ProgressOhio

I received a superb email today from Planned Parenthood, regarding the anti-choice TV ad that is to air during this year's Super Bowl. The message from Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards got to the heart of what it means to be pro-choice (see below).

I've signed on to the Planned Parenthood statement and I hope other members of the Progress Ohio community will too. Locally, click here to check out the advocacy campaigns led by Planned Parenthood Affiliates of Ohio Action Network.

Dear Lorraine,

By now you've most likely heard all about it — the anti-choice group Focus on the Family is spending millions to run an ad during the Super Bowl featuring football player Tim Tebow and his mom talking about a deeply personal medical decision she made years ago. She decided to continue her pregnancy against medical advice, due to what had been diagnosed as a high-risk pregnancy.

People have been asking us at Planned Parenthood what we think about the ad and Mrs. Tebow's decision. It's simple. Planned Parenthood respects the right of every woman to make important medical decisions for herself.

Mrs. Tebow weighed medical and moral considerations and decided what was right for her. She made her choice in private, and without government interference. That's exactly what we want every woman to be able to do.

The truth is, the Tebows' experience is completely consistent with what Planned Parenthood doctors and nurses have learned from the millions of women they've served over nearly a century. Women take decisions about their health very seriously. They consider their doctors' advice, they talk with their loved ones and people they trust, including religious leaders, and they carefully weigh all considerations before making the best decision for themselves and their families.

That's the way it should be. And that should be our shared goal — on Super Bowl Sunday and every day.

I hope you'll show your support for ensuring that every woman makes her own personal medical decisions by adding your name to a brief statement from Planned Parenthood.

Thank you for joining with us today.

Sincerely,
 
Cecile Richards, President
Planned Parenthood Federation of America

Last night at the corner of North Broadway and High St. in Clintonville, about fifty activists braved the cold for health care reform.

The rally was one of hundreds across the nation organized by MoveOn.org yesterday, urging Congress to continue to move forward on comprehensive health care reform. The Columbus event was publicized by several local Health Care for America Now partners, including ProgressOhio and Ohio Consumers for Health Coverage (OCHC).

Signs read:

Dems: Time to Fight
We Still Need Health Care Reform!
Dems: Don't Give Up
Health Care Now - 45,000Deaths a year from no health insurance
What Would Jesus Do?
Health Insurance Companies Are Making Us SICK!
Put Teeth in Health Care Bill!
End Corporate Welfare
Save Health Bill
Whatsoever you do unto the least of my brothers you do unto Me. -Matthew 25:40

Over the past few days, members of the Progress Ohio community have submitted 369 letters to the editors of 46 different Ohio newspapers with the message: we still need health care reform, and we need it done right.

Can we get to 400? 500?

Writing a letter to the editor is easy using Progress Ohio's SpeakOut online tool. The letters are already written; users just need to personalize and send and their letter will be automatically sent to the editors of the chosen newspapers.

Click here to get started:

http://www.progressohio.org/page/speakout/deliverchange

Not all letters will be printed, but newspaper staff will take notice if they receive many letters on one subject and are likely to print at least one. Letters to the editor are a great way to get the attention of members of Congress - they do read them to get a temperature read on their districts.

Thousands still lose their health insurance every day. People are still going bankrupt. Insurance companies are still denying care. We still need health care reform, and we need it done right.

Please take a moment to submit a letter to the editor:

http://www.progressohio.org/page/speakout/deliverchange 

Yesterday morning, Roland Burris (D-IL) delivered a health care reform -inspired version of “The night before Christmas” on the Senate floor.

"Although our work keeps us away from our family and friends for much of this holiday season, I see no reason why we can't share good cheers with one another right here in Washington," he said in introducing the poem. "So in the spirit of the season, Mr. president, I would like to share my own version of a classic holiday story with my good friends on both sides of the aisle."

It was the night before Christmas, and all through the Senate
the right held up our health care bill, no matter what was in it.

The people had voted a mandated reform
but Republicans blew off the gathering storm.

"We'll clog up the Senate," they cried with a grin.
"and in the midterm elections, we'll get voted in."

they knew regular folks needed help right this second
but fund-raisers lobbyists and politics beckoned.

So try as they might Democrats could not win
because their majority was simply too thin

Then across every state there rose such a clatter,
the whole Senate rushed out to see what was the matter.

