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Notch Bulletin: Notch Reform Needs More Tea In The Harbor Here are two dictionary definitions I think are interesting: "Grassroots," adj. originating among or carried on by the common people; as, a grassroots political movement. "Activism ," n. the doctrine or policy of being active or doing things with decision. More than any other country in the world, our nation is one founded upon grass-roots activism. Consider the Boston Tea Party. Colonials crept on board ships and dumped tea into the Boston harbor. That sent a message that couldn't be ignored. Our democracy is based on the concept of grassroots activism. Although it took nearly 20 years for passage, Medicare was enacted as outcome of people communicating with those they elected to office. Medicare was the most fiercely fought legislative battles of its time. What made the difference? People cared enough to tell their legislators how they felt, over and over again. We hear from many seniors and Notch Victims (the grassroots) who care deeply that Notch Reform is passed. Why then haven't we seen Notch Reform yet? There's not enough "tea" in the harbor. By one means or another, enough people who want Notch Reform must become activists to get the message across to elected officials. The tools are varied. Many of you return postcards, petitions, and surveys you receive in TSCL mailings. Congressional aides tell us those piles of postcards have made a big impact on influencing members of Congress to take a look at Notch reform. Post- cards played a key role in convincing Representative Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO) to reintroduce her Notch reform bills to cover a 10 year Notch period of 1917 through 1926 instead of the former 5 year correction covering only 1917 through 1921. When the postcards are from constituents, your responses are duly noted. It doesn't matter how you contact your legislators. What matters is that you care enough to make contact and express in your own words how the Notch affects you. Remember, on average you have almost double the life-experience of most Members of Congress. How can you throw even more tea into the harbor? You and your friends can:
You may wonder what effect one person can have, but you aren't just one person. An estimated 9 million senior Americans and their families are affected by the Notch. When an elected official hears from enough constituents it can change a way of thinking. Grass-roots activism of TSCL members is having an effect. Toss that tea! This article first appeared in Volume 4, Issue 9 of "The Social Security and Medicare Advisor" newsletter (September/1999). To receive future editions of "The Advisor" in its special, free e-mail version, please click here. | ||||||||
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