EAOP Alum Writes Song For Union Health Care Campaign

Last week, EAOP graduate Peter Alexander was asked by the SEIU "Change that Works" campaign to write a song about the broken U.S. healthcare system. They had been collecting photos of donation cans found in convenience stores and local markets throughout Maine, where local families were literally begging for change to help defray healthcare costs that they could not afford. His lyrics are based on those images and the song is now up on You Tube.



Yesterday SEIU also held a press conference in Portland and asked Peter to perform the song live. It was covered by Channels 6 and 13, and by Maine Public Broadcasting Network. You can read MPBN's report here. Background on the issue and the Change that Works campaign can be
found at: http://www.seiu.org/2009/06/begging-for-change.php.

Peter writes:

Whether or not you agree that we should have some kind of Public Healthcare option, I hope you'll enjoy the song. And if you're in or near Portland next week, I'm performing at Andy's Pub on Thursday night and at the St. Lawrence Arts Center on Friday. The St. Lawrence is probably the best performance venue in town (Ramblin' Jack Elliott will be performing there on August 20). The event is a benefit and I'll be sharing the bill with Zeili August, a local singer-songwriter. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online.

Thank you for this great song, Peter, and for all you do for sustainability and justice.