Canadian Union to US - Have Courage for the Common Good

[slipslidingaway]

http://www.healthcare-now.org/canadian-union-writes-obama-congress-defending-canada%e2%80%99s-healthcare/

"The President of the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE), one of Canada’s largest unions, has written President Barack Obama and all members of the U.S. Congress asking them to look past the “malicious misrepresentations and scare tactics” in the current debate over American health care reform and see the true value of Canada’s single-payer health system.

...“It’s totally unthinkable to Canadians to experience bankruptcy due to medical bills, as do over one million Americans every year. Unlike in the U.S., not a single Canadian who is unemployed has lost the ability to access health care during the current economic recession.”

...Full Text of Letter:

Barack H. Obama, President of the United States
Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services
All members of the U.S. House of Representatives
All members of the U.S. Senate

Dear Friends,

I am writing to you on behalf of the 340,000 members of the National Union of Public and General Employees (Canada) about the scurrilous misrepresentations of Canada and our single-payer health system in the debate over the future of health care in the United States.

...Indeed, Canadians today still strongly support the core values on which our system is premised – equality, compassion and solidarity. In fact, our Medicare system is now tied to our understanding of citizenship. More than just a social program, Medicare to us represents a birthright and an identifying mark of “Canadian-ness”. It is, we believe, the clearest reflection of who we are and what we value.

...Times of great need, we are told, are the times when true leaders emerge and display the ability to separate fact from fiction and the courage to set aside political agendas for the sake of the common good. The challenge facing health care reform in the U.S. demands that kind of ability and courage from each of you.

I would be pleased to speak or meet with you at anytime, or if you’re interested we could arrange a “study mission” to Canada, to ensure you have an accurate picture of the benefits and popularity of Canada’s most cherished social program. Please do not hesitate to contact my office.

Sincerely,
James Clancy
National President

[mnhtnbb]

1. Don't hold your breath for that to be reported 24/7 by the cable channels.

I am so disgusted with the obfuscation and outright lies that the media are pushing. I think the control
of the media by the right wing is a serious, significant problem that gets in the way of changing anything in this country.

[slipslidingaway]

4. I agree that media is a big problem, also we are fighting against

a plan that is not even on the table.

It seems some groups know how to win an argument by fighting or asking for more than they want to accept.

:grr:

[ensho]

2. hope c-span's Wash. Journal shows this letter and lets viewers

discuss it.

[slipslidingaway]

5. Would be nice, but how many watch c-span, besides the Canadian

system is not even on the table.

[SammyWinstonJack]

3. Whoa! That's gotta hurt.

...Times of great need, we are told, are the times when true leaders emerge and display the ability to separate fact from fiction and the courage to set aside political agendas for the sake of the common good. The challenge facing health care reform in the U.S. demands that kind of ability and courage from each of you. :applause:

[slipslidingaway]

6. That is a great line, we need some people to visit the Wizard of Oz

for a dose of courage.

Another line for reflection...

"More than just a social program, Medicare to us represents a birthright and an identifying mark of “Canadian-ness”. It is, we believe, the clearest reflection of who we are and what we value."

[slipslidingaway]

7. Changed the subject line, we'll see if it makes a difference, thanks n/t

[SammyWinstonJack]

9. Makes me want to become a Canadian.

:bounce:

[slipslidingaway]

10. Me too! n/t

[SammyWinstonJack]

12. .

:-)

[datasuspect]

8. god bless canada

[slipslidingaway]

11. Happy to see that some Canadians are pushing us to look beyond

the current plan.

:)

[grantcart]

13. Even conservative Canadians accept the moral argument.

What is wrong with the US.

[slipslidingaway]

14. "What is wrong with the US" profits for corporations are more

important to us then providing care for all.

:(

[grantcart]

16. They have corporations and profits in Canada too.

[slipslidingaway]

17. True, but health care companies are not allowed to duplicate

the coverage provided by the national system. Instead our politicians think protecting profits is more important than providing health care to all, we need to get our priorities straight.

If Democrats really wanted to challenge the insurance companies they would not be giving them seats at the health reform discussions and at the same time excluding groups who advocate for a Canadian type system.

Watching who is included and excluded is telling IMHO.

[SammyWinstonJack]

15. Greed and stupidity? Huge doses of both, I suspect.

:shrug:

[slipslidingaway]

18. kick nt