MIRS BREAKING NEWS: Autism Insurance Reform Package Clears Senate — 1:15 p.m.

The Senate today passed a three-bill package on autism insurance coverage championed by both Gov. Rick SNYDER and Senate Majority Leader Randy RICHARDVILLE (R-Monroe).

The bills are SB 0414, SB 0415 and SB 0981. SB 0414 passed 29-9, with all the no votes coming from Republicans. SB 0981 passed 28-10.

Sen. John GLEASON (D-Flushing) lauded Lt. Gov. Brian CALLEY, whose daughter has autism, for taking the lead on the effort.

“You have become the face of this issue . . . because you were bold enough, really courageous enough, to put your family issues before 10 million Michiganders,” Gleason said.

The package moved out last week from the Senate Health Policy Committee (See “Autism Coverage Bills Sent to Senate Floor,” 3/8/12).

Senate Appropriations Chair Roger KAHN (R-Saginaw) lost amendments to the bills that would sunset the proposed law on Jan. 1, 2015.

“What is so difficult about a sunset?” he asked. “It allows us the opportunity to revisit the issue.”

On SB 0981, Kahn’s amendment capped spending at $30 million. He said it would limit “the amount of damage this bill will do in attempting to do good.” That also failed.

He raised his concerns about revenues coming in below estimates, as he’s done for several years. He said the bills are “important to me,” but it’s important not to “rob” those suffering from ailments like hemophilia from funding, as well. He said that the administration’s estimate could be low, arguing that similar legislation cost $80 million in Minnesota.

“Members should know this is an increase and ongoing cost, undefined but certainly increasing substantially,” Kahn said.

Richardville won amendments to each bill that would make the law go into effect on Oct. 1.

SB 0415 sponsor Sen. Tupac HUNTER (D-Detroit) said today “marks an important milestone in the Senate, but more importantly, for Michigan families.” He said he was approached five years ago by a constituent whose child has autism, which inspired him to introduce legislation.

An attempt by Sen. Rebekah WARREN (D-Ann Arbor) to add mental health parity to the bill via a substitute was shot down on a 18-20 record roll-call vote. She said it would “enhance this compassionate legislation.” She said she is “proud” to vote for the autism

bills and isn’t trying to kill legislation, but she believes adding all brain disorders would make the bill better.

She said her sub provides “off ramps,” like in Arkansas. If there’s an increase of more than 1 percent in expenses for businesses, they can opt out.

Gleason said he backs parity because otherwise “we’re picking one kid over another. . . . Let’s not leave anybody behind. We shouldn’t. We shouldn’t.”

But Sen. John PAPPAGEORGE (R-Troy) said that lawmakers have to agree on a definition of mental health disorders. He said he was concerned that substance abuse could be included, something he said the state couldn’t afford.

Advocates argue that it would decrease expenses to businesses to include all neuropsychiatric disorders, but the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and labor groups have long opposed parity. The Snyder administration and Richardville also didn’t want that added to the package. Michigan is one of seven states without mental health parity.

MIRS has learned that Republicans like Sen. Judy EMMONS (R-Sheridan) were courted to introduce an amendment, but the Snyder administration voiced strong opposition.

The bills allow insurance carriers or third-party administrators to get reimbursements from the state for any autism-related claims, a compromise with business groups that have opposed the mandated health coverage. The bills create a $50,000 cap.

Under the package, the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) would be charged with creating and implementing an autism coverage incentive program through which carriers could seek reimbursement for paid claims.

LARA is also required under the bills to submit annual reports to the Legislature and the state budget office on funding the incentive program has awarded. Snyder has suggested that up to $15 million be deposited into the new state fund.

Read, then bookmark our Autism Insurance Reference Page to stay up to date as this battle continues in the MI House.

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“We shouldn’t look at this as a mandate, but a moral public responsibility,”

- Sen. John Gleason, D-Flushing

This afternoon there will be a vote in the Senate Health Policy Committee on the Autism Insurance Reform legislation. Should it pass out of committee the hope is that it will be on the floor of the MI Senate within a week for a full Senate vote before heading over to the House, where the process will start over again.

