.livingmusic.com/solstice/summ...
File Paul Winter somewhere between easy listening, quiet jazz, just gorgous music but not New Age - he's too good a musician for that label imho
=================
Here's my political contribution for the evening:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19140634/sit...
Guys Gone Wild
The most far-reaching ideas are, perhaps not surprisingly, coming from folks who aren't in the race. Too bad, but at least the current field can read Gore and Bradley.
Best Ideas for Fixing America? Listen to Gore, Bradley
The most far-reaching ideas are, perhaps not surprisingly, coming from folks who aren't in the race. Too bad, but at least the current field can read Gore and Bradley. Iraq Is Not Vietnam--Or Korea Either
By Jonathan Alter
Newsweek
Hey guys -- what ABOUT Bradley? He sounds so very sane today.
Monica Smith
Yes, the limitations are the problem with that. Not to mention, you'll not be controling the costs.
Monica, did I miss something on the other thread about Kucinich pulling his support for Holt's Bill? Believe it or not, I received this in an email from Cinci. :)
Hi, Ann.
No idea who Sirota supports. I don't think he has made up his mind. Maybe waiting for Gore.
He does like Edwards stance on the trade deals.
I am positive he isn't supporting Hillary though, lol. He has been critical of Obama on trade deals and other issues but then sometimes he is complimentary of him on other issues so I am not sure. He said he hasn't made up his mind yet.
Yeah, I hope Seashell is better. She just sent me a quick note yesterday and said she was on antibiotics and trying to get some sleep. Hopefully her fever is down.
Don't think I will blog much here after this week. Maybe around the Primaries I will again.
Miss you.
Fire
OK - see ya at the primaries Firefox -- stay well and happy.
Linda,
Kucinich and Holt Bill. Click here. Bev posted the newsflash on their website so it must be true! Yey!
I am surprised that California is going for universal health care. I doubt it will go through. They have a very popular repubilican governor. I doubt he will buy that idear.
Democrats will probably have to win the next election without California.
mikeinkansas
Howard spoke this evening, he looked great as usual. No whale tie, in fact, no tie at all.
Just came to the room for a few minutes. After Howard left a bunch of us hung out over in the convention center area, Subway got his guitar and played for us for a while.
It's been a fabulous weekend once again - Jessica, Charlene, Liane, Quintus, and Ellen did a great job!
What an amazing group of people Deaniacs and this blog family are.
Hi Annilow :-)
The new thread has been christened!
Wow again.
At about 6pm I was walking from my room to the comnvention hall wearing the Gore/Dean 08 shirt and just happened to meet Howard alone in the hallway. As we were passing I reached out to shake his hand and he pointed to me and said, and you can quote this: "Hey, that's a great shirt." and I told him that it was the first of it's kind, and he said that he'd be in the hall in a little while.
Later, in the recieving line after he spoke, I shook his hand again and pointed to my shirt and said "You realize that this would cure TWO injustices." and he said, "You're probably right." with that big ol grin...
I was scheduled to perform 2 sets this weekend and ended up playing 4. I've had a wonderful time this weekend. Folks went out of their way to give me the star treatment.
I'll remember this forever.
single payer.........yes! it still hasn't sunk in, and there are still numerous bills out there, but universal health care is a done deal in california.
**************
an outrage! potty face lieberman was on 'face the nation,' [figuratively] wearing a toilet over his head and holding his hand over his heart as he tried to whip up sentiment to pre-emptively invade iran. sign up your kin and spill their blood, joe.
why don't connecticut voters start a recall joe leiberman campaign?
thanks for all the well wishes everyone. I've been lurking and enjoying all the posts from demfest and am slowly recovering. Not to worry. This happens when I sweat at the dances while fans blow hard on me. I know other people who are sensitive to fans and aire conditioning too. Sometimes I just lose my voice..this time it was worse. :-)
Good morning, everybody
Just learned something new.
Images has to be enabled on your browser in order to copy from a URL.
New thread
It's great that Californians are doing something right, as usual. The democrats should take note and really start pushing a health care platform this election period because every child should have a right to adequate health care. A simple reworking of the budget could easily propel this program, people just have to want to provide health care for everyone. I certainly hope that they will also focus on other humanitarian policies, such as ending global poverty by supporting the UN Millennium Development Goals. According to the Borgen Project, we have spent $340 billion on the war to end terror and nothing has come of it. We need to urge our leaders to support issues that will make an impact on the sources of terror.
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Videos of some of the 64 House Healthcare Heroes standing strong for a public health insurance option
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