A South Los Angeles congresswoman held a drama-free town hall meeting at Los Angeles Southwest College in support of President Barack Obama's national health care plan, it was reported today.
``The health care system is broken and it's got to be fixed,'' Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Los Angeles, told an supportive crowd of more than 400 people Saturday, the Daily Breeze reported.
``It's not simply about the 47 million people who are uninsured, it's about people who can afford health care, who are paying premiums every month but finding that their premium costs keep increasing. God forbid you have a catastrophe.''
Other politicians have faced angry questioners when they hosted similar events in recent weeks. And protestors have used the events as opportunities to criticize not only health care, but other policies of the president.
Waters opposition at Saturday's town hall meeting included a man wearing a Halloween mask and a hood, silently holding a handmade sign over his head, reading ``Disease yes. Medical reform no. Satan.'' When asked if he was expecting any support, the man laughed.
The only time the crowd booed was when Waters mentioned Sarah Palin, the former Alaska governor, who helped popularize the idea that ``death panels'' would decide end-of-life issues for seniors.
Hawthorne resident Yvette Johnson-Reagan told the Daily Breeze she had insurance, but wanted to make sure the less fortunate could afford it as well.
``I'm not doing it for me,'' Johnson-Reagan said. ``I'm doing it for the people who were at the Forum.''
She was referring to a health clinic at the Forum in Inglewood earlier this month that drew thousands of people seeking free medical attention.
Waters drew applause when she painted a picture of greedy insurance companies milking the public dry.
``This is about getting a handle on the rising costs,'' she said. ``It's about creating competition. It's about being able to ensure that we don't let the same people that's been ripping us off continue to rip us off.''
Sybil Tullos told the Daily Breeze she has had trouble getting insurance because she has pre-existing conditions, a situation Waters promised to fix.
``If I lose my job, I'm screwed,'' Tullos said. ``I'm sick of seeing people demonize President Obama.''
Showing posts with label Barack Obama. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Barack Obama. Show all posts
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Breaking News: Young People Don't Vote
Americans the ages of 18- and 25 are not involved in political activities so they are less likely to vote in elections, said Deputy District Director of Los Angeles John Bwarie in a telephone interview.
“It’s concerning that a lot of people in that age group don’t have the time to participate … or do not know a lot about the issues,” said Bwarie, who is a staff member for Los Angeles Council member Greig Smith, who represents the 12th district.
To combat this growing concern, Bwarie said, Smith and his staff began hosting four annual community events in the San Fernando Valley (SFV)and working with California State University, Northridge organizations to help create political awareness.
“The last event we had back in April got about a couple hundred people, which is encouraging,” said Bwarie.
“There is another event scheduled in November, and myself and council member Smith are anticipating a higher amount [of participation] because we’re getting closer to the presidential elections, said Bwarie.
In addition to hosting events, Councilman Smith and his staff is giving speeches on various school campuses in the SFV, predominately high schools, said Bwarie.
One of the things Bwarie is banking is the advancement of technology to lure people to the polls.
The increased usage of technology by young people is causing a disconnect between political participation because the Internet creates a sense of immediacy and people don’t realize how these issues affect them, he said.
Another problem is that young Americans are less likely to vote, so if they don’t vote chances are they aren’t participating in other political arenas, said Bwarie.
It seems Bwarie has the stats to back his claims.
In a “fact sheet,” The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) reported that in 2006 youth voter (18-25) turnout was approximately 24 percent based on the 2006 National Election Pool’s National Exit Poll.
CIRCLE reported that there is close to 27 million citizens in that age bracket.
In California, the percentage was less than 24, according to the fact sheet.
Exit polls are the only method of estimating youth voter turnout and updated information will be available in November when the Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey is released.
Among 18-24 year old voters, Minnesota had the highest youth voter turnout with approximately 69 percent compared to 45 percent of California voter turnout and 36 percent of Arkansas, which was the lowest, in the 2004 presidential elections, reported by CIRCLE’s state by state comparison of young people who vote.
CIRCLE does research on the civic and political engagement of Americans between the ages of 15 and 25.
“The main ways to improve upon turnout numbers is to create more awareness,” said Bwarie.
Bwarie, 28, has been working for Councilman Smith for over two years and started working in politics at age 22, he said, because he wants to affect change in his community.
Bwarie is optimistic that by continuing organizing community events and speaking to young voters, that turnout numbers will rise, he said.
