Organizing for America | Mayors for Obama

By Los Angeles Next Mayor - Jul 1st, 2009 at 6:37 pm EDT

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Did you know that Los Angeles Mayor Vilaragosa supported Clinton in the Primary?

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By Los Angeles Next Mayor - Jul 1st, 2009 at 8:35 am EDT

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Help me impeach Mayor Vilagrosa. L.a needs a Mayor we can trust. If he can't fix his marrage then how can he fix L.A? It's immpossible.

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Duty Calls

By Los Angeles Next Mayor - Jun 29th, 2009 at 10:57 am EDT

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Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country. JFK There was a time for change, but now we need to change the results.

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Detroit's Cobo Hall Expansion Plan $20 Million Dollars killed by Detroit City Council.

By Nina Calahan-James, Freelance Writer - Mar 21st, 2009 at 10:29 am EDT

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By Nina Calahan-James,

Freelance Writer & Washington Correspondent

Michigan residents are excited about $20 million dollars they could receive. The 20 Million dollars would permit the expansion plan for the home for the North America International Auto Show, Detroit’s Cobo Hall convention center.

The plan calls for a total renovation of the current Cobo Hall and a 120,000 square-foot expansion. Church & State Talk Radio Detroit, interviewed Wayne Country Executive, Robert A Ficano on Saturday March 7, 2009. Ficano, an innovative public servant successfully manages the largest county in the state of Michigan, with over 2.1 million citizens and the eleventh largest county in the nation. Tenacity for a tireless ambassador, Ficano regularly meets with citizens, community leaders, the corporate community and other elected officials throughout the county, the State of Michigan and nationally to highlight and victorously promote Wayne County.

Ficano intends to victoriously revitalize Detroit with his current futuristic initiative, the expansion of Cobo Hall Convention Center. For over decades the Detroit’s Cobo Hall has been the venue for the North American International Auto Show. This venue provides sixteen thousand jobs and millions of dollars in economic impact each year. Detroit’s Cobo Hall has deteriorative with antidote leaks that cannot be fixed in the basement. Cobo Hall is in dire need or repairs, upgrades and major expansion.

Detroit City Council threw a serious punch, bruising the plans to renovate and expand Cobo Center, when it killed a deal from legislation for a $288-million expansion and renovation of Cobo. When you drive into many of the Detroit neighborhoods, dark shaded glasses may not shield you from the thousands of dilapidated homes, drug crack houses and buildings glaring at you. Detroit city council members can’t see to get it together.

City Council members are being referred to as a tragic circus, a group of people you would laugh at in a Tyler Perry movie. Many Detroit residents agree their city council members are a ridiculous embarrassment, unprofessional and just too dumb to run a city of Detroit’s magnitude and global potential. Detroit City Council members are split in their position; many afraid to surrender their precious city jewel, turning the home of the North American International Auto Show over to a regional authority. Wayne County Executive, Ficano is facing a tough dirty battle with Detroit City Council.

During the interview with Church & State Talk Radio Ficano stated “The audit firms have not been able to audit the city of Detroit’s books. One of the problems we encounter, trying to design the legislation, Detroit’s books were unauditable. We were trying to determine the cost to manage and run Detroit City Hall. They weren’t able to audit the books. In the line area, the city spends 15 Million a year out of their general fund, just to open the doors. Under this agreement that 15emillion a year, they don’t have to give out of their general fund. Detroit could use this money to balance their budget, hire police officers, firemen or to pay off debt”.

Chicago's McCormick place and the LA Convention Center are more modern and accommodating to automaker displays. Ficano continued. “These venues Chicago. LA, Beijing and Parris want the auto show because of the economic activity”. “We have 6000 journalist that show up every year in comparison to the super bowl drawing only 3000 journalist” County Executive, Ficano and Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm the state Legislature and key leaders in metro Detroit, signed off on a plan to create a five-member board that would own and operate Cobo Hall.

The deal also would provide $20 million to Detroit and relieve the city of Cobo’s annual operating deficit. The legislation created a five-member authority with representatives from Detroit, the state, Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties. L.Brook Paterson is one of the stakeholders. L. Brooks Patterson is beginning his fifth four-year term as Oakland County Executive, after winning re-election in 2008 by another large electoral margin. He is the chief elected official in one of Americas most affluent and progressive counties receiving number one status in many U. S. categories.

During the 16 years of the Patterson administration, Oakland County government has earned respect from Wall Street for its solid tax base and sound financial policies by attaining and maintaining a coveted AAA bond rating, which only 34 of the nation's 3,200 counties have received. The Detroit City Council is opposed of the authority of the stakeholders for the expansion deal offering major upgrades and over 20 Million dollars. City Council President, Monica Conyers achieved the votes necessary to kill the expansion deal by one vote from City Council member Alberta Tinsley-Talabi. She switched sides to grant the necessary five votes to reject the expansion deal. Conyers have been noted lauded the vote, saying Cobo will remain "in the hands of the citizens of Detroit." It’s not over yet.

The city of Detroit has not demonstrated the ability to manage their budget. Detroit remains in a deficit, with automotive financial troubles increasing and over 500,000 unemployed workers. Michigan cannot afford to lose the economic impact of Cobo Hall and it largest venue, the North America International Auto Show.

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Church & State Talk Radio

By Nina Calahan-James, Freelance Writer - Feb 21st, 2009 at 4:06 am EST

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Church & State Talk Radio, Detroit

It’s amazing how one man can affect an entire nation. In less than one week from the most electrifying election in our lifetime many people felt born again. Inspired by the Campaign for Change Movement of President Barack Obama, a new radio talk show was created in Detroit.

Church & State Talk Radio is a non-partisan empowering and informative radio production. They present Washington segments from Capitol Hill. The young team presents an innovative, vibrant freshness in conducting weekly interviews of national and local political and religious leaders They aim to educate listeners every Saturday with a better understanding of government, politics and the religious community.

A team of three motivated and innovative young people, consultanting with seasoned professionals, as they work together to educate the community on the political issues that matter to our society. Hosted by newcomer, Nina Calahan-James, Kwame Hardy, a production specialist and Attorney Joe Humphrey, the legal analyst for the show.

Church and State Talk Radio were one of the few broadcast programs in Detroit, invited by the United States Senate Media Committee, to have seated tickets for the swearing in ceremony of President Barack Obama on January 20, 2009. With only a few thousand people including celebrities having seated tickets, Nina Calahan-James was seated in radio row, seat number 96, reported from Capitol Hill.

U.S. Senate Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, the first person of color in the nation’s history to serve the spiritual needs of our law makers., was Church & State Talk show’s first guest to introduce America’s perspective on religion. On February 7, 2009 the threesome examined with Chaplain Dr. Black, the historic separation of Church and State, but not the separation of God and State Calahan-James questioned the Chaplain as to his relationship with the various members of congress. He indicated, Americans would be quite surprised of the congress members seeking his daily counsel and attending services.

