GOTV = Get Out The Vote
Not sure you'll vote this year? I can think of no one who will be impacted by this year's election. From the White House to the homeless shelter, everyone will be directly touched.
While President Obama has been able to accomplish quite a bit, he has been stymied by the deadlock on Capitol Hill. Bill after bill has passed Congress only to be blocked by the republicans in the Senate who refuse to allow a vote.
Republicans have called en masse for a repeal of the Health Care Reform law. If they get their way, there will be no coverage for college students and young adults now allowed on their parent's insurance; people with pre-existing conditions; children with serious health conditions; and so on.
Republicans have consistently voted against Wall Street reform despite the damage done to the economy. Even now, banks have a death grip on money, refusing to provide loans to small businesses which would otherwise hire. People are fighting two years and more for loan modifications and homes are going into foreclosure, dragging down housing values around them.
Jobs bills, extension of unemployment, and more which directly effect all of us are at stake. Big business ships jobs overseas and receives tax breaks for doing so. Ever call a company for technical support? How many times have you spoken to another American?
Review your republican senators, representatives voting records. Are they consistent with the needs and values of your family? Will they preserve your job? Will they protect you and your loved ones if your job is outsourced?
You decide. Neither you nor your country can afford voter apathy.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
Open Letter to Judy Biggert
Dear Congresswoman Biggert:
Early voting has begun in Illinois Congressional District 13. I voted for you two years ago on faith. The recession and having a recently unemployed teacher for a husband have made me a more thoughtful voter this time around. Preparing to vote in a few days, I'm comparing your voting record to my values and situation.
Women's issues: You voted against the Lilly Ledbetter Act. Do you not believe women deserve equal pay for equal work? You voted for the Stupak-Pitts Amendment. I don't believe the government should have a role in women's health management. Okay, so what about the other issues?
As congress debated health care reform, my uninsured 24 year old step-daughter battled Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Three pleas for your support garnered form letter responses. Health Care Reform would have kept her on our insurance. Praise God, she has recovered, but now has a pre-existing condition which would make her uninsurable. You are committed to repealing her protection. Does this have anything to do with the $400,000+ you received from the health care industry?
A "green girl," the environment is very important to me. I re-use, reduce, repurpose, and recycle wherever possible. There again we are at odds. You don't support Cap and Trade. In the wake of the horrific oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, I was appalled to learn you voted for cash incentives for off-shore drilling. Can't help wonder if the tons of money you received from BP colored that decision.
My husband lost his special education teaching job due to your vote against the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act which would have kept thousands of Illinois teachers, police officers, and firefighters employed. You voted against extending unemployment benefits and the Senate Jobs bill.
I get the impression you've lost touch with your constituents. Foreclosures began hitting this district, two in my Palos Park neighborhood, a fairly affluent community. Many unemployed people here are draining their IRAs to pay the mortgages. "For Sale" signs are popping up everywhere and they are not coming down. Our standard of living is diminishing while you vote the GOP platform.
Scott Harper meets with consituents throughout the district on a regular basis and is committed to job creation, alternative energy, health care reform, women's issues, finance reform, and other issues impacting this district. He won't blindly vote along party lines.
Scott Harper gets my vote this year. He will represent us in Washington.
Sincerely,
Gayl Caul
Early voting has begun in Illinois Congressional District 13. I voted for you two years ago on faith. The recession and having a recently unemployed teacher for a husband have made me a more thoughtful voter this time around. Preparing to vote in a few days, I'm comparing your voting record to my values and situation.
Women's issues: You voted against the Lilly Ledbetter Act. Do you not believe women deserve equal pay for equal work? You voted for the Stupak-Pitts Amendment. I don't believe the government should have a role in women's health management. Okay, so what about the other issues?
As congress debated health care reform, my uninsured 24 year old step-daughter battled Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Three pleas for your support garnered form letter responses. Health Care Reform would have kept her on our insurance. Praise God, she has recovered, but now has a pre-existing condition which would make her uninsurable. You are committed to repealing her protection. Does this have anything to do with the $400,000+ you received from the health care industry?
