The New American Politician

Courtesy pics from Emanuel Pleitez and Tony Woods for Congress

Although Tony came up short this time in his congressional district race, like him, many other young non-white Americans are running for public office even before reaching their 30th birthday. As young brilliant leaders, they are taking up the chance to run for public office in their districts based on the obvious and clear reality of today’s American political condition.

Another example earlier this year was a young prospective running to replace former Rep. Hilda Solis (Now Secretary of Labor) for office in California's 32nd district, Emanuel Pleitez. He also came up short, but now enjoys name recognition and thus a better possibility to win a future election.

It is inevitable to expect that there many others like Tony and Emmanuel all over America, soon following in the same footsteps to run for public office in districts throughout the land; a new generation of Americans is now responding to today’s immense challenges presented to us. Tony and Emanuel represent such role models of new American leadership for others who aspire to do the same in their cities and towns across America. I am sure they will win an elected public office in their districts sooner than later— it is just a matter of time.

Public Option At Peril

It seems like the administration may yield to the pressures and lies flooding the public sphere by the powerful especial interest groups opposing the public option.

Based on the following New York Time’s piece published yesterday, The Public Option’ in Health Plan May be Dropped, the public option is at peril of being dropped, or substituted by another type, dub as “The Co op” in order to get support from the GOP and fiscal conservative democrats.

As you may know, health disparities exist immensely in America despite we spend the most within the developed world: disproportionately minorities are hit the hardest. A public option would significantly alleviate the lack of quality healthcare coverage for many of us. Thus, something equivalent to that extent must be passed in order to fix this injustice. However, the especial interest groups want to keep people in this mundane and immoral situation based on the status quo.

What is troublesome is that the fear mongering among the population is vigorous and poisonous coming from those protecting major special interest groups (HMOs and pharmaceutical companies). Rumors out there say the Administration has worked out a deal with the latter opposition(Pharmaceutical) to support healthcare reform, but we still don’t know what was negotiated. We will find out eventually sooner than later once the pharmaceutical-sponsored ads start hitting the air waves through their ad hoc made up nonprofits.

Traditional groups fighting vigorously for real reform, that is including a public option, are those from the labor sector and civil right groups whom represent the working class. But the fight is hard! We all heard from day one that the opposition will vow to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to thwart any reform against their interests— it seems like they are succeeding.

In any power struggle fight such as the one taking place today in America, shows that the status quo will never render any bit of power. It makes one wonder today, where is the voice of millions of Americans whom are uninsured or underinsured?? Their voice is being drowned by fear mongers who are about to hand down a reform that does not stand up on American principles and quality healthcare for ALL. Speak UP!

Healthcare Reform and Coverage

From Kaiser Health Newsletter via FB Latinos for Healthcare Reform

Aug 11, 2009

The health care needs of an estimated 6.8 million undocumented and uninsured immigrants "has become the third rail in the debate over health-care reform," The Chicago Tribune reports. Some health care advocates have proposed broadening the proposals before Congress to include this population, but "fierce opposition has kept the idea off the table."

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has "emphasized that illegal immigrants would not be covered under the current proposals." And the Congressional Hispanic Caucus has called for coverage "only for 'legal, law-abiding' immigrants who pay their 'fair share' for health care."

But "immigration activists say it is 'immoral' for hospitals and doctors, as well as a nation, to deny health care to the seriously ill, no matter their legal status. But proponents of tougher Immigration enforcement -- and others fighting to contain runaway health-care costs -- fear that providing such services would only encourage more undocumented immigrants to cross the border" (Olivo, 8/11).

The Associated Press reports Latinos are the least likely among the major ethnic groups to have health insurance through work and are watching closely the reform legislation in Congress. "Experts say health disparities among ethnic groups are great, with one in three Hispanics and one in five African-Americans not having health insurance, compared with one in eight whites. And as the recession deepens, the gap is growing along with rising unemployment and cuts to work-sponsored insurance."

Meanwhile, the AP also notes that although the House bill "represents the most comprehensive effort to date to extend health care to all Americans," illegal immigrants would be excluded. And "absent immigration reform and a path to citizenship, that would mean millions could be left out of the system. About 59 percent of the 11.9 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States have no health insurance, according to the Pew Hispanic Center" (Barbassa, 8/10).