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It's time to earn your Nobel Peace Prize

Stop Israel Support Now!

How many civilians need to die

You Are Wrong

Whitewash in Honduras

Political Unsanity

Get America out of Afghanistan Now

Send a letter of condolence

The Choice for Change – Handfuls or Millions

Palestinians and Cubans

Prime Minister Netanyahu needs to watch Occupation 101

Stop supporting the Israeli government

1/06/10 - President Obama - You continue to amaze me with your lack of understanding about the real problems in the world. I hope you will take the time to view two recent segments from Democracy Now. The first, an interview with Glen Greenwald, contains valuable incite into why your wars are failures and will continue to fail.

http://www.democracynow.org/2009/12/31/glenn

The second program, an interview with Allen Nairn, reviews your first year in office and offers concise points about the harm you are bringing to the world. “I think Obama should be remembered as a great man because of the blow he struck against white racism,” Nairn says. “But once he became president…Obama became a murderer and a terrorist, because the US has a machine that spans the globe, that has the capacity to kill, and Obama has kept it set on kill. He could have flipped the switch and turned it off, but he chose not to do so.” He continues, “In fact, as far as one can tell, Obama seems to have killed more civilians during his first year than Bush did in his first year, and maybe even than Bush killed in his final year.”

http://www.democracynow.org/2010/1/6/obama_has_kept_the_machine_set

As a person who has seen with my own eyes the terrible destruction wrought upon others by the U.S., I agree with both Greenwald's and Nairn's viewpoints. You have surrounded yourself with many of the same people who started these wars. Your continued support of apartheid Israel is unforgivable and is probably the leading cause of Arab and Muslim rage. I see no Change in what you are doing and agree that you are only making the situation worse. Please read or listen to these interviews.

Thomas Daly
Retired California Newspaper Publisher

You Are Wrong

12/01/09 – President Obama – How can I adequately respond to your Afghanistan speech when you have now recently limited citizen input to just 2500 characters? Whose brilliant idea is/was that?

Everything you said tonight is wrong and you, sir, are a fool. The only people you have pleased are a handful of evangelical, right wing, war hawks.

You said, “We are in Afghanistan to prevent a cancer from once again spreading through that country. But this same cancer has also taken root in the border region of Pakistan. That is why we need a strategy that works on both sides of the border.”

American (and other foreign) occupation in Afghanistan is a cancer! You say that comparing this to Vietnam “depends upon a false reading of history.” You are wrong! As one who lived through and protested that failed effort, I can tell you that there is much more in common with Vietnam than there are differences.

During the Bush years I refused to register to vote or to vote. When you came along with such wonderful rhetoric, I believe you and registered as a Democrat. Tonight I have just decided to change my registration to an Independent.

It is truly a sad day for America and the World. Rather than correct a mistake and prevent the deaths of additional American soldiers, you have chosen to sacrifice them because you are afraid the Republicans in Washington (The Party of NO) will call you weak. The Republicans in Washington didn't vote for you, nor do they support you. The people voted for you believing that you represented Change. Tonight you let them down.

Thomas Daly
Retired California Newspaper Publisher

Whitewash in Honduras

11/28/09 – President Obama – Tomorrow Honduras will hold an illegal election and it appears that the far right candidate will win. Every Latin American country except Panama and Costa Rica have declared that they will not recognize this election.

Americans elected you on a promise of Change. That change includes Latin America, but it appears you have caved in to the corporate right and thrown Honduran Democracy under the bus! You have squandered a magnificent opportunity to show that America actually cares about people. By recognizing this coup d'etat led election you are saying to other hopeful right wing dictators that the door is now open for them to do the same thing. You are encouraging turmoil in Latin America and you are doing irreparable harm to America's already tarnished reputation in the region. Day by day my hope fades that you would actually be a man of your word. Tomorrow will be a sad day for Latin America and the World.
See this from the NY Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/28/world/americas/28honduras.html

Thomas Daly
Retired California Newspaper Publisher

Political Insanity

11/25/09 – President Obama – Who is running America? It has become readily apparent that you intend to deploy more troops to Afghanistan in the near future. The only possible reason I can see for this unfortunate move is that you and the do-nothing Democrats are afraid of being called chicken by the Party of No. Sacrificing additional military and civilian lives in Afghanistan is not the brave thing to do. Enlarging this conflict is insanity.

