Health Care Advocates Call on Voinovich to Support Affordable Health Care for All
Wednesday, health care advocates gathered from around the state concerned that the affordability standards in the U.S.
Senate Finance passed version of health care reform do not go far enough. On the heels of the Senate Finance
Committee's historic vote, advocates delivered their message and hundreds of signatures on postcards to U.S. Sen.
George Voinovich urging his support of affordable health care for all.
At a Statehouse press conference and rally prior to a meeting with Voinovich, Cathy Levine highlighted the historic
importance of the Senate action on health care reform.
"No issue before Congress could be more important than ensuring that cancer survivors, those with chronic conditions,
and those whose wages are stretched to pay for food and shelter have access to the richest health care system in the
world," said Levine, co-chair of Ohio Consumers for Health Coverage (OCHC). "We ask Sen. Voinovich to support health
care reform that gives all Ohioans access to high quality, affordable health care."
Joining the rally and meeting with Voinovich were health care advocates from across the state, many motivated by their
own personal experiences. Anne Creech, a two-time cancer survivor, traveled from Toledo to share her story. After
dropping her employer-based insurance at her employer's request, Creech struggled to find affordable coverage in Ohio's
individual market as a cancer survivor.
"I pay $500 each month for a high deductible insurance plan that excludes coverage for cancer screenings and other tests
I need," said Creech. "I am putting off important preventive screenings because I cannot afford to pay for them out of
pocket."
The issue of affordability is especially important to the age group just below Medicare eligibility, advocates pointed out.
Those aged 50 to 64 often face coverage exclusions or higher premiums because of pre-existing conditions and
age. "That is a key reason why 13 percent of adults age 50-64, or 7.1 million adults, were uninsured in 2007 - a figure
that is growing rapidly in our current difficult economy. Even those with insurance often struggle with high premiums and
cost sharing obligations that can make health care unaffordable."
George Sonnichsen, an AARP volunteer, called for fair treatment for older Americans: "We must prevent insurers from
denying coverage or charging higher rates based on age or health status and subsidies must ensure that coverage -
including both premiums and co-pays and deductibles - is affordable for everyone."
Health care reform is also an important issue to the faith community. The United Methodist Book of Discipline calls health
care "a basic human right," and states that it is a "governmental responsibility to provide all citizens with health care."
Alicia Rivers, a commissioned deacon in the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church and a member of the
leadership team of Ohio Consumers for Health Coverage spoke to the faith community's responsibility in the health care
reform debate.
"Health care for all is not an option from a faith perspective, but rather a necessity. We are called to care for persons as
God cares for them, providing out of abundance rather than scarcity. Access to care is not a privilege but a right for all,"
explained Rivers. She continued, "We call on Sen. Voinovich, who is known as a man of faith, to make affordable health
care for all Ohioans - and all Americans - his legacy."
According to OCHC, the Senate Finance passed bill includes the some safeguards for consumers but the coalition wants
the Senate to adopt affordability provisions that go further to protect consumers - such as those which provide premium
credits on a sliding scale basis to individuals and families with incomes up to 400 percent Federal Poverty Level.
Ron
Hello All,
I’m happy to report that service events in support of the community are alive and well.
On Saturday, August 22, several local grass-root organizations collaborated on the service event, “Supplies For Change”. The donation drop-off areas were located at Shaker Square; an immensely popular location for the community. The organizers of the North Union Farmer’s Market generously donated a tent for us to receive donations in the morning. The Coral Company opened the doors of the former Obama Campaign headquarters for us to use this space in the afternoon.
In summary, cash donations exceeded $260. In addition, we collected a vast variety of useful school supplies that filled many bags and boxes. The items were donated to the Adlai Stevenson School, a K-8 school in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and the monetary donations were used by the CMSD to purchase school supplies for Audubon School on Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive.
The organizers of this event thank everyone for their generosity and support. “Supplies For Change” may become an annual event, and we look forward to your continued interest and support.