All sprang up from their desk and ran from the floor,
straight through the cloakroom and right out the door.

And in what in the world would be quite so raucous,
but a mandate for change from the Democratic caucus.

The president, the speaker, of course leader Reid
had answered the call in our hour of need.

More rapid than eagles, the provisions they came
and they whistled and shouted and called them by name:

better coverage, cost savings, a strong public plan
accountable options, we said "yes, we can."

No exclusions or changes for preexisting conditions.
let's pass a bill that restores competition.

The Democrats all came together to fight
for the American people that Christmas eve night.

And then in a twinkle, I heard under the dome
the roll call was closed, and it was time to go home.

Despite the obstructionist tactics of some,
the filibuster had broken, the people had won

And a good bill was ready for President Obama,
ready to sign and end health care drama.

Democrats explained as they drove out of sight,
better coverage for all, even our friends on the right.

And I say to all of my colleagues in this season,
merry Christmas and a happy, happy new year.

About 40 activists braved freezing rain to show their support for Health Care Reform at a candlelight vigil in Grandview last night.

Many participants held signs in support of the inclusion of the public health insurance option as part of health care reform. Others just wanted to get something passed. Overall, it was a diverse but unified crowd. Organizations with members present included Ohio Consumers for Health Coverage, Progress Ohio/Health Care for America Now, MoveOn.org, and Change For The Good-Grandview.

Attendees were pleased to have State Representative Ted Celeste among them. Rep. Celeste has been a frequent participant at many activist events in support of health care reform, and ran his 2006 and 2008 campaigns with an emphasis on maintaining a civil discourse in politics. Celeste represents the 24th District, which includes Grandview Heights, Marble Cliff, Upper Arlington and Valleyview.

The Grandview event was one of over 250 similar events throughout the nation, including five in Ohio (Grandview, Westerville, Dayton, Chagrin Falls, and Toledo).

Congresswoman Mary Jo Kilroy met with about two dozen seniors from Ohio's fifteenth congressional district yesterday at the Cantebury Apartment building in Columbus.

The roundtable discussion focused on the Affordable Health Care for America Act (HR 3962), which passed in the U.S. House of Representatives Saturday in a 220-215 vote.

After Rep. Kilroy spoke on the content of HR 3962, there was an extensive question and answer session. Topics ranged from questions about improvements in medicare to discussion about the upcoming battle to pass the bill in the U.S. Senate.

As Rep. Kilroy mentioned during the event, AARP, the nation's largest advocacy organization for seniors, has endorsed HR 3962.

Progress Ohio, as part of the Health Care for America Now (HCAN) coalition, is releasing a new report today that compares two competing health care reform bills - the Senate Finance Committee bill and the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) bill, also referred to as the Kennedy bill.

The report shows that for the average Ohio family and for Ohio's businesses, the Kennedy bill makes health care more affordable than does the Finance Committee bill.

The full report is available here:

http://www.progressohio.org/page/-/Documents/Senate_Bills_Comparison_Ohio_Families.pdf
 

In the wake of a flood of visits, calls, petitions from eighth district voters who support the public option, John Boehner is finally hearing the message. The Congressman now admits he has received calls from people who support the public option. Audio from press conference here.

No word yet on whether this epiphany will lead to a change of heart for the House Minority Leader, but perhaps it does indicate a teency tiny baby step in the general direction of the reality-based community.

Some background:

October 1, House Minority Leader John Boehner (OH-8) said that he hadn't ever met any American outside of Congress or the Obama administration who supports the public option, and that the public option is "as popular as a garlic milkshake."

In reality, polls show that 69% of Ohioans support the public option. And eighth district constituents from Progress Ohio and many other organizations had already made phone calls, written letters, and visited Boehner numerous times to urge him to support meaningful health care reform with a strong public option.

Oct. 2, constituents organized by Progress Ohio and the HCAN coalition visited his West Chester office and delivered a garlic milkshake. They took pictures of each activist to document that real people from Boehner's district do in fact support the public option.

Momentum in the Ohio and national blogosphere grew over the following days.

Oct. 5, constituents, United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) and Organizing For America rallied outside Boehner's West Chester office and delivered over 1,800 petition signatures of eighth district constituents who support the public option. Video here.

