Your Weekly News from the CCDP and Political Clubs
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By Tarek Lucien Radjef
Medicare is not a government-run healthcare system like the Veterans Health Administration.
Medicare is a single-payer primary health insurance coverage like the French system, but restricted to age 62 and older. All care and drug providers are independent, unlike the Veterans healthcare system where the government pays salaries to care providers and owns the hospitals, like it does in Great Britain.
One has to wonder how many of our Republican senior friends refuse to join Medicare because they believe it is social medicine. On the other hand, we believe that many veterans seek alternatives to VA care, but more likely, because of its poor reputation.
Medicare medical insurance payments are deducted from paychecks or from Social Security monthly bank transfers. The basic plan offers free choice of doctors and hospitals to all and pays for 80 percent of the costs. To offer an additional option, it also subcontracts individual healthcare management to Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs). They receive a flat fee from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Each HMO contracts with doctors, hospitals and pharmacies. A Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare Part C, as it is called, includes Prescription Drugs Part D. They somewhat limit our choice of providers, but there are no or very small monthly payments, unlike when adding ‘Supplement Insurance’ to basic Medicare coverage.
We believe MEDICARE FOR ALL is a valid solution for our country. We understand that American exceptionalism puts us above the argument that we should have some form of universal healthcare because most countries in the world have it. Let’s say it anyway: Why not us?
In France, the single–payer system pays 70 percent of the costs of health care; and citizens can buy supplemental insurance, often sponsored by the employer, at a reasonable cost. Basically, the insurance is financed by the employer contributing 13 percent of the employee salary and the employee seven percent. All providers in France are reimbursed the same, based on the service rendered. Drugs, depending on their type, have different co-pays, but some are as much as 90 percent cheaper than here. Established in October 1945, the French national insurance agency (Securite Sociale) manages French healthcare money just like an HMO. Incidentally, this program also covers national retirement checks and healthcare including long-term care. Finally, the plan extends not only to working but also to non-working French citizens.
In a “Myths and Lies about Single-Payer…” pamphlet, it says that 120 Americans die every day from lack of healthcare. Shouldn’t we “Exceptional Us” do better?
If you would like to comment on the editorial,
click here.
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You Can Make the Difference. Become a Sustaining Donor
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Your Collin County Democratic Party office provides a wide range of resources throughout the year to our candidates and communities. Your contributions allow us to have a central location for candidates and voters during elections. Strengthen the Democratic Party in your city by becoming a sustaining donor to the Collin County Democratic Party. Donate with
FastAction
or with automatic payments from your bank to the Collin County Democratic Party 1915 Central Expy #150, Plano, TX 75075.
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On Friday July 12th, 2019, Lights for Liberty: A Vigil to End Human Concentration Camps, will bring thousands of people to locations worldwide as well as to concentration camps across country, into the streets and into their own front yards, to protest the inhumane conditions faced by refugees.
To share, invite or comment, go to the Lights for Liberty
Facebook Page
.
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CCDWD Monthly Meeting: New Day & Time!
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We want to be as inclusive as possible and to accommodate those who could not attend during working hours. We're happy to announce that we are trying out an evening meeting on the third Monday, July 15th from 5:30-7:30 p.m. View the Tentative Agenda
here
.
Light refreshments will be served.
We meet at the fully accessible office of
REACH of Plano
720 E Park Blvd, Suite 104, Plano 75074 (
map
)
Call 307-314-ABLE (2253)
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Events Next Week and After
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You won't want to miss WOW Dems next general meeting Thursday, July 18 with speaker Ann Drumm from Citizens Climate Lobby, which empowers everyday people to work together on climate change solutions. Together, their 400 chapters nationwide are building support in Congress for a national bipartisan solution to climate change.
We will also have a visit from Michelle Beckley, a WOW Dems-endorsed representative for Texas House District 65! She will answer any questions you have about her experience serving in the 86th Texas Legislative Session.
WOW Dems meets on the 3rd Thursday every other month.
Next Meeting
When:
Thursday, July 18, 6:45 p.m.
Where:
Art Center in Plano 902 E. 16th Street, Plano, TX 75074
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McKinney Democrats Joins Living Liberally July 19
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Come talk, laugh, drink, and eat with progressive friends ... both old and new! Please join Living Liberally and the McKinney Area Democratic Club as we build communities around progressive politics. Our politics are part of where we gather, socialize, learn, love and live. And we invite you to be part of a community that shares your values.
Click Here.
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Plano Area Democrats Club Meets July 20
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Come join us for another informative meeting and fun with like-minded friends!
Guest Speaker:
Jim Webner, Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty and Rev. DeAnna Golsan of Plano Disciples Christian Church, also representing the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty
Topic:
"Let's Kill the Death Penalty in Texas"
When:
Saturday, July 20th, sign-in at 11 a.m.; food service at 11:15 a.m.; ends at 1:30 p.m.
Where:
El Noa Noa Tex-Mex Restaurant, next to the Democratic Party Office in Plano.
Plano Area Democrats Club is an action-oriented group focused on increasing political engagement of voters in the Plano area to support and elect candidates with Democratic values. We are Democrats residing in the cities of Plano, Allen or within the school districts for Plano or Allen. Come join us!
