The Bishop and the Butterfly: Murder, Politics, and the End of the Jazz Age

    MAKE A RACKET: March on Washington, Sept. 13

    By Ripper on Wed, 08/19/2009 - 7:02am |
    Robert Reich has called for a march on Washington to support health care reform--specifically a public option and other reforms sought by liberals. Read Politico's live chat-in yesterday with Reich here.

    "First step," Reich wrote in response to a question from chatters logged in with him, "is to be very loud and very vocal: Write, phone, email, your congressional delegation and the White House. Second step: Get others to do the same. Third step: Get voters in Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, and other states where Blue Dog Dems and waivering [sic] Senate Dems live, and have them make a hell of a fuss. Fourth step: March on Washington."

    Reich said he was serious about a march and would be willing to help organize the event, but he seemed to place some conditions on his help. "If enough people feel that's the best way for their voices to be heard, and can't be heard any other way, then we march."

    Later he wrote: ""How about the morning of September 13. That's a Sunday, and it's also "Grandparents Day." I've just become a grandparent, and I'm worried as hell about the kind of world my little granddaugher is inheriting. (But my strength isn't in organizing, so I'll leave the details to you, Karl, or someone else.)"

    Reich stressed the importance now of widespread, vocal protest for the public option to preserve it and the best parts of various bills already reported out of congressional committees. "We won't get a public option, or anything close to it, unless people who feel strongly about it make a racket."

    Reich's chosen date is one day after the Tea Party has planned a march on Washington.

    So who's passing through St. Louis by car?

    I'm in. This is the BIG one. Let's make a racket for reform.