I saw “Sicko” recently and I cried. I cried for the social injustice in our country. I cried for the 9/11 rescue workers who are ineligible for medical coverage.

I cried for the successful couple in their 50s who lost everything because of illness. I cried for the women who lost their babies. I cried for those with horror stories of abuse by the medical insurance and pharmaceutical companies. I cried for my teenage daughter; I am so worried about her future. I cried because I want to be proud of my country and I cannot be when it comes to its social medical policies.

I talked to my brother-in-law on the east coast and told him to go see “Sicko.” At first, he admitted he hadn’t heard of the movie and didn’t know who Michael Moore was. Then, when I mentioned “Fahrenheit 9/11,” his reaction was shocking to me: “Oh, that guy belongs in jail for going where he shouldn’t be going.” Given that he didn’t know about the movie or who Michael Moore was, I have to guess that my brother-in-law’s views on “Sicko” and Michael Moore were obtained by information received via right-wing radio or right-wing friends.

Do those on the right not want everyone to have free health care and medicines? Do they want the poor or elderly to suffer and die? Are they angry because Michael Moore has presented facts of universal health care in England, Canada, France and Cuba, and the myths of poor care with socialized medicine are exposed? Are they angry because an American can go to Cuba, England and France and get medical care for free — no strings attached? Are they angry because we are 37th in medical care according to the World Health Organization, yet pay more than anyone else?

If you doubt me, educate yourself. Go see the movie. Go check the facts. Or do your own research. Then act. Enough is enough. Contact your congressmen and congresswomen now. SB 840 is before the Senate.  HR 676 is sitting in the Health Subcommittee in Congress.

We should all realize that we do not need medical insurance companies driven by profit. Think about it, and then, get active — for yourself, your children, your parents, for our country. Think about it before you vote in 2008. Mike Gravel and Dennis Kucinich are currently the only candidates in support of single-payer, not-for-profit universal health care.

As Tony Benn, retired Labour party politician says in “Sicko,” “If you can find money to kill people, you can find money to help people.”

(Archambault lives in Napa.)