All the best,
Maureen
ohio_voter_44120@sbcglobal.net
Community Service Event: Supplies For Change
"Supplies For Change"
The Cuyahoga County Obama Support Groups want your help in gathering school supplies for students in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD).
This is a coordinated grassroots effort to help Cleveland school children start the school year with brand new supplies and a smile.
Donation drop-off :
Saturday, August 22, 2009
9:00 - noon
North Union Farmers’ MarketShaker Square
and
1:00 - 4:00 PM
13100 Shaker Square (site of former Obama Headquarters)
Volunteers will accept "Supplies For Change" school supply donations in the morning from 9-12 AM at the North Union Farmers’ Market and at 13100 Shaker Square, site of the former Obama presidential campaign headquarters from 1-4 PM, with parking spaces available and volunteers on hand to accept school supplies. For monetary donations (tax-deductible), checks may be payable to: CMSD.
The ideal donation is a backpack filled with required supplies. Basic supplies like pencils, markers, glue sticks, spiral notebooks, etc. would be appreciated.
Sponsoring groups include ODVAct, Northeast Ohio Neighbors for Action and Change (NEONAC), the Cuyahoga Democratic Women’s Caucus, Buckeyes for Change and Net for Neighborhoods. For more information, and to volunteer, CDWC Chair Cindy Demsey at 216-470-6622 or cynthiademsey@gmail.com
Hello Northeast Ohio Obama Volunteers,
I hope this note finds everyone well. I am reminded of how much I enjoy our summer days.
Since the First 100 Days Event held in April, many of us have directed our attention to participating in local days of service, volunteering in our communities, and finding other ways to "walk the talk". Health Care reform is on everyone's mind as it the state of the economy and unemployment in Ohio. We still have much work before us to do.
There are two very important items that I want to bring to your attention.
The first is the article written by Margaret Bernstein in the Plain Dealer on Sunday July 19. This is a six-month follow-up to the President's Inauguration with a focus on the activities of the Obama Volunteers.
Here is the link to the Margaret Bernstein article:
http://www.cleveland.com/news/index.ssf/2009/07/obamainspired_volunteerism_con.html
The second thing is that President Obama is scheduled to come to Shaker Heights on Thursday, July 23. It is listed on the www.shaker.org website:
The Shaker Heights City School District is delighted to host a Town Hall meeting with President Barack Obama on Thursday afternoon, July 23. Tickets are required and are to be allocated by lottery. Ticket requests may be made by visiting the White House website until 3:00 p.m. on July 21. Due to limited space at the event, the White House will only be able to fulfill a limited number of requests for tickets.
The link to apply for tickets (distributed by lottery) is here:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/ administration/Shaker-Heights- Town-Hall-7-23-09/
Best wishes,
Social Inclusion
Good morning. Before I begin today's announcement, I want to say a few words about the deepening economic crisis that we've inherited and the need for urgent action.
Over the last few days we've learned that Microsoft, Intel, United Airlines, Home Depot, Sprint Nextel, and Caterpillar are each cutting thousands of jobs. These are not just numbers on a page. As with the millions of jobs lost in 2008, these are working men and women whose families have been disrupted and whose dreams have been put on hold.
We owe it to each of them and to every, single American to act with a sense of urgency and common purpose. We can't afford distractions and we cannot afford delays. And that is why I look forward to signing an American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan that will put millions of Americans to work and lay the foundation for stable growth that our economy needs and that our people demand. These are extraordinary times and it calls for swift and extraordinary action.
At a time of such great challenge for America, no single issue is as fundamental to our future as energy. America's dependence on oil is one of the most serious threats that our nation has faced. It bankrolls dictators, pays for nuclear proliferation, and funds both sides of our struggle against terrorism. It puts the American people at the mercy of shifting gas prices, stifles innovation and sets back our ability to compete.
These urgent dangers to our national and economic security are compounded by the long-term threat of climate change, which if left unchecked could result in violent conflict, terrible storms, shrinking coastlines and irreversible catastrophe. These are the facts and they are well known to the American people -- after all, there is nothing new about these warnings. Presidents have been sounding the alarm about energy dependence for decades. President Nixon promised to make our energy -- our nation energy independent by the end of the 1970s. When he spoke, we imported about a third of our oil; we now import more than half.
