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    ‘Obama’

    It’s Time to Git ‘Er Done!

    Thursday, January 28th, 2010

    Really, seriously – it’s time to finish health care. As President Obama said last night in his State of the Union address, “Do not walk away from reform. Not now. Not when we are so close. Let us find a way to come together and finish the job for the American people.”

    Bottom line: they need to get this done. 19 million young Americans don’t have health care. Over 44,000 people lose their health care every week. Insurance companies are still denying coverage to those with pre-existing conditions. Young and old are going into debt and declaring bankruptcy because of medical costs.

    It’s time.

    Contact your representatives in Congress and President Obama to tell them that you want this reform and you want it now.

    ~Mary

    Town hall meeting in China

    Monday, November 16th, 2009

    President Obama is in Asia this week for a variety of talks and I find it interesting (and am impressed) that his first public appearance in China was a town hall meeting with young people billed as his, ‘marquee event of his Asia trip.’

    Check out the Washington Post article & video about it.

    ~Mary

    Fort Hood Memorial

    Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

    Today, at Fort Hood in Texas, our country mourned the victims of last week’s tragedy. President Obama paid tribute to those who were killed and, in doing so, offered praise for the current generation serving in the military.

    Tomorrow is Veterans Day. It is a chance to pause, and to pay tribute – for students to learn of the struggles that preceded them; for families to honor the service of parents and grandparents; for citizens to reflect upon the sacrifices that have been made in pursuit of a more perfect union.

    For history is filled with heroes. You may remember the stories of a grandfather who marched across Europe; an uncle who fought in Vietnam; a sister who served in the Gulf. But as we honor the many generations who have served, I think all of us – every single American – must acknowledge that this generation has more than proved itself the equal of those who have come before.

    We need not look to the past for greatness, because it is before our very eyes.

    This generation of soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen have volunteered in a time of certain danger. They are part of the finest fighting force that the world has ever known. They have served tour after tour of duty in distant, different and difficult places. They have stood watch in blinding deserts and on snowy mountains. They have extended the opportunity of self-government to peoples that have suffered tyranny and war. They are man and woman; white, black, and brown; of all faiths and stations – all Americans, serving together to protect our people, while giving others half a world away the chance to lead a better life.

    You can read the full text of the speech, including individual tributes to each of the fallen, here.

    Yesterday was a big day

    Friday, September 18th, 2009

    If you’re going through your day-to-day life you most likely aren’t tracking all the legislation and political moves that affect the big picture of us as a generation. Don’t worry, that’s why we’re here and all I have to say is yesterday was a huge day for young people. Huge. Why do you ask? Let me tell you:

    1) The Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009 (H.R. 3221) passed the House of Representatives yesterday by a vote of 253-171. Are you in college, been to college, want to go to college, know someone who wants to/would like to go to college – then this applies to you. The quick recap (but you can read all the details here)

    • It will increase the maximum Pell Grant scholarship award to $5,500 in 2010 and to $6,900 by 2019 and linking it to match cost of living increases.
    • It lowers interest rates on need-based federal student loans.
    • It simplifies the FAFSA form to make it easier to apply for federal student aid.
    • It expands access to low-cost Perkins loans.
    • The bill invests in community colleges and college-readiness programs.
    • And it ends a ridiculous policy that gives banks wasteful subsidies on student loans and use the savings — as much as $87 billion over 10 years — to help students pay for college.

    You can say it – yep, that’s pretty great. Now it’s on to the Senate!

    HC Rally Pic v22) President Obama finally addressed young people in his rousing address on health care at the University of Maryland yesterday. I was there, imagine about 17,000 students and young people packed into the Comcast Center (where the Terps play basketball) and the President taking his 45 minute speech to directly talk to us as a generation. When was the last time you heard a speech about health care that didn’t include a huge section about senior citizens? (I’ve got nothing but love for my older friends but this health care debate affects ALL of us). Read his remarks here.

    Health insurance reform means so much for us – we need it to:

    • End discrimination for pre-existing conditions, stop insurance companies from dropping us if we get sick, and cap the amount of money insurance companies charge for co-pays, out-of-pocket expenses, and deductibles;
    • President Obama at the University of Maryland

    • Let us stay on our parent’s insurance until we are 26 and let us keep affordable insurance if we change jobs or lose our jobs;
    • Give us choices of policies that fit our lifestyle and our budgets in a health insurance exchange (with a public option) and provide assistance to those that still can’t afford insurance.
    • Cover preventative care and regular checkups at no cost.

    You with us? Sign our pledge to get involved in our campaign.

    3) And last but not least – in voter protection news, the Indiana Court of Appeals has struck down the state’s voter ID law. Indiana had one of the worst voter ID laws in the country that primarily affected young people and low income people creating a voting system that was not equal for all of us. It’s a victory in the long fight for equal voting rights for all.

    Not bad for one day…

    ~Mary

    President Obama at University of Maryland – 11:00 a.m. ET

    Thursday, September 17th, 2009

    This morning at 11:00 a.m. ET, President Obama will be at the University of Maryland in College Park to talk about health reform. We expect the President’s remarks to touch on what reform would mean for young people. Watch it on Facebook or at CNN.com and let us know what you think.