Single-Payer Health Care for all is a radical departure from the status quo.

[Emit]

As much as I want it, I do not believe it is a practical, realistic goal at the present time.

What arguments might convince me otherwise?

[rurallib]

1. Medicare for one

Every other industrialized country does it without too much trouble.

[Emit]

2. Medicare's got a lot of problems

Is it realistic to add to those at this time?

[MannyGoldstein]

5. Such As... ?

Last I checked, it provides world-class health care at world-class rates. What problems are you seeing?

[Emit]

6. For one, my mother had a difficult time finding a doc that would take Medicare

Many docs have stopped taking Medicare patients because of the hassles they've encountered with reimbursement, etc.

[MannyGoldstein]

9. It's Actually Easier To Get Reimbursed By Medicare

Which is why most doctors now want to have single-payer health care, e.g., Medicare for all.

But Medicare reimburse less - docs would still make far more than the average person, just less than they do now.

[Emit]

10. Most docs want single-payer care?

[MannyGoldstein]

11. Yep:

http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?article=the_doctors_revolt

[Vinca]

19. If everyone is covered by Medicare, doctors will have the option

of accepting it or going out of business. A private insurance company screwed my former doctor coming and going. They wouldn't pay for much of his own cancer treatment, then wouldn't pay anywhere near what he billed for his patients. Medicare would be one entity to deal with and should simplify the lives of most healthcare providers.

[eridani]

28. Under single payer, doctors would have what they do not have now--

-namely a significant role in negotiating rates. After single payer was fully implemented in Canada, doctors' incomes rose by 30%. (Of course that eventually levelled off after unmet needs had been taken care of.)

[Dr.Phool]

45. My father and late mother had no problems finding doctors.

I have found a lot of Doctors who won't take Florida Blue Cross. And for a while most hospitals in Florida quit taking Blue Cross.

United Healthcare wouldn;t pay for the anesthesia for my colonoscopy, and now they're trying to weasel out of the colonoscopy too. Fuck private insurance.

Medicare for All. It's the best solution.

[kaygore]

49. I used the single payer plan several times in the UK

and it was wonderful. Yes, there are always those who have some gripe, but then I watched my dad almost die waiting to be admitted in the emergency room in Virginia Beach, VA, after waiting for hours--and this was after the doctor called ahead of time and said to admit him immediately. I watched carefully over my mother as she was dying from cancer in Virginia Beach, VA, because of how incompetent everyone was. In fact, that she died may not be due to the cancer but to the lack of oversight on the part of the medical "professionals" on the cancer medication.

We have the highest costs in the world but rank only slightly above Cuba! Medicare's running out of money would be solved if we had single payer. I now pay $500 a month in premiums but insurance pays NOTHING until I spend $6000 out of pocket!!!! I would gladly pay the $6000 in higher taxes as I take no over the counter OR prescription drugs and eat only a low-fat, organic, plant -based diet, exercise, do not smoke, etc.--lead a healthy life-style which reduces my risk of cancer, heart disease, etc. significantly. In other words, I only need insurance in case of an accident. Let my $6000 per year go to cover the cost of others and not into the outrageous salaries and bonuses of insurance executives! I will gladly and joyfully pay it in higher taxes. Oh, please, oh please!!!!!

Further, under a single-payer plan, it becomes in the government's best interests to control costs which means that treatments for which drug companies can not make huge profits but which are far superior to their drugs and expensive treatment can be promoted and, like every other country in the first world, we can limit what we pay drug companies for their poisons.

Finally, the UK adopted a single-payer health care system after WWII when the nation was bankrupt. Churchill and other leaders saw it as a way to control costs and invest in the people which in the long run would go a long way in rebuilding the nation.

This is our opportunity. We need not simply adopt another nation's plan whole cloth. We have the luxury of examining the pros and cons of all systems and creating our single-payer plan according to what is the best for us. Those who want to keep their private insurance can do so, but I would rather have my doctor dictate my heath care than greedy insurance executives. And it is a lie that the government would be making the health decisions if we go single payer. I must admit that in the UK the government will not pay for tests that do not have sound and reliable research to support their efficacy whereas here research is paid for by the companies and is highly suspect any more.

To say that we can't do something because of the status quo limits our ability to address serious problems and health care in this nation is very serious. Simply telling me that I must buy insurance or else will not solve the problem. If I can not afford car insurance, then I don't have a car but there are other solutions, such as public transportation, walking, biking, etc. If I can't afford to pay for health insurance then what????? I need to die??? Well, that is happening all too frequently right now, even for those with health insurance. And I sure don't want my tax dollars to go to paying for health insurance to some greedy health insurance company for those who can't pay. But I'll pay $6000-$10000 more in taxes to a single-payer system because the administrative costs are about 5% vs. health insurance companies of up wards of 33%!!!!! And because the results of the VA and medicare are so much better!

Of all the things that need to be changed in this country...and there are a lot...our health care system being nationalized would go a long way to addressing many of the problems!!!!!

[rurallib]

7. Most of medicare's problems seem to be inflicted by Republicans

How about veteran's health care then?

[MannyGoldstein]

4. But They're *Different* Than We Are

Somehow, they can cover everyone with demonstrably-superior care that costs far less. We can't do that because... well, just because.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

3. I'll start. It'll cost half as much.

[keep_it_real]

17. Interesting that the UK is not on that list.

The UK started their health care system in 1948.

[Overseas]

41. Interesting that France has a much lower cost than we do

but their service is so much better.

[NorthCarolina]

8. How were other countries able to establish it?

I'm sorry, but I don't buy that it cannot be done. From what I understand it could be implemented for substantially less than the funds spent on the bailout of wall street.

http://mythandhope.blogspot.com/2009/03/cost-of-universal-health-care-less-than.html

[vaberella]

13. It's not that it can't be done.

That has never been said. It's that our health industry right now is shite and we're building off of it. Medicare and or medicaid people aren't living in bliss. They have a lot of sustainability problems and funding is low. That being said, we need to work on those things and those little things that are screwing it up before we think of putting people...300 million and counting on a system like that, that is obviously not in tip top shape. That's like asking a man with pneumonia to do a full weeks work. How long do you think that would last? Not very long.

[eridani]

29. The funding problems are due to the fact that the public has no access to--

--the funds that are being wasted on private insurance. We are ALREADY paying for universal health care--we just aren't GETTING it.

[Enthusiast]

31. You got it!

Any money that goes to private insurance is completely wasted. The insurance industry receives free money as a result of their well planned extortion and misinformation campaign.

[maryf]

34. Absolutely!

and we are the only country with a for profit health industry!! and the administration costs saved alone would be about 400 BILLION a year.

[vaberella]

12. None. I don't have healthcare but I am also fully aware it is not REALISTIC to do it NOW.

We have too many problems. People say medicare, that's not enough. Even medicare is not fully organized.

We need to take in the low hanging fruit. We need to fix the health care field massively. We need more health care facilities, not hospitals per say but just locations with doctors and nurses to meet small needs (like a private physician but in larger space). The IT problem is the one of the biggest. We need people uploading information, we need computers, background backup databases, we need a lot more workers who are educated and specialized in that field.