Supporters of the legislation are hopeful while opponents are doing everything they can deny, block or change and weaken the legislation.

Which brings up the question I’ve gotten repeatedly the last couple of weeks  …..

“Who the heck wouldn’t want to see children with Autism receive coverage?”

In an effort to answer this question, while also addressing some of the “WHY” behind the “WHO”,  I dove into the testimony that’s been given to the MI Senate Health Policy Committee regarding this legislation. The result of this research is listed below …..

Business Interests Opposing 

The Economic Alliance for Michigan (members include Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan)

• Letter Opposing This Legislation
• “strong opposition to any state-imposed health insurance mandates”
• “purchasers …. should be able to determine”
• “impact only about a third of Michiganians”
• Board of Directors: The Economic Alliance for Michigan

Grand Rapids & Detroit Chambers of Commerce (amongst other groups)

• Talking Points Cheat Sheet
• Will only extend coverage for less than 1/4 of Michigan’s families
• Will increase costs and leave more Michiganders uninsured
• Diminish and erode employer and collective bargaining rights

The Arguments Being Made By Those Opposing This Legislation

“This report shows good news on two fronts,” said John M. Huff, (Missouri) state director of insurance. “First, it shows that the new law has already helped thousands of Missourians. Second, it shows the autism mandate should have minimal impact on health care costs and insurance premiums.”

Concerned that 1 of every 110 children has been diagnosed with autism in Michigan?

The prevalence of children with depressive and anxiety disorders in much higher.

(source: Literature from Michigan Partners For Parity )

In a nutshell the MHP argument is …. this legislation doesn’t go far enough because it doesn’t cover  every mental health condition and every treatment for every mental health condition (or some variation thereof) . It’s not that there’s NO coverage it’s that it’s not “sufficient”.  Some even go as far (as seen above) to almost make the argument that if you think Autism is bad wait til you hear about OUR problems.

There IS a Federal Health Parity law that helps provide mental health parity but DOES NOT cover Autism. A number of people gave testimony making this “Mental Health Parity” argument. Some were professionals and some were parents. They’re desperately fighting for coverage for THEIR kids and that’s admirable. The problem with the Mental Health Parity argument is two-fold:

• There is already federal health parity legislation which, while not perfect, does provide protection and help for a number of conditions. However, for Autism ….. there’s no coverage or protection.

• There is not the support for Mental Health parity legislation. It’s not a close vote. It’s not on the brink. It simply doesn’t exist in the numbers necessary to get it passed. While Mental Health Parity might be an admirable goal trying to ADD it to this bill won’t get a result that covers EVERYBODY. What it will do is get a no vote that will continue the discrimination against families with Autism while not upgrading the MHP coverage.

So are the supporters of this Autism legislation really ignoring or leaving behind those fighting for Mental Health Parity?

Of course not. Just because the Autism legislation doesn’t include full Mental Health Parity doesn’t mean that those that support it DON’T support parity ….. it simply means that we support seeing an end to the discrimination of children and adults with Autism in MI. Unlike the MHP argument we’re not fighting to IMPROVE coverage ….. we’re fighting to GET coverage.

To be fair, while a number of folks and groups have testified against legislation that doesn’t include parity, many of them do still ultimately support the passing of this Autism insurance legislation. They might like to see it made better (by their definition) but they don’t want to see continued discrimination just because they can’t get what they want. That’s a stance I can respect.

Then there’s the other group, they’re the one’s that says it’s all or nothing –  either they get what they want or kids and adults with Autism in MI can continue to be discriminated against. With that contingent I’ve got a problem. That strategy uses my child, and the 15,000 plus others in MI with Autism, as their political pawn simply to get what they want, everyone else be damned…. that’s wrong and honestly pretty reprehensible.

I support Mental Health Parity and would like to see our attitudes and support for mental health issues improved greatly in this country. Ending discrimination against those with Autism doesn’t hurt that cause ….. it’s PART of that cause!