Clearly stating his relationship with the new president, Barack Obama, Co-Host, Kwame Hardy asked, Chaplain Black, if he were listed in President Obama’s blackberry? As one of the most interesting guest on the new political talk show, Chaplain Dr. Black, will appear on the show again in March and April taking questions from callers.

This team of three determined, young people air live every Saturday on the propelling proselytizing Christian conservative talk show oriented, Salem Communication owners of WDTK 1400AM and WLQV 1500AM. The station has introduced to Detroit a cast of flamboyant, acid tongues personalities that callers and listeners can love or hate depending on their ideological persuasion.

WDTK brings a line-up unloading right leaning conservatives, Church and State Talk Radio brings a different flavor, non-partisan approach on WLQV. Through out the recent presidential campaign, Calahan-James was a freelance writer and maintained the blog for the Campaign for Change Southfield, Michigan Headquarters. She’s the founder of Domestic Intervention Violence Awareness Services, D.I.V.A.S. Inc., Joe Humphrey was a community prosecutor assisting the United States Attorney Office, now in private practice. Hardy, a production specialist for WLQV. Humphrey and Calahan-James bring an analytical approach to the show.

Church and State Talk airs live on Saturdays at 1:00PM- 1:30PM. Visit the show website at www.churchandstateunited.com

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Health Discussion Summary

By Elliott Hartstein - Dec 31st, 2008 at 4:04 am EST

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REPORT OF HEALTH CARE REFORM DISCUSSION BUFFALO GROVE ILLINOIS
DECEMBER 27,2008 The discussion was convened and facilitated by Elliott Hartstein, Mayor of Buffalo Grove, Illinois at his home. Participants included 28 people from 10 different towns. The group included 18 men and 15 women ranging in age from 33 to 66, with about an equal number of people from most ages within that age range. The backgrounds of participants included: teachers, accountants, a comptroller, a nurse ,a realtor ,a lawyer, an insurance salesmen, an office administrator, an organizer, a consultant, a doctor, a computer advisor, a health insurance agent, several small business owners, a few retired business people and a few people currently unemployed. It was a diverse group with a wide variety of opinions and thoughts on health care reform. Stories were shared that emphasized the compelling need for health care reform. Robert Lewis of Homewood pointed out his wife is a diabetic and can't receive health care from just any provider at this time. Upon retirement she was covered by Blur Cross-Blue Shield so they couldn't turn her down. What they did do was almost double the cost of coverage which no longer included pharmacy, dental, or vision coverage. She is a type II diabetic and two of the four medicines she takes cost around $200 per month. As a result,Health Care Coverage for the two of them is around $1,500 per month. They need relief! Hal Snyder talked about how his daughter was laid off from her first job out of college and did not have money to pay for any insurance. Bobbie Piell of Northbrook shared the story of having to fight with a hospital emergency room to care for her husband since they did not at first want to service his care since they said it would cost them $10,000 and they didn’t know when they would get paid by Medicare. Maureen Gannon talked about the difficulty her kids had paying for immunizations for their babies that cost them nearly $400 each time they went back to their doctors.Chris Gurewitz of Arlington Heights told of how one year a child needed surgery and they had to pay $7000 for unreimbursed medical costs while they had the expense of 2 other kids in college at same time. Roman Segal of Vernon Hills talked of the difficulties he had as a disabled individual and the two year period that all disabled have to wait to start get payments under Medicare. From canvassing during campaign stories were shared that included the single parent in Iowa, who is a teacher that can't get health care coverage for son who has a brain condition and needs surgery. She didn’t make enough so she is going to sell her home to help raise the money needed. Another was a couple in Ohio that worked for the same company for over 20 years and were both laid off when the company down sized. They both now work for Wal-Mart, without benefits, struggling to make ends meet hoping neither of them will get sick. Our discussion focused on the biggest problems in the health care system. Cost and access were a big concern to most participants. Most felt that the current employer based systems was broken and that insurance companies were focused on profits and not on care. There was widespread concern about the difficulty that people have in getting insurance if they have any pre-existing conditions. There was a strong feeling that the lack of universal standards of coverage contributed to the cost and unfairness of the current system. Even those that had coverage felt they often were squeezed financially with deductibles and copays. The need for more preventive care was generally agreed upon. There was also a belief that the current approach in the health care arena was to focus on masking symptoms as opposed to addressing causes of health care problems. The discussion emphasized that most doctor choices for most people were dictated by who was in network or given insurance plan, though most appeared to want to go to highly rated doctors who are recommended by doctors or people who have had experience with a particular health concern. There was a consensus that more doctors were leaving profession due to malpractice costs and there was need for tort reform and also a need for incentives for doctors to go into primary and family care. The discussion reflected much support for a public single payer system, with such an approach to be available at a minimum for catastrophic care and for those that could not otherwise afford coverage. There was a belief that some government control is essential to guarantee coverage for all regardless of preexisting conditions and to insure that basic coverage was relatively uniform for all. Support was strong for promoting preventive care which often time is not pursued due to cost. Free screening or reducing cost for same was felt to be a need along with educational promotion of prevention. Discounts to those who got regular checkups were also strongly supported. The survey reflected that over half of the participants felt the biggest problem was either cost of insurance or of health care services. A quarter of all felt most strongly about preexisting conditions or lack of preventive care. The group felt nearly all approaches needed to be used to develop a plan for policy makers, and over two thirds of those in attendance felt they would be most motivated to stay involved in discussion with more detailed proposals for solutions to evaluate for moving forward with real change. A detailed summary of responses to all discussion questions is attached below. Our group appeared to be motivated to stay involved as recommendations are generated on health care reform. For further information on our discussion or to secure further input please contact Elliott Hartstein by email :elliotthartstein@yahoo.com or by cell to 847 830 6474. SUMMARY OF RESPONSES TO DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:1. Briefly, from your own experience, what do you perceive is the biggest problem in the health system?