[COMM-ORG] The Power of Transformation

[Discussion list for COMM-ORG]

From: "PICO National Network" <news at piconetwork.org>


The power of transformation

Now that this historic election has come to an end, communities
throughout the nation must quickly unite to help families
weather this difficult economic storm. Working together, we can
rebuild our economy on a sound foundation, fix our health care
system, and stabilize the housing market to support millions of
men, women and children in need.

As people of faith we believe in the power of transformation and
in the inherent capacity of organized communities to see the
bigger common vision beyond the narrow interests competing to
shape our nation's agenda.

In less than two weeks, on November 17 2008, clergy and families
from PICO National Network are traveling to Washington, DC to
meet with transition officials and Members of Congress to insure
that the voices of organized families and faith communities are
heard not only during elections, but in the halls of power at
this critical time in our nation's history. We believe, as
President-elect Barack Obama has said "change will come to
Washington, not from Washington." We aspire to be effective
agents of positive change in D.C. and throughout our great
nation.

It is clear that no economic solution can succeed for our
country without comprehensive health reform that controls costs
and covers everyone. Our goal is to connect with at least 100
Members of Congress and to those leading the transition process
and put forth the message that, now more than ever, with so many
families afraid of losing work and health coverage, we must join
hands and seize the opportunity to ensure health care and
housing security for people throughout our nation.

Specifically, we will urge the new President and Congress to
quickly pass the State Children's Health Insurance legislation
passed by both chambers of Congress in 2007 as a surefire way to
get immediate help to families and states and a first step
toward building a bi-partisan momentum for true health reform.

PICO faith leaders will be joined in Washington by families
facing foreclosure and those who have been able to save their
homes, to advocate for the adoption of a systematic approach to
loan modification that would keep millions of families in their
homes and put a floor on falling property values. We cannot wait
one day longer to stop preventable foreclosures that undermining
our neighborhoods and destroying family wealth.

This election season yielded an extraordinary effort by civic
organizations, including those in the PICO network, to engage
people in the political process. Tens of thousands of people
participated in non-partisan forums and voter development
efforts organized by PICO affiliates over the last year. Many of
the issues that people of faith supported, including children's
health, were central to issues in state and federal elections;
and in many cases helped to determine the outcome of local,
state and national races.

PICO is committed to working with the new Administration and
Congress, Democrats and Republicans, to keep people engaged in
the political process and focused on developing creative
solutions to help our nation realize its great promise.

For more information please visist www.piconetwork.org .
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