Hi! We made history. When Barack Obama was elected President today it was because of a trillion small acts from millions of Americans ovet the past 2 years that has brought us to this moment. Every little thing we do has an impact be it big or small. Every little thing can matter a great deal. A little push is all it takes to set off a chain of dominos.
Each of you has contributed to this moment in history. We've each given what we could. Please take a moment to reflect and write down some of the things you did that mattered most to you, or write down everything you did. It doesn't matter. Then, pass this on to everyone you know who contributed time, energy, and/or money to this effort so they can be included.
Please cc meltzer7@charter.net . We'd like to see how the list grows.
Jess in MA: Phonebanking, postcard writing/organizing, event hosting, and lots of other stuff. Jonathan Meltzer (Berlin MA) Standing in the rain with 700 other volunteers listening to Barack speak before heading out to door knock on the first day of canvassing in NH April 2007.... Convincing a woman in Nashua at 5:30 PM primary day who was not going to vote to go to the polls and vote for Barack.... organizing a massive student outreach in MA, VT, NH, NY and RI to get college students from NH to register and vote absentee in NH....
Emma RUddock (mass HQ) - pulling an all nighter at the Mass Headquarters with some amazing people and entering data, my amazing college dems leaders who's enthusiasm is so incredible and inspiring, realizing after the NH primaries that this was not going to be easy but that we were going to do it anyway, succeeding in convincing my parents to let me take the year off from college to work fulltime on the campaign, meeting some of the most incredible people that I have ever gotten to know, voting in my first presidential election
By DrGoo
October 15, 2008
4 comments
So, I was getting ready to make another satirical Pro McCain post, when I saw the debate. Today marks the day, John McCain crossed a line in my mind. He’s the first person that was on tv that made me want to assault the tv I was watching. Many people have tried to attack a tv over a dropped football, or a blue turtle shell. John McCain is the reason why I almost punched my mother’s big screen t.v. This post will not be about made up reasons why you should vote for McCain, but 3 points about the debate that really got on my nerves. 1. If he talks about Joe the plumber again I will seriously start mashing crap up. This is joe the plumber;Is this really a person a person we should hear about? I mean really? This is the guy McCain was talking about when he said “Hey Joe you're rich congratulations!”Really?Really?
McCain didn't even talk to the man..
2. I hated the fact that he said Sarah Palin should know all about Autism, because her of child. He went on so much you would think her kid had Autism. Sarah Palin’s child has Downs Syndrome. If you are going to exploit a disability for political gain, at least know what it is. 3. "I admire Senator Obama's eloquence... you really have to pay attention to... words." Just the way he said it was so amazingly creepy and condescending.He would then follow that line up by pointing out the most rational part of Obama’s argument. He brought Obama’s use of the word health. I don’t have the direct quote but basically he was belittling Obama being against partial birth abortion except in cases where the woman’s “health” is threatened. How do you screw up an argument where you are seen as moral person? I mean, prolife people are all about saving babies, and who is against that? Some how he turned an argument against killing unborn babies into belittling woman who could have complications from pregnancies. Abortion was probably the only issue I agree with McCain on, and some how I liked him even less after he talked about it. At this point I’m not sure if McCain is trying to win this election. Maybe he’s just not able to react to Obama’s campaing, or maybe he’s crazy. I just know I an tired of seeing him on my t.v.
In the last 2 elections, I was given the finger in my car for my bumper sticker, left nasty notes in my mailbox saying really vile things, had my yard sign stolen so many times I had to hang it from the second floor of my house, etc.
This election cycle, I have people pulling up next to me in their cars and smiling at me...SMILING....in Warren County, Ohio. One of the reddest counties in the State of Ohio! I am nervous about hoping for the best, i.e., when I went to bed Al Gore was President but when I woke up it was the Supreme Court nightmare from hell, but I am beginning to feel the momentum and I am thinking this election night will be happy, from the evening through the next morning.