-There is a large insurance financial bureaucracy making it difficult for people toget care and collecting large amounts of money for being in the way. The primary goal of health care system should be taking care of people, not finding ways to pay for insurance.- Redundancy and over Treating symptoms vs causes of health problems-Universal standards nationwide are lacking with regard to coverage- System Does not cover everyone and Lack of insurance for all -Does not cover preexisting conditions and people in with same can’t get insurance and Need to eliminate preexisting clause conditions in policies- Price or cost of insurance-Insurance companies and monopoly or stranglehold they have on system-A need for rigid regulations and guidelines- 10% of people with health problems are 70% of cost- Care for disabled and 2 year wait period to get payment under Medicare-Donut hole Medicare part D-Drs leaving medicaid medicare-Lack of technology for records-With employer based insurance and bad economy and loss of jobs increases uninsured-High costs which seem to spiral out of control with each passing year-Inconsistent quality of care-Lack of oversight in hospitals- Barriers to health insurance access-Uninsured/underinsured-Cost of services and drugs-Preventative care needs major improvement-Lack of education on prevention-Current business model-Even Not for profits control expenses so as not to pay claims- For profit drug and insurance companies-Insurance does not cover 100%-Care varies from carrier to carrier and between states-High medical costs not being effectively considered instead we have spending driven by asking for treatment that is not always appropriate-Eliminate group ratings/classifications which artificially drive up annual insurance premiums when there is a bad loss experience in a group for only a small number of people in group-Elimination of insurance companies not paying for same meds from Canada to force drug companies to lower prices in U. S.-Eliminate need to pay for part D through separate insurance policy-prescription drugs should be part of parts A and B and at a minimum of 90% coverage-Incorporate all children 18 and under not covered by individual family plans into Medicare coverage which supports and encourages wellness care to include dental-Eliminate limits on amount contributed to Health savings accounts and sec 125 FSAs and allow business to write off all employee paid healthcare costs which will encourage more businesses to offer healthcare plans due to tax saving-Changes to tax code will increase individual savings, reduce insurance premium costs as a result of more people selecting higher deductibles to save more for long term care when needed like HSA expenditure deduction as an additional exemption to allow 100% of long term care cost to be tax deductible-Tort reform-ceiling on awardable lawsuits amounts for malpractice which will -lower costs of care for doctors -Insurance not set up to pay bills but to deny care to insure profits for companies-Insurance companies are middle man between doctors and patients-Few people take up most of the health care costs-80% of costs are caused by chronic diseases- we need treatment of causes and prevention-Need to tackle health care in tandem with unemployment-can’t let health care reforms be sidetracked as we deal with economy-Employer based insurance creates many of existing problems-Need digitized records-People do not have discipline to follow preventive care and meds-Need to build education into schools to learn about prevention-Need insurance regulations at state also to ban exorbitant rates or not taking people with preexisting conditions-Access should be considered a right-Redundancy –going to lots of doctors and requesting same tests- need for one system with technology to avoid duplication of services-Need to shift funds to preventive care-many comments of support for single payer system and not having employer based insurance -insurance company rate reform is needed including some possible government regulations-At a minimum there is need to have single payer public system for catastrophic care and for those that cannot get insurance-There isn't a healthcare system ... it is a fragmented, non-cohesive apparatus devoid of centralized finance,accountablity, and public interest. - the biggest problem in our health system is a double issue: one is the insurance companies as entities of special interests; their profit is the only acceptable gain in the whole system. They are the ones who have benefited from many changes, yet have an economical model that cannot be applied to anyone else in the system. As a doctor you cannot deny care to someone base on their ability to pay, yet the insurance company immediately terminate you if you don’t pay the premiums or if you have become a liability. The other is the lawyers and the lack of tort reform which has created such a litigious society that there are enormous costs to defensive medicine-There is a huge cost to many unnecessary tests and procedures that doctors do only to defend themselves in case of a suit. This is one of the higher driver of the costs. -Instead of controlling costs, now we have insurance companies cutting deals with health care institutions and pharmaceutical companies. We have insurance companies dictating what drugs can be covered and what drugs can't based on those "deals." We have the length of in-hospital stays dictated by insurance companies. I think there needs to be a discussion about reforming the managed care system, so that the bulk of decision-making can be done by the patient and physician. -.Insurance companies are dictating the care to be provided to the patients (or are limiting it) to the doctors and not the care that is needed.
-The only thing that matters to the insurance companies is their profits and not the care of the patients, though they're in the business of patient care. This model does not work or at least does not seem to be.
-Doctors are not able to provide the right care to the patients due to the limitations by the insurance companies.
-Malpractice insurance costs for the doctors have been getting out of hand and a lot of doctors are moving to different states where they are manageable.
-There are no incentives for the drug manufacturers to work on drugs towards a permanent cure. Their focus is on maintaining status quo for extended revenue stream. The focus is not on wellness but profits.

