My Congress,
I am inspired, my Congress, and let me tell you why.
Because for the first time in my life, I am seeing people come together to action. Larger numbers of voters are mobilized than ever before. People are speaking the same voice, are giving of themselves, are motivated to work and reach out to others. And it is in the name of Change for all of us.
For the first time in my life, I'm seeing the real America - a unified people from small and large towns, demanding Change. A hint of the America of which our founders dreamed…an America where the people are bonding together to make a difference, mobilizing to effect change. I'm seeing the America we talk about when we read the Preamble to our Constitution:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
These rights, including free speech and religion, are integral to our shared experience as Americans, allowing Lincoln’s words to ring true:
...that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
It is this government of the people that our founders wished for us, and that we have slowly let slip through our fingers. The dream of the forefathers set up a representative structure where each of you, members of Congress, serves as a trumpet for us. You are our elected spokesperson, our clarion call of what we want for our society.
And we want Change.
What is this Change? Everyone I speak to agrees: we need leaders that inspire and represent the America we want to see regardless of party-affiliation. 80% of Americans feels that we have a leadership crisis – in our businesses, in our government, among our own people. We are not happy with where we have gone, the course that our country has taken and how uninvolved we have become. What was originally an American Dream has now become its nightmare as we learn some valuable lessons about economics and leadership. We recognize a crisis, and we understand that we have been part of the problem.
I feel that this is why so many Republicans and Independents have come to support Obama: he is a leader for all people, not just one side or another. Not the rich over the poor, or the poor over the rich. He represents a responsibility of the people to take care of the people, of Americans to support America!
But it didn’t have to be Obama. Any leader who truly represented the interests of everyone should have been able to step forth and rally the American people behind them. Because as the leadership poll shows, the majority of people want the President to do what the American people think is right. Not what the individual him/herself feels is right.
And what the American people feel is right often transcends party-lines. From the leadership report, again:
Americans have specific desires of our government, and a growing number do not care about a label of one party or another, but instead are looking for leaders that take up the platform of the people and work to make it happen.
Why can't our politics always be thus, my Congress? Why must one don the banner of one party or another, conservatism or liberalism, and not appreciate that a strong country is flexible. By refusing to yield, we are broken - as we have seen in our foreign policy. By bending, we are made stronger.
Why must our future leaders choose one side or another, when America needs candidates that are able to see all sides of the picture and make the right choices for America at that time? Whether that choice be conservative or liberal, social or fiscal? Why must we choose sides and belong to one method or another, when in truth, a marriage of the two is usually the best action altogether? Why not a leadership that has all options available in order to move in the direction that is best for Americans?
I am excited to see that we are stepping up and accepting responsibility for ourselves and our actions. Many might say that we are lazy and merely want to bring in “leadership” that will decide things for us, as long as we can continue to watch our sit-coms and reality TV. That the American spirit is a thing of the past.
But this election shows that is not so: We The People feel left out of the mix, constantly given leadership options that do not inspire us, do not make us feel as if we are being represented, spend efforts only to discredit others instead of supporting US, the people.
Too long has our government been incestuous and broken, over eight (and more) long years of constant fear and frustration. Confidence that we could do anything to save ourselves was lower than ever before. Instead we hung our heads and tried not to look the world in the eye, shuffling our feet and saying, “Yeah…I know. I feel helpless too.” We huddled up, ready to endure a long winter of failed confidence and leadership. Many talked of leaving the country. Others vowed to fight on. Still others descended into a pessimistic hole of distrust of any candidate, taking the latest administrative as just a sign that Lincoln’s words were the past, and fear was our future.
But We The People are now standing up and taking back our country. Having had the taste of hope, the taste of what being a citizen really means, we awake to our charge: We The People are going to hold our leaders responsible, and ourselves responsible for bringing the right leaders in. We need an ideology change, a thread of something that will allow us to hold our heads high. We need to feel as if those “rights” we fought for so many years ago really exist and mean something. We need to know that we can make a difference.
As America, we are so close to stepping away from the adolescent behavior of the past eight years, reminiscent of a spoiled, rich teenager who is the bully of the world playground. I am eager to see us move beyond that into our young adulthood to being more responsible, more thoughtful country.
And it only took being thrust out on the ledge of utter downfall for us to pull back, and pull together.
I am also scared, my Congress.
I am scared that we will not learn from this unifying experience and divisive politics.
I am frightened that we will choose Change, and then sit back and wait for change to happen to us, instead of realizing that it starts with us.
