Ten concerned citizens met on February 8 in Henderson, NV, to discuss the Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Plan, better known to many as the stimulus plan. They are incensed that Republicans in the Senate have, yet again, hijacked democracy and derailed not only our best chance at getting this country back on the fast track to recovery but quite possibly our only chance of survival in today’s rapidly (rabidly) declining economic conditions, apparently oblivious to what led to their demise in the recent election.
Poll results obviously have not changed our landscape, but the same rumble that rocked this country to its new leader is fueling the small groups gathering in dining rooms and living rooms in every state, to talk about how to light flickering fires and fan bigger ones. Ten people around a table watching a governor answer questions may not seem like much, but those ten people brainstormed ideas to push this stimulus through. The idea that ultimately saves our nation could come from a similar meeting.
The more important outcome is what happens with the ten people at this meeting: Each has committed to bringing more friends to the next meeting and growing a larger coalition of like-minded people devoted to healing our nation’s ills. They will strive to rebuild a sense of community that works together to link elbows to take on the forces of resistance that persist in blocking any and all proactive measures to correct the destructive legacy of the previous administration.
Another goal is to present to the Obama Administration, through the Organizing for America arm, a set of suggestions put together by the group that they believe will be instrumental in various aspects of what is happening at a particular juncture. Right now, of course, the primary focus is on getting the stimulus passed, helping more Americans understand its importance, and ensuring its transparency when it does pass.
The Las Vegas area has been hit particularly hard by foreclosures, unemployment, and – contrary to what Senator Ensign would have the country believe – dramatic state budget shortfalls ($2 billion) that will decimate our education system, state services like firefighting and peacekeeping, social services, unemployment, etc., at a time when the need for these services is at a pinnacle. Everyone in the state has a personal stake in this stimulus. If someone is not already personally affected by the economy, they likely will be in the very near term. Every homeowner has been affected by loss of equity, whether they plan to sell or not. Every renter is at risk of eviction without notice, because laws do not protect tenants if landlords are foreclosed. There is no notification process or requirement. Every worker is at risk of job loss, with the remote exception of the military (and even they are not exempt as the 1992 reduction in forces proved to the author of this piece). State employees are facing a forced salary reduction if our governor’s plan is passed.
There were thousands of meetings around this great country of ours similar to this one. The Henderson group is dynamic and diverse. They are serious and focused. Most of them have been politically astute for many years; however, they would like for others to become more involved in their communities and more politically active to effect the type of change that is needed in today’s climate. Just as it took a storm to elect this president, it will take a tsunami to bring about the type of change he promised and this country so desperately needs. The storm has subsided. The tsunami is building strength: it started with ten (times thousands); those ten will bring twenty more. Then those twenty will gather their forty. You don't have to know us to join our group. Please watch for future house parties to be posted on my.barackobama.com and be sure to RSVP on the website.
