Barack's Inaugural Speech was both sobering and inspirational ....
Its urgent that we participate in offering both solutions and support for our new government.
Its time to dream again .... Big Dreams .... not of what is .... but a bright new future for America and the world.
Carpe Diem !
-Vince ;-}
"This country will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a good place for all of us to live in."
-Theodore Roosevelt
Thanksgiving is a great time to reflect on what we as American's are greatful for.
Thanks to all of you on the MYBO blog who cajouled, rallied, donated their time and money and shared their thoughts and ideas on all the pressing issues of our time. I'm greatful and proud that I live in a country in which we as a people can come together and move this country forward. Its a true testament to the vitality of our democracy.
I'm greateful that for the first time in my life I could cast my vote for a presidential candidate without any reservations and that a great majority of Americans have vindicated my long held beliefs on what needs to change in this country.
For President-elect Barack Obama and his incredible team of advisers who are moving forward with the presidential transition.
I'm grateful for a great American ... Howard Dean who paved the way for the presidential and congressional victories that will help in transforming our nation as we move forward. Howard's Fifty State strategy has made all the difference and I wish him well in what ever endeavor he pursues next .
Know this .... we in the blogosphere influenced the outcome of this past election and that we will continue to play an important role in the direction our country.
Many people have posed the question about what comes next.
My short answer ....This is only the beginning .... of a new American democracy.
A journey that will require all of us to participate on the pressing issues of our time.
Lets be thankful for everything we have and remember that we live in a country in which our goals and aspirations can be fulfilled .... if we believe in ourselves and our fellow citizens.
Happy Thanksgiving !
Vince Cipriano ;-}
P.S. Say a prayer for peace in Mumbai India that has been under seige by terrorists.
http://www.cnn.com/
"The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today. Let us move forward with strong and active faith." - Franklin D. Roosevelt
All of us who voted for Barack Obama on Tuesday should take a day or two to bask in his historic victory. What an incredible relief to know that hope can triumph over hate. What a joy to watch people dancing in the streets to celebrate all that Obama’s election symbolizes. What a delight to remember how good it can feel to be American. But it’s also time for a reality check. Millions of us are looking to our first African-American president to heal the nation and the world, to cleanse our souls of an eight year-old stain. As the international reaction to last night’s results demonstrates, hope in Obama is a global phenomenon, fueling the expectations of hundreds of millions people beyond our shores. Could anyone possibly live up to the expectations we have all pinned on this man?
When President Obama moves into the White House, he is going to have to deal with the trash heap left behind by the previous tenants. Two wars, the continuing threat of al-Qaeda, an economy in freefall, a monstrous federal debt, a national health care crisis, a Social Security system teetering on the brink of bankruptcy, global warming, an oil addiction that undermines our national security, and an ideologically divided nation. No matter how intelligent, charismatic, pragmatic, and driven this incredible man might be, the magnitude of the mess is mind-boggling. If he fails, the conservative backlash against the vision and philosophy that inspired 53% of voting Americans could be brutal. That’s why we have to remain as invested in the success of his presidency as we were in the success of his campaign. Just as it took a movement to elect him, it’s going to take a movement to help him succeed. We can’t let up now. If anything, Barack Obama needs us more than ever.
How can we continue to make a difference? We can:
- Accept that President Obama can’t take on everything at once. Some of the issues we care passionately about are going to have to wait. Let’s try to be patient and understand the need to prioritize – even if we wouldn’t necessarily set the same priorities ourselves.
- Remain engaged on the basis of reliable information, not ideology. Rather than trying to push a particular political agenda (or being disappointed when President Obama doesn’t), we should become as informed as possible about the issues and try to understand all the variables that factor into the decision-making process.
- Look for common ground with McCain supporters. Real change will only happen if President Obama can mobilize support among Republicans as well as Democrats, and a second term will only be possible if he holds onto the independent and conservative voters who decided to take a chance on him yesterday. He can make everyone feel like they’re part of the movement from above, and we can do it from below.
