NEA Vermont and AFT in Oregon Endorse HR 676

Teacher unions in Vermont and Oregon have endorsed HR 676, single payer healthcare legislation introduced by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI).

In Vermont, the Board of Directors of the Vermont NEA voted unanimously to support HR 676. The Vermont NEA is the first state NEA to endorse HR 676.

In Portland, Oregon, the Executive Board of AFT Local 3571, the Portland State University Faculty Association, also voted to endorse the Conyers bill. AFT Local 3571 represents more than 500 part time faculty members.

Brooke Jacobson, President of the Portland State University Faculty Association, said her local acted because “members who work less than half time receive no healthcare benefits.” She continued, “We have tried to remedy the situation through collective bargaining without success. There are too many gaps, too many problems. A Universal single payer healthcare system would be better for all.”

Check out more labor endorsements at unionsforsinglepayerHR676.org.

2 Comments

  1. jacksmith on February 6, 2009 at 3:12 pm

    I AM SO ANGRY!

    Tom Daschle, and Nancy Killefer are two of the finest, and most competent public servants you could possibly hope for in these appointments. They have been assassinated by the Washington healthcare lobby through their paid Bush Republican henchmen in congress. These Bush republicans are the same people blocking the economic recovery plan put forth by the Obama administration.

    I am BURNING MAD America. And you should be too. Tome Daschle and Nancy Killefer were exactly what we needed to help turn this country around and fix our economy, and catastrophic healthcare crisis.

    If I were their boss I would tell them to get right back to Washington. And dare congress to not approve them. How ridiculous is it to reject highly qualified people that this country needs just because they made a mistake on their taxes. Don’t stand for that anymore America. They apologized, and paid their taxes, and that should be it. Their country needs them. But President Obama has to do what he thinks is best. I understand that. I’M JUST SO MAD at the anti American Bush Republicans.

    Like many of you I have been trying to enjoy the after glow of this Beautiful historic election. But I see that the republicans in congress and their cohorts aren’t going to be good sports, and LOSER’S!

    SO BE IT!

    In spite of President Obama’s repeated offers, and gestures of collegiality to Republicans. Bush Republicans have seized upon every opportunity to stab President Obama in the back. And by doing so they are stabbing you, and the rest of the American people in the back. Well, you don’t have to put up with that. And you shouldn’t put up with that. President Obama has only been on the job two weeks. And he inherited two wars, and the worst economy since the great depression.

    We had an election. And president Obama, and the democrats won BIG. And Bush Republicans lost miserably!

    The Bush Republicans are the ones responsible for the worst economic crisis since the great depression. And the Bush Republicans are responsible for the worst healthcare crisis in American history. A healthcare crisis that is killing hundreds of thousands of you every year. Rich, middle class, and poor a like. Insured, and uninsured. Men, women, children, and babies.

    President Obama, and the Democrats should take back all the concessions they granted the Bush Republicans, and tell them to put up! or shut up!

    Everyone, start calling and contacting these Bush Republicans and tell them to stop blocking President Obama, and the Democrats recovery plan. And stop trying to block, and corrupt healthcare reform. Tell them to get on board with President Obama and the Democrats, or GET OUT!!

    If these Bush Republicans refuse to cooperate I want all of you to immediately begin the process of removing them from office by every legal means possible. Including impeachment, and recall. I want you to bring the full weight and power of the movement down on their heads that swept President Obama, and the Democrats into control of the whitehouse, and congress. Take no prisoners. Use all the techniques you learned over this past historic election. Be flexible, creative, adaptable, and relentless like you were in the past.

    To my cyber warriors I call on you again. You are among the best and the brightest. I call on you to move this fight from the cyber world to the living rooms, dens, and work places of the voters these Bush Republicans misrepresent. I know I can count on you. This is a fight worth fighting.

    To my fellow World citizens. As an American I invite, and welcome you and your advise, input, and help. By delaying Americas recovery, and healthcare reform, these Bush Republicans are delaying our commitment to your recovery, and to being the better America for you that we aspire too.

    I had hoped it would not come to this after our historic election. I had hoped that the Bush Republicans would respect the overpowering will of the people, and the World. But I guess not. All the Bush Republicans really care about is them-selves. Well, SO BE IT! Lets finish the job.

    Sincerely

    jacksmith — Working Class :-)



  2. Mercy Me on February 26, 2009 at 6:09 pm

    Jacksmith….

    I am so glad you are “BURNING MAD.” However, I find your rave is completely without grounds. Please explain how it is okay for public officials (elected by the public…who get paid with public taxes)to not pay THEIR taxes? Seriously? If that is okay with you, perhaps it should be YOU that leaves the country and not the other way around. I am not a “Bush Republican” I am a REPUBLICAN it is a single word. I find it interesting that Democrats are so easy to bag on Republicans for wanting to work hard, do our part and keep some for ourselves to provide for our families. Perhaps you ought to consider that technique.Afterall, it is what was clearly stated in the Declaration of Independence. You say Repulbicans are so greedy they only think about themselves…however isn’t it really you that is thinking about yourself? Honestly? I should probably mention I am married to a soldier who receives “free” health insurance for the exchange of possibly losing his life in a foreign country and being told what do to on every turn. What do YOU do for “free” health insurance??? Complain, complain and even more complaining. I own a business. I employ 40 team members. You and your party MANDATING that I cover more of their insurance costs us ridiculous. I can only do so much before I am in your shoes….waiting for for big government to solve my problems. I pay taxes through the nose to run a (here is the irony) a healthcare business. I am fuming mad that you feel it is my responsibility, along with every hard working American, to pay for the insurance of Joe Schmoe and Jose Garcia down the street. They can figure it out. And if they can’t….well to quote Forest “Stupid is as Stupid does.” And if you haven’t had the opportunity to experience socialized medicine, you probably should ask all the Canadians who would give their left arm for our current system. You could ask my Step-Grandmother about her hip surgery that she had to wait 10 years for….oh wait…it was done so badly and way to late that she died. You are totally right. We are so selfish that we want our loved ones to have good insurance. Oh…you should probably ask Good Ol’ Tom how is health insurance is? And what makes him worthy of it…certainly didn’t pay his taxes.

    Warmest Regards,

    Beth—employs the working class to create revenue and job security