Healthcare Not Warfare in Denver

FIND UPDATE on Aafia below under More Questionable Treatment of Detainees..
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In just two weeks, the 2008 Democratic National Convention will be history. In the meantime, we have a lot of work to do.

This week, a front-page New York Times article referred to "progressive Democrats" as "crucial to Mr. Obama's success." At this momentous crossroads, Barack Obama and the progressive base certainly need each other--to defeat McCain and open up real possibilities for major shifts in policies at the federal level. Energizing that base could maximize voter turnout for Obama in November and then change national priorities in a way not seen since FDR's first term in the White House.

If you've been reading the email updates from Progressive Democrats of America in recent weeks, you've seen how PDA's launch of a "guaranteed health care for all" statement gathered momentum, quickly picked up several hundred signers among delegates, and--to the surprise of mainstream observers--led to the historic inclusion of that principle in the party's 2008 national platform.

Important as that victory was, it's just a step toward answering the key question: "How can we really implement guaranteed health care for all?" The only realistic answer, a system of publicly funded, privately delivered health care, also known as "single payer," exists in legislative form: Rep. John Conyers' bill H.R. 676, which has 90 co-sponsors in the House.

So, while continuing to encourage Democratic National Convention delegates to become signers of the Guaranteed Health Care for All statement, today PDA is starting a renewed push for the Healthcare NOT Warfare petition--promoting H.R. 676 and serving as an important tool to organize on behalf of single payer nationwide. Please sign the petition, and urge all your friends, family and associates to sign as well.

If you'll be in Denver in late August, you're very much invited to PDA's full range of "Progressive Central" events during the week from August 24-28.

And don't forget the special "Medicare for All" reception that Tuesday night in support of H.R. 676, which PDA is cosponsoring with the California Nurses Association / National Nurses Organizing Committee. Please see details online.

When I'm on the floor of the convention as an elected Obama delegate, I'll be wearing a "Healthcare NOT Warfare" sticker next to a "Yes We Can!" button. Bringing about single-payer health care and overcoming the warfare state won't be easy. Just imperative.

Yours for a progressive future,

Norman Solomon
Co-Chair, Healthcare NOT Warfare Campaign

P.S.: We're calling on MoveOn.org members to petition the leaders of MoveOn "to abide by its core democratic principles and ask the opinion of its members whether they support reform of the private health insurance system or replacement of private health insurance by universal single payer health care, before MoveOn continues to organizationally and financially support a new coalition which supports the former and excludes the latter."

Progressive Democrats of America is a grassroots PAC that works both inside the Democratic Party and outside in movements for peace and justice. Our goal: Elect a permanent, progressive majority in 2008. PDA's advisory board includes seven members of Congress and activist leaders such as Tom Hayden, Medea Benjamin, Thom Hartmann, Jim Hightower, and Rev. Lennox Yearwood.

pdamerica dot org for local chapters and events and to sign petition!

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