###
“It’s concerning that a lot of people in that age group don’t have the time to participate … or do not know a lot about the issues,” said Bwarie, who is a staff member for Los Angeles Council member Greig Smith, who represents the 12th district.
To combat this growing concern, Bwarie said, Smith and his staff began hosting four annual community events in the San Fernando Valley (SFV)and working with California State University, Northridge organizations to help create political awareness.
“The last event we had back in April got about a couple hundred people, which is encouraging,” said Bwarie.
“There is another event scheduled in November, and myself and council member Smith are anticipating a higher amount [of participation] because we’re getting closer to the presidential elections, said Bwarie.
In addition to hosting events, Councilman Smith and his staff is giving speeches on various school campuses in the SFV, predominately high schools, said Bwarie.
One of the things Bwarie is banking is the advancement of technology to lure people to the polls.
The increased usage of technology by young people is causing a disconnect between political participation because the Internet creates a sense of immediacy and people don’t realize how these issues affect them, he said.
Another problem is that young Americans are less likely to vote, so if they don’t vote chances are they aren’t participating in other political arenas, said Bwarie.
It seems Bwarie has the stats to back his claims.
In a “fact sheet,” The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) reported that in 2006 youth voter (18-25) turnout was approximately 24 percent based on the 2006 National Election Pool’s National Exit Poll.
CIRCLE reported that there is close to 27 million citizens in that age bracket.
In California, the percentage was less than 24, according to the fact sheet.
Exit polls are the only method of estimating youth voter turnout and updated information will be available in November when the Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey is released.
Among 18-24 year old voters, Minnesota had the highest youth voter turnout with approximately 69 percent compared to 45 percent of California voter turnout and 36 percent of Arkansas, which was the lowest, in the 2004 presidential elections, reported by CIRCLE’s state by state comparison of young people who vote.
CIRCLE does research on the civic and political engagement of Americans between the ages of 15 and 25.
“The main ways to improve upon turnout numbers is to create more awareness,” said Bwarie.
Bwarie, 28, has been working for Councilman Smith for over two years and started working in politics at age 22, he said, because he wants to affect change in his community.
Bwarie is optimistic that by continuing organizing community events and speaking to young voters, that turnout numbers will rise, he said.
###
Monday, August 11, 2008
Homeless Musician on Tour?
Perhaps you have never met Ralph Clark but chances are you have heard him serenading the WEST 118 freeway exit of Tampa Avenue.
Clark is a homeless man who everyday for the past 12 years has been playing his saxophone to help himself survive.
“It’s a good thing I don’t have to pay rent…because with my salary I can barely afford a $0.99 cheeseburger,” jokes Clark.
Clark’s salary ranges from $15 to $45 a day however his top performance earned him a $200 check that ironically bounced.
Unlike other homeless people, Clark decided to not ask for handouts but rather tips.
“A lot of people say that homeless people are just that bums with no work ethic and I don’t want people thinking that about me…I got the idea to play the saxophone for residents from [former President] Bill Clinton, he played the saxophone and look how well he turned out,” said Clark.
And, Clark is still following politics.
As the presidential race heats up between McCain and Obama, Clark is curious to learn more about what each candidate plans to do to deal with the homelessness issue in the United States.
“Ha! Probably not much since we don’t vote they a lot of other people don’t care about us,” said Clark as he eats a Jumbo Jack sandwich while being interviewed.
Perhaps, Clark is onto to something most candidates avoid the issue of homelessness in the United States as a self inflicted wound dating back to the late President Ronald Reagan.
In all the debates between the Republican and Democratic Party during the primary season, the issue was rarely brought up if even at all and the one time the topic got serious was when homelessness was mirrored with immigration.
“It is something a lot of Americans do not want to deal with because most homeless people are minorities, unattractive, uneducated, physically weak, and perceived drug abusers, said Timo Basset of the Feed the Hungry Campaign.
However, many Americans may have to deal with this issue sooner rather than later.
Homelessness is on the rise in every major metropolitan city with Los Angeles suffering the highest increase and it isn’t expected to slow down.
As the housing market crisis continues to take homes from more families many analysts are projecting homelessness to continue rising.
Homelessness is defined as not having a permanent residence... so anyone living out of motels or in one’s car is considered homeless said Tent City Coordinator Lisa Foire.
In a sense of truly modern thinking both Basset and Foire think eventually someone will solve and fix the homeless situation.
