"Get Involved in the 2004 Presidential Election!"
Justin Dart used to say: "Get involved in politics as if your life depended on it, because it does." We will be voting for President in just a little over one year, on November 2, 2004. The Democratic candidate will be decided in primary elections starting in just three months. We should heed Justin's admonition and get involved in supporting a campaign NOW (if you haven't already!).
CONTACT CAMPAIGNS
Below I have collected the campaign web sites, phone numbers (where available), and e-mail addresses (where available) for the nine Democratic candidates vying for the Democratic nomination and the re-election campaign website for President George Bush, who is running unopposed as the Republican candidate.
It has been great to see several candidates speaking out on disability issues, but there needs to be much more. We need to have EVERY presidential candidate addressing disability community priorities. Contact one or more of the campaigns and ask them about their disability policies. Ask them to send you a copy of their position paper(s) on disability issues (the interest will affirm the importance of developing/maintaining disability position papers). Are the campaigns' positions easy to find on their website? Are their websites accessible?
Don't think only in terms of disability policy. Find out about other policies that you think are important for the future of our country -- health care, tax policy, deficits/debt, Medicare, Social Security, the states' financial struggles (48 of 50 states are running deficits), domestic infrastructure (roads, schools), foreign policy, relationships with other nations, reconstruction of Iraq, fighting terrorism in Afghanistan and around the world, trade policy, etc. Disability policy will be formed in the context of -- and be profoundly affected by - these and other policy decisions.
QUESTIONS TO ASK CANDIDATES
Here are some sample disability-related questions you can be asking, in addition to specific policy questions of importance to your constituency:
1. How will you make sure qualified people with disabilities will be a part of your political team and, if elected, a part of your administration?
2. In recent years the disability community has become very concerned about judicial rulings and appointments that questioned the Constitutional basis of parts of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Of the existing members of the U.S. Supreme Court, which justices do you consider models for the kinds of federal judges you would appoint if elected president? Would you support legislation to restore civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities who have been harmed by Supreme Court decisions restricting the scope of the protected class under the ADA?
3. Given the current economy and the economic struggles of most of the states, Medicaid is a primary target for budget/program cuts. Knowing how vital this program is to people with disabilities and their families (frequently the only way some can get prescription drugs and long-term services and supports), how would you change the economic picture to ensure people with disabilities are able to get the services they need? How would you address the institutional bias in the current Medicaid system? Do you support passage of the Medicaid Community Attendant Services and Supports Act (MiCASSA) and the Family Opportunity Act?
4. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is undergoing reauthorization. Do you support full federal funding for IDEA? What ideas do you have for strengthening federal enforcement of IDEA and other federal disability rights laws? What ideas do you have for increasing the high school graduation rate for students served by IDEA?
VOLUNTEER/CONTRIBUTE
You can also make a difference by volunteering for or contributing to a campaign. Dedicating your time and money -- even if in small increments -- sends the message that people with disabilities are an important voting block. On the Democratic side, this means getting involved now to help determine which of the nine candidates will be the Democratic nominee. Try asking how you can be most helpful to a campaign. You might generate some ideas by attending some of the "Meet Up" grassroots activities that many candidates are facilitating.
THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
In 1988, a significant shift in voting patterns among people with disabilities was credited with accounting for a major portion of President George H.W. Bush's narrow victory over Michael Dukakis. Political experts are expecting the 2004 election to be another close election. Please help make the disability community be an important voting block in 2004 by getting involved in a campaign today!
Remember: Get involved in politics as if our lives depended on it, because they do.
Jonathan Young, JFA Moderator, AAPD
DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES
Carol Moseley Braun
www.carolforpresident.com
312-842-8500Wesley Clark
www.clark04.com
info@clark04.comHoward Dean
www.deanforamerica.com
802-651-3200Sen. John Edwards
www.johnedwards2004.com
919-785-1900
info@johnedwards2004.comRep. Richard A. Gephardt
www.dickgephardt2004.com
202-448-9300Sen. John F. Kerry
www.johnkerry.com
617-367-1551
info@johnkerry.comRep. Dennis J. Kucinich
www.kucinich.us
866-413-3664Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman
www.joe2004.com
860-282-8683
info@joe2004.comAl Sharpton
www.al2004.org
212-505-6633
info@al2004.orgREPUBLICAN CANDIDATE
President George Bush
www.georgewbush.com
703.647.2700
BushCheney04@GeorgeWBush.com
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