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Money-in-Politics Collin County Training Part 1
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Let's Get Big Money Out of Politics! This is the first of a two-part nonpartisan training for Collin County volunteers (part 2 is July 27).
Learn about the Supreme Court decisions, including Citizens United, that opened the floodgates for big money in politics; American Promise's national strategy for a #28thAmendment to #GetMoneyOut and our plans for North Texas, and skills that will help you become an effective citizen advocate. The training is free with lunch included, but space is limited, so please
RSVP in the Facebook event
.
When:
Saturday, July 20, 10:30 a.m.
Where:
ArtCentre of Plano 902 East 16th Street (Enter at H Ave gate), Plano, TX, 75074
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Frisco Democratic Club-General Meeting
Featuring Annie's List Exec Director
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Join the Frisco Democratic Club on Sunday, July 21st at 5:00 p.m. at Rudy's Country Store & BBQ (
map
) where we'll have our own private room to hear Royce Brooks, Executive Director of Angie's List
.
Annie's List's vision is to achieve equity for women by changing the face of power in Texas. They recruit, train, support and elect progressive women who are dedicated to advancing the self-determination, health, safety and financial security of Texas women and their families. We work with candidates who are passionate about these pillars of progress, women who work hard to make them policy realities.
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Should I Run? Making the Decision
August 10
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Are you ready to run for office? Thinking about running or helping someone run in 2020 or beyond? Curious about what running for office involves?
Join us for this informational session on how you can run or help someone else run for office and win right here in Collin County.
We'll cover how you get on the ballot, prepare your campaign to make running as smooth as possible, what to expect in a primary, and how the party can (and cannot) support you through November 2020.
Running for office is not only a political decision but also a personal one. What questions do you need to ask to make this important decision?
Sign up to attend this free 3-hour workshop. Save your spot today and see us there!
Saturday, August 10, 2019 from 12:30-3:30 pm at Hall Library in McKinney, 101 E Hunt St (downtown). Use
this link
to sign up.
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Annie's List: Calling All Future Campaign Staffers!
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Our four-day intensive training is the best way to learn the strategy and skills needed to work on successful political races in Texas. You'll connect with Texas-based strategists and progressives just like you that are eager to make a difference in 2020 and beyond.
When: August 9 - August 12, 2019
Where: Capitol Factory - Dallas, TX
Why: With a strong cohort of women candidates, we have the chance to flip the Texas House this cycle and elect more progressive women up and down the ballot. But to run successful races, a diverse, well-equipped, and passionate campaign staff is critical. Traditionally, the lack of women's representation in politics has also extended to the make-up of campaign staff. From field operatives to campaign managers, successful campaigns can hinge on the unique and valuable experience women bring to these leadership positions.
Deadline: Apply by 11:59 p.m. CST, Friday, July 19.
Limited, partial scholarships are available. Please submit completed scholarship applications to our Program Coordinator, Ana Harris, at
ana@annieslist.com.
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Apply for Frisco Board or Commission
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We need civic minded progressive people to serve on boards and commissions of every city in the county. In addition, it's a great way to learn city government and prepare yourself for a run for city council.
Frisco is inviting applications through July 31.
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Demand John Cornyn hold a town hall – Petition
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You remember John Cornyn. He's that tall guy with white hair that keeps lurking around behind Mitch McConnell in the photo ops. He is also one of the two senators from Texas. Since Cornyn is supposed to represent ALL Texans and not just the ones who contributed to his campaign or voted for him, it might be nice to see him in person occasionally.
Senator John Cornyn has not held a town hall in 2017, 2018, or 2019. Like all Republicans, Cornyn doesn't want to face the voters and defend the GOP's abhorrent policies of separating families at the border, tax cuts for the rich, sabotaging Obamacare, and elimination of women's reproductive rights.
Sign the petition
and demand Senator Cornyn hold a town hall now!
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Collin County voters will be using a new voting system beginning with the November, 2019 election. This new system features touch-screen technology and produces a marked paper ballot for voter review and tabulation.
The new voting machine made its debut at BITHOC where many of the attendees where able to “test vote” the system. If you didn’t get to try the voting machines at BITHOC, you still have an opportunity to do so at the Collin County Democratic Party office (1915 N. Central Expy, Ste 150, Plano) during regular office hours.
Our summer office hours are:
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday and Friday: 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
After Labor Day, the office will have occasional evening and weekend hours to try out the new voting machine.
The new voting machine will be in the CCDP office through the November 2020 election.
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Yes, We Can Talk Politics
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Drinking Liberally
and
Living Liberally
provide progressive people an opportunity to meet like-minded people and speak freely. You can converse, joke, and vent to your heart's content. If listening is more your style, that's cool too. Your politics are welcomed here.
When:
Friday, July 12, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Where:
8604 Preston Rd #100, Plano (
map
)
When:
Friday, July 12, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Where:
2600 W, FM 544, Wylie (
map
)
When:
Friday, July 19, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Where:
301 E Virginia St #103, McKinney, TX
(
map
)
When: Friday, August 2, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Where: 401 Central Expy S, Allen (
map)
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Collin County Democratic Party (CCDP) | 972-578-1483 |
Website
© 2019
Political advertising paid for by the Democratic Party of Collin County.
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.
Political donations are not tax exempt.
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