Democracy Fest and Governor Dean

Written by: Marcia Moody on Jul 23, 2009 2:27 PM EDT

This past weekend the 6th Annual Democracy Fest was held in Burlington, Vt at the Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center.  Ever since the very first event which was held in July of 2004, the very center attraction has been Governor Howard Dean and his keynote address.

This Year it was so significant that he talked about the urgent need for real healthcare reform and the Public Option.  To make matters even more relavent, he was preceded by two nurses who talked about healthcare.  The first was Alisa Schnider from Portland, Oregon.  She talked about the problems facing nurses today and the need for public awareness of ways to promote wellness through the creation of the Office of the National Nurse.

The next speaker was Teri Mills also from Portland, Oregon.  Her message was how technology has improved the way nurses are able to treat patients and how prevention is a big step in reducing healthcare costs.  Teri then introduced the man who was responsible for improving healthcare so much in Vermont while he was Governor....Doctor Howard Dean.

Governor, Doctor Howard Dean was so clear in his message of the urgent necessity of real healthcare reform and the brilliance of the Public Option.  He explained how economically it is the one thing that can really help our economy because of the lower costs to small businnesses that privide 80% of all the new jobs.  He also emphasized that any plan must include everyone.  That no one can be denied coverage.  He then told us that with the Public Option... that it is for life and you can take it with you even if you change jobs or lose your job.  He explained that we already have "Socialized Medicine".  It is what  every member of Congress has.  It is what people over 65 have and it's called Medicare.  It is what Veterans have.  Choice is the key word.  If you like the insurance plan that you have, you can keep it.  If not, you have the choice to select the Public Option. In his Presidential campaign, Governor Dean had the slogan, "You Have the Power".  That still holds true and he might add to that the slogan, "You Have the Choice" when it comes to the Public Option now being debated in Congress.

After his speech, Governor Dean graciously took time to chat with us and to sign his laterst book: "Howard Desn's Prescription for Real Healthcare Reform - How We Can Achieve Affordable Medical Care for Every American and Make Our Jobs Safer". 

I took several pictures from the event and they appear on my account...Marcia Moody.  However, because I cannot see them when I go on DFA Media, I cannot seem to download them here at the end of my post.  So I invite you to go to my account and view the pictures there.  Included are pictures of my colleague, State Representative Bob Perry presenting Governor Dean with a T-Shirt that says: " Real Choice, Real Healthcare Reform, Public Option.  Then there is a picture of Governor Dean and the National Nurse group. and Finally a picture of me presenting three framed photos of Governor Dean giving the Commencement Address and receiving an Honorary Doctor of Law Degree this past May from the University of Vermont.

State Representative Marcia Moody

Tags: