Sanders preps month-long campaign for single-payer health care, with legislation to follow

[BainsBane]

144. I support universal healthcare

Not one man's political aspirations. I don't share your approach to politics that puts Sanders, or any member of the political elite, above the citizenry or issues. I think it unfortunate that some have decided that the issue or the bill is secondary to Bernie.

It seems to me if the goal were truly to implement single payer, we would see efforts to build coalitions rather than deepen divides. We would see arguments based on how single payer is beneficial to citizens rather than--yet again--cheerleading for a politician, ignoring the author of the bill and the others who have championed the issue for a very long time. Instead of coalition building, we see declarations of enmity. Because of that, I find it difficult to believe that passing single payer healthcare is the goal at all.

Your comments give yourself away. You don't say "I'm glad you support single payer." You say "I'm glad you support Bernie." You leave no doubt as to your priority. And because so many others share that priority, they will ensure that single payer never develops the broad-based support necessary to become law, at least not in the near term. It cannot until those who claim to support it decide the policy and the citizens are what matter most.

Since I don't live in VT, I will never be called on to support him with my vote at election time, which is the only kind of support appropriate for public officials elected to represent their constituents.