- Remember that he’s only human. Let’s cut the guy some slack, especially in the first few months when he’s settling in to the hardest job in the world.
In short, we must continue to be the change we’ve been looking for, because the hard part is just beginning - for Barack Obama and for us.
Some good contacts, about 50/50 Obama and the other guy. But most of the Obama voters had already voted.
But I'm pooped! It's 10 PM, and I'm going to let the west coast people take over.
Tomorrow is Election Day, and the serious calling starts!
Of the handful of calls that went through, I'd say about two thirds had already voted. A good sign.
OK, keep it up team on Monday--let's put this thing away!
OK, the map looks pretty good. If you take the current NYT map, give all the toss ups to McCain, plus PA, our guy still ends up with 270. Scares me. Keep calling!!!!!
http://elections.nytimes.com/2008/president/whos-ahead/key-states/map.html#/map=MMH6c
I went through a period in childhood when I dreamed of not growing up. While other girls my age fantasized about becoming teachers or doctors or rock stars, I aspired to die a young virgin martyr. My most prized possession was a series of illustrated books about girls with names like Agnes and Philomena and Beatrice who had died gruesome deaths for their Christian faith. I read and re-read their stories, well, religiously. Growing up in an Irish-Italian Catholic family, I took my catechism seriously, so I was not frightened by the prospect of a tragically abbreviated life. If anything, I was exhilarated by it. I could imagine no greater fate than dying in a hail of pagan arrows, bloodied but pure, a human pincushion of chastity and devotion.
Admittedly, virginity might have held a lot less allure had I grown up in Alaska, where testosterone seems to pool in even greater abundance than oil. I can easily imagine my saint-in-training self falling for one of the neighborhood boys who grew up learning how to take down a grizzly bear with his bare hands. Tempted by such potent virility, even Agnes or Philomena might have found herself giving birth eight months after a hasty elopement or quitting high school to get married and have a baby.
Speaking of Alaska, around the time in life when I was pondering the merits of being crucified upside down versus right side up, Sarah Palin was baptized in the Pentecostal Church. Having once yearned to be stoned for my own beliefs, I probably shouldn’t be casting stones at someone else on the basis of religion. But considering that Palin is seeking to become Vice President under a 72-year-old man with a shaky medical history, I can’t help but worry about the difference between my version of rapture and hers. While I fanatically anticipated the end of my own days, many Pentecostals await the End of Days – a time when the battle between Satan’s forces and God’s will culminate in the end of the world and the redemption of a chosen few Christians. Don’t you have to wonder how that religious philosophy might factor into the decision-making of the commander of the world’s most powerful military? I may have limited credibility on this issue given my status as a failed virgin martyr, but I dread to think what it would mean to have a successful Prayer Warrior in Chief.
A Conservative for Obama: My party has slipped its moorings.
It’s time for a true pragmatist to lead the country.
Leading Off By Wick Allison, EDITOR IN CHIEF
Conservatism to me is less a political philosophy than a stance, a recognition of the fallibility of man and of man’s institutions. Conservatives respect the past not for its antiquity but because it represents, as G.K. Chesterton said, the democracy of the dead; it gives the benefit of the doubt to customs and laws tried and tested in the crucible of time. Conservatives are skeptical of abstract theories and utopian schemes, doubtful that government is wiser than its citizens, and always ready to test any political program against actual results. This a very positive sign that Americans of all backgounds and political persuasions can come together around Obama's steadfast leadership.
Complete editorial here: http://www.dmagazine.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?nm=Core+Pages&type=gen&mod=Core+Pages&tier=3&gid=B33A5C6E2CF04C9596A3EF81822D9F8E
Obama / Biden .... Change we can believe in !