I don’t support mandates! (as said by Politician)

“Through his office, Hune said he “doesn’t typically support mandates,” and that the Senate autism package likely isn’t an exception.” (source)

This is a typical response from folks that are opposing this legislation (we heard it last time too). It sounds good. It sounds very fiscally responsible …. but let’s think for a second.

What is a mandate? I looked it up and this is what I found ….

Mandate:

• Noun: a command or authorization or decree to act in a particular way
• verb to authorize or decree (a particular action), as by the enactment of law.

Since, based on the definition above, a law IS a mandate one could make the argument that if you’re not supporting mandates you didn’t pass many laws … except they did last year …. A LOT! The Michigan legislature and the Governor approved 323 new laws (source).  I checked Senator Hune (not to pick on him, there’s lots of legislators that like using the “no mandates” thing), he voted yes last year on a number of bills/laws/mandates and actually every year since he was elected. Yes numerous times, telling people what they can or can’t do and frequently with costs that would either be paid for by the government (via taxpayers) or by private entities.

So one could argue that it’s not that they don’t support “mandates” per se …. it’s that they don’t want to support THIS mandate. Fair enough legislators, nobody has to support legislation ending discrimination against children and families facing Autism …. but just be honest and say that, don’t hide behind some fake “noble stance”.

I don’t support mandates! (as said by business groups and lobbyists)

“We are writing to voice our opposition to any new mandated health insurance benefits”

- Michigan Chamber Of Commerce

This objection has nothing to with the legislation except that the legislation exists. The lobbyist who professes this is ONLY concerned about seeing no change made that could cost their clients so much as one penny. The long term or short term benefits of the change don’t matter . The morality of the change don’t matter. All that matters is ….. will this change potentially cost a penny. If the answer is yes … then they fight it.

This is where sarcastically I’d normally say “Wow! They’d fight a cure for Cancer!!!”  …. except they actually DID last year:

• Chamber Opposes Oral Cancer Treatment Coverage

Now THAT my friends is hard core!

It only covers (1/3 or 1/4) of Michigan families facing Autism and does nothing for those without insurance!

Ok, for starters this is legislation that reforms MI INSURANCE law. So yes …. by definition it’s not going to help (directly anyway) those without insurance. That’s like making the argument that a new law concerning families with a newborn won’t do anything for families without a newborn. Of course it won’t, that’s not what it’s trying to do.

It WILL cover families purchasing private insurance either on their own or through their workplace … this equates out to roughly 30% of the folks in Michigan.

Now, about that other 60 – 70% of families.

• Self-Insured: This law CAN’T by itself cover everyone in the state of Michigan because a large number of people work for companies that self-insure (think your big companies DTE, Big Three, etc.). The reason this law can’t change the rules for them is because …. well, literally it can’t. Those folks can only be told what to do by the Federal government. They operate, in this instance, outside the boundaries of what the State can do. They can be given incentives (which is exactly what the third bill in this package does) to do it but the State can’t FORCE them to do it.

• Medicaid/Medicare: The State of Michigan is currently being sued in a class action lawsuit for refusing treatment to children with Autism (source) under Medicaid. When Michigan either loses or settles this lawsuit it will open up coverage for children with Autism under Medicaid. Most agree that coverage for them is coming – one way or the other – very soon because the State is currently violating the law by not covering them.

Fourth, to make the argument that this legislation only helps the families that the legislators can legally help (under the insurance laws as they currently stand) is probably one of the most ridiculous arguments that could be made. Passing this legislation means that the MI Senate and MI House will be standing up to help the kids and families with Autism that they can directly pass a law to help …… isn’t that what they’re suppose to do?

Finally, this legislation WILL help EVERY person in the state of Michigan regardless of their insurance coverage or lack thereof for one very simple reason. By having coverage in the state of Michigan more centers, providers, therapists and specialists will come to (or stay in) Michigan because there will be a reason to stay here …. they’ll be able to get paid. Funny thing how getting paid to provide a service entices folks to provide the service.

Example: Currently in the State of Florida where they can get paid there are over 1,800 Board Certified Behavioral Therapists …. Michigan has 60. Or to put it another way …. Florida has 1,740 more behavioral specialists than we do.

