Stand with President Obama on Health Care
I know this is long, but it is very important. We can’t afford to be apathetic, and carefree this time. I am calling on you, ordinary citizens, Democrats and Republicans, Independents every citizen from the Appalachian Mountains to the Youth in the Hood to put aside your politics and support health care reform. The debate going on now should not be political; we are at war with the powerful lobbyists for the health and life of our families.
Everyone agrees that we need health care reform. It is the number one expenditure for most families other than their rent and mortgage. Millions of Americans have inadequate health care or no health care at all. Of these millions of uninsured and underinsured, I am certain that they are not all just Democrats. These uninsured and under insured, are Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. So why have we allowed this debate to be a political one. Republicans and Independents need health care too. It is ridiculous too to assume that the only people who are uninsured or under insured are Democrats. Get real people, health care reform is for all Americans not just for one political party. Let put politics aside and support our President’s effort to help all of US.
GOP Senator Jim DeMint told a special-interest attack group that if they're "able to stop Obama on this, it will be his Waterloo. It will break him." And Republican Chairman Michael Steele backed up DeMint's statement 100%. At the same time, the Republican National Committee is running deceptive ads to scare Americans away from the reform we need.
Their plan is simple: oppose health care reform as a political ploy to weaken the President and defeat his entire agenda of change. The GOP is playing with our lives to stop Obama!!!! That’s what this debate has been about for them. Well, I am outraged, and you should be too.
President Obama said, "Think about that. This isn't about me. This isn't about politics. This is about a health care system that is breaking America's families, breaking America's businesses and breaking America's economy. And we can't afford the politics of delay and defeat when it comes to health care. Not this time, not now. There are too many lives and livelihoods at stake."
I am asking all citizens of every stripe to stand with the President, stand with US. Stand against special interests, lobbyist and opponents of health care reform in Washington who have made their priority clear: attack President Obama at any cost. President Obama is not just President of the Democrats, he is the President of All the citizens of the United States of America. America, please support YOUR President.
It’s obvious what the crooked politicians get out of it, however, this corruption is widespread, lobbyist have even gotten to the media. We can't let this kind of slash and burn politics succeed. We can fight back by collecting as many signatures as possible backing the President's principles for health care reform. A huge response will show Washington and the media that when Republicans try to "break" the President, Americans are ready to stand up for what's right.
The President has consistently argued that health care reform must: reduce costs, guarantee choice -- including the choice of a strong public insurance option -- and ensure all Americans have quality, affordable health care. These principles are the key to keeping our country healthy -- and protecting our families, businesses, and economy from costs that are spiraling out of control. It's the change the American people voted for and so desperately need.
But special interests and Republican leaders are so concerned with scoring points and destroying Obama that they are willing to cut off their noses to spite their face. They seem to think health care reform is a political game. They are literally playing politics with our lives and livelihood, and it has to stop.
We know that they will not "break" President Obama or the movement that supports him. And if we work together, they will not stop congress from enacting the real health care reform that Americans need and demand.
They don’t care about US
Why is it that all the people speaking out against health care reform have health insurance for themselves and their families. Shouldn’t they be listening to US. What we want, what we need!
But this is more than just the GOP playing politics some how that perhaps could have been expected. But it is also about corruption and greed. I think that some of the Democrats, Republicans and Independents have succumbed to the millions of dollars being thrown around by Insurance, Pharma and Hospital lobbyist.
Some senators who oppose this are not listening to the constituents that put them in office. They are not listening to YOU. You put them in office, however, the insurance companies have deep pockets and they cannot resist the lure of all that money. They sold US out to the highest bidder. I believe that some senators are brought and paid for and some in the media too. Sadly, it is working they want to line their pockets instead of support health care reform.
Congressional Budget Office Director commented that the House and Senate health bills would not rein in health care costs. But what they were saying is that health care reform cannot happen unless we are more efficient in the delivery of health care and cut out the waste, fraud and abuse in the health care system.
Republicans pounced on the remarks to fan the flames and sow discord among the Democratic Senators. Those comments taken out of proportion has given the greedy just the excuse they needed. They are still working on the bill, and will find the cost savings.
Another thing the GOP and the Media have pounced on are the comments made by Max Bacus that The President is not helping. What he meant is that President Obama’s doesn’t want to tax health benefits and that does is making it harder to fund health care reform.
