I took some time today on my lunch break to attend the “Healthcare is a Human Right” rally on the Statehouse Lawn. I was busy running around hobnobbing and such, so I don’t have a lot of details as to who was speaking at what time and so on. It was very well attended, much more than anything else at the Statehouse in quite some time, and unsurprisingly, much more well attended than the tax-day whinefest (although there were a few rather quiet anti-choice protesters in attendance). More photos below the jump.
Even though the day was overcast, there was a good energy in the crowd.
And of course, Bernie was there, giving a rousing speech…
a quiet pro-lifer…
It was a great turnout. I heard a lot of things I agreed with. I “woohooed” a few times. I’d like to ignore your jab at the tea party but it’s hard not to. This rally was coordinated by a group of people. The tea party– one. One person. There were a bunch of organizations which sponsored this event and they really brought out their people. The tea party was a completely different thing. But anyway, this was a protest so a fair amount of whining about lobbyists and insurance and pharmaceutical companies was to be heard, for sure. And I was right there with you, whining along with y’all 😀
“Health care” is not a human right. Providing it is a good thing that we choose to do amongst all the other things that we choose to do with our tax money: good roads, schools, armies, weather satellites, farm subsidies, etc. ad nauseum. Calling something a “right” doesn’t make it one.
Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness do not involve reaching into our pockets to pay for it. The demand for “health care” is, in effect, infinite: I want everything possible done to extend my life and my family’s well being, and I don’t care what it costs or who it harms. That’s not a right, it’s a desire.
The stock response is that some “basic” level of health care is in fact a “right”. I simply don’t agree, it’s just a good thing we, as a rich country, can afford to do for those who can’t afford it. The difference is that my family’s savings is not exposed to the infinite demand that extending a “right” would entail, and the “good thing to do” is subject to normal fiscal and trade-off limitations.
Ok, everyone, flame away…I have my asbestos suit on. 🙂
How can you say the Tea Party was organized by one person. Didn’t a major national TV network along with a political party that used to be a major one promote the event nation wide? Don’t you think many at your event heard of the national tax day tea party from that MSM? And don’t forget hate radio, Beaudry helped you too. Anyway, its my guess that probably 800-1000 people attended the healthcare event at its peak. I think there would have been more if the weather didnt look so grim. Most of the pro life group was pretty good, one lady really annoyed me by jumping in front of everyone and standing behind Bernie just to get her face on TV. These people all have a right to their opinion but there is a respectful way of doing so. I would be equally offended if a healthcare rights person jumped in front of everyone at a pro life rally. Its just a matter of respect.
Anyway, I think Obama would be smart to wait until the next election before he starts pushing healthcare reform. With the republican clowns acting the way they are dems are almost guaranteed a few more senate seats. 3 or 4 more seats will make it possible for universal coverage of some kind. Our goal should be to have the best healthcare in the world, not to copy Europe or Canada.
There were a good variety of people, definitely not just the usual suspects. (though they were there too)
“An injury to one. An injury to all.” representing the newish Vermont IWW chapter.
Anthony Pollina was marching.
A LOT of Working Vermonters took their May Day off to rally for healthcare.
The weather may have effected the mood and turnout a little; there was a 50% chance of t-storms.
As far as what I saw of the elected folks: Bernie was Bernie as mentioned, Sen. Shumlin was in a place where people would see him for a while, Bob Kiss spoke eloquently: I was shocked at the cost that healthcare represents for municipalities, and Sen. Flanagan made a brief, impromptu and passionate call for continued grassroots pressure on the issue.
I saw probably a dozen people in the crowd I recognized as more progressive legislators. This was a strong start for a renewed push for truly Universal Healthcare in Vermont.
Now what?
Nice turnout though. Vermont should definately get first consideration at federal single-payer health care testing programs. The State says it has the will to go it alone but with Douglas acting like the infatile little kid who stomps his feet and sticks a fork in every possible idea that might ruin our Triple AAA bond rating (God forbid. Isn’t that rating so you can borrow?) I’m not very optimistic.
You know, that guy with the lovely (there were kids there idiot) Obama sign did make me think. I’m really reserving judgment on the president until I see the employee free choice act become law. Maybe Hillary can start pushing it too. She said she would. If they run away from that, I will be dropping my party affiliation which I was already thinking about doing anyway.
We need a new jolt of Paul Wellstone. Soon. Please?
Thanks for those pictures, JD.
In 1948 the UN signed a Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
http://www.un.org/en/documents…
lol..I did not get a chance to mess with him, but wished I had seen you do it:) Would have been a good show. I had a certain feeling that this guy was divered from all his sanity:) Glad ya messed with him.
“It’s a huge leap to say your “right” to life is inherent on the government providing a service. It’s not. You have that right to life, regardless.”
Without health care what good is that right to life? Again, should health care be something you ration to those that have the financial means to afford it up front or with the credit card? Health care should be an inherent right of human existence, since it is not our fault for having the temerity to be born, and, as the US system has so adeptly proved, a single-payer is the only way.
LOL..it would not surprise me. I wanted to mess with him too, but did not have the time.