Can you possible make an argument that it’s not better, as a person with Autism, to live in a state where there are 30x more people that can work with you, the schools, employers, law enforcement or the public in general? Of course not!

More people providing services means better service, cheaper service and a better network of support. All of that equates to a better standard of living and working for any person in the state with Autism.

So there you have it a ….not so very brief … breakdown of the opposition to this legislation with why they’re wrong (in my un-humble opinion). As always there’s at least two sides to every story so I’m sure they’d have a good rebuttal to my points. While I don’t agree with them I certainly respect the fact that they’re standing up for what they believe (or in the case of the lobbyists what they’re paid to believe). However, after an almost ten year battle to get coverage for these kids and end discrimination against them … here’s hoping the Senate and then the House does what’s right and protect our families.

One year ago I (along with a lot of other parents) was in the state capitol in Michigan advocating almost around the clock for three days for passage of Autism Insurance Coverage for Children in the state of Michigan.  Doesn’t seem like it would be a particularly hard thing to convince someone of, does it?  You have a child with a medical diagnosis.  A child with a real neurological condition.  A child that with early treatment and intervention has a great chance to overcome many of the hurdles that their medical condition would otherwise impose on them over the course of their lifetime.  To put it more bluntly, you help these kids and you give them a more promising, productive, rewarding future.

In the midst of what seemed like the final days before Spring Break in a middle school, we (the parents, therapists, children, etc. advocating for this legislation) watched as the legislators … many in their final days as legislators … ate cake and pizza and sang songs karaoke style on the floor of the Senate (seriously).  It was truly as if they’d gotten all of their work done early and were just counting down the final hours of their tax payer funded terms before they could all go home for Christmas break (you see Virginia in Michigan our Senators and Representative collect full-time paychecks but don’t necessarily put in full-time hours or work year round).  One of the things they forgot to do though was give the kids and families in Michigan battling Autism a chance to get their children the life changing help they need.  In what amounted to politics and political gamesmanship at its best (dirtiest?) the bill was blocked and kept as far away from the floor as it could because many (even those opposing it) knew that if the bill got to the floor of the Senate there were enough votes for it to get passed.  That would have been a life changing moment for thousands of kids and families in Michigan. But alas, it was not to be.

That’s history though and the point of this post is not to idly lament history.  My point IS to ask where the champions for our kids have gone in THIS session. You see, this year – 2011 – was supposed to be different.  A ton of new members in the Senate and House meant the entire process had to start over again but THIS time we had a leg up (or maybe not) …. because THIS time we had champions in high places that cared about this legislation (do they?).  But many of us are now, on the anniversary of the crushing defeat felt last year, wondering ….. where have our Champions (or potential Champions) gone?????

Where did Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville (R-Monroe) go?  He had hearings last year.  Gave countless parents hope and encouragement as he toured around the state in 2010 heading up his Autism Insurance informational sessions.  He accepted awards and spoke at rallies talking about the need for Autism Insurance Reform. He was supposed to be a champion for Autism Insurance in the Senate. Despite the failure last year we were assured that he was a champion, we were assured the he was a fighter, we were assured he wouldn’t forget …. so where is he now as the LEADER of the Senate Republican Majority?

Where did our Champion Lt. Governor Brian Calley go?  He famously has a daughter with Autism.  He was a leading voice late in the charge for the passage of the Autism Insurance legislation last fall. He spoke out on the radio and even did a video on behalf of the legislation trying to advocate for its passage.  He took his shots from the opposition but kept charging. By his own admission his outspoken advocacy for the legislation was perhaps a bit late in the game but there is no doubt that his efforts, if ultimately unsuccessful, were important. You can see him all over the place these days as the Lt. Governor taking the Governor’s message and fight to the two chambers in Lansing and the media (the bridge to Canada, the budget, school funding, tax reform, etc.).  He had fire and passion last year for Autism Insurance Coverage for Michigan’s kids ……. but where is our Lt. Governor today?

