Are Our Students Employable?

In speaking with one of Education 2010′s panelists about the public school system’s graduation rate, I learned, much to my horror, that the Department of Correction graduates as many — and in some towns more than — as the public school system. Several days later, I am still reeling from that information.  There are so many obstacles to overcome with our current system.  It is no wonder that companies seek to employ students from outside of our borders.

One of the topics we discuss at Education 2010′s third dialogue is “Workforce Development.”  This topic goes right to the heart of the theme of this dialogue, “Successful Students Ready for the 21st Century.” It is a wonder that teachers who serve in schools where the class size gives “overcrowded” a new meaning, can possible prepare their students to compete at all.  With many cuts being administered to education budgets across our state (and our country), the need to bring together those individuals who can help us find ways to rally around our schools, our teachers, and graduate successful students is critical.

Does Race Matter? A Dialogue on Education.

I had been trying to reach Norma for a bit.  I knew that she wanted to participate in Education 2010′s third dialogue, “Successful Students Ready for the 21st Century,” but somehow, we kept missing each other. Finally, I opened my email and Norma left me her cell phone number.  I immediately dialed and when Norma answered, she opened the conversation with “I am sitting by the water [in a nice warm climate] on vacation.” Oooh, envy! I am a water person but the only water I am surrounded by is like the rest of the eastern seaboard, cold, endless rain that is threatening to flood certain areas.

Besides sharing with Norma the details of our third dialogue, I wanted to have the opportunity to chat and get to know each other.  The beauty of organizing these dialogues is that I get to meet so many wonderful people, share ideas, concerns and engage in a meeting of mind and mission. Sometimes we agree on the road to take to achieve our mutual mission, and sometimes we are on completely different paths.

Sen. Dodd, US Rep. Larson Tell the Truth about Health Care Law

What took 99 years to come about was celebrated this morning at Hartford’s Capital Community College.  US Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT) and Us Representative John Larson (D-CT1) were greeted by a jubilant crowd of health care supporters, as all celebrated the passage of this historic legislation.

Opponents of reform have been quick to make gross misrepresentations about this historic legislation.  The GOP, which often is referred to as the “party of no” is also being referred to as the “party of lies” because of the constant claims about this new law which are just not true.  Some claim that the health care legislation will increase our national debt causing the deficit to skyrocket and that the law represents a government take over of health care.

Fix the Economy … Fix Our Broken Schools

We sent President Obama to Washington because we longed for real change — especially in our economy — and we knew that he is the one who can achieve the lofty goals he set and we need.  We got the ball rolling with taking the necessary steps to fix a broken health care system, which is 100 years overdue and is crippling our economy on every level.

As Washington continues to find ways to shore up our economy, create new job opportunities through green industries and more, if we do not fix our broken education system, it does not matter how many new jobs are created.  Our broken education system will force us to continue to import a growing workforce from outside of our borders.

Last month, Robert Longley wrote an article entitled, Lifetime Earnings Soar with Education. Longley breaks it down in dollars and cents and begins by asking:

Successful Students Ready for the 21st Century. A Conversation with Panelist Clifford Thornton.

One of the ingredients to Education 2010‘s success in our three-part dialogue series is our ability to bring together a diverse panel of distinguished individuals who deal with education on a multitude of levels and areas.  This kind of diversity allows for a rich and lively conversation; one that is not static and is empowering.

Just How Lame is Lame?

As if we didn’t already know it, we have yet another stark reminder about how important 2010 is for the future of Connecticut.

Just how Lame is Lame?

When Gov. M. Jodi Rell announced that she wouldn’t seek re-election on Nov. 9, 2009, the question that arose was not whether she would be a “lame duck,” but rather what type of lame duck she would be for the remaining 59 weeks of her term.

….
With Rell now into her fifth month as a lame duck, her style has become increasingly clear. Over the last few months, she has had a virtually unbroken track record of failure and missed opportunity.

You can find the whole piece here;
http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/ctnj.php/archives/entry/op-ed_just_how_lame_is_lame/

Congressman Himes: The Urgency of Health Care Reform

I received this enewsletter from Congressman Jim Himes (D-CT 4) that clearly shows he is a solid “yes” on the health care bill in the House and also clarifies some of the negative rhetoric being touted by health care opponents.  I had to share this with everyone.  This is a must read.

The Himes Times: Early Edition

Friends,

On Sunday, after a year of deliberation, Congress will complete consideration of comprehensive health care reform legislation.

I cannot overstate the urgency of health care reform.  Every day, 123 Americans die because they don’t have access to health insurance.  And every day, small businesses call my office with stories of doubled premiums, sick workers they cannot afford to insure, or the downright collapse of their business because of a shocking increase in health insurance premiums.  And now, opponents of reform are taking advantage of the complexity of this legislation to mislead and scare us.

Successful Students Ready for the 21st Century – First Report

Education 2010′s third dialogue of its three-part series is well underway.  The title says it all, “Successful Students Ready for the 21st Century.” The dialogue, co-sponsored by Hartford City council Majority Leader rJo Winch and The Scheff Movement, will take place on wednesday, March 31, 2010, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, in the Council Chambers of Hartford’s City Hall, 550 Main Street, Hartford. Admission is free and open to the general public.

Education 2010 began it’s  three-part series in January across the street from Hartford’s City Hall at the public library main branch.  Hartford was chosen as the site to launch this series because of its historical significance in that it is the home to the nation’s oldest public art museum (Wadsworth Atheneum), the oldest public park (Bushnell Park), the oldest continuously published newspaper (The Hartford Courant), and the second-oldest secondary school (Hartford Public).

