WHO answered the CALL TO CALL?
I did! I did! I did!!
After a minor meltdown I had this afternoon (note Blog "I get it Hillary") I decided to use my time more effectively. I did what I hate to do. GO OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE. But I did that way back on Jan 3rd when I caucused for Obama in Iowa, so I did it again!
I made calls to the toughest group of all. Women in Indiana! My first call I was a nervous wreck but she was sweet and a huge Obama Supporter~both her and her husband! Whew!
Next call was super sweet, undecided but thanked me for my call and said she'd really consider Obama and she had never been called at all by the Obama campaign but a ton of Hillary calls. Whew!
My favorite BY FAR was Majorie, 87 yr old who had been ill, can't leave the house, and didn't get an absentee ballot in time, but LOVES OBAMA AND IS A REPUBLICAN!!!! She and I talked so long and she was so encouraging to me, I had goosebumps and tears!!! She said my voice was sunshine and she said to call as many people as I could to share my joy of Obama. WOW, teary teary!! She said she was also going to say a prayer for me for my calling tonight and she ended with "Obama just has to be our president! I've never voted Democrat in my entire life, but I will in November!" I wanted to stay on that call all night, but there was work to be done!!!
It got a lot rougher, but it also was a chance for me to remember why I am supporting Barack Obama, and whatever happens tomorrow, I am glad I may have made a small difference in Princeton IN.
I tried to remember what Sister Suzi said.....SLOW DOWN!!! ha! I talk as fast as I write, so most of the night I tried to keep it calm, and keep it real! I had some wonderful calls, and even if they didn't support Obama, or were undecided, I knew how they felt, and we shared some laughs and WE AREN'T AS DIFFERENT AS WE THINK WE MIGHT BE.
Only ONE hung up on me, out of 30 calls! That is success!!!
And then I enjoyed a cold Michelob Golden! I deserved it!!!!
I want to thank INDIANA WOMEN for the wonderful conversations! All of them! They were awesome!
YES WE CAN (still call tomorrow.....who's with me????)
GObama 08
I was saddened to see the press conference today where Barack Obama had to "divorce" himself from someone he did have a 20 yr relationship with. He was hurt by another ADULT MALE in his life. His father abandoned him, and now RevWright betrayed him.
Yesterday, I tried to give REVWRIGHT the benefit of the doubt. Believing what I was seeing was DIFFERENT, NOT DEFICIENT. But in seeing Barack's press conference and hearing him say things like "hurt" just broke my heart. GRANTED, I am a huge supporter of Obama's. Unashamedly, to quote the mantra of the church, but I bet I am not the only person to feel sympathy for a man who is trying to elevate us all, only to be torn down by the one person he chose to take the place of his father. How heartbreaking for Obama to be used, and disrespected and even targeted by someone he gave so much respect to in the Philly speech.
I am so sorry for Barack, that every male figure, but his grandfather, appears to have let him down, but hopefully, out of the ashes of this trial, will come a stronger, more driven man. Barack has to see now, HE is mature enough to be the father TO US, that he never had.
GOD BLESS AMERICA, and GOD BLESS BARACK OBAMA!!!
DIGG THIS IF YOU DIGG
Obama is my first choice as a new Democrat. (Having voted 25 yrs as a REPUBLICAN) I volunteered at the caucus to be an Alternate Delegate for Obama, giving the lifelong Democrats first choice of having the honor. LUCKILY for me, I was seated at the County Convention as an Obama Delegate! It was an honor to stand for Obama there. AGAIN, I voluneteered to be an Alternate to the District Conventions as many were very interested in holding that honor. LUCKILY AGAIN FOR ME, I was asked to take the place of a delegate who was unable to attend! SO I again stood for Obama on April 26th!
I left that morning very early with two other delegates, John (a very talented volunteer and delegate coordinator, and friend) and Mike (a middle school track coach who now is a friend). We had quite an adventure finding the fairground, my going through a red light which they didn't let me forget! I WAS JUST EXCITED TO GET THERE!
