There are rare moments in the life of a nation when what seems to be impossible suddenly becomes possible. This is one of those moments.
Today, leaders of AARP in Wisconsin and across the nation will launch the next phase of Divided We Fail, a national movement to bring health and financial security to every American. Joining with the Business Roundtable, the National Federation of Independent Business and Service Employees International Union, AARP is hosting more than 50 events in nearly every state to educate and engage the public about issues of health reform and economic security. Divided We Fail also will present to lawmakers more than 1.6 million pledges signed by supporters from across the country.
For decades we've watched policymakers struggle and fail to find a way to provide affordable health care for all to the detriment of both families and businesses. For decades we've seen financial security become more remote for millions of Americans.
But now, even amid one of the worst economies in memory, we have the best chance in our lifetime to resolve both crises.
Health care and financial security are in worse shape than ever, and they have become intricately intertwined. Everyone is affected. Inaction on health care continues to undermine the financial security of our families. It limits the productivity of our workforce; stifles job creation and wage growth; and crowds out investments in energy, education and infrastructure.
This is a crisis far too severe for anyone to say "No" to proposed solutions, and blocking them for the sake of self interest. It is time to come together and find ways to say, "Yes".
For almost two years, four of the most influential and dissimilar organizations in Washington have put aside our vast differences and come together; in this movement called Divided We Fail. Our coalition represents big business, small business, labor, and individual citizens, and despite this diversity of interests we have found common purpose in pursuit of financial and health care security for every American.
The 53 million members that make up Divided We Fail spent this past election season making sure every politician knew just how desperately important health care and financial security are to every American. Over the past 18 months, 372 members of Congress, including Rep. Tammy Baldwin and a majority of other members of Wisconsin's Congressional Delegation, have committed to put aside partisan differences and take action on health care and financial security. We congratulate them for their commitment.
We stand ready to work with President Obama and the new Congress to ensure that access to quality, affordable health care will be a reality for all Americans. Despite these challenging times, we're more optimistic than we've been in years that progress can be made, both in Washington D.C. the State of Wisconsin and across the country. We believe that we will find a way to provide quality, affordable health care for all Americans. We can't afford not to.
- Al Majkrzak is state president of AARP Wisconsin.
Today, leaders of AARP in Wisconsin and across the nation will launch the next phase of Divided We Fail, a national movement to bring health and financial security to every American. Joining with the Business Roundtable, the National Federation of Independent Business and Service Employees International Union, AARP is hosting more than 50 events in nearly every state to educate and engage the public about issues of health reform and economic security. Divided We Fail also will present to lawmakers more than 1.6 million pledges signed by supporters from across the country.
For decades we've watched policymakers struggle and fail to find a way to provide affordable health care for all to the detriment of both families and businesses. For decades we've seen financial security become more remote for millions of Americans.
But now, even amid one of the worst economies in memory, we have the best chance in our lifetime to resolve both crises.
Health care and financial security are in worse shape than ever, and they have become intricately intertwined. Everyone is affected. Inaction on health care continues to undermine the financial security of our families. It limits the productivity of our workforce; stifles job creation and wage growth; and crowds out investments in energy, education and infrastructure.
This is a crisis far too severe for anyone to say "No" to proposed solutions, and blocking them for the sake of self interest. It is time to come together and find ways to say, "Yes".
For almost two years, four of the most influential and dissimilar organizations in Washington have put aside our vast differences and come together; in this movement called Divided We Fail. Our coalition represents big business, small business, labor, and individual citizens, and despite this diversity of interests we have found common purpose in pursuit of financial and health care security for every American.
The 53 million members that make up Divided We Fail spent this past election season making sure every politician knew just how desperately important health care and financial security are to every American. Over the past 18 months, 372 members of Congress, including Rep. Tammy Baldwin and a majority of other members of Wisconsin's Congressional Delegation, have committed to put aside partisan differences and take action on health care and financial security. We congratulate them for their commitment.
We stand ready to work with President Obama and the new Congress to ensure that access to quality, affordable health care will be a reality for all Americans. Despite these challenging times, we're more optimistic than we've been in years that progress can be made, both in Washington D.C. the State of Wisconsin and across the country. We believe that we will find a way to provide quality, affordable health care for all Americans. We can't afford not to.
- Al Majkrzak is state president of AARP Wisconsin.
