Citizens have spoken, are speaking, are getting involved --
but is that enough?
-- Is the Democratic Congress really listening? ... Is THAT Urgent Help on the way?
Citizen Statement - (pg 10)
"I am self-employed and have always managed to have health insurance, but am about to lose my coverage, and can't find any company in Arizona that will insure anyone with type I diabetes.
It's not that I can't afford health insurance, or that I have huge medical bills -- it's simply that I have a disease that they decide makes me uninsurable. It's a terrible situation to be in, and I'm still much better off than most."
-- Listening to America -- participant, Lucia, Tucson, AZ
Renewing America's Promise -- The 2008 Democratic National Platform
And yet The People KEEP Speaking up. ... Free Speech -- it's a wonderful thing!
Citizen Statement - (pg 10)
"I worked for a manufacturer for over fifteen years. My wages stayed the same for six years as I found myself paying more and more for health care. Co-pays went up, deductibles went up.
In late 2006, the company sent my production job to Mexico and China and I was laid off. I could not afford COBRA premiums. I am two years away from Medicare and unemployed and on the 'faith based' health care system -- meaning I just pray I don't get sick.
Oh yeah, and I'm a cancer survivor and I haven't done the yearly checkup in 3 years."
–- Listening to America - National Hearing
Renewing America's Promise -- The 2008 Democratic National Platform
Citizen Statement (pg 14)
"My husband and I are just squeaking by. We both have good jobs. We make decent money, not great.
But we never expected this to happen. Our pays just don't make it, and we're the middle class.
Politicians keep talking, but I just don't think they know how it feels if you're choosing between gas and groceries. I watch the news at night, and there's often tips on TV on how to save. Conserve gas. Don't eat out. Don't buy coffees or lattes. I already don't do these things.
This election matters a lot to me. I really try and make sure I make the right decision this year. I am a registered Independent, and I am supporting Senator Obama. We simply cannot go another year with Republican leadership. I don't see how anything the Republicans are doing right now is helping the middle class at all."
-- Pittsburgh area, PA -- Listening to America -- National Hearing
Renewing America's Promise -- The 2008 Democratic National Platform
Citizen Statement - (pg 19)
"Strong public schools are the foundation of democratic community life. With the intention of helping all children to succeed, we must facilitate improved education, including vocational and special education programs"
-- Listening to America -- participant, Denver, CO
Renewing America's Promise -- The 2008 Democratic National Platform
Citizen Statement - (pg 21)
"I work in the maintenance department at General Electric in Bloomington, Indiana. Our plant is closing in a year and, we hear, going to Mexico. With one year left before I can retire, I could end up losing my pension. I'm two years away from my retirement, but I'm not going to quite make it.
They tell me I can go to another factory, but I'd start out at lower pay and at the bottom of the rung. I feel like I'd be throwing everything away I've worked for over the last 24 years. The closest factory is three hours away.
I've never really been interested in elections before. And honestly, the first time I ever voted was in the primary of this year. But everything seems more important to me this year. I've decided to get more involved. It's not the time to sit and watch the world go by. I know this year, with the economy, we've got to elect Senator Obama."
-- Listening to America -- participant, Bloomington, IN
Renewing America's Promise -- The 2008 Democratic National Platform
Citizen Statement - (pg 23)
"I am a farmer that grows corn, wheat, soybeans 100 percent, full time, no till to help protect the resources. I work seven days a week the year round to pay my bills. We, the American farmer, have the ability, the enthusiasm, the skills, the tools, and the fierce sense of patriotism to win the war on foreign oil and still provide the food and fiber in a safe manner for not only for this country, but for the rest of the world.
However, we are threatened by a climate that brings us droughts one year nationwide and then, this year, floods of historic biblical proportion. Because of the high cost of farming, because of the risk and the stress, no longer are the young people of rural America wanting to stay on the farm."
-- Listening to America -- participant, Southwestern Indiana
Renewing America's Promise -- The 2008 Democratic National Platform
Citizen Statement - (pg 35)
"Americans are frustrated with our continued involvement in the War and Middle East involvement. We feel too much money has been spent on a war that is not needed. Many young lives have been lost, and too many of our brave heroes are coming home wounded, both physically and psychologically, to a veteran hospital system unequipped to adequately care for them."
-- Listening to America -- participant, Tell City, IN
Renewing America's Promise -- The 2008 Democratic National Platform
Citizen Statement - (pg 36)
"We believe in and demand a new era of civility and support in international affairs to promote decent living conditions, protect the environment, and support human rights."
-- Listening to America -- participant, Poison, MT
Renewing America's Promise -- The 2008 Democratic National Platform
Citizen Statement - (pg 39)
"We need to be a 'super smart power' not a 'super power.' That means we need to be a world leader; not a world bully."
-- Listening to America -- participant, Lebanon, PA
Renewing America's Promise -- The 2008 Democratic National Platform
Citizen Statement - (pg 42)
"The health of our planet is at risk. We believe all citizens of our planet require us as Americans to make real changes in the way we consumer our planet's limited resources, produce energy, and use energy."
