Inching Closer to the "Public Option"

Written by: Tom Alba on Sep 8, 2009 6:06 PM EDT

Linked to groups: PA for Democracy, Northeast Philadelphia for Democracy, Montco DFA, Asheville Democracy for America, Upper Bucks for Democracy

Today, supporters of the Public Option for Health Care Reform received an assurance from PA Sen. Arlen Specter that he will support the Option.

A rally was called to meet him at the Amtrak Station before he boarded a train to return to Washington.  He approached the rally smiling, confident and shook hands as he held an impromptu meeting with the media to declare his position.  The Fox affiliate, WTXF 29, and the Philadelphia/Wilmington PBS station, WHYY, were on hand to record the event.

On September 3rd, a similar rally was held in Philadelphia outside of the Blue Cross Headquarters and then outside Sen. Casey's office.  A spokesperson addressed the group and assured us Sen. Casey was absolutely committed to the Public Option.

The night before, a candle light vigil was held in the small suburban town of Glenside, in Montgomery County, PA.

That group numbered about 75 and could be characterized as being extremely civil and quiet.  Even the counter demonstrators, who numbered about 15, did not try to disrupt the peaceful event.  However, their signs showed a low degree of understanding of the issues and incomprehensible statements that reflected the same.  For example, "Keep government hands off of my Medicare", and "Abortion is not Health Care", to name a few.

These are the most recent rallies I have attended.  There were others and together, they have had an effect on elected officials and public opinion.

It is a pity that the persons most needing enlightenment, keep their minds and ears shut to fact and reason.  It comes as no surprise that they are the ones most vehemently opposed to having children hear a speech from our President.  The demographics from the last Election showed Obama and the Democrats scored higher as education levels went up.  It appears the children of the ignorant will have to break out of the mold their parents try to force upon them, by virtue of their own rebellion, in their later development. 

Meanwhile, minority children who advance themselves through education, will leave the ignorant, racist offspring in the dust, making them more irrelevant. (That's right, all those nut-jobs, birthers, deathers, hate mongers, etc., are just racists who can't accept the fact that Obama is the President.)

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