Well I have my own ideas about funding. I want to privatize NASA and let the private industry that benefits the most take it over. The technology that is advanced from the NASA experiments benefit private industry so they should pay for it. I would rather use those trillions of dollars saved to fund health care for American citizens. Space exploration is a luxury that we cannot afford. Take care of home first, take care of the problems on this planet before we waste money in outer space, this is ridiculous we need that money here on earth. All the GPS systems, satellites, etc that are built from the technological experiments that are conducted in space are sold back to the United States by private industry. We are paying twice for technology that we discovered, I really don’t get that.
The other funding method that I advocate is to reform Medicare so that we are not paying for Medicare benefits for multi-millionaires. At this time every person over 65 is eligible for Medicare whether they need Medicare or not. It is just automatically given out to anyone who turns 65. Medicare is not Social Security. Every one who worked all their lives is entitle to the commensurate amount of Social Security that they heard. But Medicare should only be for those who need it. If you are a millionaire, you don’t need Medicare, you know you can afford your own health insurance. Its there for the taking so people just take it without thinking. There should be an income cap on Medicare. I don’t want to tax the wealthy to pay health care reform. I just want those who can afford to pay for their own to do just that. That’s my idea and I am sure you can think of some other cost saving methods. We can do it, yes, we can.
Don’t be scared by all the crazy ads you see on TV sponsored by the powerful lobbies. There will be no rationing or exclusion of pre-existing conditions. It is time, for the richest Country in the World to provide health care for All it citizens now.
Cut and trim and find the money. Look at NASA and all the other programs that don’t have any intrinsic value to the people. Oh it nice to ooh and aah about the space program, but it is time for the government to get out of that business, it is really not value added to the people.
I heard some one in the media suggest recently that the reason some politicians won’t support health care reform is that the millions of people who are uninsured or under insured don’t vote. So it back to that old adage that if you don’t vote, you don’t count. They have already counted you out of this equation. You better have your say on this before its too late.
Politicians are only concerned about their voting constituents. Well voting or not, you represents all of the people in your districts. We must let our voices be heard. Tell your representatives loud and clear. WE WANT HEALTH CARE FOR ALL AMERICANS NOW!
Wake up people we can’t expect some one else to do this, we must rise up and do this for ourselves. Go to http://www.democrats.org/declare and sign the declaration of support for health care reform. Go to www.whitehouse.gov and enter your zip code to find the contact information for your congressional and senate representatives and let them know you want health care for ALL.
Again, please declare your support today. Sign your name in support of the President's health care principles. Or if you've already signed, please forward this message to all your friends and neighbors.
Raise a Rukus today.
Greetings everyone,
We are once again calling on Grassroots support to help our president implement his change agenda. Organizing for America (OFA) has launched it's first major action, the Pledge Project Canvass that we're asking our volunteers to participate in on March 21 & 22. For all that you built, help us kick this off right! There is true grassroots activism that YOU stirred up - we still need your help to harness it.
Triple Package (3 people to a room) $185.00 per person Notice: Durham, Greensboro, and Winston-Salem now have a limited number of seats available ........ We have no Inauguration access opportunities beyond those who will be awarded to citizens who ride the buses ....
Hello Change Agents;
Many of you who have worked so hard to get President Elect Barack Obama into the White House have been asking about inagural tickets. Please see the trip below being sponsored by the MLK association, I sent my deposit over a month ago, and I know many others have too. I don't know if they have any seats left, but contact them, it's worth a try.
Also, contact your local state representatives and get on any waiting list they have.
Lastly, go online a google "inauguration" to see if anything come up.
YAY!!!!! Yes, we did!!!
Peninnah
Change Agent 002
MONDAY, JANUARY 19
North Carolina Presidential Inauguration Trip To Washington, D.C. - - January 20, 2009
Various Martin Luther King Committees from throughout North Carolina are sponsoring a bus trip to Washington D.C. on January 19-20, 2009 to commemorate the Inauguration of Senator Barack Obama as President of the United States. Come join us for this historic occasion to celebrate both the King Holiday and the Presidential Inauguration Ceremony. We have room for a limited number citizens. Please make your reservation now. We expect great interest in this trip. Please contact one of the representives shown below.
