House Reps Cringe When WA Canvassers Show Up

by Jackie Lima—Pennsylvania

Wednesday, July 30, 2008 was “Rally Day.” The “A-team” was fired up and ready to go! Across the street from Congressman Charlie Dent’s office in Bethlehem, PA, we outfitted ourselves with crutches, bandages, whistles and a megaphone. We carried clothes lines of Working America health care petition signatures from the 15th Congressional District encircling the lawn and sidewalk in front of Rep. Dent’s office building. We chanted: “What do we want?” “Health Care!” “When do we want it?” “Now!” “Charlie Dent - health care is bent!” Posters read “Honk for health care reform!” and passers by honked in support. The press and the police stopped by to see what was going on. Several workers from the office building came out also. Two of them were not registered to vote and true-to-form were given voter registration forms by WA canvassers. One of them addressed the crowd through the megaphone to have her voice and story heard. PA State Director, Jenn Jannon and Allentown’s Canvass Director, Jennifer Hofelich spoke to us about the critical need for health care in America. Congressman Dent was given a “Get Well” card and pieces of the petition signed by Working America members from his district - letting him know that his constituents DO CARE ABOUT THIS ISSUE!