Today it was announced that the United States will not sign the Treaty to Ban Land Mines. How sad and how stupid. Obviously the Pentagon is calling the shots in Washington. There is absolutely no justification in not signing this ban. And, where was/is the transparency on this important subject. You promised transparency and then throw it under the bus. The U.S. should reverse this decision and announce to the World that it will sign the Treaty during the Land Mine Summit in Columbia next month.

Speaking of Columbia, U.S. support there represents more political insanity. President Uribe does not represent democracy. Far from it, he is the last of the right wing sudo-dictators in Latin America. His military and paramilitary forces, with U.S. support, are responsible for the deaths and disappearances of thousands of innocent civilians. Your decision to place American troops on seven Columbian military bases is undermining the stability of Latin America.

More political insanity – Why is the U.S. planning to recognize the fraudulent elections to be held in Honduras? Your actions can and will only lead other right wing despots to attempt to overthrow their governments. Will you support them? As someone who has years of firsthand knowledge of U.S. complicity in dozens of Latin American dictatorships, I find it appalling that you are letting this illegal coup in Honduras continue. The elections will not end this conflict. Who will you go after next? Bolivia? Venezuela? Peru? Ecuador? Is any country safe from the U.S. Military/Industrial/Terrorist complex?

Thomas Daly
Retired California Newspaper Publisher

Get America out of Afghanistan Now

10/29/09Mr. President - I urge you to make the right decision and get America out of Afghanistan. We need to make peace not war.
Thomas Daly
Retired California Newspaper Publisher

Send a letter of condolence

10/27/09 - President Obama - Today another governmental flaw raised its ugly head on Democracy Now. I was shocked to learn that soldiers who commit suicide in Iraq or Afghanistan do not deserve a letter of condolence from you.
Who the hell ever thought that one up? Shame on you! Below is a short piece of the comments from the parents of Chancellor Keesling's parents about this sad state of affairs.

From Democracy Now - GREGG KEESLING: Well, I just—we do not believe our son would have taken his life if he had been here at home. This would not have happened. This is directly related to his military service. Our casualty officer—the military has been very, very, very good to us in helping us. And our casualty officer, though, said the same thing, that “We do not believe your son would have taken his life if he was back home.” And, you know, every other benefit that the military provides to families has been afforded to us. We were flown to Dover to greet the body, in a very emotional experience. And we had a military burial and the twenty-one-gun salute. And Jannett was presented the American flag, which is a very moving ceremony.

But the issue of presidential condolences—in fact, we were shocked. I began—President Obama has set up the suicide task force, and I began to talk with Brigadier General Colleen McGuire and members of staff there, and they were very helpful and wonderful. And during those conversations, I mentioned, “By the way, you know, when do you think the letter comes from the President?” And she goes, “I don’t know. I’ll check it out.” And we talked again a few times. And every time at the end of the conversation, you know, “How are you guys doing?” and all that. And I said, “By the way, when are we going to get the letter from the President?” And on our third conversation, one of the staff members said to me, “Oh, my god, Mr. Keesling, I’ve just discovered there’s a longstanding policy that prevents the President from acknowledging the death of a soldier who takes his life in the war theater by his own hand.” And I nearly dropped to my knees. I was shocked. And I just said to her that I think this is a policy that should change.

Our loss is no different. He was on his second tour. The investigative report shows that he was a good soldier. One of my favorite comments in the report is that his unit commander said, or unit leader says, “I wish I had fifteen Keeslings.” He was a good soldier. He helped other soldiers. In fact, there’s a soldier back stateside today who was at risk of suicide that Chancy intervened to help. And we got his uniform back, and when my sister was packing away the uniform, she found in the pocket and pulled out the suicide information card. He had it in his pocket of his uniform. And he helped other soldiers, but he was unable to help himself.

