5 msfocusmagazine.org It seems the expression “bully pulpit” is appearingwith greaterfrequencythese days in the news. Today, many define this expression as someone in authority (particularly, the U.S. president) using their position to strongly express a view on an issue for the purpose of intimidating a group to sway their opinion. They relate it to the verb “bully” – i.e. “The senators were bullied into changing their position on an issue.” Interestingly, the origin of this expression is attributed to one of our more memorable former presidents, Theodore Roosevelt, but with one notable difference. Back in the early twentieth century, the definition of the word “bully” was different. It was an adjective synonymous with excellent – “He had a bully idea.” The expression actually referred to the terrific opportunitya public position can create to encourage beneficial change. During the last several months, the MS community has ridden an emotional roller- coaster as various efforts on Capitol Hill arose to repeal the Affordable Care Act. As you may recall, those efforts failed by a narrow margin. As we went to press on this issue of the mag- azine, yet another effort to repeal and replace the ACA has apparently failed to pass muster, resulting in executive orders to slash bothpremiumsubsidiesandoutreachprograms to promote enrollment. Now there seems to be congressionl movement to restore them. Despite the crises brought on by recent disasters and tense international situations, the president and the GOP congressional majority continue to focus on the “repeal and replace” agenda, instead of reaching across the aisle to arrive at a comprehensive solution. Even though polls indicate a majority of Americans are opposed to this, we caution, this is no time to be complacent. Standing behind a bully pulpit need not be limited to presidents. As part of our service to the MS community, this publication and our advocacy initiatives function as the bully pulpit of MS Focus. We serve as agents of positive change and it is within your power to do so as well. It’s about being well-informed on the issues, while sustaining a personal advocacy movement. It’s about projecting yourvoice toWashington, D.C., while enlisting other like-minded persons – fellow MSers, family, and friends – and then joining with others supportive of those affected by chronic diseases. Social media websites like Facebook and Twitter afford that opportunity. You are also encouraged to visit congress.org, patientadvocate.org, ndrn.org, and aapd.com, all of which provide excellent resources to aid your efforts to promote meaningful change. We’re all in this together. Our cause has room for a limitless number of additional voices, just like yours. Jules Kuperberg Co-Executive Director Alan R. Segaloff Co-Executive Director Finding Your Bully Pulpit