Letter from Barack Obama outlines changes to the US health care system

Dear Friend, If you’re like most Americans, there’s nothing more important to you about health care than peace of mind. Given the status quo, that’s understandable. The current system often denies insurance due to pre-existing conditions, charges steep out-of-pocket fees – and sometimes isn’t there at all if you become seriously ill. It’s time to fix our unsustainable insurance system and create a new foundation for health care security. That means guaranteeing your health care security and stability with eight basic consumer protections:


No discrimination for pre-existing conditions
No exorbitant out-of-pocket expenses, deductibles or co-pays
No cost-sharing for preventive care
No dropping of coverage if you become seriously ill
No gender discrimination
No annual or lifetime caps on coverage
Extended coverage for young adults
Guaranteed insurance renewal so long as premiums are paid


Over the next month there is going to be an avalanche of misinformation and scare tactics from those seeking to perpetuate the status quo. But we know the cost of doing nothing is too high. Health care costs will double over the next decade, millions more will become uninsured, and state and local governments will go bankrupt.

It’s time to act and reform health insurance, drive down costs and guarantee the health care security and stability of every American family.

Thank you,

Barack Obama

I hope this does make a difference to the American people, the US health care system is sick.

Posted by Austin Sheridan MSYP

Contact me at any time using: austin.sheridan.msyp@sypmil.org.uk and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
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This article can be found at: http://www.austinactive.yolasite.com/ (blog page)

Unsung Glasgow North East heroes receive awards

I attended the Glasgow North Community champions awards to cheer on one of our Glasgow MSYPs Julie Lennox (MSYP for Glasgow Springburn), She was nominated by a member of the Glasgow North east community for all the hard work she puts into being an MSYP and her outstanding record for volunteering she does for Glasgow North East. Julie is now into her second term after winning the SYP by-election in Springburn over a year ago. She also won "MSYP of the year 2009" for the hard work she put into helping her constituents. Julie also runs her own Youth Club that she set up in her constituency and has been a great success after months of hard work. Julie feels passionate about young people getting on in her constituency and wants to focus on gang tension in the area. She is a true pillar to her community and I genuinely respect that. She was nominated for the Youth Award which she sadly did not win. I think the most important thing is that people recognised her effort and hard work she has put into the area and remains a well respected young person in her area. So well done Julie!

You can read all about it here: http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/display.var.2522739.0.0.php

If you have any questions for me please e-mail me at: austin.sheridan.msyp@sypmail.org.uk and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Posted by Austin Sheridan MSYP

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This article can be found at: www.austinactive.yolasite.com (blog page)

Austin Makes Appearance on Sunny Govan Radio

Austin Sheridan who is a member of the Scottish Youth Parliament for Glasgow Govan made an appearance on Sunny Govan Radio. Sunny Govan Radio covers a large area in and around Govan and is also listened to by people from all over the world via the internet. Austin was asked questions through the text system and twitter, one of the questions were, What would you do if you were Prime Minister of the UK. Austin replied "If I was the Prime Minister I would call a general election as the people of the UK are clearly not happy with MPs in this current expenses scandal. The only way we will make the public feel happy is if the MPs face their constituents in an election and let them decide if they are trust worthy to continue to represent them." Austin was also questioned on what his main manifesto commitment was, Austin said "my main commitment to my constituents was more help for young carers in Govan and in the whole of Scotland. They do such a good and demanding job but people very rarely stop to think about them, They are Scotland's unsung heroes". Austin also spoke about how he supports Scottish independence and how he got involved in the Scottish Youth Parliament. Austin has been member since the 3rd of June and will serve a term of two years.

If you have any questions for Austin you can email him at: austin.sheridan.msyp@sypmail.org.uk and he will get back to you as soon as possible.

Posted by Karren Smith
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This article can be found at: http://www.austinactive.yolasite.com/ in his blog page.

Austin does Campaign work with Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon

I was doing some campaign work with the Deputy First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon in Govan, Nicola Sturgeon is the MSP for Glasgow Govan which is the same constituency that I represent. I hope to have a joint surgery with Nicola sometime which she said she would be happy to arrange. She was very supportive of my campaign during the Scottish Youth Parliament elections. I think its great when MSYPs get on with their MSPs as it's important to build a good working relationship as at some point you will have to contact your MSP during your term as an MSYP. It was good just to knock on some doors and talk to the people of Govan. It really helps build up my profile with all the people in the constituency and helps improve my peoples skills. I hope to be doing more campaign work with Nicola soon.

If you need to contact me regarding anything please send me an E-mail at: austin.sheridan.msyp@sypmail.org.uk

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This article can be found at : www.austinactive.yolasite.com (then click on Austins Blog)

This Blog will stay open due to popular demand!

Yes this blog is back due to popular demand, I have had lots of e-mails asking my to maintain this blog as well as the new one on my website, so I have decided to keep them both uptodate with my latest news and stuff I have been doing.



I hope this makes people who enjoy reading this blog on blogspot happy.