Basically we need billions upon billions of dollars just for the national reformation of the health care industry before we can even meet the demand of 300 million people being put on this national system. It's no joke and it's just not realistic. Not right now, anyway.

I think once we start meeting some of the low hanging fruit and clean that up..at least by 60% and we get the funding then we're ready for universal. But right now..hell no.

And I'd rather have a system that can work even with a few glitches rather than just collapse and then it is never attempted again because it's believed to not work properly when it was built on shaky ground to begin with. We need to have a strong foundation and we don't have that right now.

[biopowertoday]

14. You are lame. NOW IS the time to be BOLD, NOT dinking

around the edges trying to fix a a non system.

[vaberella]

16. W/E. n/t

[SharonAnn]

18. If not now, when? This is the time to "go big, go long".

" There is a tide in the affairs of men. Which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; Omitted, all the voyage of their life Is bound in shallows and in miseries "

Famous Julius Caesar quote by William Shakespeare

THIS IS THE TIDE IN THE AFFAIRS OF MEN!

This is it. It's here, now!

Really!

[biopowertoday]

21. Spot on.

[vaberella]

22. We're not in the era of Julius Caesar....

Secondly, when one doesn't move with praticality there is never success. Did I say "never" in my post? Not once did I say so. However I did say with serious reform in the health care system now then we can open the doors to a sustainable implementation of Universal Health care.

This is the problem with people who want something without seeing the big picture. First we have politics, we have practicality when the medicare system (used as an example) is even fraught with issues, the lack of health care facilities especially in rural districts---I'll have you know that not everyone lives in the burbs. Then we the proper financing. The possible negative effects of crowding-out on the economy and nation.

Let's start with a reasonable approach and then implement a proper sustainable health care plan. Currently universal health care is not a panacea for our problems. Financing is also a problem that is not in order and plus we have to think about the level of taxes that it will cost to have such a program and when people hear about taxes (which people hate to hear) how that will eventually lead to it's success.

I'm not saying that Universal Health care is not the best plan. I'm just looking at things realistically and how we can create something that is functional you do the reforms then implement a plan that will lead to Universal Health care which is what President O is doing. So far he's following the Massachusetts model which is rather successful but at the same time doesn't include everyone. So he's working to there to get something that brings "EVERYONE" in.

Even Julius Caesar was extremely rational in what he does and planned out his strategy he took in all factors and made compromises when he could. So rather than people spouting and shouting Universal Health care or DIE...let's do something that will encourage sustainability of such a project when it comes about...and that is all I'm saying.

[area51]

43. Interesting turn of phrase.

"... people spouting and shouting Universal Health care or DIE."

I think it would be more accurate to say "keep the status quo and die."

Each year, 100,000 people die due to lack of healthcare in the U.S., for a rounded figure of 273 deaths per day.

FAQs on single-payer healthcare

[MessiahRp]

46. The whole babysteps concept is a failure of judgment.

I keep hearing the whole, "We can't go and do Single Payer now so we should reform health care the way Obama wants as a first step" scenario. It's a losing proposition.

First any health care reform right now is being labeled as socialized medicine by pundits and the media. This is the left's one chance to get this right. If not and this fails, which as structured now - as a complete giveaway to the HMOS - it will, the media and RW will make sure to spin it as a failure of the left, a failure of socialized medicine and then going even further to the left like Single Payer will be off the table.... FOR DECADES.

Don't believe me? Look how successful they have been ever since they implemented HMOs in 1971 at swatting down all alternative health care plans.

Single Payer is the biggest threat to their corporate greed, the right will go apoplectic and work in concert with the asshole DLC/Blue Dogs to make sure that the left is blamed on this even if the whole point of it is to give the DLC/Blue Dog/Republicans' corporate sponsors (HMOs/Pharmaceuticals) a permanent hand in the much bigger taxpayer piggy bank.

We need to make a dramatic change... and the right choice, right now. We're going to get one shot at this thing and if Obama fucks it up like it looks like he wants to, we're all screwed for generations.

Rp

[eridani]

30. Bullshit. What can be done is in large part determined by--

--what we ACTUALLY ATTEMPT TO DO. Even if you'll take a kitten, never stop asking for a pony. If you want to sell your used car for $3000, you have to ask for $5000, minimum.

[keep_it_real]

15. If we just DO IT it will be practical and realistic

Ain't nothing to it but to DO IT and join the civilized world.

[biopowertoday]

20. The WH does not have it on the table. No political will. Damm.

[Phx_Dem]

23. Single-payer may be better than what we have now, but it is not what I want.

I support the freedom to choose whether I want to keep my private health insurance, at a lower cost, or join a "public" plan, as Obama outlined during the campaign. If given the choice I very well might choose the public plan, but I don't want to be forced to buy something I may not want. And I do not believe the bullshit line that there has to be mandate for everyone to buy into a single-payer plan in order to fund it.

[Celeborn Skywalker]

24. The problem

with keeping private insurance as an option is that many docs would simply refuse people who had the public option (because it would likely reimburse less). If there was no private option, then the doctors would be unable to refuse care because everyone would be on an equal footing.

[vaberella]

25. There's actually a problem with your thinking...

Demand is built by the people, ie consumers. Not by the providers, ie the docotrs. Private insurance kept or not would not be in high demand. There would be massive crowding out of the private insurance area.

Remember, even though businesses receive tax breaks from providing a certain amount of payment for health insurance---it would still be more beneficial to the business to support public insurance for several reasons. It would be cheaper for them in the long run to support public health insurance. In the case of businesses, by paying a certain amount of health care or public insurance the employee's income would rise no matter what. However, the extra expense of meeting the cost of private health insurance is totally eliminated.

In any event, with the flood of people within the health care field being provided with health care would most likely lead to MORE doctors visits because they NOW have health care they didn't have before. That being said that no matter what the doctor would receive payment for it's service. Added to this going back to the point of crowding out---more people taking the option of public, businesses taking the option of public, and guaranteed reimbursement even not by much will not have a doctor turning away anyone realistically.

Private insurance in the this scenario would have much much much less patients, have extremely high premiums in order to meet the reimbursement fees further leading to the decline of private insurance because most people will see private insurance as an added expense when all their health care needs are met by the public option.

In the end, a private insurance option actually means nothing because it will have no real power in anything and doctors would in no way deny extra funding. I just think you're reasoning is overall weak in lieu of the situation even if private option was kept. It won't change the doctors decision making the way you think.

[annabanana]

39. Yup! Just can't wait to get some of that free triple bypass action!

:eyes:

[vaberella]

40. ~sigh~

One minute people are saying Doctors are ALL for universal health care in the US. Next minute it's automatically believed that Doctors will automatically reject patients. What do you want?! There's obviously no win. This is not to mention that every system on earth basically has private insurance as an option. If you want to private insurance provision then the US would be the first country ever to reject that option and eliminate the option of choice.

[eridani]

32. In other words, you want the choice to kill off the poor and the sick

Private plans are only cheaper because of cherry-picking. But guess what? You'll be taxed to care for the poor and the sick in the least efficient way possible. Either that, or the public program will be crappy and underfunded.

