It seems li
ke every week I see another petition for something dealing with the chronic pain community.. The one that I believe got the most signatures was the one calling for the one calling for the resignation of the head of the DEA, because he made a statement that MJ was a “joke”… that petition gained around 150,000 signatures. That was several months ago and as of a couple of weeks ago.. the head of the DEA has not changed.
Here is what the White House petition promises if you get 100,000 signatures in 30 days.
The White House Reviews and Responds
Once the petition reaches the required threshold, it will be put in a queue to be reviewed by the White House. Others can still sign the petition while it is awaiting a response. When the White House responds, everyone who has signed the petition will get email from the White House to let you know that we’ve reviewed and responded to the petition.
I may be wrong, but there really seem to be NO REAL PROMISE OF ACTION in what the White House staff will do, if there are 100,000 signatures in 30 days. Just the promise to REVIEW AND RESPOND. Has anyone seen any ACTION out of any of these petitions ?
How many in the chronic pain community have letters from their members of Congress promising to “keep in mind your views when a vote comes up”… perhaps those who have received those letters should look at the recent bill(s) passed by Congress … that will adversely affect those in the chronic pain community .. with NEARLY UNANIMOUS VOTES.
I may be wrong, but it appears that the only place that your opinion will have a lasting impact on those in Congress .. is your opinion you express in the voting booth !
Filed under: General Problems
Yes, I have come to the realization that all the petitions, including the one I started about simply letting the voice of chronic pain be heard have hit every roadblock that the white house staff can through at them.
What we need is a couple TRUE INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER’S, if any still exist, to look at who and what organizations are benefitting from this war against prescribers of opiates and the patients who need them. I’m willing to bet that if they follow the money and favors that more truths will come out then the politicians and their staffs really want to.
After writing letters, emails and comments to my state Senators, the only one that I have had answer me back is David Vitter, Rep. Louisiana. I could tell it was one of those basic form letters stating that he will keep my comments and concerns in mind when it comes to voting. I’m positive that it was a standard letter with only the subject matter changed because I received another one concerning Medicare part B with the exact same wording. I have shared both letters on social media with other chronic pain sufferers from my state. While Vitter is up for re-elections, as of right now he has said that he won’t be running. But with my proximity to Baton Rouge and Lafayette, I plan on attending debates and rallies to try to get the answers we need. REMEMBER, VOTE THE ISSUES THAT CONCERN ALL OF US AND NOT THE PARTY YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF TO BE. If we don’t ask the candidates the questions we will never get the answers.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/15/opinion/sunday/a-humane-revolution.html?emc=edit_nk_20160513&nk=true&nl=nickkristof&nlid=74660760&te=1&_r=0
Honestly I just see petitions as a tool to get the word out on something that needs to be voted for. Everyone is in to any type of justice petition be it for animals, bringing back tv shows, or problems with the human condition and treatment. Signing those things is just the “in” thing now to make the general population feel like they’ve “done” something. The bad part about this is I almost feel like it’s a control and deterrence put in place to prevent/lessen protests and real stuff going on–such as voting–because then the person feels like they “did their part”–so when I share I always make comment that voting will count the most.
Make it a reality show and you’ll get all the viewers you would ever want, especially if their was partial nudity. We can call it,”THE REAL SURVIVORS”
The trick to breaking an information blockade, is a two-year plan.
That is, figure out a way to survive 2 years, without your favorite incumbent in office.
Then support his or her opponent, proclaiming to anyone who will listen, that you’re doing this because of the pain crisis.
Two years from now, if the new officeholder has not done anything to help solve the pain crisis, repeat the process.
About half of the new people elected, will be smart enough to understand that your vote was important to them winning, and will try to understand our issues.
On the repeat cycle, nobody with any money to spend on lobbying, will want to waste the money electing people who will only get voted back out.
This is why big changes take 6 years to implement.
This is exactly the issue. Living with the repercussions for that long. I agree entirely with what you’re saying, but have no clue wich of these people would support/help us and many feel the same. Voting the bums OUT is a great start but it’s like then you could just get a new bum because not much is always known about the people that run for this stuff. Feel like it should be a bit more transparent and info on their stances accessible and less vague than it is. It just worries me a bit.