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A few quick thoughts on news that Senator Bernie Sanders dropped out, w/a caveat that I generally don't endorse individual candidates. TL;DR a more just & equitable healthcare system for all was always going to be be a big, long, systemic, organizing struggle. So, onward.
For those committed to a more just and equitable system of care for all, whether #MedicareForAll or a different model, this was always going to be a long game of organizing, struggling, pressuring, & voting, w/ a whole range of folks needing to be educated, taught, & challenged.
First, remember: Sanders has already introduced #Medicare4All legislation. It currently doesn't have the votes to pass. It wouldn't magically have them if he or anyone else were president.
Second, this is about movement building and organizing. A single candidate will never be a whole movement. That was kind of Sanders's whole rhetorical thing with #NotMeUs, and for his supporters, that stays true, yes? So support @UniteThePoor. Support @fairfightaction.
NC folks, we've got a Senate race to work on, 'cuz @SenThomTillis prevented Medicaid expansion while he was in state legislature & is keen to take away protections for #preexistingconditions now that he's in national office. Support @NC_PPC, NC @united4survival, and @democracync
Third: #MedicareForAll isn't a magic bullet. Disability advocates have pointed out the importance of Medicaid protections for disabled folks to be able to stay in their own homes and communities. Single-payer systems still have inequities & gaps. There's always work to be done.
To poorly paraphrase the great Ella Baker: We who believe in just and equitable care for all cannot rest until it's done (except when we need to rest in which case, that's ok, pass the baton and pick it back up when you're rested!)
Fourth: This was always going to be a matter of educating, pressuring, and convincing politicians who aren't already on board with universal healthcare. That was going to be true in the Senate and true in the House. And it can be done!!!
Biden's platform, for example, is already further along than Obama's was in 2008. "We must have a public option" is now seen as the least progressive option in the Democratic party. So what's there to do? Keep on pushing!
In the words of @UniteThePoor, @RevDrBarber, and @liztheo: We must do MORE: Mobilize, Organize, Register, and Educate! Here's an action you can take right now:
https://sign.moveon.org/petitions/this-pandemic-demands-a-systemic-response-an-urgent-message-from-the-poor-people-s-campaign/?source=shortlink
And you can sign up for phone bank training this weekend! https://actionnetwork.org/events/volunteer-training-for-phonebanking-5?source=direct_link&
https://sign.moveon.org/petitions/this-pandemic-demands-a-systemic-response-an-urgent-message-from-the-poor-people-s-campaign/?source=shortlink
And you can sign up for phone bank training this weekend! https://actionnetwork.org/events/volunteer-training-for-phonebanking-5?source=direct_link&
Fifth: Remember, even the Bernie Sanders #MedicareForAll bill has a four-year transition period. If he were president tomorrow, *and* had the votes to pass his bill with no modifications, it would still take a 4 year organizing effort to make sure it was implemented.
I.e. we'd be doing this work anyway! So let's do it!