I actually went to the Barack Obama website to confirm what I heard on a talk radio program; that I would receive a 50% credit for health insurance on my employees. It seems too good to be true. I can hire 2 new employees in the business I own with my husband if that is the case. I have been literally distraught over the fact that I cannot pay for the health care of my employees. I feel that it is a moral imperative to help provide health care for our employees. And I am so thrilled that if Barack Obama is elected, I will once again be able to do that.
7 years ago, I provided health insurance paid by our shop for all of our full-time employees. 6 years ago that became too expensive and I began to have to require our employees to pay a larger and larger portion of the cost of the insurance. We employee young, healthy people for the most part but it didn't matter, we could not afford to provide what is an essential part of a citizens life, health insurance.
I am hopeful that Barack Obama will be elected our next President so that my husband and I can fulfill, what I feel, are our moral obligations to our employees by again providing them with health insurance.
Thank you Barack Obama, and my prayers go out to your grandmother for a full and speedy recovery.
Parents,
We've put together both a Web site and easy-to-download one-page flyer that shares tips & tactics for supporting the campaign in the final two weeks. Please read, print, post, share with others. Juggle young kids and campaign? YES WE CAN!
p.s. If you find these tips useful, please let us know.
Here's another chance to meet and greet 2nd Congressional Candidate Glenn Nye!
Sunday October 12th:
1st location:
Captain's Deck Restaurant in Nassawadox VA. from 3:30p to 4:30p
please rsvp to our office, Margaret (757) 327-8909 or Linda Schulz (757) 331-1522
2nd location:
Do Drop In in Franktown VA from 5pm-6pm
again asking for rsvp to Margaret at our Onley office or you can contact
Jane Cabarrus, NAACP at (757) 442-7644
Please bring your friends, neighbors, family and co workers to show our Eastern Shore of Va support for Glenn Nye!!
Thanks,
Jeanette
Local Campaign Volunteer
Hi guys its me again!! LOL ok I just wanted to pass along and hope that you guys could pass along also.....
When going to vote on Nov 4th we are NOT allowed to wear ANYTHING with the Obama name or party on it including hats, tshirts,pins etc. If you do wear something please remove or turn t shirt inside out or unfortunely you will be turned away and not allowed to vote. Please get the word out!!
VA Eastern Shore Local Campaign Volunteer
Hi Everyone! Just an update to let you know. We have a 2nd location for the Pres. Debate Watch party. It will be Friday night at the Chesapeake Resturant in Cape Charles! We wanted to add one for Northampton end too. It will begin at 9pm but welcome to come in alittle earlier since the debate starts at 9. Hope you can attend!!! : )
Hello!! Just a note to let everyone know here on the Eastern Shore of VA. Mark Warner and Glenn Nye will be in town on Monday, Sept. 29th at 3:30pm at Sting Ray's. The address is: Rt. 13 in Capeville.
Also Friday the 26th we will be hosting a Presidential Debate Party at 7pm at the Ozone Arcade in Parksley on Bennett St. This is a pot luck dinner so we are asking everyone bring a covered dish or something to drink.
Just a reminder we are the Democratic Coordinate Campain office for the eastern shore. We are located in Onley in the Food Lion plaza. We are based in the H&R Block office! We could use volunteers at any time!!
Hope to see/meet all at our events!!
Local Neighborhood Volunteer at Eastern Shore Office
What are they thinking? What I saw while watching the Republican convention was ridiculous. Rudy Guilianni(who married his cousin) and Sarah who? oh yeh Palin (Governor of Alaska-the state with all the oil) completely mocked, riciculed, and often laughed at Barrack Obama and Joe Biden. As if to say, community organizing isn't a real job and they seemed to leave out all of his other accomplishments. i.e. Columbia University, Harvard Law, attorney, teaching, Illinois State Senate, author, etc. etc. I guess if you don't have a more impressive title than you are not qualified? Please... John McCain pulled this woman out of his tight ass and thought.... oil? where is it? It's in Alaska. Do they think we are all stupid. All respect to the man, but all this $%@ happened on his watch in the senate and he agreed with Bush(well Bush's brains behind it) all the time. If I hear Tax and spend democrats one more time...I will scream. We are spending what is it?...10 billion a month on the war in Iraq? Where do people think it is coming from? The spend spend, spend, spend, but we are giving you tax relief, republicans. Does this make any sense?
