by Shane Gleason — Ohio
One night, my second door was a guy who was very happy that I was “a union man” fighting for health care. He gave me a pop which I saved for later.
Later on, a long string of doors were unsupportive; I couldn’t figure out how to fix it. As I sat down on the curb remembering the second guy, drinking the pop he gave me, I resolved to organize the rest of the night in his honor. Needless to say, I scarcely had another “no” all evening.
Tags: Health Care, unions
by James Hewitt — Ohio
The middle of the week is always very smooth, and this particular Wednesday was no different as I pulled the crew van to our turf for the day. The energy of the neighborhood rallied me.
A canvasser’s mind and body is most focused on the energy of canvassing in order to be successful. Being focused, I was ready for a rock-star day. The first person I talked to was a retired Marine for the US Army. I relayed to him what our organization is all about. He immediately began to explain that his health care is continuously being cut. His eyes were filled with such emotion and intensity, as he explained that he was promised full health care for life but how, time and time again, his health care was cut. He felt sick to his stomach that the US government did not keep their promise.
The man of course signed as a member and made a contribution. However, his passion for the issue of health care resonated in my head for the rest of the night. We canvass for men and women who are like this Marine: people who are fed up with being taken advantage of. That is one of my most powerful drives out there: planting seeds of change in every one I talk to.
Tags: Health Care, retirees
by Matthew Hall — Minnesota
One day I was canvassing on turf and I came across a lady with three kids. I was canvassing about health care at the time and talked to her about the 48 million people in America who are not insured. She informed me that she was on chair for the local Republicans and didn’t want to sign. I told her this wasn’t about partisanship but about getting people health care. She said that she still wasn’t interested and I walked away. About an hour later I was two blocks away from her house and she drives up to me. She gets out of her car and says, “I really appreciate what you are doing here and I changed my mind and want to sign.” She then sign up as a member and thanked me again.
Tags: Health Care, membership
by Cory Kiser — Ohio
Tonight, a member explained how she was one of the fortunate few for whom their health care plan came through. The member had a stroke at an early age which had left her unable to work. Her supplemental insurance provider was there to see that she was taken care of. Even her social security was expedited and she does not have to worry about providing a home for her children.
Tags: Health Care, social security
by Gaelynn Dooley — Ohio
I spoke to a woman who has two boys and is out of work for a disability. Her son has had to have multiple surgeries for a congenital condition and she is worried that her health care coverage will be insufficient. She had seen our spot on the news with Jobs With Justice, had thought that what we were doing was exactly what is needed and was excited that I had come to her door. When I told her that we pound the pavement every day to get people organized she was really down with the grassroots and wants to be involved, potentially even come out to rallies.
Tags: Health Care, taking action
by Jacinta Boulding — Ohio
As a canvasser, I can’t particularly tell about only one encounter. It takes only 2-3 hours out here in the American world to experience the true dynamics of the people. There are different ideas, backgrounds, passions, family ways, etc. but most have the same hopes.
There was a lady whom I asked to write a letter to our leader supporting our cause. Two hours later, she was sitting on the porch with the letter in her hand, waiting for me. She wanted to know what else she could do for me. I thanked her with a big smile! She is the hope for the future.
Tags: membership, taking action
