You can't hide from news coverage of how rapidly our country is approaching the fiscal cliff.

Right now, it looks like some elected leaders in Washington, D.C. may be prepared to pull the political equivalent of a "Thelma & Louise." That's just not acceptable.

If we go over the fiscal cliff, it will mean across-the-board cuts to vital safety net programs -- including Head Start, child care, after-school care, job training, food and nutrition, immunization and other critically important programs.

We can't let that happen.

We must tell lawmakers to act responsibly to avoid the fiscal cliff. And that means not cutting Medicare and Medicaid benefits -- a "solution" that will only increase the financial burden on those who rely on these programs every day.

That's why we need you to speak out right now and contact your members of Congress.

Tell them to act responsibly to avoid the fiscal cliff -- AND to protect Medicare and Medicaid benefits in the process.

Yes, count me in. We must avoid the fiscal cliff, but we can't weaken Medicare and Medicaid in the process of negotiating a deal. Cutting Medicare and Medicaid benefits to reduce the deficit and avoid the fiscal cliff will only increase the financial burden on those who rely on these programs every day. Congress: Act responsibly. Don't drive our nation over the fiscal cliff!