I have yet to see any mention of HR676 specifically on any of the political talk shows or in the newspapers or any other MSM outlet. Whenever the subject of health care comes up it usually Arnold's or Romney's plan that gets brought up or about the evils of "socialized medicine".
I have read many excellent diaries here explaining the benefits of a single payer/ universal health care system (like HR676) and have learned a great deal about the subject, but there comes a time to stop preaching to the choir and start getting the good word out. So, one has to ask one's self how do we get the word out about HR676?
I have some suggestions below the fold.
I doubt that we can get HR-676 passed in both houses and signed (doh!) by this preznit. I think it will take holding or increasing our numbers in congress, increasing our numbers in the senate and electing a Democratic President. Until the 2008 elections we can do better at spreading the word about HR-676 via better marketing.
Who you going to believe? Your doctor or some putz on Hardball? I don't know about you but I'd be more inclined to take my doctor's word than some putz. What is my point? Doctors can be one of the best advocates for HR676 and it wouldn't be very hard for them to do. All they would have to do is have a brochure in their waiting room extolling the virtues of HR676. Also, the doctor could hand a brochure out to each of his patients and let them know that he/she supports HR676 (or SP/UHC of some sort). Or how about watching a PSA video on one of those big screen tv's that many doctors offices have in their waiting rooms?
I'm sure you have all seen shows like "House", "ER", or "Grey's Anatomy". Why not approach the writers or actors of these shows to do stories that brings up the topic of health care in this country and then at the end has a voice over directing people to a website for more information about SP/UHC. It would be similar to other programs that have discussed such things as breast cancer or prostate cancer. Soap Opera's might also be a good venue for this kind of approach.
Get McDreamy or House to do Public Service Announcements or do a voice over for a documentary about SP/UHC.
In a political campaign it doesn't matter if you have the best candidate in the world if you don't have a good marketing campaign to promote him/her. It is no different with the campaign for SP/UHC.
I have written this diary primarily to stimulate conversation on how we push our agenda forward on this subject. IF you have any other ideas please feel free to comment.