You tell ‘em Elizabeth Warren.

If you don’t choose to vote today, I don’t like you.

Health Care Policy under President Romney — NEJM

Though Romney has offered many opinions and comments as a presidential candidate, he has not provided any detailed blueprint of his plans for U.S. health system reform, and his proposals provoke questions more than they provide answers.

I am a political candidate…

From now on I’m going to answer every question like a presidential candidate.

What are you doing this weekend?

That’s a great question—-and an important one. And I WILL do something this weekend. But let me take a step back and answer a broader question: What are we all doing this weekend? As a nation? As a world? This weekend, I will do something comprehensive and robust, yet fun. We all should.

But what are you doing?

What I’m gonna do involves three things. First, it’s gonna be relaxing. Second, it’s gonna be enjoyable. And, lastly, I’m gonna make sure that its cost-effective and I don’t go into a deficit. Four weeks ago, I said I’d do something—-and I did. This weekend will be no different.

I wish my moderate Republican friends would simply be honest. They all say they’re voting for Romney because of his economic policies (tenuous and ill-formed as they are), and that they disagree with him on gay rights. Fine. Then look me in the eye, speak with a level clear voice, and say, ‘My taxes and take-home pay mean more than your fundamental civil rights, the sanctity of your marriage, your right to visit an ailing spouse in the hospital, your dignity as a citizen of this country, your healthcare, your right to inherit, the mental welfare and emotional well-being of your youth, and your very personhood.’ It’s like voting for George Wallace during the Civil Rights movements, and apologizing for his racism. You’re still complicit. You’re still perpetuating anti-gay legislation and cultural homophobia. You don’t get to walk away clean, because you say you ‘disagree’ with your candidate on these issues.

Pulitzer and Tony winning playwright Doug Wright (via nedhepburn)

Actual source below:

Doug Wright wrote in response to a friend’s facebook post after Max von Essen’s (of the broadway revival, Evita) rockstar letter on equal rights.

(Source: abloodymess)

If you’re at all wondering how to talk to your legislator, this would be of interest to you..

AMSA’s AIDS Advocacy Network and Health Policy Action Committee invite your chapter to join our skill-building webinar:

“How to Run a Successful Lobby Visit”
facilitated by Kaytee Riek, Campaign Manager at SumOfUs
Thursday, October 18th, 8pm EST - 9:30pm EST (aka TOMORROW)
RSVP to policy.education@amsa.org

Be informed in how to take a better part in the democratic process!

Anyone can join, provided there are enough spots!

(via Twitter / passantino: Photo: Biden and Ryan cross.)

Something’s about to go down here… oh boy.

Sesame Workshop’s Statement Regarding Political Campaigns

This was released today on Sesame Street’s page.

Sesame Street has been a proud partner of PBS for 43 years, and is dependent on PBS to distribute our commercial-free educational programming to all children in the United States. Sesame Workshop is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, educational organization. We do not comment on campaigns, but we’re happy we can all agree that everyone likes Big Bird.

Tee hee. I can totally agree to that.

Refreshing my birddogging skills.

Currently on a conf call with my friend from HealthGAP, Paul Davis (I’ve rallied and birddogged with him back in the 2008 election) and a whole bunch of other newbies! Yeaaah new activists! He’s taking a hiatus from his work in Kenya to work on all this crazy stuff. Back in the day, he’s protested with freaking Rachel Maddow. So I guess I know her by proxy. Yeaah! :) Go AMSA!

Oh the memories…

Yup. that’s me. Letting our voice be heard.