Unions jump into health care fray

Concerned that opponents have gained the upper hand in the health care debate, the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) has jumped into the battle.

Democratic Congressmen, returning to their home districts during the summer recess, have been jumped by organized bands of opponents to the Obama health care plan.  Our own Third District Congressman Brian Baird has cancelled plans to hold any town hall meetings because of an atmosphere of intimidation and harassment from right wing opponents.

AFSCME says these disruptions are an effort to defeat health care reform and they aren’t going to let it happen.

An e-mail from Tracey Conaty from e-Action Network says “AFSCME will not let that happen.  We are closer to real reform than we’ve been in 50 years.  There’s no stopping us now.”

To that end, AFSCME says it is launching a Highway to Health Care cross-country reform tour.   Over the course of 21 days, starting next week, the union sponsored tour will hit 20 cities in districts where  congress members are key votes in the health care fight.

No schedule of dates and locations has been released, but it doesn’t appear that our local congress members are in any danger because of the Democratic bent of this state.