Open Letter to Republicans and Independents:
I'm a former independent voter a fiscal conservative, a veteran and a concerned citizen. I recognized nearly Eight years ago that our country was heading down a really bad path. I want to urge all Republicans and Independent voters to come out in support of Barack Obama. I know conservative Democrats whose ethics and values are more conservative than most Republicans. I have Republican friends that are more liberal than some Democrats. Even independent centrists who lean both Right or Left. In many instances party affiliations have become meaningless.
We are American Citizens First ... and your country needs you ?
What really matters is that America is the sum of its people ... Left, Right and Center. We need to learn from our mistakes ... rather than repeat them. We as Americans will rise or fall together.
The politics of division has brought us all to this historic moment ... our countries very survival as a bastion of free democracy is threatened. Our military resources are stretched on a war of undetermined length with no defined and achievable goal. We are facing a financial meltdown that is global in scope which threatens whats left of our prosperity and no clear consensus on how to resolve it.
We need to think .... long and hard about what "Trickle Down" and this so called "Free Market Economy" has done to our nation. The recession that Bush wants to avert .... came to Main Street long before it came to Wall Street. Just ask the Steel Workers and the line assembly workers and farmers who have lost their jobs to the lowest bidders overseas. Our priorities are all wrong. Allowing American businesses to escape paying any taxes at all ... by allowing them to setup their headquarters offshore. Allowing predatory lending practices to exploit those without verifiable incomes .... many of who lost their good paying jobs long ago in exchange for low wage jobs making it impossible to afford a home.
We allowed for profit Health Care to eat into the profits of businesses and average citizens alike at costs that are not sustainable. We have treated "the defenders of our democracy" ... our Veterans shabbily with insufficient funding for their needs. Elders on fixed incomes many of whom fought in WWII .... being charged for overpriced medications. Its just not right !
Our common bonds .... We are all proud Americans that want a brighter future for our children and grandchildren. We all want an America to prosper again. We can squabble over how that can be achieved but we do know what has worked in the past. To get started we need a return to real traditional values ... not rhetoric. Rather than coddle our children we need to teach our children the importance of discipline, education, hard work and how to manage money. We need to respect and reward the value of hard work, honesty and philanthropy rather than promote easy money, golden parachutes and unrestrained greed.
We need to find ways to lift all of our people up .... rather than tearing our people down by outsourcing their jobs.
We need to solve our domestic energy needs with a commitment to Energy Independence within a decade. No excuses .... lets just do it !
We need to reward innovation in Science and Technology again while respecting those of all religious faiths.
We need to educate all our citizens with the understanding that is an investment in our future .... if we hope to compete in global markets.
We need to teach civic responsibility in our schools and by rewarding those who give their time to the betterment of our nation and its communities.
We need leaders that are looking out for all Americans ... not just for power, money and influence.
None of this will be easy .... We must resolve to hold our government accountable and transparent ... both Democrats and Republicans alike.
Its time to Wake Up America !
American citizenship comes with an obligation to participate and safeguard our freedom and democracy.
American citizenship must come first .... Party Affiliation must comes Second.
Barack is the only candidate funded by the people .... not special interests.
Make Your Vote Count. Our nation is counting on you.
For Hope and a New Direction.
Vote for Obama / Biden '08
"This country will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless
we make it a good place for all of us to live in." -Theodore Roosevelt
The following is a video reminder of what's at stake in this election.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdJUCU1UH2w
Lets go viral with this.
Obama /Biden '08 .... the change we need.
A Veteran for Obama.
.... Close is only good for horseshoes and hand grenades.
All,
Barack is winning over conservatives in greater numbers than usual.
Christopher Buckley, the son of the late conservative icon William F. Buckley, said Friday he's decided to back Barack Obama's White House bid, the first time in his life he will vote Democrat.
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/10/10/a-buckley-endorses-obama/
Barack delivered a very strong performance in the last debate.
McCain's V.P. pick of Palin marginalized his chances for the White House leaving the Republican ticket with only Two political tools left, character assassination of Obama and Biden and making promises you cannot keep.