And October 15, constituents and Service Employees International Union (SEIU) members paid a visit to his West Chester office. One of his staffers said "I think that if he could go back, he might restate that." Video here.

October 16, Boehner finally admits that "we have had several phone calls in favor” of the public option.

GREAT JOB, eighth district activists!

Are you an Ohio voter who supports the public option? Please take a picture of yourself holding a sign saying "I'm an Ohioan and I support the public option." Or "Rep. Boehner (or other representative), I'm your constituent and I support the public option."  We'll use them in our ongoing slideshow project.

For additional coverage, google "garlic milkshake."

Reported in the Miami Herald today:

When Amanda Buchanan and her schoolteacher husband talked about having a second baby, it felt as though there were three people at the table, she told a Senate committee Thursday.

"Myself, my husband and our insurance policy," Buchanan said.

Ultimately, the 32-year-old from Weiser, Idaho, had another child, but she dropped her expensive individual insurance policy so that she and her husband could use the money instead to pay off the bills from the baby's delivery. Under her individual policy, pregnancy had a separate $5,000 deductible and required that she pay 20 percent of all remaining expenses.

Buchanan and several other women on Thursday shared examples of disparities in coverage during Senator Mikulski’s HELP committee hearing “What Women Want: Equal Benefits for Equal Premiums.”

Some women attended the hearing wearing T-shirts that said, "I am not a pre-existing condition."

James Guest, the president and chief executive of Consumers Union, the publisher of Consumer Reports, testified that women already face a number of hurdles when it comes to health care. They make less money than men, making health care expenses a disproportionate amount of their income. Women are more likely to work part time or for small businesses, where insurance options are often limited. On top of these disparities, insurance companies charge higher premiums to women.

The committee also heard from women like Peggy Robertson of Colorado, who read a letter from her insurance company. Robertson testified that because she'd already given birth via cesarean, when she tried to get an individual policy in Colorado, her insurance company considered it a pre-existing condition and wouldn't insure her unless she could prove she'd been sterilized.

Robertson said she was told by the company, "If you would like to get sterilized we would be happy to cover you."

A reporter asked her "They actually suggested that you get sterilized?"

Robertson replied, "Yes, in a written letter."

The insurance company was a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group.

SEIU highlighted Robertson’s story in an email today:

…Today, she stood up for herself, her family and millions of American women. We need to make sure she's not standing alone.
Join us in reminding Congress that it's time to deliver on health insurance reform.
Peggy shared her story with the members of the HELP committee, but we need to make sure that every member of Congress hears her story and takes swift action to pass health insurance reform. Send a message to your members of Congress, and tell them, it’s time to deliver.

Watch Peggy's story, then send a message to Congress:

http://action.seiu.org/page/speakout/peggy

In the midst of at least three organized visits by constituents who are supporters of the public health insurance option, it seems that Boehner is feeling the heat.

He issued a rather defensive sounding statement earlier today:

“As you may know, I recently made the comment that the government takeover of health care proposed by President Obama is about as popular as a garlic milkshake, and suggested that it has virtually no support at all from the people of our congressional district.  Liberal special-interest organizations based in Washington didn’t like those comments, but I stand by them."

His West Chester staffer saw things differently:

And I stand by them because, based on the calls, letters, emails, petitions and other correspondence I receive from dedicated citizens in the Eighth Congressional District, I know the people of our region overwhelmingly reject the idea of government-controlled health care.  I represent you – not liberal special-interest groups based in Washington, D.C. that want to take away your freedom."

Unlike an online poll conducted on a blog which Boehner references in his statement, those of us in the fact-based community know that scientific polls consistently show strong support for the public option -- 57% (Survey USA) to 69% (Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati) support here in Ohio.

“The majority party in Washington is desperate to get its massive government takeover of health care rammed through Congress.  That’s why they are targeting me for speaking out, and that’s why they are resorting to these gimmicks."

So "calls, letters, emails, petitions and other correspondence" are the voice of the people when they come from Boehner's Tea Party friends, but mere "gimmicks" when they come from anyone else -- the 1,800+ constituent petition signatures submitted last week, the visits from numerous constituents over the past week and a half, and countless other actions.

Yes, Congressman Boehner, millions of Americans and thousands in your own district are indeed "desperate" - desperate to finally get access to quality, affordable healthcare we can all count on.

