Grassroots or Astroturf (oh, and a word on "nutters"...)

In the next couple months this health care debate is going to get ugly. These are big changes involving LOTS of cash, and everyone with resources and a vested interest is going to be spinning "facts" in the media... Don't take any one's words at face value until you know who they are and where they are coming from! If you hear something that sounds shocking or terrible or wonderful or unbelievable - write down the quote and source and when you get the time RESEARCH THEM!

And, if you start seeing coverage on the news about disruptions in town hall meetings or constituents demonstrating their opinions by hanging effigies of their congressional representatives... keep in mind that stories like these are just distractions. Media loves the crazies. And stories about the crazies so much easier (and more entertaining) than unraveling the tangle of special interests in health care. Or reporting on a 1,017 page bill.

Educate yourself, communicate with your representatives, be mindful of their voting record, and hold them accountable for their actions.

** Actually, I want to be sure to clarify that last point there - hold your representatives accountable at the ballot box and ABSOLUTELY NOT through violence. This is what it means to live in a democracy. This is what separates us intelligent Americans from "the nutters". The ones crying how they need to take back their country... go for it! On the 2nd Tuesday in November. See you there.

I Could Not Have Said It Better Myself!

I was lucky enough to catch Jack Lessenbery's essay on Michigan Radio... here are some highlights (rather, the lowlights) regarding Michigan's state budget:

"The government now thinks we are looking at a total general fund and school aid deficit of $2.7 billion dollars. But before we can tackle that monster, we first have to solve this year’s shortfall."

AND

"According to the latest forecast, the state has a current deficit of more than $1.4 billion in the general and school aid funds. We have only two months to make up the difference. The good news is we can do that. Thanks, that is, to the federal stimulus money. But that leaves a lot less to cover future deficits. In fact, there won’t be nearly enough to get us through the year starting October 1.

And after that, we are looking at the edge of a cliff."

(emphasis mine)


AND

"So here’s a suggestion for the governor: What your citizens need is for you to come on statewide TV and take some time to explain all this." "That what leaders do. That‘s why, in fact, we elected you."

Amen!You can hear the whole thing HERE.

All I can say is, "YES!!! What I can't understand is why this isn't the #1 news story on 6:00 news and the headline on every newspaper/newssite in the state right now! Or every day previous for the last year or two..."

This is coming folks, that's why I am harping on you to Build Your Safety Net!

HEALTHCARE: We're Coming Down to the Wire Folks

If you have been following the healthcare debate, you know that this week is make it or break it time on the public option. Slinkerwink, my guru for all things healthcare over at the DailyKos is beating the bushes trying to get folks to make some phone calls in defense of public healthcare... If this is a topic important to you or your family, I am politely asking that you GET OFF YOUR ASS AND PITCH IN!!!

This is where having the phone number to the Capitol Hill operator and the White House comes in handy! Print Slinkerwink's diary, highlight some talking points and the names of the representatives that need to hear from us and GET TO WORK.

Me, I'll be making my calls on the drive home from work... wish me luck!