We had a great platform meeting here this afternoon! Though we were a small group - 7 of us - I think we all learned from one another, made some new friends, and had some really good discussions.
I'd like to share the planks we submitted to the campaign with you. If you have not signed up to attend one of these meetings I highly recommend hosting or attending one!
1. Alternative energy
**********PLANK: "We believe that America should achieve leadership in the research and develolpment of alternative energies by the year 2020. We believe this will require federal incentives for research, production, and practical applications."
* All new federal construction must be carbon neutral and energy efficient.
* Federal funding for education to promote energy conservation for commercial and residential users.
* Federal funding for the implementation of energy conservation programs for commercial and residential users.
2. Middle East
*********PLANK: "We believe that peace in the Middle East will be achieved through a regional process. We believe that the US should encourage open dialouge amoung all of the parties in the Middle East and encourage the normalization of relations between all Middle Eastern nations for the betterment of the people of the region and in the goal of world peace."
* We will stop trying to impose our culture and idea of democracy on other countries.
* We as a government will help find neutral understanding and ground.
* Mediating peace in the Middle East must be done on a region-wide basis involving all middle eastern nations and parties.
3. Economy
**********PLANK: "We believe that in order for America to survive as an economic power we must put workers back into the equation. Ways this might be done is through tax policy that promotes and sustains enterprises that hire or create jobs for Americans. We believe that American workers deserve a living wage and a living wage if fundamental to a healthy national economy."
4 Healthcare
PLANK: "We believe that all Americans deserve access to affordable healthcare."
*The government needs to negotiate with health insurers and drug companies in good faith on behalf of the American people.
I choose Barack Obama. It is really simple for me. He is smart! He thinks on his feet and can have an itelligent conversation. This is very different from what we have become used to. I think that Americans have been completely dumbed down by the Bush administration and scared into believing that the strong armed way works. This is why the world hates us. Foreign policy has been linked to Bush so long that it is going to take someone like Barack to help us get back to what is important America, Americans, and how we are perceived around the world. This is the way we stay safe. How much do you want to bet, that soon, the terror alert will be raised as soon as McCain is seen as losing any ground. Bush will raise the terror alert to scare people. Scaring people is what he does best... How ? you ask... I do not know, I think he is an idot. But the psychology of the country is at stake. It is time for americans not to be afraid of Barack Obama, be afraid of hot headed John McCain and the continuing the same Bush administration policies. I said that our country would be in trouble 8 years ago after the election was stolen from Al Gore, again 4 years ago when some how Kerry lost. PLEASE! do not let it happen again, vote for someone smart! If we don't we will all be screwed.
Yes, we can. We will! Vote Barack Obama!
I had to share with you all about my 11 year old son. He has had this fascination with presidents - and becoming president himself - since he was about 6 years old. He loves Barak. Last weekend we were away from home, visiting some family, and he stopped a manager in a restaurant and asked her if she had decided who she was voting for for president yet. The lady was a bit surprised to get that question from a 5th grader...but she carried on the converstaion. She had not yet decided. So my son shared with her all of the reasons he has chosen to support Obama. I don't know how successful he was at persuading her....but I'll bet she will remember that and share the story with a lot of people.
Enough is enough. When a 'news' organization allows a correspondant to say that a candidate for President of the United States of America should be killed (when they allow them to say anyone should be killed period!) it is just too much.
I am sending letters out to the sponsors whose products we use informing them that we'll no longer be supporting them. This clip could have been taken out of context but quite frankly I don't see how it could be anything less than disgraceful period.
http://digg.com/2008_us_elections/Fox_News_Jokes_About_Killing_Obama
I have found a couple of links so far to their sponsors but some look old so I am still searching. If this offends and outrages you please try and join me and my family (and I'd love any current sponsor lists). The small list I'm starting with is from the link below.
http://www.debone.com/boycottFoxNewsSponsors.html
I can honestly say my household is pretty much done with ABC as a network. Granted this isn't some great bold statement or huge sacrifice. When the tv is on these days it's usually PBS, Noggin, or for the Red Sox or CSPAN. But after that farce they put on this week, the obvious biases - granted for a while they were more our way, at least for a couple of weeks - and lack of objective, investigative journalism I was already pretty much done but something I read in a mybo group digest this morning finished it for me.
