Dear NJPIRG member,
“If it were easy, someone would have done it already”—I’ve
heard the president utter this truism time and again in response to
calls for speedier action.
I think it certainly applies when our agenda includes reforming the
health care system, reining in Wall Street, and transforming our
transportation and energy sectors. Still, I’m not content to wait it
out.
When the health care debate seemed to veer completely off-course this
summer, NJPIRG called attention to $3 trillion in potential savings
from reform, mobilized the small business community, and organized the
doctors and hospitals that are already showing us what reform could
help us achieve.
We’re also leading a coalition effort to convince Congress to pass
legislation that will ensure Wall Street won’t be able to continue
gambling with our financial security.
And, even while the recession has made it difficult to think about
long-term investments, our staff have been building the case for a
fundamental reordering of our priorities when it comes to spending on
transportation (i.e., put tax dollars toward fixing crumbling roads and
bridges, as well as public transportation—not new highway projects).
Because of the progress I’ve seen, and because of your support, I’m confident we can speed things up.
Sincerely,
Allison Cairo
Executive Director, NJPIRG