And so, our grief is deep. And, you know, the letter won’t stop—we’ll still be hollow inside for the rest of our lives, but the acknowledgment from the President that our son gave his life in service to the causes of the United States is important to us, and I think it should be important to the hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of suicide victims in this war in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well. It’s my understanding that the suicide rate in the military has, for the first time, surpassed the civilian suicide rate. The mental health issues are quite severe. And so, we’re just simply appealing to the President to change the policy, to offer condolences to the families, like ours, that are struggling and suffering with the unique form of suffering a military suicide leaves in its wake. And it’s been especially hard for us.

The President was—has been on TV, and we’ve seen news reports where he talks about how he anguishes over writing the letters to the families. He was talking about, you know, whether he would deploy more soldiers to Afghanistan, and he said he has to think long and hard because he has to anguish and write those letters to families. But our family is not one of those....

I urge you to read the complete transcript or, better yet, watch the interview found here: http://www.democracynow.org/2009/10/27/exclusive_parents_of_soldier_who_killed#at
And then I hope you will have the courage to correct this terrible wrong committed against the families of men and women who have sacrificed their lives fighting, dying, and yes, committing suicide in these totally unnecessary wars.
Send the letter(s). It's the right thing to do and it is one of the Changes that needs urgent attention.
Thomas Daly
Retired California Newspaper Publisher

The Choice for Change – Handfuls or Millions

09/27/09 – President Obama – You were elected by millions of Americans who genuinely wanted Change. Sadly you are not delivering and America and the World are suffering.

To win last November, millions gave you handfuls of dollars while a handful of corporations gave you millions of dollars. It appears that the corporate millions actually won the election, and while average Americans fall further down the economic ladder, the corporations just grow fatter and remain unregulated.

Rather than go with Universal Health Care (Medicare for all), you have chosen to support the health insurance industry at the expense of all Americans. You say we can't start all over. Why not? And what part of starting over would be involved in simply expanding Medicare to cover all Americans? Sadly the millions from the handful are driving your decisions and the people be damned.

Rather than remove troops from Iraq and Afghanistan you have chosen to basically expand America's imperialists views. Everyday Americans are dying for a lost cause. Your government and the one before you claim it is to fight against “terrorism.” In addition to the American deaths there are thousands of civilian deaths, men, women and children slaughtered in the name of “freedom.” Unfortunately the only freedom you are protecting is that of defense contractors, arms manufacturers, and corporate hustlers who will do anything for a buck.

Rather than force Israel to toe the line by returning to the 1967 borders, accepting the Arab Peace Plan, and make peace with the Palestinians, you have chosen to support, not Israel's desires, but those of a handful of Israeli and American Zionists whose only desire is to see every Palestinian perish. Israel has violated more UN regulations than any other nation. Prime Minister Netanyahu has literally given you the finger when it comes to stopping settlements and you do nothing. How about cutting off all aid to Israel? With the possible exception of Iraq where billions have literally disappeared, Israel is the largest recipient of U.S. aid – most of it to provide the means for Israel to continue their apartheid, genocidal aggression against Palestinians. Surely this is not what you meant when you promised Change?

Rather than open relations with Latin America, you have chosen to extend the blockade against Cuba. It was fascinating the other day to see you chairing the Security Council meeting, with Vietnam, China, and Libya sitting there supporting you and, yet, you can't find it in your heart to stop the madness against Cubans. The entire World, including the Organization of American States, is against you in the continuation of America's inhumane punishment of Cubans.

You have chosen to give half-hearted support to Honduran President Zelaya. While cutting some aid, you still maintain military relations and train Honduran torturers on American soil. You have chosen to limit some Honduran visas, but are doing nothing to force the handful of Honduran businessmen supporting the coup to drop their support. How about freezing their assets, and placing punishing tariffs upon their products being imported into the U.S.? How about just declaring that the coup is a military coup? How about stopping being afraid of Republican reactions? In fact, don't you think it is high time to simply stop trying to copse the Republicans into some bilateral agreements? Let's face it, the Republican Party is an impediment to every Change you have talked about.

Rather than surround yourself with people who actually care about the plight of average Americans, you have chosen to keep the very people who drove America into its current dilemma. Having anyone from Goldman Sachs in your government is like having the fox guard the hen house. The money given to the banks (much of which cannot be accounted for) has only emboldened these Wall Street thieves. While the economy needed bailing out, you chose to give the money to the wrong people.