Year after year, decade after decade, we've chosen delay over decisive action. Rigid ideology has overruled sound science. Special interests have overshadowed common sense. Rhetoric has not led to the hard work needed to achieve results. Our leaders raise their voices each time there's a spike in gas prices, only to grow quiet when the price falls at the pump.
Now America has arrived at a crossroads. Embedded in American soil and the wind and the sun, we have the resources to change. Our scientists, businesses and workers have the capacity to move us forward. It falls on us to choose whether to risk the peril that comes with our current course or to seize the promise of energy independence. For the sake of our security, our economy and our planet, we must have the courage and commitment to change.
It will be the policy of my administration to reverse our dependence on foreign oil, while building a new energy economy that will create millions of jobs. We hold no illusion about the task that lies ahead. I cannot promise a quick fix; no single technology or set of regulations will get the job done. But we will commit ourselves to steady, focused, pragmatic pursuit of an America that is free from our energy dependence and empowered by a new energy economy that puts millions of our citizens to work.
Today, I'm announcing the first steps on our journey toward energy independence, as we develop new energy, set new fuel efficiency standards, and address greenhouse gas emissions. Each step begins to move us in a new direction, while giving us the tools that we need to change.
First, we must take bold action to create a new American energy economy that creates millions of jobs for our people. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan before Congress places a down payment on this economy. It will put 460,000 Americans to work, with clean energy investments and double the capacity to generate alternative energy over the next three years. It will lay down 3,000 miles of transmission lines to deliver this energy to every corner of our country. It will save taxpayers $2 billion a year by making 75 percent of federal buildings more efficient. And it will save working families hundreds of dollars on their energy bills by weatherizing 2 million homes.
This is the boost that our economy needs, and the new beginning that our future demands. By passing the bill, Congress can act where Washington has failed to act over and over again for 30 years. We need more than the same old empty promises. We need to show that this time it will be different. This is the time that Americans must come together on behalf of our common prosperity and security.
Second, we must ensure that the fuel-efficient cars of tomorrow are built right here in the United States of America. Increasing fuel efficiency in our cars and trucks is one of the most important steps that we can take to break our cycle of dependence on foreign oil. It will also help spark the innovation needed to ensure that our auto industry keeps pace with competitors around the world.
We will start by implementing new standards for model year 2011 so that we use less oil and families have access to cleaner, more efficient cars and trucks. This rule will be a down payment on a broader and sustained effort to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Congress has passed legislation to increase standards to at least 35 miles per gallon by 2020. That 40 percent increase in fuel efficiency for our cars and trucks could save over 2 million barrels of oil every day -- nearly the entire amount of oil that we import from the Persian Gulf.
Going forward, my administration will work on a bipartisan basis in Washington and with industry partners across the country to forge a comprehensive approach that makes our economy stronger and our nation more secure.
Third, the federal government must work with, not against, states to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. California has shown bold and bipartisan leadership through its effort to forge 21st century standards, and over a dozen states have followed its lead. But instead of serving as a partner, Washington stood in their way. This refusal to lead risks the creation of a confusing and patchwork set of standards that hurts the environment and the auto industry.
The days of Washington dragging its heels are over. My administration will not deny facts, we will be guided by them. We cannot afford to pass the buck or push the burden onto the states. And that's why I'm directing the Environmental Protection Agency to immediately review the denial of the California waiver request and determine the best way forward. This will help us create incentives to develop new energy that will make us less dependent on oil that endangers our security, our economy, and our planet.
As we move forward, we will fully take into account the unique challenges facing the American auto industry and the taxpayer dollars that now support it. And let me be clear: Our goal is not to further burden an already struggling industry. It is to help America's automakers prepare for the future. This commitment must extend beyond the short-term assistance for businesses and workers. We must help them thrive by building the cars of tomorrow, and galvanizing a dynamic and viable industry for decades to come.