"Choice" in health insurance is just fucking STUPID. It's like wanting a "choice" to manufacture appliance plugs any size you wish, or to install. outlets in any random size you feel like. Taking away choice at the level of infrastructure INCREASES choice at the consumer level.

Right now, I will be forced to give up my doctor of 25 years after my COBRA runs out because the only available retiree plan does not cover him. My husband is on Medicare, and will get to keep him. Take away choice of private insurance, and you gain choice of providers, which is the only choice that really matters.

[Two Americas]

26. you will win

Fear not. It is dead. But we can't say that it is dead, because that would be an implied criticism of a certain politician. So it is dead, and it is not dead. But it is dead.

Why don't you just say that you oppose it? Why trot out those shopworn "practicality" and "realistic" arguments?" Every movement for social justice in history was attacked and opposed for being "impractical and "unrealistic."

The test for whether or not anything is practical and realistic in a representative democracy is whether it has support from the people. The people support single payer.

I will tell you why it is impractical and unrealistic. Because we have a faction among us - friends - who keep repeating and repeating that it is.



...

[maryf]

33. Its not dead and yes "The people support single payer."

The grass roots movement is growing exponentially, everyday more and more union locals sign on to it. I was at a conference in Kingston, NY recently where a member of Physicians for National Health and a member of Citizen Action (who spouted basically the same stuff as the OP here), out of about 100 people there, only two did not support going ahead and pushing for 676. The CA woman was crushed by the cogent arguments from umpteen people. Again I say, its not dead because there are too many who will repeatedly keep saying its not and who will not stop reviving it!

[SanchoPanza]

27. Depends on what you mean by realistic

In terms of legislative work, it wouldn't take a thousand-page bill. You simply strike the words "over 65" out of all the Medicare statutes and raise the cap on FICA. According to a number of polls, public support for a national insurance program ranges from 60% to 65% nationally. Here's a link to some recent polls: http://www.wpasinglepayer.org/PollResults.html

The hurdle is with legislators who are on the payroll of the private insurance industry. Until they have reasonable guarantees that they'll be able to campaign effectively without corporate donations, "centrist" Democrats will not support a public option.

[maryf]

35. A list for you

NO copays, No limits (you got cancer? you are covered forever!!), no worries about pre-existing conditions if you change jobs, and speaking of changing jobs, you don't have to start from scratch. I know you are asking for reasons to show its not practical at the present time, but I'm showing reasons its unrealistic to NOT go with it immediately!! Oh and 47 million plus people without insurance???? is that argument enough??

Here's a list from the www.pnhp.org site:

Key Features of Single-Payer

* Universal, Comprehensive Coverage
Only such coverage ensures access, avoids a two-class system, and minimizes expense

* No out-of-pocket payments
Co-payments and deductibles are barriers to access, administratively unwieldy, and unnecessary for cost containment

* A single insurance plan in each region, administered by a public or quasi-public agency
A fragmentary payment system that entrusts private firms with administration ensures the waste of billions of dollars on useless paper pushing and profits. Private insurance duplicating public coverage fosters two-class care and drives up costs; such duplication should be prohibited

* Global operating budgets for hospitals, nursing homes, allowed group and staff model HMOs and other providers with separate allocation of capital funds
Billing on a per-patient basis creates unnecessary administrative complexity and expense. A budget separate from operating expenses will be allowed for capital improvements

* Free Choice of Providers
Patients should be free to seek care from any licensed health care provider, without financial incentives or penalties

* Public Accountability, Not Corporate Dictates
The public has an absolute right to democratically set overall health policies and priorities, but medical decisions must be made by patients and providers rather than dictated from afar. Market mechanisms principally empower employers and insurance bureaucrats pursuing narrow financial interests

* Ban on For-Profit Health Care Providers
Profit seeking inevitably distorts care and diverts resources from patients to investors

* Protection of the rights of health care and insurance workers
A single-payer national health program would eliminate the jobs of hundreds of thousands of people who currently perform billing, advertising, eligibility determination, and other superfluous tasks. These workers must be guaranteed retraining and placement in meaningful jobs.

[mmonk]

36. It's a practical goal and its precisely why it won't happen.

We live in a dictatorship of corporations. Healthcare insurers are part of that dictatorship. Money must pass through them by force of government.

[maryf]

38. 47 million voices

of those needing healthcare just might help...add your voice demanding it! grassroots is one at a time...

[maryf]

37. How about 500 plus union endorsers?

And the list grows everyday:


from www.unionsforsinglepayer.org
Union Endorsers

HR 676 has been endorsed by 505 union organizations in 49 states. Endorsers include 121 Central Labor Councils and Area Labor Federations and 39 state AFL-CIO's (KY, PA, CT, OH, DE, ND, WA, SC, WY, VT, FL, WI, WV, SD, NC, MO, MN, ME, AR, MD-DC, TX, IA, AZ, TN, OR, GA, OK, KS, CO, IN, AL, CA , AK, MI, MT, NE, NY, NV & MA).

The following 20 international/national unions have endorsed HR 676: USW, UAW, NEA, ILWU, NALC, IAM, UA (Plumbers & Pipefitters), AFM (Musicians), UE, CNA/NNOC, SMWIA, IFPTE, OPEIU, UTU, SEIU, AFT, AFSCME, CSEA (California School Employees Association), UWUA, & CWA.

