“Doing Civil Disobedience for Single Payer” Carol Paris MD

[maryf]

http://pnhp.org/blog/2010/02/01/what-i-have-learned-doing-civil-disobedience-for-single-payer/

What I Have Learned “Doing Civil Disobedience for Single Payer”
Posted by Carol Paris, MD on Monday, Feb 1, 2010

“People should go where they are not supposed to go, say what they are not supposed to say, and stay when they are told to leave.” –Howard Zinn

<snip> Please do go to the link above, video embedded, plus

My gut told me “so be it. You’re doing the best you can. This is a no-brainer. Gotta do it. Margaret and I have been needing some quiet time to catch-up; might as well be in a police station.”

My gut has a great sense of humor.

Fear overcomes me when I listen to my head; calm enfolds me when I listen to my gut.

So, for what it is worth, here are few tips for “doing cd for Single Payer”:

1. Ignore your head. That means, all those familiar thoughts that leave you feeling fearful and bad.

2. Listen to your gut. You know it’s your gut talking if you start feeling calmness, clarity, and quiet determination.

3. We need people engaging in “gut-driven” cd to right all kinds of wrongs. Be authentic; for many of us, the gut issue is Medicare For All. If yours is the environment, then do cd for that.

4. Don’t try this alone. Take a friend. Or several.

5. Do the best you can. Speak from your heart. Once you’re in handcuffs, the worst is over. The “authorities” aren’t your enemy; most will treat you respectfully and the ones who don’t are just having a bad day. Don’t take it personally.

6. I like to take a “token” with me, tucked in my pocket with my driver’s license. For me, it’s a picture of my grandchildren and the holy card from my father’s funeral. It reminds me that he would be proud of me and that I’m doing this for the people who inspire me–my family and my patients.

7. If you have the choice of doing cd in the winter or the summer, definitely choose summer! Wear layers either way because it’s cold in jail.

Remember that we all have talents to contribute. Without Bill Hughes taking the video, our action wouldn’t have been as fruitful. Without Kevin Zeese, we’d have worried about our families and “legal stuff.” Without Mark Almberg, we wouldn’t have a press release. Without researchers like David Himmelstein and Steffie Woolhandler, we wouldn’t have compelling data to support us. We draw support from each other.

As Margaret Mead said: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

[blindpig]

1. k&r

There is no substitute for single payer.

[PuraVidaDreamin]

2. Do CD to end the MIC and wars too

Why aren't we all on the streets?

http://peaceoftheaction.org/


Check out this vid- Have you been to jail for justice

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgCyBFYsy_4

[maryf]

5. + 1,000

Thanks so much, Cindy is a major hero, and the tunes can't get much better!!

[PHIMG]

3. Bury the term "Single Payer"

Single Payer is confusing and politically tainted.

Medicare for All is very hard for Politicians to use a pejorative and more people know what Medicare is.

[maryf]

4. Yep, I agree...

Actually isn't that what HR676 calls itself "expanded and improved Medicare for all?"

[PHIMG]

7. Sure is! It's force of habit, I even do it myself sometimes.

We need to expand Medicare Any and Every where we can. That's the only kind of incrementalism I can support.

No more SCHIP. Roll it in to Medicare. Sell it as streamlining government. Same for Medicaid. Sell it as offering relief to the states. Give VA people the option to get into Medicare if they want and slowly and carefully open the VA hospitals with capacity to Medicare patients.

NO new programs like a public option, use Medicare -- it exists today and it works and it is effective and efficient.

Put the Republicans and Blue Dogs on the spot. Vote against a bill with Medicare in the title if you dare.

[maryf]

8. And keep reminding folks, as you do all the time with your username here...

Private Health Insurance Must Go!! and your outfit is fantastic at effective CD!

[maryf]

6. Thanks for all the recs!!

I had to post this before going to work, figured it might sink like a stone...Thanks to all! Now get out there with your "gut driven" selves and raise a ruckus!

[L0oniX]

9. Serving notice to corporations: We're coming to get you.

[maryf]

10. Hope they keep their lobby floors clean...

folks will be sitting on them... :)

[Delphinus]

11. Let's hope! n/t

[asdjrocky]

12. Number 7 is good advice.

It is cold in jail.

Big K & R for this, and I'm steeling the Zinn quote at the beginning.