Finally, we will make it clear to the world that America is ready to lead. To protect our climate and our collective security, we must call together a truly global coalition. I've made it clear that we will act, but so too must the world. That's how we will deny leverage to dictators and dollars to terrorists. And that's how we will ensure that nations like China and India are doing their part, just as we are now willing to do ours.
It's time for America to lead, because this moment of peril must be turned into one of progress. If we take action, we can create new industries and revive old ones; we can open new factories and power new farms; we can lower costs and revive our economy. We can do that, and we must do that. There's much work to be done. There is much further for us to go.
But I want to be clear from the beginning of this administration that we have made our choice. America will not be held hostage to dwindling resources, hostile regimes, and a warming planet. We will not be put off from action because action is hard. Now is the time to make the tough choices. Now is the time to meet the challenge at this crossroad of history by choosing a future that is safer for our country, prosperous for our planet, and sustainable.
Those are my priorities, and they're reflected in the executive orders that I'm about to sign. Thank you so much for being here.
OK, we worked hard, rode the rollar coaster of this election through to success for Barack and ourselves. Now what? Here's what I'm doing. I'm reaching out to McCain supporters with the hand of friendship. Today I am taking a pink rose from the mixed boquet I bought myself yesterday after voting and giving it to the mother with the McCain/Palin bumper sticker whose son is in the same pre-k class as my son (who hugged both Barack and Joe in the 48 hours before polls opened! Kid gets at least one benefit from having a disabled mother - close-up seats at political rallies by sitting on my lap while I'm in a wheelchair and praying that none of us have to go to the bathroom before the rally ends and the crowd thins out). Open the walls of this tent and invite the rest of the country into to help with this work, by extending some personal kindness to someone you were trying hard not to sneer at for their lawn signs the last month or so. Live the kind of world you want to reside in.
(please feel free to forward this on - this out-reach message is "open source")
DragonMama in Cleveland, mama of the kid with the monkey backpack (which is a harness/leash) and his little brother D.
November 4, 2008
To celebrate this great Election Day, this time the tide is turning... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7s9ubMQX7WE
Excerpt from Senator Barack Obama, American Promise
The Democratic Convention
August 28, 2008
I realize that I am not the likeliest candidate for this office. I don't fit the typical pedigree, and I haven't spent my career in the halls of Washington. But I stand before you tonight because all across America something is stirring. What the nay-sayers don't understand is that this election has never been about me. It's been about you. For eighteen long months, you have stood up, one by one, and said enough to the politics of the past. You understand that in this election, the greatest risk we can take is to try the same old politics with the same old players and expect a different result. You have shown what history teaches us - that at defining moments like this one, the change we need doesn't come from Washington. Change comes to Washington. Change happens because the American people demand it - because they rise up and insist on new ideas and new leadership, a new politics for a new time. America, this is one of those moments. I believe that as hard as it will be, the change we need is coming. Because I've seen it. Because I've lived it. I've seen it in Illinois, when we provided health care to more children and moved more families from welfare to work. I've seen it in Washington, when we worked across party lines to open up government and hold lobbyists more accountable, to give better care for our veterans and keep nuclear weapons out of terrorist hands. And I've seen it in this campaign. In the young people who voted for the first time, and in those who got involved again after a very long time. In the Republicans who never thought they'd pick up a Democratic ballot, but did. I've seen it in the workers who would rather cut their hours back a day than see their friends lose their jobs, in the soldiers who re-enlist after losing a limb, in the good neighbors who take a stranger in when a hurricane strikes and the floodwaters rise. This country of ours has more wealth than any nation, but that's not what makes us rich. We have the most powerful military on Earth, but that's not what makes us strong. Our universities and our culture are the envy of the world, but that's not what keeps the world coming to our shores. Instead, it is that American spirit - that American promise - that pushes us forward even when the path is uncertain; that binds us together in