Resolutions endorsing HR 676, Universal Single Payer Health Care, have been passed by the following union organizations:
1. Duluth (Minnesota) AFL-CIO Central Labor Body
2. American Federation of Government Employees Local 2028, Pittsburgh, PA, representing 1,700 nurses, other professionals & service workers at two Veterans Administration Hospitals
3. Plumbers and Steamfitters HVAC, Local 188, United Association, Savannah, GA.
4. United Steelworkers of America, Local 1693, Louisville, KY, amalgamated local representing 1,700 workers
5. Local 2322, United Automobile Workers, representing 3,800 workers in Holyoke, Massachusetts
6. Washington Alliance of Technology Workers (WashTech), Communications Workers of America (CWA), Local 37083, Seattle, WA
7. Local 576, Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA), Louisville, KY
8. United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters, Local 630, West Palm Beach, FL
9. Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW), National Convention, Oct. 2003
10. Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU), National Convention, May 2006
11. Jefferson County Teachers’ Association (National Education Association), representing teachers in the public school system, Louisville, KY
12. American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 2629, AFL-CIO, representing Louisville Metro Government Employees, Louisville, KY
13. Northwest Indiana Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, Hammond, IN
14. Paper, Allied-Industrial, Chemical, Energy International Union (PACE) Local 5-2002, Louisville, KY
15. United Steelworkers of America, Local 6787, representing over 3,000 steelworkers in Burns Harbor, IN
16. Local 506, United Electrical Workers, Erie, PA, representing 4,000 workers at GE.
17. Plumbers, Steamfitters, and Refrigeration Fitters, Local 393, AFL-CIO, San Jose, CA.
18. California State Pipe Trades Council, United Association, AFL-CIO, Sacramento, CA
19. Local 576 Laborers’ International Union Retirees’ Council, LIUNA, AFL-CIO, Louisville, KY
20. Nurses Professional Organization, Louisville, KY
21. Independent State Store Union (ISSU) Harrisburg, PA
22. Local 2320, United Automobile Workers, Chicago, Illinois, representing nearly 4,000 workers across the country, primarily in legal services and human services.
23. Washington Chapter 10, The Retired Public Employees’ Council of Washington, AFSCME, Convention September 2004.
24. Steelworkers Active Organization of Retirees (SOAR) Chapter 31-9, Chicago, IL
25. Local 3310, Communications Workers of America (CWA), representing workers at Bell South in Louisville, KY
26. St. Joe Valley Project Jobs with Justice, South Bend, IN
27. United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers (UE), Pittsburgh, PA
28. American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA), Chicago/Midwest Region
29. California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, Oakland, CA
30. National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), Branch 84, Pittsburgh, PA
31. Local Lodge 794, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), Albuquerque, NM
32. South Bay AFL-CIO Labor Council, San Jose, CA, April 2005
33. Community Action Program (CAP), 3rd & 4th Areas, Kentucky, United Automobile Workers (UAW)
34. Community Action Program (CAP), Southern Indiana, United Automobile Workers (UAW)
35. Local 1375, United Steelworkers of America (USWA), Warren, OH, April 19, 2005
36. Western Connecticut Central Labor Council, Waterbury, CT
37. Local 619, Graphic Communications Conference/IBT, Louisville, KY
38. Local 409, Plumbers and Pipefitters, United Association, San Luis Obispo, CA
39. Local 6355, Communications Workers of America (CWA), Missouri State Workers Union
40. District Council 62, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) representing public employees in Indiana and Kentucky, October, 2005.
41. Kentucky State AFL-CIO, Convention, October 2005
42. Local 6000, United Auto Workers (UAW), State of Michigan Employees, Region 1A, Retiree Chapter
43. Local #36, Sheet Metal Workers, St. Louis, Missouri
44. New York Professional Nurses Union (NYPNU), New York, NY
45. Central New Mexico Labor Council, Albuquerque, NM
46. Building and Construction Trades Council of St. Louis, AFL-CIO, St. Louis, MO
47. Washington State Alliance for Retired Americans
48. Metropolitan Detroit AFL-CIO Central Labor Council
49. Southeast Missouri Building and Construction Trades Council, Cape Girardeau, MO
50. District Council 5, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFSCME, St. Paul, Minnesota
51. Local 2222, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Boston, MA. Representing 4000 Verizon workers in the Greater Boston area.
52. South Central Federation of Labor, Madison, Wisconsin
53. Local 675, United Steelworkers (USW), Carson, CA, representing workers in Southern California and Nevada
54. Greater St. Louis Labor Council, AFL-CIO, St. Louis, Missouri
55. Allegheny County Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Pittsburgh, PA
56. Division 4, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), Rail Conference, IBT Toledo, OH,
57. Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR), Chapter 20-20, Aliquippa, PA
58. Local 2320, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Manchester, NH
59. Local 2321, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), North Andover, MA
60. Local 2322, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Middleboro, MA
61. Local 2323, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Cranston, RI
62. Local 2324, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Springfield, MA
63. Local 2325, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Northborough, MA
64. Local 2326, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Essex Junction, VT
65. Local 2327, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Augusta, ME
66. Kentucky Jobs with Justice, Louisville, KY
67. Lorain County AFL-CIO Federation of Labor, Lorain, OH
68. Beaver-Lawrence Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Beaver, PA
69. Troy Area Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Troy, NY
70. Southwestern Illinois Building & Construction Trades Council Collinsville, IL
71. United University Professions, Local 2190 AFT, New York State United Teachers Albany, NY
72. Cleveland AFL-CIO Retiree Council, Cleveland, OH
73. Toledo Area Jobs with Justice, Toledo, OH
74. Washington State Machinist Council, International Association of Machinists District #160 (IAM), Seattle, WA
75. Greater Louisville Building & Construction Trades Council, Louisville, KY
76. Pittsburgh Airman Lodge 1044, International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers (IAM), Pittsburgh, PA
77. Santa Clara & San Benito Counties Building & Construction Trades Council, San Jose, CA
78. Local 21 NABET/CWA, National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians (NABET)/Communications Workers of America (CWA), Albany, NY
79. Massachusetts State CAP Council, United Auto Workers (UAW)
80. 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, MD, DC, NY State, MA New York, NY
81. AFSCME Retiree Chapter 36, Los Angeles, CA
82. Local 829 United Steelworkers (USW), Owosso, MI
83. Local 2-591 United Steelworkers (USW), Riverview, MI
84. PEF/encon Albany Steward Council (Public Employees Federation/encon) representing Professional, Scientific and Technical employees at the New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation, Albany, NY.
85. North Central Florida Central Labor Council, Gainesville, FL
86. Ashtabula AFL-CIO Retiree Council, Ashtabula, OH
87. Ashtabula AFL-CIO Labor Council, Ashtabula, OH
88. Cleveland Painters District Council 6 Retiree Council, Cleveland, OH
89. Local 1000, American Federation of Musicians (AFM), New York, NY
