The United States Senate passed a historic health care bill this morning.
Thank you to our OFA Maine Community Organizers and volunteers that worked tirelessly to make today a reality.
Happy Holidays from all of us at Organizing for America.
Last night, I had a meeting with Organizing for America and helped with the phone bank, calling people across the nation about the importance of passing the healthcare reform bill in the senate. It was a fulfilling experience, a humble endeavor to make a difference. A few days ago, a U.S. senator noted that blending multiple healthcare reform amendments is not as easy as making a milk shake. In this light and while some of the elected leaders continue the hesitation to blend the healthcare reform amendments into one strong effective policy -CDC has developed and integrated the principles of program evaluation framework to achieve measurable health outcomes. The combined influence of CDC’s programs through collaboration will stimulate innovations toward collective improvement of community health, eventually improving the health index of the population, and through prevention-a healthy world as a whole. The ever complex process of passing a single U.S. healthcare policy that works, at least government organization like CDC has established a framework that make the complex transition in public health more efficient. The task of evaluating the effects of public health actions became more complex since the targets of public health actions have expanded beyond infectious diseases. It expanded to include chronic diseases, violence, emerging pathogens, threats of bioterrorism, and the social contexts that influence health disparities. Timely detection of the effects of public health actions is very important in order to enhance CDC’s ability to translate findings into practice. Clearer and more logical steps and standards will lead to the evolution of new and innovative program planning. Integrated information systems will amplify efficiency and success, supporting more systematic measurement. Information collected from evaluations will then be used more effectively to guide changes in public health strategies.
Uly LabillesFollow me on Twitter @InnoMD
http://innomd.wordpress.com/2009/12/10/%e2%80%9cneither-a-democrat-nor-a-republican-endeavor-but-a-noble-endeavor-for-all-americans%e2%80%9d/
Our volunteer trainings this past weekend were a great success thanks to the incredible efforts of those in attendance. We thank everyone who joined us across the state. Now our attention shifts to our rapid response initiative in preparation for the Senate vote on health insurance reform. You can still join a rapid response team by contacting Kevin at kevin@ofamaine.com or Shelby at shelby@ofamaine.com. Thank you again for an extremely productive weekend.
Frosty, frosty, but Warm and Full of Words
First: I just looked at some groups that are close to me, and alas, none are found. Which brings me to the radical notion of starting one in my neighborhood in Tumwater, WA.
So, if you would like to join my yet unnamed group, let's have face to face meetings, ok?
I am learning along the way, so please bear with me.
Peace and Love {are still in style},
Cat
The OFA-Hawaii HQ was buzzing in the afternoon with volunteers making phone calls to constituents and asking them to contact their respective Senators. All of the volunteers were very ecstatic to learn how to use the Neighber-to-Neighbor tool on My.BarackObama.com.
Bonnie W., a volunteer who is a new fan of My.BarackObama’s phonebanking tool, was excited to learn that the Senate just voted to begin debate on comprehensive health reform. “It’s fantastic. It’s wonderful that the Senate can move forward on the bill. Volunteering for this cause and to hear that we are one step closer to health care reform makes me hopeful that we are seeing the change that we’ve been looking for.”
One of our new volunteers, Lulu, loves to speak with potential volunteers. You can hear the excitement in her voice when she invites people to our next health care phone-banking event and holiday party. Her energy comes from the people she talks to. She says, “I hear their feedback and they say they’re interested in volunteering! I can sense they care and believe in what Organizing for America is doing.” She plans on continuing her volunteer work with OFA- Hawaii, “I’m a talkative person and I can talk on the phone all day!”
Join us on Friday, December 4, 2009 to contact constituents for health care reform: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gpcfts
On October 20th over 340,000 Americans called their member of Congress in support of President Obama's plan for health insurance reform. This type of grassroots action is unprecedented. It's a testament to the tremendous amount of support that reform has across the country. As Congress inches closer to voting on reform we must continue to reach out to Senators Snowe and Collins to remind them that we support the president's call for reform. You can contact Sen. Snowe today, toll-free, by dialing 1-800-432-1599. Sen. Collins can be reached at (202) 224-2523. You may also write a personal letter in support of reform. Senator Snowe's mailing address is: 154 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510. Senator Collins' address is: 413 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510. You can also follow the link below to contact our members of Congress.http://my.barackobama.com/timetodeliver
The Senate Finance Committee voted today to move the process of health care reform forward. Republican Senator Olympia Snowe of Maine was among those to vote in favor of legislation. President Obama thanked the senator for “both the political courage and the seriousness of purpose that she's demonstrated throughout this process," while reminding us that now "is not the time to offer ourselves congratulations. Now is the time to dig in and work even harder to get this done."
Today is a significant victory in our ultimate quest to see real health insurance reform legislation on the president's desk in 2009, but it is far from the end of this process. Five committees have now passed a portion of reform, which makes our next step perhaps the most important. We thank our volunteers for helping us reach this important milestone, and we call on them to heed the president's call to service.
