Hey, Benzie Demz & Friendz!
Thanks to the many folks who showed up for Saturday's monthly Executive Committee meeting! Today we've got a summary for you, plus updates on our emerging healthcare and education pushback, some hot calendar items, a groovy old '60s tune, good stuff from The Chicago Tribune and some funny, absolutely required YouTube viewing.
A funny thing happened on the way to Saturday's EC meeting: Between snow birding and flu, we missed a quorum! That was OK: Since there were many new and old faces, and folks wanted to talk things over and offer suggestions, that's what we did instead!
We discussed our new pushback project and sneaked a peek at its slightly evil logo. There are 16 people concentrating on healthcare and education with Rep. Bergman and State Rep. VanderWall. They'll make sure Benzie knows exactly what they're up to.
Crucially, we need Benzie folks using ACA (Obamacare), Healthy Michigan (ACA Medicaid Expansion), classic Medicaid, or Medicare to share their experiences and views on "repeal and replace". We will help make their healthcare stories and advocacy powerful and unifying. If that's you or a friend, please hit Reply and get in touch.
There were requests for paying more attention to fighting the gerrymander that put our butts in a sling, plus voter suppression, ranked voting, and following our state senator. Two people said they just might run for office in 2018. A big YAY for that, sports fans!
Folks also made heartfelt requests to pay more attention to immigration, given that border bans would harm Benzie folks, too-from farm workers to medical personnel to family members. Thanks for raising that; We're forming a sub-committee...
We discussed the difference between the Benzie Indivisible group now forming and our project. They are focused on pushing back against our Republican reps as visibly as possible. We are focused on educating Benzie on Bergman's and VanderWall's positions on healthcare and education, and holding them accountable. Sounds like a nice match, eh? As Wilbert Harrison famously sang-Let's Work Together (Long Live the 60's!)
Most folks liked the meeting. As one woman said, it was a little too long, but worth it 'cuz so many wanted to tell us a thing or two. We'll probably do something like this on the third Saturday of March-our next open meeting-albeit with a tighter format.
Looking for something subversive to do? How about showing up at Rep. Bergman's office Tuesday at 10:30 AM? They'll only talk to us one person at a time, but it's a fine opportunity to bring a sign, enjoy alarmingly warm weather, and spotlight his avoidance of constituents, except for Thursday's paid Chamber of Commerce luncheon. There's a plan for that, too.
So what's the latest on healthcare, anyway? The New York Times has a very good summary of Paul Ryan's pig-in-a-poke healthcare proposal. Hopefully, that will motivate some of us to hit Reply button, as requested above, and get in touch with our project.
(Heavy sigh) Okay, I don't have the heart to link to a depressing read today. Here's anoptimistic one.
Did you see Steven Colbert take down that weird Trump spokesman Steve Miller last week? Yow! And just last night, Samantha Bee sunk her stinger into healthcare reform hero Paul Ryan's highly overrated hide.
Okay-that's all we got today. Keep smiling, keep in touch, keep on keepin' on!
And THANKS!
Jim Dulzo & Mike Ross
Co-chairs
Benzie Demz
