Yes we Did.

by: los anjalis

Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 20:41:33 PM PST

Many of us put so much into the election, celebrated in the streets, and then dealt with a fair amount of exhaustion, burnout, and post-celebratory angst.  Many of us had to pinch ourselves each day in the week ahead, to make sure we really were awake and Barack Obama really was the President Elect of the USA.

As we watch/involve ourselves in/hold accountable the new Obama administration, Cure This will continue the discussion around our core questions:

What does it mean to heal, individually or as a community? What is health justice? How is our health fiercely connected to the wellness of our neighborhoods? What do we prioritize in transforming our communities? How do we begin to dream again, especially when so many of our struggles revolve around reacting to the problems of the day, or around just surviving?

Because, as Naomi Klein has said, "This is our progressive movement. It's ours to lose."  And ours to dream about and build together.

Election ads and health

by: los anjalis

Fri Oct 24, 2008 at 23:16:33 PM PDT

I saw this ad for Tom Udall's congressional run (New Mexico) while checking out a progressive political site and the post was titled "Wow".  That's exactly the same reaction I had, after wiping my tears away.  I've seen more health-related ads in this election cycle than ever before (in my lifetime).  

And again, wow, very effective ad.  Thanks Army Sergeant Erik Schei for doing this ad. And best wishes for continued recovery to you sir.

Obama says health care is a "right", slams McCain's plan

by: los anjalis

Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 16:00:10 PM PDT

The fire quotes of this past week on health care were these two by Senator Obama.  On McCain's health care plan:

It's like those ads for prescription drugs. You know they start off, everybody's running in the fields, everybody's happy. Then there's the fine print that says, "Side effects may include..."

And on right vs privilege:

I think every single american has a right to affordable, accessible health care.

Of note, this statement received the largest roar of support from the crowd he was speaking to.  Some video footage of a speech Obama gave last week:

Some things that Obama mentioned:

Senator McCain wants to pay for his plan by taxing your health benefits for the first time in history...

But the Wall Street Journal recently reported...it turns out Senator McCain would pay for his plan by making drastic cuts in Medicare -- $882 billion worth.  $882 billion dollars in Medicare cuts to pay for an ill conceived, badly thought through health care plan...

Time and again he's opposed Medicare.  In fact, Senator McCain has voted against protecting Medicare 40 times.

When you've worked hard your whole life, and paid into the system, and done everythign right, you shouldn't have the carpet pulled out from under you when you least expect it...

The "Change You Deserve" (hilarious)

by: los anjalis

Sat May 17, 2008 at 14:56:54 PM PDT

In response to Barack Obama's calls for change, the Republican's have unveiled their new "Change You Deserve" campaign for 2008. It turns out the slogan was also used to market the popular anti-depressant, Effexor. Sometimes those Republicans just get things so right.

Check out the link to the drug's possible side effects!  (akathisia, elevated blood pressure, memory loss, brain zaps, vertigo, nausea, wow!  How telling, about the GOP's proposed change we deserve...)

And here's more information about the "Change You Deserve" intiative, from the republican house leader's website.  Make your own conclusions...

A standing ovation for a health care question

by: los anjalis

Fri Aug 10, 2007 at 19:02:30 PM PDT

At the AFL-CIO democratic presidential candidate debate this past week, retired union member Steve Skvara asked a simple health care question of the candidates.  In response, he received a STANDING OVATION from thousands of audience members in the stadium.  This is phenomenal, it is amazing how front-and-center health care is in the peoples' minds, during this election.  Check out the video:

And Mitt Romney was challeneged on health care while giving a stump speech in a restaurant, where he mentioned his desire to export "healthcare diplomacy" to other nations, and a waitress really prodded him on the american health care system.  Video below:

Read on...