March 25, 2009 01:46 AM UTC

Making the pursuit of happiness a reality...

• 0 Comments
• by: ranr

As a part of the nationwide anger over bonuses and corporate excess, more than 100 people demonstrated in front of the Wells Fargo Center in downtown Denver last Thursday calling on Congress to pass health care for all, the Employee Free Choice Act, and strong banking reform.

Speakers included:

— State Sen. Morgan Carroll, who represents an economically-disadvantaged district in Aurora (the state’s third-largest city), and is a tireless advocate for working families in the State Senate.

— Mick Velez, an electrician who’s been looking for work and has been unable to find any, despite years of experience

— Terri Monley, a small business woman who talked about her struggle to receive and provide health care benefits as a small businesswoman

— Leonard McWilliams, a disabled veteran who, despite serving his country & living his life by the rules, is facing eviction from his house, and spoke movingly about the difficult challenges facing him.

One of the things that really struck me was the amount of media attention at the action. All the major network affiliates were there, and a number of radio stations were there as well, interviewing the speakers, and making sure that viewers & listeners who were unable to attend the action got our message — America has had enough with corporate excess, and it’s time we build an economy that works for everyone. 

For example, Denver’s Channel 7 interviewed Ben Hanna, who said

“Everyone knows someone who has been affected,” said Ben Hannah. “I think there are going to be a lot more events like this and people are going to be calling their Congress people.”

You can see Ben’s comments here.

People expressed their anger and were upbeat. I’ve been active in public service, in one way, shape or form for the last decade. One of the reasons I decided to become active with this campaign was that I felt that it was past time that people who work hard and live their lives by what we consider to be the rules had a fair shot at the pursuit of happiness. 

That pursuit includes having a free choice in how I have a voice on the job, negotiating good wages,  and affordable, quality health care. 

Each of the stories we heard pointed the way forward towards a future in which the words “pursuit of happiness” went from being words written on fragile parchment to being a reality attainable by all.