Let this be our Battle Cry: Ted Kennedy, 1980.

[johnaries]

"let us resolve that the state of a family's health shall never depend on the size of a family's wealth."

Is there any statement that sums it up any better? We can argue over petty details, but that is the core. That is what we are striving for. That is the goal.

"The state of a family's health shall never depend on the size of a family's wealth."

That is why we need Universal Health Care. That is we need a single-payer, or barring that, a competitive robust public option.

Why should a baby or any child die because their parents are too poor to afford health care to save their life?

"The state of a family's health shall never depend on the size of a family's wealth."

If that is not convincing enough, if the person you are talking to is still in full "denial mode", you can hit them with this from the same speech:

"The President, the Vice President, the members of Congress have a medical plan that meets their needs in full, and whenever senators and representatives catch a little cold, the Capitol physician will see them immediately, treat them promptly, fill a prescription on the spot. We do not get a bill even if we ask for it, and when do you think was the last time a member of Congress asked for a bill from the Federal Government? And I say again, as I have before, if health insurance is good enough for the President, the Vice President, the Congress of the United States, then it's good enough for you and every family in America."

{emphasis added}

In the full speech, Ted ties Health Care to the economy. Something that rings as true today as it did back then. as President Obama keeps trying to remind us:

"Finally, we cannot have a fair prosperity in isolation from a fair society. So I will continue to stand for a national health insurance. We must -- We must not surrender -- We must not surrender to the relentless medical inflation that can bankrupt almost anyone {~OP note: 60+% of all bankruptcies are the direct of medical bill, and over 50% of those had medical insurance.~} and that may soon break the budgets of government at every level. Let us insist on real controls over what doctors and hospitals can charge, and let us resolve that the state of a family's health shall never depend on the size of a family's wealth.

the state of a family's health shall never depend on the size of a family's wealth.

we cannot have a fair prosperity in isolation from a fair society.

if health insurance is good enough for the President, the Vice President, the Congress of the United States, then it's good enough for you and every family in America

Granted, that's a little long to chant in a protest. For those occasions, how about something simple short like

Health, NOT Wealth!


edit to add link you have to read: http://www.minnpost.com/ericblack/2009/08/26/11125/ted_kennedy_1980_let_us_resolve_that_the_state_of_a_familys_health_shall_never_depend_on_the_size_of_a_familys_wealth

[liberal N proud]

1. How about Health Regardless of Wealth!

[johnaries]

2. That still works! Anything to point out that it is not fair for the rich

to have better health care simply because they are rich.

Yes, America has the "best health care in the world" - if you can afford it.

[RoccoR5955]

3. As a Pastafarian, I must say, "Arrgh and Ramen!"

It's a blessing in the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

May we all be touched by His noodly appendages.

[johnaries]

4. Dragon Boat races in Nashville with 2 groups of Pirates!

I participated in the Dragon Boat races this past weekend in Nashville on the Cumberland River. There were 2 groups of Pirates participating! Although they were mostly content on skirmishing with each other, the weather was most unseasonally cool and pleasant for August in Nashville. Further proof that Pirates affect Global Warming as declared by His Holy Sauciness, FSM!

There is no rational explanation for the unusually low temperatures in what is usually the hottest, most humid, and most unpleasant week of the year in Nashville other than the presence of so many active Pirates!

Skeptiks, everywhere - behold the power of the FSM and be touched by his glorious noodly appendage!

Speaking of which, our work cafeteria served a Chicken Parmesan over spaghetti today that was totally awesome! coincidence? What is coincidence and what is Fate?

And what is Marinara?

These are the pressing questions of our time.

Seriously, though, we need Universal Health Care. I'm down with Private Doctors, Private Hospitals, etc. As long as everyone can afford it. I'm middle-class and I work hard, and I deserve the same Health Care as some fat-cat asshole who sits on a private sail-boat all day benefiting from the hard work of others while he does nothing.

I'm sick and tired of working my ass off while the rich get richer, just by going on vacation.

[johnaries]

5. Anyone who opposes Universal Health Care is a Social Darwinist,

The whole concept of a "Free Market" is based on Social Darwinism. How ironic is it that the people who are the first to decry that Darwinism is blasphemy are also the first to "blame the victim" and embrace Social Darwinism.

The saddest part of all is that the vast majority would not be in the Middle Class if it weren't for the very same philosophies they now claim as "Socialism".

Ron Paul and others want to return to the 1800's. All I can say is "did you actually READ your history books?"

[Odin2005]

6. A-FUCKING-MEN!!!

[GaYellowDawg]

7. I'm sorry, but I will never use that cry.

The one thing I will always hold against Ted Kennedy is that when he challenged Jimmy Carter and lost, he did not endorse Carter in his convention speech. Had Kennedy actively campaigned for Carter, we might not have gotten Ronald fucking Reagan. So no, I won't ever use "Ted Kennedy 1980" as any kind of rallying cry.