Mishan Afsari
AC360°
Last night was my first encounter with Michael Moore. The red carpet was rolled out, the cameras flashing – it was an affair most unusual for a documentary filmmaker.
His debut of “Capitalism: A Love Story” just got out, and Michael was in front of our CNN camera talking about health care reform. His job is never done. His penchant is for the gargantuan – auto companies, school violence, capitalism, health care.
I watched his passionate blows to Democrats who are not standing up for the kind of reform he believes Americans want. He said the health care system in the U.S. “should be what every other Western democracy has.”
And I wondered why he keeps on with his fight. He could be enjoying a nice life in France – universal coverage, the top ranking system in the world. I myself often dream of Paris and brie.
This fight just seems so daunting for anyone who wants more accessible and affordable heath care. Why does the U.S. have such a hard time with something so many countries have managed to figure out? Why are Americans so fearful of tackling health care problems? Is it possible it’s just not in our cards?
Maybe Michael Moore is the eternal optimist – he must believe that if he keeps up the fight, he can bring change. I’m convinced he’s in this for the long haul, but in this case I’m not convinced he can move the masses.
Health care form is not the sexiest of causes. It’s not global warming, AIDS, hunger – it doesn’t seem to attract the red carpet or the limelight. But a change so big might need more than the man in red hat who makes entertainment out of big social issues.
AC360°
Twenty years ago Michael Moore took on General Motors in the "Roger and Me." Since then he's produced documentaries challenging the nature of big business and decrying what he sees as exploitation of the lower and middle classes.
His new film, "Capitalism: A Love Story," opens this week. He will sit down with Anderson tonight to talk about the film and why he believes capitalism has failed.
Michael Moore
The Daily Beast
I drive an American car. It's a Chrysler. That's not an endorsement. It's more like a cry for pity. And now for a decades-old story, retold ad infinitum by tens of millions of Americans, half of whom have had to desert their country to simply find a damn way to get to work in something that won't break down:
My Chrysler is four years old. I bought it because of its smooth and comfortable ride. Daimler-Benz owned the company then and had the good grace to place the Chrysler chassis on a Mercedes axle and, man, was that a sweet ride!
When it would start.
Editor's note: This open letter to Caroline Kennedy from Michael Moore appears on his website. What do you make of Moore's suggestions?
Dear Caroline,
We've never met, so I hope you don't find this letter too presumptuous or inappropriate. As its contents involve the public's business, I am sending this to you via the public on the Internet. I knew your brother John. He was a great guy, and I know he would've had a ball during this thrilling and historic election year. We all miss him dearly.
Barack Obama selected you to head up his search for a vice presidential candidate. It appears we may be just days (hours?) away from learning who that choice will be.
The media is reporting that Senator Obama has narrowed his alternatives to three men: Joe Biden, Evan Bayh and Tim Kaine. They're all decent fellows, but they are far from the core of what the Obama campaign has been about: Change. Real change. Out with the old. And don't invade countries that pose no threat to us.
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