Gavin Newsom & ole trump

Since trump became prez, I’ve been besieged by emails form various democratic factions, with news that nearly always include a request for $. I’m happy  to sign petitions to protest, but I can’t afford to give $ to every democratic organization that requests it. I think this is where dems fall short in fighting trump. They need a platform, an agenda that benefits people.  It’s not enough to ask for donations. I think this is why I was so taken back with the way Gavin Newsom is fighting back by countering with a redistricting vote in California. Where are the governors of the other blue states?

• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Hawaii
• Illinois
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Minnesota
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• Vermont
• Washington

Newsom, as governor of the largest and most lucrative state in this country, definitely has a mouthpiece. Start with his blueprint. Forget courtesy and decorum. Be outspoken, state your premise. & from there, maybe the dems could come up with a message that really resonates with the majority of Americans!

Tax the billionaires. That alone could probably provide real universal health care for all Americans. How come we’re the only country among  the industrialized countries in the world that doesn’t have universal health care? Oh,  well,that’s easy: greed.

I googled the cost of having a baby in this country versus that of other countries with universal health care.  Google’s AI replied:

“Having a baby in the US is significantly more expensive  than in countries with universal healthcare systems. While the average cost of childbirth in the US, including prenatal care, delivery, and postpartum care, can reach $18,865, with potential complications driving costs much higher, countries with universal healthcare often have much lower or even zero out-of-pocket costs for childbirth.”

Okay, what about stuff like dentistry? I was recently quoted $3400 for the replacement of a crown that a previous dentist had screwed up by grinding the tooth down so low that the crown he provided kept falling out. I can have this same procedure done in Mexico, at a reputable dentist that other American friends have used, for about $500. Even with airfare, it’s less expensive. 

What about surgeries? Well, let’s see. I have arthritis in one of my ankles. Osteoarthritis. My orthopedic doesn’t do ankle replacements. He says MIT does.  He only does ankle fusion. Regardless, here’s what Google says:

The cost of ankle surgery varies significantly between the US and other countries. In the U.S. ankle arthroscopy can cost over $10,000 while in Mexico it may range from $3000- $7000.  Ankle replacement surgery in the US can range from $14,730 to $40,507, with the national average around $23,936. Other countries like Poland and Turkey offer ankle replacement surgery for significantly lower costs, around $4,500-$5,000 and $4,000-$15,000 respectively, according to Bookimed. 

Anyway, you get the idea.Physicians should be paid, of course,  but what’s with the incredible disparity? Obama had great intentions with ObamaCare IF you can qualify. But it  should be a RIGHT. Like free speech.

Expand Medicare, democrats. Expand your basics in every area that can make peoples’ lives better, more productive & affordable. Starting with true universal health care would be a fantastic STEP 2 AFTER you blue governors declare your states to be sovereign, as Newsom has done.

And oh, while you’re looking around, trump’s attempt to distract from the Epstein stuff with the Putin meeting was a fawning, embarrassing display from him. Putin held the cards, knew it, and played them, making trump look like a drooling sycophant.