An additional challenge to members of Congress and the United States Senate is being issued, last night by Ed Schultz and next week, the challenge will be reinforced by Keith Olbermann. Why has not one Congressperson or U.S.Senator had the courage to come and see this Grapes of Wrath suffering with their own eyes? Why do you take junkets across the globe, but you fail to take the time to bear witness to the results of your own inability and lack of resolve to deliver healthcare to the American people? Would you no longer sleep soundly having to look in the eye all the suffering for which you are responsible?

I was on a conference call earlier this week with Arlen Specter. I issued the challenge to him, and much to my delight, he agreed. Senator Specter said that if given enough notice, and barring any extraordinary Senate business, he would make every effort to attend the next free clinic. I will be there to escort him around and thank him. When I further pressed him about using his power and office to include colleagues, he readily agreed to do this as well. I'd ask the cynics to stand down for a moment. Yes, Senator Specter is in a tough election struggle, but let's give him the benefit of the doubt. And I'll add, after an initial stumble or two, as he got his Democratic sea legs, he's been a very loyal Democrat on healthcare. And for me, and those waiting on line in Kansas City, that's huge.

The Americans waiting to be seen at the clinic were for the most part (83%) working people. They have low paying jobs but no healthcare, either it's too expensive or their employer doesn't offer coverage. They cannot afford medications, so relatively easy to treat conditions like hypertension, go untreated and result in system wide body failure.

Any government that has allowed this catastrophe to go unaddressed for so long, does not deserve the support of the governed. Historians will look back at us and be puzzled why we remained so docile, as those we elect fiddled around the edges--and did nothing.

Yesterday Nancy Pelosi said she hoped to have a healthcare bill as a "Christmas present" to the American people.

All I can do right is let these good Americans speak directly to you.

Healthcare is not a Chrstmas present, it is an urgent necessity, and it's shocking that Democrats don't recognize this.

These are just a handful of the videos I collected, I'll post more in the coming days.

Diandra Owens, excruciating dental pain, lost her job and her insurance.

Diane Smith, lost her job, no insurance, unaffordable insurance, no healthcare. No regular doctor visits in seven years.

"We're the greatest country int he world and we should have healthcare for everybody"

Dennis Cahill - two heart attacks, no medication, no insurance.

Natasha Stevenson with her three children who need dental care. Listen to what these children say.

Madeline, age seven, "I haven't been to a dentist at all".

Kayla: "I have cavities."

Me: "Why didn't they get filled?"

Kayla: "We didn't have the money."

Sara Clarke, lost her job, new job has no benefits.

Check out and blankets--blankets for cold Americans, Americans who can't heat their homes and Americans out of work, and my ahve to sleep on the streets.

A Christmas present, Ms. Pelosi? Shame on you. Shame on this country.