The optimism does not extend to Clark who in his twelfth year literally on the streets said, “they will never solve the homeless issue because all the people in power are not homeless so what do they care.”
Clark went on to say, “politicians, the people, and powers that be are all more concerned with helping and saving people overseas, or flying to the moon, or cutting greenhouse emission rather than help me buy some grocery’s.
Clark may be onto something again as latest polls show most Americans consider gas prices to be the top priority.
Clark, Basset, and Foire are all trying to remind people the seriousness of homeless and hope their voices will be heard by the powers that be but I don’t it.
Why… well Obama and McCain have dinner fundraisers to attend of course.
Clark is a homeless man who everyday for the past 12 years has been playing his saxophone to help himself survive.
“It’s a good thing I don’t have to pay rent…because with my salary I can barely afford a $0.99 cheeseburger,” jokes Clark.
Clark’s salary ranges from $15 to $45 a day however his top performance earned him a $200 check that ironically bounced.
Unlike other homeless people, Clark decided to not ask for handouts but rather tips.
“A lot of people say that homeless people are just that bums with no work ethic and I don’t want people thinking that about me…I got the idea to play the saxophone for residents from [former President] Bill Clinton, he played the saxophone and look how well he turned out,” said Clark.
And, Clark is still following politics.
As the presidential race heats up between McCain and Obama, Clark is curious to learn more about what each candidate plans to do to deal with the homelessness issue in the United States.
“Ha! Probably not much since we don’t vote they a lot of other people don’t care about us,” said Clark as he eats a Jumbo Jack sandwich while being interviewed.
Perhaps, Clark is onto to something most candidates avoid the issue of homelessness in the United States as a self inflicted wound dating back to the late President Ronald Reagan.
In all the debates between the Republican and Democratic Party during the primary season, the issue was rarely brought up if even at all and the one time the topic got serious was when homelessness was mirrored with immigration.
“It is something a lot of Americans do not want to deal with because most homeless people are minorities, unattractive, uneducated, physically weak, and perceived drug abusers, said Timo Basset of the Feed the Hungry Campaign.
However, many Americans may have to deal with this issue sooner rather than later.
Homelessness is on the rise in every major metropolitan city with Los Angeles suffering the highest increase and it isn’t expected to slow down.
As the housing market crisis continues to take homes from more families many analysts are projecting homelessness to continue rising.
Homelessness is defined as not having a permanent residence... so anyone living out of motels or in one’s car is considered homeless said Tent City Coordinator Lisa Foire.
In a sense of truly modern thinking both Basset and Foire think eventually someone will solve and fix the homeless situation.
The optimism does not extend to Clark who in his twelfth year literally on the streets said, “they will never solve the homeless issue because all the people in power are not homeless so what do they care.”
Clark went on to say, “politicians, the people, and powers that be are all more concerned with helping and saving people overseas, or flying to the moon, or cutting greenhouse emission rather than help me buy some grocery’s.
Clark may be onto something again as latest polls show most Americans consider gas prices to be the top priority.
Clark, Basset, and Foire are all trying to remind people the seriousness of homeless and hope their voices will be heard by the powers that be but I don’t it.
Why… well Obama and McCain have dinner fundraisers to attend of course.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Let me seen your O-face
We’ve all heard of a game face and a poker face but what about an O-face and NO not that Dirk Digler. O-face is you Obama Face and it’s a face you will be seeing a lot more of. After winning 13 of the 22 states on Super Tuesday then sweeping the next four; dominating the Potomac primaries and raising the most money this political campaign—it seems that nothing can stop O-face from sitting in the O- office. That unless the Super Delegates, Florida, Michigan have anything to say about the nomination race. Nobody is quite sure of how the super delegates voting works (except for maybe Joe Klien) so I won’t even bother to try but I will try to stress the importance of Michigan and duh duh duh Florida. (Yes Florida again)
No delegates are awarded for those two states (both of which Hilary Clinton won) but now as the O-face is in full swing cry baby Clinton is trying to get delegates awarded to her. If that happens all bets are off and in fact the house would bet on Clinton especially with her lead in the polls in hot spots such as Texas and Pennsylvania.
No delegates are awarded for those two states (both of which Hilary Clinton won) but now as the O-face is in full swing cry baby Clinton is trying to get delegates awarded to her. If that happens all bets are off and in fact the house would bet on Clinton especially with her lead in the polls in hot spots such as Texas and Pennsylvania.
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