tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163441833245663827.post6703124627349728146..comments2024-03-28T10:49:14.510-05:00Comments on Horizons: Democracy: Balancing private wealth with public voiceNancy LeTourneauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614317154146836694noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163441833245663827.post-83959463197583232242014-05-01T08:34:32.633-05:002014-05-01T08:34:32.633-05:00What an excellent response Churchlady to an excell...What an excellent response Churchlady to an excellent article! Thanks.Betsy (@bbkenn92)https://www.blogger.com/profile/12992637470812563570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7163441833245663827.post-64981471070593350352014-04-30T17:51:16.529-05:002014-04-30T17:51:16.529-05:00Nancy thank you - this is exactly the point we mus...Nancy thank you - this is exactly the point we must understand! I work for an organization that is very poorly funded, has few professional staff, but seeks to mobilize people to speak for themselves on major issues that often involve standing up to big money and bigger corporate and other organizations. And IT WORKS! We have a very diverse body of thoughtful, progressive people who take protecting and using democracy very seriously. Time after time when we have taken on major policy concerns that require having people stand up for what they want in public policy and moral positions we have won. One of the things unattended in the passage and implementation of ACA is the role of democratic activism in both those achievements. Pundits argue from their easy chairs that it was a 'backroom deal' with Pharma and big insurance, but ACA pleases neither group because people spoke up about what they wanted in health care and spoke out about the essential act of passing it. In the famous photo of Democratic leadership walking together to the Capitol to pass ACA, every single media outlet cropped out the long line of supporters from young to old, blue collar folks, clergy, and families standing clapping and cheering as they passed by. By refusing to acknowledge that WE, the PEOPLE secured the ACA, naysayers continue to pretend the people have no power. But they DO! Voices do at least equal money, and most of the time they outpace it. Democracy is NOT a spectator sport - it requires engagement. The only way we lose is when we allow ourselves to be silent, to be silenced. Voting is not enough - it takes organization, agitation, firm commitment, and weekly if not daily engagement with those whom we have elected. Stand your ground for us means something positive - vocalizing the wants and vision we have for our nation and our people. We cannot be beaten if we do.Churchlady320noreply@blogger.com