I saw Sicko last night. Little did I know I'd be shaking Michael Moore's hand today!

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

At the sneak preview, it was announced that he would be here today.

He spoke on the steps of the Capitol Building, here in Denver.

He spoke with clarity, he spoke with passion.

He spoke of the insurance industries and pharmaceutical companies working to keep up from being healthy, to maximize profits and to keep us just well enough to work.

He spoke of the many, many countries in the world, of which poverty-stricken Ghana is the latest, to provide universal health care to their citizens.

He lauded Jonas Salk who refused to patent the polio vaccine on the grounds that it would be immoral to not freely share this life-saving breakthrough.

He said if we can spend $100 billion each year for five years, on this horrible war, don't ever tell us again there's no money for health care.

He talked of the media's complicity in the lead up to the war and then remarked that when his appearance was replayed on our local news, that last statement of his wouldn't make the cut.

He related additional stories that didn't make the movie, including a rape victim who had the good fortune to have Mental Health Coverage. When she tried to obtain therapy to deal with the after effects of that rape, it was denied because the fine print of her insurance contract stated that there was no coverage for health issues related to a crime.

He talked of the fact that our country has its history in genocide and slave labor, and that the "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" myth is something which has encouraged a culture of greed and "me, me, me" instead of those more enlightened countries who recognize everyone benefits when the poorest among us don't slip through the cracks.

And that the internet and independent media have successfully circumvented the mainstream media machine to change opinions to the point where Bush is at 26% and the Iraq war's disapproval is at 70%, despite the MSM's best efforts.

He questioned how the reporters and anchors can sleep at night and applauded Amy Goodman.

He had us cheering and clapping in the sweltering heat and he reminded us of the power that each individual person has to make a difference.

After he finished speaking, I made my way over to him and quickly thanked him and shook his hand. He was in the process of being hustled away to a press conference.

And, to think, I was ecstatic just to see the sneak preview last night.

Universal healthcare, which Mr. Moore mentioned could very well be a possibility in our lifetimes, should be front and center before any other domestic issue. Resolving our health care inequity could instantly improve all aspects of our lives and make us a vigilant and formidable citizenry.

I'm ready for the fight.

What a f***ing great weekend! :bounce:

MKJ

[RufusTFirefly]

1. K & R!!

Wonderful account! Thank you!

To my knowledge, although many promise "universal coverage," only one candidate currently wants to help the U.S. join the civilized world by taking insurance companies out of the health care loop.

But he's not "electable," so never mind.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

3. He mentioned four things we should demand from our candidates, paraphrasing from memory here.

1. Free, universal care for all.

2. Take the insurance industries out of health care.

3. Tight governmental regulation of the pharmaceutical companies.

4. No candidate should receive any money from either the insurance or Big Pharma folks.

I think this must be front and center, and NOW is the time. MKJ

edited to add, maybe the candidate to whom you refer will see a much greater interest in his proposals in the not so distant future.

:-)

[BlooInBloo]

2. Sweet!

[G_j]

4. very nice

thanks for taking the time to convey this.
It is truly amazing how so many of the people calling the shots in America are literally criminals. Organized crime..

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

5. Good point, he called the insurance and pharma industries the "Halliburtons" of health care.

:toast: MKJ

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

6. I'm just sneaking in one more kick, since the recs far exceed the responses.

:kick:


MKJ

[unkachuck]

7. cool!....n/t

[kiteinthewind]

8. Thanks for the wonderful report! I saw it in the KC area last night. His best work!

Didn't know if you saw this http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x1172227


:kick:

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

10. Your post is most deservedly at the top of the Greatest page.

I am honored to have you K & R my post.

And, we can do this. EVERYONE in this country wants to have access to decent health care.

Revolution, indeed. :toast:

MKJ

[kiteinthewind]

11. Oh, not mine, Julie RB's!! I just commented, but Revolution is in order. I am so ready.

:toast:

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

13. LOL, I'm apparently still suffering the effects of the hour and a half in the heat.

It seems we are all in agreement.

Time to convince our fellow citizens.

:toast: MKJ

[zabet]

9. You lucky dog!! n/t

:kick:

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

12. Self gratifying kick, in spite of my earlier claim that I would stop at one.

I :loveya: MM. MKJ

on edit, "Sicko" is a must see movie. Moore hits the perfect formula of humor, pathos and hope, as I said last night.

Please, see this movie which will make such a difference for all of us. Please. MKJ

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

14. pssstt, babylonsister posted a video of the rally (link)

pass it on. :-) MKJ

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x36198

[CrispyQ]

15. Thanks for posting, BHP!

How did I miss that he would be in Denver??? Can't wait to see this movie!

[PA Democrat]

16. K & R.

[LibDemAlways]

17. Someday I hope to meet him, too.

His step-daughter is married to a cousin of my sister-in-law - so he's practically extended family! Don't I wish!!

[Cha]

18. I'm so Happy for you and for us!

You gave us such a great comprehensive REPORT! :hug: :D

[orleans]

19. you can never have too many recommendations. k&r n/t

[jarnocan]

20. BRAVO! nt

[Canuckistanian]

21. no coverage for health issues related to a crime?

That's a joke, right?

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

22. When he related that story, the crowd gasped and then booed. It's the fine print that gets you.

MKJ

[Canuckistanian]

23. Unbelievable.

I think Moore has hit the motherlode here.

I haven't seen the movie, but, as a Canadian, I'm puzzled why more Americans don't rise up against the system.

We have things 1000% better here.

And we're not suffering for it financially.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

24. I agree with you wholeheartedly. If MM channels the frustration that we all experience with health

care, here in the states, he will have hit the motherlode indeed.

MKJ