In Ogunquit, "Chellie knows the answers"

By admin on May 8, 2008 12:03 PM

posted by guest blogger Drew Pearson of Kittery

On Thursday the 8th of May, I drove to Ogunquit to see all the candidates for Congress. They're an impressive group, the Democrats, especially Chellie, of course. I found myself thinking, "Let's send them all to Washington, not just Chellie."

The Republicans were astonishing I thought, repeating the Bush phrases about keeping the tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. How could they hope to get anywhere by continuing to claim this is good national policy? It's just dividing the country and weakening the economy, as the Democrats explained.

The forum was very well organized -- the meeting room was full and everyone there had a chance to write questions on 3×5 cards that were collected and then collated by the moderator by subject area. Each candidate then took turns answering the questions.

I think this was the best forum I've attended, but that's because Chellie reminded us all about the goals we need to set to fix the fundamental issues that continue to cause so much social dislocation. She reminded us of how she took on the pharmaceutical companies when she was in the legislature to make prescription medicine available for seniors -- certainly a right of citizenship in this wealthy country. Now, on to a single-payer health care system!

Go Chellie!

Incidentally, if you want to watch a very good Frontline (PBS) program, "Sick Around the World," about the comparatively advanced health programs of other industrialized countries, here's the link.

They make it look easy. How come we're so backward? Chellie knows the answers. I can't wait for November!