The Citizen Wells blog covered the Senator Bernie Sanders Labor Day speech in Burlington, VT, today, Monday, September 7, 2009. The event was hosted by the Vermont Workers’ Center. Here is the announcement:
“Burlington Labor Day Celebration & Benefit Concert
September 7, 2009 – 12:00pm – 3:00pm
WHEN: 12 noon – 3pm, Monday, September 7
WHERE: Battery Park, Burlington
WHAT: Senator Bernie Sanders will join hundreds of working families for the 8th Annual Burlington Labor Day Celebration sharing in a community potluck, music, street theater and ice cream. This year’s celebration is being sponsored by the Vermont Workers’ Center, a community-based workers’ rights organization who has been building a statewide grassroots organizing campaign called the “Healthcare Is A Human Right Campaign” that over that past couple of years has been redefine healthcare as a public good. There will also be a special tribute to the contributions and struggles of working families from Jennifer Henry, the President of the Fletcher Allen nurses union and United Professions of Vermont/AFT. Music will be performed local Burlington busker John Holland and Rik & Bec, a new local duo of Rik Palieri and Rebecca Padula.
“Labor Day is a day to celebrate and remember both the work we all do day in and day out and the long struggles of working people who fought hard for the eight hour day, for Social Security, the end of child labor and even the weekend,” said James Haslam, Director of the Vermont Workers’ Center. “But more than ever, use should use Labor Day as a reminder that we need to be carrying on this tradition by organizing in our workplaces and our communities. This is a time re-commit to the current struggles for more livable wage jobs, fair retirement, strong and healthy communities, and re-defining quality healthcare as a fundamental human right for everyone.”
BACKGROUND: The Vermont Workers’ Center was started in 1998 as a workers’ rights and social justice organization, and have been involved in campaigns to improve working conditions and win livable wages in hundreds of Vermont workplaces across the state. In 2008, they launched the Healthcare Is A Human Right Campaign to build a statewide grassroots network of Vermonters committed to redefining healthcare policy to establish healthcare as a basic public good for all.
MORE INFO: www.workerscenter.org www.workerscenter.org/healthcare
802-861-4892″
The speech is presented here unedited and without commentary. A followup article will be presented with commentary and analysis. The only comment I will make at this time is that they appeared a little surprised that I was there and that the event had the appearance of being staged. I will also state that I was treated with courtesy for the most part.
Today, Labor Day, September 7, 2009, the Citizen Wells blog will attempt to cover live, a Labor Day celebration in Burlington, Vermont. There are two major reasons that I chose to cover this event. First, Senator Bernie Sanders will be there and I hope to catch his comments on health care reform. Second, Vermont Workers’ Center, a community-based workers’ rights organization will be there to promote their stance regarding health care as a human right. I hope to clarify what they mean by human right.
To watch the Citizen Wells coverage, go to this link. When I am not broadcasting live, a video will play. Remember, this is my first attempt at this and I will be flying by the seat of my pants. A right click on the screen will allow you to zoom in for a larger viewing area.
“Burlington Labor Day Celebration & Benefit Concert
September 7, 2009 – 12:00pm – 3:00pm
WHEN: 12 noon – 3pm, Monday, September 7
WHERE: Battery Park, Burlington
WHAT: Senator Bernie Sanders will join hundreds of working families for the 8th Annual Burlington Labor Day Celebration sharing in a community potluck, music, street theater and ice cream. This year’s celebration is being sponsored by the Vermont Workers’ Center, a community-based workers’ rights organization who has been building a statewide grassroots organizing campaign called the “Healthcare Is A Human Right Campaign” that over that past couple of years has been redefine healthcare as a public good. There will also be a special tribute to the contributions and struggles of working families from Jennifer Henry, the President of the Fletcher Allen nurses union and United Professions of Vermont/AFT. Music will be performed local Burlington busker John Holland and Rik & Bec, a new local duo of Rik Palieri and Rebecca Padula.
“Labor Day is a day to celebrate and remember both the work we all do day in and day out and the long struggles of working people who fought hard for the eight hour day, for Social Security, the end of child labor and even the weekend,” said James Haslam, Director of the Vermont Workers’ Center. “But more than ever, use should use Labor Day as a reminder that we need to be carrying on this tradition by organizing in our workplaces and our communities. This is a time re-commit to the current struggles for more livable wage jobs, fair retirement, strong and healthy communities, and re-defining quality healthcare as a fundamental human right for everyone.”