spite of our differences; that makes us fix our eye not on what is seen, but what is unseen, that better place around the bend. That promise is our greatest inheritance. It's a promise I make to my daughters when I tuck them in at night, and a promise that you make to yours - a promise that has led immigrants to cross oceans and pioneers to travel west; a promise that led workers to picket lines, and women to reach for the ballot. And it is that promise that forty five years ago today, brought Americans from every corner of this land to stand together on a Mall in Washington, before Lincoln's Memorial, and hear a young preacher from Georgia speak of his dream. The men and women who gathered there could've heard many things. They could've heard words of anger and discord. They could've been told to succumb to the fear and frustration of so many dreams deferred. But what the people heard instead - people of every creed and color, from every walk of life - is that in America, our destiny is inextricably linked. That together, our dreams can be one. "We cannot walk alone," the preacher cried. "And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back." America, we cannot turn back. Not with so much work to be done. Not with so many children to educate, and so many veterans to care for. Not with an economy to fix and cities to rebuild and farms to save. Not with so many families to protect and so many lives to mend. America, we cannot turn back. We cannot walk alone. At this moment, in this election, we must pledge once more to march into the future. Let us keep that promise - that American promise - and in the words of Scripture hold firmly, without wavering, to the hope that we confess. Thank you, God Bless you, and God Bless the United States of America. http://my.barackobama.com/nov4
This is a good resource for those in Ohio who might actually like to know a little something about their Judicial candidates.
http://www.judge4yourself.com/ratings_08general.html
It has been almost two months since my grandmother started her blog at 85andchange.com. Working on this project with her has been so exciting. She never ceases to amaze me with her energy and tenacity. She is a most amazing woman, and it means so much to me to have had this experience. I wish every grandchild could have a bonding experience like this with their grandparents. We have so much to learn from our elders.
Over the last several weeks have traveled to see Joe Bide, Bill Clinton, and Hillary Clinton. Each speaker has been an inspiration and motivational. But today the excitement hits an all time high. Today we get to go downtown and see Barack, Michelle, and Bruce Springsteen! What an appropriate and fitting end of the campaign. We are both so excited, we can't contain ourselves! The only excitement that can compare to it will come on Tuesday evening when it becomes clear that the nation has chosen Barack Obama to be the next president of the United States!
Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus, and his name is Barack Obama!
He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion for change and a need for a chance exist. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there was no Barack Obama. It would be as dreary as if there were no HOPE. There would be no other strong to stand up for change, no dream, no desire to be and make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which democrats fills the world would be extinguished by four more years of the same.
Not believe in Barack Obama! You might as well not believe in new beginnings! Republicans might put out bad ads, and say “not that one” Republicans can’t see change coming, for to change they are scared that they have to admit they were wrong. The most real things in the world are things that children and men can see; families losing their homes, parents losing their jobs, an economy that says no toys this year, soldiers going to a war not to be won. Did you ever see hope for new beginnings on republican faces? Of course not, but that’s no proof that new beginnings are not to come. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world today.
They may try to tear down his image and ideas to make him less appeasable, but there is a veil coving the unseen world which not strongest Republican, nor even the united strength of all GOP could tear apart. Only faith, Hope, Change and a “Yes we can” attitude can push aside that curtain and view and picture the greatness of the United States of America. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding as a need for change.
No Barack Obama! Thank God! He lives, and he lives in The United States of America. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of America.
It's being reported that Gov. Palin has received approximately $150,000 worth of high-end clothes and accessories paid for by campaign contributions. This is more than 3x the median household income and OUTRAGEOUS! There is a new petition to ask her to sell the clothes on eBay and give the proceeds to charity, preferably one that serves teen moms or special needs kids.
