Main Street

President Bush helped me sign up a member

by David Weston—Pennsylvania

Last week, I was canvassing your everyday middle-class American neighborhood and, given the season, it was getting dark a little earlier than we’re used to, and I was encountering a few folks who were a little leery of opening the door. Walking up to the next house, I saw a door open with just the screen closed, and knocked in a hurry, anxious to involve another member. As I knocked, I saw an older couple eating dinner and watching television. The husband’s response was, “Hey, we’re busy eating!” Not being one to give up so easily, I looked around the room for some clue about something they might care about, so that I could get their attention. Then I saw it: they were watching President Bush on television as he vetoing SCHIP. I said, “Sir, I’m not selling anything. My name is David Weston, I’m with Working America, AFL-CIO, and I need to talk to you about THAT,” and I pointed to the television. Almost immediately, his wife jumped off of the couch and came to the door asking me what I needed to fight the veto of SCHIP funding. I told her we needed folks to sign up as members so that we can build the power we need to fight for affordable health care for kids and ALL Americans. The next thing I knew, my pen was in her hand and the ink was on the member sheet.

Tags: Health Care, SCHIP