The money currently being squandered upon the military could easily provide health care for everyone. It could also provide enough green electricity to totally eliminate America's dependence on foreign oil in as little as 10 years. The green electrification would also produce millions of new jobs.

Rather than restore freedom to Americans, you have chosen to expand the invasive policies of the FBI, CIA, Homeland Security, and many other organizations who are practicing wanton spying upon innocent American civilians. Rather than cancel the Patriot Act, the Military Commissions Act, and numerous other overreactions of the American government, you have chosen take even more rights away. The handful profits while the millions suffer from made up laws and made up facts.

Rather than work for peace, you have chosen to support war to the benefit of the handful. Is this why you were elected? Or did you actually have real Change in mind when you convinced Americans to support you? While you're still trying to make nice with Joe Lieberman, he, like the rest of his Republican buddies, could care less about you and Change. They don't want Change. They want to continue the unopposed looting of everything American. They don't give a damn about the economy, the health of America, and, especially, you. While you deny it, the racist right is out to stop any Change you will ever attempt. My father taught me to turn the other cheek, but there comes a time when a person needs to fight back.

So, what will it be? Change for the millions who voted for you? Or status quo for the handful who gave you millions hoping they could wreck your train of Change? Right now, sadly, it looks like the train wreckers are winning.

Freedom has no cash value!

Thomas Daly
Retired California Newspaper Publisher

Palestinians and Cubans

9/20/09 – President Obama – While you were busy today on the talk show circuit, you may have missed the monumental cry of more than one million Latinos singing (in English) "It's time for a Change." I'm sure they could hear it 90 miles away in Miami where most of the Cuban opposition lives. The “Peace Without Borders” concert was beyond compare. Artists from many countries gathered in Havana, dressed in white ( as were most in the audience) to sing the praises of Peace.

On Tuesday you will meet with the Netanyahu and Abbas to discuss peace between the Israelis and Palestinians. The concert in Havana today reminded me that the U.S. has a 60-year history with Cuba that is similar to the history Israel has with the Palestinians. America, suffering from an immense dose of testosterone, just can't seem to see their way into negotiating a peace agreement with the Cubans.

This is not to say that the situations are the same; fortunately America does not occupy Cuba as the Israelis occupy Palestine, America is not killing Cuban civilians on a daily basis, and, while Palestinians every movement is controlled, Cubans have much greater freedom of movement.

If you truly desire peace in the Middle East, I strongly suggest that you announce Monday or Tuesday, before your scheduled meetings, that the U.S., in the spirit of desiring peace, is ending the blockade of Cuba. I have no idea how you can expect Netanyahu to do anything constructive when America cannot accept the people and their government in a country that is just a stone's throw from its own borders.

In addition to the million gathered in Havana, many, many millions of others watched the powerful Peace Without Borders Concert thanks to HITN-TV who broadcast the concert live. In Havana and in front rooms throughout Latin America, as well as Latin U.S. there was a universal call for peace. Peace in the Middle East, peace between Israel and Palestine, peace in Iraq and Afghanistan, and, most importantly, peace between Cuba and America. The people of the world want peace. You are in the unique position to make it happen. Recognize Cuba and tell Netanyahu that he must recognize the Palestinians.

Thomas Daly
Retired California Newspaper Publisher

Prime Minister Netanyahu needs to watch Occupation 101

9/19/09 - President Obama – I'm pleased that you are going to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday.

America has stood behind Israel's every move for 60 years while contributing billions in the process. Anyone who speaks out against this one-sided support is immediately labeled Anti-Semitic. Nothing could be further from the truth. The dictionary defines Antisemitism as: a term used to describe prejudice against or hostility towards Jews, often rooted in hatred of their religious/cultural/ethnic background. To complain about Israel's criminal occupation of the Palestinian Territory has nothing to do with hostility towards Jews, based on hatred of their religious/cultural/ethnic background. It is based solely upon their failure, as a country, to abide by international laws and United Nations regulations. Israel, with the absolute complicity of America, has squandered every opportunity to bring peace to the Middle-East. Their occupation and total control of Palestine is actually worse than the apartheid state that South Africans suffered under.