Activists from Ohio's Eighth district visited their Congressman's office again today in West Chester to demonstrate support for the public health insurance option.

This is at least the third organized visit since John Boehner's Oct. 1 comment that he had yet to meet anyone outside of Congress or the Obama administration who supports the public option.

Stay tuned for more updates from today's event.

 House Minority Leader John Boehner said Thursday:

“I’m still trying to find the first American to talk to who’s in favor of the public option, other than a member of Congress or the administration. I’ve not talked to one, and I get to a lot of places and I’ve not had anyone come up to me — I know I’m inviting it — and lobby for the public option. This is about as unpopular as a garlic milkshake."

Progress Ohio and Health Care for America Now activists have lobbied John Boehner in person, online, and via phone countless times over the past year. To refresh Boehner's memory, we quickly mobilized eighth district voters to visit his office. Photos were taken of each individual (see slideshow below), and a garlic milkshake was presented to Boehner's staff.

We know every time we send out an action alert asking our members to contact John Boehner, hundreds of you respond. Could you now help us give Boehner a reality check? Make a sign like the ones in the slideshow below, and email it to info@progressohio.org. We'll continue to add to this collection.

If you are an Ohioan who does not live in Boehner's district, your sign could read: "I am an Ohioan and I support the public option."

Additionally, please call John Boehner's office. Action page with phone number is here: http://www.progressohio.org/page/s/callboehner

UPDATE: Media coverage for Friday's event here.

From Chris Harris at Media Matters:

More Americans believe in UFOs (34%) than oppose a public option (26%). The debate is over.

The Truth Is Out There

As health insurance reform makes its way through congress, it's easy to observe the partisan fighting in Washington and believe the country is deeply divided over a "public option."

Luckily, that is not the case. Americans love choices. They want the opportunity to choose to purchase a public health insurance plan.

A recent New York Times/CBS News poll found that 65% favored a public option, with only 26% opposed to it.

To put that number in perspective: a 2007 Associated Press/Ipsos poll found that 34% of Americans believe in UFOs.

It speaks volumes about the status of the health care debate among the public when it is more mainstream to believe aliens are flying around in spaceships than to oppose the public option.

The people of this country have spoken. It's time Washington listened.

From Health Care for America Now (HCAN):

Three new polls commissioned by Health Care for America Now found that voters nationally, in swing House districts, and in Maine are opposed to a mandate to buy private health insurance but favor a mandate if they have a choice between private health insurance and a public health insurance option.

The polls also show opposition to a tax on high-cost health plans but support for raising revenues through a surcharge on the wealthy and requiring all but the smallest employers to contribute to employees’ health coverage.

The polls, conducted by Anzalone Liszt Research and Lake Research Partners for Health Care for America Now in mid-September, each found that likely 2010 voters oppose "requiring everyone to buy and be covered by a private health insurance plan" but support "requiring everyone to buy and be covered by a health insurance plan with a choice between a public option and private insurance plans."

A mandate that individuals have coverage or pay a fine is a key feature of health care reform proposals that require insurance companies to cover everyone regardless of pre-existing conditions.

Nationally, voters oppose a mandate to purchase private insurance by 64% to 34% but support a mandate with a choice of private or public insurance by 60% to 37%.

"Requiring everyone to buy and be covered by a private health insurance plan"
National: Oppose 64% to 34%
House Swing: Oppose 60% to 34%
Maine: Oppose 55% to 35%

"Requiring everyone to buy and be covered by a health insurance plan with a choice between a public option and private insurance plans"
National: Favor 60% to 37%
House Swing: Favor 50% to 46%
Maine: Favor 55% to 40%

Note: In all three polls, half of those surveyed were asked each question.

More information about the polls:

National: Lake Research Partners conducted a telephone survey of 716 likely 2010 voters nationwide September 18-21, 2009.  Margin of error is +/-3.7%.

House Swing: Anzalone Liszt Research conducted a telephone survey of 1,200 likely 2010 voters in 91 Blue Dog/Frontline/Rural Caucus House Districts between September 11-17, 2009. Margin of error for these results is 2.8%.

The question on taxing high cost plans was asked by Anzalone Liszt in an earlier poll taken July 28-30 of 803 likely 2010 voters in 52 Blue Dog House districts. The question wording was slightly different here: “Placing a tax on high-cost insurance plans.”