Sign the petition here:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/palin-clothes
by RONDA ARMSTRONG
One of the greatest annoyances in life has to be receiving an intrusive, late afternoon/ early evening phone call from a telemarketer during the “sacred hours”. You’re having dinner, going over homework with the children, or engaged in much too rare, highly cherished family time.Like bloodsucking leeches electronically dispatched from some paranormal command center, they impose on, and contaminate our precious time. They try to disguise the all too obvious desperation in their voices with excessively friendly, hair raising, condescending patois, while attempting to hustle off frivolous goods and services. Have they no shame?Last Thursday evening I was one of those callers. But I wasn’t soliciting their time to sell them some Disney vacation package, satellite dish, home security system, or cemetery plot. I was trying to sell the idea of change and reform. I was pushing the idea of hope for a better America for our children. I was peddling principles and values that I believe in. Among them: transition assistance for workers vulnerable to dislocation and job loss, tax relief for the middle class instead of the wealthy, high quality after school programs, the promotion of responsible fatherhood, a credit card bill of rights to stop credit card companies from exploiting consumers with unfair practices, strengthening care options for senior citizens, improving our schools and making college more affordable, supporting a womans right to choose, better healthcare, education and housing, and the resurgance of a defunct economy. And, oh yeah, I was hoping that someone would buy into the idea that the time has come for thousands of fathers, sons, husbands, brothers, mothers, wives, sisters ,and daughters who were shipped off to fight a senseless war, to come home. Last Thursday I was a phone bank volunteer at the Barack Obama headquarters in Solon.I nervously approached this endeavor expecting it not to be easy, and boy was I right. One woman snapped, ”I’m in the middle of having dinner with my family and you call me with this crap”? ( ouch)Another woman: I’m putting my children to bed, I don’t have time for this.A man with a voice that could turn steel to stardust told me,” Don’t ever call my house again” Of course not all the calls went that way. I talked to people who graciously took my call, and shared their feelings of woe and disenfranchisement and who despite it all, expressed how much they loved and believed in the potential of this great country. They shared my optimistic outlook and enthusiastically embraced Obama and his mission of change. They encouraged me to keep up the good work and praised my effort.Still, dealing with the cold rejection, naysayers, hang ups and harsh remarks of some made me want to throw in the towel and call it a night. I took the rejection personally and it hurt. They live in the same America I do, so how can they stand things the way they are? At one point I looked over at my daughter Britt, who was seated next to me. She was so eloquent and poised in her scripted delivery, and despite the occasional setback, she pressed on, undeterred, and at one point, even shocked me with the words, “ I could do this all night long“. It was from her, that I found the inspiration to continue on.The next day, at Hopkins airport I met a man from Philadelphia. He had been traveling around the country campaigning for Barack Obama. I shared with him my experience.and he smiled at me sympathetically as he told me that he had been canvassing neighborhoods, going door to door. “ Try getting doors slammed in your face“.Isn’t this what true crusaders for change, particularly a movement of this magnitude subject themselves to? Aren’t real advocates fearless and vigilante? Don’t they move unflinchingly among opposition and into potentially hostile territory? People who take social action seriously, particularly those of some of our histories most memorable movements, were bold and deliberate. In order to push for the change they so desperately believed in, with a burning passion and unwavering committent, they did whatever it took- protested, marched, picketed , arranged sit ins, boycotts and sometimes, even rioted. Every day they faced the possibility of imprisonment, bombings, dog attacks, public hosing and humiliation, and even death. But they did it because change meant just that much to them. They knew the change they wanted to see in the world started with them.This campaign hastens to an end - there are literally, days left, and still work to do. Those of us who stand harmonious in this crusade -a quest for a new America- new leadership, the restoration of hope, vibrancy, and integrity must do our part to see that it comes to pass. May we, in the spirit of the great advocates and crusaders of past movements, don ourselves with the full armor of the Obama mission and march boldly, onto the battlefield: knocking on doors, making calls, texting, e-mailing,and rallying our way, undeterred, as we press onward to victory.
Warning:
This blog is boring.
This blog only shares facts and does not intend to feed fears.
It does not spout sound bites and incite anger.
Yes, there is no mention of "sarah and socialism" to be found. It's just the facts. And yes, it's true, the facts with what is going on these days are just - so - well - boring. A real snoozefest actually.
