If the SCOTUS rules against the ACA, the Single Payer movement will get a lot of visibility.  It’s the talk of the town now;

http://news.google.com/news/st…

Getting Single Payer in DC will be much more possible if in November we get true Democrats in the Senate and Congress but it will be still uphill.

Getting it passed state by state as in Canada will be much easier.  

If California goes Single Payer, I believe the whole country will pay attention and the Single Payer will make progerss everywhere.

There are two ways of getting this done; an initiative (proposition) or via the legislation.

The initiative strategy is supported by many groups in California but I think (an many others do) that it may not get in the ballot until 2018.

The legislative strategy was given a setback when 6 Democratic Senators did not vote for SB 810 on January 31;

http://www.dailykos.com/story/…

All we needed was 2 votes.  But 6 Democratic Senators did not vote for SB 810.

One of the 6 Senators is up for reelection in 2012. Rod Wright in the newly formed 35th district.

Wouldn’t it be great if we could teach these blue dogs a lesson by defeating them when they are up for reelection?

That would send a clear message that taking money from insurance companies and voting against Single Payer is a big non no, even if you support Obama’s ACA.

We have a unique opportunity to do this in California in the next 2 months.

We can all pull together and help elect Paul Butterfield, a Single Payer supporter and a much better Democrat.

The California primary election will be held on June 5.

On June 6 we can be on the way to a legislative process for Single Payer in California (and to Netroots Nation.)

An invitation to a blogger event in Butterfield’s campaign HQ below.

I have met Paul Butterfield in person and in my opinion he is an outstanding human being.  We need better Democrats like him in Sacramento and everywhere.

The things that I like about Paul are his character, his  optimism, his intellect and his drive.

He is a teacher!

Obviously his stand on issues is important.

And he is getting endorsements;

GARDENA, CA, March 20 – The Gardena Valley Democratic Club unanimously endorsed Paul Butterfield for State Senate (35th District).

The club is the oldest chartered Democratic organization in Los Angeles County, this year celebrating 80 years of Democratic activism from Franklin D. Roosevelt to Barack Obama.

“Paul Butterfield was endorsed unanimously Monday night at the Gardena Valley Democratic Club’s general meeting.  His endorsement of SB 810 (the single-payer health care bill) was a deciding factor in winning the club’s endorsement and was in sharp contrast to his opponent’s failure to vote for SB 810, which contributed to the bill’s defeat,” said Gardena Valley Democratic Club President Richard Vaughn.

Los Angeles City Council Member Joe Buscaino Endorses Paul Butterfield for State Senate

“Paul Butterfield has proved his commitment to serving our community, and has been recognized for his work mentoring students and young athletes.  He cares deeply about the issues that concern San Pedro and the Harbor Gateway Area.  That’s why I’m endorsing Paul Butterfield for State Senate,” said Buscaino.

Rod Wright has a lot of baggage (a lot more than not supporting Single Payer) and this makes him vulnerable if he gets to November even in this traditional blue area of Los Angeles.

Paul’s campaign just got started but I believe that if we can get the word out he has a chance.  And if he wins, the Single Payer movement has a chance to get SB 810 passed in early 2013.

So donate if you can.  Even $5 will help.

If you live in Greater Los Angeles, help us door knocking, getting the word out to the media or staging events.  Contact the campaign.

If you can get the word out somehow it would be great.

The 35th Senate district has become the front lines of the Single Payer movement.  If Paul wins the message to all Dems will be clear; support Single Payer or face a tough primary when you are up next time.  

We can get a Single Payer bill on Jerry Brown’s desk next year.  And when he signs it, Single Payer movements everywher else will be energized.

And isn’t one of our objectives to get better Democrats elected?



Finally, we are inviting SoCal progressive bloggers to meet Paul Butterfield at campaign HQ in San Pedro on Thursday April 26th at 7PM.  I hope you can make it.

Also posted at DailyKos