The Blue Bandana: Tie one on for single-payer visibility, suggest activists

from Floridians for Health Care:
Two thousand years ago a Roman senator suggested that all slaves wear white armbands to better identify them. "No," said a wiser senator. "If they see how many of them there are, they may revolt."

The insurance industry control that has been consolidated at the top of our government, including members of Congress, knows that keeping us unseen and divided about what we can agree upon has worked to their advantage.

We, as a Single Payer Movement, need to let the American people - and our President, Senators and Representatives - know just how many we are by adopting a very simple self empowerment symbolism.

That is why Floridians for Health Care is going national with a proposal that every single payer advocate and supporter begin wearing a BLUE BANDANA as a symbol or “brand” for our movement.

It’s almost too easy - but so effective. It’s a dollar store item that anyone can afford. It is easily seen and can be displayed without difficulty in cars, planes, boats or trains - As a scarf around your neck, or as a pouf in your suit jacket.

Tie it on your car, your briefcase or your bag. Wear it on your head, your neck or your arm. Hang it in a window, tie it to your mailbox--heck, you can even put one on your pet. Be elegant or casual, just make it visible daily.

By wearing something all the time like a bandana, the power of seeing others on the street who have the same beliefs, courage and desires will be visible to all quickly and easily and transforms each participant. Remember, ... we are many but we need to see who we are. Let’s show the world how many of us believe we can change knowing we are not alone.