Organizing for America | Sam Graham-Felsen's Blog: Polk Co BarackStars Get Ready to Walk

Polk Co BarackStars Get Ready to Walk

By Sam Graham-Felsen - Jun 5th, 2007 at 11:46 am EDT

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Tags: Iowa

With their idealism, passion, and perseverance, young people are providing a major boost to this campaign. And when I say 'young people,' I'm not only talking about college students.

Take the Polk Co BarackStars, a network of Iowa high school students for Obama. This Thursday, the BarackStars will convene at the Iowa Cubs (a Minor League affiliate of the Chicago Cubs) game to get pumped up before they Walk for Change on Saturday. Whether you're a high schooler or not, if you live in the Des Moines area, go show the Cubbies some love with fellow Obama supporters-- click here and sign up now.

I just spoke with Lily C. of Clive, Iowa, a fifteen-year-old who just finished her sophomore year in high school. Lily is a super-organizer: she's already gotten 108 students from her high school to sign up for her BarackStars group on Facebook.

Lily (second from right) grew up with conservative leanings, but in 2004, things changed:

I grew up in a pretty conservative neighborhood, and Republican household too. My parents are Republicans. Fox News was always on TV and Rush Limbaugh was always on the radio. It was all I knew. But in 2004, after I saw Barack Obama speak at the DNC convention, I knew that the Democrats were the party I wanted to belong to. I was like 'wow, he wants to unify America, not justify its wrongs.' It's was such a refreshing way to see things.

Although, she is not of voting age, she believes that she and other high school students "can make a tremendous impact" on the campaign. "I may not be able to vote myself, but I can go out and tell my family members who generally won't caucus. My 19 -year -old brother doesn't really know what the caucus is," she says. "If I can get five people to caucus for Obama in '08, it makes a bigger difference than my one vote."

Lily says she originally wanted to pursue a career as a lawyer, but after volunteering for Obama, she's now motivated to enter into a life of public service. Keep it up Lily-- you're bound for great things and the campaign needs more young people like you.

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... | Report to Admin

By Vermonter Jun 5th 2007 at 12:49 pm EDT

Hi Folks,

As we prepare to head out this weekend to talk up Barack, I thought we'd all benefit by reading this excellent piece on just how "sophiticated, bold, and far-reaching" Obama's health care plan really is...

I think this article is useful for giving folks a good idea of the positive points of the plan, even among already committed Obama supporters, who were perhaps a bit disappointed following the initial press reactions.

Here's the link:
Link

And here's an excerpt:

However, after Sunday’s debate and new statements from the campaign (including a posting from Harvard economist David Cutler, a key Obama adviser, at the Campaign for America’s Future blog), the outlines of Obama’s plan are clearer.

And it’s much more sophisticated, bold, and far-reaching than initial reactions suggest.

Granted, I am not a detached observer. I have talked with Obama and his team, and I’m gratified that the proposal they adopted contains core elements of the proposal I’ve been advocating, “Health Care for America.” Still, I have no affiliation with the Obama campaign, and I have talked with other candidates and officeholders, including, most notably, Edwards.

I also have differences with the Obama approach, and I’ll present some in a moment. But first we should understand what his approach is, and how it would dramatically transform American health insurance for the better.

Obama’s proposal is best understood as a new framework to provide automatic coverage for everyone who works (or lives in the family of a worker). In the Obama plan, if you work (or someone in your family works), you are entitled to good insurance, either from your employer or through a new public plan.

Notice what I said: a new public plan. Obama believes that a new Medicare-style public plan for those younger than 65 will deliver big savings and better coverage, and that this plan should be the default source of coverage for anyone whose employer doesn’t provide good insurance. Indeed, he takes a major step beyond Edwards by envisioning a national Medicare-like plan (Edwards would make a plan similar to Medicare available on a regional basis) and by clearly stating that this plan will have generous, guaranteed benefits.

Neil Jensen
Vermonters for Obama

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By Paul Kekai Manansala Jun 5th 2007 at 1:26 pm EDT

More clarity is needed on how the retired, self-employed and unemployed will be covered.

Locally, we're hitting low-income neighborhoods where these questions are important. Have you come across this info?

Agreeing to Disagree --- Agreeably | Report to Admin

By J. Lowe Jun 6th 2007 at 12:11 am EDT

OK the best way I can think of to tell you is to tell you. I was in the local businesses, asking the owners to display Walk for Change flyers, and --

One owner said, "My husband and I cannot support Obama because right-to-life is an important issue for us. He will probably win. We don't like any of the republicans." So I said, "Have you heard about Ron Paul? He has a strong right-to-life stance. Have your husband check him out on youtube, you may like him." At first she didn't believe me, but since I was a frequent shopper, she warmed up and gave me a big smile.

Another owner said, "I am going with Hillary. I think she has more experience." I said, "Have you checked out her website? There is a group you can connect that is meeting here in Louisville."

At the end of these conversations, we were brought closer together. They truly appreciated my affirmation of and respect for their beliefs, and the relationship was enhanced.

MAN it felt great.

Re: Agreeing to Disagree --- Agreeably | Report to Admin

By Connie Jun 6th 2007 at 1:47 am EDT

Why didn't the right-to-life people support any of the Republican candidates. All of them of right-to-life except Gulliani.

I don't see that exchange as all that positive; referring people to Ron Paul and Hillary is not my idea of success.

Re: Agreeing to Disagree --- Agreeably | Report to Admin

By J. Lowe Jun 6th 2007 at 5:46 pm EDT

She just said she didn't like any of the republican candidates, and that pro-life was a make or break issue for her and her husband. Before I mentioned Ron Paul, she had not heard of him. When the interaction was finished, we were both smiling and enjoying ourselves and happy to be talking together.

For me the interaction was very positive. When they shared with me their personal convictions, they did so fearing that I would attack them or sell them my agenda. I could see it all over thier face.

Look, before anyone can get anywhere on anything, trust must be built. For me, I must first seek to understand. I must be the example I wish to see in the world. And I must respect the opinions of others, especially opinions rooted in religious beliefs.

Besides, I like these people. They own two of my favorite consignment shops in the city. I go there just to pet their dog. I love and care about them, and I respect and accept them just the way they are. And I know that I will be welcomed more warmly the next time I go in because I they know, for sure, that I respect our differences.

Re: Agreeing to Disagree --- Agreeably | Report to Admin

By Vicmarie Jun 13th 2007 at 5:58 pm EDT

I think what you did was exactly what Obama stands for...getting over the divisiveness that has broken down our country and promoting understanding and acceptance. More importantly, you got these people more involved in the process. What better way to make a change than empowering people to make their own, educated choices?!

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By Strong Heart Jun 6th 2007 at 6:53 am EDT

The fountain of youth irrigates the dreams of tomorrow...

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By Connie Jun 6th 2007 at 8:54 pm EDT

You're right about that SrongHeart; youth is not wasted on the young!

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By Homeboy Jul 4th 2007 at 10:44 pm EDT

I agree.. voting is just the starting point for alot of Americans. If you can get a few of those people involved earlier, it can make a world of difference in the end. Congrats, and keep it up!