Once there, we got registered, and were early enough for great seats!! Cerro Gordo County was pretty much up front (alphabetical order). ONCE the party started, we heard from President of the Iowa Senate Jack Kibbie who told us they had just finished their session at 3 am in the morning! WOW. Some things passed were, IOWA SAME DAY REGISTRATION FOR VOTING (huge!) among many wonderful things! Next were a few candidates for the House of Rep. now held by Tom Latham.
Between the Credential reports, we had many wonderful speakers. Lt Governor Patty Judd and then Senator Tom Harkin Senator Harkin is an undeclared SuperDelegate. He had very strong words for us. HE told us we would be united in the end. HE said he talked to Hillary and told her "yes, let the other states continue to vote, HOWEVER RULES HAVE TO BE FOLLOWED AND MICHIGAN AND FLORIDA BROKE THE RULES AND CANNOT BE COUNTED. We cheered because we agree! HE WENT ON TO SAY, "IF you don't follow the rules, and they are not enforced, NO ONE WILL EVER FOLLOW THE RULES!" To cheering he left the stage. I digg Harkin. I always voted for him even as a Republican. I love my Iowa Senators Grassley and Harkin. They are my ODD COUPLE!!!
When the first report from the Credentials committee came, out of 507 delegate, Obama had 231, Hillary had 147 and then Edwards had 42. Next came the seating of the alternates and the next report was (this was after an hour or so) Obama 274, Hillary 175 and Edwards 52. The Credentials guy said NEVER IN THE HISTORY OF DISTRICT 4 had they ever sat every delegate with alternates left over!
Next came our alignment. That was a time of drama. Speaking for Obama, was Dr. Spencer, a former candidate for House of Representatives who lost in 2006 to the Republican. ANYWAY it was a dramatic time because we heard rumors, the Clinton campaign were going to add some of their delegates to Edwards to make them viable (viability was 76 and would give Edwards ONE delegate) In exchange for 24 delegates, Edwards delegates would have to send one of those Hillary ones to the National Convention. I say DUH, sounds like a crappy deal. I sat next to this wonderful lifelong Democrat named Larry who told me that's how politics are played. I said it was DIRTY and I felt like a shower. He told me to trust that's how it's always been done and these people are savvy and know what they are doing. WELL, my buddy Laura as a much better description of the next events, but all I know is ALL OF A SUDDEN, people were coming down the isle! 42 Edwards supporters to OBAMA!! I was teary, and cheering as was everyone! I captured the moment in photos I am going to share. HOPE WAS RESTORED! I was hugging the Edwards people and I tell ya, it was one of the most wonderful moments in my adult life.
In the end, it was Obama 316, Hillary 187 and Edwards 2. (some were uncommitted) Which meant in delegate counts Obama 2 (men) 2 (women) and 1(woman alternate) and Hillary 1(man) 1 (woman) Obama also got more delegates on the State Committees which make policy.
It was a fantastic day! We stayed to vote for the National Delegates. There was a lot of speeches, and a lot of voting, voting again and again to narrow it down to the best representatives. FOR THE MEN, Eddie Diaz won. A young man who offered to keep us all in the loop by blogging each day from the convention and the other fellow who won, I can't remember. I am thinking it was Tom Harrington, the person we voted the Obama Chair. *wow, brain dead!
Next we voted for the 2 women. There were many dynamic qualified women. A few that stood out to me were #36 Molly (a very young woman who said she is a Democrat because her parents raised her well and also how dedicated she is to getting the vote out to the youth) #71 (the first african american woman elected to the Iowa House from FortDodge Iowa). #98 Semone Turner (she got a birthday kiss and new years kiss from Obama. she was so hilarious) and #110 Amelia (a young, funny very talented girl who really loved Obama and she also said since she was the last speaker, she expected very loud applause! i digg that!! so did the boys I was with, they loved Amelia!!) IN THE END after voting voting voting voting, it was MOLLY and Rep MILLER and the ALTERNATE was a beautiful black woman who's son (age 5 or 6) was with her. It would have been an honor to go, but I didn't even try out for the position. Again, I believe as a new democrat, it's really an honor for the ones who have really served the Obama campaign and it was so refreshing to see the variety of the group. Nothing cookie cutter in this bunch! We represent the entire country with the diversity of our people. White, black, male, female, all races all religions, all ages!!! It's a smorgasbord!!!
