The audience starts filling the auditorium a little before 9:00 a.m.
Blue Girl and I are here in the media pen waiting for Michelle Obama to speak at Pierson Auditorium on the campus of the University of Missouri – Kansas City.
The event is titled: “A Discussion with Missouri Women and Michelle Obama”.
If the WiFi holds up we’ll try to do some live blogging.
…Missouri State Auditor Susan Montee made the introduction.
Michelle Obama
…took about 15 minutes. There are five women on the platform with Michelle Obama. The first woman spoke about the difficulties of raising several foster children in their teen years. The second woman spoke of the economic challenges for her family, her husband has faced layoffs. Michelle Obama asked her about what her family does for health insurance. The third woman stated that she wants her grand daughter to have access to quality public education. She worries about the cost of gas, and the impact of that in getting to work and taking care of her family, including an elderly parent. Michelle Obama pointed out that we’re talking about working people. The fourth woman stated that gas, groceries, health care, and prescriptions are an economic challenge with four kids in her family. She’s living paycheck to paycheck. The third woman then spoke about the cost of her student loans. Her payments are $800 a month for the next thirty years. The fifth woman, quite shy, as a single mother had to move back home because she couldn’t afford day care. Her four year old has developmental issues – the cost of gas and child care has had a significant impact.
Michelle Obama stated that we’re seeing the impact of not investing in social infrastructure and investing in a war “that should not have been authorized in the first place.” The solution to education is investment…
…the first one was about Social Security. Michelle Obama stated that she knows that Barack wants to make sure that it continues.
The second question was about minority business and minority participation on projects. Michelle Obama – small businesses are struggling because it comes down to the economic drain of health care costs. people aren’t trying to start small business, not because they can’t innovate, but because of the cost of health insurance.
The third individual wanted to share a story – a working mother, stated that a recession is difficult for people who are in litigation over child custody. “When you have to pay for justice, no one can afford it.”
Michelle Obama quoting Barack Obama, “We have to look at all sides of the coin.”
…from a student. Students are having issues with the cost of health insurance and student loan support that has not changed while the cost of education has gone up.
Michelle Obama – health insurance now gets cut off for students who have reached a certain age. With universal health insurance, this problem could be addressed.
Americorps (under Clinton) was an excellent program. You get college support, you do service.
just from reading your brief summaries of what Michelle Obama said how she comes across. Can you give us your impression? Or will that have to wait until you have time to take a breath?