1/20/2015 – Show Me the Money Back in 2012, when DUH stood for the Demonstration for Universal Healthcare, I got a permit for a demonstration on the National Mall. I was told repeatedly that it was a “pointless exercise,” a “stupid idea,” that it was “the wrong time” and that “we tried to do that ___ years ago and no one will come.” But the thing that killed that demonstration in the end was NO MONEY. I was naive then and of all the things I didn’t expect, the most shocking to me was the lack of support from single-payer organizations. I couldn’t understand – this demonstration was for single-payer! Did I not donate to every single-payer effort that asked me to? Did I not pay dues to local and national single-payer organizations, none of which offered an action like this? Did I not support individual activists in their Kickstarter, Indiegogo, and other crowdfunding campaigns? I made $35,000 a year at the time and more than half my income went to pay the high rent and costs of living in Chicago, but I always managed to come up with $10 bucks and occasionally more for a good cause. Was it just that I had no credibility in the community? Had I just not found the right “tipping point?” Was it simply that they didn’t like me? After I was inspired by Detroit’s “rolling demonstrations” where, in protest of the fascist policies being imposed there, people took to their cars and bottled up the expressways by creeping along slowly across three lanes, the Demonstration became the Drive for Universal Healthcare and at this point, we’ve visited 12 states. We’ve met hundreds of healthcare advocates, as well as those who come to our events out of curiosity. We’ve come to know some “stars” of the single-payer movement. And as I write this, endorsements, both individual and organizational, continue to flow in. And there have been those on the Walking Their Talk page who have put their money behind their words and intentions. One, I happen to know, gave $10 that she truly couldn’t afford, being the caregiver for her disabled sister and living on a thread – not even a shoestring. Others have been able to give more and have stepped up at the first call. They are ALL heroes to me. But I’ve spent the better part of two days creating, with Donna’s help, the Money and Walking Their Talk pages on this website, trying to find the key, the trick, the sure thing way to inspire anyone visiting these pages to back their single-payer commitment with cash. The majority of people who’ve endorsed the March have answered “Maybe” to the question asking if we can count on their financial support. We’ve had 19 firm “No”s and five “Yes”es out of 69 endorsements. But none of the “yes” or “maybe” folks have actually donated. I’m grateful for EVERY endorsement and for the hundreds who’ve registered to attend, especially those who say they’re bringing a busload. To the three volunteers who’ve signed up, I thank you profusely. But it will all be for naught unless we raise the money we need to pay for everything. This is the last try I have in me. I’m relying – admittedly perhaps too much – on “if you build it, they will come.” In order to build it, though, we need the money. Show us the money. Please. healthcarejusticemarch.org/?page_id=55
Posted on: Tue, 20 Jan 2015 21:29:29 +0000
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