Call me naive, go ahead :-), but I assumed that when the hosts of The View threw things out there they'd actually done a little research (or at least an intern had). Apparently not, or at least not always. In what I understand are frequent criticisms of Senator Obama Elizabeth Hasselbeck ripped into him for well, here's the quote that was sent to the mother's list, 'If he is going to talk about Iraq, he should at least have visited it like Sen. Clinton and McCain have. At least take a field trip."
The woman who posted this went and did some fact checking and confirmed that Senator Obama has in fact gone to Iraq. So do you think there will be an apology? Do you think it will matter? People hear what they want to hear and our media (and media 'lite' as this show is) have very little accountability and quite a few are displaying a noticable lack of ethics.
Ugh.
Who are we all or who are we becoming? I see a hopeful future when I hear my daughter and son smiling and playing together. I hear the sheer abandonment and joy in their laughter and I smile. My heart overflows in those moments and I feel at peace with everyone and everything, at least briefly ;-).
Even today when I was leaving the doctor's office with a potential diagnosis hanging over my head that troubles me I noticed the buds are suddenly swelling on all the trees and getting ready to let the leaves burst out. It reminded me to be in the moment I was in, where I was, and to appreciate my life, my health, and all of the possibilities each moment holds.
It is hard to hold onto that inner peace, at least it is for me, despite trying. It is easy to let worry worm its way back into your heart. It's easy to become distracted. Tonight after doing some research for myself I did what I find myself doing every night these days; trolling through blogs, news stories and the like. It's struck me before and will again I imagine but I cannot reconcile the hatred, the spewing, the venom, the anger, and the fear that I read in the comments. What are we becoming as a society? Has it always been this way but the immediacy and relative anononimity of the Internet just allows it broader voice? When did it become okay to bash one another so viciously? What is the matter with us????????
Our time here is too brief and too precious to waste it hurting one another, lashing out in anger and violence. We could do so much good with our energy and our resources yet collectively we choose not to. And yet right now in this very moment thousands upon thousands of us are working together for all our personal reasons and agendas for a common goal, a shared vision of what our future could be. It's heartening. Thank you all for all you do to bring about positive change!
This is truly easy. Seriously! Go to http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/4yzc and sign up and go to the link provided above the details. All you need to do is write the letter. The rest is done for you. Please take a few minutes to do this. Focusing on one issue is probably the way to go but anything positive is worthwhile in my opinion!
My letter:
Though November is many months away we have been saturated by media coverage of the upcoming election for quite a while now, feels like years actually. I think it's great that there is so much interest but I worry that the minute by minute, hour by hour, day in and day out coverage is hurting us all. It's a difficult balancing act. We need to be informed but in order to keep things interesting we get pounded over the head with minutia, fluff, garbage. The latest is the controversy over the word 'bitter.'
Yes, Senator Obama could have spoken better and usually does. But I respectfully submit that he spoke the truth. Who among us has never voted one way or another because they feel passionate about a particular issue or cause? It is so much easier to focus on the issues near and dear to our hearts and it is so, so easy for politicians and the media to play upon those passions whether it is with good or ill intent.
I want truth from Washington. I want integrity. I want leadership. But most of all I want to have a leader who recognizes that we are all in this together and that we must unite if we are to grow and regain our strength as a nation. No President is going to be a miracle worker. No President is going to be perfect or do all of the things they say they will on the campaign trail. They can't. The reality is that there are many stakeholders in our government and quite a few are content with the status quo. That being said I have seen only one of the three remaining candidates inspire people to reach out and engage, to move out of their comfort zones and work for the future they believe is possible. I believe that Senator Barack Obama is the leader we need now at this moment in our nation's history.
Thank you.Jessica Meltzer
