General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsMore Than 700 Democratic Delegates Vow To Reject Platform If It Doesn't Include Medicare For All
(Forbes) With the Democratic National Convention approaching in August, a growing number of Democratic delegates, led by Senator Bernie Sanders Nevada delegation, are joining a pledge to reject the Democratic platform if it doesnt include Medicare for All, representing the Democratic Partys latest struggle to unite its progressive and moderate wings and bring Sanders voters into the fold ahead of the November election.
KEY FACTS
More than 700 delegatesmostly representing Sanders, though some back presumptive nominee Joe Bidenhave signed on to the pledge, which calls on delegates to vote against any platform that does not include a plank supporting universal, single-payer Medicare for All.
The organizers cite the current pandemic as making the need for single-payer healthcare even more urgent, writing in their petition that the widespread job losses resulting from the pandemic has highlighted the need to separate healthcare from employment.
Major progressive groups have backed the pledge, including RootsAction.org and the Progressive Democrats of America.
The current draft of the Democratic platform acknowledges but does not outright support Medicare for All, writing that the party welcomes advocates who want to build on and strengthen the Affordable Care Act and those who support a Medicare for All approach; all are critical to ensuring that health care is a human right.
Activists supporting the pledge say that the pledge is distinct from their support of Bidens candidacy, with RootsAction.org co-founder Jeff Cohen telling Forbes that defeating Trump in November is our number one priority.
The Sanders and Biden campaigns have not yet responded to a request for comment on the pledge.
CRUCIAL QUOTE
We believe its divisive for party leaders to block a position that is overwhelmingly supported by Democrats, including many Biden primary votersand the broad U.S. public, Cohen said in a statement to Forbes. Its divisive to foist a minority position on the party that may appeal to a few corporate donors, but offends the partys activist base that is needed for victory in November.
(Read More) https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2020/07/27/hundreds-of-democratic-delegates-vow-to-reject-platform-if-it-doesnt-include-medicare-for-all/#5411d01b1bda
Loki Liesmith
(4,602 posts)Plenty of routes to universal coverage.
Thekaspervote
(32,757 posts)ehrnst
(32,640 posts)jorgevlorgan
(8,291 posts)I dont think 700 is close to enough to change the platform or keep it from enacted.
comradebillyboy
(10,143 posts)Good thing the convention will be virtual or I would expect a repeat of the shenanigans that marred the 2016 Democratic convention.
Tom Rinaldo
(22,912 posts)If, for example, this plank is only supported by delegates representing Sanders and Warren, then they will lose the vote. Biden has a clear majority of the delegates to the Convention, who were all selected in accordance with Party rules. If a majority of the DNC delegates support a Medicare for All plank, that would not be a minority imposing its will on the majority. That would be a democratic (with a small D) process. Meanwhile they virtually all are backing Biden regardless.
comradebillyboy
(10,143 posts)Bernie's version of MFA has the support of the majority of delegates? Why is MFA the only acceptable version of universal coverage when the best health care systems from France and Germany aren't even single payer? Why box ourselves into a dogmatic little corner with no flexibility?
Tom Rinaldo
(22,912 posts)...of accredited delegates. A majority will carry the day as always
Happy Hoosier
(7,293 posts)They will threaten to hold their breath.
M4A is only one path to universal health care.
MineralMan
(146,287 posts)Let's have some solidarity for the 2020 election, shall we?
Indykatie
(3,696 posts)Warren started her slide in support when she came out and embraced Medicare For All. People may like the concept but once they hear they would have to give up private Employer sponsored healthcare they say no way. Because of that feature the big Unions won't support it either. Negotiating for benefits is a big part of their mission.
onetexan
(13,036 posts)ehrnst
(32,640 posts)sarcasmo
(23,968 posts)FM123
(10,053 posts)empedocles
(15,751 posts)FM123
(10,053 posts)at a time when we really need to pull together with less than a hundred days to go - they pull this. I guess it was just wishful thinking on my part that with Bernie, Elizabeth & Joe all putting their heads and hearts together for the Unity Task Force this kind of thing wouldn't happen....
beachbumbob
(9,263 posts)let these delegates know they are doing Putin's work for him, NO NEED to waste time on this for "platform:. Its MEANINGLESS if we don't win and makes NO difference when we do.
OnDoutside
(19,954 posts)ehrnst
(32,640 posts)KPN
(15,642 posts)everyday democracy basically.
DenverJared
(457 posts)The platform was built by consensus of Bernie's and Biden's delegates. Going back on the consensus is silliness and divisive.
Isn't Bernie's word worth anything? He selected the delegates to the platform committee and they signed off on the platform.