After the election of the national delegates, there were State committees to vote on. State Rules, State Credentials, State Arrangements, and of course the State Platform Committee. Per our agreement with the Edwards delegates, we agreed to give them 5 out of the 6 seats for their delegates. It was a no brainer because Edwards has a HELLUVA plan for Veterans, the needy, healthcare. And those delegates have a chance to further Edwards platform which is so similar to Obama's!!
Then came the ratification of the District 4 Platform. Most of the Platform was approved but a couple of things were controversial and had to be debated and voted on. (It was actually very cool) One of the disputed things were*WE SUPPORT Possession of a firearm is not allowed while a person is under a noncontact order. That was highly disputed by people who said it interfers with a persons 2nd amendment right. (sounded very republican) It passed after much heated debate.
*WE SUPPPORT Making Clergy required to mandatory reporting That one was heated too about the separation of church and state. It passed after MUCH debate. Many more.......
Then it was time to leave. It was a very wonderful HISTORIC moment and I wouldn't change a thing. HERE ARE THE PHOTOS to enjoy and join in with me. Thanks for reading this, I am honored to share!!
PICTURES http://picasaweb.google.com/sandidandi/BarackObamaDelegateDistrict4Convention2008
I need to get this CNN story to someone who can shed some light on it. In Biloxi Mississippi, a month ago, they interviewed the Mayor AJ Holloway. I saw it and was outraged, though nothing has been done. Please take a second to view the Mayor say "The people don't want to get out of the FEMA trailers (rat infested, roach infested, mold infested and worse) because it's FREE! Please help!
Here is the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmxMisffvS8
Here is the transcript. March 13, 2008 http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0803/13/cnr.02.html
HARRIS: Victims of Hurricane Katrina, they say a dwindling pile of federal aid is their last hope of rebuilding their lives. So why is that cash being funneled into a Mississippi port where casinos could eventually be built? Details now from CNN's Abbie Boudreau of our "SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT." (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)MAYOR A.J. HOLLOWAY, BILOXI, MISSISSIPPI: I'm proud to say that we're making progress each and every day here in Biloxi. ABBIE BOUDREAU, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The site for Mayor A.J. Holloway's rosy pronouncements? The lavish Beau Rivage hotel and casino. HOLLOWAY: Well, I think the state of Biloxi is in great shape. BOUDREAU: It was a feel-good celebration for Biloxi's elite, but keeping them honest, a five-minute drive away we find a part of Biloxi that is definitely not in great shape. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is wrong. You know? This is very wrong. BOUDREAU: Consuela Swa (ph) still lives in one of the more than 10,000 FEMA trailers and mobile homes in Mississippi. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's what I feel a lot, it's just anger. BOUDREAU: For Swa (ph), life in the trailers is an ordeal. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It got ruined because the trailer sweats so bad. BOUDREAU: There's mold...UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The mold is starting to build up more now. BOUDREAU: ... roaches and rats. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They just chew through the walls, the trailer. BOUDREAU (on camera): They play in your daughter's bed. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They're always in her bed, yes.BOUDREAU (voice-over): She's one of thousands of Gulf Coast residents who rented before Katrina struck. Community groups complain renters are being excluded from the nearly $5.5 billion in federal grants. Here's why. Of all of that federal money, $3.1 billion has been set aside to assist homeowners, but only $426 million is for rental housing. And there's a catch. The money doesn't just flow in. Local governments must first ask for it so residents like Consuela Swa (ph) can get out of their trailers and into rental housing. REP. GENE TAYLOR (D), MISSISSIPPI: None of the local governing authorities have stepped foot in my office saying, we want some money for housing, we want to put it right there. BOUDREAU: Congressman Gene Taylor says local governments in Biloxi and other towns don't seem to want low-cost housing or the people who live in it. TAYLOR: In