Its time to press our advantage.
Lets seal the deal and deliver real change to the White House.
Lets re-double our efforts to win this race.
Please donate what you can afford Nwow on my fundraising page and I'll match it.
http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/UNITEDWECAN
Obama/Biden '08 ..... Hope and a new direction !
A Veteran for Obama
Thanks for all you do for Barack, Michelle and Joe.
and hand grenades.
Please donate what you can afford Now on my fundraising page and I'll match it.
Recently, I had a very un-pleasent reminder that racism still lurks in our country.
I'm a second generation Italian American that lives and works in the Greater Boston Area ... a relatively progressive part of the country. I have proudly displayed my Veterans for Obama sticker on my vehicle for nearly a year. While driving to a store over this weekend with my Youngest (11 Year old) and Oldest (22 Year Old) daughters as passengers we reached a traffic jam. A White Cadillac behind us starts honking and at first I thought it was just someone being impatient ...then the driver of the White Cadillac starts screaming obscenities .... referring to Barack Obama with the dreaded N***** word. This went on for a couple of minutes and my oldest daughter was about to lose her cool, wanting to respond (Heck ...I wanted to respond).... then I told her not to respond ... that the driver a middle aged nordic looking fellow wanted attention and was trying to intimidate us. After Three minutes more of these obscenities ... the driver drove off.
I have had the rewarding experience of working along side Americans of every ethnicity and backgrounds in both my military and professional career.
It saddens me deeply that ignorance and racism still lurks in the country I love so much. After 35 years I still don't understand what motivates this kind of behavior ... especially from people who profess to be christians ?
We are all brothers and sisters .... it's time to Move our country forward.
We must succeed in delivering new and progressive leadership in our country at all levels of government. Beyond sending Barack Obama and Joe Biden to the White House we need a democratic majority in both the House and Senate to secure a progressive agenda for all Americans.
Barack the Vote !
This political season has been strange but the last few days have been Uber strange.
Whats up with Conservative Republican's ?
Ever since the proposed 700 Billion Dollar Bailout proposal leaked out Republicans have softened their positions on just about everything.
like George Will who openly questioned wether John McCain is suited for the Presidency ?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/23/george-will-goes-off-mcca_n_128482.html
Newt Gingrich of all people has found middle ground with Democrats and Indie voters who oppose the terms of this absurd bailout.
After you read this piece ... remember .... this is Newt Gingrich ?
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94900671
Republican Sen. Jim DeMint (S.C.) thinks the Bush Administration has worn out its trust from the American people on handling the economy.
"It's a sad fact, but Americans can no longer trust the economic information they are getting from this Administration," DeMint wrote in a post on Politico's Arena forum Tuesday. DeMint, a harsh critic of the proposed $700 billion dollar bailout, wrote that Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson's market predictions "have been consistently wrong in the last year."Real Change is coming .... and not a moment to soon.Obama /Biden '08-Vince ;-}
Hello everyone,
I am still hearing that a lot of people out there do not know about the existence of our office, so here is the information.
The Regional Democratic Office, located at 148 Massachusetts Ave in East Arlington, was funded and opened by the Arlington and Lexington Democratic Town Committees. Our mission is to support the Democratic candidates up and down the ticket. The focus is on the presidential race, so we have a lot of activity going on for the Obama campaign.
We are making voter ID calls into New Hampshire almost daily. Our usual schedule is Monday through Thursday evenings, 6:30 - 8:30 PM (skipping nights this week and next due to the Jewish holidays), Saturdays 2:30 - 5:00 PM, and Sundays noon - 5:00 PM.
Canvass trips to do door-to-door voter ID in New Hampshire originate from the office and Lexington High School every Saturday and Sunday. Saturday trips leave at 9:00AM, Sunday 10:30AM.