I’m afraid that We The People will feel the burden of Change will be too much after so many years of being downtrodden. We will forget the sacrifices that our forefathers and ancestors made to seek a better country, a better life. We will forget how much they gave up, and how much many of our people still give up, to make sure that America is the country of opportunity and freedom, where people have the right to speak their minds and worship how they wish.
I worry that we will feel that there is too high a price to pay for Change. That We The People will be too afraid of uncertainty to push for a better country and world. Much like the uncertainty of death that begets strict religion but no enlightenment, We The People could fall into greater fear of Change than fear of dying out. And we will balk, and remain the same.
But have no doubt – we will still pay the prices we thought we were avoiding.
I’m fearful that people will cling too much to labels and ideologies, eschewing flexibility and evaluation. They will be unable to cast off the chains of “my way or the highway” for self-review and broad perspective. That We the People will turn our backs on ourselves and everything we could be in order to follow a regimented doctrine from a corrupted era.
And I'm sure you are scared too. Because despite the label of "democrat" that Obama runs under, in reality he is very middle of the road, and represents many of the views of both conservatives and liberals. And that means that perhaps it might not be about large parties, facing off mano e mano, anymore. Perhaps all our hopes will be realized and we will have flexible, thoughtful leadership that will listen to We The People, and move forward step by step to becoming a stronger, greater nation. And this means We The People will demand Change of You, my Congress.
No, it will not change overnight, or even with one president. All of our troubles will not vanish, and no one person is the answer to the days ahead. We may endure some difficult times and much will be demanded of us to put our best foot forward for the slow steady climb.
But it must start somewhere, it must start with one step. One Step towards Change and Hope, a step that will restore confidence in our own leadership. This will allow us to feel strong enough to lift our heads and look towards the horizon of becoming a better country, a better We The People, and a better citizen in this world. We will be able to look ahead and see that the sun is rising on America, and hope renews with the coming Spring.
“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under the sun.”
I raise my head and look forward to the rising of the sun, so that we may prepare for a new season of growth and confidence in The United States of America – United Again. Perhaps then we can achieve what Lincoln spoke of in his second inaugural address:
With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan--to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves, and with all nations.
This blog, Exponential, endorses Barack Obama as the next president of the United States of America.
Lane BurnsConcerned Citizen of the United States of America
The distinctly different challenges the United States faces today demand a deliberative, steady and thoughtful leader who will guide our nation through what are sure to be a very perilous next four years. Barack Obama is the man for that job. [...] We base our endorsement not just upon Obama's promise of hope and change, but also upon his positions on issues of importance to Americans.
How frustrating. So, let's go through this latest fear-tactic, shall we?
Enough Democrats will be elected into the Congress to create imbalance. Choose a Republican for president to balance them out.
A number of reasons why this irritates me:
Imagine McCain. His sneers. His air-quotes. His privatization and his flippancy towards the rest of the world. Do we really want someone who believes in supporting his private investors more than the common American people? Do we really want someone like McCain or Palin, who immediately turn to smearing opponents instead of dealing with issues? Do we think that is an effective way to lead a country?
Remember when Bush mentioned the "Axis of Evil" and we were all ashamed that our leader so brazenly bypassed diplomacy and called names? Or how about when he called the leader of North Korea, a "pygmy"? Don't we see that now, in our own country, with McCain/Palin throwing out labels and accusations of socialist, terrorist, and "celebrity"?
We aren't happy with Bush's diplomacy methods - how could we support the same in McCain and Palin?
How many times have we shaken our heads when Bush would come out with gaffes and errors in his statements? And now we want to elect McCain and Palin, the top gaffe-makers in our country today?
And how many times have we questioned the Bush tactics and strategies that deliberately lead us into situations that are designed to benefit himself and his cronies? And now McCain and Palin are using the same cronies and political campaign advisers as Bush did. How many times did we say we disliked "flip-flopping" but ignore the fact that McCain's entire campaign has been a flip-flop. He was against torture, but ended up supporting Bush in it anyway. He was for campaign reform, and now he's been taking advantage of every loophole that exists. He was against tax cuts for the wealthy, and now supports them again. He left the 2000 campaign after Bush's campaign smeared him and his family terribly. Now he's using the same people to smear Obama. He says he puts his country first, but ask Americans how they feel Palin fits that theme. He claims he's moderate, but then takes up all the most conservative ideals of his party.
He's shown his disdain for what Americans want at every turn. We don't like the negativity - he does more of it. We don't like the idea of privatizing health care, he makes it a pivotal part of his campaign. Just what does McCain stand for that Americans really want?