In Asheville contact: Orleane Simmons (828) 281-1624 E-Mail Orleane In Durham contact: Elouise Watson (919) 949-4249 E-Mail Elouise In Charlotte contact: Delores Reid-Smith (704)335-9380 E-Mail Delores In Charlotte contact: Ahmad Daniels (704)537-1533 E-Mail Ahmad In Fayetteville contact: Lula Gray Crenshaw (910) 488-5549 E-Mail Lula In Greensboro contact: Earl Jones (336) 941-5199 E-Mail Earl In Kinston contact: Theresa Bethea (252) 520-0225 E-Mail Theresa In Raleigh contact: David Prince (919) 368-5767 E-Mail David In Wilmington contact; Monika Daniels (910) 233-5998 E-Mail Monika In Shallotte contact: Fonstena Peck (910) 200-2957 E-Mail Fonstena In Winston-Salem contact: Mutter Evans (336) 971-7852 E-Mail Mutter Statewide contact: Bruce Lightner (919) 834-6264 E-Mail Bruce
ONCE IN A LIFETIME JOURNEY .... GET ON THE BUS ....
A $25 check will hold your seat. Final payment is due anytime before December 1, 2008. Trip package includes luxury bus transportation, hotel room @ the Comfort Inn Hotel & Conference Center, Bowie, Maryland, The Gala North Carolina Obama Reception and tickets to President Obama's Swearing In Ceremony and Inaugural Parade.
Refund Disclaimer The $25.00 deposit is required to secure and hold our hotel rooms and is non refundable. It will be extremely difficult to obtain rooms in the Metro D.C. area during Inauguration Week. Sending the hotels a deposit assures that we will have rooms. If, for whatever reason, we cancel the hotels will not refund the deposit. Please look at it as an investment for a spectacular opportunity.
N.C. Obama " From The Dream To The Promise " Gala Reception Hosted and organized by BTA & Associates Public Relations (919) 833-6394 or toll free 1-888 833-5003 E-Mail BTA & Associates
Obama Inauguration Registration Form Departure City ____________________
Name: _____________________________________
Phone: ____________________________________
Address: _________________________________
City/Town _________________________________
E-Mail Address: _________________________________________
# Seats Needed _____
# Rooms Needed ____ Non-Smoking ____ Smoking ____
Names Of Guests In Room # 1
______________________________ ________________________
______________________________ _________________________
Names Of Guests In Room # 2
Depost Sent: $_________ Date: _______________________
Dear President-Elect Obama, Please, Please, keep this site up! We, the Grassroots for Obama, have been vitalized, spirited and connected through mybarack. Many Grassroots organizations are continuing to work for your platform and issues after you take the oath of office. We need to communicate and share ideas! Please consider NOT SHUTTING DOWN THIS SITE! you said, "We are the ChANGE we need!". We cannot do it alone so please let us continue to support you through this site.
Our Fayetteville organization, Sandhills Grassroots for Obama will be starting new community involvement programs in two weeks. Let us HELP YOU make the Change. We are proud and happy that you will become our 44th President and we will help you, just as you said you can not do it alone....so let us use this technological vehicle to exchange ideas on what many of us will do . God Bless you and I'ld love to help send the Vans to the WH to move the Bushes back to Crawford.
Hi Obama Friends,
Lucia from Rhode Island called our NC Campaign for Change Office to request we write letters to editors and I told her we could probably reach more editors by posting this to the Obama Blog. She was calling each state but I thought this would be a quicker way to reach more people. Will you please take a few minutes from your busy Obama Day and send this to your local newspapers and your groups? Also, send to your friends and ask them to help as well. We have got to do as much as we can to win this election! Thanks...Bev
To the Editor: I wonder if your readers are aware that John McCain’s father died of a heart attack at the age of 70, two years younger than McCain is now? And that his grandfather’s ticker also gave out--at the age of 61! Don’t let McCain’s feisty elderly mother be all we know of his genetic inheritance. We ought to be concerned that this potential Commander-in-Chief might succumb to a heart attack--at any moment.By choosing the least-qualified Vice Presidential candidate in memory, someone whom many members of his own party have said is not ready, John McCain hasn’t put “Country First.” Not by a long shot.(Signed)
Guess what – not only is Barack coming to Fayetteville on Sunday (Oct 19th) – but Cumberland County will open five One-Stop Early Voting locations on Sunday from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.That’s right – you can see Barack and show your support for him by voting for him. All in the same day. Now that is one exciting and productive day!Barack’s Change We Need Rally will be at the Crown Coliseum at 1:30 – doors open at 11:00 a.m. The event is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required; however an RSVP is strongly encouraged. RSVP Here: http://my.barackobama.com/fayettevillechangeThen, head on over to a One-Stop Early Voting location that’s open this Sunday (Oct 19th): http://nc.barackobama.com/NCCumberlandCoOSEVOne-Stop Early Voting – make sure your vote counts. Vote Early. You can register and vote – all at the same time. It’s One-Stop Early Voting and it’s easy, even if you have never voted before.