BACKGROUND: The Vermont Workers’ Center was started in 1998 as a workers’ rights and social justice organization, and have been involved in campaigns to improve working conditions and win livable wages in hundreds of Vermont workplaces across the state. In 2008, they launched the Healthcare Is A Human Right Campaign to build a statewide grassroots network of Vermonters committed to redefining healthcare policy to establish healthcare as a basic public good for all.
MORE INFO: www.workerscenter.org www.workerscenter.org/healthcare
802-861-4892″
From their website:
“Healthcare Is a Human Right Campaign
The Healthcare Is a Human Right Campaign, a project of the Vermont Workers’ Center (VWC), aims to change what is “politically possible” in the healthcare debate through grassroots organizing and a strategic reframing of healthcare as a basic human right and the healthcare crisis as a human rights emergency.
Our Goals
Our long-term goal is a universal system in which health care is recognized as a public good and provided collectively, rather than as a commodity sold in a marketplace, and where the human right to health of all residents of the state is fully recognized, regardless of race, gender or gender identity, ability, sexual orientation, nationality or immigration status. Financing must be based on principles of universality, equity, and social solidarity, such as a single-payer system. The only legislation that has been introduced into the Vermont State Legislature for the 2009-2010 session that meets these standards are H.100 and S.88.
What It Will Take
This will not be an easy struggle. In order to win such fundamental reform, we need a strong, statewide grassroots network that will be able to put enough pressure on the legislature and governor to force them to stand up to the insurance industry, those employers who will oppose such a system on ideological grounds, and other powerful interests vested in the status quo. This effort requires:
strong organizing committees throughout the state
diverse leadership
a mass base
What We’ve Done
Since the launch of this campaign in April 2008, the Workers’ Center has conducted a Human Rights Healthcare Survey of over 1400 Vermonters, over 95% of whom recognized that healthcare is a human right. We have held seven Human Rights Hearings around the state, in which hundreds of Vermonters have told their healthcare stories to panels of community and faith leaders. Based on the surveys and hearings, we have put together a report and video Voices of the Vermont Healthcare Crisis: The Human Right to Healthcare. And we organized one of the largest rallies for fundamental healthcare reform in Vermont history in Montpelier on May 1st, 2009.
Where To Go
Since May 1st, we have been working to:
consolidate our local organizing committees in major population centers throughout the state
deepen the understanding of human rights principles for healthcare throughout our base
strategize with local organizing committees about the best way to hold elected officials accountable to human rights principles.
If you would like to learn more or get involved in this grassroots movement contact us at info@workerscenter.org, or (802) 861-2877.
I have never gotten so much satisfaction assembling an article as I did producing this one. This article is the culmination of efforts of concerned Americans across this country and certainly those that participate on this blog. A special thanks goes to commenter JoyceAZ, who cared enough about this country to travel to the Las Vegas Tea Party, take photos and write a report. Thank God that she did. The story was barely touched by the local media in Las Vegas and the Main Stream media nationwide.
“CW, We arrived at the park 8:45am. This area was large. The parking lot filled up by 10:30. People were coming and going for 2-3 hrs. People were very warm and friendly. WE WERE UNITED. The people were from Oregon, California, Nevada, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho…… (licenses plates that we noticed).
All day long people gave each other the thumbs up. We The People are UNITED IN OUR MARCH TO WAKE UP THE GOVERNMENT.
We just want to be heard. Our Freedoms are being tread on. OUR FLAGS SAY: Don’t Tread On Me. We will not be UNHEARD.
We did not see any riots. No screaming, yelling or fighting. We did not see any opposition,….. ACORN, SEIU, or other pro-Obama voices.
Several cars stopped and ask us what was happening,…. as they had not heard of this project on the local tv channels. I told them that it was 98% created thru the internet and twitter and such. The NEWS MEDIA is DEAD! Even those would stop and go sign up for information on OUR PROJECT.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal quoted that the count was 800-900. I truly feel is was much larger than that. The parking lot was filled at all times….. people would be waiting for a parking spot. People arriving faster than leaving.
I don’t think I would be exaggerating to say it was closer to 1500+. I am sending a few articles from the Las Vegas Review-Journal. They have some interesting articles about dirty harry. He is not very popular at this time.
