In 8 days, most of us will cast our New Jersey ballots. I remember how it felt to wake up the day after the election in 2000 and 2004. The only thing that made me feel better was that I could say, "Hey, I did what I could."
For me, this meant doing more than casting a ballot. It meant getting involved. There was a sick feeling in my stomach three weeks after the election in '04 when I opened my Verizon Wireless bill and saw all those calls I made to voters in Iowa. I still remember some of those calls: middle class Americans: teachers, store managers, construction workers, all telling me they were doing what they could to campaign, to talk to their friends, to spread the word.
As bad as it felt last time to lose, I know this time, I can help win. Some of the current Pennsylvania Call for Change campaigns are great--you can even help people report that they need a ride to the polls. Not only can I help people choose Obama-Biden, I can help them cast their ballot.
It's a good feeling. And the clock is ticking...
Back in college, I worked as a telephone fundraiser for a non-profit organization. I was good at my job, and I liked the work. Four years ago I worked phones for John Kerry. As if the morning after the election wasn't painful enough, I had the extra sock in the stomach when I opened my cell bill and remembered all the calls I had made. This summer, I had considered signing up to make calls for Obama, but I couldn't stand the thought of opening a bill after another lost election.
And then I remembered how much worse I would feel had I not done everything I could to help create change.
I sat for an hour the other night and made calls for Obama. I called women voters in Pennsylvania. Once again, I felt like I was a part of something important. I didn't change any minds, but I did make some people feel good about their choice of Obama, made them feel a little more connected to something larger than themselves.
Isn't that what change is about--the shift from "What is in it for me?" to "What is in it for the nation?"
Log on, sign in, and make a few calls. Make ten. Fifteen is better, but start with ten. Choose a telephone campaign you believe in, that you feel connected to. Read through the script completely. Practice out loud a few times. Smile when you speak--it comes through on the other end. Be gracious. And listen.
Good luck. I'm calling for change.
Last weekend we made the drive to Scranton to see Bill and Hillary and Joe and Jill Biden. Lovely scenery through the Poconos, and about 7,000 people showed up. We waited in a long line along the Lackawanna River for over an hour to get into the indoor recreation complex where the rally was held.
Many people from different backgrounds, different walks of life were there: senior citizens, Hillary supporters, Biden fans, veterans, Catholics...such a diverse group all there for one thing: change. People were selling t-shirts and campaign buttons (and other things--one creative guy was selling men's red briefs with white trim that said "No more Bush" on the front. The gentleman behind us bought a pair for $15). Dozens of volunteers wandered around with clipboards to register everyone and remind us all of the security rules (no liquids brought inside, electronics on so they could make sure they were working).
When we finally got inside, rally signs were handed out to the VIP section ahead of us (firefighters and FTA teachers' union, I believe), but we got a few passed back to the rest of us. Lots of "Hillary Sent Me" buttons, too. Handpainted signs endorsed Biden and reminded us that Scranton supports Obama. A giant flag hung on one side.
The heat overcame a few people, despite the air conditioning. We were packed in tightly trying to see. We had a good spot next to the stage. Jill Biden spoke first, and then Bill took the stage. Hillary spoke next and introduced Joe Biden. The crowd was excited throughout and were really charged up.
I highly recommend attending a rally if you can.
One great way to get information out there is with you tube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUTZtJkynsQ
That is a good exmaple, its clearly homemade, but its gets the point across. It is also clearly aimed at on the fence and republican voters to help them to understand why they should vote Obama, not McCain.
So I'm watching CNBC and what do I see? Oil is up to 111.00 a barrel. What the hell? Are we that dumb as a society that we get a little scared of the stocks falling so we go and invest in something that is NATURAL to our planet. I don't understand how anyone can charge for oil, or for a lot of things for that matter. It's made by the earth....no one else made it!
But yet, we run scared, powerless, and with less gas in our tanks and dough in our pockets. Get a backbone America, get a backbone!
