You may be interested in reading some of my recent blog posts.
The End of Black Politics?
Africa Will Never Abandon Zimbabwe
Obama in Berlin
Obama in Iraq
I hope you will join us for the Obama Phone-In on 19th August.
The many Americans without health care in the richest country in the world is staggering. Even those with limited health care benefits find it difficult to pay co-pays for health providers and medications. There are even retirees who continue to work after retirement because of the high school of health insurance and other health related issues.
Poor people abound. Being poor in the richest country in the world is a heavy burden to bear. The poor, children and adults, have become the 'throw-away Americans.' They have access to the most meager of resources, their schools are under-funded and understaffed .Living conditions encourage crime and outrage against each other.
I say, give a person an opportunity, instead of a put-down. We are all Americans, deserving of dignity and an equal chance to succeed. The country will be better if these changes become a part of the American mosaic!
Tune in tomorrow morning (Thursday, Aug. 7) on ABC's Good Morning America for an interview with Michelle Obama that will air during the first half hour of the show, and an extended version of the interview that will air on ABCs Nightline tomorrow evening. Check local listings for times and stations: http://abc.go.com/site/localstations.html?lid=ABCCOMGlobalFooter&lpos=STATIONS
Recent comparisons of Senator Obama to Hollywood celebrities very accurately highlight his popularity and the energy surrounding his community of supporters. Interestingly this response may have a generational quality to it. Since the 60’s, we have seen the Baby Boomers and subsequent generations gather in energetic crowds to express their support for various people they admire and support, including musical groups, political and spiritual leaders, and activists – from the Beatles and Elvis, to JFK, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Billy Graham. Unfortunately, while we’ve continued to see crowds gather in admiration of new musical stars, Hollywood stars, and athletes, we’ve rarely seen these crowds gathering in support of new political leaders. Spiritual leaders and politicians have often been mocked and ridiculed for their duplicity, “wordsmithing”, dishonesty, and underlying personal gains at public expense. In the past few years we’ve seen the rise of celebrities and leaders who are admired for more than their being famous. The boundaries between musician, celebrity, social activism, spiritual leadership, and political activism has become blurred as Oprah and other celebrities, sports stars, and musicians address issues of human welfare. They have devoted significant attention and resources to social, environmental, spiritual, and political activism. Spirituality is increasingly seen apart from religious scandals of the past and recognized as an important part of our society and emotional and physical well-being; musicians produce songs highlighting social and political concerns; and our youth begin to show increasing interest and involvement in our world and their future.
Therefore, in comparing Senator Obama to a celebrity I believe there are more accurate analogies than those who have been used, those whose fame is based primarily on musical talents, wealth, or social status. While not complete in themselves, perhaps better analogies would be to Oprah, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Bono, George Clooney, Matt Damon and others who are very talented celebrities who have increasingly turned our attention to social, environmental, and political activism and human welfare through the ways they devote their talents, time, and money to these issues and needs. In addition they are similar to Senator Obama in their sincerity and ways they speak to us at personal and subjective depths.
Similarly, Senator Obama has devoted his intellectual and interpersonal talents to these concerns and needs. This commitment began when he first graduated from college and has continued to the present. His political career and talents are devoted to activism and human welfare. Therefore, other comparisons have already been made to politicians and political leaders throughout history, including a variety of leaders who are admired not only for their fame, charisma, and good looks, but also for their philosophical wisdom, integrity, and devotion to our social, environmental, spiritual, political, and physical welfare. These comparisons have included Abraham Lincoln, Benjamin Franklin, FD Roosevelt, Martin Luther King, and JF Kennedy.
Therefore, I would clarify that Senator Obama is not just a celebrity; he is a very famous and admired scholar, philosopher, activist, and inspiring political leader who is demonstrating these values and talents even through his campaign. These values and intentions are evident in his speeches. He is not simply saying, “Vote for me” or “This is what I’ll do for you when I’m President”; instead he is using the time with his large and small audiences to effect change now … by increasing awareness of current issues including the problems we’ve wanted to ignore, calling for us to take personal responsibility and action, and pointing out how our ways of thinking and living need to change (away from dichotomies and labels, and toward unity, social commitment, self-reliance and accountability). […not quite messages we hear from those celebrities used for comparison in the tv ads]
Walmart is telling their works not to vote for Barack Obama.
Walmart Vs. Their Workershttp://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/08/01/politics/animal/main4314198.shtmlCBS News Online
Michelle Obama addressed a gathering of Women for Obama in Chicago yesterday, where she shared her experiences on the campaign trail, and discussed why she believes Barack Obama is the right leader to support women and their families and enact policies to help them to reclaim the American Dream.
In conjunction with the luncheon, the campaign unveiled a 12-page Blueprint for America's Women and Families detailing Senator Obama’s agenda to help women balance work and family, to keep themselves and their families healthy, and to prosper in a changing economy.
Senator Obama’s plan to support working women and families will:• Fight for Pay Equity: Throughout his career, Barack Obama has championed the right of women to receive equal pay for equal work. As president, Obama will continue working to close the wage gap between men and women. • Expand Paid Sick Days to 22 Million Working Women: Today, over 22 million working women do not have paid sick days. As president, Obama will require that employers provide seven paid sick days per year. • Expand Flexible Work Arrangements: Working parents, especially mothers, often have to juggle not only child care responsibilities, but also care responsibilities for elderly relatives. Barack Obama will address this concern by creating a program to inform businesses about the benefits of flexible work schedules for productivity and establishing positive workplaces; helping businesses create flexible work opportunities; and increasing federal incentives for telecommuting. • Provide a Tax Cut for Working Families: Obama will restore fairness to the tax code and provide 150 million workers, including more than 71 million women, and their families the tax relief they need. Obama will create a new “Making Work Pay” tax cut of up to $500 per worker, or $1,000 per working family. • Ensure All Americans Have Access to Affordable Health Insurance: Obama will sign a health care reform plan into law by the end of his first term in office. His plan will provide affordable, quality health care coverage for every American.
In her opening remarks, Michelle explained:
Barack doesn’t accept an America that forces women to choose between their children and their careers, that pays women less money for equal work. The challenges facing women and families aren’t new to any of us. They’re not new to me, and they certainly aren’t new to my husband. That’s why as President, he will fight to empower and support women and families, because he wouldn’t be running for President today without the strong women in his life...
You can view the blueprint at:
http://women.barackobama.com/blueprintvideo
Please join us for our next National Women's Leadership Initiative call on Thursday, July 31st for a campaign strategy update.
Rewriting the Electoral Map: Campaign Strategy Update
Date: Thursday, July 31st
Time: 5:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. ET/2:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. ET
Dial-in: 866-557-5802
*if you have any problems dialing in please contact Shelly Horn at hornc@dnc.org or 202-863-7167 immediately.