Maine: Lake Research Partners conducted a survey of 400 likely 2010 voters statewide in Maine September 14-16, 2009.  Margin of error is +/-4.9%.

Progress Ohio national partner USAction sent a letter this week to Senator Baucus. The letter lays out the shortcomings with the Baucus bill, which is scheduled for markup on Tuesday.

September 15, 2009 

The Honorable Max Baucus

Chairman, Senate Finance Committee

511 Hart Senate Office Building

Washington, DC 20510 

Dear Chairman Baucus: 

On behalf of USAction, I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude to you and your staff for your countless hours spent attempting to resolve our nation’s health care crisis.  This is one of the biggest policy issues of our time and your dedication is much appreciated.  After careful analysis of your Framework for Comprehensive Health Reform, we wanted to share with you our recommendations to modify the framework in order to provide quality, affordable health care for all while ensuring that the health care system is fiscally viable and works for families, employers and the nation. 

The current Framework from the Finance Committee does well in including necessary insurance reforms that are needed and creating an exchange so that people have the ability to choose their health insurance provider. Unfortunately, the Framework does not provide quality, affordable coverage to all, and it is our great hope that you alter your proposal to include the following adjustments. 

Authorize a public option to compete with insurance companies

The current Framework upholds the current insurance company monopoly.  In contrast, a robust public option would not only provide health insurance to those without it, but it would also compete with private insurance companies and hold them accountable.  Unlike co-ops, a public option will be able to compete with private health insurance companies and negotiate fair rates and provide rates with low overhead costs. 

Establish progressive revenue sources that do not increase costs for consumers

The 35% insurance excise tax imposes higher cost and lower benefits on businesses and employers that have good benefits, live in high-cost areas and have older workforces.  The current state of the economy has caused employers to scale back on benefits, and the tax will be passed on to employers and consumers and force employers to cut benefits further.  Progressive financing should be instituted in order to make the system economically sustainable while not burdening working families.  Examples include taxing the wealthiest Americans, limiting itemized deductions and extending the Medicare tax to unearned income. 

Institute employer responsibility

The Framework does not mandate employers to pay anything for health care and creates incentives for them to offer scant coverage and hire workers with lower medical costs and no tax credits from the Exchange.  Alternatively, we advocate for a mandate that all employers except for small-business owners contribute towards their employees’ health benefits or to pay into the system.  This is necessary to prevent the erosion of a strong employer health care system. In addition, all employees should be entitled to a minimum package of comprehensive benefits. 

Guarantee consumer affordability for comprehensive benefits

The Framework results in coverage that is not affordable to many Americans due to high premiums and high out-of-pocket costs for people in the Exchange and higher rates for older Americans and people with families.  If reform mandates that people purchase health insurance it is critical that subsidies be at 400% to make it affordable for the middle class. Additionally, insurance companies are able to define benefit packages.  Alterations to the Framework should include reducing consumer premiums, increasing the value of plans, eliminating community ratings and allowing a sovereign entity to define benefits and prevent future abuses of the insurance industry. 

Safeguard states’ rights to regulate coverage

The Framework weakens state insurance regulations by allowing insurance companies to go to states with the weakest regulations.  Rather, states should have to follow the laws of the states where their services are rendered and follow the states’ minimum benefits and consumer protections. 

Provide temporary reinsurance for early retirees

The Framework encourages employers to push early retirees into the Exchange where they will pay high premiums and out-of-pocket costs.  Instead, the final bill should contain a temporary catastrophic reinsurance fund that encourages employers to continue covering retirees from ages 55-64. 

Require the federal government to pay for newly eligible Medicaid beneficiaries

Instead of further burdening states with more health care costs, we advocate requiring the federal government to pay for the newly-eligible Medicaid recipients. 

Ensure equal access for all residents

Legal immigrants should be guaranteed quality, affordable health care coverage in the same way as American citizens.  This includes eligibility for Medicaid and tax credits without having to endure a burdensome process of validating their status. 

Thank you again for all of your work on and commitment to health care reform.  We ask that you please consider our suggestions in order to help produce the best final bill possible.  We look forward to working with you to provide quality, affordable health care for all. 

