In the video below, a woman who is need of health care reform speaks at a town hall meeting hosted by Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK). Coburn, who is known for his anti-government sentiments (while being a member of government, oddly enough), listens to the woman and gives her the usual Republican line.
Since watching the video of the Oklahoma town hall I have forwarded it to thousands of people. Spreading the call for reform has never been simpler.
But by showing the video, we do much more than shine a light on the banality of health insurance evil, we also do our part to tip the narrative towards a more American set of values.
Until now, the health care debate has been pushed a larger story about "government run insurance will take away our freedom." The opponents of reform insist that a public option will lead to tyranny and the end of America. The tears in this video bring us to a new big picture: "Americans are not free so long as they can be deprived of care by a cruel industry." Those who advocate passionately for a public option can now insist with clear evidence that an America without health care reform is an America broken by fear.
One woman's tears and the courage to stand up and tell her story could give an opportunity to us all to push the kind of change this country so desperately needs. And all we need to do is show this video to everyone we know.
There is a Facebook group that Jeffrey started to rally around this video. Once you join (if you haven't already), invite your friends to join. We need to show that there are people out there who go to these town hall meetings with real stories and real problems with their current health insurance plan (or lack thereof).
Let's help get this video to the forefront of the debate. It highlights the need for changing a broken system and the response by Coburn shows the insensitivity Republicans show merely to hold the party line.