2.A. How do you choose a doctor or hospital?/What are your sources of information?-I choose doctor and hospital that are near where I live and in my insurance plan. -Family member who are MDs are source of referral-Approved by insurance, referred by other doctors-Doctors ,friends,internet-Seek out teaching hospitals with well trained medical staff-Contact with friends who have been ill, web sites, insurance guidelines, -Referral of doctors and friends, internet -Whoever carrier covers- Whoever authorized by HMO- Family physician and network available thru work plan- As veteran use VA system-Providers in network with employer plan-Internet, benefit handbooks-Have to select from those who are covered by insurance policy-Friends public ratings-Wikipedia and internet- Where Medicare will cover disability-I chose a doctor by word of mouth and recommendations from friends and families. I find the “statistics” to be seriously flawed. Examples ““Best doctors lists” have chosen 2 doctors I personally know that have been audited by the office of inspector general for fraud and abuse of the Medicare system, so how come they make it to “ the best list”? Health care grades: Do you know that you can go to the web site and answer many times the surveys for good or bad and it counts every time as a new one, ? It is like voting many times for the same person, it would not be fair, isn’t it????? B. How should public policy promote quality health care providers? - Public policy can promote quality by aiming for full transparency in health care stats and making this information readable and accessible. Public policy can also improve the quality of health care by mandating that insurance carriers may not restrict subscribers' choice of health care provider.-make it universal-Lower cost of insurance-Tort reform-Help with education tax benefits to doctors going into primary care-Emphasis on training more doctors in primary care and incentives for doctors going into these fields-National rankings and rating systems for doctors and hospitals- Evaluations from reliable independent experts-Rating doctors-Digitize med records so you only have one file that will be uniform for all doctors-By requiring primary care physicians to follow medical protocols and to change the incentives from rewarding specialty care to encouraging primary care education. -I am a doctor. I voted for Barack because I truly believe there is a need for a health care reform. I fear that when I am on Medicare age, a primary care md will be extinct and only nurse practitioners and physician assistants will exist. By then, any good doctor will have abandon medicine… When a union worker in Detroit can make the same or more than a primary care doctor without the 12 y of school or the responsibility…. No wonder. I would not recommend any one to become a doctor. And it says a lot of my profession. I work more than 50 h per week, have more than 50% overhead on my business, yet I have no right to collect at the time of service. If you go to the car shop and don’t have the money, they don’t give you the car, do they??? I believe every one, including myself MUST sacrifice something. The problem is that the big insurance industries and trial lawyers don’t: it is just me as a patient, myself as a doctor and I as individual…Public policies need to recognize the need address some core issues to make it worthwhile for people to practice medicine by policies that will bring down outrageous overhead. 3.A. Have you or your family members ever experienced difficulty paying medical bills?-Yes. My daughter was laid off from her first full-time job out of college and does not have money to pay for insurance. Policy makers can help by making sure access to health care does not depend on employment: not whether you are employed; not how long you havebeen at the present job.-Yes difficulty for my kids paying immunizations for babies $400 per visit not covered by insurance –need to make sure covered-Son unemployed and his cobra cost $200 less than his unemployment insurance, leaving nominal amount to live on-One year a child needed surgery and had to pay $7000 for unreimbursed medical costs while we had expense of 2 other kids in college at same time-Individuals paying their bills: there are 2 issues that are crucial to this issue:a.There is culture of “ the insurance having the obligation to pay for everything”. Most patients don’t even know what their insurance doesn’t pay, yet do not feel obligated to pay their portion of the bill. In their mind, their premium is their portion… They think the doctors have to accept the insurance payment as “ enough”. b.The bills are so high because it is illegal for a doctors to have 2 payment scales: one for insurance, one for self pay. So the self pay patients have to pay the same rates given to insurances which are very high. In reality, if doctors, were allowed to have 2 different pay scales, self pay patients would have much cheaper rates. This would take into account the savings that the doctor would have on the billing service, delay payment, claim submission, a savings that would be given directly to the patient. Many more patients would chose NOT to pay for health insurances or have only major medical and the insurance companies would have a fit! So of course they would never allow this to happen. B. What do you think policy makers can do to address this problem?-Lower costs-Make coverage universal and eliminate exceptions for preexisting conditions- Guarantee access at reasonable cost-Price controls, payment plans thru providers-Need uniform standards as to what will be covered-Need to move towards universal coverage-Redo insurance model of employer based coverage built in 40’s-Limit lawsuits against doctors and hospitals,penalties for obesity,smoking- Have a single payer system where every one is insured- Tax codes changes on HSA and Sec 125 FSAs,elim preexisting condition clauses -Standardized subsidized pricing structure,universal coverage, fair business practices mandated- If you go to hospital and have insurance all services should be covered by insurance-Public policy-makers have enabled the 'free-market' to convert healthcare from a life-sustenance and quality-of-life necessity to a commodity. Only through a single-payer universal healthcare system will we achieve economies of scale, ACCOUNTABILITY, elimination of massive fraud-waste-abuse, and the delivery of cost-effective, necessary (as opposed to excessive) healthcare services-Less Defensive Medicine, more preventive care and health education-Standard charges for comparable services-If every thing is computerized the cost would come down 4. In addition to employer-based coverage, would you like the option to purchase a private plan through an insurance-exchange or a public plan like Medicare?-I would like a public plan, Medicare for all.- Another said Medicare is not working all that well and not the way to go- Yes like public plan for long term care- Cancel employer based model, public plan would be more equitable-yes, a plan just like congress has-eliminate group coverages and have universal coverage offered individually- I have absolutely no confidence in employer-based coverage with one exception --- corporate-based healthcare clinics (for large employers). Insurance is not the vehicle for developing an efficient healthcare delivery system 5.A. Do you know how much you or your employer pays for health insurance?-When I was most recently employed, my employer paid about $5,000 per year for my health insurance. We changed providers almost every year and costs still went up over 10% per year most years since 2000.-$650 month employer /150 self-$12000 year employer/4000 individual-$500/month -I am a self employed person and have 2 big issues: as an employer with 3 employees, I can not afford any group policy, it would cost much more than the salary of the people involved, not to mention the many “riders” of the preexisting conditions and non insurability. As a self employed I bought an individual policy that is somewhat cheaper because it is basically a major medical policy in which my deductible per year is $10.000. I have seen how much the employers pay for insurance. My last employer before I quit was paying about $900 dollars a month for my family, I had a $400 dollars added to it. Plus deductible, plus copayments. B. What should an employer’s role be in a reformed health care system?-Emphasize health living with exercise and fitness option available at work- Uniform standards-an assessment if they don’t provide coverage- Employers should be required to pay a per employee fee for their healthcare purchase by a single-payer, government funded resource. Direct contracting between healthcare providers and government will eliminate insurance and the attendant massive waste and kickbacks inherent in the current non-system.-Employers should utilize their influence to enable employees to become more informed healthcare consumers. -In my opinion health insurance through employers can not be mandatory unless the costs of the insurance will fall below certain percentage of the income of the worker. How do you expect a $10/h worker ( about 400 per week – minus taxes) be able to afford a $100 per week premium??? This example could probably afford no more than $10 per week premium, being realistic. Good luck finding a job that would change this amount for health insurance. While I was employed, my premium was exactly the same that of the cleaning lady that cleaned my office making the $10 / h. 6. A.Below are examples of the types of preventive services Americans should receive [screening mammography, flu shots, cholesterol screening]. Have you gotten the prevention you should have?-I have got most preventive services I need. Still need to schedule a colonoscopy but expense causes me to hold off. -No- due to co pay not affordable-No-clinics need to be more accessible and affordable-with catastrophic coverage(high deductable) which doesn't cover any checkups or preventative care. Checkups at our age are cost prohibitive so we try to live a healthy lifestyle.B. If not, how can public policy help? -Public policy can help by opening up walk-in screening services with no up-front charge to the people - no co-pay, no deductible, no fees - and by requiring that no insurance carrier may alter someone's insurability based on the outcome-Education on importance of preventive care-Need lower costs-Increased communications, public awareness- Main reason people don’t get preventive care is cost-universal coverage is only logical way to make sure - subsidize wellness care in schools and communities people have better health in entire country-Preventive medicine: It is the joke of American medicine. It has fallen into the responsibilities of the doctors, not the patients, just like a litigious society has created a bunch of irresponsible people who can sue anyone for their mistakes. There is always some one else responsible for it. It is my doctor’s responsibility to keep nagging me for not to become diabetic, not for me to create good eating habits and to exercise…. 7. How can public policy promote healthier lifestyles? -Provide universal access for prevention, and follow-up.- Allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices and revamp and simplify Medicare D so that it works for the people, not against them. -Credits for premiums-Incentives for healthy life styles-Provide some coverage for health club membership- Increase health education in schools on-dangers of obesity,smoking-Free screening,- discounts for those who get regular checkups- Education on healthy life styles and nutrition- penalize obesity-Dr can be reimbursed when patient quits smoking lowers blood pressure etc-get bonus- Insurance policy guidelines-Subsidized natural foods and agricultural food distribution-Reduce work hours to promote recreation-Offer discounts for those that lose weight or stop smoking- By promoting independent, objective information resources via interactive television, the Internet, and through public schools, churches, and other forums. -Promote success stories on cable TV Other Discussion Questions that were addressed Generally what type of health care plan would you like to see. Reaction to basic ideas of Obama proposal as presented during Campaign Guaranteed coverage for everyone More emphasis on prevention and standards of coverage Universal standards nationwide A more preventive based plan Program similar to Canada UK single source provider Universal coverage available to all ,access to those with preexisting conditions,many young adults graduating from college are dropped from family coverage

