Crossposted at ZBlogs, Firedoglake and TPMCafe

How can we get repealing bans on first cousin marriage on the US legislative agenda?

I think it would clearly help in getting started to consider why it has not already been raised as an issue, given facts like that no other Western country prohibits it and that the genetic arguments have been shown to be hollow.

I can see at least two big reasons why it's been neglected:

Via mail:

[T]his legislative battle is not yet over . Our focus can now turn to two remaining efforts for single-payer healthcare in this Congress. Sen. Bernie Sanders will introduce S 703 in coming weeks, and we understand that he is considering editing it to be more like HR 676. We will have the opportunity again to see the first ever vote on single-payer healthcare in this Congress. In addition, Rep. Kucinich’s amendment to allow states to more easily implement a single-payer system may be reinserted into the bill during the conference committee between the House and Senate.

All of these efforts are crucial to building the movement for the only solution to our health care crisis--single-payer national healthcare.

ralphbon, blogging at FireDogLake

According to Tim Carpenter of Progressive Democrats of America, one avenue of appeal remains regarding these efforts:

Democratic House leaders can insert what is called a “Manager’s Amendment” into legislation, even when it is closed to any other amendments. The managers are the majority and minority members who “manage” debate for the bill on each side.

Today, tomorrow, and beyond, we need to call these “managers” and insist that the Kucinich Amendment is restored into the healthcare bill….

The “gang” that holds our future in their hands includes:

* Speaker Nancy Pelosi: Washington, DC, office (202) 225-4965; San Francisco office (415) 556-4862

Progressive Democrats of America joins the single payer fight in Pennsylvania

The events will start Saturday, Oct. 17, at 1 p.m. with a special Healthcare NOT Warfare rally on the steps of the Beaver County Courthouse. At 6 p.m., everyone will be on hand for the grand opening of the Healthcare4AllPA office in Pittsburgh, followed by a round-table strategy session with Carpenter and PDA Field Director Conor Boylan for PDA members and friends.

An incomplete listing of single payer blogs; in no particular order:

Guaranteed Healthcare Blog

Physicians for a National Health Program

ConnecticutMan1 ConneticutMan1 on Twitter Also posts on Booman and TPM Cafe, but I can't find the links to his user page.

NotMaxBaucus

Ian Welsh

Health Justice

Single Payer Action (check out the resources page)

I was late to the rally, I came in while the Raging Grannies were singing. Given that it had been raining, there was a decent crowd, I would guess 100 people. The Progressive Democrats of America were there wearing hospital gowns over their clothes with signs in the front that said "health insurance is like a hospital gown" with a sign in back that said "You are not really covered." They were wearing false fannies for full effect. It was pretty funny. Then the doctor's spoke. They told all the stories we have heard about how they cannot practice medicine the way they were taught in a for profit system.