Senator Jim Marleau – Chair of the Senate Health Policy Committee – He has supported Autism and disability rights issues for years.  He sits on the board of the nonprofit “Homes for Autism”. When it was announced that he would be the Chair of the Senate Health Policy Committee and that the Autism Insurance for Children bills would be assigned to his committee there was widespread relief.  With someone who understood the issue we all figured the odds of it getting locked and blocked in committee never to see the light of day on the Senate chamber floor (as happened last year) would be a concern we could shelf. A funny thing happened on the way out of the Health Policy committee though …… nothing (it’s like visions of last year all over again). Our potential Champion who could bring this legislation up in his committee and send it to the Senate floor, well, ummmm … he isn’t. Senator Marleau …… where are you?

Just to be clear I’m not disparaging any of these three Republican politicians. (I highlight Republican here because it IS the Republicans stopping this legislation just as it was last year.  As a conservative Republican it pains me to say this but the reason our kids in Michigan don’t have Autism coverage is because the Republicans … at least thus far …. have not wanted them to have it. The truth hurts but that doesn’t make it less true …. sadly.)  I have a tremendous amount of respect for them and believe that the leadership they could provide this State is much needed.

My frustration however is this ….. they’ve all elected to not be loud, vocal, aggressive advocates for our kids.  Despite their strength and influence and stature they’ve all elected to sit on their hands and not do anything.  Despite their vocal support of these kids and families and helping them at Autism related events ….. they’re not delivering.

Who knows, maybe I’m wrong.  Maybe behind the scenes these three potential Champions for our kids are working hard and trying to line up the votes. However, these Republicans are finishing up their first year in office. They’ve passed 231 new laws. Of those laws 95% of them have been laws championed and introduced by Republicans. That’s 231 new laws in less than a year.

So it’s not like they can’t get something they care about passed.

But not a whisper about Autism.

The rate of Autism and the number of births in the State of Michigan would suggest that over 1,000 additional children in the State of Michigan were diagnosed this past year. That’s over 1,000 additional families that are discovering that their insurance company WILL NOT cover their child.

They will not cover the life changing therapies.

They will not cover the interventions that literally will mean a savings of millions of dollars over the lifetime of that child.

Approximately 1,000 additional children were diagnosed with Autism this year and they won’t have coverage because our Senators and Representatives don’t think that they’re important enough to protect.

Michigan was one of the first states in the country to take up the Autism Insurance fight for our kids.  In the time that our State Senators, Representatives and Governors have done nothing, 29 other states have stepped up to protect their children.

A year ago I was in Lansing tonight working hard with other parents to try to get coverage passed that would have helped thousands of children and families across the state. We were fighting for our kids but we were also fighting so that those 1,000 children newly diagnosed this past year wouldn’t have to suffer like our children and families have had to suffer.

A year ago we watched the Senate singing karaoke on the floor of the chamber, glad handing each other while they ate pizza and cake and then snuck out of town after abandoning our kids.

This year’s Senate and House have also chosen to ignore these children.

Where did our Champions go?

Have they really forgotten about our kids that quickly?

Source: The Dome Magazine

Regardless of your politics or personal feelings there is a beauty and honesty in this quote that can, hopefully, give us all pause today:

“The days of our lives, for all of us, are numbered. We know that. And yes, there are certainly times when we aren’t able to muster as much strength and patience as we would like. It’s called being human. But I have found that in the simple act of living with hope, and in the daily effort to have a positive impact in the world, the days I do have are made all the more meaningful and precious. And for that I am grateful.”

Here’s Brian Calley, the State’s next Lt. Governor, making the case for Autism Insurance Reform.  As has been widely pointed out Mr. Calley doeshave  a four year old daughter with Autism.  Some folks have mistaken this as being his motivation for supporting this legislation … after all, it would help HIS daughter is an argument I’ve heard made (a LOT, including in our local newspaper the Detroit News).

Will it help his daughter? Sure it would.  Just like it will help the other 15,000+ children in the State of Michigan and their families.

What goes unreported (including in the recent Detroit News editorial) though is the fact that there’s a major flaw to the “he’s only doing this because of his kid” theory …. he supported the legislation BEFORE his daughter was diagnosed with Autism.

