Thursday, December 11, 2008

How much is a resignation worth?

A spokesman for Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich says the governor hopes to "return to normalcy" two days after his arrest on corruption charges. Will the Gov. resign? “That’s something that obviously he’ll decide on his own,” the spokesman said.

Hmm. He’s accused of trying to sell appointment to President-elect Barack Obama’s now vacant Senate seat to the highest bidder. So, could he be hawking his resignation, too? How much will someone ante up to persuade the Gov. to go? Is Blago putting a price on his own buyout?

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Change dot gov. Are we ready to act?

Time is ripe for urging, encouraging, pushing or even hectoring folks to start applying for jobs in the new and historic Obama Administration.

People with disabilities especially ought to be sending resumes to change.gov ASAP. We want more than the traditional crip slots. Our people can excel throughout the Executive Branch. Let’s show that this new generation can outdo the last.

Applying for jobs isn’t the only important thing.

If people with disabilities want to make an impact, if we truly want to make change, we’ve got to do more.

Today the Obama transition
announced team leaders for Policy Working Groups.

We have seen – and can still see –
Obama’s agenda regarding disability.

But as has been pointed out in other areas, those who sit by patiently and passively awaiting the Obama Administration to implement and execute the stated agendas are very likely to be greatly disappointed.

Now is the time to be organizing and pressing OUR ideas to flesh out disability policy on the transition people. We must raise our voices and strongly advocate to ensure that we get good people into the Administration, and good policy initiatives to implement. Lots of names are coming out. Do we know any of them? Susan Daniels, for one, is looking at Social Security – that ‘s good. What about others?

And, I suggest, we ought to be advocating for policies in areas other than disability policy where we, as citizens, have interests.

Eternal vigilance and action are vital. Let us not miss this opportunity.