par-newhaven.org

Progressive Action Roundtable: A forum for progressive groups in the Greater New Haven Area where actions and ideas may be publicized so that others are aware of peace, health, justice, energy, environmental and other issues for the common good.

Archive for category Transportation

Coalition For People Update

Mar 4

Posted by Progressive Action Roundtable in Human Rights, Transportation | No Comments

By Mary Johnson

CT Transit: Since the last Coalition for People (CFP) report in January, CT Transit has provided very little information about its response to the fact that two of its buses had struck and, in one case, killed a pedestrian more than a year ago. An official of the Dept. of Transportation (DOT) provided a bit more. Phil Fry (860-522-8101, ext. 222) did say that its drivers now receive “enhanced training” and the two drivers in question had been “disciplined.”

Later, we learned that an “investigation” had concluded that the driver involved in the Nov. 17, 2008 incident was not at fault when his bus hit a CFP member who was going home on her scooter after a meeting. Rendered unconscious for eight hours, she has no memory of the impact and its aftermath. Fault seems to be a slippery concept.

All of us have a right to know what our government is doing and that includes CT Transit and the DOT. The DOT, by the way, has an ombudsman (860-424-5238). Does your alderperson know about these two incidents? They might be interested enough to look into the quality of safety standards at CT Transit.

Healthcare: This year we hope everyone will redouble their efforts to bring Single Payer legislation to the floors of the U.S. Senate and the House. In 2009, unprecedented amounts of corporate money won the day. In 2010, we hope you and everyone you know will join us in the struggle to overcome the power of money. Please contact your three members of Congress on a regular basis to demand the enactment of universal, comprehensive single payer legislation now.

Also, it would be helpful to demand foolproof campaign finance reform and ask each of the three for a pledge to refuse corporate money from now on. This would not only strengthen the campaign for Single Payer, but it would be a good response to the Supreme Court decision that allows corporations to spend as much money as they want to influence members of Congress.

Power Concedes Nothing Without A Demand!

CFP’s Annual Meeting will be held on Monday, April 19 at 5 p.m. in the downtown library and we hope you will come. For information, call (203) 387-7858.

Coalition For The People (CFP) Report

Dec 29

Posted by Progressive Action Roundtable in Healthcare, Transportation | No Comments

By Mary Johnson

For yet another year, the health care industry (insurance and pharmaceutical companies and HMOs) has succeeded in keeping any mention of single payer health care off the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. The same will happen in the U.S. Senate unless U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders from Vermont introduces his single payer bill. (Despite his promises to do the same in the House, U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner of New York failed to act.)

The House bill passed on Nov. 7, 2009, and whatever passes in the Senate will amount to a huge gift to the industry. Even the “public option” was privatized. The only non-profit part of the House bill is the inclusion of more people in the Medicaid program.

CFP is happy to note that the New Haven Area has a larger than average group of people who understand and support single payer. This year many advocates contacted their three members of Congress to demand the enactment of single payer bills. A good many of those made frequent contacts knowing it will take sustained and growing effort to achieve what we need and want.

Most advocates know that there are more than 3,000 health care industry registered lobbyists on Capitol Hill. The industry is paying even more for those highly deceptive television ads that have been bombarding us all this year. Like other corporations, those in the health care industry have, once again, demonstrated their power in the hall of Congress. For the most part, members of Congress listened to their pocketbooks rather than to single payer advocates.

But this year also saw a change that forced the corporations to work harder – the number of single payer advocates has grown and will continue to grow as long as we continue our efforts. “If the people lead, the leaders will follow” can become a reality. It may also help to remember the words of Justice Louis Brandeis: “The most important office of government is CITIZEN.” Health care is a right, not a privilege.

CT Transit’s safety record is another Coalition for People concern. On Nov. 17, 2009, one of our members was struck by a CT Transit bus at the intersection of College Street and Frontage Road. Thankfully, she survived. A couple of months later, a CT Transit bus killed a Yale researcher at the same location. CT Transit has been silent about these events and consequences. If you would like to help investigate or want more information, please call 203-387-7858.

The Coalition for People wishes you and all of your family and friends happy holidays and a just and peaceful 2010.