Together, we as a nation will get this done and bring quality and affordable coverage to millions of Americans who go without insurance and millions who struggle to obtain the coverage they have.
YES WE CAN!
CLICK HERE FOR SUMMARIES & AN INDEX TO THE CLIPS.
On Thursday, September 3, Organizing for America, the Democratic National Committee group calling upon the 13 million Americans who supported Barack Obama for president, and Health Care for America NOW!, the national grassroots advocacy group, organized "Congressional Send-Off Rallies" nationwide, including in historic "Cornfield Park," in downtown Los Angeles, where reporting for OpEdNews, I videotaped the event. I have edited and posted video clips at YouTube (Click on the link above or in the bullet points below to view the clips).
After the great day in Denver, we hopped back on the bus and drove all night through Colorado and Nebraska. When we pulled into Des Moines Saturday evening, hundreds of health care reform activists were gathered at the steps of the state capital.
One of the earliest supporters in the Obama campaign was Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller. He reminded us that when Obama was campaigning in Iowa, then-Senator Obama knew it wouldn’t be easy — and nor would governing be easy, if elected. Miller said:
This health care issue is not easy. But Barack didn’t get elected to do the easy things. He got elected because he could do the hard things that are important to us.
Des Moines was a perfect example of this ethic: regular people coming together and organizing not because it’s easy, or because the odds were in their favor. The people in Des Moines—just like those in Phoenix, Albuquerque, Denver, Austin, New York, and cities all over the country this week—are here because they refuse to let the health care reform debate be dictated by talking heads on cable TV or political pundits in D.C. Iowans and others are organizing for change not because it is easy, but because the status quo is unacceptable.
As OFA Deputy Director Jeremy Bird wrote yesterday, over 1.5 million activists from OFA and other health insurance reform coalition groups have taken direct action over the past 11 weeks. And after seeing supporters of health care reform across the country firsthand, it’s even clearer that we have a historic opportunity to ensure that all Americans have quality and affordable health care.
We’re almost to St. Louis for another rally. We can’t wait to get there. If you want to change health care in America, come down and join us.
We’re stretching our legs in Iowa this afternoon after a long night’s drive from Colorado — where the people of Denver gave the Organizing for America bus an outstanding sendoff.
Over 1,500 people joined us Friday evening to show that Coloradans want health insurance reform now. With the city skyline as the backdrop, advocates for reform — including U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter and state Sen. Betty Boyd — shared stories with the crowd that make clear why reform can’t wait.
The Denver Post has this writeup:
"This is easily the biggest crowd we've seen," group organizer Mitch Stewart said as he stepped off the touring bus at the third of 10 stops across the country. Rep. Ed Perlmutter, D-Colo., had already warmed up the crowd."My daughter has epilepsy, and she's being discriminated against because of her prior condition," he told the cheering crowd. "We're not going to let her get pushed aside.
"This is easily the biggest crowd we've seen," group organizer Mitch Stewart said as he stepped off the touring bus at the third of 10 stops across the country.
Rep. Ed Perlmutter, D-Colo., had already warmed up the crowd.
"My daughter has epilepsy, and she's being discriminated against because of her prior condition," he told the cheering crowd. "We're not going to let her get pushed aside.
We picked up thousands of declarations of support for the President’s health insurance reform principles at the event. Today we pick up even more from Iowans — if you're in Des Moines, come join us at 6 p.m. at the State Capitol.
The world knows by now about the passing of Ted Kennedy — the patriarch of a storied family and a man who touched millions of lives. The news adds an undertone of seriousness to preparations for the Organizing for America bus tour that kicks off in Arizona tonight, and a note of sadness to everyone's work.
Photo by Mary Ellen Broderick
I was honored--and inspired--to be a part of today's OFA Event with President Obama!
I wrote this in response: <http://kellysalasin.wordpress.com/2009/08/20/an-unlikely-activist/>
Yard signs, posters, buttons and bumper stickers were the symbols of the campaign that rallied people to talk and acknowledge the effort that we were putting forth to elect President Obama...they all worked so very well.
Organizing for America does not have any of that and WE NEED IT!
I would like to see a business size card that we can hand out so a person can put it in their wallet - then when they see it, they think about Organizing for America. So we need little cards with
It is not hard to get people behind the initiatives, it is harder to get them to do something. I have petitions to take to my Senators & Representative and most people asked did sign. A call, an email or a petition is very easy...but people need to see it as an organized effort...as we did last year...MOMENTUM works! It would make the grassroots effort easier if it had some symbols and the dressing of a campaign.
How do we get this part of Organizing for America done? I think it takes the approval & organization from mybarackobama folks to help! How do we get that done?
Thanks!
Obama for America Post from Obama for America:
President Obama's Call from Air Force One By Christopher Hass - May 30th, 2009 at 7:46 am EDTOn Thursday, President Obama took time to speak by phone with thousands of Organizing for America volunteers about the urgent need to organize for health care reform.