Fear-mongering is tiring. Our country has been at Orange Alert for so long that no one even pays attention anymore. McCain wants people to question "Who is the real Obama?" when we really should be asking, "Who is the Real McCain - and which one is trying to be president?"
(originally posted at Exponential)
We strongly encourage readers to vote for Barack Obama for president. [...] By contrast [to McCain's campaign], Obama has been steady, thoughtful and inspirational. His "change-we-can-believe-in" campaign inspired thousands of people to get involved in politics for the first time. He's a Harvard lawyer, but he worked as a community organizer and consumer advocate before he went to law school. He has risen from humble beginnings to run for president. In this brilliant campaign, he has earned our vote.
The La Crosse Tribune endorses Sen. Barack Obama, the Democrat from Illinois, to provide the change in leadership, hope and vision we need to restore faith in our future and restore trust among our world partners. [...] Obama combines the discipline of pay-as-you-go budgeting with plans to reinvest in our crumbling national infrastructure and reduce our carbon emissions by 80 percent by the middle of this century -- a more thoughtful, visionary approach to an energy policy than simply crying, "Drill, Baby, Drill." [...] We believe Barack Obama will provide the leadership and inspiration we need.
Americans feel the need for new leadership, a renewal of our national spirit, and a desperate need to pull together in tough times.This election is about such needs, not individual planks in a campaign platform. That's why the Herald endorses Barack Obama for president.[...]Restoring health to the nation's economy will be even more difficult considering the mess that the nation finds itself in at this point. It will likely require patience, sacrifice and a positive attitude from the American people. That will require inspirational leadership from the nation's president, and there is every reason to believe that is Obama's greatest strength.
Americans feel the need for new leadership, a renewal of our national spirit, and a desperate need to pull together in tough times.
This election is about such needs, not individual planks in a campaign platform. That's why the Herald endorses Barack Obama for president.
[...]
Restoring health to the nation's economy will be even more difficult considering the mess that the nation finds itself in at this point. It will likely require patience, sacrifice and a positive attitude from the American people. That will require inspirational leadership from the nation's president, and there is every reason to believe that is Obama's greatest strength.
The Bush administration has bumbled from crisis to crisis for nearly eight years, competence gone AWOL. The nation needs resuscitating change like a new baby needs that first breath of air. Two would-be successors pledge it. But Barack Obama is more believable. We recommend him to be the 44th president of the United States. Obama's vision and potential to be that change agent trump his relative lack of experience, though the experience he possesses is valuable. The maturity and calm demeanor he has exhibited these past two years in the public spotlight and earlier, speak to able, careful, inclusive leadership. And he is simply the better of the two on the issues.
You know when people are focused on something good, it's a momentous occasion. I've never seen anything like it in Baraboo before.
[Obama's] campaign is rooted in providing hope and inspiring Americans to find new solutions to combat problems in this new century. This philosophy is important considering the challenges the next president will face during the next four years, among them crafting a new strategy for Iraq and a financial system in tatters in part because of the skewing of wealth into fewer hands. Obama also has excited people about the democratic process like few candidates in recent memory. Millions of potential voters considered "on the fringe" -- young adults, African Americans and Latinos -- have been energized to become involved and active in government.
Our friend Joseph here at Wisconsin HQ is traveling around Wisconsin talking with some of the amazing volunteers who have made Barack's movement for change possible. Joseph will be filing reports from all over the Badger state during the next few days -- stop by for more great stories of remarkable people working for change.
I watched the primaries, and for Barack Obama to be our choice - I sat there in awe. I couldn't be more thrilled to do what it takes to get him elected.
But the place was packed -- overflowing onto the street, more than anyone could have imagined.
After asking her why, we talked and we talked. This kind of work is about people's stories. Lois is courageous to be open-minded to think of changing her life-long affiliation.
(Ok, I couldn't help it. I like acorn squash.)
Let's deal with the ACORN rumors, shall we? I think anyone who has worked with a non-profit will feel pain at reading this, because it is so often that when you are trying to do the most good for a non-partisan cause that bad nuts get into the batch. Whether they are employees or volunteers, sometimes your own people undermine your goals.
Does this make your efforts worthless? No. Does that mean that your organization is the problem? No. Is is frustrating and disheartening? Heck yes.
So, on to the reality check. I'm using FactCheck.org and the ACORN website as my sources.
WHAT IS ACORN?
WHAT IS THEIR PROCESS?