Before your meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu, I strongly suggest that you obtain a copy of the excellent documentary, Occupation 101.

“A thought-provoking and powerful documentary film on the current and historical root causes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Unlike any other film ever produced on the conflict -- 'Occupation 101' presents a comprehensive analysis of the facts and hidden truths surrounding the never ending controversy and dispels many of its long-perceived myths and misconceptions.

The film also details life under Israeli military rule, the role of the United States in the conflict, and the major obstacles that stand in the way of a lasting and viable peace. The roots of the conflict are explained through first-hand on-the-ground experiences from leading Middle East scholars, peace activists, journalists, religious leaders and humanitarian workers whose voices have too often been suppressed in American media outlets.

The film covers a wide range of topics -- which include -- the first wave of Jewish immigration from Europe in the 1880's, the 1920 tensions, the 1948 war, the 1967 war, the first Intifada of 1987, the Oslo Peace Process, Settlement expansion, the role of the United States Government, the second Intifada of 2000, the separation barrier and the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, as well as many heart wrenching testimonials from victims of this tragedy.”

I would love to travel to Gaza with you so that we could see first hand the truth of the illegal Israeli occupation. I also strongly suggest that you ask Netanyahu to watch this compelling documentary. Of course he won't, because he does not wish to confront the truth, but the truth will not go quietly away. Information about this remarkable film is available here: http://www.occupation101.com/

Israel's failure to reach a peace agreement with the Palestinians is the leading cause of all Mid-East tensions as well as the leading cause of so-called terrorism against the West.

There have been numerous talks; now is the time for action, for real Change. You must be firm in your resolve to solve this worldwide problem. Netanyahu and the Israeli government must be made to understand that they have run out of time. They need to stop all settlement construction and vacate all existing settlements. They need accept the Arab Peace Initiative. The plan offers Israel recognition and permanent peace with all Arab countries in return for an Israeli withdrawal from lands captured in the 1967 Six-Day War. It also calls for setting up a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital and a just solution to the issue of Palestinian refugees. It not only offers peace to the Israelis and long suffering Palestinians, but offers peace and hope to the entire World. There is no more time to waste. Peace is the only road you should travel.

Thomas Daly
Retired California Newspaper Publisher

Stop supporting the Israeli government
9/18/09 - President Obama - I have written to you before about the continuing Israeli/Palestinian Conflict. The occupation and suppression of the of Palestine by the Israeli government is criminal and America's 60-year support of Israel in its apartheid efforts should end. On September 15, 2009 the United Nations released a 575-page fact-finding mission report on the Gaza conflict that concentrates mainly on the serious violations by the Israelis which continue as I write this.

“We came to the conclusion, on the basis of the facts we found, that there was strong evidence to establish that numerous serious violations of international law, both humanitarian law and human rights law, were committed by Israel during the military operations in Gaza,” the head of the mission, Justice Richard Goldstone, told a press briefing.

“The mission concluded that actions amounting to war crimes and possibly, in some respects, crimes against humanity, were committed by the Israel Defense Force (IDF).”

Reaction to this report has been swift by people whose only mission is to confuse the issue claiming that it is Anti-semitic in its views. Nothing could be further from the truth and it is high time that America wakes up to this fact. Israel, which had refused to cooperate with the investigation, claimed Goldstone’s investigation was biased against Israel. Everyday more and more Israeli people join in the protests against their government and here in the West, there is a breakup of liberal Jewish support for Israel. Again, this has nothing to do with Anti-Semitic views. This is simply a case of Jews worldwide who are fed up with the efforts of the Israeli government.

The slaughter of civilians in January and the continuing construction of settlements in the Occupied Territory, coupled with the UN report should give you all the ammunition you need to Change direction in America's attitude and support of Israel. You are not supporting the people of Israel, you are only giving billions in dollars and arms to a criminal government.

America's support of Israel's government plus America's occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan are the leading cause of every so-called “terrorist” threat.