“If we don’t get it done this year, we’re not going to get it done,” the President said.
He stressed that health care reform will only become a reality if grassroots supporters mobilize support for it in every community in America. The fight over health care reform, he noted, offers a "big chance to prove that the movement that started during the campaign isn’t over.”
Also speaking on the call was David Plouffe, OFA Director Mitch Stewart, OFA Deputy Director Jeremy Bird, OFA New Media Director Natalie Foster and OFA volunteer Diane Robertson, who offered her advice on how to organize support in your community.
The fight over health care reform begins in your neighborhood June 6th. Sign up to host or attend a kickoff event in your area.
Organizing for America - Have you seen This Video Yet? More then ever, you need it now to re-kindle the spirit that lived in us all prior to the election.
We need to get this video out in the public eye in a big way to re-kindle the spirit of optimism that existed prior to the election of President Obama.
Yes We Can (Change our Destiny) that is what we need to understand.
Post the inaugural, post the election, post the optimism fading, post the Republican's battle of the wills, it's sad to see our country slowly slipping back to the bad ol' days when the President is simply a news curiosity, just some guy in the White House. Barack Obama is more then that. He is the change we all voted for.
When I get pessimistic that such talk as the above is simply the talk of a dreamer, I hear President Obama speak. For instance, his speech at Notre Dame. It was historic, incredible, inspiring. it reminded me why I was so filled with hope on November 4th, 2008. When I hear him speak, I still get uplifted and remember who is in the White House.
But let us not forget the obvious, he's a human being, he can't correct everything at once, he has information now as President about our country we will never know and he is, I am confident, desperately trying to balance it all. I have not agreed with every move, espeically preventitive detention, but should we need or expect to agree with everything that anyone does? I agree with most and that's good enough for me to be a great supporter of his. I speak out when I don't agree with President Obama or anyone, but that doesn't mean I don't ardently support President Obama. In the past, I agreed with very little our Presidents have done, so this is an extremely refreshing change, especially at a time in our history which is unparalleled in it's complexity and danger to our society, our country and our world.
My only personal regret is that the video I directed and produced to keep the dreams alive, Yes We Can (Change our Destiny) has not been endorsed by Organizing for America and posted on its home page (or endorsed by Oprah or some such celebrity that can bring instant distribution to this cause, this quest to make optimsm and involvement the norm). This video should be endorsed by someone or some organization of such stature. It should be the rallying cry that we all remember to say to ourselves every day, that "YES WE CAN CHANGE OUR DESTINY." If we realize that simple truth, that we are in control of our destinies, we will work hard for change. We will become involved. Pessimism occurs when we believe we aren't in control, when we believe that hope is lost, when we believe that we can't make a difference. But the election proved how much we can change the world, how much we can accomplish when we act in unity with hope and optimism, when our world collectively believes that YES WE CAN CHANGE OUR DESTINY.
I have tried to move on, to concentrate on other causes, problems and issues in our world and my life, to not continue to push so actively to get this video "out there" more. But every time I lose hope and become pessimistic about our world, I listen to my own words in that video and I realize that Yes I can Change My Destiny and the world's destiny, that I can be part of that, that I'm not just a weak individual without a voice. I'm just as capable of changing our world as anyone. Ghandi, Rosa Parks, Mother Theresea, John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Maria Montessori, Jonas Salk, Orville & Wilbur Wright, Barack Obama, yes, these are great people, but they are people, regular individuals that began with simply a dream, to change our world. When you look back through history, it's not countries or corporations that created transformative change, it was individuals. The power of the individual is stunning.
If anyone out there in the administration of Organizing for America listening please take a moment to watch this video. It's only 5 minutes. I'm a professional filmmaker, I promise you, it will be worth your time. This video was made as my service to America. But with "only" 130,000 + views (which is teeny tiny in the world of YouTube) which occurred mostly around January 20, 2008, this video is not inspiring anyone anymore. It could be inspiring millions right now to stand up and be part of the solution, not the problem, to realize one's own civic opportunity and responsibility, if Organizing for America would simply endorse this video and place it on their home page as a permanent fixture of inspiration.
Do not think I do this for any fame. I don't even want credit for this film. This project was entirely pro-bono and continues to be so. I simply want to help before my time on this Earth is over.
If you want to see more of what I do with film to try to help, please visit my "political activist" site (e.g. where i try to make a difference) My "MBMPRO" YouTube Channel
and the YouTube channel for My Production Company, MBM Productions International
Sincerely,
Steve Sulkin - Director & Activist...simply trying to make a difference
CEO, MBM PRODUCTIONS INT'L
ALL FOOTAGE IN THIS VIDEO WAS EITHER CREATED BY MYSELF AND MY PRODUCTION COMPANY, MBM, OR, AS IN THE CASE OF THE BARACK OBAMA FOOTAGE, WAS LICENSED THROUGH A STOCK HOUSE AND I HAVE FULL RIGHTS TO USE IT IN PERPETUITY.
