"I think we've reached a point where the entire health care system is in impending crisis," Gore said. "I have reluctantly come to the conclusion that we should begin drafting a single-payer national health insurance plan."

Depending on the details, calling for a single-payer plan could be a very dramatic step for Gore. During the 2000 primary campaign, Gore attacked Democratic rival Bill Bradley's central proposal - universal health care - calling it too expensive and not expansive enough to help poor people afford full coverage.

I recently went through a 6-month spell without health care, so I personally understand the crisis 50-million or so Americans face every year. In my situation, both my wife and I were working at jobs without benefits (I was running a City Council campaign in Philadelphia, my wife was doing freelance editing work), so we did not qualify for state provided health care. We tried to apply for health care through a few different insurance companies, but we were rejected outright each time for seemingly trivial reasons. During this time, there were very few moments when I wasn't acutely aware of my situation, given that I have a few conditions that require constant attention (asthma is the primary one). I was lucky enough to have a mother and some family friends who work in various health related fields who could get me most of the medications I take, including, luckily, my asthma medicine (without which I could end up in the hospital).  This episode was also extremely stressful on my relationship with my wife, since I had quit a good job with good benefits to work in politics and was consequently putting myself and my family at great risk. But, luckily my wife got a full-time gig with benefits and now I can see a doctor again and get medicine that isn't expired and/or in a small trial package.

Anyway, I cringe when I hear candidates like Clinton or Edwards put forth their health care plans, which seem like band-aids  on a bullet wound. Where is the moral outrage at what's going on? Where is the sense of urgency that almost 1/6 of our population has no insurance at all? Why aren't these people standing up in public and loudly demanding that our nation do something to address this crisis?

There is only one person who is standing up and saying all of the right things on the numerous crises we face as a nation. There is only one person who will take the lead and who will, I am positive, push our nation to address these problems in a timely fashion. That man is Al Gore, and if you believe, like I do, that our nation is on the brink of a few major disasters than please, please, please join with the 80,000 other people who have signed the pledge to Draft Al Gore for President in 2008!