So why would a conservative Republican concerned about fiscal responsibility want to support something that the opponents of this legislation (i.e. – Blue Cross Blue Shield, who is sitting on multi-billion dollar surpluses and being sued by the state for price fixing) say would just “raise costs” for Michigan families?

Simply because, it wouldn’t do that at all … click the link below and hear Mr. Calley in his own words.

Well, the elections of last week are now officially done and in the books.  Like that old saying goes “elections have consequences” but before we go marching into our new political term it’s important that we don’t forget the unfinished business that this State Senate still has on the table.  We’re in what’s commonly referred to as the “lame duck” session of the political season and the good folks in Lansing are trying to figure out what they’re going to finish off before the end of the year and, for some of them, the end of their time in office.

So what’s one thing they have to do before this term is up?

Pass Autism Insurance Reform Legislation

When this fight really started to heat up over the past year I posted exactly why this legislation matters to every citizen in this state (including the ones that are still in diapers). In simple terms it’s because, aside from being the right thing to do, it’s going to save us all a lot of money …. even if Autism doesn’t touch your life personally.

We’ve also done entire shows and interviews (here, here and here) about this topic and the long term damage that the insurance companies are doing to families and children in Michigan with their attempts to cheat young children out of the coverage that their parents are paying for and that they should be receiving.

The legislation would require insurance companies to provide insurance coverage for Autism.  It doesn’t really sound that complicated does it.  As a parent you purchase insurance to protect your child from unforseen dangers to their health. Insurance companies don’t want to cover Autism though because …. well, they want larger profits.  It’s really not that complicated.

They don’t care about the long term harm to these kids.

They don’t care about the additional cost to every tax payer in Michigan because they’re cheating these families.

They don’t care that they’re losing in courts to the parents that have the time and money to sue them because they know that most families can’t afford to sue them so it’s no big deal.

They don’t care …. well, that’s pretty much it … they don’t care.

These kids are a line item in their expense column and sooo … they’re crossing them out and saying….

“Nope, we’re not going to give them the coverage their parents are paying for.”

It’s really that simple.

This insurance legislation would help stop the insurance companies from cheating children with Autism.

This insurance legislation would make the insurance companies provide the service the parents are paying for already.

And if passed it will also save you, your children and your grandchildren thousands of dollars … each.

But don’t just take my word for it.  Listen to this clip from our soon to be Lt. Governor Brian Calley as he talks about his own child’s Autism diagnosis and the difficulties he’s had trying to get her the help she needs.  Republicans are not generally known for supporting “mandates”, especially ones that are opposed by big business (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan with $10 BILLION dollars in revenue and a $3 billion dollar SURPLUS qualifies as Big Business. They’re also currently being sued by the Department Of Justice for violating anti-trust violations including potential price fixing).

So why is Mr. Calley, one of the state’s top Republicans, supporting this legislation?  Listen to the interview and let him explain it to you himself  (note: his own daughter’s Autism diagnosis occured AFTER his vote on this legislation).

Then do me a favor and contact your Michigan State Senator (you can look them up here) and tell them that Autism Insurance needs to be put up for a vote and approved THIS TERM, THIS YEAR, THIS SESSION, THIS WEEK.

If you’d like to learn more about this topic please check out the sites and information from some of the other groups fighting hard for these kids and this legislation:

• Autism Insurance in Michigan (AIM) – Blog or Facebook
• Autism Votes
• Autism Alliance of Michigan

NOW IS THE TIME, MICHIGAN! Critical Action Needed Today on Autism Insurance Reform

* For those of  you that have already heard Mr. Calley’s personal Autism story, skip to the 4 minute 50 second point in the interview to hear him specifically address this pending legislation.

Today in Michigan is primary election day.

Today’s one of those days when we can learn who’s serious and who’s just part of the peanut gallery barking at those on the field but unwilling to actually do something.

Look, since the time this country started fighting for it’s freedom we’ve had over 1,095,000 US soldiers die in wars for this country.

Can we really not find 10 minutes to vote?

For most of us, sadly, it won’t take much more time than that because according to projections we’re looking at only about 20% of the registered voters actually voting.

