Sleepless in Sacramento?
Posted July 30th, 2009 by AnitaToday is Governor Schwarzenegger’s birthday. But we’re not exactly in the mood to throw him a party right now. On Tuesday, the Governor used his line-item veto authority to revise the state budget and add another $50 million in cuts to the state’s Healthy Families Program, bringing the total cuts this year to $179 million.1 As a result, approximately 1 million children will lose their health insurance.
Let’s be clear. Governor Schwarzenegger alone is responsible for this latest round of cruel cuts to this important program. The Governor’s birthday is an opportunity to remind him (and the media) that his cruel budget decisions mean that millions of Californians are dreading, not celebrating, this coming year.
Send Governor Schwarzenegger your Unhappy Birthday greeting now!
We just know that Governor Schwarzenegger is going to have trouble sleeping at night after cutting 1 million kids off heathcare– we would! So along with your Unhappy Birthday messages, we’re delivering a special gift — a soothing sleeping eye pillow decorated with kids’ hand prints to remind the Governor even in his sleep that he needs to get those million kids covered.
We need to let our leaders know that these cuts are immoral and we won’t forget them. Send your Unhappy Birthday greetings to Governor Schwarzenegger now!
Please spread the word to your friends and family this message so they can share their Unhappy Birthday wishes with the Governor too! It’s time for everyone in California to rise up and say that our state deserves more from our leadership. Other states are managing to increase coverage for kids, even during these difficult financial times. We expect no less from our Governor for California’s kids.
If you live in or around Sacramento and you’d like to help Ashley deliver this birthday package to Governor Schwarzenegger’s office in Sacramento today at 1 p.m., please email ashley@momsrising.org.
[1] http://www.latimes.com/news/la-me-california-budget29-2009jul29,0,3359678.story
7 Comments
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August 1, 2009 at 1:09 am by LindaThe Governor’s not the only one: The Senate President pro Tem was a big champion for kids, or said he was, but then had no backbone. Other choices could have been made.
California says: Shame on Steinberg (SOS)
“I’m for covering kids!” Darrell Steinberg proclaimed.
But actions speak louder than words, all the same.
The budget is difficult, that’s surely true,
But hard times will show you who cares through and through.
And now the truth, for when the going got rough,
Our friend Steinberg showed he was made of limp stuff.
Did he stand for our children? Oh no, he did not.
He left our state’s kids in a horrible spot.
They will soon all find out, it’s sad but it’s true,
They cannot play sports, or get shots for the flu.
Their parents are working, but don’t make enough
To pay health care bills, so now they must be tough.
They’ll say to their children “No playing, at all.
No running, no biking, no chasing that ball.
You might just get hurt and then what would we do?
Go sit on the couch, have some snacks, stir the stew.”
“But Mommy, but Daddy, I want to go out!”
But Mom and Dad know that despite the big pout,
Because Steinberg did not stand up for them, no,
The kids must stay in, and accept this cruel blow.
Our state, which was once the land of golden dreams,
Is coming apart at the sides and the seams.
And who pays? First kids, but that’s only the start.
Steinberg must pay. He’s all words and no heart.
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July 31, 2009 at 9:45 am by chrisSpread the word that everyone should check out this Friday’s 20/20 episode (July 31, 2009). John Stossel went to Canada and Great Britain and will report on what he experienced in their healthcare systems.
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July 30, 2009 at 10:36 pm by KellyI called the governors office today to ask them what about children with prior medical conditions! My son is 2 1/2 and severe asthma, gerd and food allergies. His g tube formula alone is $600 a month plus maintence meds are $500 We are at the top of the income requirments and looks like we will be cut! I called blue cross which is what he is on though HF and asked if they would take him on privatly if he gets cut and they said NO! What is the plan for these kids who are sick and need meds and Dr.s and now will have nothing and not be able to get anything. Levi’s medical is the same as my mortgage is and with no medical there will be a day when I have to choose between meds and bills!! But the Gov. office just said I’m really sorry Mrs. but I can’t give you medical advise. No but you can take away the option to get medical advise! I am soo mad!
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July 30, 2009 at 10:34 pm by chrisIf few of us have the personal means to help, and the state of California has no financial means to do it, how credible do we sound by demanding that the State do it anyways. I know alot of people in California struggling because a significant portion of their income goes to pay state taxes (income/property/sales). Many mom friends of mine in Simi Valley have to work, leaving their kids to family members or daycare, just so they have enough net income to cover their necessities. They have healthcare through their employer. I think our demands that the State pay this insurance, instead of those of us who are passionate about this issue and can give sacrificially, punishes my friends with more taxes and makes us look cold hearted.
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July 30, 2009 at 7:39 pm by AnitaAh, if only I had the personal means to help each of the nearly 1 million kids who need health insurance. Or even to help one kid! Let’s keep pushing our government leaders to do what democratic government is supposed to do– leverage the power/money of the state for the good of the state’s people.
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July 30, 2009 at 5:13 pm by ChrisAnita and all, please include a personal check in the amount of $1,000-$10,000 with your greeting, signed to the California State Treasury department. If enough of us who are troubled by these actions make a sufficient sacrifice, then the State’s budget woes could be extinguished and the children’s health insurance reinstated. Let’s put our money where are hearts are and help this State out! That would raise the credibility of all of us at MomsRising.org.
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