Janice Gregory
President, National Academy of Social Insurance (NASI)
You might have heard about AmericaSpeaks: Our Budget, Our Economy, a national non-partisan conversation on June 26, 2010 on the federal budget. Thousands of people will weigh the options available, including options that affect our national social insurance programs, and will voice their priorities in 19 facilitated discussions in cities that are linked from location to location by satellite and webcast.
Representing NASI and its members, I have been an active participant on the National Advisory Committee, which helped to frame the agenda for the discussion. We were one of 28 organizations from many different points of view engaged in this process. The goal of AmericaSpeaks is to facilitate informed citizen discussions of important policy issues – in this case our looming budget deficit and debt challenges. Participants in the discussions are balanced for age, ethnicity, income, and party affiliation. See www.usabudgetdiscussion.org for more information.
Citizen involvement is vital to finding common ground and can help ensure that policymakers make decisions that reflect the public’s priorities. There are many ways you can help spread the word about this opportunity to participate in expressing your views on the enormous trade-offs facing us in the federal budget discussions.
Here are some easy ways to get involved right now:
- Cross-post this blog post, and share it on Facebook, Twitter or other social networks;
- Stay in the loop via email by signing up at www.usabudgetdiscussion.org;
- Attend the June 26 event at one of the 19 sites by filling out an online application; or
- Sign up to host your own Community Conversation.
Other actions you can take to speak out and help the project come alive as we lead up to the ‘National Town Meeting’ on Saturday June 26th
- Link to AmericaSpeaks Facebook page and share it with your friends;
- Follow AmericaSpeaks on Twitter @usabudget and use the hashtag #usabudget when talking about the budget and deficit;
- Become an Online Ambassador or write a Letter to the Editor on the Take Action page
- Put a graphic widget on your blog or website so people can sign up or find an event
I know I speak for the NASI leadership when I encourage you and your colleagues and family members in communities across the United States to participate in this important discussion.