by Timothy Jackson-El—Pennsylvania
I met a man while out canvassing who was concerned about health care. What he had to say was that the public should take Michael Moore’s movie in regards to health care seriously—that there are Americans who deserve health care, cannot get it, yet those that do far less work to benefit the country can receive it. He was very vocal about this subject, and supportive of
Working America’s aims.
Tags: Health Care, membership
by David Hinton—Ohio
I’m writing today to share my experiences while canvassing in New Jersey this fall.
The people I met in Pleasantville and Egg Harbor City were very nice, but many were distressed about the high taxes and relatively low amount of social programs being implemented to help the residents of their communities. The community in general was eager to know which candidates we were in support of to help get their community going in the right direction.
The residents of Margate and Mays Landing were interested in health care issues. Many made too much to qualify for government assistance but not enough to pay full premiums for their families. They expressed that they want to see reform of the privatized medical industry.
It was a pleasure and privilege to walk and talk to the residents of New Jersey. I look forward to visiting them again!
Tags: Health Care, membership
by Jonathan Middleton—Ohio
While canvassing tonight, I met a single father who works hard every day to support his children. He was formerly a Teamster, and still supports unions wholeheartedly. We talked for a while about jobs, the SCHIP program, and politics in general. He and his daughter wrote letters to Rep. Pryce thanking her for voting yes on SCHIP and urging her to continue voting to override President Bush’s veto.
As I was leaving, his daughter said that Working America should come to her high school and educate the children in the community on what is really going on in this country. I left that house with a smile on my face.
Tags: membership, SCHIP, unions
by Monica Walker—Ohio
I knocked on a door tonight and told the man who answered that I was fighting to keep jobs in Ohio. The man was joined by another man, and they were both so excited that they tried to take the clipboard at the same time. They told me to say no more, but of course I did. I let them know how we are the fastest growing group in the country working on issues that affect working families. After they signed as members, THEY asked ME if we accept donations. When I told them yes, they realized that they only had credit and debit cards. So I gave them the postage paid envelope and the donation card.
Later in the evening they saw me walking down the road again and flagged me down to offer a warm cup of coffee and a bite to eat. It never ceases to amaze me that such nice people can and will help an organization and a canvasser who came to help them!
Tags: membership, taking action
by Jonathan Middleton—Ohio
Today I talked to the mother of an autistic child. She said that he benefits from the SCHIP program. She was amazed that our “President” would do what he is trying to do to this crucial program. She voted for Bush in 2004 and told me that she now regrets ever having put faith in his values. She wrote to Rep. Jordan and asked him to vote yes the next time that SCHIP is voted on, and urged him to help overturn the President’s veto. She was a nice woman.
Tags: Health Care, membership, SCHIP, taking action
by Shane Gleason—Ohio
While canvassing on a Friday night in Macedonia my observer and I came across a stoic looking man who said little. However, he quickly invited us in out of the cold and responded to my request for a dues contribution with a check for $20. When I told him and his wife about a letter to Sen. Voinovich for SCHIP he called for his son to go type up the letter and print three copies. As he closed the door as my observer and I stepped out the door I heard his wife remind him to leave the porch light on… needless to say there were three letters waiting for me later.
Tags: membership, SCHIP, taking action
by Shane Gleason—Ohio
I met a lady who told me her medical problems kept her from working and the high cost of medical bills forced her husband to work THREE jobs just to make ends meet, and mind you—these are highly paid medical field jobs. Given her enthusiasm, I asked her if she’d be willing to help out with a $5 dues contribution. She came back and said she only had a $10 bill. My heart sank- because I did not have any change. But then she told me that she believed in our cause so much she was going to give us her last $10. I remember members like her whenever the going gets a little bit tough out there and I need a little bit of motivation.
Tags: Health Care, Jobs, membership
by Shane Gleason—Ohio
One day I was canvassing a heavily Spanish-speaking area. I tried my best to command my limited Spanish skills to communicate with the people I talked to. One woman could not understand my limited Spanish and I had resigned myself that I would not be able to sign her up as a member. As I started to turn down her steps her neighbor, whom I had just signed up, came running over and told me to talk in English and he would translate for me. Needless to say she signed up with great enthusiasm.
Tags: membership