I applaud you for canceling the insane plan to put missiles in Poland. Now you need to take the same kind of bold steps to force Israel into accepting peace and getting America's troops (and private contractors) out of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Thomas Daly
Retired California Newspaper Publisher

9/17/09 – President Obama – Today Senator Arlen Specter posed a number of pressing questions about America's continuing involvement in Afghanistan. The specific questions he asked are:

“What are the prospects for military success in Afghanistan against al-Qaida and the Taliban? What will the requirements be in the next year as to additional U.S. troops and the cost of our involvement in Afghanistan? What may we reasonably expect NATO or other allies to contribute in troops and dollars to our efforts in Afghanistan? What other areas around the world are open to al-Qaida as potential bases for another attack on the United States? What will be done besides military action, such as nation building and stabilizing and developing Afghanistan, so that they will be prepared to handle their own problems so we can withdraw? What assistance can we reasonably expect from Pakistan in fighting al-Qaida and the Taliban and stopping both from seeking refuge by moving in and out of Pakistan? How does the questionable legitimacy of President Karzai's status as result of allegations of proof of election fraud impact on our ability to succeed in Afghanistan? How does the illegal drug trafficking and alleged involvement of high-ranking officials in the Karzai government in such drug trafficking impact on our efforts in Afghanistan? What does U.S. intelligence show as to any possible plans by al-Qaida to attack the United States or anyone else? What does U.S. intelligence show as to whether India poses a real threat to attack Pakistan? What does U.S. intelligence show as to whether Pakistan poses a real threat to attack India? What does U.S. intelligence show as to whether Pakistan could reasonably devote additional military force to assist us in the fight against the Taliban? What does U.S. intelligence show as to whether the Government of Pakistan or influential officials in the Pakistani Government would consider negotiating with India for reducing nuclear weapons or other confidence-building measures to diffuse the tension with India if actively encouraged to do so by the United States? What does U.S. intelligence show as to whether the Government of India or some influential officials in the Indian Government would consider negotiating with Pakistan for reducing nuclear weapons or other confidence-building measures to diffuse the tension with Pakistan if actively encouraged by the United States to do so?”

His entire remarks can be found Here: I hope you will read them and consider their importance. Afghanistan is rapidly turning into your Vietnam. This occupation, like the one in Iraq, need to be ended now.

Thomas Daly
Retired California Newspaper Publisher

Political Prisoners
8/14/09 - President Obama - As I write this Leonard Peltier awaits a decision on whether or not he will finally be paroled. What a shame to keep this man in prison for so long on what are almost for sure trumped up charges. If he is not paroled, I urge you to commute his sentence and get this proud Native American back to his family.
At the same time Youssef Megahed awaits his immigration trial next week. Youssef has already been found innocent by a federal jury and three days later he was snatched off the street by ICE in what can only be described as a total miscarriage of justice. Today Youssef's entire family are receiving their American citizenship. Rather than rotting in detention, Youssef should be there with his family. This is a case of the Government simply being mad because Youssef was found innocent.  I urge you to take steps to prevent the Government from deporting Youssef.
And then there are the cases of Mumia Abu-Jamal and Troy Anthony Davis. Both of these men were tried on charges of killing a cop and both cases are highly suspect as to the validity of those charges. Both men deserve new trials. I urge you to take some action in their behalf.
All of these cases represent the American Justice System at its worse. Surely you can muster some compassion and take the time to see that these “judicial” errors are corrected.
Thomas Daly
Retired California Newspaper Publisher

I Urge You NOT to Apologize
7/24/09 – President Obama – I hope you will not cave in to pressure from the right and the law enforcement organizations supporting Sergeant Crowley who are calling upon you to apologize for your “true” remarks about the unfortunate arrest of Professor Gates.
I also do not have all of the facts in this case, but I agree with you that, once Sgt. Crowley determined that Gates was the homeowner, he, as a policeman, should have attempted to cool the situation down rather than place Gates under arrest.
At their press conference this morning a lawyer for the Massachusetts Police could not give a clear definition of “Disorderly Conduct.” This “crime” is often used by police to simply scoop up people who disagree with them. [The courts confronted with cases stemming from these arrests have from time to time had occasion to restrict the broad and vague definitions of the statute to make certain that freedom of speech and assembly and other forms of protected expression under the First Amendment were not affected. They also have had occasion to curb its scope to make certain that people were (or could have been) aware that their conduct was, in fact, within the prohibition of the statute, as required by the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.]

