Ann, Thank you for bringing this important vote to our attention.
As with our societies' refusal to treat mental health and addiction problems for the non-wealthy, the general population is not aware that denying universal health care wastes taxpayer money. It is not simply a quality of life issue for the uninsured, their families, employers, etc; denying health care wastes real American taxpayer money. Those of us who work with disadvantaged populations know the human tragedy of untreated illnesses. However, with the extraordinary popularity of the "trickle down" and Horatio Alger ideologies, we will not convince the majority of our society to change directions in policy with humanistic arguments regularly dismissed as "bleeding heart" sentimentality. As an example , experts and studies in addiction treatment have advised politicians that comprehensive treatments for those with addiction problems are much more cost effective than the current war on drug policies. However, this contradicts the popular mainstream anger and fear based policies. Our society denies the most basic addiction treatment to the vast majority of individuals with serious addictions in favor of foolish expensive interdiction and incarceration policies, yet there seems to be a bipartisan fear among politicians that taking an intelligent informed position would be political suicide in today's America. The majority of us are not interested in arguments pitting compassion against the demands of fear, anger and selfishness, but if the people only learned the true cost of preventable emergency room visits, delayed treatment, lost productivity, etc; government and politicians would respond quickly. I noticed in the Philadelphia Weekly, Sept. 10-16 issue, the Republican mayoral candidate hinted at support for a more comprehensive approach to the drug problems of Philadelphia. Optimistically, I hope this issue gets more public debate before the election because the cost/benefit evidence in favor of improved addiction treatment is overwhelming. We must ask our political leaders to support intelligent informed policies rather than policies based on fear, anger, and selfishness. However, a very important strategy as individuals is to continue to discredit at the grassroots level those assumptions that dismiss universal health care and comprehensive treatments as nothing more than frivolous bleeding heart sentimentality. While a small group of chronically angry individuals will be against health care for anyone, I believe the majority of people simply believe the propaganda of wealthy corporate power brokers that assert any policy that addresses the rights or dignity for all of society is just another bolshevist plot exploiting bleeding heart sentimentality. Universal health care will be a good cost effective policy for Philadelphia and American society as a whole. It is not the suffering of the working poor and their rotting teeth that is the issue. Vote yes to amend the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to prepare a plan for universal health coverage for everyone in the city of Philadelphia. This will be a very important first step in a long and difficult fight. The insurance lobby is the most powerful lobby in Harrisburg but the people will overwhelmingly support health care reform when they learn the true cost of keeping a tiny, powerful elite grotesquely wealthy. Thanks again for bringing our attention to this ballot question. This important question has not gotten much attention to date. Glenn ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ann W Dixon" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, September 17, 2003 8:44 PM Subject: [UC] ballot question > HEALTH CARE TO THE PEOPLE > > Do you know that Philadelphia Council is giving you > the opportunity to vote on Health Care in November's > election? "Yes" or "No" to the following question: > > "Section 5-300 of the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter > shall be amended to declare that health care is an > essential safeguard of human life and dignity. The > Health Department shall be directed to prepare a plan, > on or before one year from the date the voters approve > addition of this section to the charter, for universal > health coverage that permits everyone in the City of > Philadelphia to obtain decent Health Care on a regular > basis.' > > It is time to "fix" our health care system. Let us > get started by voting "yes" and thus directing our > government to utilize its resources to provide access > to health care for all Philadelphians, regardless of > age, income, or employment. For more information, > please call Philadelphia Area Committee to Defend > Health Care at 267-253-5074, or check website at > www.phillyhealth.org > > > ---- > You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the > list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see > <http://www.purple.com/list.html>. > ---- You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see <http://www.purple.com/list.html>.