fact, what we're seeing some of is, "Not in my back yard." BOUDREAU: With all that federal relief money just sitting there, Governor Haley Barbour got approval to use a lot of it for something else -- improving the harbor at Gulfport. Six hundred million dollars that was supposed to be spent on housing will now go to reviving the port. And some suspect it will help build new casinos. (on camera): This is the port that everyone is talking about, the one that would benefit from the $600 million. We asked Governor Haley Barbour to sit down and talk to us about this, but his office says he's unavailable. (voice-over): In a statement, Barbour said the money for the port would have a huge and beneficial impact in creating jobs. And in January he said he set aside $100 million for low-income housing. But critics argue that renters and low-income residents could have used that $600 million. Kimberly Miller (ph) is with Oxfam, an international aid group working on the Gulf Coast. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And that forecloses forever the opportunity to use those funds in the way that is still needed. BOUDREAU: The mayor of Biloxi says he feels the governor is spending the money wisely. (on camera): Why spend the money on economic development when you still have people in FEMA trailers? HOLLOWAY: Well, as I said, people living in FEMA trailers right now, a lot of them are not wanting to get out of the FEMA trailers.BOUDREAU: Why wouldn't they want to get out of the FEMA trailers? HOLLOWAY: Well, I don't know. I just know a lot of them don't. BOUDREAU: You don't know why though? Is it because it's free? HOLLOWAY: Because it's free. (END VIDEOTAPE)BOUDREAU: HUD insists it had no other choice but to allow Governor Haley Barbour to redirect the funds to the port of Gulfport. Again, a decision even the mayor of Biloxi supports. HARRIS: Whoa. Abbie, does the mayor really believe that? He's suggesting here that many of the people living in these FEMA trailers just don't want to leave the trailers, the FEMA trailers we're talking about. BOUDREAU: Well, that's what he said. He said because they're free, they don't necessarily want to leave. But that's not what we heard from all these different people. I mean, the people that we talked to said that they were desperate to get out.There's just nowhere to go. That rent has more than doubled in these areas, and there are very few places available to move into. It's just a really difficult situation. HARRIS: What a story. OK. Abbie Boudreau, appreciate it. Thank you
Just wanted to share with you all the experience I had as a Delegate for Obama at the Cerro Gordo Democrat County Convention on Saturday.
OBAMA WON IOWA on Jan 3rd but Hillary actually won our county. On that day delegate count was Hillary 85, Obama 71 and Edwards 71.
For some reason 25 of Hillarys delegates didn't show up! Imagine that.
Well, some of our Obama ones didn't either, but the alternates filled (I heard between all three 50 seatings)in.
So on Saturday, the delegate count was Obama 75, Hillary 60 and Edwards 44. In the end, going on to District Conventions is Obama 19, Hillary 15 and Edwards 12 (and he's dropped out even!)
I am on both the Delegate list and alternate list, (I told someone at the very end I would go for them), but I am still officially a alternate~but going either way and taking people with me, because we are going to fill those empty spots at Districts, too!! All is fair in love and politics because if a delegate doesn't show up, an alternate, even not for Hillary or Edwards can take the spot if no one shows up! HOW COOL IS THAT! Dogged determination will take our future in our own hands!!
I am going to do this all the way to the State Convention (and heck, I am even scheduling around Denver, baby!!)
Just wanted to let everyone know one thing. This Pastor Wright thing is not good, but just to reassure everyone..we knew all the video's and everything out there when Iowa went to convention on Saturday. And that is the real test. All these "white" people who stood up for Obama in January, STOOD UP AGAIN even knowing and seeing the video's and having most of the information. WE DIDN'T LET THAT AFFECT US because we believe in Obama. He is still authentic to us. That's why we stood inline again, 200 of us where normally they said it was just a handfull of people. And WE STOOD UP AND SAID HE'S STILL OUR GUY AND WE ARE TAKING THIS TO THE END! If a Republican (who changed to Dem's for now~ha~and maybe forever) can see past this situation and still believe in Obama's authenticity...many many more will, too!