ACORN VOTER FRAUD
John McCain stated in the final debate that ACORN is "now on the verge of maybe perpetrating one of the greatest frauds in voter history in this country, maybe destroying the fabric of democracy."
Goodness, McCain - embellish much? FactCheck.org disagrees with this outlandish statement about the fabric of democracy being unwoven by voter registration. But I'll put it together for all of us (majority of information from FactCheck.org):
OBAMA'S CONNECTION TO ACORN
FactCheck.org says:
The ad says that "Obama's ties to ACORN run long and deep" – that he "taught classes" for the group, paid a "front" $800,000 for get-out-the-vote efforts, and was endorsed by ACORN for president.That last one's true – ACORN's political action committee did offer an Obama endorsement.It's also true that Obama has worked with the group in the past. In 1995, Obama helped represent ACORN in a successful lawsuit to require the state of Illinois to offer "motor voter" registration at DMV offices. Obama has said [but no longer says- LEB] that this is his only association with ACORN, but that's not the case – he has had other, though less direct[emphasis mine], interactions with the organization. After law school, Obama directed a Chicago registration drive for Project Vote, which works closely with ACORN. And when Obama was on the board of directors of the Woods Fund, the foundation gave grants of $75,000 in 2001 and $70,000 in 2002 to ACORN's Chicago office. The McCain campaign and the Republican National Committee cite an additional grant of $45,000 in 2000. The Woods Fund has not responded to our calls about their 2000 grants. The Obama campaign also paid Citizens Services Inc., a group affiliated with ACORN, more than $800,000 for get-out-the-vote (not voter registration) efforts during the primary election. The nature of CSI's services was initially misrepresented on the Obama campaign's disclosures to the Federal Election Commission, which the campaign describes as an oversight. The Obama campaign says it has not been involved with ACORN during the general election. As for "teaching classes" for the group, the McCain campaign cites a March 2008 Newsday article, which says that ACORN organizer Madeleine Talbot "initially considered Obama a competitor" when both were working to get asbestos insulation removed from a Chicago housing project, but that "she became so impressed with his work that she invited him to help train her staff." Newsday does not say whether Obama accepted the invitation. An article by Chicago alderman Toni Foulkes says that "we [ACORN] have invited Obama to our leadership training sessions to run the session on power every year" between 1992 and 2004, when the article was written. The Obama campaign says that Obama participated in two, one-hour trainings in a volunteer capacity. Foulkes could not be reached for comment.
The ad says that "Obama's ties to ACORN run long and deep" – that he "taught classes" for the group, paid a "front" $800,000 for get-out-the-vote efforts, and was endorsed by ACORN for president.
That last one's true – ACORN's political action committee did offer an Obama endorsement.It's also true that Obama has worked with the group in the past. In 1995, Obama helped represent ACORN in a successful lawsuit to require the state of Illinois to offer "motor voter" registration at DMV offices. Obama has said [but no longer says- LEB] that this is his only association with ACORN, but that's not the case – he has had other, though less direct[emphasis mine], interactions with the organization. After law school, Obama directed a Chicago registration drive for Project Vote, which works closely with ACORN. And when Obama was on the board of directors of the Woods Fund, the foundation gave grants of $75,000 in 2001 and $70,000 in 2002 to ACORN's Chicago office. The McCain campaign and the Republican National Committee cite an additional grant of $45,000 in 2000. The Woods Fund has not responded to our calls about their 2000 grants. The Obama campaign also paid Citizens Services Inc., a group affiliated with ACORN, more than $800,000 for get-out-the-vote (not voter registration) efforts during the primary election. The nature of CSI's services was initially misrepresented on the Obama campaign's disclosures to the Federal Election Commission, which the campaign describes as an oversight. The Obama campaign says it has not been involved with ACORN during the general election. As for "teaching classes" for the group, the McCain campaign cites a March 2008 Newsday article, which says that ACORN organizer Madeleine Talbot "initially considered Obama a competitor" when both were working to get asbestos insulation removed from a Chicago housing project, but that "she became so impressed with his work that she invited him to help train her staff." Newsday does not say whether Obama accepted the invitation. An article by Chicago alderman Toni Foulkes says that "we [ACORN] have invited Obama to our leadership training sessions to run the session on power every year" between 1992 and 2004, when the article was written. The Obama campaign says that Obama participated in two, one-hour trainings in a volunteer capacity. Foulkes could not be reached for comment.
So, before we get all wound up in trying to pin massive voter fraud on anyone, perhaps we should do our own reality check of the facts.