Find the hours and locations for One-Stop Early Voting sites in your county now.
Election Day starts today.
You can One-Stop Early Vote now.
It's the easiest and surest way to make sure your vote counts.
You can even register and vote all at the same time. It's easy, even if you have never voted before.
Visit voteforchange.com to find a polling location in your county.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
VA chief says lack of communication to Congress members, veterans led to ill will
By Kathy Chaff
kchaffin@salisburypost.com
The director of the Hefner VA Medical Center admitted Friday that her communications plan did not work well when it came to informing members of Congress about upcoming changes in veterans services.
"And I will make sure that doesn't happen again," Carolyn L. Adams said at an afternoon news conference on "Improving Veterans' Access to Care" initiative.
When asked to elaborate, she responded that her efforts to ensure the medical center's 1,500 employees were informed before anyone else had led to other key parties — such as U.S. Rep. Mel Watt, D-N.C. — not hearing about it until the official news was announced in Sept. 18 e-mails and faxes.
"I missed a beat," she said. "That was not the best way for me to get it there."
News of the Hefner VA Medical Center's plans to eliminate emergency and inpatient services and focus mainly on mental health and long-term care has upset elected officials, veterans and employees alike.
Adams, who has been director since April of 2007, tried to put to rest warnings by two national union leaders that the changes could result in the loss of up to 1,000 jobs. She said only 140 to 145 positions would be affected, and that "each and every one of these employees will be offered job opportunities."
Eventually, as the mental health and long-term care programs are expanded, Adams said new positions will be added.
The expansion of mental health services will allow for better treatment of combat-related diagnoses such as post-traumatic stress disorder.
The plan to transition the Hefner VA Medical Center to a Clinical Center of Excellence for Mental Health and Long-Term Care was based on the findings of an independent study of demographic trends and in keeping with the VA's latest model of care.
As part of the new offerings, the Salisbury VA will maintain a wide array of outpatient services and establish an Employee Learning Center on campus.
Adams, who served previously as associate director of the Salem VA Medical Center, said she has explained the upcoming changes at Veterans Support Organizations and focus groups.
Veterans appear to be the most concerned about the elimination of emergency services, she said. Some have said they fear waiting four to five hours to be seen in a private hospital emergency department.
In preparation for the transition in services, Adams said VA officials have talked with officials at Rowan Regional and other Novant facilities as well as the Carolinas Medical Centers system (which includes CMC-NorthEast in Concord) and Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center to ensure appropriate and timely care for veterans.
Of the 21,000 visits to the Hefner VA emergency department last year (including repeat visits by the same veterans), she said only 10 percent or 2,100 visits qualified as actual emergencies.
In the future, Adams said that 10 percent can be provided access to those services in local medical centers on a fee-for-service basis.
When the transition is complete, she said the other 90 percent can be treated at primary care clinics with hours to be extended into the evenings. Primary care clinics in Winston-Salem, Charlotte and Hickory will also be expanded so that veterans who had been coming to the Hefner VA won't have to travel as far for services.
Outpatient services will include general mental health, medical and surgical specialty care, diagnostic imaging, dental care and ambulatory surgery.
As for the elimination of inpatient beds, Adams said there are only 14 general medicine and six surgery beds. The average census in the intensive care unit for the past year has been four patients.
"So it's not a large number of beds that we're talking about not being here at Salisbury," she said.
As part of the transition, the Mental Health and Long Term Care Centers of Excellence will continue to provide inpatient services.
When asked about veterans' concerns, Adams attributed them to "the fear of the unknown." The plan ensures that veterans will get the health care they need, she said.
"We want it to be very seamless for the veterans," she said. "We want them to have the best health care."
As for the cost of veterans' inpatient services at private medical centers, Adams said it will be paid as long as the patients are referred by the VA. Emergencies would also be covered, she said.
Adams said no timeline has been set for the transition. "We want to make sure we have communicated well with the community," she said.
Why is the media in the Fayetteville/Raleigh/Durham, NC area keeping quiet and not following up on this story? See below article published in the Salisbury Post.