Sincerely,

Jeff Blum

Executive Director, USAction

RELATED CONTENT:

Tell us how your health insurance company is rationing your care. We'll deliver your story (last name removed if you prefer) to industry execs on Tuesday, September 22.

http://www.progressohio.org/page/s/WhosReallyRat

Ohio House Bill 176, a bill the would prohibit housing and employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, PASSED in the house this afternoon.
More details on the way.

UPDATE: Among those who voted no was GOP State Treaurer candidate Josh Mandel (R-Lyndhurst).

Never mind that just a few years ago as Undergraduate Student Government president, Mandel supported a student domestic partnership plan for same-sex and opposite-sex unmarried couples.

From The Lantern - April 2000:

“The Undergraduate Student Government representatives have been and will continue to advocate for domestic partner benefits in public and private settings,” said USG President Josh Mandel. “Students want it, students deserve it, and the university has a responsibility to provide it.”

Flash forward to 2009. Mandel approached my boss at the State House today to inform him that he would be voting no on House Bill 176. (Side note: my boss is gay. Mandel knows this.)

What happened between age 23 and 31, Josh?

Although most Republicans voted no, Mandel's colleague Ross McGregor (R-Springfield) today had this to say about HB 176 and youth:

"The younger people see this as the right thing to do because they understand that diversity and acceptance is what Ohio needs to promote."

McGregor spoke about the General Assembly staffers who have stopped him and praised him for doing the right thing. (HT BSB). He also said this is a jobs bill.

Unfortunately, representatives like McGregor are swimming against the tide within a party that only 3 years ago choose uber-homophobe Ken Blackwell for the top of its state ticket - and will likely nominate another fiscally reckless extremist in 2010.

I guess we all did some pretty silly things when we were 31. Fortunately for GLBTs in Ohio (and people who seem GLBT), there were 56 elders at the State House today (all 53 Democrats, and 3 Republicans) who did the right thing, showed backbone, and passed HB 176.

YES (56)          

Belcher    Blair    Bolon    Book
Boyd    Brown    Carney    Celeste
Chandler    DeBose    DeGeeter    Dodd
Dolan    Domenick    Driehaus    Dyer
Foley    Garland    Garrison    Gerberry
Goyal    Hagan    Harris    Harwood
Heard    Hite    Koziura    Lehner
Letson    Luckie    Lundy    Mallory
McGregor    Moran    Murray    Newcomb
Okey    Otterman    Phillips    Pillich
Pryor    Sayre    Schneider    Skindell
Slesnick    Stewart    Sykes    Szollosi
Ujvagi    Weddington    Williams B.    Williams S.
Winburn    Yates    Yuko    Budish

NO (39)

Adams J.      Adams R.      Amstutz      Bacon
Baker     Balderson     Batchelder     Blessing
Bubp     Burke     Coley     Combs
Daniels     Derickson     Evans     Gardner
Goodwin     Grossman     Hackett     Hall
Hottinger     Huffman     Jordan     Maag
Mandel     Martin     McClain     Mecklenborg
Morgan     Oelslager     Ruhl     Sears
Snitchler     Stautberg     Stebelton     Uecker
Wachtmann     Wagner     Zehringer

Last night, President Obama called on our Senators and Representatives to pass health reform in a joint session speech.

Today, activists, bloggers, and ordinary people have been discussing some of the most compelling moments of the President’s historic speech. In addition to the inevitable banter about a certain South Carolina Congressman whose 2010 opponent is enjoying a windfall on ActBlue today....  Facebook status updates and twitter have been full of Obama quotes from last night.

From the inspiring:

I still believe we can do great things, and that here and now we will meet history's test.

To the practical:

Put simply, our health care problem is our deficit problem.  Nothing else even comes close

…An additional step we can take to keep insurance companies honest is by making a not-for-profit public option available in the insurance exchange… I will not back down on the basic principle that if Americans can't find affordable coverage, we will provide you with a choice.

To the things we’ve all been wanting to say for a long time to certain members of Congress:

If you misrepresent what's in this plan, we will call you out.

My personal favorite: 

We didn’t come here to fear the future; we came here to shape it.

Was there a particular part of the President’s speech that resonated with you?  What key points in the speech are the topics of water cooler conversation in your office?

We want to hear from you. Click here to watch a video of excerpts from President Obama’s speech, and share your thoughts.