How should health care plan be paid for Reduce healthcare overhead -A combination of taxes,employer participation and contribution to those that cannot afford to payShared w employer and employee based on national standards-Privately-lower rates with more rigid guidelines-Cut defense spending-Raise payroll taxes - higher cigarette tax
What are essential ingredients of any plan and what are reasonable exclusionsUniversal access,oversight and accountability-Standards-emphasis on prevention-Essential ingredients would be affordable for everyone if someone can’t pay the government should pay The rest of us should be on a sliding scale
What are perceived potential problems of different approaches to dealing with health care-Lack of health education and awareness of health y lifestyles-There is a need for better regulation of health insurance companies,assistance to those with preexisting conditions and better regulation of claims and pricing structure on policies is needed- cost-General fear of government intervention -Insurance forms in lay terms-Cut paperwork-System should work for people not insurance companies-Starting simply first with little regulatory consideration and tax codes then move into issues of inclusion and covering less fortunate

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Hindsight

By Sara Knizhnik - Oct 29th, 2008 at 11:35 pm EDT

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In the summer of 2004 – before Barack Obama became a shoo-in in his race for the Illinois Senate seat – I was driving through Highwood, Illinois. I had been heading north on Green Bay Road through some of the most expensive real estate in the country. Wilmette, Winnetka, Kenilworth, Highland Park. I was trying to find a westbound road home to the not-so-expensive real estate where I live. I took a wrong turn and ended up circling through a Highwood residential neighborhood. Highwood is where many of the people who serve the affluent clientele in the surrounding communities live. This is where Lake Forest’s housekeepers, waitresses, nannies and lawncare professionals go at the end of their day. It’s a lovely community with well-maintained homes, lots of children and lawns that are obviously cared for. The houses are modest, but it’s clear that the people who live there work hard and take great pride in what they’ve accomplished and in the children who live and learn in their community. As I turned a corner in search of the quickest route home, I found myself on one of these streets. The first sight I saw was dozens of Barack Obama for Senator lawn signs. I mean dozens! Block after block, it was the same story. It would have been much easier to count the yards that did not sport signs than to count the ones that didn’t. My first thought was, “Who IS this guy?” My second thought was that something very much out of the ordinary was going on.

Not long after I lost my way that day, the Illinois Senate race registered on my radar screen. In short order, the Republican campaign imploded, and Obama was suddenly the favorite in the race. That August, Obama gave his speech to the 2004 Democratic convention and became a household name. In the airport a few weeks later, on my way to Vancouver, I picked up a copy of Obama’s book, “Dreams from my Father.” I read it in three days, and, ever since, I’ve been a devoted supporter. Not a day has gone by in the past four years that I didn’t read about him or hear about him or look for a way to read or hear about him. Long before he announced his campaign for the presidency, I hoped he would. And, from the day he did, I’ve thought of him as a front-runner. A real contender. I know that sounds crazy to most people. Until a half a year or so ago, I’m sure he seemed like a long shot to just about everyone. I can’t explain it, but I just knew, as far back as the 2004 election, that things would play out the way they have. I knew it then, and I know it now – Obama is different. He’s the real thing. And, he’s just what we need.

You may be wondering about my sanity at this point. Or be sure that I’m a knee-jerk liberal. Maybe I am, but I’m very much sane. And, I’ve seen confirmation of my point of view over and over again in the years since I began following Obama’s career. This was meant to be. It’s clear from the way no less than half a dozen people told me the same thing in the wake of Obama’s iconic 2004 Democratic convention speech, “Oh my God. He’s going to be our first black President!” They all had this same response, almost word-for-word. And the subtext common to all was that they couldn’t believe how sure they were that this was true. I heard this conviction in the voices of people I trust again and again. It was clear in the hushed voice of the woman I passed on my way from the polls on Election Day last spring. “Obama ‘08” she said with a slight smile and a knowing look. She knew that I knew, and I knew that she knew. We knew that it would come to this – Barack Obama, the front-runner, on the eve of the presidential election of 2008. It was clear in those Highwood yard signs. Our time for change has come.

I voted today. I voted early, with a smile on my face, after waiting in line for an hour. Nearly a week before Election Day. (And, I don’t even live in a swing state.) You could feel the excitement in the room. And, no one seemed to mind the wait. As I stood in the booth and blackened the oval beside Obama’s name, I felt a continuity between that day in Highwood and where I stood. That oval beside his name was the only logical conclusion. This was meant to be.

This is what I believe. What I know. Barack Obama is a phenomenal leader who truly cares about helping this country live up to its ideals. But, he knows he can’t do it alone. He knows that Americans have to do it together. And he knows that we can. We believe in him because he believes in us.

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Tenth for Obama Platform Meeting

By Ellen Beth from Deerfield, IL - Jul 23rd, 2008 at 11:18 pm EDT

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Today I hosted 41 people in Deerfield for the Tenth for Obama platform meeting. I sent the pictures to the Obama webmaster. I hope they get published (although they were a bit dark).

More after the fold:

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Platform Meetings

By Ellen Beth from Deerfield, IL - Jul 9th, 2008 at 1:01 pm EDT

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When I was a delegate to the 2004 DNC, the one thing that disappointed me was that I had no say and really no vote on the party platform. I don't remember even getting a timely copy.

Well, it's 2008, Barack is our nominee and things are different. I'm sure you've received the message from Barack that they are looking to us to help them create the platform and I think we should take them up on it so we get our say and so we're asked again.

We have a committee forming for at least one event in the district are I'm just writing to open this up for people who want to join in the planning.

If you are working on your own platform event, please let all of us know about it.

If you want to help work on the event we are currently working on, email me at ebgill@aol.com.

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Toughness

By Sara Knizhnik - Feb 27th, 2008 at 5:28 pm EST

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I recently felt my first real stab of anger in this campaign. I suddenly recognized all of the talk about whether or not Obama is tough enough to be leader of the free world for what it is. BS. His critics often claim that he’s too soft, with his inclusive campaign and feel-good message. This resentment in me was sparked by a letter in my local newspaper from an elderly African-American man who wrote a letter to the editor pointing out that no black man in America succeeds without being tough. I’m a 36-year old, white woman. I’ll leave this gentleman’s argument to him and others who actually know what they’re talking about when they discuss what it means to be a minority in the US. I’ll write what I know - that no kid in America who faced struggles similar to those that Obama faced succeeds without being tough.

My own sister laughed out loud when, not long ago, I claimed that Obama and I have a lot in common. I understand her reaction. On the surface, it seems ludicrous. Obama may have been born on the ebb of the Baby Boom wave, but, culturally speaking, he is very much of my generation. He’s got ten years on me, but, as children, we both experienced first-hand the tribulations common to GenXers. The absent fathers, the single mothers and all that comes in their wake. Obama and I had to be independent at an early age. To make our own school lunches and do our own laundry. We had to look out for our younger sisters and often make them dinner. We had to learn to deal with our anger at the things we could not control. We had to learn to adjust when our lives were uprooted by yet another move, and yet another new school. Both Obama and I had to learn to live with and to love a step-parent. And to navigate the uncharted waters of this new kind of family – to understand the implications for our fathers, our mothers, our sisters and ourselves. Every child must learn at some point that he is not the center of his parents’ world. But, kids like Obama and me have to learn it at a much younger age than others do.