Salisbury Post, Salisbury, North Carolina October 14, 2008
By Kathy Chaffin
CLEVELAND — The town's Board of Commissioners took a stand Monday night against proposed changes in services at the Hefner VA Medical Center.
"I don't know who runs the VA," said Mayor Jim Brown, "but I think they've got their heads screwed on wrong."
Cleveland commissioners voted 3-0 to adopt a resolution opposing the Department of Veterans Affairs' plan to eliminate inpatient, emergency and surgical services at the Hefner Medical Center as part of its transition to a long-term care and mental health facility for veterans. The resolution was the same one adopted by Rowan County commissioners at their Oct. 6 meeting.
VA officials announced the changes Sept. 19, prompting an outcry from veterans, employees and elected officials.
Brown pointed out that the VA had recently spent millions of dollars upgrading the medical center's emergency and surgical areas. "I don't know why they would spend that kind of money and then turn around and shut it down," he said.
The need for the services has not decreased, Brown said. If anything, he said, it will be increasing as more soldiers return from the war in Iraq.
Also at Monday's meeting, Cleveland commissioners voted to award a contract for landscaping a 175-foot buffer along the east side of Town Hall to Blue Stone Landscape by Godley's Garden Center in Salisbury, which submitted a bid of $4,044 for the work.
The other bid of $4,450 was submitted by Hewitt Landscaping of Cleveland.
Brown said the buffer, which is required as part of the town's zoning ordinance when businesses or government buildings are located next to residential areas, should have probably been done when the new Town Hall was built.
Bids call for the buffer area to be planted in maples, crape myrtles and various shrubs.
Commissioner Pat Phifer said Blue Stone and Hewitt are both reputable landscaping companies.
Brown agreed, saying "I would hate to recommend one over the other." In situations like this, he said, commissioners should either pick the low bid or "have a good reason that you don't."
The Blue Stone bid is $400 lower than the competing bid, he said, which amounts to about 10 percent of the total cost of the project.
Phifer responded, "So I don't see how we can not use it."
In other business, Nancy Brown, who chairs the town's Beautification Committee, announced the October Yard of the Month Award goes to Allen and Peggy Phifer, owners of a residence at 104 W. Main St.
Nancy Brown said the house is actually vacant, but you'd never know it by the obvious care that goes into the yard. "They do a tremendous amount of work there," she said. "There's flowers growing on the property, and the yard is mowed on a regular basis.
"It has really improved the looks of our small downtown section."
The Phifers were not at the meeting, but will receive a $100 check and Yard of the Month certificate.
Commissioner Mary Frank "Frankie" Fleming-Adkins thanked Brown for all the work the Beautification Committee has done in the downtown area. Cleveland natives who have driven through the town in recent months have commented about how much better the town looks, she said.
The ER is closing and the inpatient medical unit. Also the OR inpatient surgery patients. Hefner/VAMC will only do out patient procedures and ECT.
The Hefner/VAMC will be the center” for excellence in Long term Care and Psychiatry. “ per VISN 6.
The American Federation of Govrnment Employees , AFL-CIO have written letters to their congressmen:
Dear Representative, Watts, Hayes, Burr, Senator Dole:
I am writing to thank you for your opposition to the sudden and shocking decision to contract out or ER, OR and medical surgical units at the W.G. {Bill] Hefner VAMC.
NC’s Veterans served our country honorably. Now our country must keep its promise to provide them with the specialized care that only the VA can provide. Requiring the
Veterans who depend on the Hefner VAMC to use overcrowed community hospitals and ERs and face burdensome out-of-pocket medical co-pays is unfair and unacceptable.
Further, as details of the facilities closing decision have emerged, it is clear that the VA with the knowledge of top management at Hefner VAMC conducted a secret study
To justify their decision to diminish services. This leads me to believe the VA fully intends to expand the contracting out of health care this the Hefner VAMC, across NC. and the entire country.
This is outrageous! Quality, affordable veterans’ health care will disappear and the veterans will die.
I understand you are going to contact VA Secretary James Peak and urge him to reverse the decision to contract out acute care services at the Hefner VAMC Salisbury. I urge you to do that as
Soon as possible. Thank you for supporting NC’s Veterans.
---end of sample letter above----
Salisbury, NC VA Med Center is located in Senator Elizabeth Dole's hometown and in NC Congressman Robine Hayes district -- both Republicans, Bush supporters, and running again for re-election ... If this happened in their own back yard, allegedly without their knowledge, what do you think is in store for you and your state?
