Tabling for single payer at the State Fair

[Lydia Leftcoast]

I spent this afternoon (8/26) tabling for the Minnesota Universal Health Care Coalition.

We were in kind of an out-of-the-way place (the Farmers' Union, which has endorsed single payer), and our table was rather inconspicuous, but about ten people signed our petition during the time I was there. There were already some ten pages of signatures at the time I arrived, which was 3PM.

There was no hostility--people either ignored us or hurried to sign without being asked.

Well, there was one partly hostile person. He came by with some professional-looking DFL signs under his arm and slammed a piece of paper down on our table, telling us to read it because all the reforms were listed in there. It was a summary of the recent HCR bill. We tried to explain that this was something different, but he seemed not to like that we were advocating something other than the bill that recently passed Congress and stalked off without saying anything further.

Otherwise, it was a gorgeous day to be outside, the fair was not overly crowded, and yes, I did have a chance to grab some cheese curds at the uncrowded vendor, the one that is next to the Independence Party's booth--which was empty except for one lonely attendant and some kids who were sitting down on the ledge to eat their cheese curds.

I stopped off at Amy's and Al's booths,too. Neither Senator was "at home," but I passed word to the booth attendants that I was pissed off at Alan Simpson.

[Angry Dragon]

1. Pork chop on a stick, roasted corn on the cob, mile long hot dog

I do not believe I have ever had the cheese curds

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. I was at the fair this afternoon, too, but didn't stop at the Farmer's Union.

In fact, I don't think I've ever been in that building. Wish I'd known they had the single-payer thing going. Mostly I wandered around and ate stuff. Pork chop on a stick!

[Lydia Leftcoast]

4. I would have eaten a lot more stuff if it weren't the end of the month

As it was, I managed to have my beloved cheese curds, a Hawaiian shave ice, a chicken kebab on pita bread (really good, with tender, juicy, and delightfully seasoned chicken--I'll have to remember that for next year), and an iced coffee, so I didn't starve.

The farmer's union is behind the DFL booth facing Dan Patch Avenue. There was a band playing outside it.

[dflprincess]

3. I'm going next Thursday

I already hear the cheese curds calling to me. You were smart to go today. The Strib had an article on the front page of the Taste Section (so you couldn't miss it) that listed how many miles you have to walk to even out the calories for various fair foods. It was like a train wreck, I couldn't help but look. Though it is my opinion that such an article is unMinnesotan.

I'll be sure to stop in the Farmers Union & sign the petition. And the rude guy? Sounds like one of Klobuchar's staffers.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

5. If you want cheese curds, don't go to the booth in the Foods Building

Go to the little booth next to the Independence Party booth, where the line is rarely more than five or six people long.

[geardaddy]

6. We're going tonight...

So, we'll sign it I know Mrs. Geardaddy will sign, and I'll try to convince my brother and SIL to sign.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

7. Thanks in advance!

:-)

[muhcc]

8. DFLer

Do you know who the DFL-sign holding person was, or did the person look like they were working for anyone in particular? Just curious.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

9. His signs looked DFL-ish and were professionally printed

He was older, perhaps 60 or more. I have no idea who he was or who he was working/volunteering for.

The gist of his lengthy handout was that the Dems had taken care of everything already.

By the way, if you're associated with the campaign, I have a suggestion:

There's not a lot of visibility in front of the Farmers' Union, and a lot of distractions going on.

How about a BIG sign behind the table that reads, "Never pay another deductible"? That should get people's attention.

[muhcc]

10. Will do

That's what we heard. We're going to try and get a couple bigger banners over there, as well as have a banner listing all the medical professionals in MN that support the bill.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

11. Definitely. I walked right past the Farmer's Union,

didn't pay any attention, didn't notice the single payer booth. I'd have gladly signed the petition if I'd known about it.

Although sometimes I wonder if signing petitions actually has any effect...