When I was in high school, I could count on one hand the number of my friends whose parents were married to each other. More than 60% of my generation’s parents divorced during our childhoods. I know how easy it would have been to use the troubles of my childhood as an excuse to give up on my future, to choose not to strive for anything, to live a life of self-absorption and selfishness. But, I didn’t. And neither did Obama. And neither did millions of other kids like me. In addition to all of these challenges, Obama faced far larger ones than I ever did. He had to learn how to be a child of mixed-race in America in the 1980s and how to be a black man in America in the 1990s. He did it all without a role model who looked like him. If this man’s success isn’t evidence of toughness to spare, then it’s only because he and millions of people like him have succeeded with such resilience and grace. The way I see it, Obama is the standard-bearer of a generation that is defined by toughness.

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My Final Word

By Sara Knizhnik - Feb 3rd, 2008 at 5:16 pm EST

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This is my final word on the subject of Barack Obama. (Well, before the Super Tuesday primaries, anyway.)

The week after Obama won the Iowa Caucuses, Newsweek magazine put his image and the quote "Our time for change has come." on its cover. The week after Hillary Clinton won the New Hampshire primary, the same magazine published a cover with her and the following quote, "I've found my voice."

Hillary's all about "I" and "my." Obama's all about "we" and "our." As for me, that's all I need to know.

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The Future is Now

By Sara Knizhnik - Dec 27th, 2007 at 2:39 pm EST

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Seven days to go. The Iowa caucuses are January 3. I can't believe it's been ten months since I started this blog - the day after Obama announced the beginning of his campaign. I've loved playing my (very small) role, and I've enjoyed some small victories. A few people here and there have told me they donated to the campaign as a result of my blog. A LOT of people I know who were on the fence last spring are now full-blown Obama supporters. What has never wavered is my conviction that Obama is the right choice. In fact, I'm more convinced than ever. And, I'm not alone. As I've followed the campaign and watched the months roll by, I've read about more and more heavy-hitting media types - both progressive and conservative - who've come out in support of Obama.

There are so many reasons why I think Obama is the best choice. The (conservative!) Newsweek columnist, Fareed Zakaria, wrote a week or so ago about how Obama has what no other major candidate has - a true understanding of what America looks like to people who are not Americans. Zakaria argues it's crucial that our next president have such a worldview because of the new, globalized world we're living in. Whether we like it or not, we're all neighbors now. Our next world leader must be someone who can make wise decisions based on sound judgment and integrity. I've never doubted that Obama has both.

I have two young sons. To me, Obama the man and Obama the message represent what I want their future to be. That future is now.

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Cast a Vote for Obama NOW on Dailykos

By Joe - Dec 13th, 2007 at 4:11 pm EST

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Go to http://www.dailykos.com/ and cast a vote for Obama as winning today's last Iowa debate.

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Proud Mama

By Sara Knizhnik - Dec 5th, 2007 at 8:05 am EST

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My son is smart. I mean off-the-charts smart. When we had him tested so that he could apply to gifted programs, they couldn't measure his IQ. The highest possible score on the test wasn't high enough. But, that's not why I'm proud of him. I'm proud of him because of what his first-grade teacher told me at our parent-teacher conference a few weeks ago. She said that he never makes the other children feel dumb. He listens to what they have to say. He lifts them up. He doesn't drag them down. I was thinking recently that - at my gut level - this is why I like Obama. He's almost always the smartest guy in the room, but he doesn't talk down to people.

I think people want to vote on the issues. But when it comes right down to it, and they're standing in the voting booth, they generally vote with their gut. They vote for the candidate who lifts them up, who instills a sense of hope for the future. Does Hillary Clinton do this for you?

My money's on Obama. (And, I mean that, literally. If you'd like to place a bet, too, then click on the Donate button.)

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A Walking Talking Hope Machine

By Sara Knizhnik - Dec 2nd, 2007 at 8:05 am EST

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Frank Rich, a New York Times columnist, wrote a wonderful piece that appears in today's paper. Here's the link...

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/02/opinion/02rich.html?hp

Rich is a liberal, to be sure. But, if you've read his work, then you know he's not of the knee-jerk variety. He talks straight and today he's talking straight about Obama. The article is long, so allow me to paraphrase my favorite themes for you.

Rich gets the ball rolling by pointing out Bill Clinton's recent statement while campaigning on behalf of his wife's campaign that he explicitly opposed the Iraq War before it started. This is untrue and reminds us all of both Clintons' tendency to lie when it suits them. Bill Clinton did not publicly oppose the war in 2002. But, Obama did. And, Hillary voted for it.

Frank's next point is that the press has repeatedly been wrong about Clinton's inevitability and Obama's campaign. The press labeled as gaffes Obama's comments about 1) how he would go after Bin Laden if Musharraf could not be counted on to do so and 2) how we should sit down and talk to world leaders even when we don't agree with them. In retrospect, these look like remarkably prescient statements - dare I say it - even wisdom. (Kind of like when he opposed the Iraq War before it began in 2002)

Next, Rich says that Republican presidential candidates are more afraid of an Obama candidacy than a Clinton candidacy. Hillary hatred and mud-slinging is the one thing that could still unite Republicans in this country. And, it's the one thing that the Republican political machine still does well. This machine wouldn't know how to effectively confront Obama's charm and talk of hope and ability to appeal to what is best in Americans, particularly with its' party's systematic, historically-undeniable, and cynical use of race as a political tool. I sure would like to see them have to try though. Wouldn't you?

(By the way, did I mention that Obama opposed the Iraq War before it begain in 2002?)

Rich also disputes (AGAIN) the idea that Obama is now or ever was a Muslim. Every informed American knows this. And every responsible journalist should stand up and say it. For the record, Obama is an active Christian and has been for over 25 years. And, he opposed the Iraq War before it begin in 2002.

Rich's final point - and this is perhaps my favorite - is that Obama disarms even his critics and many of the most ultra-conservative, politically-minded people in the country including Shelby Steele, Tom Tancredo and Peggy Noonan (that much-admired Reagan speechwriter.) I've always said that when people get to know Obama, they generally fall in love with him. You've heard it before - the man's a walking, talking hope machine. The Hillary campaign knows this and that's why they're running scared.

And, with that, ladies and gentlement, I'm back in the blogging game.

And, did I mention that he opposed the Iraq War before it even started in 2002?

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Vote Today Online Poll for Obama

By Joe - Nov 29th, 2007 at 3:16 pm EST

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Daily Kos has a poll put up today at 9:42 AM. Make sure to go there today and vote for Obama! It’s still early…Obama’s now in second place at 26% behind Edwards at 35% Let’s change these numbers to reflect the grassroots support we are seeing moving in his direction. http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/11/29/124013/18

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Got experience ?

By Joe - Nov 25th, 2007 at 1:47 am EST

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Today's op-ed column by Michael Kinsley discusses this question raised in the campaign and decides Obama is his candidate so far.

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-kinsley24nov24,0,1170798.story?coll=la-home-commentary

"My candidate, at least at the moment, is Obama. When I hear him discussing some issue, I hear intelligence and reflection and almost a joy in thinking it through....That willingness, even eagerness, to figure things out seems to me more valuable than any amount of experience in allowing issues to wash over you as they do our incumbent president."

