IDW Campaign Training Flier Champaign

Hats off to the Chamber for coordinating an excellent event. Also, thank you to Dr. Barbara Iverson for moderating.

And remember, early voting at the Logan Square Public Library (3030 W. Fullerton Ave.) ends February 17.

During his run for Congress last year, Tom spoke with Bazer about filibusters, ancient Mesopotamian usury laws, and the merits of beer on the campaign trail. This time around, Tom will talk about his new book, the success of countries with bigger social safety nets, and how a stronger social democracy might be the key to increased competitiveness in the international marketplace.

Other guests include Grammy award-winning hip-hop artist Rhymefest and Chicago folk musicians Sones de Mexico Ensemble.

WHAT: “The Interview Show”  at The Hideout

WHEN: Friday, Nov. 5. 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

WHERE: 1354 W. Wabansia Ave., Chicago.

TICKETS: $5 at the door.

You can follow Ina’s write-in campaign to replace Roland Burris on her Facebook page or on Twitter.

Hamos has also put her campaign team in place, and the team includes several new aides to the 10-year state Representative.

Campaign manager Julie Sweet most recently managed author Tom Geoghegan’s (D) long-shot special election bid in the 5th district, which was won by now-Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.). Field Director Russell Griffin served in the same capacity for Rep. Donna Edwards’ (D-Md.) triumphant primary bid over then-Rep. Albert Wynn (D-Md.). Political Director Eric Danko is a former campaign aide for Rep. Debbie Halvorson (D-Ill.), while Finance Director Kari Lundstad-Vogt most recently served as a job bank coordinator at EMILY’s List.

They are joined by Press Secretary Christopher Lackner, who most recently worked with Sweet on Geoghegan’s special election bid.

Hamos has also signed up Will Robinson and Tierney Hunt of the New Media Firm to do her media, Diane Feldman and Melissa Diemand of the Feldman Group to do her polling, Lloyd Betourney of the Public Response Group to do her direct mail and Brett Di Resta of the Maccabee Group to do her media.

Read the whole thing here.

One of the challenges of nationalized health care is the name itself: Socialized medicine. Single payer health care. Nationalized health care. “European-style” or worse yet, “Canadian-style.” (Canadian-style?! Sure, we’ll give their bacon a whirl… but their policy of providing efficient, effective and comprehensive health and social services to everyone? You keep that on your side of the border, eh!)

In recent years, some advocates have taken to calling it “Medicare for All,” the concept of which was developed by Senator Ted Kennedy and unveiled at a speech to the National Press Club in 2005.

Paul Krugman summed up the merits of this terminology in a subsequent op-ed:

["Medicare for all"] reminds voters that America already has a highly successful, popular single-payer program, albeit only for the elderly. It shows that we’re talking about government insurance, not government-provided health care.

Tom Geoghegan revisited the idea in 2007, complete with a hat tip to Mr. Krugman.

“One thing that Ronald Reagan proved is that people like big, simple ideas: In his era, the big simple idea was tax cuts, and in ours, the big simple idea should be “Medicare for all adults,” and “national coverage of children, too.” (I know it comes out to the same thing, but since single-payer is a big pill to swallow, it’s nice to cut it in two.) Above all, keep it simple. The Democrats seem to specialize in coming up with health-care plans that only Paul Krugman can understand.”

This issue was, of course, one of Tom’s major platforms in his recent run for Congress.

Socialized medicine? Not in my country. But Medicare for All? That sounds awfully American to me.

Bonus points for finding Clarence Thomas apparently fast asleep and Yo-Yo Ma taking a snapshot with his iPhone.