this was written by Suzanne Prescott
In less than 72 hours MoveOn volunteers Angela Texiera, Erin Oliver and Connie Orendorf stepped up and together with other MoveOn volunteers organized the first MoveOn action in Albuquerque of 2009. The group, waving placards and carrying petitions amidst much honking and smiles from passing motorists, met outside Senator Tom Udall's office at 3rd and Copper. The signs read 'New Jobs - Green Jobs' and the petitions urged Senator Udall to support the passage of the Obama economic recovery plan as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Senator Udall was in Washington D.C., so MoveOn volunteers presented the petitions to Udall staffers. Sarah Cobb and Bill Woldman listened as MoveOn spokesperson Connie Orendorf explained that Americans want a comprehensive economic recovery plan which invests in green jobs, health care, and clean energy. Ms. Orendorf stressed that the time of special interest influence must end in order to turn the country around. Connie Orendorf, left, stresses the importance of passing an economic recovery plan quickly as Sarah Cobb and Bill Woldman listen. Orendorf pointed out that some right wing Republicans in Congress are still pushing for politics as usual and are trying to remove important parts of the economic recovery plan. MoveOn stressed that it's time to put a failed ideology aside and that the President with the help of Congress can turn a new vision for America into reality by passing a strong economic recovery plan. Udall Field Representative, Bill Woldman responded, saying, "Your emphasis on green jobs is the key," adding that new investment in clean energy can make New Mexico a world leader. The local MoveOn action was one of many similar events held across the country, including a similar event at Tom Udall's cousin, Senator Mark Udall's office in Denver. MoveOn action councils are organizing to show that Americans are not giving up until America gets back on track toward prosperity. For more information contact MoveOn representative Erin Oliver at eoliver@progressivechange.org .
I have to say that I am becoming very angry about the political climate-- to say the least. I-just-don’t-get WHY anybody has ANY logical reason to support her or McCain. I don't know how to explain getting a bad feeling, but one of those gut feelings that spoke of impending doom when I watched her speak. I saw the first part of her interview with Charlie Gibson and thought "Great! at least Dubya didn't promise our country to nuclear WAR on the first outing with the meeting.!"
That's when I needed to get involved, because I have the time, and I have the will power. I don't know what's going to happen after November 4th, I am hoping that Bill Clintons predictions hold true, it feels like a landslide victory but we are a distracted nation. The RNC didn't have a trace of Bush or Cheney but people are willing to commit to the same ways of thinking and sacrifice what could be one of the best administrations in American history. I mean, maybe it's a pipe dream but Al Gore Energy Secretary? Perhaps Hillary for supreme court position? These are all speculative and not based in anything I have read but the possibilities! oh the possibilities! . It truly is starting to feel like a full on culture war. Hope Vs. Fear
I am also ashamed that we have spent what ten days talking about Sarah Palin, 10 days that are vital. From now until October 15th is vital! We have voting rights problems all over the country the people who are not hooked on the Huffington post and Rachel Maddow and Bill Maher have to sift through the spin doctoring and bs. But it is WOMEN who are supporting her because they are upset about Hillary. I did some Hillary press stuff for her campaign. I think she is a fine, capable, and smart as a tack. How DARE they compare her to Sarah Palin! That is possibly the worst slight by john McCain to think that women voters would fall for this and they have or some of them.
Is this what the suffragettes envisioned in their life and death commitment to the equal treatment of women.
I am ashamed-- Not because of Obama, or Biden I would love to tell them the story about how a certain huge corporation based out of Delaware has decimated my life in events that happened there that caused PTSD that lead to immune breakdowns and my lungs collapsed, Pancreatitis, 2 miscarriages, Kidney stones and multiple cysts on top of almost becoming a total agoraphobia. Who even though all the disability medical reviewers agreed with PTSD as being the start and the cause and it was directly related to things that happened at work--They denied me. 200,000 in medical bills. I am 28 YEARS OLD!! I may have to volunteer reposes my car.