Can we get back to talking about real issues again?
(originally posted at Exponential )
The previous post was about the cohesiveness of the branding message on the Obama camp. This has allowed for the message to be easily picked up and used by others - whether to support Obama or themselves. It shows pretty clearly that Change sells.
The Capitalism of Hope
Support from large and small business has been amazing. Everyone wants to be a part of the movement that will change the course of our country's leadership - whether through belief in that movement or just wanting to say that they were a part of the historic event.
Take UncleBrutha, for example. Obama likes hot sauce (who doesn't?) and so Uncle Brutha decided to make The Audacity of Hot Sauce to raise money and support for Obama. Hot Sauce? Why not?
Or how about Ojamas? The Obama pajamas that help you sleep easier. (ok, cheesy line, but it was too easy to avoid.)
Numerous other sites exist too - artists, cafepress, and more. Some are donating the funds to the Obama campaign, but others are just capitalizing off the fervor for a new voice.
This might be proof that Obama isn't going to make us all socialists - his cohesive campaign branding incites hyper-capitalism in the people, and propels new entrepreneurs to get their hand in the action. Obama's campaign alone might stabilize the government.
Artistic Expression
I showcased some artistic support for Obama in my last post. However, the lengths to which artists are rallying their skills for Obama is expansive. Some of these are being picked up by the Barack Obama website and raising money, while others are raising awareness or giving quality design to people willing to share the art with others.
First, how about Design for Obama? Revisiting the era of propaganda posters, designers have put forth their efforts to do what they can to support the movement. From their site:
Design/ers for Obama was created when Design Observer essentially asked the question, “how can graphic designers best support Barack Obama?” Our answer ended up extending the question to cover visual communicators at all levels. In addition to supporting Obama for America we jumped at the opportunity to bring the spirit of grassroots style organizing and collaboration to poster design which, to us, meant not only forming communal bonds but sharing the fruits of our efforts equally and in such a way that anyone can enjoy and benefit from (because most of us do not own our own printing presses).
Again, it seems that the quality of branding and message of the Obama campaign has inspired widespread activism, and have people giving of themselves in ways they might not have considered before. In honor of this, I'll feature some of my favorite posters in my blog up until the election.
Other poster sites that have sprung up: 30 Reasons. Each day, a new poster is added to showcase reasons why you should vote for Barack Obama.
Perhaps Sketch For Change has something you'd be interested in.
A way to keep up on the Art being made for Obama? The Obama Art Report.
But the art isn't just for designers or serial artists. It's for everyone. For example, Spelling Change offers everyone an opportunity to create a letter for the website.
My local sewing co-op and fashion store, Fasten Collective, has WeHeartObama as their designer of the month.
Needless to say, the Obama campaign has been inspiring for artists everywhere.
DIY = the Unity of Grass Roots Action
I've also never seen so many people mobilized to take a symbol and make grass-roots creations, and then share them with others. In my own community, the organizer of Milwaukee Renaissance promoted an Art for Obama gathering where people came together to make Obama yard signs - homemade ways of expressing support.
Or you could organize a Yes We Carveparty and carve pumpkins with various logos, mottoes and other Obama supporting messages. Patterns are provided at the website, along with instructions, and an opportunity to join a contest.
Want to wear your own support? How about a knitting pattern for the logo? Like to see the results?
Many of these items are described in the Obama Craft Project. Which includes a post(complete with video) on how to create your own Obama pin. DIY or DIE features some Barack Obama jewelry on Etsy and other places.
In the spirit of FreeCycle, there's an ObamaCycle - a way to get Obama gear into the hands of people who want it but can't afford it.
It must be true that this campaign has organized more people than has been seen for a long time. Either people are really tired of the same political ways - which McCain seems to represent to them - or they really believe in the Obama message.
Either way, it seems to point towards greater unity for all.
“Wisconsin is a battleground state, and we have got to get the vote out,” Napolitano said. Napolitano emphasized the differences between Obama and Republican John McCain, who is also from Arizona, saying their economic policies differ greatly, with McCain giving tax cuts to the wealthy while Obama focuses more on the middle class.
Napolitano said Eleanor Roosevelt’s call to women in 1933 to engage in the political process as never before and to unite to solve the nation’s problems remains essential to “the new New Deal that we’re going to inaugurate in this country in January.” She recalled her work as chairwoman of the Democratic Party’s national platform committee, where she served with U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, in calling the Obama-Biden ticket “the strongest on women’s issues in history.”