90. Local 524, International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees (IATSE), Glens Falls-Saratoga, NY
91. Greater Westmoreland County Labor Council, Greensburg, PA
92. AFSCME Retirees, Chapter 1184, Sub-Chapter 109, Northwest Ohio
93. Albany Central Federation of Labor, Albany, NY
94. Butler County United Labor Council, Butler, PA
95. Solidarity Committee of the Capital District, 302 Centre Dr, Albany NY 12206
96. International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE) Local 17, Seattle, WA
97. North Shore Federation of Labor, Cleveland, OH
98. Local 6000, United Auto Workers (UAW), Michigan State Employees, Lansing, MI
99. Local 196, United Steelworkers (USW), Trenton, MI
100. Local 825, Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), River Edge, NJ
101. Steelworker Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR) Chapter 36-1, Gadsden, AL
102. Tri-County Council of Labor, AFL-CIO, Henderson, KY
103. Greater Bangor Area Central Labor Council, Bangor, ME
104. Pittsburgh Chapter, Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW), Pittsburgh, PA
105. Philadelphia Chapter, Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW), Philadelphia, PA
106. Organization of Staff Analysts (OSA/RT), New York, NY
107. District Council 37, American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) New York City, NY
108. United Steelworkers (USW) Region X Spring Conference, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, March 2006.
109. Pennsylvania AFL-CIO, State Convention, April 6, 2006.
110. Branch 3126, National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), Royal Oak, MI.
111. San Francisco Web Pressmen & Prepress Workers Union Local 4N, IBT/Graphic Communications Conference
112. Ohio State Legislative Board, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers & Trainmen (BLET), Rail Conference, IBT, Columbus, OH
113. Greater Louisville Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Louisville, KY, April 2006.
114. Steelworker Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR) Chapter 9-36 F 5, Cape Coral, FL
115. Steelworker Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR) Chapter 9-UR 7, Hickman, KY
116. Steelworker Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR) Chapter 36-2, Gardendale, AL
117. Steelworker Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR) Chapter 9-ABG 1, Kingsport, TN
118. Steelworker Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR) Chapter 9-UR 1, Harvest, AL
119. Steelworker Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR) Chapter Local 200 Retirees, Iuka, MS
120. Theatrical Protective Union (TPU) Local One, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employes, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts (IATSE), New York City, Westchester and Putnam Counties
121. Toledo Area AFL-CIO Council, Toledo, OH
122. Hudson Valley Area Labor Federation, Newburgh, NY
123. District 1199P, SEIU, Harrisburg, PA
124. Local 1155, UAW, Birmingham, AL
125. Lodge 1145, IAM, Selkirk and DeWitt, NY
126. Local 2334, AFT, Professional Staff Congress-CUNY, New York City, NY
127. Dayton, Springfield, Sidney, Miami Valley AFL-CIO Regional Labor Council, Dayton, OH
128. Bergen County Central Trades & Labor Council, Paramus, NJ
129. Local Lodge 141, International Association of Machinists (IAM), representing airline workers at Northwest, United, Southwest, and Alaska. Detroit, MI
130. Local 1549, AFSCME, representing 19,000 clerical and administrative workers for the City of New York
131. Local 1180, Communications Workers of America (CWA), New York, NY
132. Retirees Association of District Council 37, AFSCME, New York, NY
133. Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR) Chapter 30-18, Plymouth, Indiana
134. United Steelworkers, USW District 7, Sub-District 4, Northern Indiana
135. United Steelworkers, USW Local 12775, Portage, Indiana
136. International Longshore & Warehouse Union (ILWU), San Francisco, CA, International Convention, May, 2006
137. Retirees Council, Bergen County Central Trades and Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Paramus, NJ
138. American Postal Workers Union (APWU), Michigan State Convention, May, 2006
139. Local 544, United Auto Workers (UAW), Fisher Body, West Mifflin, PA
140. Northern Kentucky Central Labor Council, Covington, KY
141. CIRSU, New York, NY
142. Local Union 1183, United Automobile Workers, Newark, DE
143. North Bay Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Santa Rosa, CA
144. Greater Glens Falls Central Labor Council, Glens Falls, NY Warren, Washington, Hamilton, and Northern Saratoga Counties
145. Local 50, Plumbers and Steamfitters, United Association (UA), Northwood, OH
146. Local 668, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Harrisburg, PA
147. North Florida Central Labor Council, Jacksonville, FL
148. District Lodge 112, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), Jacksonville, FL
149. Pima Area Labor Federation, Tucson, AZ
150. Florida State Alliance for Retired Americans
151. Lodge 721, IAM, Jacksonville, FL
152. Austin Central Labor Council, Austin, Texas
153. Unified Union Partners, made up of union presidents from VISN 4 (Veterans Integrated Service Network) which includes 10 Veterans Administration hospitals and several VA community based outpatient clinics (CBOCs) in PA, Wilmington, DE, and Clarksburg, WV.
154. United Automobile Workers, International Union Convention, June 2006
155. Plumbers Local Union #17, United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry (UA), Memphis, TN
156. Western Kentucky AFL-CIO Area Council, Paducah, KY
157. San Francisco Central Labor Council, San Francisco, CA
158. National Education Association (NEA), July 2006
159. Connecticut AFL-CIO, June 2006
160. Local Union 295, United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry (UA), Daytona Beach, FL
161. Ohio AFL-CIO, July 19, 2006, at Convention in Cincinnati
162. Central New York Labor Council, Utica, NY
163. Local 2313, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Hanover, MA
164. Hawkeye Labor Council, Cedar Rapids, IA
165. Plumbers, Pipefitters and Service Technicians Local 502, United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada, Louisville, KY
166. Local 1L, Amalgamated Lithographers of America, Graphic Communications Conference/International Brother of Teamsters (GCC/IBT Local 1L), New Jersey
167. Central Trades & Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Cape Girardeau, MO
168. Local Union 136, Plumbers & Steamfitters, United Association, Evansville, IN
169. San Bernardino/Riverside Counties Central Labor Council AFL-CIO, Riverside, CA
170. United Association of Journeymen & Apprentices of the Plumbing & Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States & Canada (UA), International Convention, August 9, 2006
171. Washington-Orange-Lamoille Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Montpelier, VT
172. North Dakota AFL-CIO, Bismarck, ND, State Convention, August 2006
173. Delaware State AFL-CIO, Newark, DE, endorsed August 2006
174. Washington State Labor Council, representing 500 local unions with 400,000 members, endorsing resolution passed at State Convention, August 2006, Seattle, WA
175. Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR), Chapter 11-3, St. Louis, MO.
176. Local 547, International Union of Operating Engineers, Detroit, MI
177. Mercer County Central Labor Council, Mercer County, NJ
178. South Carolina State AFL-CIO, 50th Annual Convention, September, 2006
179. Local 3, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Pittsburgh, PA
180. Burlington County Central Labor Union, Riverside, NJ
181. Wyoming State AFL-CIO, Cheyenne, WY
182. Vermont State Labor Council AFL-CIO, Montpelier, VT, September 2006, State Convention
