During last year's election, a friend of mine from IND organized an amazing number of bus trips to Pennsylvania to campaign for Obama. I have no doubt that his efforts made a difference.

But it takes a particularly amazing organizer to KEEP organizing even after you win an election. And he is continuing his organizing efforts, this time on behalf of healthcare reform. We all complain that we wish Obama and the Democrats were fighing harder for healthcare reform. Well, the same applies to us. We have to fight for healthcare reform as well because so far the right wing extremists and their media pals at Fox News are dominating the discussion. Here is your chance to help seize the initiative for healthcare reform. This comes from an email from Tom:

We’re going back to Pennsylvania to campaign for health care reform.

Last year we were called to turn back the reactionary forces that had gripped our country for too long, and to win an election. I often told people that it was a war fought house by house, block by block. We won that war. But now we must win the peace, and that’s the hardest part.

I am so angry at the Republicans right now, it’s hard to write this without sounding a little crazy myself. But what’s really crazy is the towering wave of lies and deceit the conservative right has sent crashing down upon President Obama, his allies in Congress, and all you courageous Americans who worked so hard to bring change to our nation. Some senate Republicans played at bipartisanship just long enough to push negotiations into the August recess. Then, the wave struck. At town hall meetings, in vicious, viral lies circulated on the internet, on television talk shows, these irresponsible snake oil peddlers are repeating again and again lies and nonsense.

I’ve had enough. I’m going back to Pennsylvania, and I want you to join me. Thankfully, our congressional delegation here in New York is onboard the president’s program. But, once again, it is congress members from swing states and congressional districts who will hoist the dream to rescue or kill it. If they kill it, the chance to provide health care to all Americans will be lost for a generation. Believe me, if we fail this time, no president, no Congress will expend precious political capital on this issue. The crashing wave will swamp us, the desperate hand of hope will loosen its grip and slip beneath the swirling sea.

Please, Get Back on the Bus for Health Care!

We will depart from Port Authority Bus Terminal (South Terminal, 8th Ave. btwn 40th & 41st St.), Saturday, August 29th, 9:00 am, aboard Trans-Bridge Bus Lines. The bus to Easton should depart from Gate 4 or 6. Please arrive early to purchase your ticket on the South Terminal main floor and make your way downstairs to the gate. Bus tickets are $36.05 round trip. Return buses are at 4:05 and 6:10 pm, arriving back in the city at 5:55 and 8:00 pm, respectively.

Thank you to everyone for your time and commitment. Please RSVP to this e-mail address so I can provide a headcount to our Organizing for America (OFA)* hosts.

Very best wishes,

Tom Predhome
(917) 723-3442

*OFA is the successor organization to the Obama campaign.