JoyceAZ”
I hope that the actions of JoyceAZ were as inspiring to you as they are to me and will inspire more people to take action. We cannot depend on the modern day media to do so.
I sang the song that plays in the video when I was young.
Several days ago I contacted NC Senator Richard Burr’s office via email and telephone message. I received no response. I was inquiring about a health care forum that was scheduled for today, Tuesday, September 1, 2009. I discovered today by an internet search, that Senator Burr is part of a forum with John McCain and other Republicans. What concerns me is that they are fielding questions from “invited parties.” Senator Burr is against the Obama backed public option and that is good. However, why is Senator Burr not hosting town hall meetings for the public?
From News 14 in the Carolinas:
“McCain brings health care forum to N.C. children’s hospital”
“Sen. John McCain will join a group of fellow republican senators in Charlotte on Tuesday for a discussion on health care reform.
McCain, along with Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., and Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Kent., will take questions from invited parties involved in the health care debate and discuss ways to make health care more affordable, accessible and available for American families.
The stop at Levine Children’s Hospital is part of McCain and McConnell’s cross-country tour, where they have been discussing health care and taking questions in various cities from those involved in the issue. The GOP lawmakers have challenged the plan offered by President Obama that could create a government option for health care that would compete with private insurers.
Burr’s health care plan would raise money by taxing health benefits, then use the revenue to give people tax credits to buy their own care.”
“This is a Constitutional Town Hall Meeting in Raleigh to which Senators Kay Hagan, Richard Burr, Representatives Brad Miller, Bob Etheridge, & David Price were invited but refused the invitation to…”
From Senator Richard Burr’s website:
“Issues
Reforming the Delivery of Health Care
Today, nearly 47 million people across America do not have health insurance, and this number is growing. In North Carolina alone, there are more than 1.5 million uninsured individuals.
Senator Burr believes we must make health insurance more accessible and affordable so that more families can have peace of mind that they can get quality medical care. As we search for long-term solutions, however, we must make sure people have the ability to choose their own doctor.
While some politicians support government-run health care, Senator Burr has a different approach. In order to give individuals and families choices in their health coverage and to avoid a one-size-fits-all program, we need to give people the means to purchase their own health insurance that fits their needs and the needs of their families. To address the growing problem of employees having limited or no access to employer-provided coverage, Senator Burr believes we should foster a broad choice of health insurance plans that stay with you through job and life changes so that you can access care when you need it. Americans should control their own insurance and not fear losing it with job changes.
As Congress works on proposals to reform health care system, Senator Burr firmly believes that any plan must:
Guarantee that every American can get affordable coverage
Demand we get more value for our health care dollar rather than imposing a new tax or passing on a new obligation to future generations
Transform the health care system so that we focus on keeping people healthy and well instead of only treating them when they are sick
Make health coverage affordable for those with pre-existing conditions
End the current discrimination in the tax code that benefits the wealthy and corporations but fails the poor and those who cannot get coverage through their employer
Guarantee that health care is accessible when people want it, where people want it
Be sustainable so that it will be there for future generations
With these goals in mind, Senator Burr recently joined with Senator Tom Coburn and Representatives Paul Ryan and Devin Nunes to introduce the Patients’ Choice Act, a bill that delivers on the shared principles of promoting universal access to quality, affordable health care, and does so without adding billions of dollars in new debt or taxes.
The Patients’ Choice Act would transform our health care system through the following key reforms:
Puts affordable coverage and choice within reach of all Americans. This is accomplished by first ending the discrimination in the tax code that rewards corporations and employers yet offers no benefit to the unemployed or those who do not have access to coverage through their job. Specifically, the Patients’ Choice Act would shift health care tax benefits to individuals and families, regardless of employment status, in the form of a tax credit worth about $2,200 for individuals and $5,700 for families. Americans would receive this benefit upfront, so they would not have to wait until they file their tax returns to get it. And Americans would be eligible for this benefit regardless of how much they pay in taxes. What’s more, under this plan, if you like the health care you have, you can keep it – but you’ll have more money in your pocket because you will still receive the tax credit.
Prevents cherry picking by guaranteeing access to coverage. The Patients’ Choice Act prevents cherry picking – when insurance companies choose to cover only healthy patients – by adjusting risk across insurance companies through an innovative reform called State Based Health Exchanges, which would be a voluntary, one-stop marketplace of insurance plans. These state exchanges — which would be open to all Americans — would offer a broad range of plans but all would be required to have the same standard benefits as those enjoyed by Members of Congress. Through this innovative reform, no individual could be turned down based on their age or health. This is because insurers who do cherry pick healthy patients would be penalized, and those that cover patients with pre-existing conditions and emphasize prevention and wellness would be rewarded.
