Talking with Todd Gitlin about President Obama and the Health Care Crisis

I did see the story about the Pelosi fundraiser. Can she really be so crude as to manage a direct quid pro quo? How will this go over in her district? Meanwhile, there are contrary developments. See Matt Yglesias [at ThinkProgress.org]. Two weeks ago, [AFL-CIO's] Rich Trumka said that "lawmakers would pay a political price if they abandon a government-run option in any health care overhaul." So, I guess it comes down to whether wobbly Dem members of Congress are more afraid of the AFL-CIO or of Pelosi. There's a lot still in play.

So, how does necessary reform happen?

The Constitution is an insuperable obstacle in the way of public opinion. Big political contributions are almost as untouchable, with all its veto effects. On this unfavorable landscape, substantial reform requires two things simultaneously: visible, sensible mass movement on the outside, coupled with well-organized progressive politics on the inside.

In your youth, you were quite involved in the SDS, a radical organization. During that time, you demonstrated against the Viet Nam War and apartheid, among other things. Bringing your activist past to bear, what advise do you have for those seeking meaningful health care reform?

My advice is to press hard for the public option; turn out for MoveOn's Sept. 22 noon rallies at health insurance headquarters; lobby Blue Dogs and a few Republicans (Voinovich?) like mad; emphasize that insurance companies have no God-given rights. Here's something I blogged today: clamor to know what insurance companies contribute to the public good that entitles them to keep 14% of proceeds for profits plus administrative costs; do your homework; don't let polls get you down; don't let journalists get you down; don't let up.

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