by Jared Ames—Michigan
I talked to a guy in Albion, MI today who was a tool and die worker. He worked for a temp service and wouldn’t know which days he would or wouldn’t work. He talked about discrimination—how he was facing age discrimination. He was in his early fifties and said companies won’t take a chance on him because of his age. He said he plans on working for ten more years. I’ve heard many stories like his in the last couple of years. It’s a shame that our employers look at older age as a liability because these people grew up in a time when jobs were permanent, whereas younger workers might be looking towards advancing through different employers.
Tags: Jobs
by Cara Alcantar—Michigan
I canvassed a woman who said she once had it all. She ran her own business, which she loved, she had a loving husband with a great job which provided the entire family with health care coverage, and two healthy kids. Then, a series of events happened that changed her life as she knew it.
First, she was in a horrible car accident that left her hospitalized for over a month. During this time her business suffered greatly—which lead to the very tough decision to shut it down, and stay at home with the kids while depending on her husband as the sole provider. Then, the unexpected happened again. Her husband died. Grief-stricken, she realized she had to start planning for a new life without his income or health care benefits. She found herself on an extremely fixed income and her family without health care coverage. Luckily, both of her children qualified for the Michigan health care assistance program provided by SCHIP; however she was still left without health care.
To this day she has no health care coverage, and she worries now about her part time job stability. “My main focus right now is to stay healthy, and keep the kids healthy. Tonight I’m thankful to have a few dollars to put under my daughter’s pillow from the tooth fairy.” She is making the best of her situation, but never realized how alone someone could feel, in this country, when they come on hard times. “It’s tragic to know there are families without any health care.”
As she shared her past years experiences with me I saw her try to hold back the tears. It was then that I was reminded why we do what we do. There are millions of stories just like hers across our country, and it is unacceptable. And for the first time, I think she realized she is NOT alone. It was a good feeling for both of us. She is now a hot contact, and wants to do what she can to help.
Tags: Health Care, insurance, membership, SCHIP
by Jeremy Askew—Michigan
I knocked on a door and the homeowner closed his door on me mid-rap. Somehow, Curtis (a fellow canvasser) ended up talking to the same guy. The guy calls for me by name: “Jeremy!” he yells, “Come back here a sec.” When I get there, he says, “I’m sorry I wasn’t listening earlier, I shouldn’t have been so short with you.” I tell him it was no big deal and he takes my clipboard and signs up as a member. He didn’t pay any dues, but he showed a lot of decency and made me appreciate more of what I do.
Tags: membership
by Chris Antonneau—Michigan
I am here in our office getting ready to interview another candidate for our canvassing positions when I recalled one of the gentlemen who became a member last night.
We had only been out on turf for maybe a half hour when I middle aged man answered his door and I told him about the work we are doing on health care. As he was signing up to become a member, he told me of his personal situation. His wife recently had a few surgeries and she had to go on medical leave. This causes her work to drop their responsibility to provide her health coverage. Since they have been paying $1,300 a month for the same coverage.
On one hand, he is very pleased with the care she received. On the other hand, he is burdened by the high cost especially when she is now not working.
We both left that conversation with a stronger passion to help change these types of situations for all Americans. We need more affordable health care!
Tags: Health Care, Jobs, membership
by Jared Ames—Michigan
I talked to a woman tonight who was angry about how much her health care went up. She said she was actually making less money this year because her health care costs overtook the amount she got as a raise. In this time where costs are climbing, like gas prices, how is the average working person supposed to stay ahead? In most cases the working class isn’t. It’s another reason why we all need to demand that the government finds a way to control soaring costs!
Tags: Health Care, Jobs, wages
by Curtis Neff—Michigan
Hello, America.
My name is Curtis and I am a field manager at the Ann Arbor office. We are canvassing currently in Southeast Michigan. We have discovered the American dream in the neighborhoods we pound everyday. Those making the new American dream are not your traditional Joe next door. These new members have moved here from India, the Middle East, Asia, Africa and other places all over the globe. These new Working America members are doctors, engineers, and high tech workers. They love the issues and are very supportive. They bring great inspiration to me.
I see the melting pot and I can smell the freedom cooking on the stove. It’s gonna be a good meal when we get this country back on track. Diversity is what America is all about and I see it very often. I embrace it and it gives me hope. I have never been treated so graciously. I am offered meals and refreshment. I appreciate this and they appreciate I am fighting for humankind. I always leave with a smile.
Tags: membership
by Jared Ames—Michigan
I canvassed a guy today who was really excited about our issues and said that he was enthused about how the people were coming together to change things in our country. He also talked about countries in Europe, like France, who have health care along with other benefits and said that the reason they have that is because the politicians are afraid of their people. If the politicians try to take something away the country shuts down, the people shut it down. I want Americans to know that we have that power if we stand together!
Tags: membership
by Jared Ames—Michigan
I talked to a retired woman today who was initially very standoffish. Once I introduced the issue of keeping our jobs in America she opened up. She talked about all three of her children who had lost jobs due to outsourcing. One of her daughters was in the customer service field for a phone company.
Outsourcing affects everyone even retirees whose family can be devastated by the choice of companies to save a few extra bucks.
Tags: membership, outsourcing, retirees, seniors
by Jared Ames—Michigan
I canvassed a guy last night who was in his 90s. He was excited about what we were doing and said the country should have focused on keeping our jobs here years ago. He posed a question to me: “Why don’t we hear people say we should buy American any more? I always buy American!” It got me thinking about this era when people wrap themselves in the flag about warfare but but where’s the cries for patriotism to keep our jobs here? We built it here, let’s keep it here!
Tags: outsourcing, seniors
by Curtis Neff—Michigan
Hello America, my name is Curtis. I am an Iowan canvassing in Michigan. I am loving it! On my third day I got the family treatment. I was canvassing in Wayne, and I waved to a young lady through window as I walked up the steps. She waved back and said she thought she must of known me. I said I was “just being friendly and assuming support.”
She invited me in, and the whole family was meeting for a weekly dinner. A neighbor or two was at the feast because really we are all family. Everyone signed up to be a member. Our goal is to get member households but I never discourage anybody who cares about the issues. This family really cared about the issue, about each other and others’ families. They even treated me like family. They made me a plate of food. I never take any breaks so I took 10 minutes to enjoy their offering. I spoke to four generations present about the history and direction of our country. I was never treated this well in my corporate jobs.
Working America has restored my faith in the people of this country. Every night I see the what every politician really needs to see, the people as they really are. I will never forget them. As I left their home I said to the chef, “Thank you for a great meal.”
Tags: family, membership
