Unrelated Example of the Power of the People

We spend a LOT of time in our Social Policy class discussing the present debate over a national health care plan. It's pretty grim, the stakes are very high, and I, personally, have small faith that Congress is going to do the right thing. I'm sure some bill will pass, that it will be sweeping and effect major change... only... I don't think that the "change" will ultimately benefit we, the people.

When the discussion becomes dour, our esteemed professor rallies us with the notion that we can influence Congress via letters, phone calls and educating our peers. After all the readings we're doing, which are pretty rife with references to how large the system is, and how the government is increasingly controlled by institutions, not people, it's hard muster faith that individuals have power in the US, much less voices.

I read this article today - it's totally unrelated to Gerontology, but quite uplifting as a story of people effecting chance on Congress:

http://www.marinij.com/ci_13416510?source=most_viewed