183. National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), International Union, Washington, DC
184. Ohio Alliance for Retired Americans (ARA), State Convention, September 2006
185. Champlain Valley Labor Council, Burlington, VT
186. North West Washington Central Labor Council, Bellingham, WA
187. Florida AFL-CIO, Tallahassee, FL
188. Essex-West Hudson Labor Council AFL-CIO, Newark, NJ
189. Local 9, Plumbers and Pipefitters, UA, Englishtown, NJ
190. Local 995, United Steelworkers (USW), Follansbee, WV
191. Jackson/Hillsdale Counties Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Jackson, MI
192. Wisconsin State AFL-CIO, State Convention, September 2006, Milwaukee, WI
193. Local 6186, Texas State Employees Union/Communications Workers of America, (TSEU/CWA) Austin, TX, September, 2006
194. West Central Florida Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, Tampa, FL, Oct. 3, 2006
195. West Virginia AFL-CIO, Charleston, WV
196. Harrisburg Region Central Labor Council, Harrisburg, PA
197. Southern Maine Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Portland, ME Oct. 4, 2006
198. Ohio Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR), State Conference, Oct. 9, 2006
199. Branch 82, National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Portland, OR
200. South Dakota AFL-CIO, State Convention, Oct. 7, 2006, Sioux Falls, SD
201. Wabash Valley Central Labor Council, Terre Haute, IN, Sep. 20, 2006
202. Branch 104, National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), Lawrence, KS
203. North Carolina State AFL-CIO, Convention Resolution 14, September 2006
204. West Virginia Brooke-Hancock Central Labor Council, Newell, WV
205. Boulder Area Labor Council, Boulder, CO
206. Passaic Central Labor Council, Clifton, NJ
207. Local 327, Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA), August, ME
208. Chicago & Midwest Regional Joint Board, UNITE HERE, Chicago, IL
209. Hudson County Central Labor Council AFL-CIO, Jersey City, NJ
210. Missouri AFL-CIO, Jefferson City, MO
211. White River Central Labor Council, Bloomington, IN
212. District Council 1, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT), Denver, CO
213. Minnesota AFL-CIO, November 29, 2006
214. Michigan State AFL-CIO Women's Council
215. Local 8498, United Steelworkers (USW), Winston-Salem, NC
216. United Labor Council of Reading and Berks County, Reading, PA
217. Massachusetts Nurses Association, Quincy, MA
218. Greater Madison County Federation of Labor, Granite City, IL
219. Rochester and Vicinity Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Rochester, NY
220. Local Union 176, United Steelworkers (USW), Rochester, MI
221. Local Union 314, United Steelworkers (USW), Detroit, MI
222. Local Union 389, United Steelworkers (USW), Detroit, MI
223. Local Union 2659, United Steelworkers (USW), Southgate, MI
224. Local Union 9491, United Steelworkers (USW), Hamburg, MI
225. Middlesex County AFL-CIO Labor Council, North Brunswick, NJ
226. Northeastern Oklahoma Central Labor Council, Tulsa, OK
227. Rochester and Genesee Valley Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO, encompasses 10 county region, parent body of 4 labor councils {Rochester and Vicinity (Monroe), Steuben-Livingston, Northern Finger Lakes (Wayne, Ontario), and Chemung-Yates}, Rochester, NY
228. Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (MAPE), St Paul, MN
229. Local 73, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Chicago, IL
230. Electrical Workers Minority Caucus (IBEW)
231. Monroe/Lenawee County AFL-CIO Council, Monroe, MI
232. Local 2164, United Auto Workers (UAW), Bowling Green, KY
233. Local 264, Transport Workers Union (TWU), New York, NY
234. New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), New York
235. Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1589, Long Beach, CA
236. Local 2779, American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), Gainesville, FL
237. Detroit A. Phillip Randolph Institute, Detroit, MI
238. Greater Lansing Labor Council, Lansing, MI, Feb. 7, 2007
239. Local 5668, United Steelworkers (USW), Ravenswood, WV, Feb. 5, 2007
240. Central Maine Labor Council, Waterville, ME
241. Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals (PASNAP), Conshohocken, PA
242. Northeast Central Labor Council AFL-CIO, Franklin, Clinton, & Essex Counties, Plattsburgh, NY
243. Local 546M, Graphic Communications Conference, GCC/IBT, Cleveland, OH
244. Southern Dakota County Labor Council, Apple Valley, MN
245. Texas Alliance for Retired Americans (ARA) Austin, TX
246. Cincinnati AFL-CIO Labor Council, Cincinnati, OH
247. Retirees Club, Local 848, United Auto Workers (UAW), Grand Prairie, TX
248. Maine State Building & Construction Trades Council, Clinton, ME
249. Capital District Area Labor Federation, 11 NY counties including Albany, Schenectady, Troy, Glens Falls, and Saratoga. Albany, NY
250. District 3, Missouri Nurses Association (MONA), St. Louis, MO
251. Committee of Presidents, National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), Washington, DC
252. Western Maine Central Labor Council AFL-CIO, Lewiston, ME
253. AFM Local 802, Association of Musicians of Greater New York, New York, NY
254. Smith County Central Labor Council, Tyler, TX
255. Savannah Regional Central Labor Council, Savannah, GA
256. Southern Iowa Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Ottumwa, IA
257. New Jersey State Industrial Union Council, Edison, NJ
258. International Union of Painters & Allied Trades District Council #4, Cheektowaga, NY
259. San Mateo County Central Labor Council, Foster City, CA
260. UAW Local 909, United Automobile Workers, Detroit, MI
261. International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) District Lodge 34, Columbus, OH
262. Central Connecticut Labor Council, Meriden, CT
263. Local Lodge 956 IAMAW, Archbold, OH
264. Western Maryland Central Labor Council, Cumberland, MD
265. Local 28 United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC), Missoula, MT
266. Local 2222 Communications Workers of America (CWA), Annandale, VA
267. Palm Beach-Treasure Coast AFL-CIO, Riviera Beach, FL
268. Maine State AFL-CIO, Bangor, ME
269. Local 862, UAW, Louisville, KY
270. Maine Council of United Steelworkers USW representing 22 locals in Maine
271. Michigan State Association of Letter Carriers, MSALC, NALC
272. Teamsters Local Union 559 (IBT), South Windsor, CT
273. Northern Virginia Central Labor Council, Annandale, VA
274. Local 1120 Communications Workers of America (CWA), Poughkeepsie, NY
275. Wichita/Hutchinson Labor Federation of Central Kansas, Wichita, KS
276. Greater Green Bay Labor Council, Green Bay, WI
277. Arkansas AFL-CIO, State Federation, Little Rock, AR
278. Local 561 Transport Workers Union (TWU), Virginia Gardens, FL
279. CANEL Lodge 700 International Association of Machinists (IAM) Pratt & Whitney, Higganum, CT
280. International Association of Machinists District 26, Connecticut & Rhode Island
281. Connecticut State Council of Machinists of the IAMAW, CT
282. Greyhound Lodge 759 IAM, Jacksonville, FL
283. Local Lodge 1502, IAMAW, Superior, WI
284. Local Lodge 621, IAMAW, Ashland, WI
285. Local 3106, CWA, Jacksonville, FL
286. Maryland State and District of Columbia AFL-CIO, Annapolis, MD
287. SEIU—United Healthcare Workers West, Oakland, CA
288. American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada, 97th Convention, June 2007
289. Washington County Central Labor Council, Kewaskum, Slinger, Fond du Lac, WI
290. United Steelworkers, District 7, Sub-District 1, Chicago, IL
291. Big Sky Central Labor Council, Helena, MT
292. American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Local 212, Milwaukee, WI
293. San Antonio AFL-CIO Council, San Antonio, TX
294. Greater Hartford Central Labor Council, Hartford, CT
295. United Steelworkers (USW), Local 9777, Bridgeview, IL
