Tom Dashle’s withdrawal from the head of HHS highlights the need to rely on powerful organizations rather than particular individuals to achieve our goals. Certainly, individuals matter, but the over-reliance on one person to achieve our goals only points out how much more we need strong, on-going organizations to fight for universal health care.  When organizations rather than individuals are the foundation of our success, then the withdrawal of one person does not doom the whole project.

We saw in the Civil Rights Movements, how over-reliance on one charismatic leader caused problems when he was killed.  Yes, specific individuals can inspire us.  Yes, we can have only one President at a time.   But if we are always building powerful organizations and developing new leaders, then the loss of one does mean the loss of everything.

Like unemployment insurance and Social Security, a right to health care on a universal level will be a major step forward and a big step toward alleviating the anxiety so many of us feel who are threatened with losing our health insurance.  Let us keep our eyes on the prize.