CREDO President Michael Kieschnick Invited to the White House
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For the past eight years, I have been proud to work with CREDO members and activists as we fought against the dangerous policies of the Bush administration. Together, we called, wrote, e-mailed, faxed, picketed, marched — more than 20 million times.
Now, in this new political era, we finally can fight for something — and something huge: real progressive change. Already, we have called on Congress to pass a much-needed economic stimulus bill and the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which limits discrimination against women by employers. Both measures have been signed by President Obama.
In a rather astonishing turn of events, I found myself at the White House this week at a small reception for progressive leaders at which President Obama thanked me for all the work CREDO members have done to enact emergency legislation to boost the economy.
Together, all of our members and activists would have more than filled up the entire White House, and I was proud to represent them.
It was great to be thanked, but of course it is better to win! At the same time, we all know that the other big issues of the day — such as reversing global warming, providing universal health care — are going to be even harder. The stimulus package got through the Senate by only one vote, and only after being weakened, so we need more voices to join with us. As I believe you care as deeply about the future of the country as us, please join our CREDO Action network. We send alerts about urgent political updates and how to best take action. To sign up, just go to credomobile.com.
As I passed through various security points at the White House, part of me kept expecting to be stopped. I have never been to the White House before except to picket it, and have never been able to talk to the president or first lady. I suspect that is the case for most of you as well. In other words, we are active citizens — not Washington insiders.
So I had to seize the opportunity to urge President Obama to move immediately to help the millions losing their homes to foreclosure by demanding that Congress give bankruptcy judges the ability to ease mortgage terms for those in bankruptcy. Wall Street had convinced Congress to remove this much-needed reform from the economic stimulus and Wall Street bailout laws.
And I told him what we had done to fight George Bush — he was impressed — but that we were ready to fight even harder to make positive change in the days and months to come.
I hope you will rise to this challenge. We need you.
All the best,
Michael Kieschnick, President
P.S. One more thing: I challenged the president to a basketball game (we have a progressives' game of hoops every Friday morning at 7 a.m.) — he said yes. I suspect he is way too busy, but just in case — if you are tall, can shoot with either hand and could guard Reggie Love (the president's aide who played basketball at Duke), please let me know. We need some height.
about CREDO Mobile:
CREDO Mobile, brought to you by Working Assets, gives customers more than a phone – it gives them a voice by turning every call into a call for progressive social and political change. CREDO Mobile also offers service comparable to the major cell phone companies, including nationwide digital coverage, friendly customer service, and a choice of phones and plans. And, as part of America’s greenest phone company, CREDO Mobile members raise money for environmental and progressive groups while speaking out on critical environmental issues, such as protecting the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. To learn more, visit www.credomobile.com.
about Working Assets:
Working Assets was founded in 1985 to help make the world a better place. Each time customers use its products (CREDO Mobile, CREDO Long Distance or the Working Assets Credit Card), the company generates donations for causes like peace, human rights and the environment. To date, Working Assets has raised more than $60 million for groups like Project Vote, Organic Farming Research Foundation and the ACLU. The company is also a political force, giving customers the opportunity to speak out on critical issues via its Web site (www.credoaction.com), its monthly phone bill and mobile text activism. Since 1991 Working Assets has generated over 10 million calls and letters to corporate and political decision-makers. To learn more, go to www.workingassets.com.