Thomas Daly
Retired California Newspaper Publisher

Single-Payer Universal Healthcare
President Obama – Below is a copy of the email I sent today to the Blue Dog Coalition. I sincerely hope you will take the time to also review this material.

7/22/09 - Members of the Blue Dog Coalition – I urge you to take another look at your apparent stand against single-payer universal health care. America does not need Health Insurance, it needs Health Care
Billions are wasted every year maintaining the “historical tradition” of Health Insurance.
America already has a Health Care system that works. It's called Medicare and this system should be extended to cover all Americans. Poll after poll shows that citizens with Medicare are genuinely happy with the Health Care benefits they receive. Medicare works! HMO's don't! It's high time that Congress acts to finally take profit out of Health Care.
Thomas R. Daly
Retired California Newspaper Publisher

I urge you to look at (or read the transcripts) from today's Democracy Now program. The program features:

President Obama's Longtime Physician Opposes White House Health Plan, Advocates Single Payer

Dr. David Scheiner was President Obama’s doctor from 1987 until he entered the White House. Today Dr. Scheiner is publicly opposing Obama’s health plan and is calling for a single-payer system. [includes rush transcript]

Uninsured Travel from Across US for Free Healthcare from Relief Group Remote Area Medical

As debate continues in Washington over healthcare reform, thousands of Americans in neighboring Virginia are preparing to line up this weekend to receive free healthcare provided by a relief organization called Remote Area Medical. We speak to the group’s founder, Stan Brock.

Additionally, I hope you will also take the time to view or read from the following:

“They Dump the Sick to Satisfy Investors”: Insurance Exec Turned Whistleblower Wendell Potter Speaks Out Against Healthcare Industry

7/16/09 - As the debate over healthcare reform intensifies on Capitol Hill, we spend the hour with a former top insurance executive who’s now exposing the industry’s dirty secrets. Wendell Potter once served as the head of corporate communications at CIGNA, one of the nation’s largest health insurance companies. We speak to Potter about his own transformation from industry mouthpiece to whistleblower, the healthcare industry’s extensive PR and lobbying machine, the campaign to discredit Michael Moore’s film Sicko, and the insurance industry’s most pressing task: the fight against a public option, let alone a single-payer system. [includes rush transcript

Howard Dean on His Prescription for Real Healthcare Reform

7/17/09 - “I don’t give a damn about the health insurance people being in business or out of business. I want a system that works,” said Dean, physician, six-term Vermont governor, Democratic presidential candidate in 2004, and former chairman of the Democratic National Committee. We speak to Dean hours after the House Ways and Means Committee approved legislation to overhaul the nation’s healthcare system and expand insurance coverage. By a 23-to-18 vote, the committee backed key elements of President Obama’s blueprint for healthcare, including the creation of a new government health plan and requirements for employers to offer health insurance to workers or contribute to its cost. To help fund the changes to the healthcare system, the House committee also agreed to impose a surtax on families with incomes of more than $350,000 a year. Meanwhile, the conservative American Medical Association has just come out in support of the House bill, saying “the status quo is unacceptable.” Howard Dean’s solution embraces President Obama’s healthcare plan but argues that the reform bill is “not worth passing unless the American people have the choice of signing up for a public option—a real public option.” [includes rush transcript]

Prevent Bloodshed in Honduras
7/20/09 – President Obama, I urge you to take immediate action to avoid a civil war in Honduras. Costa Rican President Oscar Arias negotiated a settlement which would allow President Zelaya to return in a power sharing arrangement with national elections moved up one month, but coup leader Roberto Micheletti, called the plan "unacceptable."
Micheletti and his group are cut from the same cloth as former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet. His military leadership are graduates of the infamous School of the Americas. Their actions are almost certain to lead Honduras into a civil war unless actions are taken NOW to stop them. The blood of many innocent people will flow and Honduras and all of Latin America will be set back.
The United States needs to be very firm with Micheletti as to the consequences of his actions. You should order the immediate withdrawal of American troops stationed there and the withdrawal of all American financial aid to the interim government run by Micheletti.
The OAS has condemned Micheletti's action and many governments have recalled their ambassadors. The U.S. should do likewise and send a clear message to Micheletti that his government will not be recognized nor supported in any way. A civil war and bloodshed is something the Honduran people do not deserve. Please take actions to stop this madness now.