Don’t just vote though, make this into a learning experience for your children.  Part of our responsibility as citizens, parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles is helping our junior family members understand the importance of history and their role in leading this country forward in a way that will build on that history.

So pickup your kids and take them with you to the polling place.  On the way explain why voting is important and why Founding Fathers George, Tom, Ben and the boys put EVERYTHING on the line to pry King George III’s fingers off of our country. Mention that number up above….

Over 1,095,00 US Soldiers have died in wars protecting our freedoms

That number doesn’t include all of the good men and women that didn’t sacrifice their lives for us but did suffer life changing physical, mental and emotional damage that they carried with them for the rest of their days.

Point out the schools, police officers, public parks, fire stations and road crews that you pass on the way and explain where the money for them comes from.

When you get to the polling place show them how you sign in and why they check your ID.

Take the time to show them the ballot and how you have to fill it out.

Show them the millage or other issues that you’re voting on and what that means (millage = tax dollars = Mom & Dad’s money) and why caring about that matters (remember those schools, cops, firemen, parks, etc. that you passed earlier?).

When my son and I went earlier they even gave him a little voting demonstration slip (practice ballot) for him to bring with me and we voted together.

Show them how you submit the completed ballot and why it’s a “secret ballot” and what that means.

Then grab an “I Voted Today” sticker and let them slap it on their shirt.

Walk out of there proud and thank them for their help.

Then … and this may be the most important part – explain to them that what they just did is something that not everyone else in the world can do.  Let them know that most of the people in this country have forgotten their responsibility to do it and forgotten all those good people that died for us so we could live in a FREE country.

It reminds me of a high school coach that once explained there were three kinds of folks in the world.  He put it in the context of moving a large load in a big wagon (the wagon and load representing our society, world, etc.).

First there were the PUSHERS who got behind the wagon and put everything they had into moving the wagon forward.  Then there were the PULLERS.  Like the PUSHERS they were responsible for moving the wagon forward but instead of pushing the wagon they were out in front pulling it forward.  They had the added responsibility of not only moving the wagon forward but also of helping steer it in the direction that they wanted it to go. Then there were the RIDERS.  These were the folks that didn’t do anything but sit and let themselves be moved forward by the efforts of the PUSHERS and PULLERS.

• PUSHERS – Work hard to move things forward.
• PULLERS – Work hard to move things forward while guiding the way.
• RIDERS – Sit and let everyone else do the work.

Today, 80% of our fellow citizens will elect to be RIDERS.

Today, 80% of our fellow citizens will delegate the work to the rest of us.

Today, 80% of our fellow citizens will leave the decision on where we go to us.

If you care about the future your child is going to inherit.

If you care about their safety.

If you care about their education.

If you care about their standard of living.

If you care about their ability to enjoy the same freedoms we have today ….

You must not be a RIDER.

You’ve got to be a member of the 20% PUSHING and PULLING to move us forward.

YOU MUST VOTE!

P.S. – If you can’t take your kids with you that doesn’t mean you can’t still teach them all of the same things. Click the link below and you can even print a sample ballot for yourself that you can give to your child for their own practice vote –

Find My Sample Ballot

(This post originally appeared in August 2010)

Last week we had the pleasure of interviewing Lt. Governor candidate Brian Calley.  While our original plan was to have a politics heavy show (afterall, he’s a politician and this is an election), it was a story from Mr. Calley in the beginning of the interview, concerning the diagnosis of his young daughter with Autism, that for many listeners … was the most insightful part of the interview.  Please enjoy this short clip from last week’s show!

“In that moment, that time when she first gave me a kiss is something I’ll never forget as long as I’m drawing a breath…..”

“One of the saddest days of my life was when my mother told me “Superman” did not exist.  Cause even in the depths of the ghetto you just thought he was coming …. She thought I was crying because it’s like …. (he’s) not real.  I was crying because no one was coming with enough power to save us.”

- Geoffrey Canada. “Waiting for Superman”

The movie is controversial ….. very, very controversial.  Seen by some as a scathing expose on our current educational system and by others as simply a hit piece on the educational unions “Waiting For Superman” is, at the very least, a movie that is worth investing two hours of your time to see.  Since it hits on a topic near and dear to our hearts (and the hearts of anybody who really cares about this country I suppose) we wanted to make sure that not only did we see as soon as we could be that we could share it with you as quickly as possible.