A "green girl," the environment is very important to me. I re-use, reduce, repurpose, and recycle wherever possible. There again we are at odds. You don't support Cap and Trade. In the wake of the horrific oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, I was appalled to learn you voted for cash incentives for off-shore drilling. Can't help wonder if the tons of money you received from BP colored that decision.
My husband lost his special education teaching job due to your vote against the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act which would have kept thousands of Illinois teachers, police officers, and firefighters employed. You voted against extending unemployment benefits and the Senate Jobs bill.
I get the impression you've lost touch with your constituents. Foreclosures began hitting this district, two in my Palos Park neighborhood, a fairly affluent community. Many unemployed people here are draining their IRAs to pay the mortgages. "For Sale" signs are popping up everywhere and they are not coming down. Our standard of living is diminishing while you vote the GOP platform.
Scott Harper meets with consituents throughout the district on a regular basis and is committed to job creation, alternative energy, health care reform, women's issues, finance reform, and other issues impacting this district. He won't blindly vote along party lines.
Scott Harper gets my vote this year. He will represent us in Washington.
Sincerely,
Gayl Caul
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
One Nation
Friday evening, my husband and I boarded a bus bound for Washington, DC. Our destination: the Lincoln Memorial. Our cause: the One Nation march and rally. As the bus departed from Chicago, I received a call from the organizers asking me to speak with Van Jones.
Due to a series of traffic jams, overcrowded streets, etc., I missed the opportunity to speak. My message, however, was too important not to be shared.
Question: Does the intentional gridlock in Washington, DC indicate a war on the middle class?
Two years ago, my husband and I were typical middle class Americans. We had a little money in the bank and paid off our credit cards monthly. We were not wealthy, but we were comfortable. Everything seemed stable.
Our worlds was shaken when Hodgkin's lymphoma attacked Ted's uninsured daughter. We didn't know what to do. Would we have to sell the house to get her treatment? Then we learned the property values had dropped. Praise God that a charity stepped in and arranged for her care and Amy is alive and well today.
As she recovered, the stock market crashed, virtually wiping out Ted's IRA. Thank God, Ted had a job. If he could work three more years, he'd get full retirement benefits from Teachers Retirement and Social Security.
Illinois became insolvent. It's budgets for public schools was slashed. Thousands of teachers throughout the state lost their jobs. Ted was among them. He's competing with fresh, young teachers who will be paid much less than he made last year. Now, this special education teacher is considering paraprofessional (teachers' aide) positions.
Republicans have repeatedly voted against the middle class on health care, Lilly Ledbetter, finance reform, extended unemployment benefits, and funding for teachers, police, and fire fighters.
Why should we even consider voting republican this year? I can find no incentive when they have consistently voted against the middle class.
Due to a series of traffic jams, overcrowded streets, etc., I missed the opportunity to speak. My message, however, was too important not to be shared.
Question: Does the intentional gridlock in Washington, DC indicate a war on the middle class?
Two years ago, my husband and I were typical middle class Americans. We had a little money in the bank and paid off our credit cards monthly. We were not wealthy, but we were comfortable. Everything seemed stable.
Our worlds was shaken when Hodgkin's lymphoma attacked Ted's uninsured daughter. We didn't know what to do. Would we have to sell the house to get her treatment? Then we learned the property values had dropped. Praise God that a charity stepped in and arranged for her care and Amy is alive and well today.
As she recovered, the stock market crashed, virtually wiping out Ted's IRA. Thank God, Ted had a job. If he could work three more years, he'd get full retirement benefits from Teachers Retirement and Social Security.
Illinois became insolvent. It's budgets for public schools was slashed. Thousands of teachers throughout the state lost their jobs. Ted was among them. He's competing with fresh, young teachers who will be paid much less than he made last year. Now, this special education teacher is considering paraprofessional (teachers' aide) positions.
Republicans have repeatedly voted against the middle class on health care, Lilly Ledbetter, finance reform, extended unemployment benefits, and funding for teachers, police, and fire fighters.
Why should we even consider voting republican this year? I can find no incentive when they have consistently voted against the middle class.
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