Check Out: http://www.whyobamaworks.com/
I've never volunteered to participate in a political campaign. While I've always followed politics, the extent of my involvement was arguing a point of view to anyone that would listen - or in most cases - not listen. Sharing my viewpoints often felt like a one-way conversation in which I would talk, and the other person would talk, and neither of us would listen, and both of us would be further apart from understanding each other's views, than when the conversation began.
Why is it a cardinal rule not to talk about what really matters in our lives, and in our communities? We've all heard the cautionary tales about what can happen at a business or personal engagement if we meander from conversations about the weather, our jobs, our kids, to topics about religion or politics.
Why can't people who care about each other and respect each other have conversations about how we feel about where this country we love is heading? What happened along the way that made a conversation about the future of this country so taboo? Why is it considered best to discuss such viewpoints with only like-minded people? Where does that lead us? Red state versus blue? Conservative versus Liberal? What does any of that mean anyways?
A United States comprised of people with different experiences, viewpoints and passions is what makes this country great - and possibilities for the future endless. The respect for individual rights balanced by a concern for the greater community - which extends beyond states and beyond our country's borders - has never been more important.
I was first inspired to join Barack Obama's campaign after viewing (thanks CSPAN) Michelle Obama address a small room of people in Iowa. Up until that point, I had watched all the debates, got as much information about each candidate as I could (again - thanks CSPAN), and though I agreed with Barack's stance on the issues, I was leaning toward (as confessed in earlier blogs) supporting Hillary (although knowing what I know now - that seems like a lifetime ago and as if I was someone else - or is it that she seemed to be someone else? but I digress...).
At any rate, the sincerity and passion from which Michelle expressed her experiences, beliefs and hopes for the future, left me (and those in the room) awestruck and with a lump in my throat. This experience, along with my viewing (for the first time) a live broadcast of an Iowa caucus - in which I saw neighbors passionately and respectfully coming together to elect a candidate - was how I initially "got hope". Sure, the neighbors at the caucus had differences, but they were informed and respectful and diligent in their effort to "get it right" together. Once the results came in that Senator Obama had won Iowa, and after listening to his victory speech, as the song goes, I was "signed, sealed, delivered" and ready to do whatever I could to help Barack Obama become our next president.
If you would have told me before that time, I'd end up spending Saturdays and Sundays writing blogs, requesting donations, making phone calls - or taking vacation days to walk door-to-door in the snow - for a primary election - I would have never believed it. But there I was - for example - back in my hometown a few weeks back - with my 60 year old Mom at my side - smiling and weathering the cold weather - and sometimes even colder responses.
But truth be told, it hasn't been all smiles and the cold responses I've received are forecasted to weather on far beyond the primary season. There are lies accumulating, fear brewing and a constant stream of spin spewing out-of-context quotes to sensationalize and distort the public's perception of Michelle and Barack. All this reminds me, that despite my new found hope, the anger and cynisim that has built up in me over time, is still there and lurking very near to the surface.
But when I receive an email like the one announcing the WhyObamaWorks initiative, I am lifted up with a newfound sense of optimism and am reminded why I am voting for Barack Obama. While some may question Barack's readiness - despite the fact his leadership has already changed the way campaigns are run, and has sparked a new dialogue in this country (all with him not even having won the primary - yet!) - I am reminded of all the new voters and all those newly willing to participate in the campaign with recognitinon that if he is elected - and even if he is not - we need to continue to work together to have our voices heard and to do what we can to make our communities and our country the best it can be.
As I've said in past blogs, I am voting for Barack Obama not just because of my faith in him - but because he is placing his faith in me. Yes we can!