Thank you,
Thomas Daly

America needs Health CARE not Health INSURANCE
7/14/09 - Today, America faces one of its most difficult problems – Health Care. Many in Congress and in the “Health” industry are insisting that private insurance must be a part of any solution. In fact, the health insurance businesses stand to gain billions if the 49 million uninsured Americans suddenly become eligible for private OR government funding.
The reality is that there is absolutely no legitimate reason why anyone should have to pay for health insurance. Americans need to pay for health care not health insurance. Americans need a health plan similar to Medicare. Many studies of Medicare have reached the following conclusions:

Medicare beneficiaries are overwhelmingly satisfied with their Medicare coverage.
The administrative costs of Medicare are lower than any other large health plan.

The Universal nature of Medicare brings affordable health care to a large number of people.

Medicare protects the rights of its beneficiaries to receive quality, affordable, and essential health care.

If a Medicare type plan were made available to all Americans, the overall costs of health care could be significantly lowered. Administrative costs would be reduced, advertising costs would be eliminated. Drug costs could be reduced through large contracts. The total costs of health care could also be reduced through broad based wellness programs.
Today profit, not care, is the force driving the health industry. Many in Congress, especially the committee leaders, are the beneficiaries of huge donations to their reelection campaigns from the Health Insurance Lobby. The decisions of Congress are, in reality, being bought and this is just plain wrong. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus has continued to exclude discussions about Single-Payer Universal Healthcare—the system favored by most Americans. Senator Baucus has received more campaign money from health-and-insurance industry interests than any other member of Congress.

I've never heard a Congressman or Senator call Medicare “Socialism,” but that is exactly the term they use when talking about single-payer health care. They are practicing Brave New World and 1984 newspeak tactics in their efforts to confuse the American people. Fortunately the People are not buying it. Poll after poll signify that a broad majority of Americans favor a Medicare type plan for all Americans.

Single-Payer Health Care is Change Americans believe in.

Thomas Daly
Retired California Newspaper Publisher

Healthcare Is NOT Socialism
7/17/09 - President Obama, in May of this year responding to a question about taking single payer off the table, you said, “If I were starting a system from scratch, then I think that the idea of moving towards a single-payer system could very well make sense. That’s the kind of system that you have in most industrialized countries around the world. The only problem is that we’re not starting from scratch. We have historically a tradition of employer-based healthcare. And although there are a lot of people who are not satisfied with their healthcare, the truth is, is that the vast majority of people currently get healthcare from their employers, and you’ve got this system that’s already in place. We don’t want a huge disruption as we go into healthcare reform, where suddenly we’re trying to completely reinvent one-sixth of the economy.”
Yes, we do have an historical tradition of employer-based healthcare, but it is a broken system. Plainly, it doesn't work, costs way too much, and is a complete failure. Up until the Civil Rights Movement, we had an historical tradition of treating minorities as dirt, but Congress finally had the courage to CHANGE that tradition and now the need to CHANGE another!
Single Payer Health Care patterned after Medicare is what America needs. And, like Medicare, there could be supplemental insurance for people who can afford it and desire more extensive care. However the reality is today we have 50 million with no insurance and the only people profiting from the situation are a handful of powerful Health Industry companies. They're actually hoping that Congress avoids Single Payer because, as now written, these fat cats will only get fatter when somebody has to pony up the cash for the premiums of the currently 50 million uninsured.
I urge you to re-read your own words above and to realize the folly of trying to maintain an “historical tradition.” I urge you to listen to the words of Dr. Howard Dean and Wendell Potter on the subject of Healthcare. Both appeared this week on Democracy Now - http://www.democracynow.org

Thank you,
Thomas Daly

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changed 10/29/09