Robert Reich calls for 'march on Washington' in support of public option

[wndycty]

Who is in?

Robert Reich calls for 'march on Washington' in support of public option

Robert Reich, the former Labor secretary, scholar and commentator, called Tuesday for a “march on Washington” on Sept. 13 —“Grandparents
Day” — in support of a health care bill that offers a public option.

While he said organizing was not his strength, he would be prepared to assist. “If enough people feel that’s the best way for their voices to be heard, and can’t be heard in any other way, then we march,” Reich said in a reader question-and-answer session in POLITICO’s Arena.

A group of conservatives have already announced a “tea party” movement march on Washington for Sept. 12. An opposing march the next day, if one were to materialize, could make for an interesting weekend.

Reich’s suggested march is the latest manifestation of liberal anger about signs that the Obama administration may be willing to live without a public option if it means a health care bill can become law. “Very few things happen in Washington that are in the public's interest when corporations have huge financial stakes in the game, as they obviously do with health care — unless the public is actively involved, engaged and organized,” Reich wrote. “We won't get a public option, or anything close to it, unless people who feel strongly about it make a racket.”

-snip-

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0809/26224.html

[NewJeffCT]

1. how about Medicare for All march?

i might be interested in that. i don't think they would get enough for just a "public option" march.

[DrToast]

4. Seriously. No offense to Mr. Reich, but I don't consider a public option "march-worthy"

[patrice]

7. Oops! That was meant for DrToast:

ALL of it has synergy in negotiations. Do you open a bid with exactly what you want? March for whatever you're for; no one's going to throw you out unless you assault someone else.

If you open with exactly what you want, you are going to end up waaaaaaay under that.

P.S. Medicare for All = Public Option.

[MedicareForAllMarch]

21. I'm In For a Medicare for All March

So much so I'm trying to build genuine support for it

You can find out more about it at:

http://www.medicareforallmarch.org

The plan is to have a large national get together at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. sometime in the fall, my initial goal was by the end of September, but it will take an awful lot of heavy lifting for enough people to have heard about this before then for that to be likely.

I'm not Robert Reich, and I don't have an enormous megaphone like the former Secretary of Labor.

[gardenista]

2. Excellent! I will be in DC!

[JustAnotherGen]

8. Me too

Email him. Tell him he's right and let him know you will come. Here's what I sent:

Mr. Reich - I saw your comments on Huffingtonpost.com: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/18/robert-reich-calls-for-ma_n_262310.html and I was planning on doing a "One Woman" march the Sunday before Labor day anyway. I'm also a member of Democratic Underground and politically active on Facebook. I haven't known how to get a 'march' going, i.e. permits, etc. etc. but I would be willing and able to go. I might also be able to help the idea go viral. What about some heavy postings on Facebook? That's where the people that voted for President Obama are. As well, my parents were very active in the campaign in Rochester, NY as well as Eric Massa's campaign. They would definately get involved.

As it stands my Representative in the House, Leonard Lance is not even having a Town Hall where he can hear from his 'minority' in Central NJ.

If you are taking names or need assistance please don't hesitate to contact me. I think that those of us who are passionate about a true public option that is affordable for every American, and where those of us with pre-existing conditions cannot be denied should we lose our existing coverage are ready to push for this. We just needed a highly recognized public figure to say it needs to be done!
**********************************************************

Give him your name, address, and contact number. We need someone with a pulpit to lead the charge. As far as I'm concerned - he just did!

[patrice]

3. Madashell Doctors are going to be there September 30 for Single Payer.

I'm hoping all of the different marching groups will work together and call for all of us, say early in 2010.

[Apollo11]

20. According to their own blog it will be October 1st

"We will arrive in DC on September 31. Our protest event will take place on the Capitol steps October 1st."

http://blog.madashelldoctors.com/


September 31 !! WTF ??? :eyes:

[valerief]

5. Hey, teabaggers are marching in DC that weekend. We'd just be

bolstering their numbers for the teevee cameras.

[JustAnotherGen]

10. They are there

The day before:

Sponsored Links
9/12 Tea Party Protest
March on Washington with thousands
of fellow freedom-loving patriots!
912dc.org/event-registration



That above is coming up in the ADVERTISED right hand column on google. Notice they say - thousands.

We need 2 million people at least to descend on D.C.

[valerief]

12. I saw something that said they were there for the weekend.

I'd hate to look like a teabagger!!!!

[patrice]

6. If you can't get to D.C., you need to be out in the streets locally.

Pick a good street corner with a 4-way stop-light and think long and carefully about your sign(s).

[JustAnotherGen]

13. He he he

I'm mischievous - how about my loaded .22? :rofl: That might be quite the sign in Bridgewater NJ.

[uponit7771]

9. I'm saving up money and vacation days to do this, I will be there

[mzmolly]

11. Some DUers have said the same thing. We need to show that WE

are motivated.

[TomCADem]

14. If Democracy for America, AFL-CIO, Etc. Agree On A Date - I'm There!

Let pick a date, but give me a few weeks notice so I can make plans please.

[mzmolly]

17. I also hope there will be an organized

effort. :hi:

[MasonJar]

15. Thank you , Mr. Reich.

[cliffordu]

16. I'll be there if I can be.

[Peacetrain]

18. I am in Iowa, if I had the money.. I would be there.. yes I would

[adamuu]

19. I'm In n/t