The epiphany came shortly after the terrorist attacks of 9/11 ten years ago.

If our democracy is so important to defend, I wondered, how come so few people vote? Why is there so little informed discussion of the policies that hit home? How many people even know who their Congressman is, let alone what they do all day?

 If Samuel Johnson was right about nothing focusing the mind like a hanging, let’s make the most
of the moment.
 

I first met Melinda on the overnight shift at ABC News. She was the anchor, and I was the executive producer of the cult news favorite, "World News Now", which featured everything from the latest national and international news to its own accordian player. It was a radically different news show which attracted a huge following every night.

 I came to CNC late in their game. Just last year I was asked to lend my non profit financial management expertise to the organization. Forunately for me, I agreed. I quickly recognized that this was a small organization with a mighty mission and that the value of the work that was being done far exceeded any entries on a balance sheet.

 For my final blog, I thought I’d let our Web visitors know what we look like behind the scenes, a peek in our engine room, if you will.
 

On April 29, 2011, I wrote the following here on my CNC blog:

... today’s segment was a one-time-only opportunity to say goodbye and THANK YOU to the Washington-area listeners.  Power Breakfast has aired on [WAMU-FM] five days a week for the last three and a half years.  I’ve been doing it for two of those years.  It’s been a joy and a privilege every step of the way.
 

The nation is certainly focused on one thing right now: the economy.  But to those involved with the 112th Congress Youth Sports Legislative Agenda, that’s not all that matters.  Highlighting the importance of physical education, the youth sports agenda works to strengthen the four pillars of involvement: fitness, access, nutrition and safety, otherwise known as F.A.N.S.

Representative Mike McIntyre, D-N.C., is the Founder and Co-Chairman of the Congressional Caucus on Youth Sports, and announced the agenda on July 27.

There was a moment in a press conference at the Capitol today that spoke volumes.

Senate and House Republicans had summoned reporters to hear them tout the merits of the House-passed "Cut, Cap and Balance" bill that's now on its way to the Senate for a vote.  That bill's not going far (the President has already promised a veto), but politically it's ideal for Republicans, who will get to cast their votes for a plan that pairs an increase in the debt ceiling with spending cuts AND a balanced budget amendment.

 
 
 
 
 
It is clear that the focus in Washington has shifted from concern about Libya to the national economy and the debt limit. But just because Congress isn’t buzzing about our role in the North African nation doesn’t mean we’re still not involved.

Speaker John Boehner voiced his support for a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution at a press conference yesterday. A Balanced Budget Amendment would force the U.S. government to spend only what it takes in and includes limitations on our elected officials’ ability to raise taxes and increase spending. Boehner said, “I can’t think of anything that would do more to ensure such spending restraints are set in stone than implementing a Balanced Budget Amendment to the constitution.”