Posted on November 3, 2006

The New York Times says the economy is a huge factor in driving Americans to the polls, but that the war in Iraq is THE hot-button factor. OK, but I wonder if the pollsters ever asked Americans how the two issues are connected? Because that's what I hear from worried voters from every state I visit, from Oregon to Colorado to Pennsylvania to Connecticut to here in Wisconsin. They ask: Why do this Administration and its rubber-stampers in Congress continue to put our troops at risk to wage this deadly, costly war overseas, and ignore pressing issues of economic security here at home?

Americans are ready for change. Voters want government who will fix the problems, not make matters worse. And they need solutions that will put their families first.

No one could bring this more full circle than Scott from SEIU 1199. Yesterday there was snow in the air in Milwaukee, but you wouldn't know it with the passion that this Wisconsin organizer brings to a heated gubernatorial race! Scott moved back home to Milwaukee because he has multiple sclerosis and needed to be closer to his family. Last night his parents were in sunny Orlando. They represented him at the national MS Society conference because Scott insisted on remaining behind - he wouldn't give up knocking on doors in the cold to talk about what Governor Jim Doyle is doing to help families utilize science to unlock the key to cure diseases like Alzheimers, Parkinson's, cancer and MS.

Scott is dedicated because he knows the governor is making a difference. Costs for his prescriptions have been going up, courtesy of the profit-driven big pharmaceutical companies. Politicians in Washington have cut needed Medicaid funding and pushed through a so-called prescription drug "benefit" that prohibits Medicare from negotiating lower drug prices. But Gov. Doyle is one of the tough governors who says no way. He has been working on state-based solutions to ensure that Scott, his family, and hard-working people across Wisconsin have access to the affordable health care, treatment, and life-saving medicine they need.

We need more leaders who will make helping hard-working families a priority.

I felt this kind of commitment throughout the day. I canvassed with Alicia, a home care worker. When I asked her how long she'd been working on the campaign, I thought I'd hear a few months. She said she's been volunteering for her union every political election cycle for the last nine years! She's inspired her family and the members in her community. It was a great team we had, talking to union voters about the issues at stake. Dantwon, an activist with a two-year-old daughter, talked about the struggle he has to make ends meet. He is determined to help create a better future for her, his pride and joy, and this dedication translated to the people we spoke to on today's canvass. Dantwon's smile, personality, but most of all, his knowledge of the issues won the hearts and minds of every household we talked to.

If Iraq is the No. 1 issue, I say the economy is 1-and-one-half. One thing is for certain: Ordinary Americans across this country in small towns and big cities and everywhere in between are united in their concern for their country and their children, and they want solutions on the issues they face, like the erosion of jobs with family health care coverage and paychecks that put food on the table. So let's all vote for change - our lives and families depend on it.

I know I'll hear about these issues on my next stop - a bus tour in Iowa to get out the working families vote! Check back tomorrow to hear what I learn.

---

Anna Burger is the Chair of Change to Win.  This entry is part of Anna's 2006 Campaign Notebook.  Return to the Campaign Notebook home page for more information, or to read other entries.