The Quiet Coup

by Simon Johnson

The crash has laid bare many unpleasant truths about the United States. One of the most alarming, says a former chief economist of the International Monetary Fund, is that the finance industry has effectively captured our government—a state of affairs that more typically describes emerging markets, and is at the center of many emerging-market crises. If the IMF’s staff could speak freely about the U.S., it would tell us what it tells all countries in this situation: recovery will fail unless we break the financial oligarchy that is blocking essential reform. And if we are to prevent a true depression, we’re running out of time.

To read the whole story paste this link in your browser: http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200905/imf-advice

Two more local unions in Oregon have endorsed HR 676, single payer healthcare legislation introduced by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI).

In McMinnville, Steelworkers Local 8378 endorsed HR 676 and submitted its resolution to the Marion, Polk and Yamhill Counties Central Labor Council for consideration, reports Joseph Munger, President of the USW Local.

In Portland, Communications Workers of America Local 7901 also endorsed the Conyers bill. Mark Sturbois, a member of the 1,000 member CWA local as well as the Health Care Committee of Portland JwJ, reports that the endorsement resolution was passed out of the Local’s Executive Board with a recommendation to endorse. Sturbois stated that the resolution for HR 676 was “well received as the best avenue for controlling costs and providing universal coverage. We voted last year to endorse the resolution at the AFL-CIO convention in Oregon and thought it was important to back that up with our own endorsement,” Sturbois said.

Join the grassroots movement for national healthcare. Call Cong. Jason Altmire on May 13th. See the action information linked below.

Medicare For All Lobby Campaign Leaflet

Both Houses of the Maine state legislature, on roll call votes, have endorsed a single payer healthcare system and HR 676.

Separately, a just released poll conducted by the Maine Medical Society, shows that a majority of the state’s physicians support a single payer
healthcare system.

The HR 676 resolution and vote in Maine, follows a similar roll call vote by the New Hampshire House.  The New Hampshire House voted 192-150 on March 24th In favor of Resolution HCR2 which endorses HR 676 and a single payer health care system.

Below is the Associated Press story that ran in many Maine newspapers which also cites the recent poll conducted by the Maine Medical Society.

A copy of the Maine legislature’s Joint Resolution can be found at:    http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_124th/billtexts/HP100401.asp

Submitted By The Associated Press
on Wednesday, Apr. 8 at 3:13 pm
AUGUSTA  –  Maine  lawmakers have passed a resolution calling on President Obama and Congress to establish a single-payer health system that covers everyone. The Senate passed the nonbinding resolution by a 20-15 vote on Wednesday, a day after the House did the same by a 91-52 vote.
The resolution cites the high costs of the present system and says managed care, health maintenance organizations and other reforms have failed to contain health costs. The resolution was passed months after a poll of nearly 600 Maine physicians showed a majority in favor of a single payer or “Medicare for all” approach. The survey, conducted in November and December, showed 52 percent in favor and 48 percent against.

Portland, Oregon.   Carpenters’ Local 247 has endorsed HR 676, single payer healthcare legislation introduced by Congressman John Conyers
(D-MI).

An informal group of union members from different crafts, calling themselves Cross Trade Solidarity, has organized to push for endorsements
of the Conyers legislation in Portland area locals.

Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 290 has endorsed HR 676, single payer healthcare legislation introduced by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI).  The 4,000 member local has jurisdiction in Northern California, Southwest Washington and Oregon.

Eric Fanning, who introduced the endorsement resolution, said after it passed:  “The membership of United Association Local 290, Plumbers and Steamfitters, is fully aware of the crisis in health care where profits trump patient care.  The Massachusetts plan has proven to be a failure.
Senator Ron Wyden’s proposed plan would tax our health and welfare contributions, and this does not benefit organized labor.  Health Care for
America Now (HCAN) would create a two-tiered health care system.  HR 676, we believe, is the best solution to our health care crisis.”