296. United Steelworkers (USW), Local 1899, Granite City, IL
297. United Steelworkers (USW), Local 1636, Aurora, IL
298. Washington State Building and Construction Trades Council, Olympia, WA
299. Texas AFL-CIO, Austin, TX
300. Southwestern District Labor Council, Huntington, WV
301. Westchester/Putnam Counties Central Labor Body, AFL-CIO, White Plains, NY
302. Texas Building & Construction Trades Council, Austin, TX
303. El Paso Central Labor Union, El Paso, TX
304. Utah Jobs with Justice, Salt Lake City, UT
305. Big Bend Chapter, Northwest Florida Federation of Labor, Tallahassee, FL
306. Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, Des Moines, IA
307. Local 477, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), Miami, FL
308. Monongalia-Preston Labor Council, Morgantown, WV
309. Local 1445 United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), Dedham, MA
310. International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), Upper Marlboro, MD
311. Local 40, United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners (UBC), Cambridge, MA
312. Arizona AFL-CIO, Phoenix, AZ
313. Alliance for Retired Americans, Washington, DC
314. Local Unions attending the Regional Council of United Steelworkers (USW) in 11 western states, AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, Sept. 10, 2007
315. Tennessee AFL-CIO, Convention September 2007
316. Pierce County Central Labor Council, Tacoma, WA
317. Central Ohio Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Columbus, OH
318. Pioneer Valley AFL-CIO Central Labor Council, Springfield, MA
319. Local 689 Amalgamated Transit Union, Washington, DC
320. Local 194 International Federation of Professional & Technical Engineers AFL-CIO, Milltown, NJ
321. United Steelworkers Local 12-593 (USW), Magna, UT
322. Springfield and Central Illinois Trades and Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Springfield, IL
323. Coastal Bend Central Labor Council, Corpus Christi, TX
324. Local Lodge 112, International Association of Machinists (IAMAW), Center City, MN
325. New York State Public Employees Federation (NYSPEF), affiliated with AFL-CIO, AFT, and SEIU. Convention, September, 2008. Albany, NY
326. South Florida AFL-CIO, Doral, FL
327. United Association Local 699, Sprinkler Fitters and Apprentices, Seattle, WA
328. Greater Boston Labor Council, Boston, MA
329. Michigan AFSCME Council 25, Lansing, MI
330. Southern Oregon Jobs with Justice, Ashland, OR
331. Portland Community College Faculty Federation, AFT Local 2277, Portland, OR
332. Oregon AFL-CIO, Salem, OR
333. Public Service Workers Union, UE Local 160, Williamsburg, VA
334. C. W. Post Collegial Federation, Local 3517, NYSUT, AFT, Brookville, NY
335. Ohio State Council of Machinists, IAMAW, Cleveland, OH
336. Georgia AFL-CIO, Atlanta, GA
337. AFSCME Council 36, Los Angeles, CA
338. District 7, United Steelworkers of America (USW), Chicago, IL
339. National Legislative Committee for the Tenth Quadrennial Constitutional Convention, United Transportation Union (UTU)
340. Oklahoma AFL-CIO, Oklahoma City, OK
341. Charleston Central Labor Council, Charleston, SC
342. American Postal Workers Union Local 458, Portland, ME
343. Kansas AFL-CIO, Topeka, KS
344. Illinois Federation of Teachers Universities Council
345. University Professionals of Illinois Local 4100 IFT/AFT/AFL-CIO, Chicago, IL
346. Colorado AFL-CIO, Denver, CO
347. Branch 4374, South Macomb Letter Carriers, NALC, Roseville, MI
348. Indiana AFL-CIO, Indianapolis, IN
349. Local 2-540 United Steelworkers USW, Alma, MI
350. Long Island University Faculty Federation, Local 3998, NYSUT/AFT, Brooklyn, NY
351. Southern Colorado Labor Council, Pueblo, CO
352. Sailors’ Union of the Pacific, San Francisco, CA
353. Local 502, Coastal Carolina Association of Professional Musicians, American Federation of Musicians (AFM), Charleston, SC
354. Transport Workers Union, Local 564 TWU, El Segundo, CA
355. Branch 14, National Association of Letter Carriers NALC, Louisville, KY
356. Local 5 International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), Portland, OR
357. Oregon Area District Council, ILWU, Portland, OR
358. Portland Jobs with Justice, Portland, OR
359. Local 1535 AFSCME, Baltimore, MD
360. Northwestern Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, Toledo, OH
361. United Academics, AAUP/AFT Local 4996, University of Alaska System, Anchorage, AK
362. Local 2026, Faculty and Staff Federation of Community College of Philadelphia (AFT), Philadelphia, PA
363. Alabama AFL-CIO, Montgomery, AL
364. Local 1837, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Manchester, ME
365. United Automobile Workers Local 3303 (UAW), Butler, PA
366. California Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, Oakland, CA
367. Retiree Chapter, Local 3303 UAW, Butler, PA
368. Local 3, University Professional & Technical Employees, UPTE-CWA 9119, Santa Cruz, CA
369. Juneau & Vicinity Building and Construction Trades Council, Juneau, AK
370. Minnesota State Council of Machinists, IAMAW, Vadnais Heights, MN
371. Local 1421, United Electrical Workers (UE), Pomona, CA
372. New Jersey State Federation of Teachers (AFT), Edison, NJ
373. Local 32 BJ, SEIU, Baltimore, MD
374. Local 31-N, GCC-IBT Teamsters, Baltimore, MD
375. International Organization Masters, Mates, & Pilots, AFL-CIO, Linthicum, MD
376. UNITE-HERE Mid Atlantic, Baltimore, MD
377. Baltimore Francis Stu Filbey Area Local, American Postal Workers Union (APWU), Baltimore, MD
378. Local 8-1165, United Steelworkers (USW), Baltimore, MD
379. Alaska AFL-CIO, Anchorage, AK
380. California Federation of Teachers (AFT), Burbank, CA
381. International Federation of Professional & Technical Engineers (IFPTE), AFL-CIO, Silver Spring, MD
382. Sheet Metal Workers International Association (SMWIA), AFLCIO, Washington, DC
383. Local 900, United Steelworkers (USW), Rumford, ME
384. Communications Workers of America Local 9423 (CWA), San Jose, CA
385. United Steelworkers of America Local 10-1, USW, Linwood, PA
386. Office and Professional Employees International Union, OPEIU, NY, NY & Washington, DC
387. Tri-County Labor Council, Mount Upton, NY
388. California School Employees Association (CSEA), AFL-CIO, San Jose, CA
389. Greater Santa Cruz Federation of Teachers AFT 2030, Santa Cruz, CA
390. Chemung/Schuyler Labor Assembly, AFL-CIO, Elmira, NY
391. Cayuga County Labor Council, Auburn, NY
392. United Transportation Union (UTU) International Convention, Cleveland, OH
393. University Professional and Technical Employees—CWA 9119, Berkeley & Los Angeles, CA
394. Local 1501, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Cockeysville, MD
395. The United Educators of San Francisco, CFT/AFT #61, CTA/NEA, San Francisco, CA
396. Local 773, United Association of Plumbers (UA), South Glens Falls, NY
397. Los Angeles County Federation of Labor AFL-CIO, Los Angeles, CA
398. North Shore Central Labor Council, Lynn, MA
399. Local 223 Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA), Dearborn, MI
400. Laborers Local #210, LIUNA, Cheektowaga, NY
401. Local 621, United Workers of America, Island Park, NY
402. UAW Local 3044, Rockport, IN
403. New Hampshire State Building and Construction State Council, Hooksett, NH
404. Chicago Teachers Union, Local 1 AFT/IFT/AFL-CIO, Chicago, IL
405. Local Union 1447, Amalgamated Transit Union, Louisville, KY
406. Steel Council of the United Auto Workers
407. Merrimack Valley Central Labor Council AFL-CIO, Lowell, MA
408. Local 543, International Association of Machinists (IAM), Baltimore, MD
409. Cattaraugus Allegany Counties Central Labor Council, Cattaraugus, NY
410. Southern Oregon Central Labor Council, Central Point, OR
411. Philadelphia Council of the AFL-CIO, Philadelphia, PA
412. National Writers Union UAW Local 1981, New York, NY
