White House response to my questions on disability
Two weeks ago, President Obama hosted an online town hall dubbed Open for Questions, where questions were asked and voted on by the public. I posted a question via YouTube about the economics of disability.
In brief, I asked about how the administration is planning on addressing the needs of people with disabilities who are able and willing to work, but who do not for fear of losing the dependent-care health insurance and/or government assistance they currently receive. I also asked about the President's commitment to passing the Community Choice Act, as reliable, consumer-directed community living and transportation are necessary foundations for the employment of people with disabilities.
I am honored to report that Kareem Dale, the Special Assistant to the President for Disability Policy, has responded to my question on the White House blog! Watch his response, then read on for my thoughts.
So first: Kareem Dale! Answered my question! On the internet! I asked the White House a question, and the White House responded! To me! How freaking cool is that? I'll tell you: it's very cool.
I already thought that the town hall was a great first step towards holding the administration accountable to the people that gave it power (because, let's face it: no social networking, no President Obama). And now, having been chosen to get my question answered, I'm obviously even more on board. The geek in me celebrates.
The gimp in me? Meh. Listen, I ♥ Kareem Dale. I understand that these policy issues are so much more complex than anyone who doesn't have to deal with them could ever imagine. (And I can't begin to imagine the politics involved.) I get that this is not a popular time in some quarters to broach expanding entitlements, and that there is a vocal and powerful minority who will always oppose this stuff regardless of how much economic sense it makes. To some degree, that was my point in asking the question: to raise awareness amongst the non-disabled voting public that their tax dollars are being thrown away on people who would much rather be working. So just the fact that they highlighted my question is enough awesome for one day.
Kareem's answer? Vague and diplomatic... although I can sense that he as an individual gets it. What is there, really, to say? "Yes, under a single-payer system, people with disabilities will be able to work without losing guaranteed healthcare. Yes, we will sign the CCA the minute the Congress gets its act together and passes it. Yes, this is all on our website already." Did Kareem's answer rise to the wonky level of my dreams? No. But if it had, it would have gone right over the heads of the 99% of Americans who stand to benefit collectively, not individually, from these sorts of initiatives. Instead, he stayed with the talking points, using my question as a way of illustrating the benefits particularly of universal healthcare. So it's all good.
The takeaway:
- The White House's initiatives to open up our democracy via the internet rock. Here I am, a gimp blogger/grad student in my pj's, interacting with those who walk the halls of power. We may not be at 100% transparency, but the days of sending people to Washington and hoping for the best are obviously over.
- It's all about the policy, baby. Right now, that means supporting H.R. 676, the House version of universal healthcare introduced by the always-awesome Rep. Conyers. Politicians don't like to lose their jobs any more than anyone else, and midterm elections are just 18 months away. So contact your representative today, and let them know they should support national insurance or start shopping (and saving) for some private insurance of their own.
Thanks to everyone who emailed and tweeted me about this -- I've been sick (nothing too serious, no worries) and just braved my inbox this morning.