Yea but I think the article was about all disabilities not just the paralyzed. Paralysis is a small group compared to all disabilities, if everyone with a disability tossed in a couple bucks they'd have a cash flow in the high millions and that might sway some political thinking but it doesn't matter I only had a couple replies to this anyways. I'd be very surprised to hear any candidate talking about helping pwd in general but I do think we'll hear about helping the vets which is fine and long overdue.
Mark Jackson RollinOn -----Original Message----- From: Tim Thompson [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, July 03, 2007 6:21 PM To: RollinOn Cc: [email protected] Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] Mark E Smith Ever heard of the PVA? They represent all paralyzed Americans on the Hill. Stunt PVA Lifetime member On 6/26/07, RollinOn <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > > Mark E. Smith has a blog in New Mobility magazine that's always interesting > and his last one really got me thinking. > > > > Life at Large > The Disability Dollar As A Cash Cow > > Jun 25 12:27 > > By Mark E. Smith > > If you have a problem, throw money at it at least when it comes to > disability-related politics. > > Here we are on the eve of another blockbuster of a campaign season, racing > toward the nonstop political pandering that is the presidential primaries, > then the big election of '08. But, for those with disabilities, where are we > in the political power struggle that is, which candidates are looking out > for our economic and societal equity, like those looking out for virtually > every other special-interest group, from tobacco companies to transgender > constituents? > > We are nowhere to be found in the special-interest, cash-fed cow that is > modern-day politics. We're still rolling around with picket signs, asking > candidates and elected officials to just do the right thing, when such > political tactics are, well, passé. What we need is our own formal advocacy, > an AARP or NRA, that serves as our collective body, a political machine > rolling through Capitol Hill, contributing cash, opening doors, shaking > hands, and getting our agenda on the table. If expensive cigars and campaign > contributions serve most other special-interests groups, then that's what we > should do, too > > But, we're not in the game namely because we're not willing, as a group, > to put our campaign contributions where our complaints are. We don't run > with the PAC, and we're not willing to flex our monetary muscle. And I don't > get it. In 2008, clout over who's elected, who's defeated, and which > legislation is supported will be written on checks during 2007. So why > aren't we writing checks? > > Some will say that we're among the poorest of minority groups, with the > highest unemployment rate, that we are at an economic disadvantage in the > political process. > > But aren't we also among the largest minority groups, 46-million strong, > including 12.6-million of us with severe disabilities? Even my poor math > proves that if 200,000 of us a fraction of those with disabilities kick > in $10 each, that's $2-million toward a focused special-interest group. > Trust me, at a $5,000 contribution per candidate and official which will > typically get you access and an ear in some capacity $2-million would go a > long way toward the 2008 disability agenda and beyond. > > Now, you're probably thinking that all this sounds fine and dandy, but who's > going to organize this disability political powerhouse that's going to > spread goodwill and cash throughout Washington for those with disabilities? > > I say we start by enlisting the help of and sending our support to those > carrying the picket signs. > > > > > > > Mark Jackson > > RollinOn > > > > > > > No virus found in this outgoing message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.9.9/870 - Release Date: 6/26/2007 > 10:07 AM > No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.9.14/885 - Release Date: 7/3/2007 10:02 AM No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.9.14/885 - Release Date: 7/3/2007 10:02 AM