Union, VA leaders spar over potential job cuts
Salisbury Post Thursday, October 09, 2008 Two national union leaders visiting Salisbury Wednesday warned that planned changes to the Hefner VA Medical Center could cost 1,000 jobs — an assertion denied by a spokeswoman for the medical center.
"It won't be like a plant closing, it'll be more like a constant whacking away," said J. David Cox, national secretary-treasurer for the American Federation of Government Employees.
He admitted the predicted loss of jobs was a "very speculative number."
Carol Waters, pubic affairs officer for the VA Medical Center, said the planned changes won't result in any job cuts.
"That's not true," Waters said when told the huge job losses that Cox predicted. "It's unfair to our veterans and our staff to upset them by saying that."
Cox spoke to AFGE members during a luncheon at the VA. Also speaking was John Sweeney, president of the AFL-CIO.
The pair had spoken earlier in the day to a smaller group of union workers during a round-table discussion at Salisbury's Farmhouse Restaurant.
Both Cox and Sweeney said the job cuts will be devastating to veterans served by the VA, as well as the Rowan County economy.
VA administrators announced last month that the hospital will be making a transition away from inpatient, emergency and surgical services to a long-term and mental-health facility for veterans.
The news has been received with much criticism by both veterans and VA employees.
"What's happening here is outrageous," Sweeney said. "It's an insult to the courageous veterans who have done so much for our country."
Sweeney said the AFL-CIO includes 10.5 million members, which includes members of the AFGE.
He said the shifts planned for the VA are "part of an effort to privatize everything.
"They want to do with health care what they did for the financial industry," Sweeney said. "You see where that's led us."
He said the moves at the VA will push more veterans to privatized hospitals that are already overcrowded. Sweeney said doing so would saddle veterans with out-of-pocket co-pays and force them into long lines in emergency rooms.
"We're not going to stand by silently," Sweeney said. "We're going to win this battle and we're going to win it soon."
At Wednesday's VA luncheon, union workers distributed form letters they asked members to sign and send to congressmen Howard Coble, Robin Hayes and Mel Watt, who represent the area.
"I urge you to immediately contact VA Secretary James Peake and urge him to reverse the decision to contract out acute care services at the W.G. "Bill" Hefner VAMC in Salisbury," the letters concluded.
Cox said while the VA has denied that jobs will be cut, it was important to look for "code words" in a Health-Care Center Facility Leasing Program document released by the VA.
He said jobs will be lost throughout the VA, both in Salisbury and at other VA centers across the country. Attrition will take care of some, Cox said, with employees not replaced when they quit.
Other jobs will be out-sourced to private companies where workers can be hired at pay rates far lower than what union members make.
"Is all this going to happen overnight?" Cox asked. "No, but it will happen."
No, Waters countered, it won't.
She said some workers may change jobs through the planned changes, but denied that cuts are forthcoming. Waters said between $60 million and $100 million in improvements are planned for the local VA.
"Our center is going to grow in staff and service," Waters said. "We have an incredible potential to be a model for the country."
She admitted that not all involved with the forthcoming changes is known, and VA administrators are still learning.
She said that in 1996, the number of patients treated through the VA was 24,896. This year, that number is expected to exceed 65,000.
"That's incredible growth," Waters said. "We've got so many great changes. It's a shame that these people don't look at the glass as half-full. The potential is over-running."
Essie Hogue, president of the local chapter of the AFGE, said about 1,600 workers are employed at the local VA and its outpatient clinics in Charlotte and Winston-Salem.
"We are in the fight of our lives," Hogue warned her fellow union members.
Alma Lee, president of the National VA Council, said much the same. She referred to the planned changes as "the latest attempt to dismantle the VA as you know it.
"This is part of the national plan by the VA to radically alter how veterans receive care by the VA," Lee said.
Yesterday, while making calls on behalf of the Obama campaign, I reached an individual that proved just how hard we must work to make this happen. When I asked this gentleman if he'd decided who he'd vote for in the coming election, he said..." the Aryan Brotherhood." I paused briefly and told him to have a nice day. Some folks might be discouraged to hear that type of thing, and it was "disappointing". However, if my parent's generation can face down fire hoses and police dogs for equality, then I can rise above that ignorance for a greater cause.
OBAMA-BIDEN 08!