Strengthens the health care safety net. Currently, about 40 percent of doctors and hospitals do not accept Medicaid patients because payments are so low. This means that needy moms and kids may have health coverage, but poor access to health care. The Patients’ Choice Act would remove the stigma from Medicaid recipients by giving them the ability to purchase the health coverage and care they need from any provider. We also provide simple new opportunities for automatic enrollment to help people who need coverage.
The United States currently spends twice as much on health care per person than other industrialized nations, yet we are not twice as healthy. The solution is not for the federal government to spend and tax Americans more, the answer is to get more value for our health care dollar through more choices. And this is exactly what the Patients’ Choice Act would accomplish.
Senator Burr understands the growing cost of health insurance, and as a Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, he will continue to work on solutions to this problem.”
“Danny Tarkanian, Republican challenger to Harry Reid, hosted a town hall in Las Vegas, NV. He was the first person to announce that he’d host a town hall in Las Vegas. He announced that the day he formally announced his candidacy on Newsradio 840 KXNT with Heather Kydd and Casey Hendrickson. Another station heard this, and hosted their own town hall before Danny’s. It was a disaster.
Heather Kydd and Casey Hendrickson were asked to moderate the Tarkanian event, and there was no bad press. The crowd was very well behaved, professional and still passionate … on both sides. It was an amazing event, and the only one hosted by a politician so far.
Harry Reid sent people down to the event … not just supporters, but some of his people. Which was ironic given Reid’s allegation of astro turfers at town halls. The Reid people were welcomed with open arms, behaved themselves, and asked tough questions.”
From the Tea Party Express website, the tour schedule from Sacramento, CA to Washington, DC on September 12, 2009:
“The Tea Party Express national bus tour will host a series of tea party rallies all across the nation. The effort will begin in California and travel eastward, building momentum as the tour reaches its final destination: the big 09.12.09 Taxpayer March on D.C.
At each stop the tour will highlight some of the worst offenders in Congress who have voted for higher spending, higher taxes, and government intervention in the lives of American families and businesses. These Members of Congress have infringed upon the freedom of the individual in this great nation, and its time for us to say: “Enough is Enough!”
The “Tea Party Express” tour will feature leaders in the anti-tax, conservative, tea party movement along with musical performances of “American Tea Party Anthem” and “A Bailout Song” at each tea party event. The tour delegation includes:”
Yesterday, the Citizen Wells Blog posted the announcement of a Tea Party to be held today, Monday, August 31, 2009 in Las Vegas, NV. We have a reporter on the scene and will provide updates as we get them. CNN is supposed to have their CNN Express news bus on the scene in Nevada and hopefully other media outlets will cover this story. Will Harry Reid pay attention?
Thanks Upstate Warrior for this video link:
*** Update from the local Fox affiliate (this was very brief) September 1, 8:30 ET ***
“Rally Held Against Big Government
Las Vegans Hold Tea Party Rally
POSTED: 5:48 pm PDT August 31, 2009
Hundreds of people protested in Las Vegas against what they characterized as big government.
Those who turned out at the Sports Center of Las Vegas Monday for the Tea Party Rally criticized what they call big government — things like bailouts and deficit spending — as they waved signs.
*** Update from on the scene reporter – September 1, 2009 5:30 PM ET ***
“CW, We were at the Party from 8:45am to 2:00pm.”
“We were there first.”
“We were not allowed to be by the grandstand,… due to our signs. THEY WERE ANTI OBAMA. The organizer said that the media would have a hay-day with them. (ridiculous to say the least….. XXXX (my husband was HOT!) I WILL SEND YOU PICS OF THEM”
Hundreds of people protested in Las Vegas against what they characterized as big government.”
*** Update from on the scene reporter – September 1, 2009 5:30 PM ET ***
“CW, We were at the Party from 8:45am to 2:00pm.”
“We were there first.”
“We were not allowed to be by the grandstand,… due to our signs. THEY WERE ANTI OBAMA. The organizer said that the media would have a hay-day with them. (ridiculous to say the least….. XXXX (my husband was HOT!) I WILL SEND YOU PICS OF THEM”
Look for more pictures soon.