Overall in Iowa, Obama is now up to 52% of all the delegates while Hillary is somewhere around 32%. (He went from 39% to 52% up 9 new delegates. She went from 29% to 32% and actually lost one delegate! THAT'S HOPE BABY!)
Thanks for your time reading this, and THANK YOU THE OBAMA WORKERS OUT MAKING A DIFFERENCE! I just signed up to go to South Dakota and take 4 other's with me and register voters. I am waiting for my further instructions!!!
Oh, almost forgot...I also signed up for the www.running4obama.com Running the Chicago Marathon on Oct 12th. Those who know me, know this is huge as I have to shed 40 lbs to run!! LORDY, I'VE GONE MAD! But I love the number 44 and wanted to celebrate my 44th birthday in a spectacular way..so I am running the Chicago Marathon. I turn 44 in 08. Barack becomes the 44th President in 08. That is a sign!!!!!
HUGS and Bless you in your work!
Dear Senator Obama,
I am proud to be a REPUBLICAN who caucused for you in Iowa. I listened to you when you asked, if I would stand with you, you will stand with me when you get to Washington as the President of the United States! I must apologize for all the grief I gave your campaign workers when they "dared" to talk to my closed mind about hope...until they just asked a simple thing of me. Just give you a chance, we might not be as far apart as I think we are. That was the clincher!
You are getting bombarded with negativity when you speak in an inspirational way. Then, when you are talking about the details of the plans you have, which are outlined in the BluePrint for America (which I read), you get beat up about~Obama has lost all hope now. Holy moly! How do you do it?
We are doing our best here to make you proud and follow your lead. I cannot speak for my entire group here, but I know I just want to lash out at times to those who think I am betraying someone, or my values, or I am buying into HYPE? I laugh, because when I caucused for you in Iowa, sorry, but you didn't have much "hype" before that....remember? I am so glad you had it after you flew out of IOWA THOUGH! I try to keep my cool and just realize either they will get it or not get it, but I don't want anything I do, by losing my cool, to affect a potential supporter. And it isn't that hard to see the positives even in the negative comments...I just get weaked at times by my daily life and I am just in awe how you seem to stay above it. AND I KNOW IT CAN NOT BE EASY, but let me tell, you! It means so much to me that you do. If you lost it (depends on why, too, I guess) but when you stay above the trash talking, you solidify why I chose to put myself in the line of fire to all the attacks as well.
I can take it, as long as you take it, and just remember, every candidate for the highest office of the land has to take some CRAP! It's part of the job! ha! I wouldn't want it! BUT I appreciate you not telling me what I want to hear. but what I NEED TO HEAR! Thank you for telling me how hard it's going to be to make the changes that we need! I already knew that. It just gave you more credibilty!
I am with you all the way. I will do whatever you need me to do! I was a hard one to convince, old habits and traditions are so difficult to change...but if I can change....OH YEAH, THERE IS HOPE FOR THIS COUNTRY AND I AM "FIRED UP and READY TO GO!"
I was hoping somebody would do something, then I realized I am somebody!
Keep up the good work!
Sincerely,
Sand Lincoln~IOWA
sandi@republicansforobama.org
Open Letter to the Obama Campaign Workers across the Nation!!!
Thank you~for putting your life on hold for the campaign.
Thank you~for putting up with negative comments, and out right rudeness of many (ashamed to say I did it, too)
Thank you~for being patient, and worthy of respect.
Thank you~for caring enough to open my closed mind and not being overly agressive to shut me down to the truth I now know.
Thank you~for caring about me and about the country we all love!
Thank you~for getting it, that Barack Obama is worthy of being our leader and sharing that with me!
