Sicko in Sacramento

Michael Moore appeared in the state Capitol earlier today and jammed up the hallways, the press room, and the largest hearing room in the building with overflows in the balcony and watching on television screens outside. In a scene reminiscent of the Beatles in A Hard Days Night, he was mobbed and everybody, except Republicans, wanted to appear with him and be as close as possible.The California Progress Report has the details.

Moore’s speeches to the press conference with Speaker of the Assembly Fabian Nunez and the Democratic leadership of the Assembly, followed by his 15 minute remarks at the Senate Health Committee hearing were powerful, direct, and articulated one of the best arguments for a single payer plan that I have heard and an argument for an active and involved government in the health area. Moore blasted the insurance industry, which he said needs to be removed from the health care area altogether in favor of a Medicare ike system for all. He said, “We are all part of a broken and corrupt system.”

These remarks would have made news just by themselves. They have heightened interest in his film "Sicko" even before it has been shown. Large satellite dishes atop trucks have sprouted around the Capitol and its park. Moore has been followed by a gaggle of cameras everywhere. You should be reading, seeing, and hearing a lot about him. If the documentary film is anywhere as good as Moore’s comments and as good as it has been described, it may do what its fans suggest: Do for health care what Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth” has done for global warming action.

Moore talks about wanting to hear from people on You Tube.