Nonetheless, if you happen to be one of the two people who chose to read a blog that has truth and tax in the subject header, misery loves company, so I welcome you.
This blog is in response to all of those who are tuning into Fox news, forwarding e-mails, engaging in conversations about their hard work and all those "damn bleeding heart liberals."
This blog is in response to those tuning into Rush to shake theirs heads in anger and to call and commiserate about "all those lazy 30% of Americans getting hand-outs."
Here it goes. In response to these accusations and the lack of real information readily available, a friend of mine sought to conduct some research and to seek out the truth about the tax plans on the table.
He is a non-confrontational, fair, objective person who is a supporter of Barack Obama. He is a CPA who loves to conduct research and engage in conversations based on fact and not emotion - yes, he's a real hoot some would think (not). The fact that he took the time to research this topic and write a blog in attempt to spread the truth is comendable to say the least - and I think the very least you can do is read it and pass the information along:
http://onemanparade.blogspot.com/
The tax socialist issue has legs - use this info to outrun it.
Well let’s get to it. Let me begin by stating that I am no Joe the Plumber, not even close.
I am a retired educator from a battleground state (Ohio), which has suffered yet another plant closing, living in a state now where 40% of homes are in foreclosure. I support Senator Barack Obama because he is the real deal.
I just heard a Republican surrogate criticize Barack Obama saying that he was not qualified to be president because he did not travel to Afghanistan.
Now let me tell you, I spent most of my career working and counseling in the inner city of Cleveland Ohio. From my perspective, until John McCain travels to Hough, Glenville, Cleveland’s near west side and comparable areas of other American cities, he is not qualified!
This is where the real “Joe” the plumbers, waitresses, sales people, hospital workers, cleaning people, bus drivers, and other “Joes” and “Jaynes” live. I know because my father was a waiter (now they are called servers) and my mother was a secretary working for the Defense Supply Center Region Cleveland (Fed. Govt.) and I was raised in Glenville.
I might not have grown up in Sarah Palin’s “patriotic part” of America but I assure you that my parents were patriotic and loved America as do the millions of folks that still live in inner cities around the country.
When Cindy McCain challenged Barack Obama to walk in her shoes, I thought, I challenge you to walk in my shoes or the shoes of any of the ordinary Americans your party now claims to represent. I have seen Senator Barack Obama walk in the shoes of ordinary Americans during the primary season. He began his career in the South Side of Chicago.
It’s one thing to say you put America first. Barack Obama has shown that he puts Americans first.
I'm happy to report that Granny Gobama has decided to stay in Ohio through the election. She already sent her request to California for her absentee ballot and has changed her flight home. The project that we launched together - 85andchange.com - has been more popular than we could have imagined and after all our effort, we could not imagine being apart on Election Day. So my grandmother will be moving over to my house to stay for a few weeks.
Together we will focus more energy on her blog, and try to get her out to even more events. This will also allow her to have further face-to-face conversations with some of her older friends here in Ohio and tell them again why she is supporting Barack Obama. Maybe... just maybe... she'll be able to convince another voter, as she was able to convince her Florida voting Son!
Go Obama!!
Well... Granny Gobama and I just returned from our Fall Foliage trip to Vermont. The colorful trees were spectacular and the trip was wonderful. But what made it even better was the fact that we now know for sure that all of her efforts at 85andchange.com were worth it. We were able to convince my Uncle ( Granny Gobama's son) to vote for Barack Obama! Granny Gobama was so proud... she felt if she couldn't even help convince her own son that this is the chane we need, that it would be difficult for her to convince anybody. But we did it! And here's the bonus... he's a registered FLORIDA voter!! YAY!!!!
Go Granny Gobama! Go 85andchange.com! Go Obama!!
Today some Las Vegas supporters took to the streets to illustrate the difference between Barack Obama's Tax Plan and John McCain's Tax Plan using shopping carts! The full carts showed the extra groceries each family would be able to purchase each month with Obama. The empty cart represented what we will not get with John McCain.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFAoaSLkJBY
Go Obama!