Thank you~for everything! YOU ARE GROUND ZERO FOR THE FUTURE OF US ALL, and YOU BEAR GREAT SACRIFICE and GREAT REWARD! I am amazed by Obama, but I am also AMAZED BY YOU!
I AM JAZZED! IOWA just got a state chapter in the Republicans for Obama website! I am thrilled to be the administrator and welcome any input and ideas!
IOWA RFO (republicans for obama) Link here, register and subscribe to IOWA
THIS IS AN AMAZING TIME IN HISTORY and it STARTED HERE IN IOWA and we should be so PROUD OF OURSELVES!
Please come on over and share your voice. The Republican's for Obama website is one of the fastest growing sites. Blogs posted to Digg.com from Republican's for Obama are constantly flagged by some readers and doubters that the information isn't accurate. So many people believe it was started by Democrats to cast some shadow of doubt that WE FORMER REPUBLICANS could not possibly be real. THAT CRACKS ME UP! I've never thought of myself as anything but Republican my entire life, and think of myself as an OBAMA REPBULICAN, just as MY COWBOY PRESIDENT won in a landslide with REGAN DEMOCRATS!
SO COME ON OVER AND ADD YOUR VOICE! We need to be ready for the GENERAL ELECTION!
I BELIEVE IN HOPE~AND I BELIEVE IN OBAMA~AND I BELIEVE IN YOU!
The Super Bowl was so exciting, but nothing compared to how I am feeling RIGHT NOW ABOUT TOMORROW! SUPER DUPER PRIMARY DAY! It's like the song...(Shout) a little bit louder now (Shout) a little bit louder (Shout! woo hoo)
WHAT WE BEGAN IN IOWA, trusting our GUTS! can continue tomorrow in small towns and large cities all OVER THIS AMAZING LAND! I AM SO JAZZED!!
I can't vote again, (OBVIOUSLY) but I NEED SOMETHING TO DO! I WANT TO HELP. I am driving my circle of FRIENDS COMPLETELY CRAZY I AM SO EXCITED FOR THE FUTURE.
I wish I knew how this all ends, but I gotta remember to savior every moment of this amazing time in history! AND I CAN TELL MY CHILDRENS CHILDREN, I was NOT AFRAID TO MAKE A STAND! *that is not totally true. It was scary AND I DID IT ANYWAY!
THANK YOU BARACK OBAMA FOR KEEPING YOUR AUTHENTICITY, YOUR EYES ON THE GREATER GOOD, AND FOR MAKING ME PROUDER AND PROUDER OF YOU EVERY DAY!
GOOD LUCK TOMORROW! THINGS ARE ABOUT TO IGNITE! IT'S ELECTRIC!
Upload your video to YouBama!
http://www.youbama.com/
HERE IS MY VIDEO I made for OBAMA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yvONSt0EjM
I am glued to the results in New Hampshire, and not trying to get overly confident (when all the signs are there as in IOWA) that Obama got his message out~again!
I am proud of Barack for keeping his cool, and staying on message, while under attack from his competition (which is totally acceptable~it's a campaign) and also under attack from a group who came to heckle him last night at his Rochester rally (it was on CSpan, and oh my gosh, AM I ADDICTED OR WHAT!!!!) At his rally, a group of pro lifers chanted and heckled and Barack said "I'll meet with you after", and then while they were escorted out of the building he said something like "You have to give them credit for organizing and getting their voices heard". He also stopped the crowd from booing them. He put his words into actions at that critical point to see how he held up under real pressure. I love him even more because it doesn't matter if we differ on any certain issues, but he treated everyone with respect and that says more about him than any words!
I am invested in what New Hampshire will do tonight, and by all indications, it's another win for all of us and for the US!
Ba ROCK THE VOTE!!
