Is anybody listening? Senator Obama is.
Did
you know you have the chance to add your two cents to the dialogue that will eventually form the platform of the Democratic
party? This month, at the request of Senator Obama, people all over the country are getting together to speak their
minds about critical issues that face our country.
What is so unique about that? This is the first time
THE PEOPLE, are being asked to speak up, speak out, and our opinions will be used to shape the 2008 Democratic platform.
In the past, party leaders decide the platform. This year, it is the voters.
Last night, I and about 30 people, met
at the Democratic headquarters in Oklahoma City. By a show of hands, we chose three issues to discuss. The most important
issues to our group were: education, health care and veteran's issues. We divided up into three groups and were instructed
to come up with three recommendations or resolutions to pass on to the Oklahoma delegation that will travel to the national
meeting in Pittsburgh the first week of August. There, the final platform will be hammered out, in time for the Democratic
Convention in Denver at the end of the month.
Our group was a good mix of voters: young, old, black, white, teachers,
federal employees, military, retired, 30 somethings. The one thing we have in common is the desire for change.
I
was particularly impressed with a woman who was retired from a life-long career in the Air Force. She shared her despair of
the war and her belief that this administration has weakened the armed forces.
Her group made the following proposals
for veterans:
1. Fully fund the VA Health Care system to care for All veterans.
2. Eliminate contracting for processing
VA claims - hire enough people to do the jobs.
3. Adequately screen for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, substance abuse,
depression, brain injuries and other effects of war to address issues of suicide and homelessness.
Frustrated teachers
and parents spoke out about Education.
Reform No Child Left Behind by addressing the following:
1. Do not
teach to the test.
2. Do not support a single measure for high stakes decisions for determining individual performances;
use multiple measures, rather than a single test score. Use multiple indicators of student achievement.
3. Individual
Education Program (IEP) will determine how a student will participate in assessment as part of the review of the overall IEP
and based on the student's needs.
Health Care sparked a discussion that could have gone on long past our 3 hour
commitment. We had several federal employees at the table who have the same health care program as Congress. They are
not convinced that plan is the best one for everyone. Given the high costs associated with health care and the problems
in the insurance and pharmaceutical industries, we came up with the following:
1. We believe offering the Federal Employees
Health Benefits program is too ambitious with out proper definition, including costs and funding sources.
2. A health
care program must be phased-in during the first two years of the President's term.
3. Focusing on preventative care
and end-of-life issues must be priorities. To lower health care costs, require pharmaceutical companies to cap spending for
advertising, eliminate the influence of pharmaceutical lobbyists, and cut administrative overhead by creating universal
documents to be used by all insurance companies.
Our voices and concerns are just a few of the many that will be considered.
But, voters spoke and were heard. Do you have an opinion about the issues you would like to share? You can find a meeting
in your area by going to www.mybarackobama.com and clicking on Listen To America. Senator Obama wants to hear from you.