-- Listening to America -- participant, MD
Renewing America's Promise -- The 2008 Democratic National Platform
Citizen Statement - (pg 46)
"Every American community and city is vulnerable, as recent floods in the Midwest and fires and earthquakes in California have reminded us. All citizens and elected leaders must understand that [today's crisis] could occur in your city today or tomorrow!"
-- "Women of the Storm", a non-partisan grassroots civic organization made up of diverse women from metropolitan New Orleans and South Louisiana, Listening to America -- National Hearing
Renewing America's Promise -- The 2008 Democratic National Platform
Citizen Statement - (pg 49)
"I was a college student when I became disabled and had to ready myself for the workforce. In spite of my grades, extra-curricular activities and achievements, I received no job offers after 30 initial interviews and 2 second round interviews. I know my story is like millions of other people with disabilities who desperately wish to work and are qualified to do so."
-- Solutions Marketing Group, Listening to America -- National Hearing
Renewing America's Promise -- The 2008 Democratic National Platform
Citizen Statement - (pg 54)
"We the people need to be citizen participants, not consumers of government."
-- Listening to America -- participant, Littleton, NH
Renewing America's Promise -- The 2008 Democratic National Platform
Those are just the "Sidebars" of the Democratic Platform! ... Imagine what the stated goals of that Revised Party Platform says ...
If you haven't read it yet -- WHY NOT? ... you should. ... It's what were all supposed to be fighting for.
============================================
About that "2-Way Street" in our unique system "Government of, by, and for The People"
Never have the opportunities for Citizen Participation in our Government, been greater. Never before has the Information been so easy to find. Never before has it been so easy to register your Opinions.
Having a Technically-literate White House ... that actually values Free Speech -- it's a wonderful thing!
Here are a few Resources designed to "let Us into" the Process of Governing -- Check them out:
White House Issues page
Contact the White House
President Obama is committed to creating the most open and accessible administration in American history. To send questions, comments, concerns, or well-wishes to the President or his staff, please use the form below.
Middle Class Task Force --
Submit your Ideas and Comments
HealthReform.gov
Share your stories and ideas about why we need health reform this year.
============================================
AND Finally for some Positive Stories, coming back OUT from that "2-Way Street" -- check out some of these Hopeful Developments, BEING accomplished by OUR New Democratic Government.
A re-booted Government, THAT IS trying to Listen to, and Enable, WE The People:
Roadmap to Recovery
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is a strategic and significant investment in our country’s future. The Act will save and create jobs immediately while also laying the foundation for a robust and sustainable 21st century economy by modernizing our health care, improving our schools, modernizing our infrastructure, and investing in the clean energy technologies of the future.
Recovery Blog
Recovery in Action: Powering up America
Posted by Nathan Sterken on October 31, 2009
Earlier in the week, President Obama announced the largest-ever investment in the nation’s electric grid -- more than $3.4 billion in grants distributed among 100 grantees. Though the immense scale of the investment was clear during the President’s announcement, the flood of reports from news outlets across the country has been overwhelming. A sample of those stories are linked below, detailing new projects in South Dakota, Vermont, California, and several other states:
Arizona, Arizona Republic, 10/27/09
SRP gets $56.9M boost from feds for customer 'smart meters' [...]
California, Sacramento Business Journal, 10/28/09
SMUD receives $128M in smart-grid funds: [...]
Florida, Orlando Sentinel, 10/28/09
7 Florida utilities and tech firm to receive $264 million: [...]
Georgia, Atlanta Journal Constitution, 10/27/09
$200 million in stimulus funds flows to Georgia to update power grid: [...]
Massachusetts, Journal of New England Technology, 10/29/09
Five New England states land $226M for smart meters: [...]
Maryland, Daily Record, 10/27/09
Federal funds granted for BGE's smart grid: [...]
Michigan, Detroit Free Press, 10/27/09
Edison, Whirlpool to get stimulus money: [...]
Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Inquirer, 10/27/09
Peco Energy gets $200M 'smart-grid' grant: [...]
South Dakota, Argus Leader, 10/27/09
Two S.D. power companies to share $9M in federal funds to install smart meters (video): [...]
Vermont, Bennington Banner, 10/27/09
Powerful energy Vermont plan for 'smart' meters getting $69M: [...]
Wyoming, Star Tribune, 10/27/09
'Smart' grid stimulus funds come to Wyoming: [...]
We may not see the all Positive Results, in our daily struggles, to inform and influence Media and Congress -- BUT Change IS happening!
Compared to 4 Years ago -- we have a WORLD OF CHANGE, which is taking root, Right now!
My fellow American Citizens, KEEP speaking out, and KEEP getting involved, and KEEP making YOUR Opinions known --
Because THAT, may in the end, just be enough, to tip THAT all-important Difference -- in so many fellow Citizen's lives, who have spoken out before us.
Help is on the way ... as We, keep Hope, alive.
thanks for reading!