Here is the announcement from yesterday: “ATTENTION NEVADANS: We need your urgent help!
We here at the Tea Party Express have been informed by several national news media outlets that they will be on hand to cover our “Tea Party Express” rally in Las Vegas, Nevada this Monday, August 31st at 11:00 AM. The rally will be held at the Sports Center of Las Vegas (located at 121 E. Sunset Road).
We know this is not the most convenient time for some people to attend a rally, but we simply must have a huge crowd on hand. To help underscore why this is so important, consider this: CNN is planning on having their CNN Express news bus. Some news outlets will be broadcasting live. We can’t afford to have a rally with a small crowd on hand (especially given how successful the “Tea Party Express” rallies have been so far these first two days).
So we need your help. If you live close enough to Las Vegas to attend the rally (even if you have to take an early lunch) then PLEASE make it to the rally. Load up your car with as many people as you can.
If you live too far away, or absolutely cannot attend, then we need your help to get the word out. Forward this email on to everyone you know. Post messages to online discussion forums and blogs. Call anyone and everyone you know who lives in or near Las Vegas.
MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2009
11:00 AM — Las Vegas “Tea Party Express” Rally
The Sports Center of Las Vegas
121 E. Sunset Road”
“Please email your neighbors and friends…anyone you know who lives in Las Vegas or surrounding areas about the Tea Party Express on Monday…all the information is below… and you might want to have them read the following….very telling of “Dirty Harry” Reid and the present power hungry LIBERAL THUGS how occupy our White House and who are taking our country down a destructive path!!”
“ATTENTION NEVADANS: We need your urgent help!
We here at the Tea Party Express have been informed by several national news media outlets that they will be on hand to cover our “Tea Party Express” rally in Las Vegas, Nevada this Monday, August 31st at 11:00 AM. The rally will be held at the Sports Center of Las Vegas (located at 121 E. Sunset Road).
We know this is not the most convenient time for some people to attend a rally, but we simply must have a huge crowd on hand. To help underscore why this is so important, consider this: CNN is planning on having their CNN Express news bus. Some news outlets will be broadcasting live. We can’t afford to have a rally with a small crowd on hand (especially given how successful the “Tea Party Express” rallies have been so far these first two days).
So we need your help. If you live close enough to Las Vegas to attend the rally (even if you have to take an early lunch) then PLEASE make it to the rally. Load up your car with as many people as you can.
If you live too far away, or absolutely cannot attend, then we need your help to get the word out. Forward this email on to everyone you know. Post messages to online discussion forums and blogs. Call anyone and everyone you know who lives in or near Las Vegas.
MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2009
11:00 AM — Las Vegas “Tea Party Express” Rally
The Sports Center of Las Vegas
121 E. Sunset Road
** FORWARD THIS EMAIL – CLICK HERE **”
Correct me if I am wrong, once they opened this public property up to politicians of the Democrat party, for a public forum, how can they legally exclude opposing views?
“This video was taken on Tuesday, August 25th, 2009 at Rep. Jim Moran’s (D-VA) Town Hall meeting on Obama Deathcare (Howie Dean was there too) held at South Lakes High School in Reston, VA.
Many people were left outside when the school filled to capacity. School security officer Wesley Cheeks, Jr. did not like my anti-Obamacare poster which used one of the gone-viral “Joker” graphics.
When I said to Officer Cheeks, “This used to be America!” his response was: “It ain’t no more, OK?”
I feel sorry for Officer Cheeks. He, like many African-Americans are being played by the racist Obama administration. Wake up people. They used to want you only for your votes, but now with the huge hispanic illegals pouring in they won’t even need you for that. Watch those inner city abortion clinics get stimulated though. Democrat and church leaders sure seem to have time and money to build those.
Google “margaret sangar black children eugenics” (no quotes) and find out what’s REALLY behind those Democrat abortuariums run by Planned Parenthood. Democrat eugenicists like Rahm Emanuel and his brother Zeke “Dr. Mengele” Emanuel and John Holdren and George Soros and Mr. Abortion himself, Barack Obama can’t kill enough black babies. The ovens are fired up. Wake up people.
Satan is in da house.”
Thanks to commenter Fernley Girl
*** Update ***
I have sent an email request to the Reston, VA police requesting the statute allowing the police officer to demand that the poster be taken down.
Citizen WElls 