A few months ago I was living life, selling houses, raising boys and enjoying family and friends. And then I met some young people who had come from all over the United States to set up a campaign headquarters in our little town with a population of around 30 thousand. They came to get the word out about this guy they really believed in. Barack Obama. Although I thought they were polite and well mannered, I knew they were speaking to a closed minded person. ME. I had been voting Repulican my entire voting life of 25 yrs and even though I was not happy about MANY things about my current President and Administration (mainly the disreguard for the constitution, and civil liberties and the WAR!) I knew there would be a Repulican candidate that I could possibly support. I am not one to change teams. It never crossed my mind. That is until........
My curiosity was peaked by their passion, so I decided to check out this "guy" these kids were so gung ho over. (mind you they were not kids, but young adults in their early 20's that left college and good jobs from New York, Texas, from all over!) I liked Barack as much as I like any politician, but the more I listened to him the more I became...dare I say...HOPEFUL? The more I listened, the more I felt INSPIRED. And the more I listened, the more I felt THE FIERCE URGENCY OF NOW!
I am blessed with many things, but I also put myself out there to help others~my core values include the "GET BY GIVING" PHILOSOPHY. I found Barack Obama to be so authentic because he was speaking to me in a way that I have found to be true! It's NOT EASY to organize people for a greater cause. It's NOT EASY to work for changes in things that NEED TO BE CHANGED. But you can't do anything positive without seeing the end goal and keeping hope in your heart. Otherwise you just get burned out by all the opposition you face when you try to make a change. There are probably 99 cynics to every 1 person who is optimistic about about a dream. But I've even grown to love the cynics because there is nothing so profound as to see a former cynic change their attitude. It's a blessing!
I also feel that there is no time to waste in securing the future for our children. Even if life is good right now, there is a dark cloud potentially coming. There has to be something done RIGHT NOW before it is too late or harder to fix. As a REALTOR, I haven't felt the market crunch in our area but many others have. I thought we needed an adjustment of sorts because housing was growing too fast and many houses were overpriced, and not realistic. HOWEVER, there is a huge problem with many people foreclosing and ending up in very horrible situations. There are so many people who took out home equity loans to buy cars or pay credit cards and have not curbed spending. I don't even blame them because someone in CHARGE should have said NO. That's what most people counted on. Yes you can blame them for wanting a bigger house, but someone else said they could afford it.
Another area that is hanging like a dark cloud is the condition of our education system. We need to challenge our children to compete for excellence, not just keep the bar so low that everyone can have a sense of accomplishment. The bar is just lowered for everyone in that way. As adults we know we don't mean to, but we only do as much as we have to do in order to stay in the same place we are. It has to be out of a drastic situation before we even challenge ourselves to make changes for the better. WE NEED TO RAISE THE BAR of excellence and students would have even a greater sense of accomplishment. And we will be raising the entire nation!
I don't want to be standing still when we should be standing together to not accept that this is the best we can do. I belive Barack Obama when he says we can make the changes it will take to not accept the status quo. THE DEFINITION OF STATUS QUO :To maintain the status quo is to keep the things the way they currently are. CURRENTLY, gas prices are $2.96 a gallon at Casey's in Mason City IOWA. That is outrageous! CURRENTLY, milk is $3.96 a gallon. UNBELIVEABLE! How will we continue to be OK at this rate? WE are kidding ourselves if we think things are OK! In 2000, gas prices were around $1.40 a gallon. Now 8 yrs later it's nearly double. My income didn't double during the last 8 yrs. Something's gotta give, and SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE!
I believe Barack Obama is the person I trust to understand these things are urgent. I was sitting in my comfortable fog, knowing things were bad, but keeping my head in the sand. I have a good job, health insurance benefits, food in the refridgerator. My boys play sports and are healthy and we have a good life. I don't have a big house, but it's comfortable and we have everything we need. I thank Barack Obama for waking me up and telling me it's time to get out of my comfort zone before everything is all messed up and we didn't recognize that we had the opportunity to fight the fight before it's too late.
Yes, life is good. We do live in a great and powerful country! But why not RAISE THE BAR AND MAKE IT EVEN BETTER! That's what we owe to our children and that's what we owe to OURSELVES!~amen!
