Michael Moore: Democrats need to 'find their spine' and end war

David Edwards and Josh Catone
Raw Story
Friday, July 13, 2007

Filmmaker Michael Moore appeared on MSNBC's Countdown to talk about the need in the United States for a universal health care system.

"Do you realize that nobody in Canada, or Britain, or France, or any of the other twenty-four top twenty-five industrialized countries, nobody ever goes bankrupt because of medical bills?" asked Moore. "Nobody ever loses their home. No one is ever denied because of a preexisting condition... We've got something very wrong, and very immoral, about our system and I'm hoping that it's going to change."

Host Keith Olbermann asked how change could happen politically if Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) is the only presidential candidate who is for a "non-profit, single payer system."

"It's only going to happen when the people demand it," replied Moore.

Turning to the war in Iraq, Moore was asked if he had a response to President Bush's contention that the "surge" is at least partially working.

"The entire nation is totally befuddled by [Bush]," said Moore. "Republicans, and Democrats, and Independents all together are sick and tired of the job he's doing and they want this war to end. And I'm hoping the Democratic Congress hears that message... I really hope that the Democrats can find their spine."

Like health care, Moore said that the people can force the Democrats to act. "The only way they're going to understand it, is if people write their members of Congress, call them, go and visit their local offices, make your voices heard."