Thursday
Jul092009
Youth Have Key Role To Play In America's Future, Say Top Democrats
Thursday, July 9, 2009 at 9:06AM
The younger generation has a key role to play in the fight to pass health care and climate legislation said prominent Democrats to students Wednesday. President Bill Clinton, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius spoke at the Campus Progress National Conference, which brought together over 1,000 progressively minded students from across the United States.
President Clinton said America's youth "cannot just sit on the sidelines" of politics and must focus on the "how" when it comes to energy, health care and education policy.
"The answer can not just be more money...you have to look at the delivery system...Your life will be shaped by America's success of failure to do that," the former President said.
"These are mind numbingly difficult problems" he said, "[But] America works when we are all sort of stumbling in the right direction."
Speaker Pelosi praised student activists groups from across the country for the lobbying they have done in order to promote the Democrats' agenda. The Speaker said she was encouraged by the increase in youth mobilization and urged how imperative it is to passing new legislation.
"I have so much confidence in the future," she said.
Secretary Sebilius also spoke to the students about the importance of their participation in the health care reform debate.
"Not doing anything is not an alternative," she said.
Through the administration's proposed health care reform, "we have an opportunity to not only increase the health of America but also the wealth of the nation" said the Secretary.
Among other speakers at the conference were White House Green Jobs Special Adviser Van Jones, Daily Show Correspondent John Oliver and pop star Joel Madden.
"Do you know who inspires him [President Obama]? You," said Jones to the delighted crowd.
President Clinton said America's youth "cannot just sit on the sidelines" of politics and must focus on the "how" when it comes to energy, health care and education policy.
"The answer can not just be more money...you have to look at the delivery system...Your life will be shaped by America's success of failure to do that," the former President said.
"These are mind numbingly difficult problems" he said, "[But] America works when we are all sort of stumbling in the right direction."
Speaker Pelosi praised student activists groups from across the country for the lobbying they have done in order to promote the Democrats' agenda. The Speaker said she was encouraged by the increase in youth mobilization and urged how imperative it is to passing new legislation.
"I have so much confidence in the future," she said.
Secretary Sebilius also spoke to the students about the importance of their participation in the health care reform debate.
"Not doing anything is not an alternative," she said.
Through the administration's proposed health care reform, "we have an opportunity to not only increase the health of America but also the wealth of the nation" said the Secretary.
Among other speakers at the conference were White House Green Jobs Special Adviser Van Jones, Daily Show Correspondent John Oliver and pop star Joel Madden.
"Do you know who inspires him [President Obama]? You," said Jones to the delighted crowd.
Pelosi Seeks To Squash Concerns Over Reform Items
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) addressed core issues of the health care reform debate, including abortion and costs, during her weekly press conference Thursday.
“My position on a woman's right to choose is well known. This issue will not stand in the way of us advancing a health care legislation, and, again, the committees of jurisdiction — in fact, Energy and Commerce, tomorrow as they work on the bill, may be addressing that issue.” said Pelosi.
The speaker also addressed the high cost of insurance premiums which critics of the proposed legislation fear will increase due to the extension of coverage to Americans with pre-existing health conditions.
“They shouldn't be able to. Listen to our language: No discrimination against people with pre-existing conditions. No discrimination against people with pre-existing conditions,” assured Pelosi.
The Speaker said she had spoken with conservative Democrats in the House, also known as "Blue Dogs," who have raised objections to the legislation over fiscal concerns.
“The Blue Dog Coalition has not put this proposal forward. These are four individual members of the committee who have said: “This is how the bill would work better for me in my district.” Each of them has said in his — in this case "his" own district — the treatment of public option and some of the other provisions works better in their districts.
Pelosi said she understood why certain Blue Dog members want to spend more time looking through the legislation.
"This is about people. It's about delivering health care reform that will work. That will work. So, no, I don't think there is any disproportionate influence when members speak out in favor of their own constituents.” she said.