It happened, someone listened and agreed

March 07, 2024

It happened, someone listened and agreed — Return those PAC funds!

Finally, it happened! After weeks, maybe it’s been months, I am no longer sure, of daily posts tagging those who are employed by the people to represent the people, someone — -YES, an actual politician, finally heard me and agreed….

IT IS TIME TO GET CORPORATE PAC FUNDS OUT OF CONGRESS — and, specifically the one I find especially vile, Centene, the main provider of Medicaid managed healthcare for our vulnerable population; the elderly, the disabled, those in dire poverty, and CHILDREN. And yes, he agreed, they are basically viewed as bribes.

Now granted, it took me attending an event in my county last night sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Greater Rockford Illinois. It was a meet and great of candidates running on our local ballots — from county to state positions.

It was there I met Peter Janko, #pete4illinois, who is a Democrat and a State Central Committeeman, 11th Congressional District and candidate for State Rep in the 69th District.

After an open conversation on what was on the minds of the public…and yes, Centene, I made sure I spoke up first highlighting what I see as your failure to do your job and provide for our vulnerable population -giving examples of my own personal stories, along with documented examples of the abuse of the Medicaid system, and in resulting in profits for Wall Street. It felt good to voice all of that openly, so, I am sure I will continue along that path -it’s healing for me after all I even endured, but, it is knowing that what I went through also affects children, well, that’s my drive.

After the public participation the candidates each has 5 minutes to explain their platforms. When they had completed their portion we all had the opprotunity to speak to them 1:1. Yes, I did, in fact zero in on Mr. Janko . He was the only candidate to show up running for a state office, other than a local position as states attorney. During his time to speak he did mention he felt there was no need for corporate pac funds in Congress and has been an Medicare for All advocate.

We had a nice conversation and when I inquired why will no one respond to the question of returning the pac funds, we could not come up with a justifiable answer. I kindly urged him to take a walk with me over to the local NPR’s table and make the same statements, openly, including the return of for profit healthcare, highlighting Centene, who has a poor track record here in Illinois and via their subsidiaries; Meridian, Ambetter, and Wellcare. Which it didn’t take much prompting on my part, he agreed and together we did just that-

I am especially grateful that WNIJ, Illinois Northern Public Radio, was there and documenting the magic that happens when people come together, from opposing views , as this was bipartisan, and can agree upon what bonds us, and this issue PAC funds benefiting Wall Street while taking from the people, affect us all.

So, whew, finally after all those days of non stop attempts of awareness, finally someone has heard the pebbles I am throwing and I have someone I know feels the same and whose voice it louder than mine…more ripples being created everyday…

Hope.

Time for Healing Hearts.