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You are needed in Iowa on Saturday

By Elliott Hartstein - Jul 31st, 2007 at 2:17 am EDT

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Now more than ever it is time to start giving the campaign that extra effort to start propelling Barack into the forefront in Iowa . I know we are all busy and have commitments but we are talking about the future of our country and the compelling need for the type of leadership that Barack can provide. This weekend, yes 4 days from now, is one of those opportunities where we each can really have an impact. Yes I mean getting in our cars and driving to Iowa to canvass for Barack. For those that can't drive themselves I know we can find rides. I am talking about a day trip giving up a full saturday from early morning till saturday nite. Don't even think about why you can't do it this weekend. Think about how you can shift some things around. Think about how you can get others who you may have had plans with to come along. I promise you won't be dissapointed that you made the trip. When you get there you will be energized and and when you get back you will be charged up to do even more for the campaign. It's not hard and you will be briefed in short order by the campaign staff. When I got back from my first trip to canvass in June I could not go to sleep until I shared the experience in the blog which follows this note. Please join me and others to make that special difference. It happens to be Baracks Birthday on saturday and what better present could we give him and ourselves than getting more Iowans excited about supporting him in the caucus. If you can make it, and I hope you will really try, please email me and I will see that you get information forwarded to you from the campaign or myself on details and locations , Send your name,town where you live, phone numbers and email to elliotthartstein@yahoo.com

Hope to see you saturday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Elliott Hartstein,An enthusiastic Obama supporter

My blog reflecting enthusiasm I came back with after June Walk for Change trip to Iowa:

For those of you who did not drive to Iowa to canvass for Barack this past weekend, you missed an amazing weekend. Whenever you have a free weekend I encourage to make the drive to spend some time talking to the Iowans who will have a profound effect on this Presidential race. I along with a little under a hundred fellow Illinois supporters made the 4 hour easy drive to Cedar Rapids leaving around 730 saturday morning. About 1400 others made similar trips to other cities in Iowa to spread the word on Barack.Upon our arrival we were greeted with enthusiasm by our Iowa counterparts who were assembled at the Obama Campaign site to welcome us. After hearing a rousing send off by our own State Senator John Cullerton from the North side of Chicago we sat together with our Iowa partners to prepare ourselves for hitting the streets of Cedar Rapids. We took turns going around the room rehearsing our varied approaches to to what we would say when we went door to door to canvass the people of Cedar Rapids, learning much from each other. Then in short order we jumped into our cars to drive to our assigned precincts not knowing exactly what to expect as we started knocking for Barack 7 months before the January 2008 Iowa Caucus date. It was nothing less than amazing. As I proceeded to knock for Barack on each door in my assigned neighborhood, everyone who answered the doors was more engaging than the last. You might think that 7 months before the caucus that people would not quite have focused on the election yet. Far from indifference, everyone had strong views to express on the issues they cared about, whether it be Iraq, Health care, Immigration and their strong desire to see a change in the White House. Their enthusiasm was infectious and energizing,all the more so when many of them volunteered to get involved in the campaign. We all carefully filled out our poll sheets noting the key concerns of each voter and the strengthof their respective commitments to supporting Barack so we could pass this info to the campaign office for further followup. As the sun began to set, we assembled in a nearby park where our Iowa friends had prepared a super pot luck dinner with more than anyone could eat; and exchanged our stories of the fascinating people we had met during the day. The hospitality did not stop as our Iowa friends opened up their homes to us to spend the night. As tired as we were we sat around till late that night sitting around family rooms throughout Cedar Rapids just getting to getting to know our hosts and talking about the excitement of the Obama campaign, pausing for a moment to see the story of our canvassing efforts and Baracks visits to Dubuque being the lead story on the local news. Finally it was time to hit the hay. Next morning wanting to maximize our contact with Cedar Rapids to spread the word when it was too early to start knocking on doors, a few of us stopped to hear a Speaker at a community forum at a local synagogue where we had lox and bagels as we worked the room before the speaker started spreading the word about why we had driven over from Illinois due to our commitment to Barack's campaign and why we hoped they would lend their support. I had come accross the event on the internet the night before we drove out as I was trying yto get feel for what was going on in Cedar rapids. After the program ended we headed back to campaign headquarters to pick up another packet so we could continue knocking on doors all afternoon. Once again the enthusiastic reception we got at each door made us start talking about how we could not wait to try to come back to Iowa to do this again. As we drove home we talked politics and exchanged emails so we fellow campaigners could keep up our dialogue and target another date to get back to Iowa. It's hard to describe how special the weekend was. We all came away energized and charged up feeling that we had made an impact and knowing that we all learned a lot from each other and our friends in Iowa. We know that if we and others continue these treks to Iowa over the next several months that we will be that much more energized when we wake up on the morning after the caucus to read the headline "Obama sweeps Caucus vote" Together we can all help the editors of the papers throughout the nation write that headline

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Obama and Me

By Sara Knizhnik - Jun 11th, 2007 at 10:10 am EDT

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I've been in a reflective mood lately. I'm reading more and listening to more music. Letting my mind wander. Daydreaming a lot. The last several weeks have had their ups and downs - birthday parties and runny noses. As a family, we've been in hyperdrive. Dashing around from one activity to the next, welcoming houseguests and saying goodbye. Our lives are settling into some sort of rhythm again, and I suppose that's freed up my mind a bit. That is until the next round of special occasions and seasonal allergies.

I suspect, however, that my choice of reading material is having a big impact on my current state of mind. I'm re-reading Barack Obama's first book, Dreams from My Father. I almost never re-read anything. I'm usually far too To-Do-List-oriented. Gotta move on to the next item. Cross the last one off my list. But, no kidding, Obama's memoir of his adolescence really is that compelling. I'm re-reading it just for the joy of it. He's got major writing talent. Maybe not in a John Steinbeck sort of way. But, definitely in an Oprah's Book Club sort of way.

So, what is it about Dreams from My Father that makes me all dreamy and reflective? It's the parallels I see between Obama's childhood and my own. And, it's the insight he offers about what it means to be black or white in this country – lessons in human nature for which my story has no parallel at all.

It's quite a surprise to find so much to relate to in the story of a child of mixed race, growing up in Indonesia and Hawaii. Two places that couldn't possibly be much further removed from the Midwestern farmtown that I once called home. Despite the real-world differences, the landscape of Obama's childhood and adolescence are startling in their familiarity. The awkward crush of insecurities that come with being the new kid. The feeling of having to raise oneself. The parents who are there, but not really there. Who support you, but let you know in so many unspoken ways that you will be independent, whether you like it or not. The grandparents with Midwestern values and all of the satisfactions and disappointments so common to their generation. Satisfactions and disappointments that are as real and obvious to you as their love and devotion. And, the certain knowledge that you would be lost without them. The reverence for education and the faith in its transformative power. It’s power to move you up and out of the not-quite-right place where you find yourself.

