Just saw Sicko ... my letter to Congressman Marshall.

[Laelth]

One of the best things about Michael Moore's movie, Sicko, is the recognition that a frightened, sick, and demoralized people are easier to govern. It's key to realize, I think, that certain powerful people here in the United States keep us (very intentionally) frightened, sick, and demoralized. Our sorry health care system is part of the mechanism that keeps us in our place, metaphorically, and keeps us in line so that the rich may continue to exploit us.

If you haven't seen Sicko yet, I urge you to see it. Then I urge you to act.

Here's my letter to my representative, Jim Marshall (D-GA 08), for all the good it will do:

Dear Congressman Marshall:

The purpose of this letter is to urge you to support universal, single-payer health care for all Americans. My wife and I, part of the 50 million Americans who are without health insurance, live every day in fear of illness. After watching Michael Moore's Sicko, it has become clear to us that Americans are the laughingstock of the civilized world for refusing to insist on single-payer, socialized health care. Yes, the insurance industry is an evil, corrupt monolith of which we all live in fear, you included, but we urge you to do the right thing, for the benefit of your own people, and support a single-payer health care system for all Americans. Don't believe the right-wing propaganda about socialized medicine. The system works, and that's why not a single country that has adopted socialized medicine has ever gotten rid of it. The people love it.

Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your continued service to our district and the American people.

Sincerely,

Alan Taylor
Macon, Georgia

I wonder if I will get a reply. Marshall, after all, sits on the House Committee on Financial Services and the Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government. I suspect his vote has been purchased by the insurance industry. Nevertheless, he's human, and I believe he can distinguish right from wrong. The American health care system is just, plain wrong. Our politicians simply don't believe that we know or can see how wrong it is. We have to let them know.

-Laelth

[rateyes]

1. He'll reply. I live in his district, too...

and commute to Macon for work. He's always replied to my letters, and I've written him some doozies.

He is, though, a Republican in Democratic clothing...so, don't expect to change his mind. I hope a good Democrat runs against him in the primaries. If not, he won't get my vote. After all, if we're going to have a Republican in office, best to have one who's honest about being one.

[bunkerbuster1]

2. Whereas John Linder (R-Douchebagville), replied to me

when I wrote to him asking nicely to override Bush's SCHIP veto. He essentially told me that SCHIP was a Commie plot.

I try to see the good in all humankind, but that nasty PoS can't kick off soon enough to suit me.

[RubyDuby in GA]

3. I'm in FairTax hell too (live in the 7th)

If you ever read Peach Pundit - even what passes for the "conservatives" in this state are sick of his ass too. I'm hearing that he's getting a primary challenger.

[bunkerbuster1]

4. I check in to Peach Pundit now and again...

Need to again, I guess. I didn't know that the knuckle-draggers were unhappy with the Dumb Yankee Swede (you like that nickname? I'm trying out new ones, but nothing seems to stick to Linder.)

[Laelth]

5. Congressman Marshall's Response

Thank you for your email concerning "Sicko" and socialized medicine as the cure for our healthcare woes.

I am supportive of universal healthcare and believe we will see this happen within the next decade. Our current healthcare delivery system is fart too inefficient, consuming a disproportionately high percentage of our GDP for health outcomes that are disproportionately poor. And far too many Americans have limited or no access to this system unless they become gravely ill. That is inexcusable for a country which is the richest in the history of the world.

That said, I doubt proponents of universal healthcare will label it "socialized medicine." That is a divisive term chosen by opponents. I also think we will wind up with some blended system. Basic care for all with, like Britain, additional care available to those who buy private insurance or who otherwise pay for it.

Please let me know if I can be of help in any other way.

Very truly yours,

Jim

This is encouraging, even if I am suspicious that I am being told what I want to hear. Even so, I feel like I have been heard on the subject, and the response could have been a lot worse.

-Laelth