NEED DU WISDOM, PLEASE!

[OneGrassRoot]

BTW, I'll warn you guys in advance that, now the election is over, I'm going to be moving forward with more calls to action, usually via Wishadoo!, and I'll always share them here at DU for those who want to join me in action.



You may recall that I started a petition at Change.org for FEMA Reservists (their first responders) to receive health benefits. It parallels the federal firefighter situation, and their petition resulted in health benefits.

In 10 days it's gotten 105,000 signatures!!! (If you haven't signed and shared, please do! And please K&R this post so it remains visible!)

There have been articles in The Washington Post and Think Progress, for example, and I've done a few radio shows.

The Change.org people and I are coming up with a game plan for next week, including contacting various unions who have expressed an interest. My friend, just this morning, decided she's ready to "come out" and be the face of this issue even though she's afraid because she's still employed with FEMA. That's GREAT!!!

I have NO DOUBT this issue is going to be resolved, and fairly quickly, as was the case with federal firefighters.

While there is attention on this issue as I contact media and legislators and have their eyes/ears, from my end I want to piggyback on this specific FEMA health benefit issue and bring in the topic of Universal Healthcare now that President Obama was re-elected (can I get a huge "Whew!!!"?).

Can you recommend media people and specific legislators I should contact about this issue? I realize people like Big Ed will likely respond favorably and give this time, but I'd greatly appreciate DU's wisdom as to who you'd like to see contacted and engaged about this issue.

I wonder if our own Alan Grayson could spare time and take this on? Given the new landscape post-election and what we've learned about our politicians as it concerns healthcare legislation, I wonder if you guys have suggestions as to whom I should contact to support this cause, especially those in DC?

I'm supposed to blog for HuffPo and a few other places about this petition but really want to bring in Universal Healthcare as well.

Any suggestions or words of wisdom are appreciated.

Thanks!

[lalalu]

1. My power was out and the email I use for change.org

and other organizations was flooded. I deleted a lot and probably this by mistake. Thanks for posting and it would be good to do this at other sites. There are probably many people like me who missed this.

[OneGrassRoot]

2. Glad you have power again...

[Le Taz Hot]

3. My customary K & R

for all OneGrassRoot threads.

[OneGrassRoot]

5. And in return...

my customary hugs of gratitude to Le Taz Hot!

[freemay20]

4. K&R n/t

[OneGrassRoot]

6. kick for others to please read! n/t