the EPVA is now www.unitedspinal.org they are open to anyone with SCI/D _____
From: C Child [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, July 04, 2007 4:43 PM To: quad-list Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] Mark E Smith I am also a life time member of PVA. They do a lot for the disability community as a whole , but I have to admit that they tend to concentrate their efforts more the problems of the veteran ,and theres nothing wrong with that, that's what they were organized to do. Cullen C3 TM 5/7/97 HAVE A GREAT DAY ----- Original Message ----- From: Tim Thompson <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: RollinOn <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, July 03, 2007 4:21 PM 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 >