The goal is to bring the village together to have a substantive dialogue on critical issues that lead to substantive and sustainable action.  A diverse team of distinguished panelists

Congresswoman DeLauro (D-CT 3) Cites Benefits of Health Reform for her District

DELAURO CITES BENEFITS OF HEALTH REFORM TO CONNECTICUT

Washington, DC:  March 17, 2010— Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) announced the specific benefits that health care reform will bring to the citizens of Connecticut’s 3^rd District today.

The health reform legislation pending in Congress will ensure that quality, affordable health care is available to every American, and will hold insurance companies accountable and end the unfair practices of denying coverage because of a pre-existing condition, raising premiums, and imposing lifetime coverage limits. This plan will put Americans and small businesses back in control of their health care choices, and help reduce the sky-rocketing cost of health costs. Ultimately, this bill will fix our broken health care system and expand coverage to more 30 million Americans who currently cannot afford it.

Here are just some of the benefits the citizens of Connecticut’s 3^rd District will see from this reform:

· 467,000 residents will see improvements in their current health care coverage.

· Up to 136,000 families will get tax credits to help make health insurance more affordable.

· 7,700 residents with pre-existing conditions will be able to obtain coverage.

· Up to 15,400 small businesses will get tax credits to help make health insurance more affordable for their employees.

The Fat Lady is Ready!

It seems as though the health care battle is a never-ending saga.  It is not.  We are at the precipice of righting the unrightable wrong.  There are just days left for us to make one more call, write one more letter to the editor and bring this battle home to a resounding victory; even for those who fight against reform.  Listen to Marcelas Owens’ story and then take action here or here.  All the tools are at either link to help you make calls right from home.

Tea Baggers and Insurance Companies are Ringing those Phones

I have been calling constituents in swing districts in NY and NJ. On several occasions I have heard that they are getting a lot of calls from Republicans, Tea Baggers and Insurance Companies. In one case, a woman told me that she got a real human caller with a push poll saying something to the effect of: “Did you know that this dangerous Healthcare Bill would…”

One thing that is clear to me: the other side is not depressed. The other side is not sweating the details. The other side is not demoralized over the lack of a Public Option. The other side is not quibbling over tactics or legislative mechanisms.

It concerns me that I have seen very few RSVPs for the phonebanks at home or in Hartford. Many of us may disagree on particulars, but you must realize by sitting this out you are voting for the other side, because those phones are ringing without you.

Please take some time to make some calls in Washington State (Pacific Time):

http://www.my.barackobama.com/WA03FinalMarch

This week is IT for Healthcare

We hear it everywhere today: the rubber hits the road this week for Healthcare. What does this mean?

If the House defeats the Senate Bill, the Healthcare Bill is effectively dead.

If not, the bill moves on to subsequent bill(s) that modify the Senate Bill, to remove provisions like the “Cornhusker Kickback” and other provisions that the House finds unacceptable.

All of the petitions that call for a Public Option could, in the best case, result in someone passing a bill in the House as a modification to the Senate Bill, and passing it in the Senate via Reconciliation. Without a yes vote here, that’s dead too.

So, this week is critical, because if this vote goes the wrong way, none of these Healthcare plans will be realized. As you may have read, the Democrats do not yet have the votes to pass this bill.

There is work to be done this week, that cannot be done next week. That work is getting the votes we need. I also have to say that the Health Insurance Companies are not taking this week off.

One task that we can all do is calling supporters in the districts of wavering Representatives to get them to commit to a YES vote.

Do that this week, you can do it at night if you work during the day. You can do it at home, or go to a phonebank to do it with others. These calls are easy, many people thanking you for the call.

To do it from home, RSVP to this event (it doesn’t matter if you RSVP after the date listed, these calls need to be made all week):

http://tinyurl.com/health2010ctphone

Other phonebanks are available by searching on mybo. For instance: here

Do not assume that someone else will do it, as these events currently have between 0 and 2 RSVPs.

Call this weekend to change one House NO vote

Rep John Adler (D) of New Jersey voted against the original House Healthcare package. In statements as recently as this passed Sunday on FOXNews:

If the House and the Senate can’t work out cost containment, I don’t see how I could support a bill that doesn’t help our business community and create more jobs.

There is a mybo calling campaign to tell Democrats in his district to call him and tell him to vote yes.I just did a bunch of these calls, they are really easy: almost everyone I reached was interested in calling, and many didn’t know he was a potential NO vote.

Send me a private message on Facebook, and I’ll send you the link.

Thanks a lot,

Henry

The Main Street Brigade and the Consumer Protection Agency

Like many Americans (1,930,495,000 views thus far), I ventured to the Funny or die website and watched the wild and raucous video of  the “Presidents Reunion.”  In the video, President Obama is visited by former Presidents Clinton, Bush Jr., Bush Sr., Ford, Regan and Carter portrayed by Will Ferrell, Chevy Chase, Dana Carvey, Darrell Hammond,  Fred Armisen, Dan Akroyd, and Maya Rudolph as the First Lady.  The message: pass the Consumer Protection Agency Act, and with some teeth in it.  My favorite line is Regan telling Obama, “Tag. You’re it” as he rushes out of the room.

As of this morning, almost 2 million viewers have watched the video.  Hopefully each of those viewers signed the petition.  Let’s keep the momentum going.  If you have not done so already, log onto The Main Street Brigade web site and sign the petition to pass the Consumer Protection Agency Act.