A Message From The President
No Time Like the Present
Barbara Matteson, matteson@dakotacom.net
It’s human nature to want to hunker down during times of uncertainty.
And with the country at war and well into an economic recession, and unemployment at a 30-year high, it might not seem like the best time to protest and petition and push for change on other issues. But the worst thing we could do now is sit back and be quiet.
A new administration is taking up residence in Washington, D.C., and already the conversation has turned to health care, Social Security, Medicare, and yes, even GPO/WEP.
Early childhood education and college affordability are just two of the public education issues Barack Obama and Joe Biden brought up time and again during their campaign.
We have reasonable cause to be optimistic.
But all the hope and possibility and reasons to believe are just a starting point. The hard work doesn’t end here.
It’s still up to us to make sure that everyone in Washington knows what’s important to NEA-Retired.
Whether your legislators are old veterans or the new kids in town, they need to hear from their constituents that it’s time to move on legislation that will help public schools and retired Americans.
Where would we be if educators just like us hadn’t fought for secure, defined benefit pension plans? How strong our collective voice is depends on each and every one of us. So those who care about how No Child Left Behind is amended, speak out! Anyone who wants to protect Social Security, pipe up!
And if you want to have a say on all the other issues at stake, in support of your fellow retirees, active educators, and students, NEA’s Legislative Action Center is a great place to get started.
The value of a great opportunity is only realized when we act on it. So, off we go! Loudly!
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