To sign up for any activity, you can call the office at 781-316-2889 daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (and later on phone bank nights). You can also send email to ArlingtonMAForObama =at= gmail =dot= com OR LexingtonForObama =at= gmail =dot= com.
Finally, our office is a distribution hub for campaign material orders from the state party. Order forms and checks are due each Tuesday at noon and the materials are promised by late afternoon the Friday of the same week (they arrived at 6:30PM last week, somewhat due to the poor weather). For more details and to get an order form and pricing, email LexingtonForObama =at= gmail =dot= com.
JJ Krawczyk
Vice-Chair for Campaigns, Lexington Democratic Town Committee
While the White House proposes an Unscrupulous Power Grab with its Bank Bailout.
http://digg.com/business_finance/Red_Flags_Executive_Power_Grab_in_Banking_Bail_Out_Bill
I propose that it's time we make lemonade from the lemons with which this administration and their party has left us. We the American taxpayer should demand that any Federal bailout of any private or public industries be tied to future revenues, with interest payments to be made to a new Federal fund. This new fund would be used to underwrite a new National Health Care and Education initiative.
This is not as radical as it sounds. Oil companies give dividends to Alaskans for oil revenue and many private companies share profits with their employees through 401Ks. It is time for American workers to unite and demand that our tax dollars be put to use for the health and well being of every American.
The formation of such a fund would accomplish two major goals: It would closely align the interests of private industry with the American people and, not unlike Social Security, will help to fulfill America's social contract with the taxpayers who have become the prime stakeholders of these failed enterprises.
It is time to send a clear message that our American tax dollars not be used to underwrite the executive compensations of CEO's who have mismanaged these enterprises.
It is time for all Americans to realize that we are, indeed, all in this together and that the success and failure of the American economy is tied to the health and well being of its workers.
I urge you all to lobby congress and our presidential candidates for such a fund.
http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/
It is time to prepare for a better future for all Americans.
Obama/Biden '08 ..... Hope and a new direction.
I need all your help to get the word out on THE most unscrupulous thing this administration has ever proposed.
The proposed bailout plan by the Republican's has a number of Poison Pills attached to it.
Some language from the proposed Bill:
(a) Authority to Purchase.--The Secretary is authorized to purchase, and to make and fund commitments to purchase, on such terms and conditions as determined by the Secretary, mortgage-related assets from any financial institution having its headquarters in the United States.
(b) Necessary Actions.--The Secretary is authorized to take such actions as the Secretary deems necessary to carry out the authorities in this Act, including, without limitation:
(1) appointing such employees as may be required to carry out the authorities in this Act and defining their duties;
(2) entering into contracts, including contracts for services authorized by section 3109 of title 5, United States Code, without regard to any other provision of law regarding public contracts;
(3) designating financial institutions as financial agents of the Government, and they shall perform all such reasonable duties related to this Act as financial agents of the Government as may be required of them;
(4) establishing vehicles that are authorized, subject to supervision by the Secretary, to purchase mortgage-related assets and issue obligations; and
(5) issuing such regulations and other guidance as may be necessary or appropriate to define terms or carry out the authorities of this Act.
Decisions by the Treasury Secretary pursuant to the authority of this Act are non-reviewable and committed to agency discretion, and may not be reviewed by any court of law or any administrative agency.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/9/20/153952/268/395/603713
Its clear that those who drafted this proposed trillion dollar bailout are not acting in good faith.
We need Barack and his economic advisors to reject this proposed bailout and come up with terms that are fair to the American Taxpayer "US" who will become the primary stakeholders.
Imagine they want us to give Treasury Secretary Paulson absolute power over the bailout with No oversight.
Its Outrageous ...The potential for abuse is literally on a scale we have never seen.
This Smacks of politics as usual ... They want the Democrats to VETO this bill so that they can spin it that the Democrats are holding up any kind of relief over this Financial Crisis.
Please email everyone about this issue.
Email Form to the Financial Services house committee here.
http://financialservices.house.gov/contact.html