Kind Regards

Austin Sheridan MSYP

New Website With New Blog

I have been working on a new website recently which will replace the two blogs I have with blogger.com. The new site has been launched now which means that this is going to be the last post on this blog.

The www.austinelection.blogspot.com blog will be deleted on the 20th August 2009

The www.austinactive.blogspot.com blog (this one) will be deleted on the 20th October 2009

The new website address is www.austinactive.yolasite.com where loads more information will be posted in the near future. The website also has all the blog content of this blog and a page for my manifesto.

Enjoy my new site.

Austin Sheridan MSYP
Glasgow Govan

Austin makes a stand!

Austin Sheridan MSYP attended the vigil for the seven Gambian journalists who are being held in captivity in The Gambia for speaking against the President. The Trial was today (20th July) but we will not know the outcome until the Gambian state media report on it. Austin said "the vigil is going very well, the people of Glasgow and even Tourists have been asking about the protest and have been showing their support by sending a post card to the people being held in prison. I will also be sending a personal letter to show my support through these difficult times they are going through, my heart truly goes out to all seven of them" The Local News (Glasgow) team decided that it would be a good idea to send post cards from the people of Glasgow to show that people from all over the world are thinking of them and supporting them through what must be a frightening time for them. Austin thought that this was a good idea so he will be writing to the seven journalists to show his support. The Gambia has hired a judge from Nigeria for the court case (the judge has no or very little knowledge of the Gambian law system), the President has the power to appoint and sack judges so the President of The Gambia has the final say. Austin added "This is a disgrace and I denounce the Presidents actions, The Gambia is part of the commonwealth, I think its time for a suspension until the Gambian Government cleans their act up and holds a fair democratic election!" The trials continue and may do for weeks to come.

If you have any questions for Austin Sheridan MSYP you can contact him at: austin.sheridan.msyp@sypmail.org.uk and he will get back to you when he can.

By Karren Smith

Austin is going to stand up for 7 Gambian Journalists

Austin Sheridan MSYP for Glasgow Govan is to attend a vigil for seven Gambian journalists who are being held in captivity for trumped up charges against them for criticising the Gambian Government. Austin says "I believe that people who are born into this world have an entitlement to basic human rights, This in my view is in breach of a human right as all people should be allowed to criticise the Government that is in charge of their country, The Press should always remain independent" The vigil will take place in Glasgow, Buchanan Street at the Donald Dewar statue between 8am-4pm. All are welcome to attend.

If you have any questions for Austin please e-mail him at: austin.sheridan.msyp@sypmail.org.uk and he will get back to you as soon as he can.

By Karren Smith

Glasgow MSYP Pushes for a Glasgow Youth Council

Austin Sheridan who is a Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYP) for Glasgow Govan has proposed that Glasgow should have a citywide Youth Council. Austin Sheridan MSYP said "Every Major city in Scotland apart from Glasgow has a city youth council, Glasgow is the biggest and most populated city so surely we should have a citywide Youth Council and bring ourselves in line with other modern Scottish Cities" This proposal will be put forward at the next Glasgow MSYPs Group meeting (Which Austin is vice chairman of) and the group should come to a decision on the matter.

If you have any questions for Austin you can e-mail him any time and he will get back to you ASAP!

austin.sheridan.msyp@sypmail.org.uk

By Karren Smith

Austin's SNP campaign work in Govan

I spent 16th July delivering the new Nicola Sturgeon (Govan MSP) newsletter to the good people of Govan, I decided to do this to try and raise my profile in the Govan constituency. I also made an appearance in the Local News South were I gave my views regarding independence and much more. So look out for it. and if you need to contact me regarding anything please don't hesitate to drop me a line on my e-mail.

E-mail: austin.sheridan.msyp@sypmail.org.uk

Austin Sheridan MSYP
Glasgow Govan

Vice Chair of the Glasgow MSYPs Group

Austin Sheridan has been elected to serve as Vice Chair of the Glasgow MSYPs Group (formally known as the "Glasgow Young Team") The name change came about after the newly elected MSYPs felt that the former name gave made us sound like a street gang. Austin Sheridan MSYP said "The name change was needed, not only did it make us sound like a gang, the name did not explain what the group stands for and who we are". The group also elected a new Chair person to lead the group, Kenneth Faulds MSYP who was elected as chair person said he would like the Glasgow MSYPs to focus on the Commonwealth Games which will take place in 2014, Austin Sheridan MSYP agreed and said that "the Glasgow MSYPs should focus on the Commonwealth Games which will bring Jobs to many young people,but we must also look at the issues of today like Gang and knife crime and standards in education so that young people see we are doing something right now".

If you would like to keep up to date with what the Glasgow MSYPs are doing you can also visit the Glasgow MSYP bebo page: http://www.bebo.com/Profile.jsp?MemberId=9442650327

Have you got any questions or sugestions for Austin Sheridan MSYP? You can contact him at anytime on his MSYP e-mail and he will get back to you As Soon As Posible.

austin.sheridan.msyp@sypmail.org.uk

By Karren Smith