Sicko Review - 5

   I  just got back from seeing “Sicko!” at the Esquire... First day, second showing, 4:30 pm.  House about half full.  Outside the people promoting HealthCare for All Ohioans legislation were handing out flyers.  I thanked them.

    I am thrilled with this film!  Don’t know how it could possibly have been better.  Whole thing was based  on actual, ordinary people’s stories.  You fall in love with these people.  The shit kicker was the three 911 rescue workers who suffered illnesses/damage as a result of their  heroic efforts following 9/11/01, but now for a variety of reasons cannot get healthcare.  Michael takes them to Cuba where they receive the same (free) medical care that all Cubans get.  They wept with gratitude.  He showed the health care systems in Canada, UK, and even (gasp!) France.  Nobody worries about health care in those countries.  We are the only western nation without universal health care.  This film gonna change things.  Has to.  
    My faroite line:, “In France the government is afraid of the people.  In America, the people are afraid of the government.”  Our health care system is a disgrace.  It is a disgrace that our people are beaten down, frightened, dispirited.  All this got to change.  

There was a charming old geezer, an old socialist in Brittain, talking about democracy.  Clearly, democracy is sick in our country.  Sick!  Let’s talk about it.  Everywhere.  Saddle up!

P.S.  The SpanOhio people say:

• Sign the petition to get the ohio healthcare act on the ballot.
• - Help pass out flyers.
• - Help collect signatures on the petitions.
• - Help recruit others.
• - Give money to SPAN
• - Attend the next meeting of the local SPAN chapter.  Second Wednesday each month, Geier Rms., Mt. Auburn Presby. Church, 103 Wm. H. Taft Rd.  Next meetings: 7:30 pm July 11, Aug 8.
• - Call 931 3459 for local invo.
  

• visit http://www.spanohio.org
  

The Span (“single payor action network”) legislation for Ohio is, according to sources I trust completely, very well crafted, all thought through, workable, responsible, way cool.  Dr. Don Rucknagle, retired sickle cell chief doc at Children’s Hospital is working hard for this... A great guy.  He presented at the Salon last year.  The SPAN people believe that we can only get healthcare reform in this country state by state, as many other reforms have shown in the past.  

P.S.  Did I tell you I cried in the movie?  E.