The evidence:
1) In an interview with BostInno on April 23, Patrick endorsed the concept of single-payer healthcare. As you all know, Don Berwick is the only gubernatorial candidate who has endorsed single-payer for Massachusetts and is arguably the most qualified candidate to oversee a transition to this system.
2) Patrick invoked Berwick’s campaign slogan, “All Means All,” twice at the KIDS COUNT Data Book press conference on July 22.
“The question before the Commonwealth and the country is not what to do; we know what to do. The question, I think, is whether we mean what we say, and that is whether we mean that ‘all means all.’”
“We as a Commonwealth and as a country have to decide whether ‘all means all.’”
Coincidence? I think not. But please, feel free to try to confirm or refute my theory in the comments section.
I will also wager that many of my fellow BMGers have a secret crush on Don Berwick. I invite you, the reader, to clear your mind for just three minutes and watch the ending of Sal Khan’s commencement speech to MIT graduates in 2012. For those of you who would prefer to read it, I pasted the text below.
Imagine yourself in 50 years. You’re in your early 70s, near the end of your career. You’re sitting on your couch, having just watched the State of the Union holographic address by President Kardashian.
You begin to ponder your life. The career successes, how you’ve been able to provide for your family. You’ll think of all the great moments with your family and friends. But then you start to think about all of the things you wished you had done just a little differently, your regrets. I can guess at what they might be.
Sitting in 2062, you wish that you had spent more time with your children. That you had told your spouse how much you loved them more frequently. That you could have even one more chance to hug your parents and tell them how much you appreciate them before they passed. That you could have smiled more, laughed more, danced more and created more. That you better used the gifts you were given to empower others and make the world better.
Just as you’re thinking this, a genie appears from nowhere and says, “I have been eavesdropping on your regrets. They are valid ones. I can tell you are a good person so I am willing to give you a second chance if you really want one.” You say “Sure” and the genie snaps his fingers.
All of a sudden you find yourself right where you are sitting today. It is June 8, 2012, at Killian Court. You are in your shockingly fit and pain-free 20-something body and begin to realize that it has really happened. You really do have the chance to do it over again. To have the same career successes and deep relationships. But, now you can optimize. You can laugh more, dance more and love more. Your parents are here again so it is your chance to love them like you wished you had done the first time. You can be the source of positivity that you wished you had been the first time around.
Now, I challenge you to ask yourself . . .
“Would I regret supporting the only Democrat for Governor who took a stand against casinos at a time when the entire industry was collapsing on the East Coast?”
“Would I regret supporting a candidate with extensive executive leadership experience in the expenditure that is projected to eat up 50% of our state’s budget by 2020?”
Finally, “would I regret supporting a candidate who has trouble sleeping at night, because in the year 2014, thousands of children in our affluent state still live in poverty?”
We can do better Massachusetts. No matter how cynical the world has made you over the past several years, it is never too late to follow your heart. Believe in Berwick. And in the year 2062 (when President Kardashian apparently will take office), I can assure you, you won’t regret it.
…though I do think Berwick had the potential of being the Patrick of this race in terms of excitement, but that didn’t happen. Berwick is a strong second choice for me in this primary and I likewise agree on single payer.
inner progressive……the one we worked hard to elect.
All Means All…..Together We Can…….Yes We Can.
Ditch casinos and other wrong-headed govt. sponsored gimmicks.
Get on track with a vision for the future of a healthier, cleaner, safer, diverse and open society.
I will vote for Berwick in September and November.
A fabricated but true(huh?) self conversation with Don Berwick:
“So you want to be governor Dr.Berwick. Well you know people don’t know you. Why should the public give a fig? Besides you’ve never held an elected office. You sound wet behind the ears.”
“What’s that you say? You’re 67 years old and have been around the block. You’re telling me running Medicare was not a piece of cake? Oh you had to change some things and there were a few congresspersons who were not so quiet in voicing or objecting to what you wanted to do, but you still got it done.”
“How in the world did you do that?”
“You what? You sat down with them and hashed out their pet peeves.”
“OK, fair enough. But what did you do about it?”
“Oh, you listened, and actually did what they wanted and then some, removing a hundred unnecessary regulations.”
“Do you really think that’s a winning strategy? Do you really think people want a governor who gets things done that changes things like that?”
“You do. You say you have been doing it your whole life, taking all sides into account, but only acting on those that held water.”
“Do you really intend to do the same for this state if given the chance?
“Oh you will. You really believe that.”
“You know your achievements that have not made a big splash in the media, don’t you?”
“What’s that? You’re asking me or anyone else I know to get the word out on on your beliefs and track record. You intend to do what it takes to earn their trust. You want me to pitch in. Come again? You can’t get the job done by yourself. So if I like your style, and what you are proposing I should work for you?
Then Dr. Don Berwick quoted Thomas Paine: “……the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives everything its value.”
My inner conversation was done. I knew what I should do. Work my tushy off to get this man elected.