Here are 10 facts from the “Waiting For Superman” movie and book that really jumped out at me:

1. NCLB – With four years left to reach the act’s goal of 100% proficiency  in Math and Reading most states hover around 20-30% proficiency
2. Among 30 developed countries the US is
   • 25th in Math
   • 21st in Science
   • When comparing our top 5% against their top 5% we’re …. last
3. High School Graduation Rates
   • African American – 51%
   • Latinos – 55%
   • Whites – 76%
   • 60% of those who do graduate will still need to take at least one remedial class in college
4. In Pennsylvania (as an example) 68% of state prison inmates are high school dropouts.  It’s costs, on average, $33,ooo per year and $132,000 per sentence to house, feed and care for that prisoner.   That’s enough to have sent that prisoner to private school for K-12th grade (avg. tuition $8,300) with $24,000 left over.
5. Since 1971 educational spending per student (adjusted for inflation) has doubled while test scores have remained flat.
6. The Teachers Unions (National Education Association & American Federation of Teachers) are the nation’s largest political contributors (exceeding NRA, Teamsters, AARP, Chambers of Commerce) with 90% of that money going to Democrats.
7. Protecting Teachers:
   • In Illinois (for example):
     • 1 in 57 Doctors loses their medical license
     • 1 in 97 Attorneys will lose their law license
     • Only 1 Teacher in 2,500 has ever lost their teaching credentials
   • In NY
     • Average teacher disciplinary hearing lasts 8 times longer that the average US criminal case at a cost of $65 million dollars per year
8. A top teacher in the top quintile will cover 150% of the required curriculum in a year.  A teacher in the bottom quintile will only cover 50% of the required curriculum.
9. If we eliminated the bottom 6-10% of underperforming teachers and replaced them with just “average” teachers we could bring the average US student up to the level of Finland, which is the top performing country in the world.
10. By the year 2020
    • 123 million jobs will be high skill/high pay occupations
    • Only 50 million Americans will be qualified to fill them

Some great resources I came across during interview prep:

• Michigan Public Schools Financial Data – Michigan Department of Education
  • See page 7 for the teacher pay summaries that we discussed during the show
• Predicting Success In Football & Teaching
  • This is a great piece by Malcolm Gladwell (Tipping Point, Outliers, Blink, What The Dog Saw) on the process we use for selecting, training and evaluating teachers.  We’ve referenced it before on the show and it’s a must read piece for all parents out there trying to figure out the challenges of education reform.
• Will Richardson – Tech Teacher
  • Here’s a teacher that truly gets the importance of changing HOW we teach in the information, tech heavy age.
• How To Fix Our Schools : A Manifesto – Washington Post
  • This is a brief “mainfesto” for educational reform  written, in part, by Joel Klein (Chancellor, NYC Dept. of Ed) and Michelle Rhee (former Chancellor, DC Public Schools)
• Rebuttal to the “How To Fix Our Schools Manifesto”
  • This rebuttal is but one (and there are MANY) of the rebuttals out there both to the type of reforms indicated in the above referenced manifesto but also in “Waiting For Superman”.  This one was written by Kevin Welner, Director of the Education Policy Center.  His rebuttal (evidently he was still a bit worked up is continued here.

“When you see a great teacher you are seeing a work of art.  You’re seeing a master and it is as, I think, as unbelievable as seeing a great athlete or seeing a great musician” – Geoffrey Canada, President & CEO of the Harlem Children’s Zone

This undoubtedly will be a story and movie that we will continue to discuss in the coming weeks and months.  I hope you enjoy our interview with Karl Weber, author and editor of the book “Waiting for Superman”.  After listening to the interview and/or seeing the movie please feel free to share your comments (positive or negative) both here and on our Facebook page.

Click the picture above to purchase or find out more about the book!

Click the recorder below to hear our informative interview with Mr. Karl Weber from “Waiting For Superman” …..