Of course, at the age when Obama begins to understand what it means to be of mixed-race in America, our stories veer off in very different directions. And, it’s at this point where my education begins. It’s exhilarating reading for someone like me. His experiences and the lessons he’s learned along the way offering answers to some of the questions about race that I’ve carried around in my head for years. The ones that there’s no one to talk to about. By the time I was mature enough to form them, let alone work up the courage to ask them, my aunt and my African-American uncle had moved to California. No longer a regular fixture in my life. And, to this day, I know no one else qualified to answer these questions well enough to impose on them in such a way.

The lessons and insight that Obama offers a white woman like me can be found in the story of his struggle to find his place in the world. None of it’s preachy, but all of it’s eye-opening. He discusses power and the very different ways it’s wielded and felt by blacks and whites. Fear gets the same sort of attention. I know that these are thoughts and ideas that I need to hear. But, even more, I need to internalize them. (Now this is the idea that slaps you upside the head.) As a white person, I can choose whether or not to internalize them. A black person doesn’t get to choose. It’s astounding how many white Americans just don’t get this.

I ask myself sometimes, why am I devoted to this one person’s quest for the presidency? Why am I so sure that, among politicians, he’s in a class by himself? I think it’s because I recognize in Obama the self-awareness that was so critical to my own journey to adulthood. The good intentions to empathize, even if I sometimes fall short of this ideal. I would have been lost without this ability to learn from my mistakes and from the mistakes of others. And, I know how easily it would have been at any point along the way to make a different, more self-destructive choice. When I factor in the far more challenging path to adulthood Obama traveled as a result of his mixed-race heritage, I find myself full of admiration for his courage and his choice to use it to serve his country and not himself.

My father told me once, with the skeptical tone so common to those Americans who came of age in the era of Vietnam and Watergate, “If Obama actually is the kind of person he portrays himself to be, then we are very lucky he’s chosen to go into politics. There aren’t enough people like him involved.” This I’m sure of. Obama is who he says he is. His campaign is about getting good people politically active again. This, his unique worldview, and his courage are a few of the many things that set him apart from the rest of the campaign crowd.

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You are needed in Iowa this Saturday Aug 4

By Elliott Hartstein - Jun 11th, 2007 at 2:10 am EDT

Also listed in: 10 groups

Now more than ever it is time to start giving the campaign that extra effort to start propelling Barack into the forefront in Iowa . I know we are all busy and have commitments but we are talking about the future of our country and the compelling need for the type of leadership that Barack can provide. This weekend, yes 4 days from now, is one of those opportunities where we each can really have an impact. Yes I mean getting in our cars and driving to Iowa to canvass for Barack. For those that can't drive themselves I know we can find rides. I am talking about a day trip giving up a full saturday from early morning till saturday nite. Don't even think about why you can't do it this weekend. Think about how you can shift some things around. Think about how you can get others who you may have had plans with to come along. I promise you won't be dissapointed that you made the trip. When you get there you will be energized and and when you get back you will be charged up to do even more for the campaign. It's not hard and you will be briefed in short order by the campaign staff. When I got back from my first trip to canvass in June I could not go to sleep until I shared the experience in the blog which follows this note. Please join me and others to make that special difference. It happens to be Baracks Birthday on saturday and what better present could we give him and ourselves than getting more Iowans excited about supporting him in the caucus. If you can make it, and I hope you will really try, please email me and I will see that you get information forwarded to you from the campaign or myself on details and locations , Send your name,town where you live, phone numbers and email to elliotthartstein@yahoo.com

Hope to see you saturday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Elliott Hartstein,Mayor Buffalo Grove,and more importantly............An enthusiastic Obama supporter

My blog reflecting enthusiasm I came back with after June Walk for Change trip to Iowa:

For those of you who did not drive to Iowa to canvass for Barack this past weekend, you missed an amazing weekend. Whenever you have a free weekend I encourage to make the drive to spend some time talking to the Iowans who will have a profound effect on this Presidential race. I along with a little under a hundred fellow Illinois supporters made the 4 hour easy drive to Cedar Rapids leaving around 730 saturday morning. About 1400 others made similar trips to other cities in Iowa to spread the word on Barack.Upon our arrival we were greeted with enthusiasm by our Iowa counterparts who were assembled at the Obama Campaign site to welcome us. After hearing a rousing send off by our own State Senator John Cullerton from the North side of Chicago we sat together with our Iowa partners to prepare ourselves for hitting the streets of Cedar Rapids. We took turns going around the room rehearsing our varied approaches to to what we would say when we went door to door to canvass the people of Cedar Rapids, learning much from each other. Then in short order we jumped into our cars to drive to our assigned precincts not knowing exactly what to expect as we started knocking for Barack 7 months before the January 2008 Iowa Caucus date. It was nothing less than amazing. As I proceeded to knock for Barack on each door in my assigned neighborhood, everyone who answered the doors was more engaging than the last. You might think that 7 months before the caucus that people would not quite have focused on the election yet. Far from indifference, everyone had strong views to express on the issues they cared about, whether it be Iraq, Health care, Immigration and their strong desire to see a change in the White House. Their enthusiasm was infectious and energizing,all the more so when many of them volunteered to get involved in the campaign. We all carefully filled out our poll sheets noting the key concerns of each voter and the strengthof their respective commitments to supporting Barack so we could pass this info to the campaign office for further followup. As the sun began to set, we assembled in a nearby park where our Iowa friends had prepared a super pot luck dinner with more than anyone could eat; and exchanged our stories of the fascinating people we had met during the day. The hospitality did not stop as our Iowa friends opened up their homes to us to spend the night. As tired as we were we sat around till late that night sitting around family rooms throughout Cedar Rapids just getting to getting to know our hosts and talking about the excitement of the Obama campaign, pausing for a moment to see the story of our canvassing efforts and Baracks visits to Dubuque being the lead story on the local news. Finally it was time to hit the hay. Next morning wanting to maximize our contact with Cedar Rapids to spread the word when it was too early to start knocking on doors, a few of us stopped to hear a Speaker at a community forum at a local synagogue where we had lox and bagels as we worked the room before the speaker started spreading the word about why we had driven over from Illinois due to our commitment to Barack's campaign and why we hoped they would lend their support. I had come accross the event on the internet the night before we drove out as I was trying yto get feel for what was going on in Cedar rapids. After the program ended we headed back to campaign headquarters to pick up another packet so we could continue knocking on doors all afternoon. Once again the enthusiastic reception we got at each door made us start talking about how we could not wait to try to come back to Iowa to do this again. As we drove home we talked politics and exchanged emails so we fellow campaigners could keep up our dialogue and target another date to get back to Iowa. It's hard to describe how special the weekend was. We all came away energized and charged up feeling that we had made an impact and knowing that we all learned a lot from each other and our friends in Iowa. We know that if we and others continue these treks to Iowa over the next several months that we will be that much more energized when we wake up on the morning after the caucus to read the headline "Obama sweeps Caucus vote" Together we can all help the editors of the papers throughout the nation write that headline.

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