Vermont to institute single payer!

If you think Madison, Wisconsin, has been a progressive stronghold lately, imagine Madison filling an entire state. That's Vermont in 2011!

Vermont recently became the first state to approve a much-needed amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibiting corporate personhood. Now it has another proud first: Vermont's governor has just signed a law establishing single payer health care. Not only does this make Vermont the first place in America with single payer, but also the first with ANY universal health care. (The year-old federal law is not universal.)

However, reports say Vermont can't implement single payer for another 3 years, because it needs federal permission first. No it doesn't need permission. It's called the Tenth Amendment. (Smiles.) Vermont MUST go ahead with single payer without waiting for the green light from Washington. Congress didn't ask Vermont's permission before introducing the Federal Marriage Amendment, so Vermont shouldn't bother getting federal permission for single payer.

I'd love to see Kentucky enact single payer in the next lawmakin' session. (The media threw a colossal shitfit the last time anybody in Kentucky attempted it.)

Vermont. America's leader.