On June 26, we who live in Dallas have a unique opportunity to have our voices heard by President Obama and the Congress on one of the most important issues facing our country – the Federal Debt.

Dallas is one of six main sites for a nationwide electronic town meeting entitled “America Speaks: Our Budget, Our Economy” that will take place on Saturday, June 26, 2010 from 10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the Dallas Convention Center.  (Lunch and childcare will be provided.) On June 26, thousands of Americans across the country linked by satellite and webcast will participate in an unprecedented national discussion to help find solutions to our budget deficit and the national debt.

This National Town Meeting will address one of our country’s biggest problems.  The federal government is spending much more money every year on programs and activities than it takes in through taxes.  This situation is getting worse and worse. Unless we make changes we will face huge problems with our economy. Growing debt could make it harder to get good jobs, afford a nice place to live or have enough money for health care and other necessities in life.

Our nation’s leaders are going to have to make some difficult decisions about how to deal with this budget problem and we need to offer our suggestions. The purpose of this national discussion on June 26^th is to find common ground on some of the tough choices our country needs to make about spending, taxes and the role of government.  Americans across the country will weigh-in on different strategies for dealing with this problem.  After the meeting, the results will be shared directly with the President and Members of Congress and will also be widely publicized by the news media.

This is an exciting opportunity for people to share their concerns and voice their thoughts about an important issue to our country that will affect our future prosperity. For more information about the issue, our funders, other sites where town meetings will occur, and AmericaSpeaks go to http://USAbudgetdiscussion.org.

Space is limited and you must register to attend. To register to attend the Dallas Town Meeting online go to http://USAbudgetdiscussion.org/dallas.

We need to have people who represent the broad diversity of Dallas take part in this event. I hope you will also invite those you work with as well as your friends and neighbors to attend the “America Speaks: Our Budget, Our Economy” National Town Meeting on June 26.

Join the AmericaSpeaks Dallas Facebook site to help spread the word. http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=108893279153853

AmericaSpeaks Statement of Neutrality

AmericaSpeaks takes pride in its reputation as an honest and neutral advocate for public participation. We play a unique role in the policymaking process by serving as a non-partisan convener of forums that provide the public with an opportunity to make decisions about important issues without fear of manipulation or bias. Our ability to help citizens and elected officials come together around tough public issues is dependent on our commitment to maintaining this neutral role.

National Advisory Committee

A diverse group of experts and advocates from the Left, Right and Center are advising AmericaSpeaks: Our Budget, Our Economy to ensure that the choices presented to the American public at the National Town Meeting are fair, accessible and reflective of the most important issues facing the nation. In addition to the National Advisory Committee, dozens of organizations in cities across the country have endorsed this project and lent their support as local outreach partners.

You can read more about the goals of our Town Meeting ‘Our Budget, Our Economy’ at http://usabudgetdiscussion.org/.  You can follow this link to walk through the format of the meeting.  And, you can register to participate at USAbudgetdiscussion.org/participate.

AmericaSpeaks Our Budget; Our Economy Funders

Peter G. Peterson Foundation

John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation

W.K. Kellogg Foundation