Rachel Maddow does a terrific service here, exposing the corporate players and PR firms behind this so-called “grassroots” movement against health care reform. Nothing gets old white people riled up to defend their way of life (aka privledge) like the words “socialism”, “liberty”, and of course “founding fathers”. Astroturf campaigns were perfected overseas decades ago as a way for corporate America to justify the overthrow of democratically-elected governments who threatened their rule.

My one addition to Maddow’s commentary is the same for any commentary which points the finger squarely at Republicans. BOTH parties are preventing meaningful health care reform through PR and manipulation, both work for the benefit of drug and insurance companies, and both claim their pro-corporate plan is what average Americans are screaming for. One case in point is Obama’s reliance on the pharmaceutical industry to shape a plan he claims average Americans want.

While this particular PR campaign against health care reform is directed towards Republicans, PR firms often target both parties. One PR firm working for the “clean coal” industry actually seemed surprised that they found no political resistance to their agenda by either candidate during the presidential election.

Back to health care. What polls have shown for years is that Americans want a single-payer system. Democrats and Republicans are two wings of the Business Party who share the common goal of violating the most basic of human rights for the benefit of big business. By taking sides with either party in this faux debate we’re once again fighting against our own interests.