413. Central Labor Council of Humboldt-Del Norte Counties, Eureka, CA
414. NYSUT-Rensselaer-Columbia-Greene Co. BOCES Teachers Association, East Schodack, NY
415. Norfolk County Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Braintree, MA
416. Plymouth-Bristol Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Brockton, MA
417. North Carolina’s State Federation Unit of the American Federation of Teachers AFT/NC, NC
418. Field Staff Association FSA, Delmar, NY
419. Southern Oregon Area Local, American Postal Workers Union (APWU), Medford, OR
420. Brookline Educators Union, MTA, NEA, Brookline, MA
421. Crawford/Richland Central Labor Council, Mansfield, OH
422. Austin Community College/American Federation of Teachers, Local 6249, Austin, TX
423. Jefferson Elementary Federation of Teachers, AFT Local 3267, Daly City, CA
424. Indiana Federation of Teachers, Indianapolis, IN
425. Teamsters Local 805 IBT, Long Island City, NY
426. Local 716 United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters UA, Augusta, ME
427. International Longshore and Warehouse Union, Local 6 (ILWU), Oakland, CA
428. San Diego Building and Construction Trades Council, San Diego, CA
429. United Steelworkers Local Union 1026 USW, Canton, NY
430. Local 165 National Association of Letter Carriers NALC, Frewsburg, NY
431. AFT Seattle Community Colleges, Local 1789, Seattle, WA
432. Western NY Area Local 183, American Postal Workers Union APWU, Delevan, NY
433. GFT, Guam’s Local Union, affiliated with AFL-CIO as AFT Local 1581, Hagatna, Guam
434. United Steelworkers Local 207 L (USW), Findlay, OH
435. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 770 (IBEW), Glenmont, NY
436. IATSE Local 297, San Diego, CA
437. Kent-Ionia Central Labor Council, Grand Rapids, MI
438. Carpenters Local 22, United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners, San Francisco, CA
439. Ashland Area Central Labor Council, Ashland, KY
440. Pacific Coast Marine Firemen, Oilers, Watertenders and Wipers Association, San Francisco, CA
441. Michigan State AFL-CIO, Lansing, MI
442. Plumbers and Steamfitters Local Union 47, Monaca, PA
443. Service Employees International Union, SEIU, Washington, DC
444. GCC/IBT Local 612M, West Caldwell, NJ
445. Professional Staff Union Locals 751 and 754, Massachusetts Teachers Association, University of Massachusetts, Amherst and Boston, MA
446. Montana AFL-CIO, Helena, MT
447. American Federation of Teachers (AFT), Washington, DC
448. Colorado State Building and Construction Trades Council, Lakewood, CO
449. United Steelworkers (USW), Pittsburgh, PA
450. Greater Syracuse Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Syracuse, NY
451. Nebraska State AFL-CIO, Omaha, NE
452. Musicians Union Local 6, American Federation of Musicians (AFM), San Francisco, CA
453. York-Adams County Central Labor Council, York, PA
454. Local 9421, Communications Workers of America (CWA), Sacramento, CA
455. Local 1989, MSEA/SEIU, Augusta, ME
456. Upstate NY Regional General Membership Branch, IWW, NY
457. Pacific Coast Pensioners Association, ILWU, Mt. Vernon, WA
458. American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees, AFSCME, Washington, DC
459. Kern, Inyo, and Mono Counties Central Labor Council, Bakersfield, CA
460. New York State AFL-CIO, August 2008 Convention, New York, NY
461. IUE-CWA Local 201, Lynn, MA
462. Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, Washington, DC
463. Schenectady Central Labor Council, Schenectady, NY
464. Sacramento Central Labor Council, Sacramento, CA
465. Massachusetts Society of Professors (MSP), MTA/NEA, UMass, Amherst, MA
466. Nevada State AFL-CIO, Henderson, NV
467. Massachusetts AFL-CIO, Malden, MA
468. Sioux Falls Trades and Labor Assembly, AFL-CIO, Sioux Falls, SD
469. National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 1563, Ukiah, CA
470. AFSCME Local 1212, Child Care Providers Together, Des Moines, IA
471. American Radio Association, AFL-CIO, Electronics & Info. Tech. Affiliate of ILWU, Reno, NV
472. International Union of Theatrical State Employees District 10, IATSE NY/NJ, Ballston Lake, NY
473. Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA), Washington, DC
474. District 1199 C, Philadelphia Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees, NUHHCE/AFSCME, Philadelphia, PA
475. Local Union 153, Office & Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU), NY, NY
476. Napa/Solano Central Labor Council, Fairfield, CA
477. Local Lodge #193, International Association of Machinists (IAMAW), Waldorf, MD
478. Communications Workers of America (CWA), Convention 2008, Washington, DC.
479. Local 206, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Portland, OR
480. Amalgamated Transit Union Latino Caucus, Washington, DC
481. AFSCME Local 3214, Albertina Kerr Center Employees of Lane County, Eugene, OR
482. Central Oregon Labor Council, Bend, OR
483. Local #6308, American Federation of Teachers (AFT), North Jersey Skills For Technology Union, Mahwah, NJ
484. Missouri State Labor Utility Workers Conference, Jefferson City, MO
485. Missouri State International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Conference, St. Louis, MO
486. Vermont National Education Association
487. Carpenters Local 247, Portland, OR
488. Southwest Alabama Labor Council, Mobile, AL
489. Portland State University Faculty Association, AFT Local 3571, Portland, OR
490. Greater Springfield Area Central Labor Council, Springfield, MO
491. Bluegrass Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Lexington, KY
492. Local 3372, Communications Workers of America (CWA), Lexington, KY
493. Local 290, United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters, Portland, OR
494. Local Lodge 2339H, International Association of Machinists (IAMAW), Houston, TX
495. San Joaquin/Calaveras Central Labor Council, Stockton, CA
496. The Active Ballot Club, Political Arm of Local 555, UFCW, Tigard, OR
497. IATSE Local 336, Phoenix, AZ
498. Central Kentucky Building & Construction Trades Council, Lexington, KY
499. UFCW Local 789, South St. Paul, MN
500. Local 798, IATSE, Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists, New York, NY
501. Stanislaus & Tuolumne Counties Central Labor Council, Modesto, CA
502. Association of Theatrical Press Agents & Managers (ATPAM), Local 18032 IATSE, New York, NY
503. Local 767M GCC/IBT, Kent, WA
504. Local 483, Laborers International Union of North America LIUNA, Portland, OR
505. United Steelworkers Local 8378 USW, McMinnville, OR
506. Merced Mariposa Central Labor Council, Merced, CA
507. Local 48, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, IBEW, Portland, OR
508. Local 50, IATSE, Sacramento, CA
509. Local 7901, Communications Workers of America CWA, Portland, OR
510. Central Labor Council of Fresno, Madera, Tulare & Kings Counties, AFL-CIO, Fresno, CA

*

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[salguine]

42. What's impractical or unrealistic? It works in every other industrialized Western

nation. The only stumbling block to it is that it basically shuts HMOs and Big Pharma out. Congress could make it happen practically overnight if they wanted to. But guess who bankrolls their reelection campaigns?

[JVS]

44. The status quo is not practical at all. Why should it survive?

[harun]

47. It was a radical departure from the status quo across Europe too, you gotta fight for it to get it.

Not to mention Canada as well. All it took in Canada was one province getting it through then the rest said "we want that". If we had got it through California we would likely be getting it everywhere else. Arnold's veto stopped it. We just need to keep pushing.

[biopowertoday]

48. yes, we do and I hope all have actually written their Rep and Senators.Talking

on this board is one thing. Getting active and doing the calling or writing is the next step.