You know that free healthcare clinic tour going on?

[OneGrassRoot]

The one Keith Olbermann has been promoting, in conjunction with the National Association of Free Clinics?

A DUer recently really opened a door for others with dental needs to walk through and ask for help. It's not just a health issue; lack of dental care is preventing people from getting jobs, from interacting with others...it's just awful. :(

Same with vision.

People can't afford basic healthcare, so we certainly can't afford dental or vision care these days. (Full disclosure: I haven't had insurance, and thus no healthcare of any sort, for nearly a decade myself, so I know of what I speak.)

I'm thinking of starting a petition, via Wishadoo! -- with the growing Wishadoo! Community behind it -- to push for a similar tour focused on dental and vision.

It could really help the Wishadoo! Community to grow as the petition is blasted, and maybe we can get Olbermann's attention. I've written to the Executive Director of the NAFC to see if this is something they can organize or not; if I hear back from her, it may not be for a while.

(BTW, I still need DUers to please join Wishadoo!, ask others to do the same, and please contact me if you want to be more involved. Thanks! :hi:)

In the meantime, I could get a petition going. And, unlike that current tour -- which is largely funded by regular people like us -- I'd like to get corporate and/or philanthropic sponsorship for this one.

Now, bear with me....

I'm like many of you in that I believe the US is owned and operated by multinational corporations and I LOATHE it.

My focus is on -- as I so delicately say -- BALANCING THIS SHIT OUT. I have a Robin Hood complex.

I want to provide as many opportunities of integrity as possible to get those with the resources to give back to those in need. Balance things out.

I know, I know...that is tough and it may be naive and impossible, but I want to try.

These fundraisers and telethons can't keep expecting average people to fund things -- we don't have it to give!! I want to create a reverse telethon:

Rather than have celebrities MC'ing and performing and manning the phones, asking regular people to give, give, give, I want to have simultaneous telethons where local community heroes/organizers/advocates are manning the phones, local bands are performing and other locals are MC'ing, and only those who can contribute at least x amount ($1000, $5000?) are to call in and contribute.

Back to this idea about a petition to gain and show support for a free clinic tour for dental and vision needs, or grassroots petitions to get attention about MANY of the current injustices pertaining to poverty, homelessness, etc....

What do you think? In conjunction with contacting our congressional reps about the myriad issues, do you feel there is value in the petition approach, providing it can gain traction and get a lot of attention for the issues? Indeed, the petitions would serve the purpose of gaining attention for these critical needs and injustices.

:shrug:

Thanks for reading. :)

[Whoa_Nelly]

1. Sounds good! Also, maybe include hearing?

AS a partially deaf person, and having to wear hearing aids, get tested at least yearly, there is no insurance that will pay for this, save having to buy hearing aid insurance separately. And, even at that, it is usually through the manufacturing company of whichever hearing aid has been bought and is being used.

Without hearing aids, I would not be able to seek work, much less be in a work environment. Hopefully after I do get work again, can get new hearing aids as mine are quite old...each one costs between $2400-3000 per each aid.

[OneGrassRoot]

3. Thank you!!!

Absolutely...you're absolutely right!

Yep, that should be included as well!

:hug:

[valerief]

2. Yep. My donation was part of the $320K collected. But as for rich people giving

money to help not rich people, well, if that could happen, it would have happened already. Rich people hang on to their money like dogs with a bone. The cheapest people are the richest.

[OneGrassRoot]

6. Maybe we can get creative...

somehow show them it's in their best interests to help their communities. We know it IS, we just need for them to realize it.

I don't know how, but I'm determined to give it a shot.

;)

:hi:

[asdjrocky]

4. For obvious reasons, I'm on board.

I walking around proof that we can come together to help each other. (I've got another dental appoint Monday!)

I can't agree with OGR more on going after the folks and businesses that still have some money, and I'm ready to man those phones.

[OneGrassRoot]

5. Woohoo!!!

:hug:

:hi:

[w8liftinglady]

7. I'm right there with you...a quote from a local Repub politician

...which delicately includes anything affecting the "unclean masses"

"I believe anything, except law enforcement and roads, should be on the table. That would include: reducing staff numbers, reducing benefits, furlough days and reducing non-profit organization funding or any other option that would have a positive effect on future budgets. "

This is the mindset I live with,and why I am so vocal.Let me know what needs to be done.

[OneGrassRoot]

8. ...

:hug:

:hi:

[OneGrassRoot]

9. Leaving for the day but will check back tonight...

to see if there's any interest here and/or suggestions regarding this petition approach for the various critical needs many are facing.

Thanks :)

[OneGrassRoot]

10. More input is most welcome!

What do you think? In conjunction with contacting our congressional reps about the myriad issues surrounding poverty and the many who feel invisible, do you feel there is value in the petition approach, providing it can gain traction and get a lot of attention for the issues? Indeed, the petitions would serve the purpose of gaining attention for these critical needs and injustices.

:hi:

[nashville_brook]

11. big k and r.