A few weeks ago, a group of childhood cancer survivors took their biannual trip to DC to lobby their congresspeople, and other politicians about their story and how we need more money for cancer research and cures.
One of the politicians that they specifically wanted to meet and tell their stories to was Paul Ryan, the Speaker of the House from Janesville, WI. One of the campers even had a personal connection to the Speaker and so worked a meeting time with Mr. Ryan when they were in DC.
However, things changed drastically when the 50 children(from One Step Camp), who have endured pain and suffering most people can only imagine(trust me, there is nothing like being told by your doctor that you have cancer), were told that the Speaker would not be hearing their stories on this trip.
The group of teenage cancer survivors were told when they arrived in DC that only a handful of the campers would be allowed time with Paul Ryan and that they would have about 5 minutes.
Enough time to get pictures taken and see the view of Washington DC from his plush taxpayer supplied office.
Paul Ryan put out THIS press release(emphasis mine):
As he always does, Speaker Ryan took time this week to meet with fellow Wisconsinites. He was inspired by the message he heard from students who beat childhood cancer; a teacher who has gone above and beyond to close the achievement gap; a group of state legislators who are moving Wisconsin forward; and many others.
No!
He did not take the time to meet with Wisconsinites and he had no interest in hearing any one's story. He even made about 40 kids stay away from his taxpayer supplied office because he did not want to be bothered with their story, unless they came with a check in hand of course!
For the Record, James Sensenbrenner was also "too busy" to meet with any of these kids. His district is so gerrymandered that he did not even have to pretend.
Everyone knows, I am not a fan of Paul Ryan, and with good reason!
This however, goes way beyond a policy or personality difference.
Who would use a group of teenage cancer survivors as a political prop? I never thought the answer would be the Speaker of the House of the United States.
It's easy to do, because he has all of the power in the relationship. They are young and came home incredibly disillusioned with politics and our country. Yet Paul Ryan can claim to have listened to them, while using them, and no one would know better.
Luckily, some of these courageous survivors are sharing their story, and showing us who Paul Ryan truly is.
Let's as a community stand up for these courageous young people!
Paul Ryan has refused a town hall meeting, he is too busy traveling the country fundraising, but lets call him up, tweet him and tell him to meet with these children and this time ACTUALLY listen to their stories, with no cameras.
Let's show these children that We the People have the power and thank them and reward them for their courage!
Let's also put an actual face on pre-existing conditions for the person who has voted to repeal Obamacare over 60 times!
Paul Ryan can be reached here:
Washington, DC Office Office Location:
1233 Longworth HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: (202) 225-3031 Fax: (202) 225-3393
Janesville Office Location:
20 South Main Street, Suite 10
Janesville, WI 53545
Phone: (608) 752-4050 Fax: (608) 752-4711
Kenosha Office Location:
5031 7th Avenue
Kenosha, WI 53140
Phone: (262) 654-1901 Fax: (262) 654-2156
Racine Office Location:
216 6th Street
Racine, WI 53403
Phone: (262) 637-0510 Fax: (262) 637-5689
Or Send a Letter/postcard to Paul Ryan at home:
PAUL RYAN
700 ST. LAWRENCE AVE.
JANESVILLE, WI 53545
Twitter: @speakerryan @pryan
Feel free to leave in the comments when you contacted him and what your response was!!
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