Of course I've oversimplified this, but the only way we're going to take our lives back is to become a unified force that endorses political candidates that are not inclined to ruin our lives. I'm sick of being undertreated for legitimate pain, as most of you are as well. Given that the internet casts a wide net (just ask Howard Dean), I believe that NOW is the time to begin organizing ourselves. If there's any interest out there at all, we'll proceed step-by-step, w/appropriate advisement from people who have done this before.

This is what we'd have to do:
1) Recognize that our ultimate goal is to form a big voting block. Now, of course you realize that we'd likely end up supporting the more liberal candidates, given that the current political administration is desperately trying to make life as hard as possible for sick people.
2) We'll need a Website/Webmaster.
3) We need to register as a PAC (Political Action Committee---easy)or something similar.
4) We need to solicit help from other Pain websites and probably align with the Medical Marijuana folks. They're pretty organized already.

I think one of the biggest problems facing us is that people with our concerns are often housebound and fragmented. There are tons of chronic pain/disablity/right to die/personal freedom type sites on the net. We need to find our common cause, publicize, and vote as a block!! It may not happen next year, but ultimately, like AIDS pts., like labor unions, like the Christian Right...we'll be intimidating enough not to have to live in pain forever. I hope.

Regardless, do a google search on CHRONIC PAIN VOTING BLOCK. You'll likely see the Am. Pain Society site first. In it, APS emphasizes that chronic pain pts. would indeed be significant if organized. Given the pure brilliance of some of the posters on this site, I'm encouraged by the possibility.