Well hoping for the bounce back to Obama and I hope to see a lot of you around
Watching the DNC made me wish that I was able to make it to Denver. I am so proud and hopeful of the sort of people that are working with this campaign. I have to say that Joe Biden is an amazing man and I have so much respect for Barack Obama for choosing such an ethical, stand up, salt of the earth type of man and I have no doubt he will be a great vice president. Beau Biden's speech made me cry which I have a lot in the last three days. John Kerry was great too I wish they had featured him more. And big props to Barack for calling invesco field, mile high stadium. End corporate Terrorism!
I was unable to make it to Denver because I have had to borrow from my 401k to pay my bills this month. I was already -500 in my bank account. I am on the verge of getting my water shut off my fiance is going to have to go get a payday loan so he can get his son a birthday present. I feel horrible about it but I am on disability for a work accident that my corporate job denied me workers comp for. I have had to file suit in court to try to recover from the devistation this caused financially. I am now also having to file for social security disability. State won't give me medicad or any assistance until Verizon verifies that I am on disability so I am the closest I have ever been to being homeless. At 28, growing up with parents who were very successful in acheiving the "American Dream" I sit, and I feel sorry for myself sometimes about this precarious situation I am in. But I think about my parents being first generation college graduates getting scholorships via athletics lifting themselves out of dire poverty in Texas and moving on to graduate school where they became VERY successful and powerful people in new mexico: one a lawyer and the other became well now she is the Deputy Secretary of Prison reform and reentry. I envy their success. I guess I have to learn things the hard way. Motherhood at 17 to a little boy who is now in 4th grade with a 7th grade reading level and in a gifted program. Of all that I sacrifice- I will sacrifice all I have for him. I will figure out a way to pay for the water, and my books for school next week--Sadly it is asking my parents for help which at 28 I didn't want to ever do.
Anyway, I donated to Barack despite financial issues with my 401k money because that's my future and I believe that this election is where my future lies. Honestly if he doesn't win, it is so bad here that once my degree is finished I am going to try to get sponsored for citizenship to the EU, France specifically because of my medical issues and I used to be fluent in french. This election is just that important to me. These promises are just that important to me.
In 1992 Bill Clinton had a rally in albuquerque at 3 am-the morning of the election. I was in 7th grade at Sandia Prep School at the time. My mom woke me up and took me in the cold cold of November early morning waiting for him. When he arrived he electrified the sleep deprived followers of the Clintons. Afterwards my mom and I went to the closest indoor place to find coffee and she and I talked about politics for about 2 hours. That night made me more aware and I can really think back to that time as to when I got into loving politics more than any poli sci class that I have taken. We even named our two cocker spaniels puppies Tipper and Hillary! Bill Clinton has been somebody I have admired my whole adult life and although I have supported and voted for Barack because of the inspiration I got from reading the Audacity of Hope. I am really pleased to see that there was so much of the convention tuned to Hillary. She had 18 million votes! She deserves the accolades that she has received. Bill Clinton, getting the 3.5 minute standing ovation pleased me as well. He said some things he shouldn't during the campaign but he was a husband speaking for his wife who was fighting a hard fight. I would have been disappointed if he hadn't reacted emotionally.
I am very excited to listen to Al Gore and hear Barack's speech. I have met Al Gore at a fundraiser shortly after he won (but lost) the election with Bill Richardson. He is such a funny guy.
Well I'm hopping around subjects. Today was a great day though. I am going to give as much as I can to make sure that Obama is elected.
Seriously though? Why would anybody vote for Mccain? c'mon he's 72 years old and he has a growth growing out of his face. You know he's not the same senator he used to be. I mean granted he's a tough guy but I think if you have to be at least 35 to be president there should be a cap on that as well. What if dementia sets in or alzheimers? Who his VP nod goes to is probably the most important thing in his whole campaign. But I wont be watching the republican convention-- it almost seems like a new standard has been set in women in politics this year and the sexism and mysoginy that oozes from certain Republican's angry and sick. Speaking of sick I have been watching MSNBC and I cannot STAND Pat Buchanan and the way he pronounces the word "woman" it really is very offensive in my opinion.
Well goodnight Barack Land! what a great convention you all are lucky if you got to go!
xoxo
Erin
